09 September 2009

A little trip to Oxford

You know you're in an ancient university town when you see the punts. These are beside the botanical gardens - no time to visit it -or any of the colleges (these will have to remain "imagined interiors") -
But on the way to my meeting I saw this plaque in an alleyway, commemorating Jane Morris, wife of William -- "Pre-raphaelite muse and embroiderer" -- who was born in a house along this passage in 1839.
The pub at the end of the passage gives you some idea of what it looked like in those "good old days" -
Also in this old university town, the Sheldonian Theatre lies between the Bodleian Library and the History of Science Museum (where Einstein's blackboard is carefully kept) -
Quaint buildings along Broad Street - pretty, yes? -
One of them is the original Oxfam shop, and indeed in 1974 in my first trip to fateful Oxford, I found a lovely 1930s platter for 30p; it's Crown Ducal Ware and the pattern is Orange Tree.
Another excellent part of the evening was the full moon high up in the clouds.

5 comments:

Sandra Wyman said...

Used to be a regular in that Oxfam shop - when I was in the sixh form and had to measure out my pennies carefully. Still have a sandalwood fan I bought then - a couple of broken pieces but with beautiful cutwork.

Judy Alexander said...

These pictures brought back great memories of when we lived in the UK.

beatrice De said...

Oxford, many many years ago. I remember so many bycicles.
Béatrice.

PS.Oxfam equivalent is *Emaüs * No ? I buy lot of things for my culturelles windows, there.

beatrice De said...

William Morris, Wan't he the designer, wall paper specialiste ?
Béatrice.

beatrice De said...

Wasn't we together, with Andrée in Oxford ? No ? Many Many years ago !!!
Andrée hasn't got an ordinateur. She will never se your blog.

Bises. Béatrice.