Sunday, August 31, 2008

Foggy Morning Magdalen College Tower

Taken this morning before the sun started to work, which did not work that well as today was very overcast and foggy.  This is the Cowley end of the Oxford High Street looking towards Magdalen College Tower and the Magdalen Bridge. Not One Car!!


Saturday, August 30, 2008

Cyclist With Luggage Trailer And Strange Helmet

I spotted this guy ride his bike down St Aldate's earlier today with his suitcase attached to his bike by using a hockey stick but he was going so fast I did not get a photo of him.  However as I was out shopper I saw him again coming out of the pub in Pembroke Street, The Blenhiem.  Check out that chicken on the top of his helmet!

Friday, August 29, 2008

St Michael Street On A Friday Night

Just out for a nice pint in on of my favourite pubs, The Three Goats Heads, in St Michael Street, while the rest of the town not far from here is crowded, noisy, load and busy, down St Michael's Street you can get a nice pint, with no line at a very reasonable price. My recommendation for a out of the way pub on any busy night!

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Big Mushroom

Last year I saw a fungi on a fence post, this year I spotted this huge Mushroom growing out of a tree stump.  What is it with the Mushrooms around Oxford at this time of year, they all go mad!  This one is 30cm across no joke!

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Oxford Unlocked

Combination Lock left unlocked?  Really only took this photo so I could remember the number, as it may come in handy one day if I need to remove the bollard that this lock normally keeps up!

Monday, August 25, 2008

Oxford Madhouse

Over the Bank Holiday weekend I think Oxford was a Madhouse!  Only noticed this store this afternoon, it used to be the Disney Store but it closed around Christmas time, and I am not sure how long this Madhouse has been there only a few days I would think, was very busy inside.  It was predominately selling men's clothing at discount prices.  Just at the entrance to the Westgate Shopping Centre.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Oxford Reflecting Oxford

The reflection of the Sheldonian Theatre in the window of Blackwell's book store in Broad Street Oxford, which has the Oxford Thesaurus on display in the window.  Oxford everywhere! Also bicycles which are also synonymous with Oxford in the reflection. 

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Bath Place

Just of Holywell Street nestled between New College and the old city wall you will find Bath Place, which is a small street with a couple of cottages and the Bath Place Hotel.  The main reason that locals and visitors head down Bath Place is that at the end of this dead end street is a small passage that leads you to the Turf Tavern, perhaps one of the better 'Real Ale' pubs in Oxford, I think it would also be Oxfords best hidden pub, so much so that a friend of mine who is Oxford born and bread did not know about it, and he is 40+ years old...  Well worth a visit..

Now to all the daily visitors, sorry for the missing few photo's this week.  I have been very bust at work and socially with a couple of last night trips to London and Reading, hope to get the regular photo's up next week.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Labels Of Oxford

Photo of a labels of places around Oxford, it was taken at the local Royal Mail Delivery centre and had all the major towns around Oxford.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Punts Ready To Go

Punts early this morning waiting to take people up the river once the day starts, lets hope the weather is good today, so the many visitors to Oxford can enjoy the River Cherwell

Monday, August 18, 2008

Victoria Fountain Restoration

Work is well under way restoring Victoria Fountain at The Plain just over Magdalen Bridge.  Built to mark the Queens Diamond Jubilee in 1897, click on this link to read more about the fountain.   

Sunday, August 17, 2008

More Road Works In St Aldate's

More road works in St Aldate's, at the moment it starts at the Post Office and heads down the hill past the front of Christ Church College, which is not going to be nice for all the tourist wanting to get a nice photo of the entry to the college and The Old Tom bell tower?  Anyway I think it is a summer thing in Oxford, we must have a major city centre road dug up during the summer months every year.  This photo was taken early this morning about 7am so not a lot of traffic, wait till rush hour on Monday, it will be a different picture altogether.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Taking All Of Oxford In


Up in Boars Hill this afternoon and spotted this cow just sitting in a field look out over Oxford, which is behind the cow in this shot.  It really brought home the fact that Oxford's country side is not that far away from it's city centre.

