"austenacious"

Today was another of these absolutely glorious sunny days here in England, perfect for seeing the countryside and Jane Austen territory. To begin with, we were given a tour of a four hundred year old home which is still inhabited today and has the original thatched roofing. Things like this are so remarkable.

Then it was off to Steventon, where Jane Austen was born and grew up. The home is no longer there, but the church most definitely is.

the church in Steventon which the Austens attended

From Steventon, we went off to Chawton, where the Austens moved after their father died. It was in this house that Austen revised her works and prepared them for publication.

Jane Austen's writing desk

We made a very quick stop at Chawton House, just long enough to get the Reader's Digest tour of the house, and then bundled back on the bus to head back to Charlbury.

Chawton House, owned by Edward Austen

The 'food for a rambling fancy' album on the side contains more pictures from today.

a bit of brightening

Our trip to Blenheim Palace was postposed due to the poor weather last week. To make up for the disappointment, today was warm and delightfully sunny.

I wander'd lonely as a cloud

that floats on high o'er vales and hills,

when all at once I saw a crowd,

a host, of golden daffodils;

beside the lake, beneath the trees,

fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine

and twinkle on the Milky Way,

they stretch'd in never-ending line

along the margin of a bay:

ten thousand saw I at a glance,

tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they

out-did the sparkling waves in glee:

a poet could not but be gay,

in such jocund company:

I gazed -- and gazed -- but little thought

what wealth the show to me had brought:

for oft, when on my couch I lie

in vacant or in pensive mood,

they flash upon that inward eye

which is the bliss of solitude;

and then my heart with pleasure fills,

and dances with the daffodils.

- William Wordsworth

a wonderful time of the year

It's course selection time :)

This means trying to fit as many courses as possible into a single school year. Right?

all the king's horses and all the king's men

This is week 7.

Every Friday, Regent's Park College has Formal Hall, and part of this Oxford Programme is attending one of these formal dinners. This year, we were offered the opportunity to go twice. I chose the Bodleian over dinner last time around and couldn't find any alternative for this evening. It's not as negative as I make it seem.

The dining hall is dimly lit with candles and soft lighting. Guys are required to wear a suit and girls show up in their fancy attire. The three course meal includes a salad, a main course (this week of potatoes and pork tenderloin), and dessert (creme brulee for us). You feel as though you are at a fine restaurant with excellent service. And, of course, everyone is on their best behaviour (despite the wine they have brought in) and using their refined table manners.

Note: wearing a dress does wonders for your posture.

(the girls, minus one)

My favourite part of the evening: the sky is so clear tonight and you can see the stars, unobscured by either lights or smog. Yes, this country is beautiful.

news from the western front

Dear people:

My mom is coming to England in a week and three days. I am extremely excited. :)

Love,

maria.

cold, dark, dank, and musty

Cold yes, but Broughton Castle is definitely not dank or musty. The history of these places is incredible - I never cease to be amazed. And the castle even has a moat and lots of armour inside. My brothers should be very jealous.

It's been visited by royalty (Queen Anne and King James I slept here in 1904); it's been used for films (Sir Ian McKellan was in the Great Hall as Chauvelin in "The Scarlet Pimpernel" 1982, costarring with Jane Seymour).

We were given a tour of the house by a woman who sounded Dutch, and we met the lord of the castle himself, Lord Saye and Sele. He invited us to coffee, but we had reservations at the Saye and Sele Arms for lunch, the pub right beside the driveway.

Broughton Castle

on the roof with Gill

the gardens which will look amazing in tourist season

Tomorrow our new classes begin with Jane Austen and the second half of the History of Drama. After seeing so much more of England (and watching the BBC's Pride and Prejudice), I'm really looking forward to these new courses.

now is the winter of our discontent made glorious summer

Today we took the Oxfordshire Playbus (no picture of that vehicle, unfortunately) to the real Stratford, Stratford-Upon-Avon. Don't get me wrong, I quite like the one back at home and there are definitely similarities. Mostly the mixture between swans and Canadian geese.

I have heard so many stories about the damp and the chill of the English weather, and experienced it only really for the first time today. Accustomed to the mild weather and slightly overcast skies, if not sunshine, I potentially didn't dress as warmly as I could have. The drizzling rain kept us to the museums, which, very conveniently, were all included in the one ticket which is valid for the next twelve months. So for any visitors who plan to come out here (wink, wink), I could procure a second one for you (nudge, nudge).

Anne Hathaway's house was first on the hit list (the kitchen still had the original stone floors from 400 years ago) and was followed by a tour of the *new* Woodland walk -- as opposed to the old one which used to be there?

Anne Hathaway's cottage

We were then delivered to Shakespeare's birthplace and set free to tour both it and the town, so long as we were at the Holy Trinity Church by three. I came within inches of a copy of the First Folio, published 1623. The house is filled with actors who are more than willing to perform upon request. We were given the "alas, poor Yorick" speech by one, and then were offered variations on famous poems from the point of view of a cat by another. Apparently there is a book for sale full of such things on Amazon, but I forget what it was called. The "death be not proud" by John Donne variation was quoted for us.

Next was a very quick stop at Nash's House, owned by Shakespeare's granddaughter's first husband Thomas Nash. Shakespeare purchased this house in 1597 and died here. Hall's Croft, next on the agenda, home to a physician and son-in-law to Shakespeare. After chatting to the very welcoming tour guide, we meandered through the house, observed the rather spacious garden, and then made our way to the Holy Trinity Church. Parts of the church (namely the tower) have been there for eight hundred years. The significance of the church in connection with Shakespeare? He has been buried there, along with members of his family, with a curse on whoever should move his bones placed on his tombstone.

me 'n Hamlet 'n poor Yorick

a tree taking over Hall's Croft

There is a link to more pictures from today on the side.

Now I am home again after an evening spent watching another two episodes of the Pride and Prejudice, starring Colin Firth. It's all homework, really; we're just trying to get into character for our play production. Such dedicated actors we are.

- blink - and it's gone

Last night I submitted my paper, which was completed at least to an acceptable state. 14 hours later, sitting in the library, looking at overviews of the Shakespearean plays we have studied, I found some quotes which would have been quite helpful in the context of the essay.

They say that a woman's work is never done. It's not. Especially when she is a student.

In forty-eight hours (oh to be able to say forty-two!), the first term will be finished and we will be reeling in shock after having completed our exams. In another six weeks, the next batch of papers are due. Tempus fugit indeed!

Being here makes me appreciate the world of literature - there are so many books, so many interesting things to study, so much potential for knowledge and wisdom. . .

a small complaint

Why is the weather always so lovely when you have to sit behind a computer or with your nose in a book all day?

My other question is how to make a 5000 word paper out of 5000 words of notes?