She was not sure if it was the stone, or some fey quality of the light but everything was golden. Gilt lamposts and the crown of Isis, molten in the canals and all the birds sung like wire nightingales from the towers. Did they have to wind them up? She wondered. Faces peered from cornerpieces, faces with tusks and horns and dainty claws, but she was not frightened, she knew who they were meant to keep out. From Hamelin she came, following the sound of a flute which led to a curly haired boy, but he dissapeared. Fauns in the gardens, robins on fences and croquet in the meadows. Evensong and bells that shook the stones themselves. Bicycles clattered over cobblestones as the wind made raven wings of scholar’s robes and she lost her way, looking for sighs. These pages were old and yellowed, they crackled underfoot, muffled by the dust.
June 29, 2010
60 responses to chapter 1.
wonderful pictures !
Thank you!
Beautiful pictures and words. It makes me want to visit England so badly, I hope it looks just as dreamy and lovely as your pictures make it seem.
I really don’t think I could begin to capture the beauty of somewhere like Oxford, it is so much more magical in life.
You’ll make us all fall in love with England! Beautiful photographs.
Oh, but it is worth falling for! Even if it hurts not to be there. Thank you.
Haha, I agree with Shards. Lovely chapter, though – look forward to the rest ♥
Thank you dear, I’ll try ♥
What wonderful pictures and beautiful words! Your sharing your trip in such a lovely way. <3
Merci Camille, your comments are sweet as ever. I feel lucky to be able to share my little adventure with you.
Incredibly beautiful, as always. Your diary is a sanctuary, the perfect shelter from Bad Days. xxx
Your words are cotton wool, warm and gentle and pretty as clouds. I hope you aren’t having too many Bad Days of late. xxx
oh my, wow. Your writing is incredible as always, and there is a shop called Unicorn? How lovely. x
Yes! It is the loveliest little shop on a backstreet in Oxford. Inside it is crammed wall to wall with vintage clothes and old things. x
Oh goodness. Your blog is breathtaking, I love the pictures, and the things that you write. :) It’s all so inspiring. <3
Love, love, love it all.
Lots of love,
Rachel <3
Rachel, I received your sweet letter. I will write back very soon, thank you for all your kind words. ♥
love everything about your blog. you’re made of pure diamonds.:) briliant writing skills. xx
love
Daphne
All the diamonds must be in your eyes, but thank you for seeing them. xx
Beautiful pictures and beautiful words =)
Thank you Mika for your beautiful comment. ♥
Ahh, the pictures are all so beautiful!! Lovely chapter!!
Thank you Sora-dear! It means the world to me that you like it. ♥
Amazing photos!
The 1st and 2nd makes me think of Hogwarts ♥
Oh, the third is the Infirmary in the Hogwarts movies. I’ll make a much more dedicated post later on. ♥
This is the most perfect little story. I’m charmed.
xxx
You are the sweetest, thank you. xxx
Oh this post is so lovely: the pictures and especially your words. Unicorn – is that the name of the store? That is absolutely wonderful.
Yes, it is called Unicorn. Sells all manner of old things. They often look closed though, you have to puh the door hard.
Your pictures are so beautiful, and your story is so incredibly magical. I want to go see England now more than ever!
I am so pleased that you feel this way, England is a little green Eden when the sun comes out.
Dearest, this post is so stunning, the photos are beautiful, so warm and cosy (unicorn looks like such an amazing little shop! And your words are so magical <3 xxx
It’s a lovely little store, but there are so many in England. They have such a wealth of old things. Old things here are rare as a cat’s promise and just as dear. xxx
Lovely! It gives me the urge to hear the words put to music; I have a feeling it would be very wonderful.
Oh thank you, I tried to capture some of the music of Oxford which is always full of bells and singing and beautiful sounds.
I feel as if your very words have spirited me away <3
Thank you dear Crystal. England has run away with little scraps of me too.
