Sunderland Avenue

Not sure why I took this photo this afternoon,trying to get a nice photo of the Street Sign, but I don't think it worked.  Also confused to why the name Sunderland Avenue, Oxford is a long way from Sunderland?  Maybe the residents were big supporters of The Black Cats?

College Starting At LMH

Students arriving with all there kit at Lady Margaret Hall this morning, the roads around a few of the colleges were busy has students arrive with all there computers, clothing, musical instruments etc.  Not sure if these guys are first year students just starting at Oxford or students returning after the summer holidays. Those trolleys were in demand for sure.

You Need Your Umbrella In Oxford Today

Coast, scarfs, and umbrella's are what is needed today in Oxford, the weather has turned we are now heading towards Winter.....  Busy weekend, sorry for the no posts over the last couple of days.. 

Going To London From Oxford

One of the many coaches that make the Oxford/London trip each day.  We are very lucky in Oxford that we have so many choices when it comes to getting to London, two coach companies and the train.  The coaches leave every 20 minutes at the busy times to London, we are well connected to the Nations Capital. On the number plate you can see CF53 OXF.

Moscow State Circus In Oxford

The lights above the Box Office for the visiting Moscow State Circus which is in Oxford till Sunday.  Tonights show was the first of a full week for the Circus which has set up just off Oxpens Road next the Ice Rink.  All of the performers are from Russia and there are no animals in the Circus, so I am sure it is a very good family show.  I have not been to a Circus for years!

Loch Fyne Seafood Bar And Grill

Never dined at this popular Seafood restaurant chain's Walton Street's branch, but I hope to one day.  You don't have to eat at the restaurant, they also sell seafood for you to take home and cook, which is a little different for a restaurant. It always looks nice as I am walking by, especially at night.

The Leaves Are Turning

I have been watching the vines on the side of this house all summer and noticed how red they are today, which is a sign of the season. The side away from the camera has more red then closer, so I must say that it has to do with the shade from the house next door. Will take a photo in Winter to show you what had happened.

Very Foggy Cornmarket

Oxford  was covered in fog this morning, you could not see from one end of Cornmarket to the other, only about half way.  This young lady was also feeling the chill in the air was well.  It did get better as the day went on.

Flags Of Every Country

Just off Queen Street in the centre of Oxford is a very resourceful trader who among other goods including balloons and cards, has a very large range of country and novelty flags for sale.  I am not sure why I have not posted a photo of his display before as I am very interested in flags.  This afternoon with the sun out  the flags looked very good.

The Two Sides Of Oxford

Not the best photo to illustrate this but one that I managed to quickly get this afternoon.  An Oxford Student in full academic attire with one would imagine wealthy parents walking past a group of Oxford homeless in St Michael's  Street waiting for the night shelter to open. Wonder what Oxford means to each of them?

Botley Public Library

Looking down the back of the shops on Elms Parade in Botley towards the small Botley Public Library. Not sure why I took this shot, just liked liked the large letters of the sign above the Library.

The Holly Bush

Had a question/comment posted a few days asking in The Holly Bush in Osney was still around, so while in the area today decided to get a snap of it.  As you can see the landlords have also gone into the Bed and Breakfast business at the pub, which I am sure is a good idea, nice and close to the station and city centre.

Enjoying the Sun

Another Sunny day in Oxford today, and while it is out, enjoy it, even while waiting for friends in George Street.

Earth from The Air At Oxford Castle

An outdoor exibition displaying large photo's of Earth from the air has opened around the Oxford Castle site, and is well worth a visit. Apart from the photo's on display there is a large flat map of the Earth which you are allowed to walk on, which is kinda nice. If you are visiting Oxford I would spend 15 minutes walking around the site and looking at the photography, also pop into the Malmaison Hotel to see what they have done with the old Oxford Prison.

OU58 ZXS My First 58 Plate

Well it was only going to be a number of days before I spotted a car in North Oxford with the new 58 rego.  I know the rest of the world is in a Credit Crunch, but news of this may not have hit North Oxford yet as I sure I will see more 58 plates in the area over the next few days.  Not a Mini this time!!  Have a look at the other Number Plate posts for information about the British Plate system, or  my diplomatic plate page.

River Thames Repairs

The Thames has been flowing fast over the last few weeks with the flooding that other parts of the country has been having making it's way into the river systems, noticed this morning on one of my walks the banks of the river being repaired.  Good to see, in fact all this area just off the Botley Road has been or is being reworked with the paths being repaired and the banks getting a little attention. Should be good when finished to ride your bike up to The Perch along the river.

Rugby In The Park

What a Oxford photo, Rugby in the Park with Magdalen College in the background. These guys looked like they where having good time getting ready for then they are at Oxford University. 

