The Fishes

What a great way to spend a sunny afternoon, enjoying a drink at The Fishes which has a great outdoor area at the back of the pub.  I cycle to The Fishes as it is not that far from the city centre if you walk the back ways, it is only 15 minute cycle away to North Hinksey.  When I was visiting this afternoon I was reading about all the awards the pubs has received for the food that they are now serving, so I would suggest this would be a nice place to celebrate a special occasion.

Anyway, if you are in Oxford and would like to try a pub that is not that far from town with a difference, give it s try and let me know.

Red Star Noodle Bar Cowley Road

Photo of a few of the shops along the Cowley Road, which is a very busy trading street in Oxford both day and night.  Note of warning for those planning on having a meal towards the end of the night at the Red Star, they close at the closing time advertised, weather or finished or not.  Nice menu.

Sorry about the lack of posts I have been to France for a few days, should have updated the site, but had a busy few days leading up to my trip away.  Back now with bells on and a new twitter account, mmmm.

Oxford St George's Day

Happy St George's Day everyone! Is that a Dragon on the front lawn?

Posh Students Playing Croquet

Anyone for Croquet on the College Lawn?

New Bridge Coming Together

They have been working on this bridge for awhile now, but I have been told that the finished product will be less than a month away.  It is at the end of Osney Road going over the railway.  I have taken a few photo's of it before, January 2007 and in August 2007 when the restoration work started on this foot bridge. It is going to be close to two years since work to restore this bridge started to when it will be able to used again, wonder what the cost was?

No Skate Park In Oxford?

No Skate Park in Oxford?  Well if the Oxford Council's will not provide one we will make one!  Looks like alot of effort has gone in to making all the obstacles needed in a skate park in this disused lot close to the Oxford City Centre. Not sure how safe this all is?

Oxford Harley Davidson Club Toy Run Children's Hospital

A couple of the many Harley Davidson bikes parked outside the Oxford Children's Hospital.  Harley Davidson bikers from around Oxford and Thames Valley rode in mass to the hospital to donate gifts for the children who are being looked after at the hospital.

It looked like the members of the clubs involved had enjoyed both the bike ride into Oxford and also giving the gifts to the hospital which amounted to quiet a few cages of toys, games and craft items.  More photos here.

Polly Scattergood At The O2 Academy

What's on at the O2 Academy on the Cowley Road, well tonight Polly Scattergood will be playing, and I am going to this gig.  It will be my first visit to this venue on the Cowley Road and I am looking forward to seeing Polly on the Cowley Road I can not believe that tickets are just £6, I have only just found Polly's music and it should be great to see her live. See Oxford Mail review. 

I have tickets for a few other bands over the next couple of months at the O2 Academy so I am interested in seeing what the layout is. 

Visit Polly's Myspace page to listen to her stuff, I hope you enjoy.

Duke Of York Visit To Oxford Mini Plant

I was not able to see HRH The Duke of York today, but he was visiting the Mini Plant in Cowley in his role of UK Special Representative for Trade and Investment, promoting the Mini around the world.  There was a few more police around the car plant than normal, but apart from that you may not have known that the Queen's son was in town.  This photo is of the sign at the main gate to the Mini Plant.

Spring In Oxford - Lambing

I was going to take a photo a couple of weeks ago of all the little lambs around Oxford but did not have the chance, but today I was able to stop off in a field on the ring round around Oxford with lambs close to the fence.  You can tell the weather is getting better when you have all these young lambs just lazing about in the sun, absolutely love this time of the year.

Just Relaxing By The Oxford Canal

Hoping for a long warm or even hot Summer this year.  These guys are just relaxing in the sun at the end of the Oxford Canal, I am sure they are also hoping for a continuation of the sunny days so they can hang around outdoors like they are doing today instead of being stuck inside.

Abandoned Bicycle Tagged

With the large amount of bicycles in Oxford there is always parking problems in the central bike racks, so the City Council periodically have a clear out of bikes that have been abandoned, like this one in Broad Street. Not sure what happens to them once they have been removed?

Accident In Summertown

Late on Thursday afternoon there was an accident on the Banbury Road in front of Finders Keepers, involving an elderly driver and this traffic light.  From what I have read in the local media, the driver is in a hospital at the JR, and I hope everything is fine with him, the traffic light has been replaced now.

Just A Friendly Chat

Out the front of St John's College today one of the cities police officers was having a friendly chat to one of Oxford's homeless selling The Big Issue to passers by in St Giles.  Most of the Big Issue sellers in Oxford are harmless, just trying to get a few pounds for their night shelter and a meal.

Najar's Place

Najar's Place in St Giles outside St John's College is popular with both the students of the college and also motor bikers who park in this area close to the city centre.  Najar's in a small tuck shop selling everything from coffee, ice creams and sandwiches. Unique shop for Oxford close to the centre of town.

View Of Oxford From Shotover Country Park

Shotover is from the Old English word Scoet Ofer meaning steep slope and this steep slope was the main road in Roman Times from Oxford to London.  It was reported in April 1667 that the first "Flying Coach" to make the trip from Oxford to London in a day left All Souls College at 6am arriving in London at 7pm that evening, today the Oxford Tube can take about two hours do this trip but not on the Roman Road but the busy motorway.

Shotover is a great park, and well worth a visit on a nice sunny day like today was, with plenty of walks and space to get away from the city, which is only 5km away, it is hard to believe that this place is not busier on days like this, maybe it is one of Oxfords hidden parks?

Sunny View Of Royal Oxford

Very nice day in Oxford today, this photo was taken from the pedestrian bridge leading to the Oxford Train Station looking towards St Frideswide's Square and the Royal Oxford Hotel. St Frideswide is Oxford's patron Saint.

Oxford Literary Festival

This photo was taken inside the Blackwell's Tent that is set up in front of Christ Church College as part of the Oxford Literary Festival, this is a very big tent which is hosting book signings, and other events.  Oxford is having alot of Festivals at the moment, yesterday the Oxford Fringe Festival also started, which I am looking forward, hope to get a few photo's to post over the next couple of weeks

Youth Walks Past G20 Poster In Oxford

Couple of teenagers walk past a G20 Protest poster in Oxford without noticing it, however the decision being made at this summit I am sure will effect them more then they are yet to realise.  How long are we going to be paying for this economic mess?