England, Part I

As the temperatures dipped below zero, I decided to spend the day reading a book in front of our fireplace.  Finding Mrs. Lewis, tells of the love story between Joy Davidman and C.S. Lewis. As I settled in little did I know I would be transported back to Oxford, England that afternoon.

An interesting love story.

C. S. Lewis is well-known for many things including writing his beloved children’s series entitled The Chronicles of Narnia and a popular, classic Christian apologetics book, Mere Christianity. 

C.S. Lewis held academic positions in English literature at Magdalen College at Oxford University (Oxford is made up of 35 separate colleges) and he lived on the outskirts of Oxford for many years, with his brother. C.S. Lewis was great friends with novelist J.R.R. Tolkien, author of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings trilogy. These two great writers, C.S.Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien along with other writers, were in a writing group together that met every Tuesday at The Eagle and Child, a pub on St. Giles Street in Oxford. They called themselves the Inklings.

An ordinary pub on St. GIles Street in Oxford, that has become famous because of its patrons.

I was captivated by the love story between Joy and Clive (the C in C.S.). At one point in the book the setting changed from New York City to England. While reading several chapters of Joy’s time in Oxford it was exciting for me to recognize the places described in the book. Suddenly, I was back in Oxford as I visualized The Eagle and Child and the table where the Inklings met every Tuesday.

A more colorful view of this pub where C.S. Lewis met with his writing group.

I could see the magnificent University buildings and spires of Oxford. I remembered shopping at Blackwell’s Book Store, touring part of Christ’s Church, and the lovely, pastoral landscape surrounding the town. I had been to these places mentioned in the book and it made the story come alive and more interesting. 

Christ Church in Oxford, a photo of a page in my photo album.

It prompted me to take a break from reading the book and dig out my vacation journal to read about my own two trips to Oxford. The first time our family went to meet up with our son who had finished one semester of college at Oxford University (Keeble College). What a joy to walk around this city of spires and very old, very ornate, beautiful, magnificent buildings. We went to see Keeble College, and where our son lived while attending, and where he studied – the Bodleian Library (only students allowed inside).

A postcard with a partial view of The University of Oxford with the Bodlien Library in the center

I was in Oxford for the second time when my son took me on a trip to London for a special birthday. What a guy! (I will expand on that in Part II.) Of course, we took the train to Oxford for a day to reminisce his rich experiences there. We came to a resolution at the beginning of our time to write one haiku each day of our trip. I created a photo book, along with the haikus, of that wonderful experience, so I pulled that album out too, and spent time remembering our fun adventures.

Keeble College.

(We were in London a third time to attend our youngest son’s graduation from the University of London with a master’s degree in public health. And though we didn’t go to Oxford on that trip, we had a great time in London with our youngest son and his family.)

So as I sat near the warm fireplace on a very frigid afternoon reading an interesting book, I escaped reality and went on a mini-holiday to an enchanting place in the confines of my own home.

8 thoughts on “England, Part I”

  3. A good book is such a joy – for many reasons!
    So glad you had such a meaningful experience.

  4. My 7th grade English teacher encouraged us to choose a penpal. Mine lived near Manchester, ENGLAND. We kept in touch for MANY YEARS. I finally met her in London and among other places she took me to Oxford. After she died I talked ,sometimes 2 hours at a time , to her husband for 5 years. England offered 1 hour free to call the US. We would hang up and then call to talk for another hour. Since he has had a stroke we have rarely connected. He taught me so much about what his personal experiences were in World War II.

    1. Little did your 7th grade teacher know that assignment would last a life time.
      It’s a wonderful story Kay.

      I, too, had an assigned pen pal in Australia but we only communicated for a few years.
      Like you, letters were hand-written, stamped and sent snail mail.

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