We woke up in a picture-perfect postcard this morning. The Inn allowed us to rest and recharge for a very busy day. Breakfast was abundant - Eggs Benedict and omelets to order, fresh fruit, croissants, cheese and meats and, of course, a steaming pot of tea and some stiff coffee. Ready to go.
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| This was our beautiful hotel tucked away in the most darling town |
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| Cottages lined the river that almost seemed too good to be real |
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| Part of the hotel where some of the ladies stayed |
A quick coach ride down the road deposited us in the quaint little town of Burton-on-the-Water, a sleepy little shopping town with a river running through it - called the Venice of the Cotswolds. This area has been inspiration to so many of our authors, from Tyndale (translator of scripture) to Shakespeare who taught there for eight years, Lewis Carroll, H.G. Wells and even the Reverend Awdry of Thomas the Tank Engine fame!
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| Bourton on the water |
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| Ducks were every where up and down the river |
Onward to Oxford - a very different landscape than the green we’ve become accustomed to! We stopped at Eagle & Child for a hearty lunch and robust conversation about C.S. Lewis’ perspective on heaven and the new earth. We encouraged and challenged each other in the style of the Inklings (Lewis’ writing pals' exclusive club). Two expert tour guides gave us a breathtaking tour of Magdalen College where Lewis taught. We walked the road where he relinquished his life to the Lordship of Christ and became one of our greatest spiritual giants. The tour completed, we decided to go legitimate when we say, “We went to Oxford!” by purchasing official Oxford sweatshirts in the Varsity Stores on Broad Street. Some of us ventured into the Bodleian Library Museum where Shakespeare’s First Folio, Mozart’s original “Messiah” and letters from Tolkien are preserved. The Ashmolean Museum was another stop for others where exhibits from Egypt were displayed. A quick cappuccino and off we went to Bath! Whew! We concluded this day with a phenomenal meal at Jaime Oliver’s Italian restaurant - the best in Bath. Our heads, stomachs and hearts are full and it’s been a very, very good day. Join us tomorrow for the stunning tour of Bath and high tea in Jane Austen’ house!
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| Meeting up with our tour guides that took us around Oxford |
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Meeting together at a cafe to load up and head to Bath
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| This was just the appetizer plate at Jamie Oliver's restaurant in Bath |
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| Toooooo may kids in the elevator! |
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ReplyDeleteI believe I know some of these people enjoying such fellowship, sights, sounds and tantalizingly different cuisines.
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