Byron's Backside

About ten days ago I photographed a building from George Street, where there is going to be a new restaurant, Bryons. There was not date for the opening of this hamburger restaurant on any of the notices at the front so I decided to walk around the back to see what was going on, and boy did I get a surprise. Look the whole back of the building is under construction, so I am not sure when this new eatery will be opening, but I would be right in saying, not this month.

Queen's College Oxford

Queen's College was the Oxford college that Rowan Atkinson's attend while he was studying in Oxford. It is on the High Street in Oxford, and a number of busy High Street bus stops are along its High Street side. There is a small lane that runs down the side of Queen's College, Queen's Lane that leads to the Bridge of Sighs. This lane has no traffic and is a nicer way to get into the City centre if you are travelling by foot or bike from the High Street.

Walk In Christ Church Meadows

What a nice way to end the Easter Long Weekend with a stroll around the Meadow's while the weather was clear, which it was for a couple of hours this afternoon. Not the best of days for all the visitors to Oxford this weekend, but a couple of hours of no rain is time to get out and enjoy it.

Oxford Street Food Festival

Not a large festival, the Oxford Street Food Festival in Gloucester Green has a couple of interesting food vendors that I have not seen before. The Hungarian Chimney Cake was a new one for me, so I had to try it and it was very nice, sweet, a variation on the donut I am sure. Have a look at the making of pages here for more photo's

The Kings Arms

Well, if you can not get to London to see "The Boat Race" the next best place to watch this annual rowing race between Oxford and Cambridge University has to be The Kings Arms. However this years race did not finish as planned for Oxford University the favourites to win this years race, as 8 minutes into the event, having a slight lead, the race was stopped as a protester swam into the path of the Oxford boat.

Australian Trenton Oldfield swam in the path of the Oxford boat, and the race was stopped for 30 minutes, and a restart called, just after this restart the Oxford Boat broke one of there oars, resulting in Cambridge winning the 158th Boat Race.

Ahead Is On Your Left

Saw this sign on the junction of Turl and Broad Streets, but I am not sure why there is an arrow on it? Ahead in Oxford must mean on the, or to the left? Strange don't you think?

End Of The Day

This photo was taken today, honestly. Living in Oxford at times you could be mistaken for being in the early 1900's, especially around the colleges.

Byron Hamburgers Will Soon Be In Oxford

Bryon, a mainly London based hamburger chain will soon be opening in George Street, Oxford. It is going to be just a couple of doors down from the Gourmet Burger Kitchen, which is going to be interesting. I think this location on George Street will be good to Byron's as it is a large unit and I think this chain is going to be a popular addition to the other restaurants in this part of town.

Oxford Literary Festival Tent

Today is the final day of the Oxford Literary Festival which has been taking place over the 10 days in and around the city centre, with the main events taking place in this giant tent in front of Christ Church College. Apart from the lecture space in this tent is an annex of Oxford's Blackwell's Bookshop, a Bar and Jamie's Italian Restaurant. If you missed it this year, sign up for more information on the Festival website.

Gordon Brown At The Skoll World Forum

The Skoll World Forum was in Oxford this week, with 100's of delegates in the city centre to discuss ideas, make new contacts and information about social entrepreneurship. The New Theatre in George Street was one of the venues that major speeches took place, one of the speakers this year was Gordon Brown, the previous Prime Minister of Great Briton.

Lunch Time In Summertown

I don't think anyone here is worried about the Prime Ministers comments on filling up their car's with fuel before the tanker drivers go out on strike. Everyone is totally enjoying the great weather have been having. Looks like the Dew Drop have a new large parasol out the front of the pub.Wonder how many people went back to work or just continued enjoying the sun. How long will it last?

Sunny Sunny Port Meadow

Took a 20km bike ride about Oxford this afternoon stopping to take many many photo's as the weather was so good, but I think this one of Port Meadow in the blazing March sun was my best shot of the day. We have been have great weather these last couple of days it is amazing and I am hoping that this will continue for the next 4 months!! Not a cloud in the sky, you have to love good weather.

Go On, Do It, Jump

The Cellar just off Cornmarket is a great little venue to see local bands perform live, in a very intimate setting. For about £3 on a Monday you are able to see good local talent, tonight local band, who met via Gumtree, Go On, Do It, Jump performed there first live gig at the Cellar.

