Dreaming?

Monday, 01 November 2010 12:32

A day among the Spires

Well, almost a day. Lunch in the covered market in Oxford was followed by a wander, mainly in Christ Church Meadow. Wow, what a wonderful day for colours and skies!

One Charles Dodgson attended Christ Church College in 1852 to study mathematics. It seems we keep "bumping" into this now famous scholar - he was given the writing name Lewis Carroll when he wrote for a student paper here. He lived all his life here at Christ Church but maintained a certain mystery about himself until his death. This seems completely in character to me for one of our first "fantasy" writers.

Christ Church College Tom Tower in St Aldates and entrance to Christ Church Meadows from St Aldates:

Christ Church continues its connection with "fantasy" authors to this day. Many of the scenes from Harry Potter films were shot here and The Great Hall was replicated as a set for Hogwarts Hall.

Christ Church Meadow is a triangle of green flood-meadow in the midst of the bustle and business of Oxford. It is bounded on two sides by the River Thames (known as the River Isis as it flows through Oxford) and the River Cherwell with the college of Christ Church forming the third side. It is owned by the college, but is open to the public during daylight hours.

The meadow towards the Thames under a wonderful sky:

The Boat Houses of the University rowing teams are on the bank of the Thames beside the Meadow. I remember the scene as we travelled up the Thames in our first autumn of continuous cruising on narrowboat Epiphany, now four years old as of 31st October! Looking back, we have had some wonderful adventures on her, thanks Epiphany!

The sun was competing with storm clouds; fortunately, the sun won! Another view over Christ Church Meadow towards the River Thames:

Merton College is across the rugby pitch and the clouds threatened there too! You can just spot the spire of St Mary's, the University Church peeking over the trees.

More photos of the wonderful colours and skies from Christ Church Meadow are here - clickety click  Look out for more photos and stories of Oxford in the days to come!

Possibly .......