In the circle of enlightenment (I): When the bell begins to chime

It takes no longer than twenty minutes to traverse most part of the majestic Oxford on foot. If you are as smart as I am, you should start from the Head of the River, a pub not only strategically located as its name suggests, but one that plies a heavy trade on most palatable food and nectar-like beer. Once you have let the view of the ever eventful Thames seep in, take a stroll along Christ Church Meadow Walk, then turn left to Poplar Walk which leads to the eponymous building and entrance to Christ Church College and Cathedral. But don’t go in just yet. Turn right on Broad Walk, then left to Merton Walk on which the impressive Masters’ Garden becomes plain to sight. Go past Dead Man’s Walk, cross the narrow gate into Grove Walk and you are on the cobbled and quaint Merton Street. If the ghost of Francis Windebank hasn’t crossed your sight by now, surely spirits of kings, chancellors and bishops must have whispered to you and imparted the aura of Oxford’s greatness. As you stand there, simply raise your head and look around. You will feel dwarfed by expertly crafted stone giants that keep the medieval embers aglow: University of St Mary the Virgin; Magdalene College; Radcliffe Square; Bodleian Library; Sheldonian Theatre; plus many more are within a stone’s throw. Viewed from inside, some look really dingy and oaken, yet imposing and awesome from outside. The precise origin of some of Oxford’s colleges is still unknown, although a few stake a claim to me as the oldest with a provenance stretching back to 12th century. Hundreds of years of succession of mighty conquerors, civil war, political intrigue and reformation have gone by, but their passing has left the buildings almost untouched, with a grandeur there for all to see.

Time for public access is up. Ungainly tourist crowds have dispersed and the bell from the College Chapel’s tower has started to chime. Despite its picturesque appearance, Merton Street is accessible by vehicles, so rumbling sounds of the odd car rolling on the cobbled surface are unavoidable. Barring this, one can feel a tad daunted when standing there on their own at night. The old-style street lights trigger a strange sense of awe as they can transport the mind’s eye to the likes of Bucks Row back in 1888. Still, I have none of all that. Right now, at approximately 18:30 PM, I feel safe in the Circle of Enlightenment. As they taught me back in school, it was Knowledge and Enlightenment that exorcised prejudice and fear. Should there be any haunting figures lurking the old streets of Oxford, I only hope a long exposure will bring them out.

I wish each and every one of you a Happy New Year.
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