June 19-July 2, 2018  - London West End and Bodiam Castle

For Elder Burkinshaw's birthday, the kids sent money so we could see the musical "Aladdin" in London.  On Saturday, June 23 about 3:45pm following our early shift at the Temple, we drove to the Lingfield train station car park (aka parking lot) and caught the Southern train to Victoria Station.  From Victoria Station, we got an Uber to the Prince Edward Theatre.  We had purchased tickets on-line but picked them up before the show.  We then walked to Chipotle Grill which was only about a quarter-mile from the theatre.  Saturday evening the West End (Theatre District), especially because it was the summer tourist season, was quite crowded and allowed us to observe an interesting cross-section of humanity (hopefully that is a diplomatic characterization :-).  After dinner at Chipotle, we had an ice cream cone at Ben & Jerry's and were in our seats about 20 minutes early for a 7:00pm start.

"Aladdin" marquis at the Prince Edward Theatre in London's West End (Theatre District)

Sister Burkinshaw pointing to the "Aladdin" signs in front of the Prince Edward Theatre.

Street view from the outside balcony of the Prince Edward Theatre.

Elder and Sister Burkinshaw and Sister and Elder Page at the Prince Edward Theatre before the start of "Aladdin".

Elder and Sister Burkinshaw with the Prince Edward Theatre stage in background at "Aladdin"

The singing was excellent, the staging and special effects were amazing and it was a very enjoyable evening.   The show ended at 10:00pm and we caught an Uber to Victoria Station and were in Lingfield by 11:40pm and drove into the Temple car park at 11:50pm.  Having worked out the logistics, we're ready to try this again!

On Tuesday, June 26, 2018, we were working the late shift at the temple (start time 3:00pm) so we went to Standen House in the morning to explore the grounds a little more and purchase a pillow that Sister Burkinshaw had seen during our visit in April.  While there, we took a few additional pictures.

This photo of the English countryside from Standen House shows how dry the weather has been as this meadow has dried up.  Beyond the meadow, the landscape still looks quite verdant but you can see other dry patches indicating an unusually warm and dry summer this year.

We found a cool and shady spot to take a selfie at Standen House.

There are a variety of cows here in the area and one of the varieties is the Simmental which originated in Switzerland.  Elder James Guenther, one of our temple missionary associates (and a farmer who sold his farm before going into the mission field--they had two daughter), is from Alberta and he said the Simmental was his favorite beef cow.

It was so warm at 10:00am that Sister Burkinshaw has already shed her sweater.

For lunch, we had a delicious tomato and basil soup with wheat bread.

Here is the "William Morris" designed pillow that we purchased at Standen House. (William Morris founded the Arts and Crafts Movement in Britain and designed some of the most recognizable textile patterns of the nineteenth century.)

Since we were on the late shift this week, following our 5:30am walk one morning, we took a few hours to weed the flower beds in front of the temple.  Here's some "post-weeding" pictures of the beds, showing how colorful they have become.

The summer flower beds at the London Temple.  We had just finished weeding so hopefully, no weeds are visible. ;-)

Close-up of the summer flower beds at the London Temple.

Side-view of the summer flower beds at the London Temple.

On Friday, June 29, 2018, the London South Mission, which had it's offices here on the London Temple grounds, was absorbed into the London Mission and the Birmingham Mission.   We took a picture of the London South Mission Office as a reminder

Mission Office for the London South Mission which has now been absorbed into the London Mission (headquartered at Hyde Park) and the Birmingham Mission.

We sold our 5-speed manual 2005 Renault Scenic and bought a Skoda Octavia which has an automatic transmission.  When you're trying to adapt to driving on the left-hand side of the road, the automatic transmission greatly simplifies driving.  Here's a few pictures.

2008 Skoda (made by Volkswagen) Octavia with automatic transmission.

2008 Skoda Octavia.

2008 Skoda Octavia with automatic transmission.  The Skoda cost a little more than the Renault, so now when we fill the gas tank, the value of the car only increases by 10%! :-)

On Monday, July 2, 2018 we went on an excursion to Bodiam castle, which is about an hours drive from the Temple.  We were going to ride with the other temple workers in the temple van, but there were more participants than seats, so we drove and took our friends Raul and Karen McQuivey with us in the Skoda Octavia.

