Those in the know will know (as they tend to do) that I am at University in Oxford. What follows is a comprehensive review of the City.

I love Oxford. I was born here; I will be baptised and confirmed here in a couple of weeks; and I am likely to get married here. Oxford is not just a City, but it is a University. This attracts a myriad of different people from tramps to bus drivers; students to academics; tourists to locals. It has some quaint restaurants and clubs, world-renowned tea houses and a unique covered market selling a wide-rang of produce.

On arrival to Oxford, you sense the uniqueness of the place ? there are sports fields backing onto the Isis where there will always be a rowing boat or two out in training. This is in comparison to the tourist busses taking people around Oxford?s highly acclaimed architectural buildings and Colleges. Further out of the city are the University Parks ? always full of students or runners, parents and children feeding ducks or a sports match taking place. In addition, Magdalen Deer Park has an individuality of its own. There is a cosmopolitan feel and buzz about the whole place.

Shopping is good in Oxford. I have already mentioned the Covered Market with its interesting boutiques, array of eating establishments, delicatessens and florists. There is also Cornmarket, hosting the standard high-street shops and also two covered shopping arcades offering similar establishments. However, wander into the back streets and you will find antiquated bookshops or rare art galleries. Oh, and of course Oxford is home to the famous bookstore, Blackwells.

I must admit, some strange things can occur in the City? I can?t be bothered to make up some story about sitting on a park bench during Gay Pride weekend; being met by a bloke who lo and behold turned out to be a woman; started chatting to her and realised she may have fancied me; admitting I was straight and then being met by an obviously gay friend.

To be continued...