The eyes of Oxford

The second trip to Oxford this past weekend focused on the faces looking down on its streets.  The ancient buildings of the university are covered in gargoyles.  Animals and mythical beasts, kings and commoners, craftsmen and destroyers, saints and sinners, professors and fools, bizarre and bland are a feast for the eyes.

 Buildings come alive with these curious creations

A Deep Experience at the Edge of the Cotswolds

What began as an adventure to Blenheim Palace became a memorable day of inspiration and exploration.   We (my fellow ex-patriot, Kimberley and I) started off at 7:30am on Sunday.  The initial scouting was for a coffee shop; it is a part of the necessity for some members of the group.  But our first goal was to get to Oxford, home of Oxford University, by 9:30.  We were about the first people in town and found a spot to park easily.  The town hints at the wonderful stark design of the Cotswold buildings.  Row houses, university buildings, museums are built with the sandstone of the Midlands.  A quick English breakfast of sunny side up eggs, bacon and toast with the inevitable cuppa tea fortified me for the day.  10:30 we new the church service would begin.  Why not visit a church as a part of your tour of the countryside.  We almost missed the church.  It had a small entrance on St. Giles Street...but once beyond the opening, the welcome was inspiring.  The path opened to a courtyard with a fountain, boxed garden, a glassed in Reading Room and the church beyond.  We were greeted by a pleasant young man and woman who ushered us into the still mostly empty auditorium...but we were early.  What happened after that was so memorable.  The readers came out and the first reader had this pleasant, sincere smile on his face.  He seemed happy to see us, and everyone else who had joined us there.  The next hour was one of the most enriching church services I have ever attended.  The reader was giving us a healing treatment with every passage he read.  He deeply believed what he was reading and we were invited to believe it too.  The light-filled room was filled with the light of healing ideas.  The sermon, the hymns, the cadence of the service all worked together and left us with a refreshing exhaustion.  We are going back next weekend.  Ben, the reader, came out after the service and spoke with us...and absolutely delightful young man of no more than 25 or 26.

After we left the church we wandered Oxford.  I got wrapped up in wanting a university souvenir...thus a new rugby shirt emblazoned with the university crest.  The city, is the university and the university is the city.  Unlike my favorite city in the US, Cambridge, Massachusetts which is a part of the larger city of Boston.  Oxford is Oxford.  An aerial view of the the city shows that the university is the heart and limits of the city.  The oldest university in the English speaking world is has flourished to one degree or another for the last one thousand years.  It oozes quality, intellectualism, art, history, culture and a hundred other wonderful characteristics.

 Gargoyles are everywhere and reflect much of the history of the university, whether a king who sponsored learning or a playwright who learned his craft there, these gargoyles decorate the gothic spires and arched doorways.

 This card seemed a bit out of place in a city of learning.

 Starbuck and McDonald's have attempted to be unobtrusive in a city of history.

 I figured I better include a photo of a phone box as they are a disappearing part of the landscape.

After a quick pose in front of the museum we were off to our goal for the day...Blenheim Palace.  Birthplace of Winston Spencer Churchill this estate is one of the most incredible gifts in the world.  Queen Anne gave it to the First Duke of Marlborough (John Churchill) in thanks for his leadership in the War of Spanish Succession.  Now the home of the 11th Duke there are many crowned heads who would have drooled over its glory.  Vast lawns designed by Capability Brown, the vista to the Victory Monument (below), endless hallways and rooms, sculpted gardens, courtyards and on and on create an unreal environment for a 21st century visitor.  Much like Disney World, it cannot be taken in in one days visit...thus I know hold a year's pass.  We walked the palace, had our cup of tea...and latte and wandered the several gardens of the estate before being the last car to leave the car park.

The drive home down the M40 to the A3 was filled with reviewing the day of wonders...the church service, the sunny sky, the palace and its grounds all worked together for a day that will be remembered for a long time.  To think we were hoping to get to Upper and Lower Slaughter is humorous to comprehend...that would have been overkill.

Eton has it over Windsor.

 Approaching Windsor by the Thames...

...or by land

Saturday street market in the shadow of the Queen's home.

Fresh baked goods everywhere!

Cobblestone streets give rise to cafes.

The tourist photo...the flag coming out of my hat signifies that Her Madge is in residence at the castle.  However, at £16.50 ($27.25) per person, we passed on getting any closer than this to her apartments.

He may have had trouble speaking but George sure promoted letter writing by emblazoning his name on a lot of post boxes.  

A visit to the Thames Riverfront not only was a live with swans...but

...it showed us that there was life on the other side of the river.  This is the Eton College boathouse.

Eton proved to be a much more quaint town and a real town and not a tourist trap as its neighbor across the river.  Windsor is one souvenir store after another but Eton is real shops...clothing, antiques, art galleries, real restaurants and not just fish and chip spots and Burger King...being the home of the college has obviously had an impact on the town.  I thoroughly enjoyed my three hours in Eton.

The Eton College Chapel...you can see Windsor Castle in the last dip in the trees on the left.

Playing a pick up game of football in the shadow of history.

Founded in 1440 by King Henry VI, Eton's traditional student dress continues today.  Nineteen British Prime Ministers have been Eton graduates, including the current one: David Cameron.

 The Chapel

 A Saturday cricket match

I have to admit I am intrigued by the elitist world (even though at times I am revolted by it)...heck I have made a life long career of educating their children.  But the white cricket uniforms on a field of rich green grass does conjure up a certain sense of confidence.

If you ever have an opportunity to visit the Windsor/Eton area...be sure to spend time in Eton...it is much more satisfying.