Bodiam castle was built in 1385 by Sir Edward Dalingridge, a former knight of King Edward III to defend the area against French invasion during the Hundred Years' War.  At the time it was built, the River Rother was large enough to sail ships to Bodaim.  The castle's structure and design in an artificial watery landscape show that appearance was an important aspect of the castle's design as well as defense. It was the home of the Dalyngrigge family and the center of the manor of Bodiam.  It's rectangular shape with towers on each corner makes it the quintessential castle although the interior has not been maintained.

Bodiam castle from the southeast.

Elder and Sister Burkinshaw in front of Bodiam Castle's south side.

Bodiam Castle from the northeast corner.

Sister Burkinshaw on the bridge across the mote to Bodiam Castle on the north side.

Bodiam Castle floor plan

The interior of Bodiam Castle looking towards the south.

Elder James and Sister Cheryl Ann Guenther (Red Deer, Alberta, Canada), Sister Burkinshaw and Sister Brenda and Elder Ron Linford (Casper, WY) on the tower at Bodiam Castle.

Sister Burkinshaw in the stairwell of one of the Bodiam Castle towers.

One of the former owners of Bodiam Castle in the early 1900s was Lord Curzon, who was decidedly against female suffrage.  His "Fifteen Good Reasons Against the Grant of Female Suffrage" were quite humorous.  Sister Burkinshaw really liked #4! ;-) 

An informative plaque about castle hygiene.

The castle pottie - looks like it might be a little cold in the winter.

A medieval dress in front of the castle toilet plus the plaque shown below provides some interesting methods to preserve clothing! 

Elder and Sister Burkinshaw sitting on the thrones for the king and the queen of Bodiam castle.

Interesting background on the origin of the boardroom table and chairman of the board.

This is what the mote looks like.  Note how large the fish are compared to the ducks.  Based on what went into the mote, we would not recommend eating those fish! ;-)

Near Bodiam Castle is Bateman's which was the Jacobian (i.e. during the reign of King James I who commissioned the King James translation of the Bible) estate built in 1634 which was later refurbished as the home (1902-1936) of Nobel Prize winning British author, Rudyard Kipling.  Kipling used the proceeds from his Nobel Prize for Literature to build the beautiful gardens.

Bateman's is the 17th century home which was restored by author Rudyard Kipling where he wrote some of his most famous works.

Rudyard Kipling lived in India for a time and that is what gave him the inspiration for such stories as The Jungle Book.  As you can see, he borrowed an Indian custom by hanging a brass fish from the mantle.  If it faced away from the door, visitors are welcome.  However if it is turned toward the door, that is a subtle hint that it is time for visitors to go home!

This was Rudyard Kipling's Citation for the 2007 Nobel Prize in Literature.  He used the proceeds to build the gardens at the back of his estate (see picture below).

Rudyard Kipling had all the latest technology in his home including this "Thomas A Edison" trademark gramophone.

At the back of Kipling's estate, there were readings of his literature.

Listening to readings from Rudyard Kipling's works were (second from the left) Elder Raul McQuivey, Sister Karen McQuivey, Elder Burkinshaw, Sister Cheryl Ann Guenther.

Sister Burkinshaw holding the well known children's book "How the Leopard got his Spots" written by Kipling it is one of several bedtime stories for his daughter Josephine. These had to be told "just so" (exactly in the words she was used to) or she would complain. The stories describe how one animal or another acquired its most distinctive features, such as how the leopard got his spots. For the original book, Kipling illustrated the stories himself.

The pond and gardens behind Rudyard Kipling's estate called Bateman's.

A tree stump carved with a likeness of Rudyard Kipling on the grounds of the Bateman's.

We end with "If -" which is perhaps one of Rudyard Kipling's most famous poems and was the final reading at his estate.

