Chawley Brick Works Site

There has been industrial work at this site since 1846 and more than likely before that. This area used to be the site of the Chawley Brick and Tile works, who made bricks and tiles for the Earl of Abingdon, supplying the areas around Oxfordshire. After this the current business Timbmet moved in and have been here for about 50 years.  This afternoon while driving past I noticed the site was empty of the normal traffic and stock, and a large sign on the fence advertising the new housing development that would soon be started.  All the timber sheds have started to be pulled down and the site is starting to get ready for the developers to move in.  Have a look a these websites for information on the former Brickworks and this one for an aerial view of the timber works. It will be interesting to see how this area develops as it is a large site, photo's I am sure will be posted.

Wet Oxford Train Station

Arrived back in Oxford this afternoon having been away for a few days, and it was wet, cold and windy at the station as you can see from this photo of a few passengers getting off the 16.15 train from London. Definitely coat and umbrella weather today in Oxford.

O'niell's Oxford

This is the other side of the corner of New Inn Hall and George Street, working in from yesterdays photo.  You can see the Cluttons sign on the George Street side of the building saying that the ownership of this building has just changed hands, business not effected.  Not exactly sure what the upper parts of the building is used for however O'Niell's is an Irish theme bar, very busy at weekends.  Next post in a few days, sorry I am away for a few days.

Coffee Republic

This is one of the corners of New Inn Hall and George Streets in the city centre.  I have never been in to this Coffee Shop, as you will know I am not a big coffee drinker, however it is always very busy and I notice in the window that they have free WiFi, maybe handy for visitors.

Happy Birthday Your Majesty

Again in Oxford all the Government Building and all the Colleges of the university the Union Flag was flying for the Queen's actual Birthday.  Last year I posted photo's of Christ Church Colleges Royal Standard which is flown on Royal Events. This year the Queens Royal Cypher on a Royal Mail van with one of the Colleges of Oxford in the reflection. Happy Birthday Ma'am. 

Along the Thames

The banks of the Thames across from Christ Church College are starting to become busier as we move closer to Summer with narrow boats mooring up over night close to the city centre.  This morning we had low cloud over Oxford which made the river look a little misty, or was it because I was up early for a ride along the river?

Gloucester Arms Last Day

According to newspaper reports, the Gloucester Arms in Friars Entry will close it's doors after over 200 years of service residents and visitors to the City Centre of Oxford. Boasting "The Best Juke Box For Miles" this small pub down a small lane in the city centre is one of the last independent pubs in the City.  Catering for a unique group of clientele who are angry at St John's College who own the premises for not renewing the lease.  Tonight will be the last orders for this rough diamond of Oxford.

New College Oxford City Wall

The original city wall from the medieval times I think around 900AD can be seen once in New College grounds.  The wall on the left of this photo and part of New College, which is one of Oxfords Oldest is on the right. The wall can be seen at a few other places in Oxford, however the wall within New College grounds is the largest original remaining.  Well worth a look if the college is open.

Foggy Morning No View Hot Air Balloon

What are you looking at?  Well this morning is was very foggy and you could not see a lot as you can see from this photo.  If you look very closely, maybe you will need to click on the photo to view it full size, you will see at the bottom of the photo a Hot Air Balloon!  Imagine taking a ride in a Hot Air Balloon to see beautiful Oxford from the air and not being able to see more than 50m below!!  I could not believe it myself when I saw it, but there it was a Hot Air Balloon in the early morning fog.  Lets hope it went high enough to clear the fog and see Oxford covered in white blanket.

Quiet Lane Outskirts of Oxford

You are never too far from the country side in Oxford.  This photo taken just under 5km from Carfax up in Boars Hill, could be so far from the bustle of the city centre.   Indian Commissioner Visited Oxford today. 

Eat Thomas Cook

Remember this photo?  Well I think the guys at EAT have had a few problems cause even after they changed the sign to say February today when I walked past they are still along way from opening.  Anyway lets hope that they get up and running soon, I am going to keep you all posted on this one!

More Oxford Folk Festival Bourne Borderers

Again the Oxford Folk Festival was everywhere in and around the city centre.  The photo today is of a couple of members of the Bourne Borderers from Lincolnshire dressed up in all the traditional gear getting ready to perform in Cornmaket.  They are looking good!

Oxford Folk Festival Morris Dancers

The 5th Oxford Folk Festival is well under way today, with Morris Dancers from all over England putting on great public displays in every corner of the City.  This dancer was seen in Cornmarket, but there was dancing in Broad Street and the Castle Complex all day.  Most pubs this weekend will be hosting a Folk Band over the three day event.

Keble College Oxford, Mowing The Lawn

Well, it is that time of the year again, when you have to mow the lawn a little more often than you did over winter, if you did at all over winter.  The University with all the Colleges, Parks, and Sporting Grounds must cover 100's of miles each Summer mowing all the lawns they have.  Anyway this guy was walking up and down today mowing Liddon Quad at Keble College, which like all the College lawns always look the greenest of green all year round.

Brasenose College Old Quadrangle

Most photos of the Old Quadrangle at Brasenose College you see are taken from the other end of the Quadrangle so that you can see the Radcliffe Camera in the photo, however when I visited the college today the sun was not right to get that photo.I took this photo so you can see the large sun dial on the wall, and as you can also see today you could use the dial as it was very sunny this morning.   Brasenose College can trace it's foundations as a college back to 1509, however it could be older than that, it is in a great location right in the middle of the city. Well worth a visit, open most afternoons to the public.  

 

Spring Tulip

Spring in Oxford, the gardens are starting to look great with all the flowers coming out, and the lawns are looking good as well.  Love the bright Red and Yellow of this Tulip taken this morning.

Elms Parade Shops Botley

Iceland and the Co Op would be the anchor stores in the small Elms Parade Shopping area.  Photo taken today with all the snow from yesterday well and truly gone, this afternoon it is a nice sunny spring day.

Snow in Spring

Snow on the 6th of April in Oxfordshire is not that common these days.  However in the early hours of this morning we did get about 10cm of snow, as seen in this photo taken just of Opens Road in the City Centre.  This gentleman was out walking his dog to get his Sunday papers and told me that in the park the snow was very deep, he was said that he thought it was Spring not Winter, but the dog was enjoying it.

274 Banbury Road

Looking out of 274 Banbury Road in Summertown into the sun.

Traffic Delays At Oxford Mound

Work has started on repairing the Oxford Mound after a land slip during heavy rain last year.  The council are saying that it will cost about £150000 to repair the Oxford Mound in New Road taking three months to complete so I will revisit this area to keep you guys up to date.  Part of New Road has been closed to allow access and equipment in and out.  Have a look at a photo of the Mound take in 2007 with the covers on.

Oxford Central Library Staircase

Was in the Library today and decided to take a photo of the staircase that leads you back down to the Westgate Centre, which is very 1970 looking, you know all that "Feature" brick.  Anyway another reason that I took this photo is that as apart if the Westgate redevelopment we will be getting a new Central Library in Oxford.  While the redevelopment takes place I have been told that the Library will move in to Macclesfield House in New Road, I think they have already started to get this new area ready for the library to move into.