We Are Open Christmas Day For Drinks And Treats

This was a nice sign to see when I was coming out of the Isis Farmhouse today, a sign to say that they are going to be open on Christmas Day, I think I might just take a wonder along the tow path after Christmas Lunch for a pint. Not sure of the hours that they will be open. If you are in Oxford on any day I would recommend a walk along the River (Thank Chris for pointing out that this part of the River Thames can also be referred to as The Isis) down to Isis Farmhouse for a pint and a bite to eat, but it can be busy in the summer months, you have been warned.

Arthur Street Oxford OX2 0AS

This was Arthur Street Oxford this morning, taken from the end looking back up the street towards Russell Street. The old Oxford City power station on the left, now used by Oxford University's Engineering department, backs on to the River Thames. I took this photo as I had a nice comment from June in Florida who used to live in this street and left Oxford in 1950 for Florida. Hope this photo brings back a few memories, I am not sure how often you get back to Oxford June, but if you do drop me a line, would love to hear stories of how Oxford has changed.

Controlling Dogs And Childern

Spotted this sign down at the Iffley Lock, not sure how politically correct this is grouping children and dogs together like this, but it made me smile.

Sainsbury's At The Plain

There's another new supermarket in Oxford, this time it is a Sainsbury's under the student accommodation at The Plain. Not a very large store, but we are definitely in the middle of a supermarket war in Oxford at the moment with all these new smaller stores popping up all over the city. This store will be popular with the students in the area I am sure.

Christmas In The Covered Market

Oh, I love the Covered Market at the best of times, but at Christmas this market is just special. The fresh produce that you can get at this market right in the centre of town is just unbelievable, and worth a look if you are in the city. Was in the market to visit the fish monger, but just had time to snap this photo, of the butcher out the front of his stall helping an elderly customer with her meat selection, with live Christmas trees in front. If you are in Oxford do yourself a favour and visit the covered market, you will not be disappointed.

White Oxford But Is It Snow?

Thanks everyone for the nice comments that I have been getting over the last month or so, it is really nice to know that the photo's I post hit accord with readers.

One comment was about snow and asking where was all the snow in Oxford, well while the rest of the UK has been having loads of snow we in Oxford have had hardly any. Now this white stuff on the ground in the photo looks like snow, however I am not sure as I think it may have been frozen fog, cause it was just so fine. It did however still make it slippery to walk on, and also made the place look all wintery and it was very cold.

Caught In Traffic On Oxpens Road

I think the Christmas rush of traffic trying to get in to Oxford has started. I spent about 30 minutes in traffic going nowhere in the rain, I have taken a photo like before, with the rain on the windscreen, I like the effect if has on the lights. Anyway, my advice to anyone coming in to Oxford, please use the park and ride system, it will save you time and parking charges in the city centre.

Tonight On Magdalen Street

Nice crisp this evening in Magdalen Street, but no snow in Oxford at the moment. We have had a very little bit of snow over the last couple of days, but nothing that has stayed around in any depth for more than a couple of hours. I have had a couple of comments asking where the snow was in Oxford, well have have not had any to talk of, just very chilly weather. See the Christmas lights in Cornmarket?

Headington Shell Service Station

Not sure what is happening up at the Shell service station on the London Raod in Headington, but what ever it is, there are some major construction going on. There was a Sainsbury's in this station the last time I visited, which had extended opening hours, but I am not sure that it is open with all this work going on.

gritting The Road Of Oxfordshire

With the snow that we had over night the County Council is not taking any chances with the temperature staying low over night, and the chances of snow high again, so the gritters were out this afternoon spreading the salt on the roads. This truck was seen here at the on the round-a-bout at the A34. Lets hope that we don't get a lot of snow like the rest of the country is experiencing and if we do that we have been prepared so we don't have the same problems.

Lost In The Centre Of Oxford

You often see people with maps out trying to find there location on maps all over Oxford. Sometimes if they are looking particularly lost I will offer assistance, and point them in the right direction, however this couple appeared to me to be capable of working out there location.

Christ Church Meadows

With a maximum temperature in Oxford today of -1℃ and a minimum of -8℃ I had to try and capture the coldness in todays photo. There was lots of Christmas activity in the city centre, however I think this photo taken while walking around Christ Church Meadows with my Brother-In-Law shows the nip in the air the best. No snow in Oxford just a covering of frost and the frozen water in the stream in the right hand corner. Still it was nice to get out and show him around Oxford.

Christmas LIghts Have Been Turned On

Last night the city centre was packed with people who had come into the city centre to be apart the city's celebrations and witness the Christmas lights being turned on by Kevin Whately, Colin Dexter and Laurence Fox. Broad Street was closed and an Christmas market moved in, the city's Christmas tree was lit up in front of Balliol College. Reading in the paper, the council estimate that about 20000 people turned out for the celebrations this year. You will see more photo of the lights later, cause the ones down the High Street are great.

The Pillowman New Theatre

Went along to see The Pillowman, directed by Charlie Parker at the New Theatre tonight, and I must say the whole production was a beauty. The cast did a fantastic job, the lighting and sound was just bang on, and the whole experience of being on the stage and close the actors was very new, well worth the ticket price. It is a short run, so do yourself a favour and go see it.

