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?

for students

"And at once it struck me, what quality went to form a Man of Achievement especially in Literature which Shakespeare possessed so enormously -- I mean negative capability, that is when man is capable of being in uncertainties, Mysteries, doubts, without any irritable reaching after fact and reason."

- John Keats

tendrils of fog and mist curling about me

At the moment, I have secured a desk for myself in the Radcliffe Camera with stacks of books around me. If I look up, there is a spiral staircase. If I look left, I see the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin with all its spires through the window. And the sun is shining. If I look right, I see a statue of Johannes Radcliffe and people working away diligently. If I look down, I see a paper full of scrawls which will be a 5,000 word paper by next Wednesday. Sounds simple, right?

We came back from London Saturday night after three packed days. Thursday: 8.35 am train, which we thankfully all made. Two hours later, we had left our bags at the International Student House (ISH), our sleeping accommodations for the next two nights. With the weight off our backs, we headed off to the Tower of London. The history that is there is so incredible. Exhibits of armour which dates back to William the Conqueror, names scratched into the walls of chambers, the biggest diamond in the world, rooms that are still inhabited to this day.

It's a good thing we had a schedule to keep or else we could have stayed there for quite some time longer. We went back to the hostel in order to unpack. Us girls were excited because we all were in the same room. The downside: it was the basement of the basement. I'm not kidding. It was like the forgotten dungeon that didn't exist in present memory. The nearest "loo" was up two flights of stairs to the main lobby. The nearest showers were on the third floor.

Dinner was also an adventure. Some of the girls had a copy of "London: Free or Dirt Cheap" so we scouted out a cheap fish and chips restaurant. Except we couldn't find it. Deciding that it might be a good idea to take the tube to find a local eatery close to the theatre, we jumped aboard. A group of ten is hard to feed on a tight schedule, so we split off. Some of us got lucky with good sandwiches while others landed a nice little Italian restaurant which had a cover charge (which we didn't realize until we had sat down).

Like a good day in London, it ended with a play. "An Ideal Husband." Unfortunately, perhaps due to being tired or completely missing the humour, we weren't overly enthusiastic about this one.

Tube home. For most of us. Some of us were still hungry and wandered to the nearby McDonalds. I know. In London, and we resort to cheap food which is too easily found in North America.

Friday morning greeted us with grey clouds and a whisper of rain on the horizon. Marion and Gill, the coordinators, had a full day planned for us, starting with a tour of the Globe Theatre bright and early. Ish. The current Globe Theatre is actually the third one to have been built. Personally, I am very sad because Hamlet opens at this theatre a mere four days after I leave this country.

Once the tour was over, we were let loose in London. We walked by St. Paul's Cathedral (unfortunately, Disney was playing in my head the entire time), and then some of us went to Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese for lunch. Now, this isn't just your standard English pub. Ok, maybe it is, but this one is really cool. This one was rebuilt in 1667 after the Great Fire of London and Charles Dickens ate here. Yup. It's true. There's even a plaque on the wall.

Parliament was next at 3.10 in the afternoon. (Oh to have had the chance to see Westminster Abbey!) Nonetheless, Parliament was amazing. We followed the path of the Queen and saw the room where she gets ready to meet with parliament, where she puts on the crown (which we had just seen the day before). Parts of that building have been there over a thousand years. The man who designed parts of the building was about our age when he submitted his ideas. Yes, this is about the time to get cracking and get something accomplished.

Dinner was less of an adventure because we met up with Louise, one of our tutors/academic coordinator, at a place called Nando's and were given a little cave to sit in cozily together.

"The Rivals" came next, which we found to be much more engaging.

Since it was our last night in London, we decided that something should be done to commemorate the event. Across the street from the hostel was a little pub/club/who-knows-what which remained open past 11. Securing a table and stools enough for those who did come was a bit of a feat, but once again, we came, we saw, we conquered.

By ten o'clock the next morning we were supposed to be out of our room. As we were clearing things up, a woman walked into our basement suite, opened the fire exit door at the opposite end of the room, and then headed back to the main door. A girl stopped her and asked if she needed anything, but she didn't speak English. We think she worked for the hostel, but are not certain.

We all headed off to Trafalger Square, and then split up there. I went with some girls to Covent Gardens, then met up with Bethany, the girl who stayed with Lee a number of years ago, and we went to Camden Market, Kensington Gardens where I walked where J. M. Barrie walked (and definitely stopped to photograph the Peter Pan statue), and made a pit-stop at 221B Baker Street which is not at 221B Baker street at all.

It was the Green Man, an Irish pub, for dinner (about three minutes away from ISH) and conversation while waiting for the rest of the group to reconvene at the hostel so we could all travel back together. Estimated arrival home: 11.30. Going away for a few days definitely makes Charlbury feel more like home now.

Sunday I went for a four mile walk with Gill around Charlbury's countryside. The mud is definitely coming as spring is rapidly approaching. Sorry, Canada, the flowers are already popping up here.

Monday night was girl's night with Colin Firth. Need more be said?

And now it's the library for me. If you'd like to find me, I'll be in the Upper Camera.

the train station this morning

my home for the next week

a foggy day in London town

This afternoon, in our Medieval Drama class, we presented various mystery plays from this age: the best being Mak the Sheep Stealer.

The setting: out in a field, around the time of Christ's birth.

The characters: Mak the Sheep Stealer (I think his vocation is self-explanatory), Gill his wife (in this rendition, Gill was played by a male with a fake Scottish/Irish accent), as well as two shepherds.

If I can get a copy of the filmed version of our performance, I shall try to share it.

Due to the oncoming traffic of essays and presentations, I have been making use of the many resources made available in the Bodleian library. It's only been around since 1602. No big.

Monday I'm headed off to the Camera to claim a stack of books and hole myself up for the afternoon. Somehow, that doesn't sound as dreadful as it should...

But, before all the studious activity can happen, we are headed off to the city (as if there is only one here) for the weekend. Big, busy, but beautiful London. The Tower of London, An Ideal Husband, a tour of the Globe theatre and of the Houses of Parliament, as well as the Rivals. All within 48 hours with sleep thrown in there somewhere. Maybe. Saturday is our own to finish doing the really touristy stuff - if one can ever finish doing the touristy stuff in London - and it's back to Charlbury at some point in the evening.

Sometimes, it's still all a little unreal that I'm actually in England.