Our Final High Table

Ah me. All good things must come to an end, mustn't they? This is the final week of Trinity Term here at Oxford, a fact confirmed by hundreds of students walking around with funny hats and dazed expressions on their faces as they've completed their exams (see my post "So What are Rising Bollards Anyway?"). And by the way, as I am writing this post there are more hoots and hollers up the street where yet more students are being given their raucous greeting after exams. It's almost over, and their year at Oxford is winding up. Last night was the final High Table at Merton, and we made sure we didn't miss it. And I finally had the presence of mind to take a picture of The Hall:

There is a door in that panelled part of the back wall, and that is where we enter when we arrive for dinner, from a small room behind it called the Queen's Room, which is kind of a rallying area for the participants of that night's High Table. You mill about there, chatting with people and looking at the seating chart to ascertain where you will sit for dinner.

Here was the evening's menu - it was quite wonderful!

Pear & Watercress Salad with Fresh Endive

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Fillet of Cod with tiny Shrimps

(this sat in a flavorful cream sauce)

Wine for the Fish Dish: Bourgogne Chardonnay Thomas 2009

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Breast of Guinea Fowl

(This had a layer of spinach souffle under the skin. Yummy!)

Small new potatoes and fresh vegetables

Wine for the Main Course: Gigondas Grapillon d'Or 2010 

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Creme Brulee

Greg had invited Jason Lepojarvi (aka The Tall Strapping Finn. He is, after all, 6'5".) to join us. Jason is a visiting Theology student here at Oriel College (just around the corner), Greg met him at one of the CS Lewis Society meetings. He has the distinction of having been a contestant on the Finnish version of Survivor, and said he'd do it again in a heart beat. Better him than me. He also has just wrapped up doing an online lecture series on CS Lewis and the Theology of Love for a Spanish university. Like I said, we have met the most interesting people here.

This is the cozy, elegant room where we have the final part of the dinner extravaganza. After the main meal in The Hall, and after second dessert in yet another room. By this time, the High Table group has thinned down to a smaller number and there is opportunity for yet more interesting conversation over coffee or liqueur. By the time we get home (a quick walk across the street), it is always after 10:30 pm!