River Thames Moves Into Port Meadow

With all the rain that we have been having lately I have not been down to the see Port Meadow which normally floods when we get any rain.  I was in Binsey today and took this shot looking across the River towards Jericho. You can see very prominently on the skyline the spire of former parish church for North Oxford of St Philip and St James, it's foundation stone was laid by the Bishop of Oxford on the 1st of May 1860. The church is now home to a branch of the Oxford University, The Oxford Centre for Mission Studies.

Have a look at a few of the other photo's I took from this location looking back across the water to Oxford. Click Here.

Late January, How Late?

Eat, has taken over the Thomas Cook offices in Queen Street, but for the last two months have had a nice sign in the window of the store saying that it will be Open Late January, well as today is the second last day in the month of January I am not sure how late is opening will be?

Anyone been to an EAT outlet before?  Let us know more about them, do they do what the label says or are they just another prepackaged boring sandwich bar?

Top Of South Parade On Banbury Road

This area of the Banbury Road at the top of South Parade near BBC Radio Oxford Offices is going to be redeveloped shortly, so I took this photo so we can see the changes, which will not be great but I am sure will cost a fortune.  The number of the phone box in the photo is 01865 316024 should you like to call it to see who, if anyone answers.

Been Away For The Weekend

Pixey Place Wolvercote Youth Club

Photo taken today in very sunny Wolvercote, the Football/Basketball courts which are in font of the Wolvercote Youth Club.

Treeless Bonn Square

I have had a lot of interest in the Treeman Blog about the guy who was sitting in a tree in Bonn Square which is currently being redeveloped, well the council won the day and the tree is gone, as you can see.  I will do a few more photo's of Bonn Square as it is worked on over the next six months.  

Postcard from Cutteslowe

Todays photo comes from Cutteslowe, taken this morning while out and about.  Cutteslowe is North of Summertown and is divided by the A40 Northern By Pass Road.

More Water In The River Cherwell

This shot taken from St Hilda's College looking back in to Oxford across the swollen River Cherwell was taken mid afternoon today, about an hour later we had a very big downpour with lightening.  This was just as everyone would have been leaving work for home, so you can imagine what the road were like.  The reports in this mornings Oxford Mail was that the River levels were falling,  but after this heavy rain, I am not sure, we will have to wait and see.

It's A Dogs Life

What great day for to go to the movies, apart from it is not Wednesday for the the 241 deal, but with the weather not that great in Oxford a trip to the Phoenix Picture House in Jerico was just what these people ordered.  As it is a Sunday one of the staff brings his lovely Black Labrador into work, she just sits in the foyer all day getting all the attention from visitors going in and out all day.  Why not on a rain day in Oxford, even the dogs like the warmth of the Phoenix Picture House. 

Water Is All Around Us

This road is now closed, it is Godstow Road from Wolvercote to the Village of Wytham, and it is not of only road in and around Oxford that has been closed by the flooding.  With more rain over the weekend we are all hoping that things will not get any worse..

Not Worried About The Water Levels

These two swans swimming on the Oxford Canal in North Oxford are not concerned about the amount of water that is around the place at the moment, but I am sure that is not the case for a lot of households in the low lying areas.  Noticed on the Botley Road today the Oxford City Council dropping off sandbags, now that is not a good sign.

The End of Winter Is Close

Saw these today while walking around, not exactly sure what bulb they are from but I am guessing they could be Snow Drop' which are normally the first to flower in the spring.  Not sure if this is early or late but I will be watching with interest as these little ones grow.

Wet, Rain and Wind, oh and more Rain

Boy it has been a bad morning and afternoon in Oxford today weather wise, with the wind and rain really playing up.  This morning I was hoping to get a few nice photo's of how not to use an umbrella in the wind, but just ran out of time.  This photo was from the Ring Road this evening and yes the weather is like this photo. bad. The Environment Agency currently has the River Thames in Oxford on "Flood Watch" which means : Flooding of low lying land and roads is expected. Be aware, be prepared, watch out!

Bhutto Returns to Oxford

This was the headliner from the Oxford Mail's Saturdays edition, as Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the 19 year old son the of the assassinated Pakistani prime ministerial candidate, returned to Oxford's Christ Church College to resume his study.  There are concerns about the impact his attendance is going to have on the security at the College for both him and his fellow students.  

Bonn Square Protest continues....

Around midday today in Bonn Square about 50 citizens of Oxford started protesting about the 1.5million pound redevelopment of what they call the only piece of green public space in the centre of Oxford.  The protest started just as contractors where starting to install a fence around the whole area.  Both the Police and Private security where at Bonn Square as you can see in this photo however no arrests where made.  

