Oxford's Open Doors

12th and 13th September 2015 was an open doors weekend in Oxford, when historic university and town buildings open their doors to the public.

There was so much going on, it was impossible to see everything, but we managed to cover a lot of
ground on the Saturday, starting with The Bike Cafe (what else in Oxford) and then Oxford Castle, some Oxford alleys, a vintage bus or two, St. Cross Church, Holywell Cemetery, The Broad and the Weston Library, Keble College, The Natural History Museum, University Parks, St Giles, my alma mater (Somerville) and the Radcliffe Infirmary development.

This was a tour of Oxford, both old and very new. I took far too many photographs. These are a few of the highlights (from my perspective).

 

 The grave marker of the SF writer James Blish

Sutumn

 "Sutumn", that time of year when Summer segues in Autumn and back again (if you are lucky). Late summer, early autumn, or both: call it what you will. I call it Sutumn.

 "Still glowing from Summer's lingering embrace
  She blazes forth, igniting trees in her wake"

From "Autumn" by J.S.Watts (Cats and Other Myths)

 "and scarlet bleeds loudly in the hedgerows,

  joy embracing sorrow

  in a final flash of brightness

  before the colour sleeps"

From "Autumn Burial" by J.S.Watts