Festival Time In Oxford

There are three festivals happening in Oxford this weekend, one is serious the Oxford Literary Festival which is on all week, we also have the Oxford Dance Festival on this weekend. The other festival, which is a little more to my liking, especially with Easter just around the corner, is the Oxford Chocolate Festival in Broad Street all weekend. mmmm.

Danse des Cariatides Warm Up

Was lucky again today, just as I was walking past the Oxford Castle Complex I noticed a bit of activity around one of the court yards. That activity turned out to be Danse des Cariatides aerial dancers practising for there weekend performances, as part of the Oxford Dance Festival 2012. They are going to be performing on Friday and Saturday evening for free in the air around the Oxford Castle, all part of this weekend Dance Festival.

5:48am In Beaumont Street

Taken at 5:48am this morning Beaumont Street was void of traffic, and there was only one lonely car parked in the street. It was very light this morning so taking this photo was very easy, I would have liked to have been around at 5:48pm this afternoon to see what the street looks like just 12 hours later, might take that photo tomorrow if I am around?

Two English King's were born in Beaumont Palace which once stood in this area in the 12th century, John, King of England and Richard I of England.

Sunset In Oxford and Joan Baez

Took this photo just as the sun was setting over a very sunny Oxford today, and noticed that the poster in the photo was referencing a Joan Baez concert that was to be played tonight at the New Theatre, what a great way to end the day.

Busy Day At The Oxford Cheese Company

There is always a lot of people at the counter of the Oxford Cheese Company's stall in the Covered Market, especially on a Saturday. They have a large range of Cheese for sale, including the Oxford Blue and Reblochon, both of which were on my shopping list for a couple of recipes that I am making this weekend. The Oxford Cheese Company's stall in the Covered Market is the first place to visit if you need Cheese in Oxford.

Mallam's Vintage Poster Auction

This Saturday at Mallam's in St Michaels Street there will be a auction of 1950's and 1960's promotional posters. I am not sure how many there are in this private collection, but from what I saw on the trading floor this afternoon, there appeared to be over 250. If you are interested in these collectable items, you need to act quickly, as the Auction is on this Saturday in Oxford. Always selling interesting items at this city centre auction house.

Eat My Box Productions Launches

I was lucky to be invited to the launch event for a new theatre production company, Eat My Box Productions this evening at the very popular Cafe Tarifa on the Cowley Road. If the launch evening reflects the standard and creativity of the productions this company hopes to produce than Oxford has a very good new theatre company. There first production is already in rehearsals at the moment and will be performed at the Oxford Castle Mound at the end of April, Lord Of The Flies.

Hosepipe Ban In Oxford

Maybe my observations of the water level's at Farmoor Reservoir were a little wrong on Sunday, oopps. This was the front page news on this mornings Oxford Mail. The rain we have had over the Winter has not been enough to fill the rivers and dams around the shire, so we could be facing a strict watering ban this Summer.

McFly Playing To Sold Out New Theatre

McFly played to a sold out New Theatre last night. The audience jumped to their feet as soon as McFly took to the stage, and enjoyed every moment of the show. I am sure everyone enjoyed the night from the amount of screaming and cheering that went on during the show.

Sailing And Fishing On Farmoor Reservoir

I had heard that the water levels at Farmoor Reservoir were getting low on the radio the other day so I decided to pop out have have a look. I was expecting to see them a bit lower from the reports, and maybe they are low for this time of the year, but I did not see anything that would concern me. There are still a couple of boats on the water, including these two. Previous Photo's of Farmoor here.

Oxford V Cambridge Varsity AFL Match

Passersby Exeter College sports ground may have been a little confused this afternoon with the four posts at each end of a large oval. The annual Varsity Australian Rules Football match between Oxford and Cambridge was taking place at the grounds and the place was full of Australian Rules supporters from both Universities. This photo taken in the second half, at which time Oxford for well in front, Cambridge forward in green trying to score 4 points.

Bike With Trailer And Another Trailer

Now this is what Oxford is about, doing things by bike. However this cafe has taken it's home/office deliveries to a new level. They have there delivery bike with a double trailer, stopped on double yellows with out the worry of a ticket, now that's smart.

