Sunday, June 29, 2008

Oxford University Press Book Shop

On the High Street, this is the outlet for Oxford's University Press, know locally as OUP.  The main administration of UOP is on Walton Street in Jericho but you can not buy anything there, so if you are after an Oxford English Dictionary I would suggest you head to the High Street!

I am away for a couple off on holidays, last year Emily helped me out but she is not around in Oxford this year, so the ODP will have to have rest, I will be back soon!!

Saturday, June 28, 2008

BBC Antiques Road Show In Oxford

The popular BBC TV show Antiques Road Show was in Oxford today looking at what members of the public have under the bed and valuing it for them.  It was held in the Quad at Hertford College and was very busy when I visited this afternoon.  The lady in pink has a small silver frog that the presenters were very interested in.  See my other photo's.

Friday, June 27, 2008

Today and Yesterday In Middle Way Summertown

Found this old postcard/photo of Middle Way taken in the early 1900's today and decided to go and have a look at that view today.  Very interesting is that apart from the cars not alot has changed in over 100 years, apart from the name of the street.  In the card it was named "George Street" and it is now Middle Way.
Even the Grove Street Name plate on the right had side of number 19 Middle Way looks like it is the orginal, as it is in the same spot in both photos.  As is the Down Pipe of the house on the right, 28 Middle Way.

I like this going back to the old days, enjoy..

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Strange Signs

I am always interested in strange signs, and I came across this one today next to a bike rack, it is instructions on how to park your bike....

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Overgrown Oxford Tow Path

Boy, the vegetation is starting to get out of control along the Oxford Canal.  I was out walking along the path and in a few places I could not see the canal for the plants.  Wouldn't want to walk along after a bit of rain you can imagine the water these plants would hold.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Oxford Spires From South Hinksey

The Oxford skyline with the roofs of the village of South Hinksey in the foreground. This village is just on the outskirts of Oxford, have a look at the Wikipedia entry for the village from the link above.  

Monday, June 23, 2008

From The Night Before

One for the road! Looks like someone had a late Sunday Night and had a can on the way home up Middle Way in Summertown.  Foster's I think that is English for lager?

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Paraguayan Harpist in Cornmarket

Cornmarket often has your standard buskers that most bigger cities have but every now and then we get that unique busker like we had today.  Mr Oscar Benito with his Paraguayan Harp.  He was promoting his concert that will be next Saturday at the Holywell Music Room.  Very interesting sound, liked the fact that he was encouraging the youngsters to have a little play on his harp.

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Park End Street By Night

Well most of the night clubs in the City Centre are in this street.  And being a Saturday Night it is always busy in the bars and clubs on Park End Street, today was the Summer Solstice so maybe there will be a few celebrating the start of Summer..  Is that rain on the road?? Is it Summer?

Friday, June 20, 2008

The Red Lion

Off to the Red Lion in the city centre, it was until a few months ago called "The Goose", but hay things change in Oxford all the time.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Dunsford Lane Wytham

Found myself back in Wytham this afternoon, down this small lane with only 4 cottages on it.  It is called/named Dunsford Lane and has a couple of very nice thatched cottages on it. When you are out in Wytham Village you could be miles from anywhere, but you are less than 5 minutes from the big smoke!!  Nice area for a sunny bike ride.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

London Oxford Taxi's


In Oxford we have alot of the traditional "London" or "Black Cab's" which are traditionally Black in colour.  However you are seeing more and more of them all badged up advertising various company's, like this one in the High Street today. Spotted a Diplomatic Plate today also, click here.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Wytham Village Store

Out on a lovely Autumn day in the village of Wytham, just of the outskirts if Oxford.  The lighting was great for a photo of the village store with the pillar box in the foreground.  Unfortunately this store up until last week also had a Post Office in it with limited opening hours, but as a part of the Governments postal reforms this has now closed. 

Monday, June 16, 2008

Students Heading To Exams

Students from Jesus College about to head out the Examination Hall to maybe sit that last exam.  Most of the resident students have left Oxford, only a few remain, we will now get an influx of Summer English language students soon. 

