Asthall Manor and Sculptures in Stone

Every now and then I stumble into something here that completely takes my breath away and I am simply gobsmacked.  The OnForm sculpture in stone at Asthall Manor was one of those moments.  The beauty of the setting, the house, the garden, and the sculptures were a sensual feast I was not expecting.  Thankfully these pictures  explain far better than I could how beautiful this all is.  The show is on through July 6.  It is a not-to-be-missed experience.  I'm already looking forward to next year. 

"Watching Clouds" made of Carrara marble by Paul Vanstone

Asthall Manor dates from the 17th century. It's most famous residents, the Mitford sisters, lived here in the 1920s.  It is now the private home of Rosie Pearson and her family. 

 In 1920 a former barn was converted to a ballroom and joined to the main house by a cloister.

The 6-acre garden was designed and landscaped by Julian and Isabel Bannerman in  1997-1998 and is constantly evolving. It is one of the most beautiful gardens I've seen. 

St. Nicholas church at Asthall -- there has been a church on this site since 1071.  

The village is idyllic and in a wonderfully scenic area of the Windrush Valley. 

"Phoenix" made from Utah honey calcite by Katusha Bull

 "Tintamarre" made in Patagonian onyx by Katusha Bull

"Ribbon Profile" made in Portuguese marble by Paul Vanstone

View of the meadow 

 "Stone Overlap" made in Tewksbury sandstone by Tom Stogdon

Childrens' playhouse

 "War Horse II" made in Bath stone by David Klein

I have completely fallen in love with the house

 "Another Holey Ghost" made in Limestone by Adrian Gray (This sculpture is one of my favorites!)

 "Constance" made in Italian Marble by William Peers

 "Changing Landscape" made in slate, lead, and found material by Tom Stogdon

This was another one of my favorites. It is the curve of the London Thames with it's iconic buildings made in stone. There was another one of Oxford made in a similar fashion and in display in the ballroom.

The garden was every bit as beautiful as the sculptures -- creativity in a different art form. 

For more information:  http://www.onformsculpture.co.uk/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/gardenstovisit/10895538/Asthall-Manor-hosts-sculpture-show-in-its-grounds.html

I'm currently reading The Mitford Girls by Mary S Lovell.  It tells the true story of the six Mitford daughters who lived in Asthall Manor in the 1920's - and the facts are as sensational as any novel: Nancy, whose bright social existence masked an obsessional doomed love which soured her success; Pam, a countrywoman married to one of the best brains in Europe; Diana, an iconic beauty, who was already married when at 22 she fell in love with Oswald Moseley, the leader of the British fascists; Unity, who romantically in love with Hitler, became a member of his inner circle before shooting herself in the temple when WWII was declared; Jessica, the family rebel, who declared herself a communist in the schoolroom and the youngest sister, Debo, who became the Duchess of Devonshire (Chatsworth House). 

Encaenia 2014 -- Dress-Up Day at Oxford

One of the many reasons I love Oxford is it's infinite layers of tradition. Yesterday was the Encaenia at Oxford -- the day the University awards honorary degrees to distinguished men and women and commemorates its benefactors.  For over 250 years the Encaenia has begun with Heads of Colleges and other University dignitaries assembling in full academic dress in a nearby college to enjoy Lord Crewe's Benefaction (peaches, strawberries and champagne), after which they walk in a procession to the Sheldonian Theatre.  

 

The honorands this year were: The Reverend Katherine Jefferts Schori; Sir Anish Kapoor (Sculptor of Chicago's beloved "Bean" or  Cloud Gate sculpture); Mr. Robert Silvers (founder of the New York Review of Books); Professor Jean-Marie Lehn; and Sir Harrison Birtwistle.

 

In Oxford, it is sometime hard to tell which decade or century it is.

 The Sheldonian Theatre has been used for the Encaenia since it was completed in 1669. 

The tourists were clearly enjoying watching dress-up day in Oxford. 

The Encaenia Garden Party (or the Venerable Wizards Party as I call it) was held later in the afternoon and this year was at Saint Catherine's College.

 Refreshments included champagne, scones and clotted cream, and the very British treat of strawberries and cream!

 There were plenty of wizards about...

...all dressed up in their finest.

The Encaenia marks the end of the academic year at Oxford.

Summer Evenings on the Isis (Thames)

There are two rivers that run through Oxford: the Thames and the Cherwell.  It can be a bit confusing when looking at maps of Oxford.  It seems there is a third river called the Isis that runs through the city.  In fact, the Isis is the name given to the part of the River Thames above Iffley Lock which flows through the Christ Church Meadow and is the main place of rowing for Oxford University. 

The river isn't very wide here. It's nothing like the Thames tidal river in London. It's not even wide enough for proper rowing competitions so alternative "bump" races have been invented to determine which college has the best crew.  Boats of all kinds go up and down the Thames all year, but summer is when you see a plethora of recreation boats. I biked into Oxford yesterday, in the long midsummer evening, and this is what I saw.  The 3-mile path along the Isis is simply glorious this time of year and I was reminded of how much the river here is beloved by all alike. 

I wouldn't be too keen to swim in the water -- it doesn't seem that clean.

Kayaking lessons

The Salter Boat that goes between Oxford and Abingdon

A typical houseboat or barge

Kayaking at Iffley Lock

A water safety class that "rescued" a victim towed in the boat behind

The Kings Arms at the Standford Lock (our nearest pub)

The Four Pillars hotel houseboat

Let sleeping ducks lie

Moored for the evening

The Iffley Lock

The Lock-keepers house at Iffley Lock

Old Iffley Bridge

Someplace to rest your weary feet

The popular Isis Pub which is only open Thursday through Sunday in the summer

Looking back at old Iffley

Sunset

Bridge to a boathouse

College boathouses

Goodnight ducks!

The last bend before Oxford

The Head of the River at Folly Bridge

Looking back down the Isis