Happy Silver Anniversary Oxford Tube

The Oxford Tube is 25 today, as the notice on all of the buses say. The Oxford Tube is one of the bus company's that operate between Oxford and London. Reading the press release on the company's website they say the company operate 87 buses on the Oxford to London route, running 24 hours a day, up to every 10 minutes during the busy peek times. As a special promotion if it is your birthday today you can use the Oxford Tube today for free..

The First Of The Days Sun

Was great to be outside today, and this photo was taken while walking to work early this morning, as the sun started to hit the top of this building. Anyone have a guess as to there or what this building is?

Oxford University's 4x4 On Display Wild Cat

I don't know what this was all about, but this afternoon in front of the Said Business School there was this monster custom 4x4 parked in the front court yard. I had a very quick look over it, and it was full to the brim of computers and electronics, and it has Oxford University badges front and back, so I can only assume that it is a research car of some description. Didn't look like it has gone off road that often, looked very clean.

Had an update since posting and a link. The car has a name, Wild Cat, and you can see more videos from this link, which is part of the Oxford Mobile Robotic Group, interesting stuff.

Yesterday Fog, Today Snow

Taken in the same spot as yesterdays photo, but today we don't have fog but snow, or sleet. I think this afternoons 30min or so of sleet to everyone by surprise, I certainly was not expecting it and I was happy to say that it did not settle.

Early Morning Fog In Summertown

Been foggy over the last couple of days in Oxford especially early in the mornings, like this morning. Saying that the day time temperature has been pleasant, so things a looking up on the weather front.

Spring Must In The Air

What do they say about seeing your first bumble bee? I am not sure, but I think it must mean that Spring is not to far away as I don't think that bumble bee's like to be out in the cold weather. While I was out for a walk this morning in what must be the best Sunday of the year so far, the sun was shinning all day, temperature was about 12°c and the there was no wind, I spotted my first bumble bee of the year. He was a little hard to photograph, so this was the best photo of many blurred..

Flag Pole Works At Town Hall

That is a lot of scaffolding around the Town Hall in Oxford for what appears to be work on the flag pole. Not sure how long it took to put all this in place, but I hope that work on the pole takes longer than the assembling and disassembling of the scaffolding.

Bishop's Pancake Flipping In Oxford

The things you come across when you don't have your camera. I was walking home in Cornmarket this afternoon and spotted a group of Bishop's flipping Pancakes in the middle of Cornmarket. What is the collective name for three Bishops?

Luckily I had my old iPhone 3gs, so I was about to get a shot for today's photo. Promoting Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day where the Bishop's of Reading, Oxford, John Pritchard and Dorchester, all very happy to be in the centre of attention and handing out pancakes with a Christian message to passersby.

Ryman's Opens New Store In Queen Street

A couple of weeks ago I posted a photo of the closed Barrett's store in this location. Ryman's was in the High Street about 100m's away from this photo, but that store in now closed and has reopened here in Queen Street in a smaller store. Good to see that this store has not remained empty for too long, but what I going to happen to the old larger Ryman's store in the High Street?

Turl Street Arts Festival

Today was the final day of the week long Turl Street Arts Festival, according to there website the festival is, an annual week-long festival held in February, involving students from the three Turl Street Colleges in Oxford: Jesus College, Exeter College and Lincoln College.

While most colleges in Oxford have some kind of Art's celebration during the year, the Turl Street event is unique that it is the only festival to bring three colleges together in one event. Members of the public are more than welcome to most of the events, if you missed out this year, keep an eye out for next years Turl Street Arts Festival.

Students Line For Lang Lang

I am not sure how many students the Oxford Union Debating Chamber will seat, as you can see from this photo, the line of students waiting to see Chinese pianist, Lang Lang was going to test it's capacity. Lang Lang is in Oxford to do a number of concerts this weekend including one at the Sheldonian Theatre in Broad Street on Sunday with Sir Michael Parkinson and the Oxford Philomusica. From this reports in the local press it was standing room only in the Oxford Union for his Friday Night event.

This Is Not A Green Bin

Only in Oxford would a Green Bin actually be a Blue Bin? Blue Bin's in Oxford are for recycled rubbish, so I am guessing that this house has lost their original Blue Bin, so they have made there Green Bin the Blue Bin, confused?

