Atomic Burger Cowley

Always wanted to visit and try out this infamous burger bar on the Cowley Road, at the start of the week a couple of friends asked if I wanted to join them tonight.  Unfortunately this morning I heard that the meal this evening was off, however I had been looking forward to visiting so much, I went anyway and I was glad I did.  A very nice atmosphere, sat outside as the weather was nice, and I had a very enjoyable Audrey Hepburn Burger.

The Importance Of Being Earnest

Spotted this on the notice board of Nuffield College this afternoon, local theatre production company from Exeter College, Exon Productions are running for the rest of the week, The Importance of Being Earnest at Corpus Christi College. Do like these summer plays that the local theatre put on within the college's, the settings can be and are so unique, and they are very reasonably priced worth a look if you are visiting Oxford over the summer.

John Howard Addresses The Oxford Union

The former Australian Prime Minister, John Howard addressed members of the Oxford Union this afternoon in the Union's famous debating hall.  Mr Howard gave a 45min speech off the cuff about his achievements as Prime Minister of Australia after Oxford Union President, Isabel Ernst introduced Mr Howard mistakenly as Australia's 2nd largest serving Prime Minister, over 2nd longest service PM.  After his remarks, the floor was opened and Mr Howard took questions for about 30mins  

Early Morning At Oxford Station

Taken this morning on Platform 2, while waiting for the 0656 to Worcester Foregate Street. Fortunately the trains at this time of the morning are normally on time, so I it was only a couple of minutes later I was on the train.  Not to many people going my way this morning, however the train on Platform 1 to London Paddington was very busy.

Hotter Coming To Queen Street

Hotter is coming to Queen Street, and I am not talking about the weather this time, although it was the hottest day of the year according to the BBC reports this morning.  I am talking about Hotter the comfortable shoe store has started to move into the Old Nationwide site, right next to Marks and Spencer, very good spot for this type of store I would think. Not seen a Hotter store in other town's I know they do a lot of online sales, anyone seen a Hotter store in there High Street?

Well This Is Oxford, We Have A Lot Of Bikes

Took this photo this afternoon while in St Michaels Street, for the blog.  I was just sitting in the street when I noticed this guy fixing his bike in front of Bike Zone, thought that this would be a nice photo for todays post.  Then I looked at yesterday's photo, and it was of a bike...  Should I post or not, well I had to the photo was already taken.

Cycle Racing In St Giles

Did you see what was happening in St Giles today?  Not exactly sure what it was all about but the street was closed off for the whole day, and we had a day of speed cycling around the whole of St Giles.  I know at one stage there was going to be a Varsity Cycle Race between Oxford and the Light Blues, but surely they did not close the whole of St Giles for this?

Oxford Mail had an article on their website this afternoon.

Bee Gees In Concert Poster

I noticed this advertising poster on the side of the New Theatre in George Street this morning on my walk to work, I had just heard the news of Robin Gibb's passing on the news before I left the house. The poster is for a cover/tribute band that will be performing on July, it was just a bit uncanny that I happen to notice it this morning.  Question, as the Gibb Brothers started the Bee Gees in Australia, would you call them an Australian Band?

PS.  Look at the shadows on the footpath, we had some sun out this afternoon in Oxford.

Notice From Thames Water

Noticed this large advert on the side of a house at the end of South Parade informing us that a couple of wet weeks may not be enough to counter the two years of dry weather.  Like the message, but I am not sure that everyone will agree. With all the rivers still high, why can't be store this water that is running away?

Slut Walk 2012

I am not sure of this is a national event, but this afternoon 100's of Women and Men walked peacefully through the street of Oxford protesting against the plaining or excusing the rape by the way women dress. This movement is only a year old, starting in Toronto, Canada after a police office advised women to keep out of trouble by not dressing "like sluts".
The Oxford march started at Radcliffe Camera and I came across them in the High Street. Not exactly sure where they ended up, but good to see the public supporting and agreeing with the protesters. Was this the first Slut Walk in Oxford?  The banner has '12, not sure if this will be an annual protest?

Good article in the Oxford Student at the movement, click here

No Space For Pedestrians

Don't you just hate all those bloody "A" frames on the footpaths in Oxford? Look at this photo taken this afternoon in the High Street, one of the busiest streets for locals and tourists alike, you just can not move on the footpath.  This area is also one of the major bus stops for this end of the High Street, so when a bus  is emptying 20 or so people you just can not move. Chuck in a couple of bins, and two friends having a chat and you can not move, it must be a nightmare for wheelchair users and parents with prams. Ban All "A" Frames I say from the city centre.

