Oxford 'not so" Blues

The rowers...just like the movie!

The boat houses

This morning we walked through the field behind Tom and Erika's towards the river. After crossing a bridge we took a ramp down to the path that runs alongside the river Isis. The river is actually the Thames, however, as it runs through a 10 mile stretch of Oxford, it is known by its Latin name. This is the portion of the river in which the famous regattas or rowing competitions are held between Oxford University and Cambridge. As we walked along the river front we saw several crews practicing. Some looked as if they were top crews, as they rowed quickly and in perfect unison, while others seemed to spend a lot of time bumping into the river bank (must be 1st year students). Along the way we saw the Oxford University boat houses from which the various crews are based. It is cool to see many students involved throughout the river walk practicing the sport of rowing, whether it be on exercise machines or on the river.



We reached an end point along the path and left the river near Folly bridge. During Saxon times an oxen ford was located where the bridge now sits. These crossings were once more common than bridges and led to the city name, Oxford.

Heading towards the city center we stopped to pick up some sandwiches. We arrived at Christ Church Meadow. We sat on the grass and ate. We watched the students and other tourists strolling by. After lunch, we decided to visit Oxford University Christ Church College. In 1525, Thomas Wolsey founded Cardinal College on the site of St. Frideswide priory. Before it was completed, he fell out of favor with King Henry the 8th. In 1546, the King re-founded it as Christ Church, part of his reconstruction of the Church of England. Since that time, the college has seen many influential politicians, artists, and well known thinker's pass through it's doors. These include 13 British prime ministers, Albert Einstein, and Lewis Carroll.

Protest graffiti

Entering the complex we first entered through the cloister. This is part of the remaining 8th century priory. Continuing on, we passed a door with some graffiti from the mid 1800's. The metal studs pounded into an old wooden door read "No Peel". This was done in protest of Sir Robert Peel, a Christ Church Graduate and Home Secretary, who during his time was proposing greater freedom for Catholics.

Near the door, a stone staircase may look familiar to many of you, as it appears in the Harry Potter films. Also, very familiar at the top of the stairs, we entered the impressive dining hall. To this day the students are required to dine at enormous long tables. There are many elements of the room that are connected to Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. In fact, Alice was named after the daughter of Henry Liddell, a former Christ Church dean and friend. Many elements of the book were derived from the actual structure, for example, a spiral staircase that influenced the book's rabbit hole.

Next we walked through the Tom Quad towards the 12th century Christ Church Cathedral. Above the quad is a clock tower built by Sir Christopher Wren, the architect who designed St. Paul's Cathedral. The clock bell rings 101 times each night at 9 p.m. Originally, it was rung at midnight. It used to ring 100 times for each of the original scholars. The clock bells would signal the closing of the college gates. The Cathedral is another remnant of the old priory. What gives the college a unique quality, is the fact that it is the only one in the world that is also a cathedral.

The choir stalls and organ

The cathedral rose window



Leaving Christ Church College, we wound our way through the narrow streets past many of the other Oxford University Colleges. As classes were in session, these were closed to visitors, but we were able to peer into many of their lovely courtyards. Passing the beautiful round Radcliffe Camera, we crossed over the street towards Blackwell's. This famous bookstore claims to be the largest single room bookstore in all of Europe.

Next, we entered the University Church of St Mary's. The largest church in Oxford and the first of the University's buildings. We intended to climb the church tower stairs to see Oxford from above. Seeing that it was not free, and really not that tall, we decided against it.



Radcliffe Camera

As the day was winding down we decided to head back to Tom and Erika's. Walking back along the river, we stopped for a break and sat on a bench to watch the rowers. While we watched them practice, Tom came running by on his way back from work. He stopped briefly to say hello and continued his run home. We walked, following the path to his home and had another good evening visiting with the soon to be newlyweds.