Happy Birthday BBC Radio Oxford

On this day 40 years ago BBC Radio Oxford made it's first broadcast, just across the road from where the current studios are today. Todays photo is of the nerve centre of the station, where the programmes that we all love are staged, if you look carefully you can see Jo Thoenes in the studio. I have been in the studio when Malcolm Boyden's breakfast show is on, and this place is full of staff, taking calls etc.

I know a few of the staff at the station both front of house and a few of those behind the scenes, and they are all great people, running a very good station for all of us in Oxford. Happy Birthday, and I hope that you have a small celebration today.

These Swan's Are Huge

When you get up close these swans along the river, you just can see how large they are. This one was watching the rowing on the Thames when I was out walking today. I wanted to get a nice photo of the new students trying out the rowing, but he just kept walking towards me. So I just snapped a shot off, and I hope you can just see the boat in the back ground.

Great Day To Go Fishing

What a great day it was to go fishing, and as it is half term this week I am sure that many Dad's will be taking the kids fishing this week if the weather stays nice and sunny this week. I am not a big fisherman, however I can imagine how relaxing it must be on a warm day sitting by the River enjoying nature.

Car Free Cornmarket

During the day Cornmarket, one of Oxford's main shopping streets is completely vehicle, including bikes, but you always get the odd cyclist riding through. This being the case, there is a small window in the morning that you can drive down Cornmarket if you have business to do so, and I did not know just how busy it gets. I was up early doing a bit of business in the city centre, and you could not move for cars, delivery trucks, cyclist going to work/college it was a mad house in Cornmaket at that time of the morning.

Airman's Bridge Wolvercote Closed

Was up in the Wolvercote area today, it was lovely to be in this part of Oxford at this time of the year, however I was a little surprised when I turned the corner to see Airman's Bridge Closed. From what the sign states, it has been closed for a couple of weeks and will not reopen until the 5th of November. I am sure that the people of Wolvercote and Wytham have been happy that people have not been able to use this rat run, it must have been quiet in the roads during the school runs.

I think I have said this before, if you want a job for life get into Road Maintenance in the Oxford area, there is always work going on.

Trafalgar Day Celebrations

Across the country this weekend in celebration of the 205th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar and the death of Lord Nelson, Naval Personnel and Cadets like these guys being inspected, have marched in city squares. These are parades have mainly been a celebration for the Royal Navy, however the other forces have joined in the celebrations, and was a nice clear day it was today for these cadets.

These celebrations come at a good time for the Navy who experienced a small embarrassment earlier in the week with the grounding of one of it's submarines.

Couple Of Backpackers Resting

I love the range of visitors Oxford attracts, on the high end you have those staying at the five star Randolph or Malmaison Hotels paying top prices, per night. Then you have those on organised coach who might come for the day and stop over at one of the out of town motels, they normally are seeing the city with a tour guide. Todays photo, we have the backpacker staying at the city's youth hostel. I love the backpacker, with all there gear, looking for new experiences, adventure, and a good time. When I was walking around the city today, I spotted these two girls a couple of times, including here out the front of Christ Church College reading there guide book. I think it was the British Airways bag that I keep seeing that stuck in the mind. Hope they had a good visit.

Good Morning Oxford

WOW, what a great way to start the day, with the sun just popping over Oxford. I can never seem to get a good photo of the vapor that we see this time of the year that all the aircraft flying over Oxford leave behind. I think I will have to try a little harder, as it looks interesting at times when you get a few in different directions.

Thanks to everyone who has left comments for me, read them all, and it is nice to know that my simple photo's bring back memories of time in Oxford. Thanks again.

Autumn Walk Around The Colleges

What a great way to spend the afternoon, a nice walk in the sun enjoying the lovely parks and college buildings of Oxford with you other half. Good on you guys for making the most of the day, love the long shadows against Merton College wall, with those plants growing out of the wall.