New Sainsbury's Local In Summertown

Isn't it a shame that it was only just a couple of years ago that the lovely parade of shops in Summertown had a good range and variety of locally owned or independent stores.  Unfortunately all we have now, thanks to poor local councillor who will not stand up for local residents and business operators are, real estate agents, charity stores and chain supermarkets like the new Sainsbury's Local that opened this morning, were a newsagents and local wine merchant was traded.
I am not sure if local councillor Jean Fooks was at the opening, she normally tries to get herself in the paper at any opportunity mainly for small trivial things like a new park bench etc.  Knowing that there was so much opposition to this unnecessary addition to Summertown she may decided not to be at the opening and press launch.  This development could have been good for the local community had the councillors been creative.  Where's the Summertown Post Office?

Clinton Cards Westgate Shopping Centre

I was sad to hear the news last week that the High Street greeting card retailer, Clinton Cards had gone into administration putting the future of stores like this one in the Westgate Shopping Centre at risk.  According to their website, Clinton Cards, which started in 1968 has over 700 store, with two of them in Oxford, the other being in Summertown.  

Oxford Arts Week Is On Now

It is that time of the year again when you are able to get close to local artists from around Oxford and Oxfordshire and see them working in there studio's.  It called ArtWeeks it happened every year and there are about 500 artist taking part in this years event.  Have a look at there website for more information, and if you see these flags and bunting outside a business or home, then your in luck as they are part of this event.

Pick Your Vessel

 At last we have some nice weather. As a bonus it is happening on the weekend.  Took a walk along the Oxford canal, and it was magical with the warm sun on out face, really like being outside when it is sunny.  Some of the houses that back on to the Oxford Canal have amazing gardens and summerhouses, liked the fact that this guy has three boats to choose from if they want to enjoy the canal.  

Happy To Help ITV Filming In Oxford

Did anyone see this guy sitting in the Happy To Help box in front of Carfax Tower? When I first saw it I was thinking it was a new tourist information centre for the Summer, as you know we get a lot of visitors to Oxford during the Summer, but I was wrong.
See the black tent that looks to a workman shelter with the cones around it, there is a TV camera in there and a few more hidden around the place, as this whole set up was part of a new blooper/set up comedy show that is to be shown on ITV.  Now I am not sure what the show will be called, but I know that it have been filmed in a few locations around the country and it was in Oxford this week.  Not sure how successful it was with the weather we have been having.  Anyone know anymore about this programme?

View From South Parks

The tree's are starting to get a few small buds of leaves on them now, oh please can we have a few warms days.  Up in South Parks today and it was reasonably fine, having rain earlier on in the day, so I was able to get a few nice photos with Oxford in the background. Don't get up this way as often as I should, nice park to relax and watch Oxford go by.

Burger War About To Start In Oxford

I couple of weeks ago I posted a photo of a new burger restaurant Byron see here, and that it was going to be only a couple of doors down from Gourmet Burger Kitchen, well look what is happening to the GBK, it also is under refurbishment. However from the looks of the amount of work still needed at the Byron site, I would say that the GBK will be reopened shortly.

Polling Day On Woodstock Road

Today is the day that England goes to the Poll's, now I am sure there's a joke in there but I can not remember how it ended. All over Oxford in churches and community halls Polling Stations are open tonight till 10pm, for voting in many local council elections.  I went to this Polling Station on the Woodstock Road to vote, however when I went in I was told that I could not vote at this one, I had the wrong station, did eventually find my correct station.

Bratman Hits The Streets Of Oxford

I have seen a lot on the streets of Oxford since I began taking photo's for the Oxford Daily Photo Blog back in October 2006, wow that long ago!  This street vendor would have to be up their with the most unusual and also ingenious, it is a mobile BBQ on a back pack.  It is called Bratman, they are selling from the street, hot freshly cooked German Bratwurst sausage in a roll with a choice of sauce for £3. I think today was the launch of the business, and they were getting a lot of looks and interest.

You know Richard Branson started his Virgin empire not far from where this guy is standing now, so you never know Oxford this could be the start of the next big thing, I wish them success.  I had one for a late snack, very nice indeed.

We Need More Rain

Not the clearest photo's, but I was trying to get a person with an umbrella walking past this Oxford Mail both with the headline, "We Need More Rain - Despite Flood's" It is just a little crazy here at the moment,  we have had the wrong rain the Environment Agency is saying and even with the River very high and flooding in area's we still need more rain. I say capture this flood water and store it!