England

Thank you for sharing so many personal anecdotes about Oxford on the previous Wandering Camera. Those stories give extra dimension to the places I visit and connects me a little more to the photos I take. Today I will continue with our visit to Chirst Church. Last time, I ended with exiting Bodley Tower and entering the Great Quadrangle.

The quad was started in the 16th century and left unfinished for a century. This would have been a cloistered area but that was left unfinished. The base structures for the cloisters are still visible. You can get an idea of how big the quad is, both from the previous photo and this one.

I specially wanted to see Christopher Wren’s work in person, hence my wish to visit Christ Church. He designed the clock tower over the St. Aldate’s gatehouse. The bell, Great Tom, gives the quad its informal name: Tom Quad.

Although this was supposed to be cloistered, I rather like the openness of the quad with the arches all around.

Inspired by all the gothic architecture there, I started working on a detailed painting. Here is a peek at the initial planning sketch.

Before exiting Tom Quad, we entered the Christ Church cathedral.

Following the arches, I love looking up to see the intricacy of cathedral ceilings.

This is the doorway of the chapter house – one of the oldest parts of the college – built in the 1200s. Sadly, the inside has been turned into a gift shop.

In contrast to the gothic Tom Quad, the Peckwater was built in the classical style of the Greek and Roman temple architecture. The Peck Quad houses the library.

From Christ Church, we perambulated toward Magdalen College.

We walked through some of the back paths. I smiled when I noticed how nature took it upon herself to soften the abundance of stonework in Oxford.

This is Dead Man’s Walk. The green plaque on the wall mentions James Sadler, who was the first English Aeronaut to successfully ascend in what is described as a “fire balloon” near this area. I love finding these little “notes” in old cities and colleges.

Purchase Red Telephone Box pattern

Inspired by the Oxford visit, I created this red telephone booth block to make a bag with it. This month I am joining Patty at Elm Street for One Monthly Goal. I hope to share more on that with you in the next couple of weeks.

Since I love to rummage through photos, I am linking up with monthly April Furtle @ Archie The Wonder Dog.