Gabriel Chamberlain, Oxford's Tree Man is still up the tree in Bonn Square which is due to be pulled down as part of the redevelopment, his tree house can be seen behind the police in this photo.  See more photo's

Oxford Modern Art Opening Night

Oxford Modern Art in the centre of Oxford have just opened there 'Oxford Open' exhibition which celebrates the talent of artist who live or work in the city of Oxford. The exhibition was open to all and over 500 local artist have submitted works which will be on display till the 17th of February, including me.  This photo was taken a few hours ago at the opening night for artist and press.

La Tasca Oxford Castle

I am not sure why I have not taken more photo's in this area, The Oxford Castle, as it is right in the middle of town.  Anyway in the 'Old Governors Residence" is this great Spanish Tapas Bar, La Tasca.  I have only visited this one once, but it is part of a chain and have visited a few of the others.  Out of all the new restaurants in this redevelopment of the old Oxford Goal, this one also looks great at night with the low light, the reflections add to this photo tonight.

Iffley Road or Henley Road

This photo of the blue plaque for Sir Roger Bannister's 4 minute mile is on a wall on the Iffley Road where the event took place in 1954, the University Athletic Track.  I have been reading about Iffley Road which was once called Henley Road, but I am not sure when it changed its name to Iffley Road.  Can anyone help with this? Anyway Sir Roger originally from Harrow, would now be known as one of Oxfords more famous residents.   There is a small link between todays photo and yesterdays? 

School Buses

The long line of school buses waiting to take the students of Oxford High School home this evening.  These buses can been seen clogging up Chadlington Road every afternoon, not sure why they are aloud to sit and wait for school to end while people parking there cars in the next street are fined by the traffic wardens for not having the right permit??

Oxford Union

One of the ground floor rooms from the Oxford Union which was formed in 1823.  The Oxford Union is not part of the University, it is a debating society with membership restricted to members of Oxford University.  It has many famous visitors over the years to its debates including  Dalai Lama, Winston Churchill Mother Teresa. The building is right in the centre of Oxford just off Cornmarket Street, with a nice large garden to the rear.  Hope to get in and take more photo's another day.

Sun Rise Cowley Road

Very cool this morning as the Sun was just coming up over Oxford on the Cowley Road.  Looks like it is going to be a nice day with the sky very clear, and you can see the moon in this photo looking up the Cowley Road. Very quiet, but I am sure it will not be like that for long, as this road is almost always very busy.

Treeman in Bonn Square

This photo was taken at about 6pm tonight in the Bonn Square which is just off Queen Street in the city centre.  The area is being redeveloped by the Oxford City Council and part of this redevelopment means that mature trees are being cut down, which eco supporter 'Gabriel' is protesting about.  In this shot you can see the monument  in the foreground with the tree and Gabriel's 'TreeHouse' behind.

This protest which started on Thursday is starting to gather alot of support from the local community who use Bonn Square as a meeting point.  Have a look at the Oxford Mail's coverage of the protest.

Christmas Tree Grave Yard

Did you ever wonder where all the Christmas Trees go after there two or three weeks visit in your living room, well to the Christmas Tree Grave Yard in Middle Way of cause.  I am not sure why people have decided that the entry to the Tennis Courts in Middle Way will be a nice place to dump there old trees but a few people have....

St Giles Church

Not sure that I have posted a photo of the Church that this area, which was once just outside the City walls takes it's name, St Giles.  Apparently if you look at other Churches dedicated to St Giles they mostly all are situated just out side the walls of the medieval City's which they now in. St Giles was a Hermit and this maybe the reason why most of these Churches are smaller on the outside of the citys??  Who knows.

Each September there is a celebration in Oxford for St Giles, the St Giles Fair which I have posted in the past.  Anyway this Church dates back to 1086AD, and you can find it at the junction for the Woodstock and Banbury Roads to the North of City centre.

Little Clarendon Street

I am not sure what has been happening in Oxford over the last few days, but today in Little Clarendon Street I spotted this great little Morris Minor.  It looked great in Little Clarendon Street which is a great little street with Cafe, Art Shops, and the University's admissions office in it, as well and Oxfords own Ice Creamery which is closed at the moment for referb.

Happy New Year

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year from Oxford.  I am not sure what type of car this is, but is was very interesting.  A three wheeler open top little two seater.  It had two wheels at the front which I was thinking was a little odd.  I would love to have a nice classic car of any make or model, I think they are great.  Anyone know what this car is, I have a funny feeling it maybe French?

Dave has given me a little information on this car, it is French it is a Citroen Lomax you can see more at this youtube site.  Thanks Dave.