Frozen Oxford Canal Almost Gone

The ice that was on the Oxford Canal at the weekend as almost disappeared, it is only in a few places now in the city centre. I would say that by tomorrow it will have all gone, was nice while it lasted, bit easier for the boaters now.

Happy Valentines Day Oxford

Happy Valentines Day to everyone in Oxford, that was the message that I spotted on the footpath in Cornmarket this afternoon. If you celebrate St Valentines Day, I hope you day has been full of love.

Great Welly Boot Storage

When you have this many Welly Boot's I am sure you need a system to store them, and this would have to be one of the better ones that I have seen. All boots are hanging upside down and up high in the landing, could not get them all in the photo. Genius.

Snow On Port Meadow

I hope that these horses are getting feed, as there is still a lot of snow around in the fields and on Port Meadow as you can see from this photo. We have not had snow since Friday, but with the temperature being low for most of the weekend the snow is still around.

Todays Weather In Oxford Was Cold

How can you capture the temperature in that photo? This is very hard to do, but if you have the current temperature on your iPhone you could take a photo of that, and this is what I did at 0744 this morning. As you can see Oxford had a very cold start to the weekend, -12 celsius.

It's Starting To Snow Again In Oxford

I was on my way back from the station this evening when it started to snow in Oxford. This was about 9pm on Thursday Evening, you have been warned, in the morning Oxford could have a nice blanket of snow. Let's hope we get the snow but not the disruption that often comes with a heavy snow fall.

St Bernards Road Fancy Dress

What's happening to the fancy dress shop on the corner of Kingston and St Bernards Road?

Work On University Church

First time been down is way for a while I noticed all the work and scaffolding around the University Church on the High Street. There appears to be a lot of work going on in this area, including in Brasenose College. I bet that putting all that scaffolding around the main tower of this church took a while to plan and put in place.

According the church website parts of the church including the cafe and the viewing area on the tower will be closed for six months from January while this restoration work takes place.

"After years of consultations, planning and fund-raising we are now entering into the final exciting but messy phase of the project. The enabling work will continue until the New Year on the outside of the church and then the restoration and development starts properly.The Chancel, De Brome Chapel, Tower, Vestry, Old Library and Cafe will all be closed for a period of six months from January 2012"

Queen Celebrating 60 Year Reign

The Royal Cypher of Queen Elizabeth which has been seen on Post Boxes for the last 60 years, pictured here in Queen Street Oxford. It was on this day in 1952 that our current Queen's father, George 6th died and Princess Elizabeth ascended to the throne to become Queen. All over Oxford today you could see the Union Flag flying from colleges and government buildings. This year there are plenty of events happening to mark this milestone, and I am sure you will see a few posted here.

Snowy Port Meadow With Reindeer

WOW, we have had a little bit of snow over night in Oxford, when I woke up this morning the whole place was white. I went out to try and get a few nice photo's of a snowy Oxford, and while I did head down to Port Meadow and managed to get a few nice photo's, I did not see this great snow sculpture. Any idea who did this? How long did it take?

This photo comes from #RichTheWard who was out on the Meadow about the same time as me, however must have been a bit closer to the city, thanks RichTheWard for your permissions.

Traffic Hold Up In Oxford

There has been traffic congestion in and around Oxford for the last couple of days due to what looks like major works going on at the start of the Botley Road near St Frideswide's Square. This yellow pumping truck has been here all week, and as you can see from this photo is blocking up one lane. Took this photo from the pedestrian bridge to the train station.

World Wetlands Day 2012

Was out for another walk today along the Oxford Canal when I found this reserve that I did not really know about, The Trap Grounds. This land and water reserve was once an unofficial tip for the people of North Oxford, and according to the Trap Grounds, the name has been used to describe this area since 1832 but the original reason is unknown. This photo is of the entrance to The Trap Grounds, which is along the Canal near the bridge on Frenchay Road.

It was fitting that I took this photo today, as when I was at home I heard on the BBC that today is World Wetlands Day. This day marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea. Each year since 1997, the Ramsar Secretariat has provided materials so that government agencies, non-governmental organizations, conservation organisations, and groups of citizens can help raise public awareness about the importance and value of wetlands.

Ryman The Stationer On High Street Oxford

How long will this store in on the High Street? Rumor has it that this store maybe moving from the High Street to another location in Oxford. With all the students in Oxford you would think the stationery stores would be gold mine.