Today in Photos from the Shire (Day Four)

Today, I had class, which was a lot of fun. I volunteered yesterday to kick-off the class discussion of "Rime of the Ancient Mariner," which leads into our "Moby Dick" discussion next week. The weather was great for the walk across the park, where the crepe stand was open and the cricket dudes were out.

Earlier this morning, Lena and I bought tickets for an official "city and university" Oxford walking tour. While we toured a number of things we already know (like Lincoln College) we learned some fun facts (i.e. Shakespeare's out-of-wedlock son with Lady Jane went to our college here at Oxford) and got a better sense of the layout of the city.

Among other things, we visited T.E. Lawrence (yes, of Arabia's) college, Jesus College, across the street. If memory serves, it was built about 100 years after Lincoln College, in the 1500's.

Near the end of the tour, we checked out, first-hand, "punting on the Thames" (the river also known as the Isis here in town), and Lena put punting on the list of "things to do on her 30th birthday," coming up in just a couple of weeks.

We also saw, for the first time, Radcliffe Camera, part of the Bodleian Library, and the oldest circular reading room in the world (the largest circular reading room in the world is the Library of Congress). This is not open to the public, but we can access it with our Bodleian cards. We went inside for a peek and decided to make this our official study spot, with its big windows and total quiet.

Last, we went to the amazing Turf Pub to sit on the deck in the sun. Among the celebrities who relaxed here formerly: Bill Clinton (while a student at Oxford), Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Steven Hawkins, and Ben Kingsley. A varied group!

Tonight, Lena and I go see a production of Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None" (known alternately in the states as "Ten Little Indians") at the Oxford Playhouse. Students can buy day-of tickets for 8 pounds, or around 16 dollars, with cash and student ID.

Have a great Friday and weekend, everyone!