City of Dreaming Spires

Since we are beginning to settle into a routine with not a lot new happening, today's post will include a few Oxford factoids-- as gleaned from the Oxford City Guide. Oxford is known as ‘the city of dreaming spires’ --drawing from a 1865 poem by Matthew Arnold referring to the architecture of the college cathedrals and buildings that comprise Oxford University-- they make for a stunning city skyline!


Spires of Bodleian Library

If a poem by Matthew Arnold isn't enough to convince you about the Oxford spires, how about this memorable song from the 1960s by the British invasion band Small Faces?

Itchycoo Park

Over bridge of sighs
To rest my eyes in shades of green
Under dreamin' spires
To Itchycoo Park, that's where I've been....

Bridge of Sighs

We haven't found Itchycoo Park yet, but they may have been using some artistic license. (Or in Great Britain-- licence) However, the view from Phil's lab bench allows him to look out over the spires from a fifth story window.

And yes, he does dream and he does sigh.