31 July 2015 - The Colleges of Oxford: It's all part of education - a picnic with friends!

As we are not too far from Oxford, it was on our list as a place to visit.  Even better was the prospect of meeting Winette and Michael there for a picnic.  They had both taken the day off work as it was Winette's birthday and she "never" works on her birthday!  We packed our picnic which included some delicious biscuits made by Annika.

This gentleman, no idea who he was, struck me as a typical Oxfordian!

A beautiful day greeted us as we drove to "Park and Ride" at Pear Tree just outside of Oxford and scored the front top seats on the double decker bus!  We alighted at the Ashmolean Museum, the first university museum in the world.  We had a little look around while we waited for Winette and Michael.  Luke was in his element.

Outside the Ashmolean Museum

Greeted by ancient statues!

The Ashmolean Museum, was established in 1678 when Elias Ashmole donated his cabinet of curiosities to Oxford University.  It is the first university museum in the world.  We didn't get to see any of the paintings but did really enjoy the Ancient Egyptian area.

Coin exhibition  loads of  hands on for Luke

A funerary hatchment - now I notice them all the time having learnt about them the other day at Canons Ashby!

Battle of Pavia - possibly Dutch painter - part of the Tradescant collection of Elias Ashmole

Larger than life Athena, - Roman AD 50-300

Mummy from Harawa, Faiyum, Roman - bandaging done in fine strips to create a basket weave effect.

The Egyptian exhibition was particularly noteworthy.  Many of the exhibits came from Harawa, an archaeological site south of the ancient site of Crocodilopolis .  It is a fabulous experience to stand within touching distance (but I didn't!) of stone engraved with hieroglyphics that are exactly the same as the ones seen in books - the typical birds and eyes!  The British Museum also had a great Ancient Egypt exhibition but this one had so few people in it, it felt as if we the run of the place!

Faiyum, founded in around 4000 BC, is the oldest city in Egypt and one of the oldest continously occupied cities in the world.  The death masks were painted during the Roman occupation of the area (300BC-400AD), and although the Romans tended to cremate their dead, the  Egyptians continued their well known tradition of burying their dead.  The technique of bandaging struck me as quite different from other ancient mummies and as far as I can work out, this mummy was younger (as far a mummies go!) than those from the even more Ancient Egypt if you get what I mean!  Mummies just aren't mummies! The death mask was painted on wood using encaustic, a pigmented wax technique.

West wall of the shrine of King Tarharqa.

Magnificent...over 3000 years old!

So clear and so typical!

Wish I could interpret this!

Bronze colander - work of art!

Beautiful tiles from Syria 1600

The original flatpack souvenir - olivewood and mother of pearl of the church of the Holy Sepulchre 1600-1700

Iranian ceramics - 1600-1700

 We spent some time in the museum and when we'd saturated our museum quota for the day, we headed outside.  Luke was quick to notice the many fossils in the stone used for construction!

Fossils galore!

By the Oxford Canal - we could have hitched ride from Banbury!  Permanent resident of canal - note letterbox!

Another part of the canal

 We found a little paved area with seats which we sat on for lunch near the canal.  Michael and Tim took Luke to a park which gave us a bit of space to talk.  We then headed off to explore some colleges and we weren't the only ones!  Hundred of sightseers were there as well as quite a few graduation ceremony happenings.

Worcester College Chapel

 Worcester College, which I had never heard of, was on our path and we thought we'd take  peek! The lawn!  The garden!  The lake!  Established in 1714, the college contains Tudor buildings and the Chapel and more.  The Chapel was lovely.  Inlaid in the wood panels behind the chairs there was a puzzle of messages.  The different animals guarding the pews were all carved beautifully.  No crowds here!

Many different carved animals.

Swan - we saw these on the lake.

Mosaic floor tiles

Detailed and ornate - really special to look at.

The roof was equally lovely!

No one dared to go on the grass

Imagine actually studying here!

He was determined to touch a swan!

We exited not too far from Beaumont Street, the classic Oxford Street seen in movies and photos.  turner had also enjoyed it!  Our day was still bathed in sunlight and it was perfect weather for exploring.

Bicycle town!!! Beaumont Street, Oxford

A refreshing coffee at Crisis Cafe which supports homeless people.  The cafe and coffee were excellent. Our co-patrons were colourful to say the least!! It always feels just a little bit better to sit down in a lovely cafe knowing you are supporting others!!  A righteous coffee indeed!

Turner's impression!

Trinity College

Trinity College with the full name of he College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity in the University of Oxford, was founded by Sir Thomas Pope in1555.  It had been home to Benedictine Monks from Durham Cathedral and was occupied by Durham College.

Atmosphere at Trinity College is peaceful...can the average Brit afford it though?

Must be an Oxford lawn cutting technique!  Durham Quadrangle

Entry to the grass

Hand stand opportunity

Shady paths

Assembled to exit!

OK...another handstand

Grand buildings everywhere!

Sheldonian Theatre

Hertford Bridge, Catte Street - or Bridge of Sighs!

Bodleian College - graduation ceremony just finished.  Named after Thomas Bodley - scholar and diplomat

Bodleian Theatre

University Church

Radcliffe Square  - after John Radcliffe - 1642-1714 Physician, Academic, Politician

Inside the church

Looking to beautiful stained glass

John Radcliffe Square

Love it: Sweaty Betty!

Farewell Winette, it's been great catching up!

Farewell Michael - great to get to know you!

Until we meet again!!!

And so our day was over.  We took our Park and Ride bus back to Pear Tree (cute name!) and drove home slowly in the peak traffic on the M40.  Karl is doing a champion job of driving.  We are listening to the original version of the Jungle Book on audio book.  It is beautifully written - rich language and excellent to listen to rather than to plough through reading.  So, we have studied (our picnic) at Oxford!!  We watched some of the King's Speech and will watch the other half tomorrow.  Although I have seen it before, it is lovely to watch it again and pick out all the places we recognise in London!!