London weekend

Alas, I'm behind on my postcards.

Quickie recap of our London anniversary trip:
-- Thursday night we saw Matilda, which was all spectacle and flash and broad humor. My favorite parts were when Matilda told the story of the escapologist and the acrobat.
-- Friday we saw Let the Right One In, which was quite spare by comparison, but I couldn't stop thinking and talking about it afterward. You might have read the book or seen the Swedish film. (Or even the American film.) It's certainly one of the most interesting vampire stories I've ever encountered, and the play's use of Olafur Arnalds' songs was quite a bonus.
-- Saturday night was a Baroque concert at St. Martin in the Fields, which featured a recorder player. I don't think I've ever seen anyone play the recorder live, much less the sopranino recorder! That was fascinating.

Before the play on Friday we had afternoon tea at The Montagu, the restaurant at our hotel. Here's the obligatory tiered tray shot:


You may be asking, "where's the best part -- the SCONES?" The server brought them when we were finished with our sandwiches so we could enjoy them warm from the oven. And here's a closer look at the china, if you're interested in that sort of thing.


Selfie taken in front of the National Gallery after Saturday night's concert.


Finally, here's an interesting postcard shot of my view when I met Amy Butler Greenfield for tea at the Vaults and Gardens cafe at St Mary's this past Monday. That's the Radcliffe Camera on the left (with its funny face) and All Souls College at the right. Such a lovely view for tea drinking and chatting!

This weekend it's Lyme Regis, where I FINALLY get to walk the Cobb! Let's hope I don't fall off and bruise my skull like silly Louisa Musgrove. Mostly I'm just keen to see coastline. My brain has been buzzing with story ideas -- you guys know how settings inspire me.

[Cross-posted at Livejournal]

Going to the city

For our anniversary weekend (23 years!), Steve and I will spend three nights in London. There will be theatre, a concert, and at least one full afternoon tea. Many postcards to come!

In the meantime I offer you these:


A rare shot of Radcliffe Camera and Brasenose College with partly blue sky and NO PEOPLE. Huzzah! (Also, the funny face makes another appearance.)


And here's a photo of the folks in our summer law program at Brasenose (excluding two students, a faculty member, and moi.) A fine looking bunch, don't you think?

I wish you all a wonderful weekend!

[Cross-posted at Livejournal]

The mystery of the wee blue door, an Exeter window, and more...

Every time I walk along Parks Road, I wonder about this small blue door. The building is on the grounds of Wadham College, but I can't seem to find any information about its history or current use. Was the door used for deliveries only?


A closer view of the door. Any insights?

Last Friday we went to a concert at Exeter college -- Kah-Ming Ng always partners with talented musicians for his Charivari Agreeable performances, and that night two Baroque cellists were featured. (Do you say "Baroque cellist" or "Cellists who play Baroque"? I don't know!)


Before the concert began, I just couldn't resist taking a photo of this window outside the chapel door. Isn't it so very Oxford? A few seconds after I took this, a man came to the window and gave me a dirty look. Needless to say, I scurried off.

Yesterday we enjoyed a concert at the Holywell Music Room, and I was delighted to see Edward Petherbridge in the audience! (He will always be Lord Peter Wimsey in my mind and heart.) I waited after the concert to see if I'd get a chance to talk to him, but he looked tired and shy -- as though he really just wanted to be left alone -- so I didn't push the matter. It was nice enough to have seen him in person.

The first half of yesterday's program at Holywell featured Arcadiana by British composer Thomas Adès (who is TWO years younger than me, argh). Most of it was a bit too strange and modern for me to appreciate, but the sixth movement, "O Albion," brought tears to my eyes:



[Cross-posted at Livejournal]

A view of the Camera

I love seeing the dome of the Radcliffe Camera when walking through the Deer Park and Old Quad of Brasenose College, but this is the first time it's seemed like a face peering over the wall -- am I the only one who thinks this face vaguely resembles the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man?

Yesterday was rather cold and wet, but today the sun is shining. I'm looking forward to dinner at The Trout with the Oklahoma alums who currently are enjoying the Oxford Experience, but first I really need to get serious about the work I brought with me . . .

Or maybe I'll take a walk with Steve. It's just too gorgeous outside!

[Cross-posted at Livejournal]

Postcards from the City of Dreaming Spires

We're back in Oxford!

I want to do a better job of keeping in touch while we're here, and therefore my goal will be to post at least four photos a week. Virtual postcards, you might say. And I'll start with the above -- a view from our evening walk through Christ Church meadow (enhanced with the "blue pill" filter from Camera Awesome).

More to come . . .

[Cross-posted at Livejournal]