Cricket In Oxford

Oh you know you are at the start of Summer when you see the players in Whites on the cricket grounds, and I just love it.  Nothing is more relaxing than spending an afternoon at any of the many cricket grounds in Oxford with a few beers watching the greatest game.  This match was being played at a ground just off the Abingdon Road. On other cricket news the Aussies have arrived in the UK over the weekend, bring on the Ashes!

River Thames Busy For Oxfords Eights

The Thames/Isis was very busy today, with every craft you can imagine on the River, the good weather brings everyone out , and it was Eight's finals today. This photo was taken from Folly Bridge and you can see how busy the River was with the University's 8's, Punters, Canal Boats, and Ferry's all vying for space. More photo's of the Eight's and River Thames here.

Down By The River

We have had a few nice days and when the weather is nice in Oxford to head towards the river, which is where I was over parts of the weekend.  Long warm evenings in the sun down by the river, sounds like a plan.  

Oxford Twin City Bonn Celebrations

Visitors from Oxford sister city, Bonn in Germany enjoying the sunshine in Bonn Square.  These guys where very happy to be representing Bonn while chatting to visitors and locals in Bonn Square over the weekend.  There is a large group of people from Bonn in Oxford this weekend to celebrate the twinning relationship with Oxford and to take part in the Lord Mayor's Parade on Monday in Oxford.

I will be on holidays for a month starting mid June, if anyone is interested in continuing the Oxford Daily Photo photo's while I am away I would be happy for anyone who is in Oxford to do this, even if it is for a week if I find a few people, please email me if you can help out.

Early Morning Oxford

Taken this morning at about 5.10am the light looked great just on the outskirts of Oxford so I stopped to take this quick snap, nothing more to add really.  

Oxford and Cherwell Valley College Going

This part of the college has just about gone and will soon become part of the new Westgate Shopping centre development, from what I understand this area will be the new parking lot and bus station. They have been working on this part of the college for about three weeks now, and I would think that it will be all down by the weekend, still lots of material to be carted away. This was the building on the Eastern side of Castle Mill Stream.

Remember Cornmarket resurfacing?

Remember all the problems that we had about two years ago with the resurfacing of Cornmarket and then the resurfacing again six months later?  I know the retailers in the city centre do, lets hope this is not the start of this old chestnut again.

Walking Along The Oxford Canal

Now I can not remember what Matt said these flowers are called, I think he said Cow's Cauliflower's but I could be completely wrong, but today while out walking along the canal past all the narrow boats had to stick the track.  Did not come across anyone coming the other way.

Oxford Covered Market Open Sunday

Now this is something new, the Covered Market Open on a Sunday.  From today until I am not sure when the Covered Market will be opening on a Sunday, which I think is great, as I love this old Market in the city centre and I am sure visitors who only get to Oxford on a Sunday will also enjoy having access to this great Oxford institution.

Oxford Students Graduating

This time of year in Oxford you will see students of the University in there traditional gowns going to or returning from graduation ceremonies which take place in Sir Christopher Wren's Sheldonian Theatre in Broad Street.  These guys are just coming out of there ceremony after year's of study and partying in Oxford. Congratulations!

You Have Been Warned

What more can be said?

Open Today Coco's Deli Park End Street

Just opened today at the station end of Park End Street within the Oxford Hotel/Coco's a very smart looking Deli.  Popped in for a look this afternoon and was impressed with the range of fruit and pasta.  Hope they go well. Loose limes 20p each.

Public Wedding Photo's In Oxford

Oxford is a great place to have your wedding photo's, with all the magnificent buildings to have as a back drop, but you will have to share them with all the tourist that visit the city each day. Just like this lovely couple who looked great while walking the city centre with photographer and visitors alike, this photo was taken under Hertford Bridge in New College Lane, the bridge links the new and old Quadrangles of Hertford College.

The Bike Bell Orchestra

Radcliffe Square on Sunday and the first meeting of the Oxford Bike Bell Orchestra is in full swing, with everyone ringing there bells to a backing track.  Was part of the Oxford Bike Festival with events over the weekend.  They even had a 7 seater bike that looked very interesting, have a look here.

Brasenose College Ball Takes Over Radcliffe Square

College Ball's are lavish events most years, but a ball on your 500th year as a college was going to be special and I think the Brasenose College Ball last night was just that.  Walking around yesterday and this morning you can see that the college completely took over the area around the Radcliffe Camera with Champaign tents, and other food stalls and this fairs wheel, which you don't often see with the Camera as a back drop.  According to the Ball Website the party started at 6.30pm on Saturday Night and went on it 5.30am Sunday Morning, I hope everyone enjoyed themselves which I am sure they did and who said that we are in a recession. 

Back To Basics

You know with all the advancement in communication and advertising that has taken place over the last 50 years, with newspapers, blogs, Twitter, SMS messages, Television, junk mail, and even spam emails, in Summertown North Oxford, they prefer the old notice pinned to a tree! Very classy in Summertown.

Resting At The Oxford Castle

This area in the centre of Oxford has really become a focal point in Oxford, with the development of the prison into a 5✭ hotel.  This photo was taken from the area behind the hotel next to the mound which is believed to be apart of the castle built around 1071.  I am not sure how old the tree is at is on top of the mound but it just makes the mound all that more interesting.  Anyway, it costs a £1 to walk up to the top of the mound and from the top you get a nice view of this part of Oxford, nice on a clear day like today.

Tourist Season On Bank Holiday Monday

Tacky Oxford, Do you think these stall holders targeting visiting tourist with the tacky Oxford /Union Jack souvenirs and the graduating students with the balloons? Oh don't we love Bank Holiday Mondays in the UK!! I hate these stall all over the pavement in the city centre, you just can not get past with all the people around.

Couple Of Oxford Pigs Enjoying The Sun

These pigs just outside Oxford appear to be unaware of all bad press the English Media are running about them at the moment.  I know that a young school girl from Oxfordshire has had the Swine Flu but has thankfully recovered.  I can not remember when pigs have had this much coverage in the news, and it is about time too, but I think these guys may have hoped for a better angle than they are currently getting. Lets hope that once this Swine Flu has passed that the media can run more positive pig stories to balance up the current negative campaign which is in most newspapers at the moment.

St Giles Post Office Moved And Now O

Noticed this today, that Oxford has a new Post Office at the back of the Globe Newsagent just along from the Post Office's old site on the Woodstock Road.  I know that a lot of people are concerned about the closures of Post Offices, so it was nice to see this one reopen in a new location.  As an added bonus, I don't think many people know that it is here so it is very quiet, and did not have that long Post Office queue. If you are looking for a quiet Post Office close to town pop in and see Nadia and staff at the St Giles Post Office.

Toast At May Day Celebrations

Well from what the papers are saying about 8000 people attended the May Day Celebrations in Oxford this morning by the Magdalen Bridge, and from what I saw I would think that would be right.  Lots of students arrived straight from there college balls/party's including this guy dressed a piece of Toast.  Great costume, loved it.  The whole atmosphere was very jubilant, you have to remember that most of the students had not been to bed and other up very early to get a good spot.

Once the bridge opened around 6.30 am a few students managed to continue that Oxford tradition of jumping off the bridge into the River Cherwell on May Day Morning.

Couple more photo here..