Olympic Opening

Visiting Chinese Students on the Banbury Road in Oxford proudly wearing T-Shirt printed to celebrate the opening of the Olympic Games in Beijing today.  These girls were heading into the centre of Oxford to watch the opening of the games.

Coming Or Going?

Nice black Audi and a car transporter blocking Grove Street this afternoon.  Can you tell if the car is going on or coming off? Let me know?

Water Eaton Farm

The tree line entry to Water Eaton Farm, just north of Oxford.  If you look up Wikipedia it describes Water Eaton as a small hamlet, which it is about four old houses at the end of a road, behind one of Oxford's Park and Rides.  Water Eaton played a part in the Siege of Oxford in 1646 according to the article.  

Oxfordshire County Offices Registry Office

Brief bit of sun out late in the evening tonight gave this old Oxford County Office building a nice glow.  These offices are still used by the County as it's registry office, and few days a week you can see happy couples coming out after having there marriage ceremony.   

Four Candles Opens in George Street Oxford

Today was the first day that the public were allowed into Oxfords newest pub, The Four Candles in George Street.  This is the first Wetherspoons pub for the centre of Oxford and from the crowd in the bar at lunch time it looks like it is going to be popular.

Early Sunday Morning In Queen Street

Up early today for a Sunday and in the City Centre and Queen Street empty for a change normally full of shoppers and buses.  It is interesting to see places at different times of the day.  

This afternoon saw a very good documentary/film at the Phoenix Man On Wire  about Philippe Petit tight rope walk between the two towers of the World Trade Centre in August 1974, well worth a look, and is showing at the Phoenix in Jericho.

Cowley Library

Right in the centre of Cowley close to the Police Station on the Cowley Road in the Cowley Library.  Housed in what looks like a 1950's public building the Library is not as large at the Central Library in the centre of Oxford but has a large section of books and DVD and also provides internet terminals for the public to use, but from the bikes out the front of the building not enough bikes racks!!

Headington Roundabout

Choices from the Headington Roundabout?  Where are you going to go from this roundabout, London? Cheltenham?  The the Headington Roundabout is either the first thing your see when driving to Oxford from London or the last as you leave.

Raining On During The Tour

This walking group of tourists had to use the Umbrella's in and around Worcester College this afternoon as we had a little rain this afternoon which made Oxford's weather very sticky and muggy with the summer temperature that we are only just starting to get in Oxford. 

Did see my first Diplomatic Number Plate in awhile, have a look.

The Graffiti Stone

I am not sure where the photo's have all gone, I have tried to upload twice today but they are not having it.  Anyway the photo is of a paving stone from the centre of Oxford, and I am not sure why this stone, but it is the only one full of graffiti.  Why?

High Street Sales Have Started Top Hats From £14.99

The High Street in Oxford is very busy at the moment, in fact you would not think that we are in the middle of the credit crunch just by looking at the amount of shopping bags in the street!!  Top Hats are of sale in the High Street starting at just £14.99 as seen in one of the windows of these shops.

View From Belsyre Court

On a very nice summers day this is the view you get from the top of Belsyre Court on Observatory Street.  You can see the Radcliffe Observatory which is in the grounds of Green College.  The lawn is looking good at this time of the year as well. 

Oxford Mound Nearly Complete

Was walking past the Oxford Mound today and was very happy to see that the repairs look like they are just about finished to the Mount which had a small land slide last year and they look good.  Once completed I am sure the commuters and bus drivers who use New Road which is restricted at the moment, will be glad to see the restrictions removed.  Have a look at the other photo's of the Oxford Mound on this website.

Summer Sunset Over Nuffield College

Taken a few minutes ago, the Sun Setting behind Nuffield College.  Nice warmish day today.

New Paint Job At The Crown

Looks like The Crown pub just off Cornmarket is getting a new paint job, spotted these guys today starting to paint over the signage in the lane that leads down to this city pubs just off the main busy shopping area of Oxford.

Duke Of York

This central pub has been closed for awhile now and fenced off ready for being demolished to make way for the expansion of the Westgate Shopping Centre, when ever that gets the go ahead.  I have been meaning to get a photo of it for awhile, and the light was right tonight, so I managed to get a photo before it is gone completely. It was always in a strange location, in the middle of two carparks, but I am sure that was not always the case.

Punts At The Cherwell Boat House

Had a visitor from Canada in town today, and as the weather was going to be OK we decided it would be nice to take a Punt out from the Cherwell Boat House and punt our way up to the Victoria Arms for lunch, which we did.  Very enjoyable 3 hours out on the river.  Photo of a few of the punts ready for hire on our return.

