Sunday, September 23, 2012

The Summer Program Draws to a Close

Saturday, 18 August

The final days of the Centre for Faith and Culture Summer Program 2012 in Oxford.
Our Saturday lecture was led by Mr. Stratford Caldecott on Tolkien and the legacy of the Lord of the Rings. We looked at Tolkien's life and the impact Catholicism had on his life and writing. I specifically inquired about Tolkien's position on allegory.

In the afternoon, we had a walking tour of Magdalen College, where C.S. Lewis lived and taught. We strolled along Addison's Walk, the path upon which Tolkien and Lewis strode the night of Lewis' conversion to Christianity. Then we went punting on the Thames! What a lovely way to spend a Saturday. It was so relaxing to be punted around the river and take in the Oxford scenery.

Magdalen College
The group in front of the New Building







Boats on the Thames
View of the Fellows' accomodations
Sun shining on the New Building

Poem by C.S. Lewis on Addison's Walk
The Magdalen College Deer Park
Strolling along Addison's Walk
Magdalen College Chapel
Outside the Magdalen College Chapel
Punting on the Thames!
Brendan, Tessa, and AnnaMaria
Victoria and Laurie
 Following punting, we had a grand picnic in Christ Church meadow watching the sun set.


 Sunday, 19 August

After Mass at the Oratory and tea at Brown's, we had our closing lecture, reviewing the program material and specifically discussing C.S. Lewis. In the evening, we had a lovely outdoor dinner at the Caldecott home with Mr. Walter Hooper as our special guest. He shared many stories about the time he spent with Lewis and the Inklings. Hearing firsthand accounts really brought Lewis and Tolkien to life - I am so excited to be able to bring what I learned from Mr. Hooper on Sunday night to my forthcoming autumn term tutorial on The Inklings.

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