More shadows

I do seem to find shadows pleasing... which reminds me that for years I have possessed Junichiro Tanizaki's In Praise of Shadows but I do not think I have ever read it... I bought it at a time when I was fascinated by Japanese aesthetics, well, the first time I was obsessed by Japanese aesthetics. Maybe I should finally read it.

Anyway, those tiles were in the chapel of my old college.

I had always been rather impressed by the chapel, but it can't hold a candle (!) to the one at Exeter College which I also visited on this trip to Oxford.

The gardens at my college were closed because of the high winds and flying branches. Nor could I get into Canterbury Quad due to restoration work. This was very unsatisfying. I had to restrict myself to some random snapping of not very exciting things.

It is always rather strange to return. And the blisters generated by walking around in unaccustomed boots didn't help matters. Term hadn't started so there were no hordes of students around. More tourists, really. Incidentally, I did not realise that hoard, as in a hoard of gold, is a different word from hordes as in the pagan hordes. They have different etymologies. Who knew?

Anyway, Exeter College - where I believe I was also offered a place, only to take up the one I did - is very pretty. What I liked most, I think, was that the college boat club can chalk their successes on the walls.