I’m Quite (Fawn)d of Deer Parks

I’m a little too proud of that pun.

Jill Mencke
Jul 28, 2017 · 3 min read

On the Wednesday of our last few days in Oxford, Dr. Johnson secured our free entry into Magdalen College, which included a trip up the tower, which is normally not accessible to tourists. Magdalen Tower is the tallest point in Oxford, so getting to go to the top was pretty cool, however, it meant more stairs. It was just a little shorter than L’arc de Triomphe, so I knew I could make it.

Views from Magdalen Tower!

Since the top of Magdalen Tower is not normally accessible to tourists, the stairs were a little sketchy. They were not big enough for my rather large feet. Once I got to the top though, every step was worth it. I wouldn’t say that the views were as cool as the top of St. Mary’s but it was still really cool (and free!!). After we came down from the tower, a few of us walked around the grounds of Magdalen.

Did you really go to a place if you didn’t take pics!

I actually liked Magdalen the most out of all the colleges I visited. The grounds and the college itself are beautiful. You can also walk along the river while on the campus and it’s like you’re in a fairytale with all the trees and lovely walkways. Not to mention the DEER PARK!! All of the colleges claim to have a deer park, but Magdalen is the only one I’ve seen that has a deer park with actual deer in it.

Rosie the Cat! She is so very majestic.

After the jaunt through Magdalen and lunch, it was time for my final tutorial with Dr. Williams. :( I went to Sylvie’s for the final time and the beloved Rosie the cat was there! At my tutorial, I read my essay over A Clockwork Orange aloud, after which Dr. Williams told both Sam and I that he enjoyed working with us and our class, and I felt very proud to have represented OU in such a way. He also said to feel free and ask him for a letter of recommendation in the future, so I feel really proud to have an Oxford professor say that to me.

That night, we had our ceremonial formal dinner to commemorate the end of the trip. I don’t remember the specifics on what I ate, but all of the food was marvelous. Especially the DESSERT oh my god. It was a chocolate cake with molted chocolate center served with clotted cream ice cream. IT WAS SO GOOD. We also took a picture with our respective class and here’s the Banned Books one. Morgan had already left for Glasgow, so I had to (poorly) photoshop her in! It was starting to set in that our time at Oxford was almost over, I just couldn’t believe it. I had to make the most of it!

Yay for Banned Books!
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