Sheldon Vanauken Oxford Tour

The big event today was a tour of Sheldon Vanauken's Oxford with my new friend, Jim Belcher, author of Deep Church. We began the day with a visit to the minute village of Binsey which Vanauken mentions numerous times in his bestselling book, A Severe Mercy.

One of our first stops was St. Margaret's Church where Van and Davy's ashes were scattered.

Our walk in Binsey was a misty one and therefore all the more memorable.

We stopped at The Perch for lunch.

Where Jim consented to pose with my son Joshua's handmade "Aslan". For more about Aslan you may view the other blog I have been doing during this trip. http://aslantoengland.blogspot.com.

We crossed over the "humpbacked" bridge which Vanauken mentions in the book I am holding.

Then it was on to the center of Oxford where Jim introduced me to the most spectacular view of The Radcliffe Camera and The University Church of St. Mary the Virgin. This view can only be seen from The Fellows' Garden in the grounds of Exeter College.

The chapel at Exeter was simply splendid.

Of course we had to nip in for a brief visit at Blackwell's Booksellers.

We concluded our Vanauken tour with a swing past The Martyr's Memorial where Vanauken and Lewis once parted company on a memorable night.

And we took a walk down Pusey Lane to see the former location of The Studio, Van and Davy's beloved flat during their time in Oxford.

If you have no idea what this blog has been about then you need to read A Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken!

Comments

Rebecca said…

I read A Severe Mercy when it came out and it moved me like nothing I'd ever read before.

We gave the book to everyone we loved for Christmas that year.

When I wrote to Vanauken, telling him that his book had 'opened up heaven for me', imagine my excitement when he replied!

Under the Mercy,
Rebecca

3:51 PM

Will Vaus said…

Hi Rebecca!

My experience was similar to yours and I too corresponded with Vanauken. Now I am writing a biography about him. If you would be willing to share your letters from him, it might be helpful to the book I'm writing. If you are interested, email me at will@willvaus.com .

Thanks,
Will

4:08 PM

Spencer Dalbey said…

This comment has been removed by the author.

2:10 PM

Will Vaus said…

Thanks for sharing Spencer! I'd love to hear more about what ASM meant and means to you. If you want, you can email me at will@willvaus.com. Glad you enjoyed the pictures. Blessings....

10:06 PM

Morgan said…

Thank you for the itinerary! I will hit those spots when I am there this winter. Do you know the exact address on Pusey Lane? I want to get a picture in front of it. I wonder who lives there now - lucky person!

12:32 AM

Will Vaus said…

Google lists it as 10 Pusey Lane but I am not certain that is correct. From St. Giles go down Beaumont, then right on St. John and right again on Pusey. The location of the Studio will be to your left. It was the garden flat adjacent to and behind the house on the corner of St. John and Pusey. However, the original Studio in which the Vanaukens lived was torn down and replaced years ago.

7:46 AM

Anonymous said…

Have read many blogs in the net but have never come across such a well written blog. Good work keep it up. Visit: Oxford Minibus Tours

3:39 AM

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