When In Oxford Don't Call The Breakdown Service

When in Oxford and you are having car troubles like this guy was with his Mercedes in Broad Street, don't call the Breakdown vans, just wait by your car and the friendly Thames Valley Police will drive past and offer to change your tyre for you.  Oh, and all you have to do it stand by and watch, such is life in sunny Oxford, where the Police are only too happy to assist you in any way they can.

Waiting For The Cutteslowe Bus 17

Few of the older folk of Oxford sitting outside County Hall chatting while waiting for the Number 17 Bus to Cutteslowe just before lunch today. You can see that the season's are changing with a few fallen leaves on the ground. Autumn is with us.

Radcliffe Camera With A Sore

You can never have or post too many good photo's of the Radcliffe Camera, not that I think my photo's are great, but today when I was walking past the Camera I noticed that it is having a little external work.  It is nice to think that these old building are getting the maintenance that they need when they need it, and with this little sore on the side you can take a photo of the Camera without getting this scaffolding in the shot, which is good for visitors to Oxford.

Misty Morning In Oxford

Very misty this morning while out and about in Oxford, as you can see from the dew on this spiders web, looks like the dew is weighing this web down a lot.  I am not sure if you can make out where this is, but that is the Head Of The River in the background. Click on the photo to see it larger!

The Perch To Re-open Next Week

Happen to be in Binsey this morning and noticed that alot of the work/construction around The Perch was gone.  I managed to have a chat with a guy who was doing a bit of gardening and he said that the old Pub will be re-opening on Thursday next week.  So I am going to make an effort to get down and have a look at what they have done to the Perch since the fire. Have a look how the pub was in May last year.

Leaving Oxford On Train

This week I have been leaving Oxford every morning for a course, on a couple of days I was on the 0730hrs train to Reading.  This photo was taken just as we where leaving the station this morning.

Evening At St Giles Fair

When the Sun goes down the lights come on and the fair becomes very busy with all the rides and stalls.  I like the fair in the evening as it looks a lot prettier and fair like, tomorrow morning all this will be gone and St Giles will be back to normal, full of traffic!

St Giles Fair Sweet Stalls

mmmm, All part of the fair the sweet stalls.  I think the sweet stalls are the best part of any fair, and the doughnuts at fairs are great when warm and fresh, mmmm.

Broad Street Contruction

More works are going on in Broad Street near Blackwells Poster store at the moment, I think the scaffolding business must be doing well in Oxford, as it is everywhere all year.

St Giles Fair Is Coming

Warnings are in place around the city centre advising people that bikes will be removed from around the St Giles if left after Saturday in preparation for St Giles Fair which will be on Monday and Tuesday next week.

Jesus Festival In Oxford

How about a nice hamburger, that was the first thing that I received when I visited the big yellow tent that is currently set up next to the Ice Rink on Oxpens Road, along with a strong welcome.  The Oxford Jesus Festival is being run my Oxford Jesus Army and is a three day free festival honouring Jesus.  Not a lot was happening when I visited early in the afternoon, but in side the large tent was a coffee shop, stage and band, people enjoying arts, and also a corner for younger kids.  Looked like a lot of the activities are taking place over the weekend, and evenings.

Royal Mail Van In Cornmarket

I think there is a problem with the mail today?  This is not suppose to happen, looks like it was a bad day for the postie in the city centre today, rain, wind and then a van that was not working!

Weather In Oxford Today

After a fine start to the day, the weather forecast for heavy down showers in the afternoon were exactly right, coming both fast and heavy, luckily they did not last too long.

Stealing Bikes In Oxford

With the Student population due to start in Oxford anytime now the local cycle thief's are starting to step up there activity in and around the city centre, to be able to sell these bikes on to new students.  I witnessed this guy this morning steeling this bike from outside the Church at 25 Woodstock Road.  Visitors and Oxford residents, get the best lock you can afford as these guys are not afraid to smash/cut a lock in a busy area during the day.

Keep and eye out for a 40ish year old male with a Sainsbury's Bag For Life with all his equipment in, looking at bikes in the Oxford area.

Foggy Morning Magdalen College Tower

Taken this morning before the sun started to work, which did not work that well as today was very overcast and foggy.  This is the Cowley end of the Oxford High Street looking towards Magdalen College Tower and the Magdalen Bridge. Not One Car!!

Cyclist With Luggage Trailer And Strange Helmet

I spotted this guy ride his bike down St Aldate's earlier today with his suitcase attached to his bike by using a hockey stick but he was going so fast I did not get a photo of him.  However as I was out shopper I saw him again coming out of the pub in Pembroke Street, The Blenhiem.  Check out that chicken on the top of his helmet!

