Today, I woke up almost an hour earlier than usual because we had to catch the bus. However, when we arrived at the designated spot, we discovered that the bus was scheduled for a different time and would arrive 45 minutes later than expected. When it finally arrived, we all slept for the entire ride.

Our first stop was Blenheim Palace, a gift from Queen Anne to John Churchill, the first Duke of Marlborough. The palace was built between 1705 and 1724, funded by the English Parliament as a national gift in recognition of his victory at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704. It was also the birthplace of Winston Churchill.

We toured the palace, starting at the entrance, which was grand in scale and adorned with beautiful artwork. There were displays of miniature soldiers, which I found fascinating! There was also an impressive model of the palace made entirely out of matches.

The first room we entered was the Green Drawing Room. It was beautifully detailed with 24-karat gold, leaving a lasting impression. Next was the Red Drawing Room, which featured two large family portraits—one depicting the 9th Duke and his family and the other showcasing the 4th Duke and his family.

Then, we visited the Green Writing Room, which displayed the first two of a series of ten tapestries commissioned by the 1st Duke of Marlborough to commemorate his victories during the War of the Spanish Succession. The First State Room continued the series of tapestries and featured elegant decorations created by a group of French designers. The Second State Room displayed additional tapestries, and the Third State Room completed the collection.

My favorite part of the visit was when we stepped outside to explore the grounds of the majestic palace on such a beautiful day. The decor throughout was stunning, but we only had time to take pictures behind the palace near the fountains and in the Secret Garden. I wish we had more time to explore the other gardens, the maze, and the adventure section. I was especially thrilled to see my favorite plant, lavender.

After the palace visit, we traveled to Oxford University. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I quickly realized that I would never want to attend as a student. The atmosphere felt too melancholy and rigid for my liking. The only part I liked was one of the quadrants that had these pretty pink flowers.

I am looking forward to Black Country tomorrow!