Sunday, February 28, 2010

Elder Stubbs Allotments

Up on Rymers Lane in Cowley is a great community allotment group called Elder Stubbs. They have a small cafe and store selling locally grown produce, and also manage the allotments, well worth a visit if you are into local fresh products, or a nice warm meal at great prices, with all the proceeds supporting the continuation of the Elder Stubbs charity

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Georgina's Coffee Shop

Well today I find myself in the covered market again, this time with a friend for lunch, it has been a long time since either of us have been to Georgina's, not sure why, but we both enjoyed this popular hidden gem. It is very small, only about 7 tables, and up stairs in the covered market, but if you find it you will return, had a nice lunch and a great chat with a good friend. Look it up if you are in Oxford, if you can get a seat you will not be disappointed. Georgina's.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Two Meanings To One Sign

How would you read this sign, £30 for every bird around the sign, or all birds not matter which one £30? This had me confused a bit when I saw it in the covered markets, what you guys think?

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Snow Drops In Heading Park Spring Is On The Way

Hay, looks like Winter is disappearing. Snow Drops are starting to appear all over Oxford is large numbers. I was up in Headington Park this afternoon giving my ear a rest from the Bigelf concert last night and spotted all these Snow Drops everywhere, looked great. Lets hope that the warmer weather is only just around, cider weather...

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Bigelf Plays Oxford O2 Academy

Going to see the US band Bigelf tonight up on the Cowley Road, walked past the O2 Academy this morning to see their name up on the front of the venue. Should be a good show, I always enjoy most live gigs, see you tonight if you are going.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Blue Sky And High River Cherwell

Out for a walk this morning around University Parks and beside the River Cherwell which was very high this morning, with all the rain and snow we have been having this winter. However with all this water around and the ground very muddy, the sun was shining and we had a nice white cloud blue sky day, it was great to feel the sun, even though it was cool. Saw a few bulbs popping us as well.... Spring is on the way....

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Isambard Kingdom Brunel's Sextant

Went back to the Museum of History of Science for another look, it is great place right in the centre of Oxford. The gear that they have in this museum is really interesting, including Brunel's sextant, which must have been used in so many of the UK great engineering projects.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Steampunk Art In Oxford

Ok, so it is the school holidays, what are you going to do ti keep the kids occupied this week, well you could take them to the World First exhibition of Steampunk Art at the Museum of History of Science in the centre of Oxford. Admission is free to everyone, so have a day out in Oxford with the Kids and you can easily spend a few hours in this Museum on Broad Street.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Britain's Most Picturesque Street

New College Lane has been nominated for Britain's Most Picturesque Street by Google. It was not that picturesque today when I took this photo, as Hertford College has scaffolding up along the street near the Bridge of Sighs just out of the photo, and the weather is not that great for taking photos of this pretty little street.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Oxford Blue Plaque Initiative

I saw this "alternative" Blue Plaque at the Oxford Railway Station, I am not sure how many of these plaques there are around Oxford, which have been placed by the Local Historical Society. I like the storey on this plaque from 1941 it is a very personal storey, if you have seen any other Blue Plaques let me know, would be interest.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Happy Valentines Day Oxford

Sea of red balloons in Oxford, right next to Goldsmith's Jewellers on Queen Street. I am sure this is a good location for selling all those heart shaped balloons. Happy Valentines Day everyone.

Friday, February 12, 2010

The Ultimate Picture Palace

Along with the large cinema chains that we have in Oxford we also have a couple of smaller cinema venues and clubs, including The Ultimate Picture Palace just off the Cowley Road on Jeune Street. Not sure the history of this old cinema however I think it was once called the Penultimate Picture Palace, worth a visit if you are in the area and like the Phoenix Picture House, if you are a member you can see movies at a discount.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Queuing For Daniel O'Donnell Already!

