Reflections From Flooded Botley

This is normally a nice community open space behind the West Oxford Community Hall just off the Botley Road.  However with all the flooding that we are having at the moment in the UK, this area has become a nice lake!

Sharks V Coconut Deaths

For all those who are travelling to Australia it maybe safer in the water than sitting on the beach according to this poster that is appearing on bus shelters around Oxford at the moment.  More people die each year from falling coconuts than sharks.  But do they mean that more people die each year from falling coconuts than sharks? Not sure tell me what you think?

Boxing Day In Summertown

What a great day weather wise we have had this Boxing Day, and it is not been to busy in Summertown, which is nice.  Great day to have a little stroll with the with family to relax after what I can only imagine would have been a busy Christmas Day.  Love the Red's of Christmas, even Starbucks turns Red at Christmas.

Billy Smarts Circus Hit's Oxford

Happy 60th Birthday WD-40

Not really and Oxford connection here, but I have decided to post this photo all the same.  This month it is 60 years since WD-40 or Water Displacement 40th formula was invented in the United States of America.  I am sure most people have used WD-40 in there life and more than likely have a can or two in the garden shed.  I am also sure that many Oxford cyclist have used WD-40.  Just an off topic photo today, but a Birthday worth celebrating, Happy Birthday!

The Anchor Pub On Hayfield Road Has Closed?

In August I posted a photo of a pub on the Abingdon Road The Fox and Hound being pulled down to be replaced by a Tesco Metro! I mentioned that in Oxford we are loosing pubs everywhere and they are being replaced by either flats and apartments or Tesco's.  Now when I was out for a ride this afternoon I noticed this North Oxford pub, The Anchor has closed.  The pub sign has been removed and I am not sure what is happening to this pub?  Perhaps another Tesco's?

Hill End Education Centre

Hill End is an environmental activity centre for school aged children on the out skirts of Oxford.  I was surprised to read that the size of this centre is 62 acres and is a trust that the Oxford County Council have run since 1974.  More information on the Hill End can be found on website about what they do.  I was in the area today and out the front of the administration area the Hill End service Citroen was parked on a freshly mowed field, played around a little with this photo.

Early Morning Mist In Oxford

Was on my way to a meeting this morning when just on the outskirts of Oxford I drove into a patch on mist or was it fog I can never tell? It was only a small patch and out the other side it was a fabulous morning!  Good Morning everyone!

Oxford From South Parks

Camera up on a kite this afternoon while in South Park and managed to get a couple of nice shots of Oxford, this being one of the better ones.  Sorry about the string from the kite being in the photo, I think I will have to work on my technic.

Early Morning At Covered Market

Markets are always busy in the early mornings, and Oxford's Covered Market is no exception with deliveries to all the fresh produce area's taking place before the High Street closes to everyone apart from buses.  There is still concerns over the future of the Covered Market, which is a real gem in the heart of Oxford, lets hope that it is not developed in to student accommodation or high end shopping, I think most people who visit the market enjoy it just the way it is.

Eels At Oxford O2 Academy

Not the best photo in the world, but that was my view of Eels who played to a sellout crowd on the Cowley Road last night.  This was my second time at a Eels gig, and I must say it was completely different to the first, a bit more rock 'n roll tonight. Oxford has some great music venues which you are able to see great touring bands close up, seen a few big names at the O2 on Cowley Road.

Fox And Hound Has Gone

All over the country local pubs are being pulled down and replaced with flats or in a lot of cases, TESCO or Sainsbury's Local stores.  Soon Britain will be know not as it has been in the past for having nice friendly local pubs in every village, for the for the number of mini supermarkets it has. I feel that pubs and churches are being replaced with these mini out posts of the giant supermarkets in greater numbers that we think.  This old pub on the Abingdon Road is being replaced with a TESCO.

Bill's Has A Bike

What a great little adverting machine to have in what must be the bike capital of the United Kingdom.  Bill's the restaurant in St Michael's Street, which I have been told is very good and popular since opening last year, have this bike put the front of the store.  I am hoping that they use this bike for deliveries or shopping and not just advertising.

Summer Rain In Oxford

For the last couple of days we have been having rain in the afternoon or over night.  Nice bright but cloudy warm mornings and then in the afternoon heavy rain for about two hours.  So if you are visiting Oxford for the holidays this Summer remember your umbrella.

Where To Practice The Bagpipe?

Strange the things you see when out for a cycle around Oxford, and it is handy that you should always take your camera.  While out for a ride from Summertown to Marston along the Marston Ferry Road, what did I hear from the fields but the sound of bagpipes.  A little confused a looked to see a guy walking up and down the fields obviously getting in a little practice without upsetting the neighbours.

Oxford City v Birmingham City

Birmingham City player just about to place the ball back in play with Oxford City players ready to get the ball out of the danger zone.  I have never been to Oxford City's ground which is not far from my place, so I was happy to accept an invitation from a friend this evening.  The match ended in a 2 all draw but was very interesting to watch, and the ground was one of those nice grounds that you feel you are part of the game.

Oriel College Scaffold

Now that is a lot of scaffolding around what looks like most of Oriel College on the High Street. Looks like Oxford will have a larger number of Dreaming Spires while what ever is happening to the college is taking place.  I think I have said before that the scaffolding business must be great in Oxford.

I think I may have mislabelled this college as University but have since had this corrected, thanks Trebore for the heads up.

Low Bridge On River Thames

The bridge over the River Thames along the Botley Road is one of the lowest bridges over the river and often this is the furthest that larger boats can travel.  Today while riding the bike along the Botley Road to a friends birthday party a rather large boat decked out with Canadian Flags, and the odd Dutch Flag moored close to the bridge.  On my return the boat was just departing, trying to turn around as the Captain knew that he was not going be to be able to go under the bridge, in fact he was worried that he may not be able to turn the boat "Jason" around.

Oxford Beach Or Sandpit

I have been away for a month as you will know and walking around town over the last couple of days I was seeing posters and signs for the new Oxford Beach at the Oxford Castle, so with all the warm weather we have been having I decided to have a look today.  Little disappointed was an understatement, I think it should be called the Oxford Sandpit, because I think it was lacking one important element and that was water, the Oxford Beach is just a big sandpit with a valley ball net.  Don't get me wrong it looks great, but it's not a beach.

Royal Flag Flying

I know it might be a little hard to see, but in the centre of this photo you will see a reddish flag flying from Christ Church College.  That is the College's Royal Standard and it is always flown on days of Royal significance, like the Queens Birthday or the birth of a future King.