More Filming In Oxford This Week- Lewis

At the moment I think we have two different movie/film crews in Oxford.  I spotted these direction pointers in Beaumont Street for the Lewis Cast and Crew, and also noticed a few city council signs area the place staying that filming was happening this afternoon.  I did not have time to wait, maybe next time I will see a star for you all.

YHA Oxford

As it is the summer, this place the YHA in Oxford will be very busy with all the back packers and students travelling around the world.  I have stayed at this YHA for a couple of nights about 6 years ago, and it is very modern and very close to the city centre, in fact it is right next to the Oxford  Train Station.

Bus Too Close To The New Theatre In George Street

Seen this afternoon in George Street, this Double Decker bus clipped the scaffolding along side of the New Theatre in George Street.  The accident managed to bring George Street to a standstill as the scaffolding was all over the place, I was hold by staff at the near by department store that pedestrians where injured when the scaffolding collapsed onto the pavement.

UNISON Strike Action In Oxford

Photo of a council worker heading for the UNSION strike action rally in the centre of Oxford today.  About 10 schools and most local government offices where closed today as a part of the action by council employees who are disappointed with the below inflation pay rise of 2.45% offered by the government. 

After A Warm Day

Walking back across the park after a warm day in Oxford, I think it may have been the one of the first warm days of the Summer, 26c today was the high.

Follow Me I Have An Up Side-down Umbrella

Back from my little sojourn, it was nice, but always nice to get home as well.  Oxford has filled up with the summer English Language Students and everyone else.  It must be hard if you are a tour leader or teacher trying to keep you group together, but I think this teacher has a good prop for her students to follow, and up side-down bright red umbrella.  Seen today in Cornmarket.

Oxford University Press Book Shop

On the High Street, this is the outlet for Oxford's University Press, know locally as OUP.  The main administration of UOP is on Walton Street in Jericho but you can not buy anything there, so if you are after an Oxford English Dictionary I would suggest you head to the High Street!

I am away for a couple off on holidays, last year Emily helped me out but she is not around in Oxford this year, so the ODP will have to have rest, I will be back soon!!

BBC Antiques Road Show In Oxford

The popular BBC TV show Antiques Road Show was in Oxford today looking at what members of the public have under the bed and valuing it for them.  It was held in the Quad at Hertford College and was very busy when I visited this afternoon.  The lady in pink has a small silver frog that the presenters were very interested in.  See my other photo's.

Today and Yesterday In Middle Way Summertown

Found this old postcard/photo of Middle Way taken in the early 1900's today and decided to go and have a look at that view today.  Very interesting is that apart from the cars not alot has changed in over 100 years, apart from the name of the street.  In the card it was named "George Street" and it is now Middle Way.
Even the Grove Street Name plate on the right had side of number 19 Middle Way looks like it is the orginal, as it is in the same spot in both photos.  As is the Down Pipe of the house on the right, 28 Middle Way.

I like this going back to the old days, enjoy..

Strange Signs

I am always interested in strange signs, and I came across this one today next to a bike rack, it is instructions on how to park your bike....

Overgrown Oxford Tow Path

Boy, the vegetation is starting to get out of control along the Oxford Canal.  I was out walking along the path and in a few places I could not see the canal for the plants.  Wouldn't want to walk along after a bit of rain you can imagine the water these plants would hold.

Oxford Spires From South Hinksey

The Oxford skyline with the roofs of the village of South Hinksey in the foreground. This village is just on the outskirts of Oxford, have a look at the Wikipedia entry for the village from the link above.  

From The Night Before

One for the road! Looks like someone had a late Sunday Night and had a can on the way home up Middle Way in Summertown.  Foster's I think that is English for lager?

Paraguayan Harpist in Cornmarket

Cornmarket often has your standard buskers that most bigger cities have but every now and then we get that unique busker like we had today.  Mr Oscar Benito with his Paraguayan Harp.  He was promoting his concert that will be next Saturday at the Holywell Music Room.  Very interesting sound, liked the fact that he was encouraging the youngsters to have a little play on his harp.

Park End Street By Night

Well most of the night clubs in the City Centre are in this street.  And being a Saturday Night it is always busy in the bars and clubs on Park End Street, today was the Summer Solstice so maybe there will be a few celebrating the start of Summer..  Is that rain on the road?? Is it Summer?

The Red Lion

Off to the Red Lion in the city centre, it was until a few months ago called "The Goose", but hay things change in Oxford all the time.

