Tag Archives: Oxford

Back on the bike

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The summer of 2025 has been long and dry with little rain during the past few months. Temperatures have been above average and according to the Met Office we have had a few “heatwaves” when the temperatures are above 25°C for at least 3 consecutive days. So far we have had four….

A ride around Oxford

There are several bike routes I can ride on from the house but recently I have put the bike rack on the car and driven somewhere else to have a ride. For a while I wanted to ride around Oxford and I managed to do this on 19 August. My plan was to park in Woodstock, however, the car park was full so I drove on to Oxford Parkway Park and Ride and started from there. The map above shows my route which was 25 miles and took 2.5 hours of not travelling very fast and taking in some sights with a few photo stops as well as a lunch stop in Jericho.

Oxford in Lockdown

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In late October I paid a visit to Oxford, my first since last year. Despite it being half term the city was not really that busy. Tourist numbers were much less than usual and I was able to photograph landmarks without waiting for people to move out of shot. Here is a selection of images from my outing.

Radcliffe Camera, Radcliffe Square, Oxford part of the university
Oriel College, one of the university colleges in the city of Oxford showing the front of the building with the statue of Cecil Rhodes above the main entrance
A view of the High Street, Oxford with the University Church of St Mary in the distance
Magdalen Tower, Magdalen College on High Street, Oxford
Punts on River Cherwell tied up for the winter by Magdalen Bridge, Oxford
Deadman’s Walk just outside the old city wall of Oxford was the route taken by funeral processions for Jewish members of the community towards the Jewish burial grounds which at that time were outside the city walls. The route overlooks the playing fields of Christ Church School.
Postmaster’s Hall, Merton Street, Oxford
View of the clock which stands in the quad of the Examination Schools, Oxford as viewed from Merton Street, Oxford
M Feller & Daughter, a butcher’s shop in the historic covered market in Oxford
Architectural details from the roof of the Oxford Martin School on the corner of Catte Street and Holywell Street, Oxford
A lamppost stands on the pavement on New College Lane, Oxford with the tower of New College Chapel in the background.

People watching

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I normally walk along the street without taking much notice of my fellow pedestrians. However, here I am in one of Oxford’s numerous restaurants, this time I have decided to take stock of the other diners.

It is early, just before 6pm, but as it is still winter it is dark outside. It is dark inside too, the lighting is very subdued. Is it for ambiance? Or is it to save on electricity? Two girls sit at adjacent tables tucked away in a corner. The glow from their laptops light up their faces as they no doubt fit in some studying while waiting for their meals to arrive.

There are several groups of friends clustered round some of the other tables. Conversation and laughter flow from some groups. Others, however, converse in 21st century mode – their phones are on the table and they are busy texting away to friends who are not present. Unless, of course, they are texting each other. Not wanting to speak, they text, after all the standing joke is that the modern family no longer indulges in conversation, they simply text each other instead.

A man in a bright yellow jacket enters and waits to be seated. Like me he is on his own. Perhaps he is going to the theatre afterwards and is taking advantage of the “early bird” fixed price offerings. As usual I don’t fully take in what he is wearing until he gets up to go to the loo. He is wearing a kilt. Burns Night has been and gone, but there are men who are proud to wear the kilt on any occasion. He must be one of them, no doubt a fellow Scot, proud to wear national dress in everyday use. But wait, he is wearing long leather boots the length of wellingtons. His kilt is a mini kilt with no sporran sitting way above the knee. The sort of kilt young boys wear, the kilt that has been handed down from brother to brother, the embarrassing short kilt. However, he seems non plussed and obviously sees it as a fashion statement. Rather him than me I think, but each to their own.

I finish my meal, pay, and leave to go to the theatre. Films from the Banff Mountain Film Festival are being shown in the New Theatre, Oxford. Virtually a full house, the majority much younger than me. Maybe they are the sort who go on the adventures portrayed in the films. Me – I just like watching the feats and endurance of my fellow man. Maybe 40 years ago I might have gone on such trips, but not now. I like my comforts when it comes to travel.

The film showings over I leave and make my way to the bus stop. In front of me is my kilted fellow diner – he did go to the screenings after all. I wonder if he enjoyed them as much as I did. If he goes on such trips does he wear his kilt?

To Blog or not to Blog

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Rhubarb and Apple crumble
Chicken and Mushroom pie

My blog has not been updated for a few months, however, I wonder if I have any regular readers who have noticed? I can offer no real excuse but how many people know my blog and, indeed, website exists?

I recently read “Globejotting” by Dave Fox which I found to be very motivational. However, maybe it was only motivational while I was reading it. It is time to put what he wrote into practice.

The majority of travellers will carry a camera in one form or another whether it will be a phone camera or a top of the range DSLR.

Dave’s question though is how many of us actually take the time to write about their travels? This is where the numbers drop considerably and this is where his book steps in to offer encouragement.

Finding time to write would seem to be half the battle for those who want to write a blog about their travels or whatever. This post has been written in an Oxford restaurant while I was waiting for for my food to arrive. I’m off to the theatre afterwards so I’ve asked if they can serve me quickly so I can get there in time. They have assured me they can so I shall wait and see.

Footnote:- Yes, they did, one two course meal washed down with a beer and I’m off to the theatre with time to spare!