It was great to have left the heavy rucksacks in the Travelodge and we walked the few miles back into Oxford. We decided to ask people directions and we wandered around.
My friend is something of a devotee to Thomas Hardy and he wanted to find St Barnabas church in the Jericho area. Hardy worked on the church as an apprentice architect I think? He also featured it in Jude The Obscure. I read that book a long time ago and I have often wondered if it was autobiographical? Some people fulfil their dreams and some don't.
Anyway we found the church and above are some photos. It's an Anglican High church which is built in an Italian Basilica style. Sir John Betjeman wrote a poem about the church and it was even featured in an episode of Inspector Morse.
We noticed the church was open and we walked around this beautiful building whilst an organist played classic hymn music. It was wonderful and enchanting.
Tomorrow I will write a post about C S Lewis, JRR Tolkien and the other Inklings.
It sounds quite a spiritually uplifting experience.
ReplyDeleteVery much so JayCee. A beautiful and very peaceful place to visit. Thanks.
ReplyDelete"Jude the Obscure" meant a lot to me when I first read it. It was an awakening. Christminster (Oxford) seemed so far and so unattainable. Now there's a pub there called "Jude the Obscure". Did you see it?
ReplyDeleteYes it's a classic and very disturbing read. I never saw the pub but I have seen it online YP.
DeleteYou could search for Lyra Belacqua too.
ReplyDeleteYes. Also Christopher Robin, Eeyore and Winnie...
DeleteWhat a bonus to be able to enjoy the organ music. That's an interesting painting of the Stations of the Cross. Before I enlarging it looked like murder. But then it was, eventually
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful building Linda. The stations and organ music were beautiful. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dave. So much to see in Oxford.
ReplyDeleteI thought of you and John Betjeman's 100 Churches book when I wrote this post Rachel. It well worth a visit in Jericho, Oxford. Best of luck with your holiday Rachel. Looking forward so much of reading all about your trip.
ReplyDeleteJust caught up with your blog about contactless payments, and all the comments in favour of cash. When I was in Spain this year doing the Camino, I lost my wallet and all my cash (about 50 Euros). I still had my credit card and was told “Don’t worry, some people do the whole Camino with just a card”. I felt unable to do this because of paying small amounts for coffee or a glass of wine. Eventually I found someone who gave me “cash out”, a common practice in Australa, but unknown in Spain.
ReplyDeleteMargaret Butterworth.
What a nightmare Margaret. There's a Kerry Camino from Tralee to Dingle.
DeleteOh, I cannot wait to see pictures. I'm just about finished with The Inklings. (I got side tracked by an awful lot of tomatoes. ).
ReplyDeleteThe Inklings are fascinating aren't they Debby? I would like to visit Oxford again and visit the Kilns where CS Lewis lived.
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