Oxford's Magistrate Open Day

I am sure you are normally not allowed to take photo's inside a Magistrate Court, but today the HM Court Service was having an open day, and it was allowed.  The open day was very well organised with access to all the courts, holding cells, prison vans, with the police dogs putting on a display as well.  In the courts they had mock trials with real lawyers, Magistrates, and Crown Prosecution staff putting on the trail.  Very interesting open day. This is Court room Three.

Lunch In A Historic Pub?

Back from a nice three days walk along the Thames.  Very enjoyable.  Now I am back to the normal life in Oxford and today while out getting Ham, I spotted this couple looking at the lunch menu of The Chequers in the High Street.  Not sure what made me snap this, but I think it is a nice moment shot in Black and White.

Sunset On Radcliffe Camera

Sunlight this evening made it great to photographing the detail of the Radcliffe Camera, which I have taken before but not like this I don't think.  The detail was very clear even with my old digital camera, the temperature was not that high when this was taken.

I am going for a walk over the next 3+ days so will not be any photo's for a few days, sorry will post once I am back from my bimble.

Dodge The Puddle Day

Bit of rain about today in Oxford, so when walking about like these students you need to keep an eye out for those puddles, but I guess some are more obvious than others.

Recession Proof Career

To all the younger readers of this blog, if you are looking at getting into a recession proof career this has to be it, Road Works.  These guys will dig up any stretch of road for up to a year at a time and then go straight onto the next bit.  They started in Cornmarket about three years ago and are now just down the road in St Aldate's, this must be the business to be in. Look at 28/02/08 and you can see my photo of them just up the road.

Obama Party's In Oxford

One of Oxford's newest night clubs, kukui, is having a Hawaiian President Obama themed party tonight to coincide with the inauguration of Mr Obama as the new President of the US.  

Red At The Lights

Traffic!  Is it just me or do you all think you spend forever at the Red Lights!!  This is at  our newish hamburger Round-A-Bout..

My first diplomatic plate for 2009 is up day have a look!

Empty Ha! Ha! Bar

Walked past the Ha! Ha! Bar in the Castle complex this morning and noticed that all the signage on the outside had been removed, on closer inspection I noticed that most if the fixtures inside had also been removed, so I think it is safe to say that the Ha! Ha! Bar in Oxford has closed. More than likely part of the Credit Crunch...

Flag At Half Mast

As a few of you will know I am very interested in Flags, and noticed the Union Flag flying at Half Mast this morning from the main gate of Oxford University Press in Walton Street.  I am not sure why it was flying at Half Mast, and have not been able to find out why on the internet, so if anyone has any idea's I would be interested.  

The Lost Village Of Seacourt

I did not know that Seacourt was once a village, where I am not sure, but I would guess around the area on the Botley Road close to the Seacourt Tower.  From what I have read on the internet Seacourt was first mentioned in 957 as a small village.  This is a photo of part of the Seacourt Tower, which must be Oxford's tallest building, I am not sure, but I don't think there is any taller.

Protest Over Israel In Oxford

About 200 people gathered in Cornmarket this evening to protest over the bombing in the Gaza Strip.  These protest are part of a national campaign to bring an end to the bombings in Gaza in which over 1000 people have been killed, including children. More marches have been planned for this weekend. More information here.

In The Wrong Spot!

We had a great sun set this evening in Oxford, and I was in the wrong spot to get any great shots, and at this time of day the traffic was clogging up the roads, so this was the best shot I could get, not really a good shot.  It looked like there was a bushfire just at the back of this house with all the red and orange colours, would have loved to have been down on Port Meadow...  Oh well..

New Marks and Spencer At Oxford Station

Not been over to the station for awhile, however when there today noticed that there is going to be a new Marks and Spencer Food store opening soon.  This will be good for the station and commuters.  The station was not that flash for a top tourist town, and with the refurbishment that is going on at the moment, I think they are giving the station a welcome fresh look. Will let you know when it is open..

The Standard Tandoori

Just back from seeing Slumdog Millionaire at the Phoenix in Walton Street.  Very busy tonight think both the movies they are showing are popular.  Slumdog Millionaire is very good and I would recommend it to anyone want to see a very good love storey.

64 Southmo

Just because really today.  I took a few photo's around this area, trying to get the wall, sign and house number, this was the first one that I took and did not like it out in the field but when I got back to the iMac to look really it was the best of the day.

Heavy Frost Today

This is not snow, it is a very heavy frost just on the outskirts of Oxford, but when I was driving around today it looked like it had been snowing. Everything was covered in white, all the fields, trees and houses, it looked very nice. And yes it was a little chilly.

Grey Day In Oxford

The weather has turned back to the normal grey overcast wintery maybe it will rain maybe it won't in Oxford now after our very cold clear days.  As you can see from this photo it is very grey in Oxford at the moment.

No Photo Today

Blogspot is not allowing me to upload photo's this evening, so I am sorry no photo today, will try later..

Sunset At Farmoor Reservoir

Was out at Farmoor Reservoir this evening just as the Sun was setting, it was very clear and chilly.  Nice looking trailer sailor in the reservoir this evening, strange to see a yacht so far inland?

You Can Not Canoe On A Frozen Oxford Canal

This cold snap has provided me with a new subject, and walking around you get to see the strangest things.  Walking up the Oxford Canal I saw a group with canoes on the roof racks of their cars pull in front of The Plough in Wolvercote and start to take them off.  I was thinking they are not going to try and put them in the Canal are they?  Over to the canal they came, and after hitting the ice with the paddle, they decided that if they put the canoe in or is that on the ice, and get in they might be able to break the ice, strange lot this group.  They where trying to paddle to Trupp??

They did get in and went no where, got out and decided to try the River Thames which was not frozen over.  One of there members put his canoe in on the other side and after about 30 minutes managed to get to the other side about 10 metres away.  More frozen Canoeist's here.

Ice Skating On Port Meadow

We have had a few chilly nights over the last couple of days which has frozen parts of the Oxford Canal and also a large area of Port Meadow, which this morning has become a giant Ice Skating area.  Loads of families and Ice Hockey players enjoying this very large flat ice rink.  So if you are in the area I would get your skates on and head on down to Port Meadow.  Additional Photo's here and I might have a bit of video here soon.

Sale On High Street Oxford

Sorry about yesterday, Friday's are hard for me, the end of the week and all that stuff.  Anyway last night and today have been very cold in Oxford, so we have had no clouds in the sky and the light has been great.

I was taking photo's of University Church on the High Street this afternoon when the reflection caught my eye and I decided to try get a shot of the SALE signage and the Church.  Took a few from a couple of stores, but I liked this one the best.

Two sides of the High Street in Oxford, on one side the Church of the University with all it's history and traditions, and on the other the retail store TOAST with it's traditional post Christmas Sale hoping to survive the current economic conditions so that it will not be history.  

Shopping Is The Same All Over The World

Oxford Daily Photo is part of a great Daily Photo Community from around the world, but I bet no matter what city you are in you could get a photo like this, people waiting in a checkout queue at the local supermarket.  In this case, Sainsbury's in the Westgate Centre.  Happy New Year, and let me know if I am right!!