Friday, August 15, 2008

The Kite

Ever been delayed at Oxford Station?  This could be your answer, The Kite about a 5 minute walk from the station down Mill Street off the Botley Road.  Nice little friendly local run by an Australian by the name of Pete.  The food at this pub is very good, so get in early, oh and don't forget that delayed train??

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Was down Turl Street this afternoon trying to get a photo of all the activity that was happening down that way.  There were film crews everywhere shooting an episode of Lewis, but I could get get to the area that was being filmed, but I did see this bike between two of the film trucks.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Oxenaforda

Welcome to Oxford, this is what you will see as you leave the Oxford Train Station, a life size Ox by which Oxford takes part of it's name, Oxenaforda,  was the Saxon name for the town. Not sure when the modern name Oxford first started to be used.

Monday, August 11, 2008

Snappy Snaps In Oxford

Need to get those great photos that you have taken while visiting Oxford, try Snappy Snap in Cornmarket.  I used them today and was very happy with the results and the service, not sure if anyone else has a comment on Snappy Snap in Oxford?

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Let's Stop And Look At The Map

Just off the train in Oxford, and now lets have a look at the map and decided exactly what and where we are going today.  Planing your day trip to Oxford should start before you arrive I would recommend, not just out side the station like this group of day trippers.  

Saturday, August 09, 2008

Rainy Day In Cowley

Just walking in Cowley past The Orginal Swan on a wet Saturday in Oxford.  When will the summer arrive in the UK this year??  This is what life is like in Cowley when the weather is not that great.

Friday, August 08, 2008

Olympic Opening

Visiting Chinese Students on the Banbury Road in Oxford proudly wearing T-Shirt printed to celebrate the opening of the Olympic Games in Beijing today.  These girls were heading into the centre of Oxford to watch the opening of the games.

Thursday, August 07, 2008

Coming Or Going?

Nice black Audi and a car transporter blocking Grove Street this afternoon.  Can you tell if the car is going on or coming off? Let me know?

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Water Eaton Farm

The tree line entry to Water Eaton Farm, just north of Oxford.  If you look up Wikipedia it describes Water Eaton as a small hamlet, which it is about four old houses at the end of a road, behind one of Oxford's Park and Rides.  Water Eaton played a part in the Siege of Oxford in 1646 according to the article.  

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Oxfordshire County Offices Registry Office

Brief bit of sun out late in the evening tonight gave this old Oxford County Office building a nice glow.  These offices are still used by the County as it's registry office, and few days a week you can see happy couples coming out after having there marriage ceremony.   

Monday, August 04, 2008

Four Candles Opens in George Street Oxford

Today was the first day that the public were allowed into Oxfords newest pub, The Four Candles in George Street.  This is the first Wetherspoons pub for the centre of Oxford and from the crowd in the bar at lunch time it looks like it is going to be popular.

Sunday, August 03, 2008

Early Sunday Morning In Queen Street

Up early today for a Sunday and in the City Centre and Queen Street empty for a change normally full of shoppers and buses.  It is interesting to see places at different times of the day.  

This afternoon saw a very good documentary/film at the Phoenix Man On Wire  about Philippe Petit tight rope walk between the two towers of the World Trade Centre in August 1974, well worth a look, and is showing at the Phoenix in Jericho.

Saturday, August 02, 2008

Cowley Library

Right in the centre of Cowley close to the Police Station on the Cowley Road in the Cowley Library.  Housed in what looks like a 1950's public building the Library is not as large at the Central Library in the centre of Oxford but has a large section of books and DVD and also provides internet terminals for the public to use, but from the bikes out the front of the building not enough bikes racks!!

Friday, August 01, 2008

Headington Roundabout

Choices from the Headington Roundabout?  Where are you going to go from this roundabout, London? Cheltenham?  The the Headington Roundabout is either the first thing your see when driving to Oxford from London or the last as you leave.