River Thames Busy For Oxfords Eights

The Thames/Isis was very busy today, with every craft you can imagine on the River, the good weather brings everyone out , and it was Eight's finals today. This photo was taken from Folly Bridge and you can see how busy the River was with the University's 8's, Punters, Canal Boats, and Ferry's all vying for space. More photo's of the Eight's and River Thames here.

Down By The River

We have had a few nice days and when the weather is nice in Oxford to head towards the river, which is where I was over parts of the weekend.  Long warm evenings in the sun down by the river, sounds like a plan.  

Oxford Twin City Bonn Celebrations

Visitors from Oxford sister city, Bonn in Germany enjoying the sunshine in Bonn Square.  These guys where very happy to be representing Bonn while chatting to visitors and locals in Bonn Square over the weekend.  There is a large group of people from Bonn in Oxford this weekend to celebrate the twinning relationship with Oxford and to take part in the Lord Mayor's Parade on Monday in Oxford.

I will be on holidays for a month starting mid June, if anyone is interested in continuing the Oxford Daily Photo photo's while I am away I would be happy for anyone who is in Oxford to do this, even if it is for a week if I find a few people, please email me if you can help out.

Early Morning Oxford

Taken this morning at about 5.10am the light looked great just on the outskirts of Oxford so I stopped to take this quick snap, nothing more to add really.  

Oxford and Cherwell Valley College Going

This part of the college has just about gone and will soon become part of the new Westgate Shopping centre development, from what I understand this area will be the new parking lot and bus station. They have been working on this part of the college for about three weeks now, and I would think that it will be all down by the weekend, still lots of material to be carted away. This was the building on the Eastern side of Castle Mill Stream.

Remember Cornmarket resurfacing?

Remember all the problems that we had about two years ago with the resurfacing of Cornmarket and then the resurfacing again six months later?  I know the retailers in the city centre do, lets hope this is not the start of this old chestnut again.

Walking Along The Oxford Canal

Now I can not remember what Matt said these flowers are called, I think he said Cow's Cauliflower's but I could be completely wrong, but today while out walking along the canal past all the narrow boats had to stick the track.  Did not come across anyone coming the other way.

Oxford Covered Market Open Sunday

Now this is something new, the Covered Market Open on a Sunday.  From today until I am not sure when the Covered Market will be opening on a Sunday, which I think is great, as I love this old Market in the city centre and I am sure visitors who only get to Oxford on a Sunday will also enjoy having access to this great Oxford institution.

Oxford Students Graduating

This time of year in Oxford you will see students of the University in there traditional gowns going to or returning from graduation ceremonies which take place in Sir Christopher Wren's Sheldonian Theatre in Broad Street.  These guys are just coming out of there ceremony after year's of study and partying in Oxford. Congratulations!

You Have Been Warned

What more can be said?

Open Today Coco's Deli Park End Street

Just opened today at the station end of Park End Street within the Oxford Hotel/Coco's a very smart looking Deli.  Popped in for a look this afternoon and was impressed with the range of fruit and pasta.  Hope they go well. Loose limes 20p each.

Public Wedding Photo's In Oxford

Oxford is a great place to have your wedding photo's, with all the magnificent buildings to have as a back drop, but you will have to share them with all the tourist that visit the city each day. Just like this lovely couple who looked great while walking the city centre with photographer and visitors alike, this photo was taken under Hertford Bridge in New College Lane, the bridge links the new and old Quadrangles of Hertford College.

The Bike Bell Orchestra

Radcliffe Square on Sunday and the first meeting of the Oxford Bike Bell Orchestra is in full swing, with everyone ringing there bells to a backing track.  Was part of the Oxford Bike Festival with events over the weekend.  They even had a 7 seater bike that looked very interesting, have a look here.

Brasenose College Ball Takes Over Radcliffe Square

College Ball's are lavish events most years, but a ball on your 500th year as a college was going to be special and I think the Brasenose College Ball last night was just that.  Walking around yesterday and this morning you can see that the college completely took over the area around the Radcliffe Camera with Champaign tents, and other food stalls and this fairs wheel, which you don't often see with the Camera as a back drop.  According to the Ball Website the party started at 6.30pm on Saturday Night and went on it 5.30am Sunday Morning, I hope everyone enjoyed themselves which I am sure they did and who said that we are in a recession. 

Back To Basics

You know with all the advancement in communication and advertising that has taken place over the last 50 years, with newspapers, blogs, Twitter, SMS messages, Television, junk mail, and even spam emails, in Summertown North Oxford, they prefer the old notice pinned to a tree! Very classy in Summertown.

Resting At The Oxford Castle

This area in the centre of Oxford has really become a focal point in Oxford, with the development of the prison into a 5✭ hotel.  This photo was taken from the area behind the hotel next to the mound which is believed to be apart of the castle built around 1071.  I am not sure how old the tree is at is on top of the mound but it just makes the mound all that more interesting.  Anyway, it costs a £1 to walk up to the top of the mound and from the top you get a nice view of this part of Oxford, nice on a clear day like today.

Tourist Season On Bank Holiday Monday

Tacky Oxford, Do you think these stall holders targeting visiting tourist with the tacky Oxford /Union Jack souvenirs and the graduating students with the balloons? Oh don't we love Bank Holiday Mondays in the UK!! I hate these stall all over the pavement in the city centre, you just can not get past with all the people around.

