Here we are again; it is a nice day and as the earliest opening building today is 11am, we have a later start. First stop the delicatessen for a pair of filled rolls, then the building spotting begins.
The Bodleian Library is a collection of lovely buildings, the Divinity school dates from 1427, the present library configuration dates from 1612 with additions in the late 17th century. By the late 18th century, the shortage of space caused the library to take over the adjacent Radcliffe Camera. This iconic building was designed by James Gibbs and the foundation stone was laid on 17th May 1737 and the building was eventually completed in 1748.
A college was founded by William of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester in 1379 and was thus called New College. The grounds (which house the largest herbaceous border in the United Kingdom) and buildings have taken pride of place in our Oxford excursions.
The chapel is breathtaking, the 62 misericords date from the 14th century, the high hammer beam roof, glass by Sir Joshua Reynolds and a portrait by El Greco and the east wall filled with niche statues. The dining hall is wonderful with a square clerestory centrally positioned for additional light.
St Edmund Hall is a smaller but beautifully formed for all that. The buildings have a welcoming feel, perhaps the size is a factor. Again, the grounds beautifully laid out
and maintained. We had a picnic soaking up the sunshine in the grounds of the Chapel, very tranquil and almost no road noise.
Years ago I had occasion to visit a Synagogue in Holland Road, Hove and was taken aback by the beauty and amount of gold and gold leaf in the interior furnishings. Seeing that the Oxford Jewish Congregation had opened their doors to visitors on the Sunday I had suggested that a visit could be quite spectacular. I was wrong as the Oxford Synagogue is housed in a new building, refurbished in 2004.
However, it was the first occasion that Myra has had to submit her handbag for a search by plain clothed security staff before we were allowed to enter the building!
We had not visited as many buildings as we did yesterday, but we had covered quite a distance and decided to wander back and get our feet up. Almost back at Martlet which was moored at Christ Church Meadow, we saw Nb Nye Bevan with Jamie and Kat. They live aboard in the Oxford area and we have met them a few times. We chatted until my legs began to threaten a strike, then we did get back and put our feet up.