Tickets do not go on sale for another two days, but these fans of Daniel O'Donnell do not want to miss out on the best seats and have been waiting since 5am this morning out the front of the Oxford New Theatre. The tickets will go on sale at 10am this Saturday and I was told that by then the line will be all the way down George Street, and these fans do not want to miss out on the good seats for the two concerts Daniel will be having at the end of April. It is going to be very cold tonight in Oxford but these guys are prepared for two nights in the cold to get the best tickets in the house.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Silhouettes On A Winters Afternoon

Bit of a wild and woolly day in Oxford today, we had a bit of snow, which you can see in the photo on the Oxford Mound. The mound looked great this afternoon with the sunsetting and a few tourists on top of it with the leafless tree.

Tuesday, February 09, 2010

The Royal Oak - Woodstock Road

Well, as I have been taking photo's of pubs that I have never drunk in, The Royal Oak is another that I just have not had the chance to enjoy a drink in. It is not that far from the city centre, so I think that this will be one that I can tick off on my next night out, maybe St Patrick's Day?

Monday, February 08, 2010

New Owners For Westgate Shopping Centre

It has just been announced that the Westgate Shopping Centre as been sold to The Crown Estate. This sale has been reported positively by the media in Oxford, with the Oxford Mail saying that we are likely to see the redevelopment of the centre under the new ownership. I am not sure exactly who The Crown Estates are, however maybe the Queen looked at the centre when she was visiting Oxford in December?

Sunday, February 07, 2010

Quiet Sunday At The Fir Tree

There are so many pubs in Oxford, most of them I have not been in, I think I should make an effort to visit the ones that I have not been in which are manly out lying ones like The Fir Tree. It was a little early for a pint as the pub was closed when I was on the Iffley Road, this pub has been around for a while as there website says that it has been on operation since 1866, lets hope it is open when I pass again.

Saturday, February 06, 2010

Old Routemaster Bus In Oxford High Street

Oh, this was nice to see today out the front of Queen College, an Old Red Routemaster. I am not sure that Oxford ever had these British icon's in general service, would be interested to find out from anyone who remembers seeing them on the High Street. This one was looking very well restored and was being used to transport guests to a wedding, what a great idea.

Friday, February 05, 2010

Blue Sky Day In Oxford

Oriel College sandstone walls looked great against the blue sky over Oxford this afternoon, this could have been taken on a warm Summers day, but no it was taken on a mild February afternoon. I can not wait to the warmer weather arrives, please don't tease us!

Wednesday, February 03, 2010

Reflections Out The Window

Taken in the busy traditional city centre pub, The Wheatsheaf, just off Oxford's busy High Street. One of the better pub in the area I would suggest, if you are looking for a nice pub that has a pool table, and I think the only juke box in town, £1 for 5 tracks. Was having a drink with a couple of mates when I saw the reflection of the bar in the window, like the Jack's bottle in the corner, check out there My Space page as they have open mic nights upstairs.

Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Thanks Tim For Doing A Great Job

Thanks Tim for posting great photo's of Oxford while I was out of town. It was nice to see your photo's up on the blog while I was away, it is always nice to see Oxford through new eyes. Thanks again Tim, and I am sure I will be asking you to help out in the future.

The canal was starting to look very spring-like this afternoon when I went for a walk. Noticed this pink canal boat with the three lions flag flying, you don't often see this flag. You can't feel the warmth in this photo, but the sun was warm this afternoon when you could get in it.

Monday, February 01, 2010

Street artist at Cornmarket

As I promised yesterday the answers of yesterday's quiz: The Honey Pot, The Four Candles, The Oxford Blue and The White House. Congratulations to Nico, he was right.

Today's pictures shows a street artist at Cornmarket. You can find this man playing the fiddle on a cord almost every week. I don't know why, but he just likes to do it and the people love it too. I keep wondering if he ever slipped off the cord while he was playing. I've seen him a couple of times in the last few months and luckily for him it didn't happened. Any one who did see him coming down?