Dreaming Spires

On a lovely summer day in July I went to the top of the Sheldonian theatre, a prominent  building in Oxford built by Christopher Wren. From the top, there are excellent views of the city.  Oxford is known as the "city of dreaming spires", a term coined by poet Matthew Arnold in reference to the harmonious architecture of Oxford's university buildings. When you get a birds-eye view of Oxford, you can see why Arnold referred to the "dreaming spires" -- there are spires everywhere.

The Bodleian Library, the main research library of the University of Oxford, is one of the oldest libraries in Europe, and in Britain is second in size only to the British Library.  I've been told that the Bodeleian Library has at least on copy of every book ever published in Great Britain. 

The Radcliffe Camera is one of the iconic buildings of Oxford. It was designed by James Gibbs in the English Palladian style and built in 1737–1749 to house the Radcliffe Science Library.  Today is it used as a reading room for students and faculty.  It is not open to the public.

This is the Tower of the Five Orders. The Tower is so named because it is ornamented, in ascending order, with the columns of each of the five orders of classical architecture. 

This is looking down Broad Street toward Balliol College which was founded in 1263. 

The top of the Clarendon Building, which used to house the Oxford University Press, and now is office space for the Bodleian library. The statues on top are the Muses (I think).

Hertford Bridge, popularly known as the Bridge of Sighs, is a skyway joining two parts of Hertford College over New College Lane.  It was copied after the style of the Bridge of Sighs and the Rialto Bridge in Venice.  It is another popular city landmark.

A Summer Day in Bath

Bath [bɑːθ]

n

(Placename) a city in SW England, in Bath and North East Somerset unitary authority, Somerset, on the River Avon: famous for its hot springs; a fashionable spa in the 18th century; Roman remains, notably the baths; university (1966). Pop.: 85 202 (1991) Latin name Aquae Sulis [ˈækwiːˈsuːlɪs]

In other words, a charming city to visit, especially on a lovely summer day!

Pulteney Bridge is one of only four bridges in the world with shops across the full span on both side.

I love the chimneys in Bath -- they make such an interesting skyline.  

Jane Austen set two of her six published novels, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, in Bath and made the city her home from 1801 to 1806.

Wonderful street musicians performing in the square in from of the Bath Abbey






Kate, Steve (John's brother) and Peter enjoying Italian Gelato with the Abbey in the backgroundAn afternoon stroll with Kate and Peter

  

A stop at Avebury stone circle on the way home

Thank you, Thank you, London!

"Brilliant"; "Unexpectedly Spectacular"; "London Rocks"; "Our Finest Hour!"; 

"We Did It Right!"

These are some of the headlines from the London newspapers describing the last 16 days here in England.  The Olympics have exceeded most Brits  expectations and they are deservedly pleased and proud of their city, their athletes, the volunteers, and the fans.  

Thank you, Thank you, London for a fabulous Olympics!

Francie and Steve Hoffmire came for a wonderful visit and to enjoy the games.

Kate and Peter came too and were able to join us for the last day -- the men's volleyball gold medal games.  

What a treat to have these two staying with us for a week. 

Men's Gold Medal Game: Brasil vs. Russia.  Brasil won the first two game and almost won the third game.  But the Russian team hung in there and won the third, fourth and then fifth game.  

Sad to see the games end.  So proud of London and Team GB! 

My favorite Olympic athlete of these games:  Guor Marial. As a child born in war-torn Sudan, he saw 28 of his family members killed, including eight of his 10 siblings. He was beaten, enslaved and only escaped by running, literally, to his freedom.

Now immigrated to America but not yet a citizen, he competed here in the marathon, only not for Sudan. He refused that. A new nation, South Sudan, has been formed, but it had no Olympic committee. So Marial was allowed to come under the IOC flag – to compete as a citizen of the world and force the rest of us to remember the mountains some have to overcome just to have a chance.

"The Olympics," Marial said, "reminds you of a world which has nothing to do with killing each other. It is about a world of living peacefully."

Keep Calm and Go For the Gold

A wish come true:  the chance to attend the Olympics

Horse Guards Parade: Beach Volleyball  Men's Quarter Finals

Sharing the game with Kate & Steve and Francie Hoffmire       

Nose bleed seats....last row!  Great views of the London skyline 

U.S.A. Team (Gibbs and Rosenthal) vs. Latvia

Spectacular Venue

3 games -- each one so close

Sadly, Gibbs and Rosenthal lost

I was so impressed with the venue, the crowd control, the cheerfulness of the volunteers, the goodwill of the fans, and the overall organization of the event. Well done, London!