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April 22nd - Day 13
April 22nd - Day 13
It was a beautiful morning, our last full day in Britain before Hilary and I left for home, and Naomi for Ireland. We caught the train at Paddington Station, near our AirbnB suite, to Oxford where we toured the venerable university. There, we learned Oxford was not just a University.
It was a beautiful morning, our last full day in Britain before Hilary and I left for home, and Naomi for Ireland. We caught the train at Paddington Station, near our AirbnB suite, to Oxford where we toured the venerable university. There, we learned Oxford was not just a University.
Oxford, which is mentioned as a town in 991. Many historical events have taken place here over the centuries, including a massacre of Danes that took place in 1006. Less than a hundred years later, Oxford became the oldest university in the English speaking world when it began teaching students in 1096. A seat of learning ever since, it is the place where where Einstein sketched out his theory of relativity on a blackboard, still preserved exactly as he drew it, during a lecture he gave in 1931.
Oxford, which is mentioned as a town in 991. Many historical events have taken place here over the centuries, including a massacre of Danes that took place in 1006. Less than a hundred years later, Oxford became the oldest university in the English speaking world when it began teaching students in 1096. A seat of learning ever since, it is the place where where Einstein sketched out his theory of relativity on a blackboard, still preserved exactly as he drew it, during a lecture he gave in 1931.
Today, however, as our tour guide, Lydia, hilariously told through stories of university life, the main characteristics that describes Oxford today is "money, books and alcohol". And, of course, it is also famous for Harry Potter, since many of the scenes in the movie were filmed there.
Today, however, as our tour guide, Lydia, hilariously told through stories of university life, the main characteristics that describes Oxford today is "money, books and alcohol". And, of course, it is also famous for Harry Potter, since many of the scenes in the movie were filmed there.
The high-speed train from London to Oxford, approached 200 km/hrs during our jouirney. It was a quiet, very smooth trip that lasted about an hour.
At Dilcot, where we changed trains, there was a railway museum where other locomotives from a bygone era are lovingly kept in working order.
You don't see trains like this very often these days.
Castle Mill Stream, which we crossed over a bridge into the old city of Oxford
Broad Street, the major path through the village. Most of the city, and especially behind the walls of the Colleges, is accessible only on foot and bicycle.
Brasenose Lane, just outside of Brasenose College, one of 38 colleges at Oxford.
Walking through Oxford, the immediate impression is the great history of this place, a university that has been teaching students for over a thousand years. This is Saint Mary Magdalene, built in 1320. The graveyard dates from the late 1700's to early 1800's.
There are chapels in 37 of Oxford's colleges, the 38th of which has a cathedral. This is the chapel from Trinity College, founded in 1555 shortly after the Reformation.
Stained glass window from the chapel at Trinity College.
The Trinity College dining hall. Like all colleges, Trinity is co-ed. But this has only been so. In recognition of this, and because most colleges display large numbers of male figures glaring down at their students over dinner, photos on the walls here are notable women, One of them includes the current co-leader of the British Green Party, Siân Berry.
The Divinity School, constructed between 1427-1483, taking close to sixty years to complete. It is one of the oldest purpose-built halls in Oxford, created specifically for lectures, oral exams and discussions on theology. Oxford students are admitted here following their formal graduation ceremony to celebrate what they have achieved.
Detail from the ceiling of the Divinity School. Harry Potter fans will recognize it as the place that was the site of Hogwarts Infirmary, and many other scenes that were filmed there.
Oxford graduates have formed a veritable "who's who" of world and business leaders, and has produced the most British prime ministers from any university . Theresa May, is the latest, the 27th Oxford graduate who has done so.
Part of a medieval wall surrounding the old city of Oxford. Part of the wall date from the first half of the thirteenth century.
The New College courtyard. Despite its name, it was founded in 1379 and is one of the oldest colleges in Oxford. Harry Potter fans will recognize it is the place that was used to film the scene that Harry tips Cedric off about the dragons they’d be battling in the first task. The tree, which is close to 200 years old, is also in the scene where Mad-Eye Moody to turned Malfoy into a ferret.
A spot in the middle of Broad Street, where our tour guide related, with a dramatic flair, one of the most horrifying scenes that took place in Oxford. It's the place where the archbishop of Canterbury was burned at the stake in 1556,
And yes, after a very interesting walk through history, we also found that the pizza was great. After all, it is a university town!
On returning to London, Hilary had a very special evening planned for us, with tickets to the critically acclaimed musical Come From Away. A Canadian-inspired performance, it told the story of how residents in the tiny town of Gander, Newfoundland responded to the sudden arrival of 38 jetliners filled with passengers in the aftermath of 9/11. It was a wonderful performance that ended with all of us cheering in a standing ovation.
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