An afternoon with J.R.R. Tolkien

Hello all!

Before starting to tell my Oxford-story, I want to show how wonderful parks exist inside of London. There is the famous Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens for example. Both are Royal Gardens. The first impression about these parks was their largeness. I have never ever been in such a big green environment in the middle of a city. After I searched for some informations about Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, I’ve found out, that its lie on a bigger surface than the entire Principality of Monaco.

With its fountains, lake Serpentine, ducks, gravels, chapels, beautiful lawn and bushes it confers harmony and relief for soul and body. It’s the perfect environment for jogging, doing yoga or riding a bike, but attention: Kensington Garden closes in the evening, the gates are locked, so be careful to get Yourself out in time. Otherwise You’re going to spend the night inside. Hyde Park part remains opened during the night as well. British love playing table-tennis, cricket or bowling in the lawn. There are authentic merchantmen in the Park selling pretzels, baked apple and candy-floss making the moment as special as possible. Kensington Gardens are perfect for relaxation and having a refreshing walk, charging our batteries. Luckily Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are located in the city-centre, so anyone passing by can spend a few minutes in nature.

When I was visiting this place there were no other events held in the park, but usually demonstrations in politics, cultural events and live concerts (Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, The White Stripes, Michael Flatley) are organized.

Now let’s head towards Oxford. Megabus is a very good bus-company to travel with to destinations all around England. Megabus is cheap and comfortable. The way doesn’t take more than 1 and a half hour. Of course train is another option for traveling.

I don’t know how is that possible, but I can’t remember seeing any traffic jam at Oxford. Streets are small and narrow; nevertheless traffic was peaceful, and the city is not few of cars or buses. People ride bikes and walk usually. In Oxford there was an unexpected silence. Compared with London it’s a 100 times more livable destination. It was like escaping from the metropolis into nature. Oxford’s streets are beautiful. The city-image is built up of homey family houses, gardens, plane trees, parks, squirrels. The old town is the place where old and historical buildings stay. I didn’t see any kind of modern-styled building. Even a clothes shop, a grocery or KFC is incoroporated in an archaic building, thus not influencing the city’s overall picture. I won’t say that at Oxford time has stopped, but from the outside it looks like in the Middle Ages. Actually the city is a mass of castles, churches, cobble-stone alleys and castle gardens. Mostly architecture is gothic.

Oxford represents a different dimension in the World. It’s like a maquette of an ancient city getting real. Its buildings are so minutely designed and ornamented, that it’s similar to marzipan decorations from top of the cakes. I think in Oxford I felt the first time in my life that a construction is breath-takingly beautiful.

Walking in the Old Town impressed me very much. Knights, chevaliers walking on the streets, horses, chariots. It’s definitely a different universe. There are many inns and wine vaults. And let’s not forget about universities. Not only in the city centre, but also in peripheral regions of Oxford, buildings of faculties and universities are present. Approximately there are more than 100 institutes, research centres and university main buildings in Oxford. Almost on every street at least 1-2 universities can be found. That’s a great achievement. University of Oxford is on a very advantageous position in the World rank of universities. Moreover, it’s a great realization that there can be so many faculties and unis in a city which lies only on 45 square kilometres.

Oxford’s next attraction is the house of J. R. R. Tolkien, and his grave in Oxford cemetery. For ‘The Lord of the Rings’ fan is compulsory visiting the house of the master. Tolkien lived and created in Oxford at least half of his life. He has a personal bonding with this city, which could also inspire him in his writings.

The Oxford trip was so special, I’m remembering it now, after 2 years passed, and I’m still having goose-skin. Worth visiting, just a few miles from London, but it constitutes a different world.

Thanks for reading,

Dora

(If You're interested about reading more writings of mine, click on the following link: Dora's Blog)

Photo gallery