Sunday in Oxford - church and Botanic Gardens

Sunday morning I was going to go to church at the lovely St. Michaels's Church; however, was told there was some kind of "Happy Clappy" outdoor service going on involving a lot of the denominations and I wanted quite frankly, to enjoy my Sunday in Oxford at a traditional service so headed off to Christ Church where I have walked around a couple of times now.

01 Christ Church - Tom Tower

It was really lovely. The congregation sat facing each other all down the nave to about two thirds of the way down. The choir (men and boys) sat further towards the doors and were spot on with everything they did, of course, and lead us in the musical part of the service nicely. A couple of the boys were so small, they could hardly see over the choir pews. Others were very emotive as they sang and I sort of imagined them as being the inheritors of the choirs in the 14 and 1500s here. Lovely voices and beautifully conducted. As they sang various introits I let the music carry my mind and eyes up into the intricacies of the architecture of Christ Church. As the voices twined and intermingled, so did the amazing twists and turns of the vaulting of the church. The cold marble became like a living thing in the hands of the choristers.

02 Christ Church looking towards Tom Tower

Fortunately we were allowed to join in the singing of hymns and responses. The sermon was very good although I can not recall a thing the priest said. I very much enjoyed the service though it was far "higher" an Anglican service than I am used to. I was the only one in shorts as well, not that that has ever set me back before.

After the service I wandered about and wound up talking briefly to someone who was probably a retired don or something. Very elderly. He asked me how I enjoyed the service and how it compared with church at home. I mentioned the intricacies of the music and the architecture and he replied rather abruptly that that, of course, was the intent of the builders, to raise up worship before the Almighty. I had to admit that other than the basic order of service, there was really no comparison; however, it always makes me pleased that wherever one goes in the world, one can find like minded souls with whom to worship. That seemed to be the right answer for him and he and his wife tottered off, she, the car driver, only marginally less tottery than he.

03 Christ Church interior

I then spent some time in the Botanic Gardens and loved it. Took photos of the 1648 Border. In 1648 Jacob Bobart, the first Superintendent of the Garden published a catalogue listing 1,600 plants growing in the Garden. The plants in the two beds I passed by have been selected from that list to demonstrate some of the plants that were grown in 17th century gardens. Some of the species are native to Britain while others were brought back by travelers and traders from Europe, Asia and China. As I wandered through, the gardens passed right by the Cherwell with its punters. A lovely quiet afternoon.

On the way back, in a turn of time, there was a performance group putting on a drumming and singing demonstration at the foot of the Saxon Tower. I think they were a part of the interchurch celebration this morning. I also took a photo of the Martyrs Memorial where Bishops Latimer, Ridley and Cramner were burned at the stake in 1555.

04 Porter's Cottage

Back to Gilly's after dinner. She had a wonderful time on her relaxing weekend away.

05 Rose at Botanic Gardens

06 Rose at Botanic Gardens

07 Roses at Botanic Gardens

08 Rosebuds at Botanic Gardens

09 Botanic Gardens

10 water lily at Botanic Gardens

11 at Botanic Gardens