John Otway At The Bear Tomorrow

Not been to The Bear for along time, which is strange cause I like a pint and it is in the city centre, so maybe I will pop in soon for an ale. Part of May Day celebrations tomorrow, John Otway will be in The Bear at 6.30 am to launch his new book, I Did It Otway. Strange time for a book launch and signing, but then again it is Oxford. May Day Balls will be happening tonight across the city, with large crowds expected at Magdalen Bridge at dawn in the morning, hope the weather stays fine.

20:22 First Great Western Service To Hereford

Leaving a couple of minutes late from Oxford the 20:22 First Great Western service to Hereford. I was on this train from London having just got off a few minutes before taking this photo. We have a good train service to London from Oxford, but it could be a little cheaper.

Vote With Your Throat - Election

Everyone is getting on the 2010 General Election band wagon, was in the High Street this evening and saw this advert outside of The a Fuller's London Pride is being served from one of three party-coloured pumps, featuring caricatures of the party leaders. I had to go in and have a pint but I am not telling you which from which pump.... I am sure there are other ways people are having a little fun with this election.

ANZAC Day In Oxford

I am normally in France or Turkey for ANZAC Day, and had planned on going to Villers Bretonneux in France again this year for the ANZAC Day service, but with all the trouble with the Volcanic Ash from Iceland decided against the trip this year. Instead I visited the Commonwealth War Grave Cemetery in Botley where their are 159 fallen Australians from the first and second world wars buried.

Most the those at this cemetery had been in the Oxford area resting in military hospitals including at the Examination School in the High Street which was being used as a hospital during the war.

While walking about the cemetery I noticed that Flight Sergeant Ian Charles Cormack of the Royal Australian Air Force died on ANZAC Day 1944 aged 19. Looking at the cemetery register I found out that Ian Charles Cormack was from Mosman in New South Wales, along way from home.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission do a great job in keeping this and all of the war cemetery's I have been to in top shape.

Oxford University will be having a small service this evening which I am hoping to attend, might even see a couple of old Kiwi mates from Oxford.

French Market In Oxford This Weekend

Oh, I love it when the French Market is in Oxford for a couple of days. It is in Gloucester Green for the weekend, and I managed to get a nice bit of French Cheese. This time around not only did they have French produce but also Italian, Dutch and German.

Mad Dogs And Englishman Go Out In The Midday Sun

It was a warm sunny day today for St George's Day, on top of that it being a Friday you can only imagine the number of people out celebrating England's national day with a pint of there favourite ale. These guys started early and where in the full swing of things at lunch time.

Turf Tavern Real Ale Festival Starts Today

I was a little early for the Real Ale Festival at the Turf Tavern which kicked off today at 5pm. I have been to the past couple of these and they have a great selection of ale from around the country. The only problem is that they sell out of the popular ales very early so if you are interested in Real Ale's or are just in Oxford looking for a nice pint, pop into the Turf Tavern over the next three days, but be early for the popular ales, I be there tomorrow for sure.

Narrow Boat Mill Stream

What a life, living on the River must be great as we move towards the warmer months of Summer. I was out cycling with a visitor to Oxford who was stuck in Oxford due to the Volcano Ash fall out. Martin was stuck in Oxford and put out an SOS, so I took him on a cycle tour which ended up in Wolvercote and meet a very nice Narrow Boat owner who took us on a small ride on his boat.

Sandford Lock And Keeper

Was down at the Kings Arms in Sandford today enjoying the nice weather and had a chat with the Lock Keeper, Alex, who's house is behind in this photo. With all the good weather over the weekend I asked how many boats pasted through the lock on Sunday, Alex said it had been quiet with only 40 in the lock.

Steam Train 149 arriving at Oxford Station today on way to Solihul. We have a couple of Stream Trains into the station at Oxford every year and today we had this old steam train visit Oxford Station. Had a lot of interested train spotters at the station for the arrival of this train, which mainly had dinning carriages with passengers enjoying the service of yesteryear. Click the photo if you want to see a larger photo of this train.

Oxford University Cricket Club v Hampshire

Managed to get a couple of hours free this afternoon to watch the end of the cricket match between Oxford MCCU and Hampshire, which ended in a draw after three great days for cricket. Took this photo of the University Club House in The Parks with a Hot Air Balloon in flight, guess the volcanic ash is not effecting them this weekend. Anyway if you are interested in the cricket results, have a look at cricinfo. Very nice afternoon, finished with a nice IPA.