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Mango's Have Arrived In Oxford

As it gets closer to Summer I always look out for the lovely Mango's flown from Pakistan to the UK a long the stall holders on the Cowley Road.  Any over the last week they have started to appear, and they are just the tastiest Mango's ever, I have already had a box.  I have been told the flight that they arrive on direct from Pakistan in called "The Mango Flight" as the whole plain is full of Mango's.  
Photo Credit to Junior Ali

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Jericho Street Fair

What a great day for the Jericho Street Fair.  Always a great community event, the folk of Jericho really have a great little area which they are proud of and get behind events that bring the community together.  If you missed out this year, before to take a look in 2009.

Friday, June 13, 2008

St John's College Is Now Closed

At the end of the day the sign reads, St John's College Is Now Closed, for visitors of course.  Students will be coming and going all night I would think, but for the tourist you have to wait till tomorrow afternoon, the colleges that open to tourist normally do so after 2pm.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Oxford Mound Progress

I wanted to get a progress photo of the work that is being done on the Oxford Mound in New Road, which I have photographed before, but did not want to go down and just take the same old photo.  I was looking around at how I could make it a little different and spotted the Nuffield College brass name plate all shinny and reflective, so here is todays shot, showing the progress of the working of the Oxford Mound.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Mobile Home On Roof In Oxford

Running out of space!  Need an extension but can not get planning permission from the local council? Do you have a flat roof, well do what this guy did, just put a mobile home on the roof, that should solve a few of your problems, Oh I would do it at night so no one can see you doing it.
Well if Bill Heine can have a shark on his roof, why can't this guy have a mobile home on his?

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

BUSA Woman's Cricket Final In The Parks

Managed to see a little of the BUSA Woman's Cricket final today in University Parks. The game looked like it was going to be a close finish, I could not stay to see the results which I am sure will be on the web.  BUSA is the British University Sports Association.  The Parks in Oxford is a great place for the finals, not sure if this is a regular fixture, if it is I will be sure to go and see it.

Monday, June 09, 2008

Waterman's Arms Osney Island

Ahhh, just had a nice bite to eat at the Waterman's Arms on Osney Island, right on the River Thames, which as you know is flowing very  fast at the moment.  I love this pub, it is mostly a nice place to relax next to the River and enjoy a pint.  Recommended for sure.

Sunday, June 08, 2008

Quaking Bridge Water Levels

Carrying on from yesterdays High Water Theme, you can see the water level going under Quaking Bridge in St Thomas Street, not a lot of clearance here. Doing a quick search on the internet, this Quaking Bridge was first mentioned in 1297 and was on of the main routes from the Parish of St Thomas to the town on Oxford, I am sure that the bridge has been replaced since 1297.

Saturday, June 07, 2008

Water Levels High Around Oxford

Photo taken in University Parks, down by the River Cherwell and as you can see the pond level is very high.  Was talking to a friend who lives on a Narrow Boat and he was telling me that the Oxford Canal is now higher than when we had the floods last year, and from the look of the water level in University Park I would have to agree with him.  Still had a nice afternoon nap in the Park.

Friday, June 06, 2008

Who Is This Jack Wills

Relatively new store at 125 High Street, Jack Wills.  Not sure what it is all about, looks expensive if you ask me, but the Students are always wearing there stuff. I think they stay they are the Outfitters of University Students.  For more information on the previous occupier's of 125 High Street have a look at this site.

Thursday, June 05, 2008

Flower Sellers in Queen Street

Everyday, rain hail and the rare days it shines, you can pick up a nice fresh bunch of flowers from the stall holder outside the Westgate Shopping Centre. With the redevelopment of Bonn Square he now has to share space the Oxford Crepe stall.

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Rain, Rain, Rain, Rain

Not a great photo for today, but it did rain very heavy all morning, and alot of the roads in the City are starting to fill up.  Could not get the camera out to get photo's due to the heavy rain.

Sunday, June 01, 2008

World's Biggest Seller Of PIMM'S

Before arriving in Oxford 6+ years ago I must admit that I had never heard of PIMM'S. It is a Gin based liquor that dates back to 1823 in London.  It is very popular English Summer drink, PIMM'S #1 mixed with lemonade and fruit sitting in the park or along the river.  This window display in the High Street Oxford is full of PIMM'S with the message that they are the worlds biggest seller of PIMM'S, being the the heart of all the Colleges, it must be popular the the students of Oxford University!