Travel Journal - Oxford, pt. 5
Last day in Oxford. So sad.
I started at the library, hoping to go to Christ Church College afterward, but I took too long. Deciding I had to prioritize now, I headed to Merton College (where Tolkien was professor for the second half of his career). There was a tour at 2, so I went and had lunch, yes, at the Bird & Baby. What can I say? The food was good and relatively inexpensive, and of course, I just couldn't get enough of the place. I wanted to linger, but with everything in England closing by 5 or 6, I just didn't have time. It was very exciting to realize that I was there on a Tuesday, though, as that's when the Inklings used to meet there. :)
After that came Merton. The garden isn't usually open to the public, but as a new organ was being installed in the chapel, thus making it untourable, they allowed the tour to go through the garden instead. Yay for the new organ! The garden was lovely. And of course, there was Tolkien's tree. Sadly they didn't tell us it was Tolkien's tree until we were far away, so I couldn't hug it, nor could I gather a leaf from the ground around it. (I gathered leaves and flowers along the way on this trip, inspired as I was by the crazy Elvis fans who plucked grass from his lawn back in the day [and when I was there]. I didn't pluck any, just gathered what had fallen. No plants were harmed in the process.) I would've loved a leaf from there. If you don't ask, the answer's no. I should've asked the guy.
After Merton College came Magdalen College, where C.S. Lewis taught. This also meant Addison's Walk, the naturey area at Magdalen. (Really, for all it's buildings, there really is a remarkable amount of garden area in Oxford.) Addison's Walk was the main reason to go to Magdalen. It was there that Tolkien and Hugo Dyson led C.S. Lewis to CHRIST. (From there, I must admit, in addition to a couple leaves, I stole a small rock.) It was amazing to be there and imagine what it must've been like, and to think of hose these men have touched not just my life, but countless others. And it was such a lovely day.
Here too, however, is the location of my greatest regret. I had bought a hoodie two days before and discovered the stitching was falling apart. For some reason I didn't return it earlier in the day. I think I was hoping to find a replacement before I did. This store closed at 5:30. And so I had to hustle out of the park. I had time to enjoy it, but not time to stop and talk with this man. My biggest regret on this trip.
I started at the library, hoping to go to Christ Church College afterward, but I took too long. Deciding I had to prioritize now, I headed to Merton College (where Tolkien was professor for the second half of his career). There was a tour at 2, so I went and had lunch, yes, at the Bird & Baby. What can I say? The food was good and relatively inexpensive, and of course, I just couldn't get enough of the place. I wanted to linger, but with everything in England closing by 5 or 6, I just didn't have time. It was very exciting to realize that I was there on a Tuesday, though, as that's when the Inklings used to meet there. :)
After that came Merton. The garden isn't usually open to the public, but as a new organ was being installed in the chapel, thus making it untourable, they allowed the tour to go through the garden instead. Yay for the new organ! The garden was lovely. And of course, there was Tolkien's tree. Sadly they didn't tell us it was Tolkien's tree until we were far away, so I couldn't hug it, nor could I gather a leaf from the ground around it. (I gathered leaves and flowers along the way on this trip, inspired as I was by the crazy Elvis fans who plucked grass from his lawn back in the day [and when I was there]. I didn't pluck any, just gathered what had fallen. No plants were harmed in the process.) I would've loved a leaf from there. If you don't ask, the answer's no. I should've asked the guy.
After Merton College came Magdalen College, where C.S. Lewis taught. This also meant Addison's Walk, the naturey area at Magdalen. (Really, for all it's buildings, there really is a remarkable amount of garden area in Oxford.) Addison's Walk was the main reason to go to Magdalen. It was there that Tolkien and Hugo Dyson led C.S. Lewis to CHRIST. (From there, I must admit, in addition to a couple leaves, I stole a small rock.) It was amazing to be there and imagine what it must've been like, and to think of hose these men have touched not just my life, but countless others. And it was such a lovely day.
Here too, however, is the location of my greatest regret. I had bought a hoodie two days before and discovered the stitching was falling apart. For some reason I didn't return it earlier in the day. I think I was hoping to find a replacement before I did. This store closed at 5:30. And so I had to hustle out of the park. I had time to enjoy it, but not time to stop and talk with this man. My biggest regret on this trip.
posted by melilotnfosco | 4:49 PM
7 Comments:
Aww, who was he? I guess you don't know. You will just have to go back! Also, that is really cool that you walked where C.S. Lewis was led to Christ!
I have no idea who he was. And chances are he won't be there when I go back. Thus, my biggest regret.
Perhaps you'll see him in Heaven! That would be cool. :)
maybe i should post this on fb. people find people in the most ridiculous ways these days. maybe he could be found. :)
True! Tell them the date too.
I can't believe how far behind I am on your blog!!! Playing serious catch up right now!
What a meaningful trip you had! I am once again so thankful you went!
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