                            If — 

                   by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you   

    Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,   

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

    But make allowance for their doubting too;   

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

    Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,

Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,

    And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;   

    If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;   

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

    And treat those two impostors just the same;   

If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken

    Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

    And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

    And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings

    And never breathe a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

    To serve your turn long after they are gone,   

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

    Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,   

    Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

    If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

    With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,   

Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,   

    And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!

Many of the great thinkers and poets recognize that man has the capability to become more than anyone could possibly imagine.  These are the truths we share every day as we perform the ordinances in the London Temple.  May we always remember our royal heritage!

Elder and Sister Burkinshaw

June 12-18, 2018 - Oxford

On Monday, June 18 we drove 2.5 hours from the Temple with a group of missionaries to the city of Oxford.  There we visited sites at the University of Oxford established in 1096 AD which makes it the oldest English-speaking university in the world and the second oldest university in continuous operation (The University of Bologna - not a play on words :-) - in Italy is the oldest established in 1088 AD).  Cambridge University, which competes with Oxford, was not established until 1209 AD.  These two "ancient universities" are frequently jointly referred to as "Oxbridge". The history and influence of Oxford University has made it perhaps the world's most prestigious university.  Between Oxford and Cambridge, there are 185 Nobel Laureates.  Oxford alumni include 26 British

Prime Ministers and writers including Oscar Wilde, CS Lewis and JR Tolkien.

The university is made up of 38 separate colleges, which are self-governing institutions within the university.  Each college offers courses of study toward many of the same degrees, so, for example, chemistry and physics degrees are offered by every college.  Undergraduate teaching is organized around weekly tutorials at the colleges and halls, supported by classes, lectures, seminars, and laboratory work.  The university does not have a main campus with colleges scattered throughout the city.  The University population is about 12,000 undergraduates (3,600 spots are available each year from about 20,000 applications) and another 12,000 graduate students.  Tuition for UK and EU students in 2018 was £9,250 ($12,500) plus board of £9,000 to £13,000 for 3 three-month terms.  Tuition is 2-3 times higher for students outside the EU.

We were able to arrange a small group tour through the most prestigious of the undergraduate colleges, which is called "New College" which is short for "The Warden and Scholars of St Mary's College of Winchester in Oxford." The name "New College" was used following its completion in 1386 to distinguish it from the older existing college of St. Mary, now known as "Oriel College."

Elder and Sister Burkinshaw on the open-top red double-decker bus visiting Oxford.

The University Church of St Mary the Virgin and Radcliffe Square are at the center of Oxford.  The original Church, built in 1086 was adopted as the first building of the University since it was originally formed to train clerics.  At the end of our tour, we climbed the church tower to take some photographs of the city. 

The Sheldonian Theatre is the site of graduation ceremonies for most of the colleges.  It is also used for musical concerts 

The Clarendon Building is a part of the Bodleian Library which is the central library for the University and by law, receives a copy of every book published in Great Britain.  The famous Oxford University Press was originally housed here.

Sister Burkinshaw in front of the entrance to New College.  Note the bridge between the two buildings, which serves to remind visitors that earlier generations of students were not allowed to be outside the University for their own safety.

The gate to New College which looks rather austere but would be a significant protection for students from the dangerous world outside the university in previous generations.

Sister Burkinshaw just inside the gate of New College with the chapel on the left and dormitories and meeting halls for the tutorials which are the primary teaching method used at Oxford.  Professors as well as students live in the dormitories.

Looking back towards the entry gate to New College (chapel on the right this time).

The New College dining hall, where all students take their meals.  We were told that food has been prepared here ever day for over 600 years!  The high tables at the end of the hall are for the fellows (professors) and portraits are of prominent fellows.

There are beautiful stained glass windows in the dining hall.  During the bombing raids of World War II, the stained glass was removed and stored in bunkers for protection.

Close-up of the stained glass in New College dining hall.  The royal shield with the crowned lion and field with three lions.

Looking back at the New College dining hall.  Note that in the center of the ceiling is a large cutout for smoke to rise through in ancient times when a fire was always burning in the center of the dining hall to provide warmth and light.

The gate to the New College garden which was within the walls of the college.  The beautiful gardens provide an area for students to study and be outside.