St Michael Street On A Friday Night

Just out for a nice pint in on of my favourite pubs, The Three Goats Heads, in St Michael Street, while the rest of the town not far from here is crowded, noisy, load and busy, down St Michael's Street you can get a nice pint, with no line at a very reasonable price. My recommendation for a out of the way pub on any busy night!

Big Mushroom

Last year I saw a fungi on a fence post, this year I spotted this huge Mushroom growing out of a tree stump.  What is it with the Mushrooms around Oxford at this time of year, they all go mad!  This one is 30cm across no joke!

Oxford Unlocked

Combination Lock left unlocked?  Really only took this photo so I could remember the number, as it may come in handy one day if I need to remove the bollard that this lock normally keeps up!

Oxford Madhouse

Over the Bank Holiday weekend I think Oxford was a Madhouse!  Only noticed this store this afternoon, it used to be the Disney Store but it closed around Christmas time, and I am not sure how long this Madhouse has been there only a few days I would think, was very busy inside.  It was predominately selling men's clothing at discount prices.  Just at the entrance to the Westgate Shopping Centre.

Oxford Reflecting Oxford

The reflection of the Sheldonian Theatre in the window of Blackwell's book store in Broad Street Oxford, which has the Oxford Thesaurus on display in the window.  Oxford everywhere! Also bicycles which are also synonymous with Oxford in the reflection. 

Bath Place

Just of Holywell Street nestled between New College and the old city wall you will find Bath Place, which is a small street with a couple of cottages and the Bath Place Hotel.  The main reason that locals and visitors head down Bath Place is that at the end of this dead end street is a small passage that leads you to the Turf Tavern, perhaps one of the better 'Real Ale' pubs in Oxford, I think it would also be Oxfords best hidden pub, so much so that a friend of mine who is Oxford born and bread did not know about it, and he is 40+ years old...  Well worth a visit..

Now to all the daily visitors, sorry for the missing few photo's this week.  I have been very bust at work and socially with a couple of last night trips to London and Reading, hope to get the regular photo's up next week.

Labels Of Oxford

Photo of a labels of places around Oxford, it was taken at the local Royal Mail Delivery centre and had all the major towns around Oxford.

Punts Ready To Go

Punts early this morning waiting to take people up the river once the day starts, lets hope the weather is good today, so the many visitors to Oxford can enjoy the River Cherwell

Victoria Fountain Restoration

Work is well under way restoring Victoria Fountain at The Plain just over Magdalen Bridge.  Built to mark the Queens Diamond Jubilee in 1897, click on this link to read more about the fountain.   

More Road Works In St Aldate's

More road works in St Aldate's, at the moment it starts at the Post Office and heads down the hill past the front of Christ Church College, which is not going to be nice for all the tourist wanting to get a nice photo of the entry to the college and The Old Tom bell tower?  Anyway I think it is a summer thing in Oxford, we must have a major city centre road dug up during the summer months every year.  This photo was taken early this morning about 7am so not a lot of traffic, wait till rush hour on Monday, it will be a different picture altogether.

Taking All Of Oxford In

Up in Boars Hill this afternoon and spotted this cow just sitting in a field look out over Oxford, which is behind the cow in this shot.  It really brought home the fact that Oxford's country side is not that far away from it's city centre.

The Kite

Ever been delayed at Oxford Station?  This could be your answer, The Kite about a 5 minute walk from the station down Mill Street off the Botley Road.  Nice little friendly local run by an Australian by the name of Pete.  The food at this pub is very good, so get in early, oh and don't forget that delayed train??

Was down Turl Street this afternoon trying to get a photo of all the activity that was happening down that way.  There were film crews everywhere shooting an episode of Lewis, but I could get get to the area that was being filmed, but I did see this bike between two of the film trucks.

Oxenaforda

Welcome to Oxford, this is what you will see as you leave the Oxford Train Station, a life size Ox by which Oxford takes part of it's name, Oxenaforda,  was the Saxon name for the town. Not sure when the modern name Oxford first started to be used.

Snappy Snaps In Oxford

Need to get those great photos that you have taken while visiting Oxford, try Snappy Snap in Cornmarket.  I used them today and was very happy with the results and the service, not sure if anyone else has a comment on Snappy Snap in Oxford?

Let's Stop And Look At The Map

Just off the train in Oxford, and now lets have a look at the map and decided exactly what and where we are going today.  Planing your day trip to Oxford should start before you arrive I would recommend, not just out side the station like this group of day trippers.  

Rainy Day In Cowley

Just walking in Cowley past The Orginal Swan on a wet Saturday in Oxford.  When will the summer arrive in the UK this year??  This is what life is like in Cowley when the weather is not that great.