Couple of Old Doors

No Rain today in Oxford, not sure why this guy has his umbrella? Anyway I was not taking a photo of him, it was the effect the paint flaking and weathering away on these doors in St Clements that I was interested in.

Early Morning Sun Rise

Sorry about not having a new photo up yesterday, I was at the 21st World Scout Jamboree all day and did not arrive home to the early hours of this morning, as you can see by the photo the sun was just starting to show over Oxford. We have a cloudless day today for most of the day which is going to be nice, I am going to get out and enjoy the sunshine while I can.

Carfax Tower - The Centre of my Oxford

I have just realised that I have not put a photo of Carfax, which is the centre of my blog as in the header it says that all my photos are within 5kms of Carfax.

Carfax is the ancient heart of Oxford its name is derived from Quadrifurcus, where the four road from the four city gates meet, Queen Street, High Street, St Aldate, and Cornmarket.

In 1818 St Martin's church was rebuilt complete with tower, the church, apart from it's tower, was demolished in 1896. The tower is all that remains today. On the east facade the church clock is adorned by two "quarter boys", who hit the bells at every "quarter" of the hour, you can see them in this photo.

Thanks to Geoff who sent in this photo which follows on from one I took earlier this week, it was taken this morning I am told.

Oxford Covered Market - Fasta Pasta

I have said this before, one of Oxford's unique shopping experience is the Covered Market right in the centre of town. I feel this market is one of the places that gives Oxford the edge over other city's shopping experience. Fasta Pasta is also one of the only places that I can get Squid Ink Spaghetti which I use in a little dish that I cook every now and then. This photo is for Carito

Summer Rain in St John Street Oxford

Away from the flooding which is still happening in Oxford, this afternoon we had a very heavy down pour which I am sure is not helping the people affected by the flooding. This photo was taken from Wellington Square down St John Street towards the city centre and as you can see the rain was very heavy. More Rain predicted for tonight and Friday which I am sure is not welcome for those trying to clean up after the events of this week.

Earle Street Botley Oxford Flood

Sorry Jane, this photo was taken at about 15hrs today from the Botley Road looking into Earle Street, and the water is about 10 inches high at the top of the street and flowing very fast into the street.

The water is now not going up or down in Oxford, which is only prolonging the clean up which residents want to get on as we are now in day 6 of the flooding in Oxford.

Residents in Earle and Duke Street have been evacuated and along with Osney Island, the BBC are staying that evacuees are being taken to the Kassam Stadium to be looked after, housed and feed.
More photos from today in the Botley Road area are on my additional photo blog.

I have also put a small video clip on you tube of Earle Street.

Narrow Boat Wedged near Folly Bridge

Things are not getting better in Oxford, with the River still rising and the environmental agency saying that the River Thames will now keep rising till 11am on Wednesday Morning.

This Narrow Boat came adrift and eventually had become wedged on the Island near Folly Bridge, I do not think this will be easy to get off with the river flowing as fast as it is at the moment.

Been working today, so unable to get any additional photo’s, sorry.

Flooding Duke Street Botley Oxford

Well it has been about 24 hours since I last posted any news on the blog and things in the Botley Road area of Oxford have remained about the same. I have just been down to see Derek from New Zealand who had visitors arrive today on his narrow boat (Check his blog out) and he said that the River Thames is about the same as it was yesterday. However things are not as good along the Abingdon Road which is now closed to traffic and there is water in houses along that part of Oxford. The River will be at this height for the next 24+ hours we are being told.

Today’s photo was taken down the end of Duke Street were the water is coming up from through the manholes in the street and being pumped away. Home owners in Wellys chatting about what to do next?

With work I have been out of Oxford this morning to Wallingford where at about noon the River Thames broke its bank. More photos taken today at this link.

If you have any photos that you would like me to post for others to see email them to me.

Flooding in Botley Road Area Oxford

With all the rain the heart of England yesterday the water is starting to flow in to the major rivers like the River Thames that flows through Oxford. This is starting to worry the residents of the low lying area’s like Osney Island and Botley. I have just returned from a walk down the Botley Road and the water is starting to slowly rise into the end of Duke Street. The Environmental Agency is very busy arranging sandbags and equipment should more water coming into the system. This photo was taken a few hours ago along the Botley Road in Osney Court, which is flooded in the car park area.

View more photo's of the flooding in Oxford here

River Thames Very High After Heavy Rain

Did it rain yesterday in Oxford, well yes. In fact Brize Norton the RAF base just outside of Oxford had the highest recorded rainfall in the country for yesterday, 127.4mm in the 24 hour period. With all this rain you can image the roads where a nightmare with flooding in parts of the county. This photo is of the picnic area in Lower Wolvercote which is beside a small arm of the River Thames, as you can see it is now IN the River Thames. The normal River edge is were the swans are..

