we walked everywhere - we discovered places

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Julia wasn't feeling entirely well today, so we decided to do something that she wouldn't mind missing quite as much. This happened to be one of the places I was most excited about seeing- Oxford. We visited the Ashmolean Museum and I was very disappointed to find the floor where the pre-Raphaelite collection is kept closed for renovation. A few were still being exhibited, and with all the other fine art and antiques it was well worth going. We stopped for lunch at The Eagle and Child (meeting place of the Inklings) and enjoyed some good pub fare just outside of the Rabbit Room, where Lewis and Tolkein, among others, met every Tuesday. After this we went on a 2 hour guided tour of the colleges and university. Our guide was fantastic and I could have walked around the school for ages. I could easily have spent much much longer in Oxford (i.e. an undergraduate school session), but was thrilled to have even the day.

-Erica

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Photos

We Walked Everywhere - We Discovered Places
I spotted this on a ledge beside a sidewalk while on the bus into Oxford.

a college quadrangle
don't walk on the grass- seriously

in front of the Merton library and chapel
in Merton college- the oldest library in England

Comments

[Leslie Ann]

Oxford Suits You
Erica ..... Oxford suits you. I can imagine you conversing and exchanging ideas with other men and women of high intelligence and charm. Maybe a school like this is part of your future. One never knows what road the Lord has designed specifically for us ..... but it will be grand!

[Luke]

The Bird and the Baby, eh? Did you get to go into any of the colleges' libraries?

[Leslie Ann]

Where are you now?
So many days have passed since your last journal. You must be having an amazing time and are just too busy to write. I think of you often and wonder where in Europe you are. From looking at your map, I imagine you are in Germany or Italy. Where did you spend July 1st, Canada Day? I remember a Canada Day spent in Rome (2003). It was quite wonderful. We visited the Canadian Embassy and our children's choir led the small group of us ..... embassy workers, choir chaperones and parents ...... in a rendition of O Canada that brougt tears to my eyes. Didn't know until then how very proud of our country I am. Would love to see some more pictures of all of you enjoying the old world. Sending love and blessings

[Geoff]

It looks like you're having a wonderful trip. I hope you got to see a service in St. Paul's cathedral.

[dave and ruth]

keep blogging
In case you're wondering, the dyck's are following your travels. My sister and her husband are in london, england as well, and a year in dublin, ireland, so we have two blogs to follow. Their blog website is ennsinireland.blogspot.com, in case your paths should cross ha ha

[dave m]

Thats it, I'm building my own Oxford!

[Roebbelen Family]

since our chances of getting into the real one are pretty slim, that may be our best bet!

[Roebbelen Family]

no, unfortunately the college libraries aren't open to the public. you have to be a member of the college to get in. apparently many of the books in some libraries are still chained to the shelves!