It’s the first of July, and this month will mark our first anniversary living in Oxford. I can’t believe it! A good reminder of the passing time is that I have my final essay of the year due in a few weeks: a 5000 word essay on Post-Reformation Religion. Afterwards, I will need to revise for the exam in September, and then in October I’ll start year two of the English Local History program. Amazing.
I’ve taken the camera out several times this past week, the following are some various images of beautiful Oxford in early Summer.
This is our garden. It’s huge, but much of it is paved with bricks and shaded by an enormous Ash tree that is well over 80 feet tall. We’ve been gradually adding plants this year, so it is starting to really come to life now.
Of course, I couldn’t help but put some roses in, all David Austin roses. So far, I’ve planted the following:
- The Ingenious Mr. Fairchild
- Alan Titchmarsh
- Gentle Hermione
- Spirit of Freedom
- Strawberry Hill
- Sharifa Asma
- Scepter’d Isle
This is a picture from yesterday of Scepter’d Isle which just bloomed for the first time. It has a wonderful, strong scent and I’m very pleased with it.
Last Saturday we met up with some friends who were showing some guests from Prague around the city. It was a beautiful day, sunny summer day.
We decided that we would like to experience the ultimate Oxford pastime… we decided to go punting on the river! As we walked to the boat rental, we passed a happy couple returning from a day out:
And then had some beautiful trip along the river near Magdalen College:
Your’s Truly:
And Gaz:
We had a wonderful time, and hope to go again soon. It was all so very, very beautiful.
Yesterday, I made a picnic lunch and went to meet Gaz for lunch, I took Megan with me. We walked along the edge of Osney Island (where we live) and passed a number of narrowboats tied up to the edge of the island:
Then walked along the Thames (or Isis as it is known in Oxford):
We passed the Head of the River pub where people were enjoying a lovely lunch and an ale in the summer sun:
And then met gaz and had a lovely lunch. On our way back home we stopped at Grandpont Meadow. I read one of my books for the essay, and megan (who was very tired and hot) just enjoyed herself curled up in the clover:
William Butler Yeats said “I wonder anybody does anything at Oxford but dream and remember, the place is so beautiful. One almost expects the people to sing instead of speaking.”
I must say, I absolutely agree with him.
Here is the entire gallery of Early Summer in Oxford images:
http://www.robertmealing.com/photography/recent-photographs/early-summer-2009/
