I suppose Oxford has already got to my brains, for in spite of my full timetable, I went down to a rowing introduction yesterday at the Queen's College boathouse. Rowing is just so...Oxford. I was warned by a friend that doing competition rowing would dominate a students' schedule, so I am steering clear of that... however, it is possible to be on a novice crew and only go out once a week, so I decided try it out. Being on the water is good for the soul.
Wycliffe Hall doesn't have a boathouse, so we row in association with Queen's College. It was an interesting, challenging, and rewarding outing... my friend and I signed up to go again next weekend at 6:30am... to see if we can handle the early shift that would best fit in our week's schedule! Its at least a half hour walk to the boathouse... so it will be an early morning!
Today I did some preparatory reading we'd been assigned and then went with a friend on a long walk up out of the city center to South Park hill... known for having the best view of Oxford's dreaming spires within walking distance of downtown.
It was a great moment, just sitting on that bench looking out at the panorama of steeples, towers and spires... seeing the bustling city for a moment almost as a still life... taking it in with the ever more crisp autumn air... stirring with hopes and prayers for all that will transpire here in the coming season.