Open Doors weekend day two

Today we started at a building called Blavatnik School of Government. It's part of the overall University and is 'designed to support the School's mission of inspiring and promoting better government around the world'. Probably quite a difficult task. 

Unfortunately it was raining so we didn't get a photo from the outside, and I think that it will be impossible to imagine it's shape from these pictures of the interior. We thought that it was great, and they also had a superb choir singing chamber music.

Next we went to Somerville College which is practically next door. This is quite a modern college and only established in 1879. It was the first Ladies Hall in Oxford and they worked for many years to get Oxford to allow women to take degrees, and finally achieved this in 1920. The most famous former student was Margaret Thatcher. 

Moving on we went to St John's College, just as the rain started to slow down. This is a huge college dating from 1555,and is full of beautiful old buildings. 

To be honest, I am getting confused as to what we saw where as we have seen so much over the weekend. Everything is starting to blur together and what is left is the remembrance of a great day. 

However the next visit was definitely to the Bodleian Library and the Divinity School. 

This was basically one spectacular room that was originally used for lectures, exams and theology discussions. It was built between 1427 and 1483,  and it was extremely busy so we didn't stay long.

Lunch break, then on the road again, starting at Corpus Christi College and this podium with a swan on top is the first thing that you see on the way in. 

Next door is Merton College, and this is a  very good one. It has the usual lovely buildings and a particularly large garden. 

The garden overlooks the water meadows of Christchurch College, and this stone table is in a great position to enjoy the view. 

Both C S Lewis and J R R Tolkien, who were great friends were inspired by the table. Mr Lewis used it as inspiration for the scene in The lion, the witch and the wardrobe, where Aslan the lion was sacrificed. Mr Tolkien didn't use the table in a book, but actually used the table as a writing desk whilst creating Lord of the rings. 

Then on to St Edmunds college, known locally as Teddy's. The high point, quite literally was when we climbed the stairs in the tower to the top of the library. 

Lovely views of the spires of Oxford from the windows. We were actually in the old church which is now converted into the library and has 87 spiral stairs with books on all of the floors. 

Then visits to Harris Manchester College which was nice but not exciting, and Wadham College with its elegant front facade. 

Jesus College - this was founded by Queen Elizabeth the First in 1571. She never visited it but there is a superb portrait of her in the dining room. 

Phew, what a weekend.