Some views of Oxford, where we spent an enjoyable couple of days on Thursday and Friday - a present from our children to celebrate my husband's birthday. I have no idea which buildings are which so will have to come back later with some research done. I managed to acquire a cold whilst we were there (perils of travelling on public transport) and I need to get outside and get some fresh air - and take some photos of the river in spate - and the flood across our lane stopping us getting out that way . . .
This building is the Radcliffe Camera. (As in "camera" being Latin for "room".) It was designed by James Gibbs in the Neo-classical style and originally housed the Science Museum.
As we walked to the Pitt-Rivers Museum, we spied this lovely old cottagey house - you wouldn't believe how short the doors were! The wind was blowing swirls of leaves all around us.
A Divination board from the Nicobar Islands, India. At times of sickness such boards were hung in houses to attract malevolent spirits so that they could be captured and expelled by the ritual specialist. If the patient survived, the board was kept for further use, but if not it was thrown away. Collected in 1880 (ish - can't quite read that part).
Hmmm - this was the piece in association with the figure above it - to me, it just looked like a gigantic Gingerbread Man!!!
This was in the same display, and is a preserved monkey head which looks rather . . . weird!
Above - just, "WOW"! and below: what we saw when we sat down to have a cup of tea (I say cup of tea, we asked for a pot of tea for two, and it came as two small pots and two cups for the princely sum of £5! Call me a cheapskate, but that seems an awful lot for a couple of teabags and some hot water (and the loan of two chairs for ten minutes!)
Tremendous Gothic designs and decorations in the Museum, which I think started to be built around 1860.
I have been to Oxford once but will go back again one day, very interesting post.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it. I took over 200 photos, so there will be one or two more!!
DeleteAs usual fabulous photos, and I am glad you both enjoyed the birthday present, though not so good about the cold.
ReplyDeleteI've just been asleep on the sofa and feel a bit knocked sideways today. I've managed some jobs but everything so slowly!
DeleteI loved your photos BB. They brought back some happy memories. So pleased you enjoyed your stay in Oxford.
ReplyDeleteLovely to see you and your crafting friends being busy around the kitchen table. It sounded a very happy and productive occasion with amazing food!
Glad they brought back happy memories for you. Prior to this, my only abiding memory of a trip to Oxford was climbing the tower of Magdalene Church and getting dreadful vertigo! As for the crafting day, yes, we had a LOVELY time and I enjoyed the baking, as always.
ReplyDeleteWhat a thoughtful gift. The old stone buildings are lovely, the museum packed with interesting things and I really like Gothic style and decoration, but that cottagey house with the hobbit-sized doors intrigued me the most, nature seems to be sheltering it from prying eyes! I hope your cold has gone and you are feeling better.
ReplyDeleteWell, we don't need much in the way of "things" really (and have far too many books, which are normally what we request for birthdays!) The cottagey house was one I fell in love with too. My cold, which seemed to be waning yesterday, has now unfortunately gotten worse today and I'm back to my bed as soon as it's warmed up again (woke at 4.30 a.m. and was up an hour later).
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely idea for a present. Oxford is such a beautiful place to explore. A super set of photos and they have brought back many happy memories here. I found the Pitt Rivers museum so interesting :) Hope you feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteMakes sense at our age. I hope we will have a night away around my birthday next year (or several nights if we can save up but having building jobs done and a new carpet needed).
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