Avenue Of Tree's

Went for a nice Autumn walk around Christ Church Meadow this morning, nice to get into this lovely area of Oxford at this time of year. The air was crisp however when you stood in the sun it was a nice day. I like this Avenue of Tree's leading down to the River Thames, today I had a little chat with Zoe Peterssen, the old lady in this photo on the right. She is an Artist who is often seen sitting in Christ Church Meadow and other parks of Oxford sketching trees on large sheets of paper. She is one of Oxford infamous characters who I am sure has come in contact with many visitors and residents alike. She is often very hard to engage, however today I was lucky to be shown her work, and has a chat for about 30min after taking this photo.

Little Cool For A Milkshake Today

Ohohohoh, it is starting to get chilly in Oxford now, that might be why Shake-A-Way store was a little empty this afternoon, but I can not resist a good milkshake. I think they are starting to do warm shakes now, never had one, but I could be tempted.

Hairspray Hits The New Theatre

Tonight was the opening night of Hairspray the musical at the New Theatre in Oxford and it was a sold out show. This is the musical that is based on the movie of the same name, it will be in Oxford for the next two weeks, I am hoping to see it later in the week. Let me know if you have seen it, hoping it will be good. I see that the theatre have put a large can of hairspray on te side of the building as a promotion, might try and get a better shot of that during the day.

Shopping Trolley On Cross Walk

Students are back in town, I think a few still think it is Fresher's Week? Spotted this just as the sun was setting this evening. Who and How are two questions that come to mind, and the other is how long?

Peartree Welcome Break

Headed out of Oxford today, and stopped at the new, well new to me, Welcome Break at Peartree Services on the A34. Right on the edge of North Oxford this service area has completely changed since I last used it. It was a Little Chef, but now has completely transformed and has a Starbucks, Waitrose and KFC. I like the promotional old double decker bus out the front. Good to get and early start, with a quick drink at before hitting the road.

The Crown On Cornmarket

A couple walk past The Crown on Cornmarket, just next to McDonald's which has been closed for a couple of days now. I am not sure what is happening at the Crown, has it closed or is it undergoing a refit, lets hope that later as we are losing too many smaller pubs in Oxford, my local closed last week with no warning. Lets hope The Crown will reopen soon, as it was a great little boozer in the city centre, and you all know my feelings on larger corporate take overs of local businesses...

Nice And Quiet On The Oxford Canal

Love walking both the Oxford Canal and the River Thames around Oxford. It is nice and easy to get out of the busy noisy city centre and start to relax within in a 10 minutes along the canal, I would love to one day have a canal boat and lots of time to just cruise the English country side. Oh that would be the life.

Inside The Natural History Museum

This was what the inside of the Natural History Museum looks likes. I had a post from Leif in the comments section of the last post asking what the inside of the Museum looks like, so I decided to post this photo. It is a great place to visit when it is wet outside and entry is by donation, so if you are in Oxford on a wet day talk a quick walk to this Museum, well worth it.

Waiting Natural History Museum

Waiting out the front of the Natural History Museum and getting a little of what could be the last of the Autumn sun.

Oxford To Cambridge Bike Ride 2010

Bit of a wet and windy start to this years Oxford to Cambridge bike ride this morning. I was not aware that this event was today, as had I know I would have entered I think, I must plan ahead next year and get a team together. I was in the city centre early this morning and noticed all the cyclist gathering in Gloucester Green, everyone was pumped up getting ready to start the ride. It is not a race, and you can leave over a two hour period between 7am and 9am for the ride on country roads to Cambridge. I was told that it would be about a 4-6hour ride to Cambridge. There was arrangements in place to bus the riders back to Oxford with there bikes should they need it, and I think that the money raised was going to the British Heart Foundation. Pity the weather was not that great today, but a big well done to all those to rode in the ride today! Congratulations!

Brasenose Lane Bike Racks

Took this photo not far from yesterdays, it is of all the bike on Brasenose Lane, this little passage between two colleges leading towards the Radcliffe Camera. The lane was so busy today not only with bikes, but with people stopping and chatting. There is a group of about 7 students at the end of the bike rack just stopped sitting around catching up after being away for the summer, I guess, nice to be part of an impromptu chit chat.