MOA Exhibition: "Playing with Fire"

Margaret and I visited the MOA Sunday after our walk at Spanish Banks, in order to see the special exhibition "Playing with Fire" which was to close March 29, 2020, but is finished now due to the closure of the museum.  This exhibition brought together many BC artists who work in clay/ceramics, each of whom created very different works of art. A few pictures:

Alywn O'Brien:

A Matter of Shadows

Jeremy Hatch: Tree House

Ying-Yueh Chuang "Cross"

Other artists:

Bill Rennie:

Beauty of Spanish Banks

No matter how many times in your life you walk along the seashore at Spanish Banks, you are struck by its beauty and the changing scenes of the mountains, ocean and the freighters. Walked there both Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Oxford UK: Day 4

The Perch: An Oxford institution as old as the university. On Sunday, Sam arranged for the family to go the The Perch, a historic pub outside of Oxford, for lunch. 

From their website: The Perch is one of Oxford’s oldest pubs. Just a few minutes walk from the Isis (Oxford’s stretch of the Thames) and Port Meadow, a historic common stretching from Jericho to Wolvercote. In the summer, our garden is the envy of the whole city, and our 17th century plaster-rubble building with its traditional thatched roof will charm even the most seasoned pub-goers.There’s been a pub on our site for at least 800 years. In those 800 years, we’ve been a favourite of some of Britain’s best poets and authors, a frequent haunt of Inspector Morse, and even an influential venue on the British Jazz scene. In Spring 2015, we conducted a full scale renovation to bring a traditional pub into the modern world, and ensure we’ll be around for the next 800 years. We provide a refuge for everyone who loves great food and drink – whether they’re thirsty students, hungry walkers, exploring families, muddy dogs, adventurous visitors or wedding parties.

Had a great meal of fish and chips, and then walked all around the area.  Much flooding of pasture lands.

Oxford UK: Day 3 Celebratory Dinner

The evening after the graduation ceremony, Sam arranged for all the family to go for dinner to a fairly new restaurant in Oxford – “The Ivy Oxford Brasserie”.  What a special treat that was! The menu is an eclectic mix of modern British comfort food and international dishes. The décor was botanical style, very comfortable. Had a wonderful time.

Oxford UK: Day 3 Sam's Graduation

Saturday morning, Ken and I walked to the Sheldonian Theatre, to attend Sam’s graduation ceremony, the special purpose of this trip.  Sam received his DPhil International Relations (PhD) as a graduate of Christ Church Collage.

From the Sheldonian Theatre website: “Elegant and strong in design, marvellously rich in craftsmanship, the Theatre has admirably served its purpose for nearly over 350 years, and today still provides a dignified and superb setting for ceremonial occasions. 

Located in Oxford’s medieval city centre, the Sheldonian Theatre is the principal assembly room of the University, and the regular meeting place of Congregation, the body which controls the University’s affairs. All public ceremonies of the University are performed here, notably the annual Encaenia.

"The University acquired the site soon after the Restoration, and in 1664 to 1669 the present theatre was erected. Gilbert Sheldon, Archbishop of Canterbury and a former Warden of All Souls, met the entire cost of the build and so gave his name to the building.

The architect was a young Christopher Wren, then Professor of Astronomy at Oxford, with as yet little practical experience of building. Inspired by drawings of Roman theatres, he adopted their D-shaped plan. However, the open arena of Rome, unsuited to the English climate, had to be covered.”

The PhD  graduates paraded into the Theatre, were presented to the Vice- Chancellor and then after other students received their certificates, the PhD graduates paraded in again, this time in their red/navy gowns signifying their doctorate status. Very impressive.

Sam, shaking hand of Vice-chancellor

Oxford UK: Day 2 - Walking Tours

On Friday, February 28, Sam took the family on a walking tour of the sights of Oxford beginning with his Alma Mater, Christ Church College. There we saw the famous sights of the Library, Christ Church Cathedral and the Dining Hall (where scenes from Harry Potter movies were filmed).

The beautiful, traditional Library:

The Cathedral:

The very special Dining Hall:

Then on to see many other colleges and their groups (there are about 38 colleges in Oxford now):

River was very high

Oxford UK: Day 1 February 26-27, 2020

My brother, Ken, and I plus Sam travelled on February 26 to London Heathrow, met Teddy there and then took the coach to Oxford, arriving February 27. We went to attend the special occasion of Sam's graduation from Oxford University with his DPhil in International Relations. Sam organized our itinerary of family dinners in special restaurants and attending the graduation ceremony and luncheon.  I had a wonderful time and was so proud of Sam.

After we arrived on February 27, we met Sam at Christ Church College where he is an alumni and he gave us a tour of the grounds, a good walk around to stretch our legs, before heading for dinner.

Sam arranged dinner at the Pierre Victorie Restaurant where we had a delightful traditional French  dinner.

Then Ken and I headed back to our hotel - the Courtyard by Marriott which is about one year old and had nice modern facilities.