Couple Of Oxford Pigs Enjoying The Sun

These pigs just outside Oxford appear to be unaware of all bad press the English Media are running about them at the moment.  I know that a young school girl from Oxfordshire has had the Swine Flu but has thankfully recovered.  I can not remember when pigs have had this much coverage in the news, and it is about time too, but I think these guys may have hoped for a better angle than they are currently getting. Lets hope that once this Swine Flu has passed that the media can run more positive pig stories to balance up the current negative campaign which is in most newspapers at the moment.

St Giles Post Office Moved And Now O

Noticed this today, that Oxford has a new Post Office at the back of the Globe Newsagent just along from the Post Office's old site on the Woodstock Road.  I know that a lot of people are concerned about the closures of Post Offices, so it was nice to see this one reopen in a new location.  As an added bonus, I don't think many people know that it is here so it is very quiet, and did not have that long Post Office queue. If you are looking for a quiet Post Office close to town pop in and see Nadia and staff at the St Giles Post Office.

Toast At May Day Celebrations

Well from what the papers are saying about 8000 people attended the May Day Celebrations in Oxford this morning by the Magdalen Bridge, and from what I saw I would think that would be right.  Lots of students arrived straight from there college balls/party's including this guy dressed a piece of Toast.  Great costume, loved it.  The whole atmosphere was very jubilant, you have to remember that most of the students had not been to bed and other up very early to get a good spot.

Once the bridge opened around 6.30 am a few students managed to continue that Oxford tradition of jumping off the bridge into the River Cherwell on May Day Morning.

Couple more photo here..

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?

Oxford Wins The 2009 Boat Race

This photo is not of the 2009 Boat Race, but was taken on the River Isis at last years University Torpids.  Congratulations to Oxford for winning this years Boat Race against Cambridge University in London.  Todays win is Oxford 75th out of the 155 races closing in to Cambridge's 79 wins, Keep it up Oxford

Basket Weaving Northmoor Trust

Today I was at the Northmoor Trust and spent the day on a very interesting one day course in Basket Weaving.  The Northmoor Trust is about 10miles from Oxford, this is the first photo posted to the blog that is outside my guidelines of all photo's being 5km of Carfax, but I had a very relaxing and enjoyable time that I decided it was worth bending the rules this once.  At the end of the day we all took home a small basket that we had made and learnt a new skill of Basket Weaving.  The only materials we used was the flexible part of the Willow Tree to make the basket, mine turned out a little odd looking, but I was happy with it over all, have a look here.

Tucker you missed out on a very interesting day, Natasha was great to meet you, and we will have to show Tucker how to weave one day.

Reflections From History Department

Reflection from the window of the History Department into New Inn Hall, this is the spire of Wesley Memorial Church.

Daffodils In Kennington

Right by the side of the road in Kennington is this large patch of Daffodils, they look great when they are all out together.  Just a blanket of yellow under the trees close to to the flyover, oh look a Red double decker bus in the background!!

Seeney's Closed Water Eaton

Not been up this way for awhile.  Was going to visit Seeney's, a local Animal and Pet food business in Oxford, at Water Eaton between North Oxford and Kidlington only to find the area closed, used to be a car hire company in here as well.  I am not sure when this happened, however there other two stores at Western-On-The-Green and Garsington are advertised as still being open.

Blossom Tree At St Mary The Virgin Oxford

I think this is the only tree on the High Street in Oxford, which is a shame, I would like to see more trees in the city centre, but I am sure the City Council would not like the expense of keeping them. Anyway this blossom tree out the front of St Mary the Virgin is stopping people to get a photo of it in full bloom. It looks great against the old church on a very nice Spring day, the tree itself looks very old as well.

Oxford Dance Festival

These actors had just finished an open air performance in and around Brasenose Place as apart the Oxford Dance Festival 2009.  It was promoted as an evocative, inspiring and magical journey of dance...an unforgettable City Tour with a difference.  I would have to say that this was something that I have never seen before in Oxford and I really enjoyed it along with the large crowd that followed the performers around.

Vapour On A Blue Sky

This week we have had blue sky all week so far, and we are hoping that it will last for many weeks to come.  I love seeing the vapour trails that the airplanes leave as they fly over Oxford.  I often wonder where these planes are going?  And can they make out Oxford from that height? 

St Patrick's Day In Oxford

Sorry for the lack of posts yesterday, but as you can see from this photo I was out celebrating St Patrick's day with a couple of mates.  The Irish pubs in Oxford were very busy for a Tuesday evening, and from what I remember everyone was enjoying themselves, and I am sure a more than a few had a headache this morning.

Charity Hitch Hike To Morocco

Meet these two students in St Giles this morning who are hitching to Morocco to raise money to raise money for the charity LINK who help with the building of schools in Africa. They told me that they hope to get to Morocco in about 6 days.  Good on them, I give them a donation for the charity to help them along.  Not sure how they are going to get back!!  Good Luck Guys!!

I just looked at the LINK website and you can track the progress of the hitchers, unfortunately I did not get these guys names to this, anyone recognise them? Would love to see how they are going.

Sunny French Market

There is a travelling French Market in Oxford this weekend, this time it is in Gloucester Green, very close to the bus station.  I had a look this afternoon, not a lot of interesting stalls, I really like to fresh fruit and veg stall along with the cheese stall, the rest I could leave.