Although this session has seen some unlucky weather, the sun finally came out yesterday for St Peter’s excursion to Blenheim Palace. The monumental 18th-century country house is located in Woodstock, a short bus ride away from the city centre. It is the current residence of the Dukes of Marlborough and boasts being the only non-royal country house to hold the title ‘palace’ in addition to being a national monument to the 1704 Battle of Blenheim. Students marvelled at the impeccably kept gardens, taking a miniature train ride to view all the Palaces sights in full.

On return to St Peter’s College, the students enjoyed a sumptuous dinner in the main college dining hall, a novelty that still remains fully intact mid-way through their second week. The students were then transitioned into ukulele lessons and Chango Lingo, first given a fantastic rendition of Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s Over the Rainbow on ukulele by the teacher before the students were taught the basic chords and tried to learn the first verse altogether. Following their attempts at the miniature guitars, the students took to the drums at Chango Lingo, danced and drummed away, encouraged to adopt a primitive rhythm and style.

Students were keen to embrace the fairer weather and get out to the Oxford University Parks where the counsellors led the students in games of ultimate Frisbee and football.