“Just get a location pin. I know the way around town. We are supposed to go to Holywell Street” exclaimed a wired husband of mine trying to contain his excitement but yeah, kinda failing miserably.
He loved his time at Oxford and reminisces about it often so fondly, I half want Sassi to go too (if she wants. I hope she does!). It was the one time he didn’t have to choose between the two loves of his life Economics and Philosophy and studied them both with stellar professors who left their mark on him to this day.
One of the many (many) things I love about him is his mad love for what he does. His subjects. The academia, the research he does, the social causes he works for. His every day. I love a man with a passion. A drive. A purpose. Or a woman. I kinda go flat on people living without the zeal to do something or a passion of any sort. Anyway. I digress.
Lo and behold, the location pin led us past Radcliffe Camera and right into alleys of cobblestone pathways that could hardly fit our suitcases and us. Just as I was huffing and puffing through tube-like alleys narrower than Aeroplane Aisles and was dreading a meltdown by Faisal against Google maps and everything technology, the narrowest alley in the world opened up to THIS!
A quaint little 17th Century hut, tucked away in a sweet alley down Bath place Off Holywell Street turned out to be our little hotel.
Characteristically Oxfordian it had even narrower walkways inside including the staircase leading up to our room. Thankfully the room turned out to be rather decent in size.
It so turns out that Edward the Seventh frequented the place to meet friends and Thomas Hardy’s “Jude the Obscure” and “Inspector Morse” novels often featured the place. It is also believed that it was the secret love-nest of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton while he performed at the Oxford Playhouse.
It is literally joined at the hip to one of the oldest Inns in town the Turf Tavern (earlier known as the Spotted Cow), where I had to leave half a (Gorgeous!) drink last night because kids can’t stay past 9:00PM. (Bhaaaaaan!)
Whoosh! Is that a burst of poignant, ripe, juicy history or what!
I seriously wonder how utterly brimming with history are the walls we live our lives surrounded by, quietly observing, absorbing energy through all times to follow. These walls have witnessed the birth of Dorothy L Slayer.
They have also housed Jane Morris, the muse and wife of the celebrated designer, poet and novelist William Morris.
And now they witness The MidSassi Nap’s Dreams!
Look out for the walk down Bath Place right up to the gorgeous cottage and ending on the window of our room from the outside on our insta stories.