Election Debate In South Parade

The first of the Great Debate's are due tonight, but I think for the people of South Parade in Oxford the debate has already started, there was a little graffiti on this poster a couple of days ago, click here, but today things have got a little more serious. Not going to watch the leaders debate, to many rules for me.

Carey Close With Bike Attached

Carey Close in North Oxford, not exactly sure if this is 100%, but I have done a little reading into the name, and the only conclusion that I could come up with was that it was named after Henry Carey, 1st Baron Hunsdon. Henry was the High Steward of Oxford, taking up the post in 1592. I would be interested in a book of Oxford Street Names, must look into that...

Let me know if you have any other information about Carey Close??

Busker And Singing Dog

This is a great couple, this guy is often around in Cornmarket busking. He has a great little set up, and plays a number of instruments at the same time, as well as singing, and his partner who is the start of the show is his dog. This dog is great, he just sits in his chair as part of the act, and barks just at the right time. Great act and very unique to Oxford I am sure, he always has the visitors entertained with the dog having his timing just right.

Clean Randolph Hotel

When you are a guest of the Randolph Hotel in Oxford this would be what you would expect the hotel to be, Clean. The Randolph would be one of the top hotels in the county, I have never stayed there living close to the city centre I might never have the need to, but it would be nice to one night, just to say you have. It has been used in a lot of Morse episodes. Clean, I hope so.

Blooming Oxford

Plenty of sunshine in Oxford today, and with all the sun we also have lots of colour from all the Spring flowers around the city, like in St Giles where I took this photo of all the daffodils.

Ten Pound On A Bollard

New bollard has been installed at Ewert House, not exactly sure what happened to the last one, it has been out of action for awhile. There is a running joke with the staff at Ewert house about who and when the next person to hit the bollard with be. I have got £10 that the bollard will last to Christmas..

Cinderella's Carriage In A Sunny Oxford

I had the opportunity to spend the morning in and around the Oxford Science park with work today, not been around here for a few months. As I was around Keble College spotted Cinderella's carriage go past. Could not see Cinderella in it, maybe it was going to pick her up from College?

Gorden Brown Calls A General Election-Get Your Paint Out

I am sure you all know that Mr Brown visited the Queen this morning and we will now have a General Election on the 6th of May, and we can vote for who we want to be the Prime Minister, unlike the last General Election. As a few of you might know, I take a photo of the Billboard on South Parade, on Monday this poster for Conservatives did not have any graffiti on it, this afternoon it did, do you think Labour supporters in Oxford are stooping a little low? More Graffiti from South Parade here.

Stairs In The Ashmolean Museum

I know the Ashmolean is not open on Mondays, I took this photo yesterday when I had a couple of hours to spare, having not had a good look around this great free Museum since it's reopening a couple of months ago. They have done a great job with the redevelopment of the spaces and exhibits, and the whole place was buzzing. The museum is worth a visit, especially if the weather is not that good when you are visiting Oxford.

Happy Easter To You All

Happy Easter Everyone, from Percy and Oxford Daily Photo. Took this photo this morning in the High Street Oxford, noticed this floral cross on Alfred and High Street.

Rainy Walk Home

I am not going to mention The Boat Race, little disappointed. The weather this bank holiday weekend so far has been awful, this photo was taken a few minutes ago in Cornmarket on my iPhone, don't normally take photo's with it but had not taken a shot for today, so had to make the most of what I had. Couple walking home in the rain sharing an umbrella, weather maybe bad but the company make up for it.

New Wahoo Bar In Oxford

Last night I was invited to the launch of Oxford newest bar and comedy venue, Wahoo on Hythe Bridge Street. This bar is promoting it's self as the place to watch sport in Oxford, and with the number of large screens around the bar and a very large one centrally located you are sure not to miss any action while in Wahoo. The whole place is very modern with a very good selection of beers, and drinks, along with the rest of the guests, I had a very enjoyable introduction to Wahoo, I will be back to watch a bit of Cricket and World Cup for sure, they will be showing the Oxford Cambridge boat race tomorrow afternoon.