Harry Potter On Sale At Midnight

This was the window display in WHSmith in Cornmarket Oxford at 2230 tonight, not a lot of people around but I did see a few wizards out and about. The store was going to open at 2300 with the first copy's being sold at Midnight. Crazy I think!

Boars Hill Path

I was out doing a little geocaching just on the outskirts of Oxford today and was walking down this path and I was thinking this would make a nice shot for today. I am always amazed how easily and quickly you can get away form the mad rush of suburbia to a place like this.

Exam Results

At the end of the year after all the exams have finished and the waiting is over students come to the Examinations Hall in the High Street to look for their name and fine out the results. I can imagine that this would be a nervous period for a few students. Hope this student did well!

Gee's Oxford

Formerly a florist and Greengrocer, Gee's is now a very up market French restaurant just north of the city centre on the Banbury Road. I have never eaten at Gees, however I have had to visit it a few times while at work and it looks like a place that you would take a very special date/visitor. The front part of the restaurant is in the form of a conservatory which lets all the natural light in, when we have natural light in Oxford… The photo below was taken in 1971.

President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom

Not a great photo, however it was taken on the run so to speak. The man in the middle with the red tie is Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, the President of The Maldives, he was visiting Oxford today and this photo was take as he walked with this minders to Oxford Town Hall where he was to give a speech. I was also hoping to get a photo of his diplomatic number plates, however I cold not see his car.

Odeon Magdelan Street Oxford

This is actually my second favourite cinema, the first being the Phoenix Picture House in Jericho. However is I am going to see a mainstream movie in the city centre I will try and go to this cinema in Magdelen Street, course is what a cinema should be like, large spaces and dated opulence. Plans for this cinema were submitted to the council in 1923 and it was completed not long after that. In a 1968 photo is was called ‘SUPER’ I saw the new Harry Potter movie today.

Colourful Punts

Well it maybe Oxford Gay PRIDE festival today, however I am not sure these punts on the River Cherwell have been painted up for the day, they just looked nice all moored together waiting to be hired.

Have the Tourists hit Oxford Yet?

You bet they have. The city centre is currently full of language students visiting Oxford from Europe to study English for a month in the school holidays, and they go around in groups, of about 50. These groups come all over summer to see a bit of England and also study English.

The other group that I have noticed more over the last few weeks are the Americans, who are either studying short courses but on by Oxford University or just your normal tourist. Where ever they come from they are all looking for the Postcards and to exchange their local currency for the good old British Pound. Good on them and Welcome to Oxford.

No it is not a Flood

This photo looks like the River has risen up to the front/back of the building. Well it is Mill Stream in Lower Fisher Row, and I am not sure what the building was before, however now is it part of Oxford University Surveyors Department, and it forms part of the bank of the Stream. I will try and find out the history of the building over the next few days.

Found out that the building is called the 'Malt House' and it was part of the Morrells Brewery from the early 1700's till 1956 when there was a fire in the building and the University purchased it from the brewery and converted it in to the workshop and offices for the Surveyors Department.

Hinksey Park Entrance

Hinksey Park is 15 minutes walk away from Oxford City Centre, off the Abingdon Road. It was laid out in the 1930's on the site of the former Oxford Waterworks. Behind this lovely entrance is a group of small water ponds, and behind that a larger lake. More photos on another visit.

Narrow Boat Kilsby

From one of the narrow boats that is moored up in the Oxford Canal, taken while away on the Canal last week, I just like the effect that the weathering of the paintwork on the front of this boat. Taken at the end of the Canal where it is so quiet and seams like a world away from the traffic and chaos of the city centre.

Blue Oxford Sky

Today in Oxford the sky was BLUE!! It has been a little while since we have seen so much sky. Maybe Summer is here, but for how long?

NAtwest George Street Oxford

The cash machine is celebrating its 40th birthday this week, first inspired by a chocolate vending machine, there are now more than 60,000 across the UK. These two are part of the Natwests network in George Street. These are ‘The ATMs’… What do you call them, ATM’s Cash Machines, Cash Points ???

Lemon Tree For Now Much Longer

The Lemon Tree on Woodstock Road is part of a small family chain of Restaurants owned by a local Oxford Businessman, others include The Grand Café on the High Street, Kazbar and Coco’s in Cowley. Unfortunately from what I have heard the Lemon Tree’s days maybe numbered as the rumour is that the site maybe developed in to residential apartments. Unfortunately this is now the norm in Oxford, larger houses and blocks are being developed into multi residential dwellings.

England's second Smoke Free Day

On July 1st 2007, England introduced a new law to make virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces in England smokefree. A smokefree England ensures a healthier environment, so everyone can socialise, relax, travel, shop and work free from secondhand smoke. This large poster is on South Parade, next to the billboard that I photograph regulary, unfortunatly I was away from it all on a Canal Boat holiday yesterday so I was unable to post it, however I fell that it is still relivant, so it is the photo of the day.