Post by Lomadia on Jul 4, 2006 15:02:42 GMT -5
As some of you may know, the reason I was away for most of June was that I've been in Europe! 
I spent three weeks abroad in England, France, and Germany visiting family and friends. While staying with my aunt and uncle, who live in eastern England, we took a trip to Stratford-on-Avon and Oxford to see the stomping-grounds of my two favorite authors- William Shakespeare and JRR Tolkien!
While in Oxford, we lunched at the Eagle and Child public house, where Tolkien met with the Inklings, a group of fellow Oxford writers who were interested in (among other things) the nature of good and evil and traditional literature. If you ever have the chance to eat here, do! The food is excellent and the atmosphere is cozy and enjoyable; there are also many photos and plaques about Tolkien and C.S. Lewis (another Inkling). After a walk around the colleges and used-book markets, we went to Wolvercote Cemetary, a short distance from the city center, to visit Tolkien's shared grave with his wife, Edith. It was a day well-passed and a very enjoyable pilgrimmage for this Tolkien enthusiast.
Here are some photos from the day:
I'm standing in the "Rabbit Room" of the Eagle and Child pub (fondly known to Tolkien as the Bird and Baby). This is the room where the Inklings met; a note to the proprietor from the writers is framed above the fireplace.
My aunt and me at Tolkien's grave in Wolvercote Cemetary. The headstone reads "Edith Mary Tolkien/ Luthien/ 1889-1971/ John Ronald/ Reuel Tolkien/ Beren/ 1892-1973".
I spent three weeks abroad in England, France, and Germany visiting family and friends. While staying with my aunt and uncle, who live in eastern England, we took a trip to Stratford-on-Avon and Oxford to see the stomping-grounds of my two favorite authors- William Shakespeare and JRR Tolkien! While in Oxford, we lunched at the Eagle and Child public house, where Tolkien met with the Inklings, a group of fellow Oxford writers who were interested in (among other things) the nature of good and evil and traditional literature. If you ever have the chance to eat here, do! The food is excellent and the atmosphere is cozy and enjoyable; there are also many photos and plaques about Tolkien and C.S. Lewis (another Inkling). After a walk around the colleges and used-book markets, we went to Wolvercote Cemetary, a short distance from the city center, to visit Tolkien's shared grave with his wife, Edith. It was a day well-passed and a very enjoyable pilgrimmage for this Tolkien enthusiast.
Here are some photos from the day:
I'm standing in the "Rabbit Room" of the Eagle and Child pub (fondly known to Tolkien as the Bird and Baby). This is the room where the Inklings met; a note to the proprietor from the writers is framed above the fireplace.
My aunt and me at Tolkien's grave in Wolvercote Cemetary. The headstone reads "Edith Mary Tolkien/ Luthien/ 1889-1971/ John Ronald/ Reuel Tolkien/ Beren/ 1892-1973".
....well, Oxford in an alternate dimension.