Oxford and the Bodelian Library

Return to Oxford

Thursday (July 19) we returned to Oxford for our tour of the Bodelian Library at Oxford University. The library is the main research library at Oxford University and is administered by the university unlike the other libraries which are administered by the individual colleges. It is one of the oldest libraries with the current building and collection dating back to the 1602 when Sir Thomas Bodley a fellow of Oxford from Merton College offered to develop the declining library by providing books from his own collection and soliciting other donations as well as taking the cost upon himself for the restoration of the building and furniture.

My most memorable impression

The library is quite grand to be expected. But my most memorable impression of the whole visit will be of the bathroom. Why the bathroom you ask? Well, you may or may not know that in England, library patrons are referred to as "readers". Very appropriate. So naturally, the bathroom or toilet is labeled "Women Readers". I love it! I had to take a picture of it. I thought I was being discreet but our guide was lurking behind the pillar and caught me in the act. Oh well crazy Americans.

C.S. Lewis Tour

While in Oxford, we had the afternoon free so some of us signed up to take a "C.S. Lewis Tour" graciously arranged by our classmate Mike. The tour was interesting and our guide was quite a character. It was a little subjective though. Our tour guide claims to have been friends with C. S. Lewis's stepson and to have known the man himself. He was also adamant that there should be some kind of monument to Lewis in Oxford of which there isn't. So he provided this tour as a tribute to Lewis since none according to him exists. We did visit some interesting places, amongst them his house "The Kilns", his church

and grave site and the home of J. R. R. Tolkien a friend of Lewis's and one of the famous "Inklings" who used to gather at the "Eagle and Child Pub" to discuss Christianity and other philosophical ideas I'm sure. As I said it was interesting and entertaining. A little longer than I would have preferred however but our guide provided a certificate for each of us with our names stating that we had participated in the tour, somewhat odd but nice. Unfortunately, we were too late to visit Christchurch but I took pictures anyway.

C. S. Lewis grave site

Beatrix Potter Lakeland Tour

The Lake District

On Wednesday July 18, I and fellow classmate Mary set out with Dr. Welsh and Ms. Wright to the Lake District for a tour to Beatrix Potter's Hill Top Farm. We had to meet the tour guide in Euston Station at 6:15, ugh. It made for a long day but well worth the time and effort. The Lake District is picture postcard beautiful. I'm writing my research paper on Beatrix Potter so that made the trip all that more meaningful. We visited Hill Top farm and Hawkshead as well. The Lake District was a special retreat for Miss Potter or Mrs. Heelis as she was known in the area.

Hill Top Farm

Beatrix Potter purchased Hill Top in 1905 with the money she made from her book "The Tales of Peter Rabbit". Beatrix had visited the Lake District often with her family during summer vacations. Hill Top is a small 17th house which still contains many of Miss Potter's furnishings. When she died she left Hill Top to the National Trust which now runs it as a museum open to the public. She stipulated however that Hill Top should not be sold and remain much the same as it was when she lived there. The house is furnished much like it would have been and Beatrix Potter's china, furniture and drawings are all on display. The house is very quaint and the surrounding garden is just beautiful. It's quite impressive to see that not much has changed since she lived there and to have see her personal drawings and belongings was quite special.

Hawkshead

We also visited Hawkshead the hometown of Miss Potter's husband William Heelis. It's a 17th century village with small winding cobblestone roads which reminded more of a small Swiss or Bavarian village than English. The poet William Wordsworth was also educated at the Hawkshead grammar school which now operates as a museum. Unfortunately, we were not able to tour the school because a private tour was taking place. I enjoyed an ice cream instead and walked up the winding road and found a small store dedicated to all the is "Beatrix Potter". Lots of lovely trinkets but only so much room in the suitcase so I only looked, sigh.

St. Paul's Cathedral Library

A Special Privilege

The St. Paul's Cathedral library was another special treat. To get to the library we had to ascend a winding back narrow staircase which added to thee special secretiveness of the whole visit. The staircase led us to a room containing a large wooden model of the Cathedral designed by Christopher Wren. This model however was initially denied because King Charles thought it looked too much like the Vatican in Rome and being a protestant church that was not acceptable. Mr. Wren was pretty sneaky though, he agreed to change the design but during the construction he provided the original design and got his way anyway.

No pictures allowed

Our librarian guide, whose name is befittingly Joe Wisdom was charming in his own way. He certainly fit the stereotype of the stuffy librarian. No pictures were allowed in the library, that's how secret it is! The doors to the library are large wooden castle looking doors a little deceiving since the library itself is rather small. Once inside the familiar smell of musty old books was the first thing I noticed. Though small the library is still quite grand with high ceilings, pillars and two floors.

This is Winchester Cathedral, not St. Paul's.

There was a large book displayed on one of the tables. Mr. Wisdom asked us to take a look and guess what it was. I was able to determine that it was from the Bodelian Library from the heading on the page but that was it. It turned out to be a catalog record from the Bodelian library at Oxford University. He pointed out the similiarities of cataloging today, the tediousness of it. Thank heavens for computers though.

We descended a different winding staircase when leaving the library. All in all an interesting visit, made even more fun by the winding staircases. This is the front of Winchester Cathedral. We weren't abel to take pictures as St. Paul's Library.

Museum of London

Museum of London a Brief overview

On Monday morning July 16th, our class journeyed to the Museum of London. The building itself is nothing to write home about. Rather modern looking , it was established in 1975 from a merger with the Guild Hall Museum. It is part of the Museum of London Group which includes the Museum in Docklands, Museum of London Archaeology Service and the Museum of London Archaeology Archive. The museum is remarkable however, for its collections and because it is the largest urban history museum in the world. On site are 150 staff.

