Oxford Wins The 2009 Boat Race

This photo is not of the 2009 Boat Race, but was taken on the River Isis at last years University Torpids.  Congratulations to Oxford for winning this years Boat Race against Cambridge University in London.  Todays win is Oxford 75th out of the 155 races closing in to Cambridge's 79 wins, Keep it up Oxford

Basket Weaving Northmoor Trust

Today I was at the Northmoor Trust and spent the day on a very interesting one day course in Basket Weaving.  The Northmoor Trust is about 10miles from Oxford, this is the first photo posted to the blog that is outside my guidelines of all photo's being 5km of Carfax, but I had a very relaxing and enjoyable time that I decided it was worth bending the rules this once.  At the end of the day we all took home a small basket that we had made and learnt a new skill of Basket Weaving.  The only materials we used was the flexible part of the Willow Tree to make the basket, mine turned out a little odd looking, but I was happy with it over all, have a look here.

Tucker you missed out on a very interesting day, Natasha was great to meet you, and we will have to show Tucker how to weave one day.

Reflections From History Department

Reflection from the window of the History Department into New Inn Hall, this is the spire of Wesley Memorial Church.

Daffodils In Kennington

Right by the side of the road in Kennington is this large patch of Daffodils, they look great when they are all out together.  Just a blanket of yellow under the trees close to to the flyover, oh look a Red double decker bus in the background!!

Seeney's Closed Water Eaton

Not been up this way for awhile.  Was going to visit Seeney's, a local Animal and Pet food business in Oxford, at Water Eaton between North Oxford and Kidlington only to find the area closed, used to be a car hire company in here as well.  I am not sure when this happened, however there other two stores at Western-On-The-Green and Garsington are advertised as still being open.

Blossom Tree At St Mary The Virgin Oxford

I think this is the only tree on the High Street in Oxford, which is a shame, I would like to see more trees in the city centre, but I am sure the City Council would not like the expense of keeping them. Anyway this blossom tree out the front of St Mary the Virgin is stopping people to get a photo of it in full bloom. It looks great against the old church on a very nice Spring day, the tree itself looks very old as well.

Oxford Dance Festival

These actors had just finished an open air performance in and around Brasenose Place as apart the Oxford Dance Festival 2009.  It was promoted as an evocative, inspiring and magical journey of dance...an unforgettable City Tour with a difference.  I would have to say that this was something that I have never seen before in Oxford and I really enjoyed it along with the large crowd that followed the performers around.

Vapour On A Blue Sky

This week we have had blue sky all week so far, and we are hoping that it will last for many weeks to come.  I love seeing the vapour trails that the airplanes leave as they fly over Oxford.  I often wonder where these planes are going?  And can they make out Oxford from that height? 

St Patrick's Day In Oxford

Sorry for the lack of posts yesterday, but as you can see from this photo I was out celebrating St Patrick's day with a couple of mates.  The Irish pubs in Oxford were very busy for a Tuesday evening, and from what I remember everyone was enjoying themselves, and I am sure a more than a few had a headache this morning.

Charity Hitch Hike To Morocco

Meet these two students in St Giles this morning who are hitching to Morocco to raise money to raise money for the charity LINK who help with the building of schools in Africa. They told me that they hope to get to Morocco in about 6 days.  Good on them, I give them a donation for the charity to help them along.  Not sure how they are going to get back!!  Good Luck Guys!!

I just looked at the LINK website and you can track the progress of the hitchers, unfortunately I did not get these guys names to this, anyone recognise them? Would love to see how they are going.

Sunny French Market

There is a travelling French Market in Oxford this weekend, this time it is in Gloucester Green, very close to the bus station.  I had a look this afternoon, not a lot of interesting stalls, I really like to fresh fruit and veg stall along with the cheese stall, the rest I could leave.  

Marlborough House Pub Closed

It has been awhile since I was down in this part if the city, and when I drove past this afternoon I could not help but notice the Marlborough House Pub was closed and all boarded up.  Have a look at the 2007 photo that I took.

With the economy, large supermarkets, and licensing regulations the traditional English Pub, or "Local" is struggling to survive, and the number of pubs closing across the country is on the rise.  So stop looking at this blog and get down to your local for a pint, right now!!

My First 09 Plate OU09 BZR

Well with the recession in full swing at the moment in the UK I was not sure when I would see an 09 plate.  Today I did however it was not on a Mini as the new plates in the past have been, today I saw this plate on a bus, looks like people are not rushing out to get new cars at the moment.

Longer Shadow's on Broad Street

Liking those longer shadows late in the afternoon, Summer is on it's way guys!!

Turf Tavern Real Ale

One of the better places I think in Oxford for Real Ale and nice atmosphere very close to the city centre would have to be the Turf Tavern, and the other weekend they had a Real Ale Festival with about 30 guest Ales on tap, unfortunately I did not manage to sample them all, but I get have a good try!

Sunny View Down Southmoor Road

Typical view of an English Street.  This is Southmoor Road in Jericho , no off street parking here, cars line both side of the road with very little room for passing, keep those wing mirrors in!!

St John's Bikes

Bike outside St John's College tonight on the way home from the movies.  During the day you see a few bikes in this area however in the evening when everyone is back in college all the bikes fight for space around the front of the college.

Why Why Why?

Obviously  words are not enough.  Why is it so hard to put rubbish in the correct place in the UK?  We must be the worst country in the EU for keeping our streets and citys clean.

Time Running Away

When I am out and about and see things like this, a clock in the stream, I think, How did this clock end up in the middle of the stream?  It just looks odd, I am not sure how it ended up here but I am sure there is a story behind it, only time will tell where it ends up next!

Lunch At Giraffe

The view from my table at Giraffe today, went for lunch to celebrate a Birthday.  Not mine, but my lovely wife's, Happy Birthday.