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Onward to Oxford: Grand Tour Day 12

October 18, 2018
By Trinity Christian School

Grand Tour Day 12: Oxford

Written by Kaila '19, photos by Kaila '19, videos by Tanner '19 and Logan '19. 

 

". . .This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this is  England."

This is a quote from the Shakespearean play, 'Richard II,' that my dad sent me to read as the Class of 2019 crossed the English Channel. Although I last read it a couple of days ago, the words of Richard II rang in my ears as we drove through the Cotswolds on our way to Oxford. My eyes were still tired but I refused to sleep as I wanted to soak in the scenery. The further we escaped from the never-sleeping city of London, the more I grew excited, knowing what the day ahead had in store for me. The last time I visited Oxford was in 2014 and this time I knew my visit would be a day full of new experiences with my closest friends. 

Once we arrived in Oxford and after laughing for a good while at the jokes made by our bus driver with a thick Cockney accent, we met our tour guide, Elizabeth. She guided us through the bike-ruled roads of Oxford. Elizabeth showed us the different colleges such as Trinity College and explained the Oxford University system. We found ourselves at the Sheldonian Theatre and got to see the Divinity School, in which several Harry Potter movie scenes were staged (the hospital wing). The exterior of the buildings were decorated with different creatures all connecting with the history of Oxford. The most noticeable was a lion, representing Aslan and C. S. Lewis. Once we toured a small section of the town and visited the Bodleian Library, we made our way to The Eagle and Child, a pub where authors C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, and other noteble scholars met to discuss and  argue about topics. This group was known as the Inklings.

I was also planning on meeting with my  family from central England for lunch, so I quickened my pace. I was going so quick my cheeks began to burn from the crisp English air. Once we got to the pub, I popped my head into the coffee shop next door,  and sure enough my cousin Connie was just stepping out and behind me, stepping in, was her husband Michael. The three of us were reunited and joined the rest of the Trinity group for lunch. All of us were spread out in the pub, most of the students and chaperones sat in the front, near the windows, while a few of us, including myself and family, sat in the Rabbit Room, the area where the Inklings would meet. I ordered fish and chips, being sure to make my experience very English. That hour and a half I spent catching up with my extended family and introducing them to my Trinity ohana. The time flew by and we were back on the bus. 

We drove just outside of Oxford to go punting. The Trinity students and a couple chaperones split into 3 boats and we raced around an island. At first it was leisurely. The leaves were changing from their green hue to gold, the willow trees' draping foliage danced on the glassy water. Eventually, once everyone figured out how to 'properly punt,' we all raced. A few people nearly falling in, running into other boats and the river banks, and one rescue mission later, we made it back to the dock semi-dry and in one piece. Once some of us picked an ice cream bar to eat in 50 degree weather or fed the ducks, we made our way to the Kilns. 

We arrived at the Kilns, the house where C. S. Lewis lived, half an hour early to explore the footpath that he would walk down whenever he needed peace. As we walked down the path, stepping on rotting apples and crispy leaves, the path opened up to a pond and an 8 acre forest. Wild blackberries and nettles were on either side of the beaten path. Most of that time was spent taking photos and admiring God's creation, power, and how beautiful the simple things in life are. After 30 minutes of exploring, it was time to tour the Kilns. 

C. S. Lewis' cousin, Colin, led our tour. He explained to us that students live in the house and what remained from when C. S. Lewis lived in the house. Going throughout the property, you could tell people were living in it, but it wasn't until you made your way upstairs to C. S. Lewis' room where you could tell it was important. The room was small; not much filled it except the standard desk, chair, fireplace, and bed. Gold plaques adorned the walls explaining that it was Lewis' room. We finished our tour, hopped on the bus, and made our way back to London for dinner. For dinner we went to a pub across the street from St. Paul's and we were served traditional British roast dinners. Although I may be halfway around the world from home, these last couple of days made me feel at home. The traditional food I've been eating are reminders of the dinners I would have at my grandparents' house or the stories my dad would tell about living in Oxford as a kid. These are memories and places I've been able to make a connection with and share it with the people I have learned and been challenged to love for the past 13 days.  

 

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