Bits and Bobs

The first time I heard this expression (as with many “British-isms”), I wrinkled my brow and laughed at the same time. Say it out loud, and it just sounds funny. It means odds and ends, bits and pieces, a hodge-podge. But again, spoken with a British accent, it’s one of those phrases I still love to hear. I don’t laugh anymore, but I smile inwardly. Anyway, this will be a "bits and bobs" post, as we wind up this trip to Oxford. So bittersweet - I'm starting to get homesick, especially for my tiny pal, Lily. But there is always more to see, more to do. We are already planning on coming back!

Today is Thursday, June 20^th, and I heard the 10 a.m. ring of the Merton Chapel bells for the last time this morning. The bells of Oxford, heard from various chapels and churches around town are almost as good as wearing a watch. In fact, I forgot my watch coming over here, and was considering buying a cheap one upon my arrival. Until I started hearing a ringing in my ears – the bell towers. They ring on the hour (with a toll of what time it is after a short melodic ringing), then on the quarter hour, then on the half hour, and at quarter til. I’ve really gotten used to them, and will actively miss them. There was something beautiful and comforting about the sound. I recorded them yesterday morning – here’s what they sound like . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZexdiQHIMrE

Given that the bell tower was just across the street from us, it made a pretty good morning alarm too.

The past two days Greg has been able to take a lot of time off, and we got to be tourists. One of the places I took Greg yesterday was a magical, out-of-the-way place that seems to be a well-kept secret in Oxford. It is a small cemetery, slightly off the beaten path, and it is marked by gorgeous, large old trees (some kind of twisting evergreen) and a wild, sort of overgrown feel to it. Thing is, this is by design. They do mow the grass so that there are pathways, but they want to make it a sanctuary for small wild animals (rabbits, foxes). Kenneth Grahame, author of The Wind in the Willows is buried here. Also Charles Williams, a poet and writer, who was one of The Inklings, along with CS Lewis and JRR Tolkein, is laid to rest here too, with the inscription "Under the Mercy" on his gravestone. Here are some pictures:

There are alot of beautiful Celtic Crosses there -

 

This person apparently didn't like getting wet . . . 

Greg and I have always liked walking through old cemeteries! You encounter history, somehow, with a very personal flavor to it.

We also did a walking tour on Tuesday, which was interesting. One of the things pointed out to us were the two following landmarks:

These are close to one another (if you stand in front of the faun carving, and look to your right, you see that single lamp post), and they are also at a place that CS Lewis frequented. If you have read The Chronicles of Narnia, in particular The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe, then you will be familiar with Mr. Tumnus, the helpful faun, and also with the lamp post that stood at the juncture of Narnia and the "real" world. Did these inspire Lewis? You do wonder. There are actually two fauns (I just showed one) that flank the doorway here:

. . . and here's a close-up of the door:

Neat-o, huh?

Greg and I have just arrived in Aberdeen, Scotland this evening, and will spend the weekend here. More on that tomorrow. It was still light at 10 pm! Thank goodness for room-darkening curtains.