Students Demonstrate At Radcliffe Camera

Mounted Police stand by next to the Radcliffe Camera after students from both of Oxford University's took control of the historic building as a part of a national demonstration over the governments increase of tuition fees. Reports say that about 300 students stormed the building taking the police by surprise, however when I was in the area there were a large number of police around the building with what looked and sounded like a rave taking place inside the Radcliffe Camera. More photo's here.

Holloway Stores

Oxford Mail, the city's daily local newspaper is advertised on Holloway Stores. The spelling of the stores name is slightly different to the spelling of the road which the store is on, Hollow Way, which means, a sunken path or road. Both spelling are acceptable, but it is interesting that the store has a different spelling to the maps of the area. There is evidence that Hollow Way may have had Roman origins.

Cold Day On The River

I am not sure who I would like to be, the guys in the boat receiving the instructions or the one on the bike cycling along side giving the advice, either way it was cold for both today. The river was very busy with teams still learning the ropes of rowing. Not many leisure craft out on the water today, did not see one, only plenty of college boats out getting ready for the racing season.

Rainy Bear Lane Oxford

Rainy and cold that is all I am going to say about this photo taken this afternoon in Bear Lane from King Edward Street. Lots of students running about trying to get out of the rain and wind, and I don't blame them, it was very unwelcoming weather wise today.

Foggy And Cold In Oxford

Winter is here. Today we had a very thick fog over Oxford all day, and it was strange as it cleared and then kept coming back all day. The temperature was very cold this morning, just below zero which did not help the fog I am sure. I took this photo of this tree in the park with all the fog around at about 11am and the fog was still very thick.

Missing Items

Am I the only one to wonders, how when you see an odd article of clothing in the street? Like this morning I was walking along the Banbury Road and I spotted this single slipper/slip on shoe. I then started to think, where in the other part of this pair? Who's shoe is it? and the most pressing question, how did it get in the middle of the path? I would anyone like to have a guess at how this shoe ended up here?

Opps, Little Bit To Close

If you where stuck in traffic this afternoon around St Clements this may have been in the reason. I am not sure exactly how one of the cities new "Green" buses ended up on the footpath, clipping the side of Hamptons, but it did cause traffic to build up on all the road leading to St Clements.

Armistice Day Observed In Oxford

Armistice Day was Observed across Oxford today commemorating the end of World War I in 1918. It is nice to see the large city and county memorials around the country honouring the men who never returned with the names of local men, however I have started to notice other memorials around. List of names who worked for different organisations, member of sporting clubs, college students and staff, railway employee etc, and this one listing name of men from the Oxford Post Office who went off to war and never returned. It is comforting to know that these names are still displayed around for all to see and reflect when visiting these places.

Would be interested if you have seen a small memorial in your work place or other area.

New Bins In Oxford

These bins have been in place for about a week now, but have not been put into commission yet with the orange liners still over them this afternoon. I am not sure why they are not in use, maybe council are waiting for the Mayor to come down and "Officially" put them into use. These guys are in St Aldate's and I am hoping that they will be available to use shortly, will try and find out the cost of these new bins.

Call Of Duty Black Ops On Sale At 00:01

I am not a gamer, but I know a couple of my regular readers are, and I also know that they will be up in the early hours of the morning to be to be one of the first to get their hands on a couple of the latest action online game. For all those you have stayed up all night to get a copy, have you played it all night? I am not sure of the HMV is a good one or not? Enjoy.

Busy Park End Street By Night

Park End Street, is where most of the city's clubs and late night bars are, and on a Saturday Night this street can be very busy. You would think that with the nights getting cooler that the ladies would be dressing a little warmer, but no fashion is fashion and skirts must be short for this area of town!

Harcourt Arboretum

I know I know that the Harcourt Arboretum is just outside my guild for the photo's of this blog, but I am going to make an exception for this photo, as it is an extension of Oxford Universities Botanic Gardens just off the High Street.

Harcourt Arboretum is about 150 acres of former garden that was once part of Nuneham House, which has a connection to William Harcourt who passed his estate to the Archbishop Harcourt of York, in the 1800's.

This Arboretum is part of Oxford Universities Botanic Garden, and can be visited for free throughout the year, I have not been to the arboretum for a couple of years now, and I think I should spend an afternoon there shortly, this photo was taken as a quick stop while driving back to Oxford this morning.

Autumn Leaves And Thatch Roof

Windy today in Oxford, blowing all those Autumn leaves around, noticed this leaf in the fork of a tree while out walking around Oxford, and when I took the photo I noticed once I got home that there was a thatched roofed cottage in the back ground.

Cath Kidston Oxford, 6 Broad Street

We have a new retailer in Oxford, I think the store opened last week, but I have only just spotted it today, it is a large Cath Kidston store. I did not go in to have a look around today might go and have a look later in the week. Cath Kidston is a is designer, you may have seen her very popular shopping bags and kitchen apparel, and I am sure will be popular with the oversea's visitors to Oxford. It is just up from Boswell's on Broad Street, so it is in a very good location to get all those visitors to Oxford.

View From Krispy Kreme

If you are in Oxford city centre and need a space that is not as busy as most of the coffee shops are in Cornmarket and High Street, I would head over to the Oxford Castle and find the Krispy Kreme shop. They have great doughnuts, never tried the coffee but I am sure it would be fine, but the best of all, they have a large upstairs area that is always empty, and you also get a view of Nuffield College.

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.