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4/21/2008

Oxford without Morse

When we got to Oxford it was wet, cold and just generally miserable. And whereas I'd been a camera totin' fool for most of the trip, I also know that my camera (Canon 30D) is NOT weatherproof and I wasn't inclined to test the fates, if you will. So I took few pictures - mostly in one of the colleges we were allowed to go into (testing was in progress and we were commanded to silence) and, although not enough for two whole posts, I did take too many for one. So I'm jammin' a bit much into this post - but I won't do that tomorrow. It was just as miserable at Stratford, later that day, and I took even fewer pictures there, because I was so limited in what I was allowed to take pictures of.

Anyway, we went into one chapel (one of the colleges - I really don't remember which one) where we saw this over the entrance to the chapel:



Boy, I wish I had an organ like that! (Get your MIND out of the gutter.) Sticking our collective heads into the chapel proper we saw this:



Notice the doorway on the left here - that's how people enter the stalls:



And looking up, we saw this:



which is very reminiscent of the ceiling of St. George's Chapel at Windsor. But how very cool it must be to matriculate in such an environment.

Lastly, I took this picture because I recognized the landmark:



It is the oldest structure in Oxford and one I had seen several times while watching one of my favorite English TV series, Inspector Morse. In this series, John Thaw played Morse, a DCI (Detective Chief Inspector) with Thames Valley Police, in Oxford. He is, in fact, an 'Oxford Man' himself, and much of the appeal of this series was the play of Morse against his Sergeant, 'Lewis', who is a blue collar product of the streets. Two years ago, at the end of the season, John Thaw retired from the show. He died shortly thereafter, of a heart attack. While we were in Oxford, I learned that there is a 'spinoff' series of Morse, called 'Lewis', in which Morse's Sergeant is now a DCI himself and his Sergeant (Name unknown by me, at the moment) is an Oxford Man. Apparently, poor, long suffering Lewis is not done suffering, yet.

9 comments:

Crimzen Creative said...

Wow - the first picture is amazing! I love ornate chapels. The closest I have come to anything quite so spectacular was the Duke Chapel in North Carolina - very pretty but nothing like this.

Anonymous said...

hi Lou, I'll be back later to see those photos I just skimmed over. too busy lately. laters

Nan Sheppard said...

I am hopping about with glee because I am 1) going to Atlanta in two weeks to shop for art supplies and 2) then to London to hang out. Your site has gotten me all inspired, excited, and realising that I don't have enough money. Eek!

Anonymous said...

The guy who plays in "Lewis" is called Laurence Fox.

I was never a fan of John Thaw, but the new spinoff isn't too bad.

Momisodes said...

The chapel is truly amazing Lou! So much detail and I love the angles you took these photos. I'm sure it was even more impressive in person!

Unknown said...

Lady Language: I really like the colors - the earthy tones - in that picture.

Warriorwoman: They'll be here when you get here.

Nan: Have a nice trip. Although why anyone would ever leave Trinidad/Tobago to go to Atlanta is beyond me - unless, of course, it's just to buy art supplies.

Solomon: Actually, it's his character name I was missing - but thanks for the link. Now I know all.

Sandy: It was great. I only wish we could have had more time to do more exploration in detail.

Unknown said...

Breathtaking! I'll be going back to the first one all day, it gives me goosebumps. The wood work just amazes me.

I used to think that the ornate churches/chapels like that were a waste of the people's money (the money spent to build them) and thought God would never want those people to spend so much for an ornate place of worship. Now I'm glad they were built, so I can enjoy them.... um, through your photography.

Thanks for your comment over at my place. My husband does appreciate me, sometimes I just have to remind him how much he appreciates me *wink*.

Anonymous said...

I l;ove the Chapel and that tower is great.
The oldest structure, huh?
I always hesitate a bit when going into a church / chapel. I'm afraid the roof might collapse over my head ;)

Anonymous said...

You seem to have a fascination with things British.
You take a wicked good picture.