A closeup of the gate to the gardens with the crest of New College Founder William of Wykeham and the college motto which was "Manners Makyth Man."  The motto was in many respects fairly revolutionary. First, it was written in English, rather than Latin, which makes it very unusual in Oxford. Secondly, the motto makes a social statement; it is not by birth, money, or property that an individual is defined, but by how he or she behaves towards other people.

Note the substantial wall that surrounds the garden and the entire college for the protection of the students.

Panoramic shot of the New College gardens.

Note that the students on the left are painting first place banners on their wall celebrating their victory against other colleges in rowing races.  Originally Oxford students were also expected to be great athletes.
 

The cloisters outside New College chapel provided students a place to get fresh air without having to go out into the elements.  Here our tour guide (glasses and blazer) who is a graduate of Oxford explains more about the chapel.  This cloister was also used in the movie Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.  See the link below to a YouTube clip.

The inner courtyard of the New College chapel.  Sister Burkinshaw is pointing towards a large oak tree that was used in the filming of Harry Potter of the Goblet of Fire.  It was beneath this tree that Professor Moody turns Malfoy into a ferret.

New College chapel tower.

Note the statues niches of the reredos behind the altar of the New College chapel.  The first row are Old Testament prophets such as Moses (with the tablets) and Elijah (with the raven).  The next row has the Holy Family (Mary, Joseph and Jesus) at the Center and selected royal monarchs and clerics from the time.  Next is the crucified Jesus with his apostles and above them are the angels.  Above the angels is God the Father on His Throne surrounded by angels.  Since the Anglican Church subscribes to the Nicean Creed, this was quite a surprise.  We specifically asked the guide about this and he said the statues created a stir among the clerics but they have remained.

Beautiful 600 year-old stained glass in the New College chapel with the nativity at the top and seven saints below. 

The main entrance to the Bodleian Library (named for its founder, Sir Thomas Bodley) is the Tower of the Five Orders, so named because its columns show each of the five orders of classical architecture: Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian and Composite

At the top of the Tower of Five Orders is this statue of King James IV and I (who commissioned the King James translation of the Bible which we use today and which retains about 70% of William Tyndale's Bible translated from Hebrew and Greek).  King James hands a book representing his Bible translation to Fame and on his left, he hands a book representing his library which he donated to the University of Oxford.

One of the four entrances in the "Old School Quadrangle" to the Bodleian Library.

The Radcliffe Camera, which is also a part of the Bodleian Library complex.  The picture was taken from the tower of St Mary's Church.

The All Souls (or College of the Souls of All the Faithful Departed) has no undergraduate members and it's competitive examination for entrance has been characterized as "the hardest exam in the world."  Members of the College automatically become fellows (professors and full members of the College's governing body). 

Additional photo of the All Souls College.

A view of Oriel College from the tower of St Mary's Church.  The building in front on the right with the flagpole is the Rhodes building, named for Oriel College alumnus Cecil John Rhodes (1853-1902) the benefactor of the Rhodes Scholarship Program.  Rhodes, a sickly child, was sent to South Africa by his family when he was 17 years old in the hope that the climate might improve his health. He entered the diamond trade and over the next two decades gained near-complete domination of the world diamond market. His De Beers diamond company, formed in 1888, is still well-known today. 

Brasenose College (former British Prime Minister David Cameron is one of it's famous alumnus) as seen from the tower of St Mary's Church.

Lincoln College Oxford as seen from the tower of St Mary's Church.  Notable alumnus include John Wesley and Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss).

Two prominent LDS church leaders are Oxford graduates including current apostle Elder Gerrit W. Gong and former area seventy Elder Clayton W. Christensen, both of whom were Rhodes Scholars.  While we traveled to Oxford, we listened to Elder Christensen's 2004 devotional at BYU-Idaho entitled "Decisions For Which I Have Been Grateful" wherein he describe some of his experiences at Oxford.  We highly recommend listening to and/or reading the great insights shared by Elder Christensen. (Read, Listen or Watch)

We close with some verses which remind us education's place in the Lord's plan from the Book of Mormon....

"O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.  But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God." (2 Nephi 9:28-29)

Elder and Sister Burkinshaw