Your blog is coming along beautifully by the way. So sweet <3
visited platform 9 3/4 yet? :)
lovely photos.
No, I didn’t go to Kings Cross. Something to save for next time.
Just to let you know, my spam filter likes to eat comments with urls in them. I try and check it but sometimes I forget. Best to just put your blog url in the website box. Thank you lovely <3
“Croquet in the meadows” reminds me of childhood… *sigh*
Very beautiful, dear. ♡
Oh, did you play croquet as a child? That is lovely. They play it on the lawns at Oxford.
Your pictures are so beautiful and wonderfully shot. As for your words, I can’t find the words to explain them. They’re so magical and give the spirit such a whimsical feeling. As a writer you are such an inspiration to me.
Oh, thank you so, that means the world to me. I think words are very precious, I try to make each one mean something if I can.
Hi there sweetie! Long time no see! ^^; I’m glad you enjoyed a lot your trip, and the pictures are breathtaking! (* – *).
Thank you Sora, it is lovely to see you again. I have so many more pictures to share.
Such lovely photographs, and words. The Unicorn shop looks marvelous.
Thank you so much. It is an odd little shop, but I liked to peer in everytime I walked by. Next door is a cafe named Heroes that serves giant cups of tea (because they need them I imagine, the heroes.)
Lovely pictures and even more beautiful words! The feeling in your text appears so familiar to me…
Thank you lovely, perhaps you have walked through Oxford in the early morning as well?
How lovely. I love your blog, it’s so magical and inspiring.
How old are you?
Thank you, you have a beautiful name.
I’m sorry, I don’t like answering personal questions.
Oh I’m sorry!
Thank you so much, it’s a scottish tree- if you didn’t already know.
I do love you blog so much, your writing is fantastic. You should really write a book.
Yes, I saw lots of Rowan trees in flower while I was in England. They are one of my favourites, with Birch and Oak.
Thank you!
It’s so wonderful to spend time again at your website! I sooo love Oxford! Thanks for the beautiful, beautiful (‘speaking’) pictures! I spent four weeks at the Bodl. Libr., and got to sit and work where C.S. Lewis sat and worked!
It is so lovely to hear from you again! Oxford is magical, I went in to the Bodley and got to see some beautiful books but we couldn’t touch any of course or go in to the library proper. You were so lucky! I didn’t get to the Kilns this visit, but I shall definitely go back. It is one of the saddest things I missed.
Is the Unicorn just a couple of blocks over from Lincoln College? The window looks familiar, but I suspect the name has changed, in any event. My recollection is that I saw a statue of a reclining, sleeping fairy at this shop (that I ended up buying), and I’m just wondering if it’s the same! And, did you happen to get to the “Eagle and Child?” (“Bird and Baby”?) I just *adore* your photo of the boat by the stone entrance step — how your jeweled writing is reflected in your visual compositions! I’d so love to hear so much more about your trip; please share it with us!
Unicorn is on Ship street, does that sound familiar? I think I walked passed the Eagle & Child, is it the one that ducks slightly underground as you go in? I wasn’t sure, as there are several with that name now. The boat belongs to someone at Magdalen, I like to imagine who might set off from that very private landing.
I am pretty sure that that’s that’s the store….I see that it is just a bit over a block from Lincoln College — where I stayed when I was there. The store has changed, though, from what it was,…basically just gift and arts type items before. Yes,…if it’s the one on St. Giles, then you’ve got it! Thanks for replying!
Oh gosh these pictures are BEAUTIFUL! I’m at a loss for words! I just want to hop in that darling little boat and go drifting down the river, marveling at all the beautiful sights of Oxford <3
Oh, it is a glorious city Claire. Every building seems to glow and the river and canals are just magical. You can even hire someone to punt you down in a long boat, but it was very expensive. I told my Benjamin that we will go back there so he can row for me instead.
The way you write just intrigues me. I think I would like to just listen to you talk one day