Dunsford Lane Wytham

Found myself back in Wytham this afternoon, down this small lane with only 4 cottages on it.  It is called/named Dunsford Lane and has a couple of very nice thatched cottages on it. When you are out in Wytham Village you could be miles from anywhere, but you are less than 5 minutes from the big smoke!!  Nice area for a sunny bike ride.

London Oxford Taxi's

In Oxford we have alot of the traditional "London" or "Black Cab's" which are traditionally Black in colour.  However you are seeing more and more of them all badged up advertising various company's, like this one in the High Street today. Spotted a Diplomatic Plate today also, click here.

Wytham Village Store

Out on a lovely Autumn day in the village of Wytham, just of the outskirts if Oxford.  The lighting was great for a photo of the village store with the pillar box in the foreground.  Unfortunately this store up until last week also had a Post Office in it with limited opening hours, but as a part of the Governments postal reforms this has now closed. 

Students Heading To Exams

Students from Jesus College about to head out the Examination Hall to maybe sit that last exam.  Most of the resident students have left Oxford, only a few remain, we will now get an influx of Summer English language students soon. 

Mango's Have Arrived In Oxford

As it gets closer to Summer I always look out for the lovely Mango's flown from Pakistan to the UK a long the stall holders on the Cowley Road.  Any over the last week they have started to appear, and they are just the tastiest Mango's ever, I have already had a box.  I have been told the flight that they arrive on direct from Pakistan in called "The Mango Flight" as the whole plain is full of Mango's.  

Photo Credit to Junior Ali

Jericho Street Fair

What a great day for the Jericho Street Fair.  Always a great community event, the folk of Jericho really have a great little area which they are proud of and get behind events that bring the community together.  If you missed out this year, before to take a look in 2009.

St John's College Is Now Closed

At the end of the day the sign reads, St John's College Is Now Closed, for visitors of course.  Students will be coming and going all night I would think, but for the tourist you have to wait till tomorrow afternoon, the colleges that open to tourist normally do so after 2pm.

Oxford Mound Progress

I wanted to get a progress photo of the work that is being done on the Oxford Mound in New Road, which I have photographed before, but did not want to go down and just take the same old photo.  I was looking around at how I could make it a little different and spotted the Nuffield College brass name plate all shinny and reflective, so here is todays shot, showing the progress of the working of the Oxford Mound.

Mobile Home On Roof In Oxford

Running out of space!  Need an extension but can not get planning permission from the local council? Do you have a flat roof, well do what this guy did, just put a mobile home on the roof, that should solve a few of your problems, Oh I would do it at night so no one can see you doing it.

Well if Bill Heine can have a shark on his roof, why can't this guy have a mobile home on his?

BUSA Woman's Cricket Final In The Parks

Managed to see a little of the BUSA Woman's Cricket final today in University Parks. The game looked like it was going to be a close finish, I could not stay to see the results which I am sure will be on the web.  BUSA is the British University Sports Association.  The Parks in Oxford is a great place for the finals, not sure if this is a regular fixture, if it is I will be sure to go and see it.

Waterman's Arms Osney Island

Ahhh, just had a nice bite to eat at the Waterman's Arms on Osney Island, right on the River Thames, which as you know is flowing very  fast at the moment.  I love this pub, it is mostly a nice place to relax next to the River and enjoy a pint.  Recommended for sure.

Quaking Bridge Water Levels

Carrying on from yesterdays High Water Theme, you can see the water level going under Quaking Bridge in St Thomas Street, not a lot of clearance here. Doing a quick search on the internet, this Quaking Bridge was first mentioned in 1297 and was on of the main routes from the Parish of St Thomas to the town on Oxford, I am sure that the bridge has been replaced since 1297.

Water Levels High Around Oxford

Photo taken in University Parks, down by the River Cherwell and as you can see the pond level is very high.  Was talking to a friend who lives on a Narrow Boat and he was telling me that the Oxford Canal is now higher than when we had the floods last year, and from the look of the water level in University Park I would have to agree with him.  Still had a nice afternoon nap in the Park.

Who Is This Jack Wills

Relatively new store at 125 High Street, Jack Wills.  Not sure what it is all about, looks expensive if you ask me, but the Students are always wearing there stuff. I think they stay they are the Outfitters of University Students.  For more information on the previous occupier's of 125 High Street have a look at this site.

Flower Sellers in Queen Street

Everyday, rain hail and the rare days it shines, you can pick up a nice fresh bunch of flowers from the stall holder outside the Westgate Shopping Centre. With the redevelopment of Bonn Square he now has to share space the Oxford Crepe stall.