Gentle Readers, this is Christine Stewart’s second post about her trip to England this past summer. The author of Embarking on a Course of Study, you will enjoy her reminiscences.The day after visiting Jane’s writing desk and portrait in London, I went to Paris. Yes, for the day. It was there so I popped over to squeeze in what I could – a long, exquisite day of mostly walking and a trip up the Eiffel Tower (okay, more like hobbling because I walked everywhere in Reykjavik and had two days of London walking behind me as well. My ankles looked like I was 85 years old. But it was worth it for the view).
Paris turned out to be a 20 hour day, so I slept in and caught a later train to Winchester and had just enough time to see the Cathedral and the house on College Street where Jane died before catching my bus to Alton (near Chawton) to reach my hotel.Winchester is delightful. Twisty turny streets, archways, alleys tucked between the backs of houses with gates and wooden doors. It felt like one big secret garden to me. I could have wandered for hours. The sky was grayish when I arrived at the Cathedral – perfect for photographs. I took many pictures of the outside as there were so many interesting vantage points but here’s the main one (to keep reading: http://www.embarkingonacourseofstudy.com
Thank you for the lovely photos posted on the above website… which reminds me vividly of the 11th Jane Austen Festival in Bath last September. One of the highlights was a day trip to Hampshire, e.g. to Jane Austen’s cottage (her writing desk is quite small!) in Chawton, close to her brother Edward’s stately home; her birthplace in Steventon (including the ancient church where she used to attend Sunday services, minus the house where she was born, where only the disused well [?] marks the spot); the house where she died; and Winchester Cathedral. Another day trip took us to Lyme Regis (a film location for ‘Persuasion’), and Montacute House in Somerset (a film location for ‘Sense and Sensibility’, starring Emma Thompson).
to be a woman writer in Jane Austen’s time, and to be in her particular situation and station was, I now believe, such a huge challenge that it took a special character like hers to endure her fate, and to achieve literary greatness in spite of these challenges.
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absolutely gorgeous photos
Hi Vic,
Cette cathédrale semble si belle! J’aurais bien voulu la visiter!
Merci pour ces photos!
Have a good day!
What a remarkable pilgrimage. I got lost in both Christine Stewart’s words and photographs.
I loved visiting Winchester; found it a very enchanting town. Thanks for these lovely photos that bring it all back!
Just beautiful… loved the photos and her descriptions of her visit. It was just lovely. I posted on her website as well. What a treat.Thank you for sharing!
I was really impressed with Winchester Cathedral, even on the short trip we made. I stood over Jane’s grave and cried quiet tears of gratitude for the gift of Jane Austen to our world. I really appreciated reading your visit.
Thank you so much for sharing your amazing photos and trip with us! For those of us who will likely NEVER be able to make this trip and only dream of it, you have helped transport us!! Amazing!