Namaste England : A Journey Through the Heart of England (Part II)

I had shared some memories of London with you in my previous blog. In this second blog of my England tour, I will mention some memories of my next stop which are especially related to the visits to Oxford and Birmingham, the historical places of Central England. On the morning of 18 March I left London Marlybone station by the Chiltern Railways for Banbury.

I had to catch the 10.45 am train to Banbury, I left Saurabh ji's house for London Marlybone station at around 9.45 am, but while trying to find the platform and find the right train, I missed my scheduled train.

I told my problem to the responsible officer present at the station and asked him for permission to board the next train on the same ticket, he smiled and allowed me. But I did not know that this is illegal, because we are required to travel only in the train for which we have a ticket. It was foolish of me that I took the officer's smile as his permission. I was lucky that there was no ticket checker in the train that day, otherwise I would have faced a hefty penalty.

After about one and a half to two hours, I reached Banbury, where my sister Swapnil and little niece Navya came to receive me. Banbury, like other towns in England, is a very peaceful, beautiful, clean and attractive town. Although the cities of England are much quieter and less crowded as compared to India' city, but in the villages or towns it seems as if a curfew has been imposed.

With Shashank, Swapnil & Navya

Banburry Known for its historic market town charm, Banbury offers a blend of old-world charm and modern amenities. It has iconic Banbury Cross, picturesque canals, and traditional markets. After having lunch and some rest, we went to Broughton Castle near Banbury in the evening after the arrival of my brother-in-law Shashank. The vast pastureland near Broughton Castle was extremely tranquil and attractive, especially to anyone arriving in England from the Indian subcontinent. where sheep, cows and other cattle could be seen grazing freely. This is one of my niece's favorite places in Banbury where she loves being amongst the innocent animals. 

In those days in the UK the sun set at around 9 PM o'clock. We returned from Broughton at around 7.30 PM, being very tired throughout the day, I fell into deep sleep after having dinner. In UK you have to walk a lot on foot, hence you get tired quite easily. Also, there is no noise of AC, cooler, fan or noise of vehicles in the residential colonies there, hence due to such peace and cold weather, sleep in England is easier. it was very relaxing.

Next day My next stop takes me to the illustrious city of Oxford, home to one of the world's most prestigious universities. Walking through the cobbled streets, we marvel at the stunning architecture of colleges like Christ Church, where echoes of scholarly debates and literary inspirations linger in the air.

The Bodleian Library beckons with its ancient manuscripts and literary treasures, inviting us to explore the worlds of knowledge contained within its walls. A stroll through the University Parks offers a serene escape, surrounded by verdant landscapes and the gentle flow of the River Cherwell.

Spending the day wandering the streets of Oxford and exploring this place surrounded by students and young minds from all over the world, we witnessed the vibrant heritage of education. Respect for knowledge is actually what makes cities like Oxford and Cambridge special in the world today and also reminds us of the glorious history of Nalanda and Takshashila. 

After roaming around in Oxford the whole day, reached Swapnil's house in Banbury in the evening. Feeling tired throughout the day and having mild fever, I soon fell asleep. The plan was to go to Birmingham the next day, but due to the condition after coming from Oxford, it seemed that perhaps the body would not allow me to travel anymore. 

But after about 10 hours of good sleep, the next day I was feeling quite refreshed. Swapnil had prepared a very tasty breakfast. After eating it and packing the food for the day, I, Swapnil and little Navya left for Birmingham. we arrive in Birmingham after around 2hrs journey, Birmingham a vibrant metropolis that embraces diversity and innovation. 

As I set foot in Birmingham, I was immediately captivated by the city's vibrant energy and rich history. My journey began at the heart of Birmingham, in Victoria Square, surrounded by impressive Victorian architecture and the iconic Council House. The square bustled with activity, showcasing the city's dynamic atmosphere.

One of my first stops was the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, a treasure trove of art, history, and culture. Walking through its halls, I marveled at Pre-Raphaelite paintings, ancient artifacts, and interactive exhibitions that brought Birmingham's past to life. The Library of Birmingham stands as a beacon of learning and culture, with its striking architecture and vast collection of books and resources.

No visit to Birmingham would be complete without exploring its famous canals. Strolling along the picturesque waterways, I admired the canal boats, historic buildings, and vibrant street art that adorned the canal paths. It was a tranquil escape from the bustling city streets. Before concluding my trip, I explored Birmingham's vibrant markets, including the Bull Ring Mall.

Reflecting on my time in Birmingham, I was struck by the city's ability to seamlessly blend its rich history with modern innovation. From its industrial heritage to its cultural diversity and culinary delights, Birmingham proved to be a captivating destination worthy of exploration.

 With Milap Bhai & Hetal Ben

From Birmingham we returned to Banbury by about 4 pm. On the same day at 8 pm, I had to leave for London from where I had a flight to Delhi via Istanbul the next day. After having dinner and getting some breakfast packed by Swapnil for the next day, I left for London and reached around 9.30 pm, I  was received by Hetal Ben and Milap Bhai at London Marylebone station and dropped me at Richa Di's house in Langley. In a strange country, small supports like this mean a lot and really make you feel at home even when you are outside the country.

with Richa di and Gaurav ji

On the morning of 21st April, at around 8.30 am, I left for Heathrow Airport from where I had to take a flight at 11.30 am. In the last nine days, many of the perceptions that the British had about this country have changed. The discipline, humility, etiquette and manners of this country inspire us to learn a lot. For a person flying with false ego or narcissism, global travel provides an opportunity to understand the vast world and many people. The love I received from my Indian friends and relative in London also remained intact in my heart...the kind of closeness they gave me in a foreign country is often not found around us.

In conclusion, our journey through London, Banbury, Oxford, and Birmingham has been a tapestry of experiences, weaving together history, culture, and modernity. Each destination has left an indelible mark on our hearts, inviting us to return and delve deeper into the stories they have to tell.

At istanbul

 Said goodbye to London with the hope of returning to this land someday again. On the way, we also got a chance to spend some time in Istanbul where the local culture could be seen at the airport. The bold style of the street artists of Istanbul was quite captivating. The flight landed in Delhi on the morning of 22nd April... You may travel anywhere in the world but returning to your country is always a relief. In this way, keeping the memories of my UK trip in my heart, I boarded the train for my hometown Bhopal… I fell into a deep sleep after the tiring jetlag on the way… but even then, the attraction of London remained in my dreams.