April 2023. Yes, a flood (slew ?) of mini-posts for you this week, even though Mrs “Jen the IT Manager” RM broke the internet* at the weekend and I’m (checks instruction) using a tethering device. Still in Oxford, over to Headington, once home to one of the Football League’s most characterful grounds. I used to… Continue reading JUMPING THE SHARK
Tag: Oxford
SPURIOUS THOMAS HARDY REFERENCES AND A DRENCHING IN NORTH OXFORD
April 2023. Panini and flat white – tick. World class museum – tick. Parking drama – tick. Oxford complete, bar the pub. I decided to walk across Port Meadow to Guide newbie the White Hart in Wolvercote. About half an hour from Jude the Obscure said the map. A gorgeous crisp day, a setting Far… Continue reading SPURIOUS THOMAS HARDY REFERENCES AND A DRENCHING IN NORTH OXFORD
IN PRAISE OF OXFORD (BUT NOT ITS PARKING CHARGES)
April 2023. Getting to what we tickers call “the Home Counties clearances” now. Oxfordshire is probably listed under North-West Region in the new GBG though. A couple in Oxford to finish, and a chance to re-evaluate Cambridge’s historic rival. Mum tells me my home town just won the boaty race (never knew it was on),… Continue reading IN PRAISE OF OXFORD (BUT NOT ITS PARKING CHARGES)
BUSTING THE PARKING BUDGET IN OXFORD
A week of continuous travel, not much of it to pubs, and now I’m on my fourth (4th) train of the day and it’s only 10.13. On Monday night I was in Oxford for my penultimate Oxon tick, Mrs RM parking the campervan in the first available car park (it’s a hellish city) and shouting… Continue reading BUSTING THE PARKING BUDGET IN OXFORD
WELL DONE OXFORD
I won’t be mean spirited; today is a great day for Oxford. You might think I’d be a bit miffed my own cure for Covid (a gallon of Doom Bar, crispy shredded beef, 2 aspirin) was pipped to the post by the Oxford Uni/AstralWeeks effort, but not a bit of it, and I’m delighted to… Continue reading WELL DONE OXFORD
THE BULLINGDON CLUB
Yes, Oxford. No, not the Bullingdon Club with the pig “menu”. But close enough. First time in our second University city since last year, music not pubs this time. No new pubs, and nothing new in a city centre still clinging to the 1500s. You were hoping I’d go back to the Lamb & Flag,… Continue reading THE BULLINGDON CLUB
OXFORD JUMPS THE SHARK BUT HATES FISH
Yes, I’m getting blog titles out of Romanian Christmas crackers now. That’s not true, I haven’t pulled a Christmas cracker* since retiring (in fact getting out of Xmas work lunches was the 3rd biggest incentive to retirement, as I recall). Tuesday took me to the beautiful Travelodge at Oxford Pear Tree Park & Ride, where… Continue reading OXFORD JUMPS THE SHARK BUT HATES FISH
FESTIVAL OF NINE LESSONS ABOUT OXFORD PUBS
First a “Punk’s Not Dead” theme, now a real “Flogging a Dead Horse” effort to squeeze an eighth Oxford post out of one pub crawl. But I like pouring over the lessons learned, even if it’s from barely 3% of Oxford’s pubs; Eight busy pubs, suggesting there’s plenty of life left in the traditional pub… Continue reading FESTIVAL OF NINE LESSONS ABOUT OXFORD PUBS
SAM SMITHS v PINT SHOP
Our night in Oxford drew to an end as dusk descended, in the Pint Shop, Mrs RM deciding she’d had enough pubby fun, and wasn’t doing the Sam Smiths place with the rest of the gang. This was a slight disappointment to me, but I’d guess the Pint Shop is a gazillion time more likely… Continue reading SAM SMITHS v PINT SHOP
PUBS AREN’T DEAD
Into the home strait now, and along lovely St Giles for the pub I’d have recommended to any visitor before today. I know the detail is important to you, so I should add that before that Mrs RM headed for a flat white in Blackwell’s Café Nero. It’s a good place to people watch.… Continue reading PUBS AREN’T DEAD