My Impression

Our guide Joe Cotton is the senior curator of the prehistoric period collection. First thing, he had us view a prepared slide show which he narrated and informed us there were handouts. This was very helpful. I've found it difficult to take notes while trying to listen, look and walk at the same time. So, I was much relieved when he said there were handouts provided and we would be sitting. After the slide show, he took us to the prehistoric exhibit. An interesting note, a few years ago the museum surveyed people and asked what the term prehistoric meant and most answered "dinosaurs". This was after they had viewed the exhibit which he pointed out did not include any dinosaurs. A few answered along the lines of the time before recorded history the answer the museum had hoped would have been evident from the exhibit. I found the prehistoric exhibit interesting, but I fear I may have also mentioned "dinosaurs" when asked what "prehistoric" meant. It's all those old bones, makes me think of dinosaurs. Actually, I preferred the exhibit on the London fire. It was a dark room with scenes flashing of the fire and a booming voice narrating the action. Very theatrical!!

Stonehenge and Winchester

Welcome to Stonehenge

I finally made it to Stonehenge. One site I just had to see! And what a sight. Right there next to the highway, can you imagine driving by Stonehenge on any given day. I always pictured it in some far off field with just a winding road or footpath leading to it. It was amazing to see it in the distance from the bus. You could see the stones of course and a large circle of people standing around them, eerie. It looked like an ancient ceremony was taking place. Mike (a classmate) commented that it looked like Druid priests, spot on Mike!! But reality set in when we approached the car park area. There were masses of people trying to get in and masses of people walking around. It was sort of organized chaos but it worked and we pushed our way in. Once in, we had an excellent view of the stones from a distance of course. People are no longer allowed to touch the stones so the area is encircled by a rope intending to keep the humans out. It was still incredible to view. The weather was a little overcast which made it all that more mysterious. I kept hearing this ominous deep voice in my head saying "welcome to Stonehenge" and of course, the scene from the movie Spinal Tap (dancing around the miniature Stonehenge on stage) kept popping into my head along with the voice. I think sleep deprivation may have entered into this equation. Another remarkable site!

Winchester and The Great Hall

Our next stop for the day was the historic city of Winchester know for of course for the Cathedral (yes the song was going the my head the whole time) and the Great Hall. The Great Hall is the only remaining part of the Winchester Castle (above ground) and contains the famous or infamous round table from King Arthur's Court. The names of all the knights are painted on the table as well as King Arthur on his throne. It is hanging on the wall to the right just as you enter the hall. On the opposite end of the hall are Prince Charles's iron wedding gates.

The Cathedral from what we could see was beautiful. They were having services so we were not allowed to go all the way to the vestibule area. It is one of the largest churches in England and has the longest Nave. The current building dates back to 1079 however the church origins date back to the 7th century and it was part of a monastic settlement in the 900's . Another factoid, Jane Austen is buried in the Nave of the church.

Dover and Canterbury

The Lucky Few

Today, I was lucky enough to go on the Dover and Canterbury tour. Apparently, a highly sought after tour. This tour only had one bus reserved so many were waiting to see who wouldn't show upon that early Saturday morning. It worked, I think all who showed up without a reserved seat were able to get on the tour.

White Cliffs of Dover

Dover was very picturesque. The sea was a wonderful sight and to finally see the white cliffs of Dover that have been immortalised in song and film. Immediately I thought of my mother singing the White Cliffs of Dover. The cliffs would have been better viewed from across the channel but a view from the bus window would have to do for now.

Dover Castle

The castle sits atop a hill looking out over the town as most castles do. Actually, this particular castle is know for its defensive location. Of course there is the first line of defense the location on the cliffs, then the moat or valley surrounding the castle and another incline and finally the surrounding castle wall. So needless to say a lot of stairs to climb and uphill walking in this place. The castle has a long history starting in the 12th century. The Keep of the castle was my favorite area and the medieval tunnels. We had little time to explore and as it turns out way too little time for me and classmate Mary. We arrived twenty minutes late back to the bus. We just had to climb all the way to the top of the Keep. A fantastic view and well worth the effort, but my apologies to those waiting for us on the bus. We would have made it back a little bit earlier had we not passed the entrance and had to back track. But we made it and met up with the search party they had sent for us at the entrance. Other than the walk of shame back to the bus it was a very good day.

Canterbury Street Scenes

The United Kingdon House of Parliament

Parliament

Friday the thirteenth we had a tour of Parliament. Very proper of course lots of protocol. We entered through the "sovereigns entrance". The queen only comes to Parliament once a year to give a speech and actually it's not her speech but the Prime minister's speech. The Parliament is made up of two houses-The House of Lords and The House Commons.

House of Lords

Members of the House of Lords are mostly appointed by the Queen with a fixed number elected internally. The House of Lords also is the highest court in the land with full time judges known as the Law Lords who carry out the judicial work. The throne is in the House of Lords and this is where the Queen gives her annual speech.

House of Commons

Members of the House of Commons are publicly elected every five years and referred to as MPs. The party with largest members forms the government. The main function of the House of Commons is to debate political issues and propose new bills. Sovereigns are not allowed in the House of Commons and MPs are not allowed to speak in the House of Lords.

Lasting Impressions

Our guide was entertaining. A gray haired older gentleman with plenty of dry British wit. The thing that impressed me the most or maybe didn't impress me was the size of both the Houses . Both are really small, nothing like what they appear on TV. There is barely enough room for members. Also learned that The House of Commons main color is green and the House of Lords main color is red. Not sure the reason for this, I don't have that in my notes. Maybe a coincidence.