Excellent coffee at Columbia Coffee Roaster.
Earlier it was too busy. It was still busy. I do not think I have ever seen a coffee shop so busy. Sad to learn their coffee roaster no longer in use. They have a Probat at another location in Oxford but not nearby.
I asked of chocolate. They have bean-to-bar from Colombia, but not in stock and do not know when next consignment.
— to be continued —
Oxford University Church stayed a while for rehearsal of Carmina Burana thatt was to be performed at a concert that evening.
Sadly unable to stay for the evening performance.
— to be continued —
Oxford Covered Market established in 1774.
A committee was formed in 1772, when it was decided to build a covered market to rid the town centre of untidy market stalls. Half the money was provided by the town half by the university.
Explored more than my previous visit to Oxford Covered Market when I walked through but still only small part of this amazing market.
Three stalls worth visiting, a craft beer stall, Colombia Coffee Roaster and a cheese stall.
I was reminded of the Spice Market of Istanbul, without the pungent smell of spices.
This is how markets should be, a veritable Aladdin’s Cave of wonders. It puts to shame the Central Market in Lincoln.
A little further down St Michael’s Street from The Handle Bar, opposite Oxford Union, Society Café.
I looked in Society Café a few days ago, but no coffee as do not take cash. Today I tried credit card, but did not work. A friend tried her Chinese card, surprisingly it worked. I think because of one of the card readers which bypasses the banks. I am still though not happy their refusal to accept cash and they need to think again. Use of cards profits the banks and tracks people.
From Society newspaper
A place for everyone
Society
Inclusive
Not exclusive
All welcome
Cant’t wait to meet you
But not if wish to use cash or for what ever reason lack the credit rating to obtain a card.
I had a cappuccino which was excellent.
Espresso from Origin, guest coffee for V60 from Round Hill Roastery.
Staff very professional.
Picked up Society and down the cellar found an earlier issue. It started as newspaper, now a magazine. Next edition due soon.
They also had latest edition of Standart. My friend paid with her Chinese credit card and I gave her the cash.
An excellent street food market, spoilt for choice.
I settled on souvlaki as I had already decided, but other stalls were very tempting.
Oxford City Council needs to set higher environmental standards, assuming set any.
A fruit juice stall with moronic music blasting out should be told to cease, as they are disturbing the peace and quiet of the square.
Food served in polystyrene boxes not acceptable.
There needs to be bench seats as n York for people to sit and enjoy the food.
The street food market comparable with a street food market I happened upon in Berlin. That in Berlin market better, but still excellent choice and variety. As a street food market should be.
Half the market is a traditional market at least it is on a Wednesday when bread, fruit and vegetables. Not so on a Saturday, second-hand books, art, Jewellery, music.
Oxford street food market puts to shame the travelling circuses hosted in Lincoln.
From an afternoon visit to Oxford a few days ago, I knew not to hop on the bus, not to head into the ugly city centre, but to take the left hand fork which leads straight into the old part of Oxford, bypassing the ugly city centre.
Half way along the road, a detour to excellent street food market where spoilt for choice.
I settled on souvlaki as I had already decided, but other stalls were very tempting.
It was then to The Handle Bar. A look in but did not stop. Far too noisy and the staff leave much to be desired but quirky and worth popping in.
A little further down St Michael’s Street from The Handle Bar, opposite Oxford Union, Society Café. I looked in a few days ago, but did not take a coffee as do not take cash. Today I tried credit card, but did not work. A friend tried her Chinese card, Surprisingly it worked. I think because of one of the card readers which bypasses the banks. I am still though not happy the refusal to accept cash and they need to think again. Use of cards profits the banks and tracks people.
I had a cappuccino which was excellent. Picked up Society and down the cellar found an earlier issue. It stated as a newspaper, now a magazine. Next edition due soon.
They also had latest edition of Standart. My friend paid with her Chinese credit card and I gave her the cash.
It was then to the Oxford Covered Market. Explored more than before but still only small part of this amazing market. A 1/3 pint of craft beer off one stall. Beer served in 1/3 and 2/3 pint glass. Not something I have encountered before.
I asked where the cheese stall was. Behind the fruit and vegetable stall. Had I not been told where to find I would never have found.
Excellent cheese stall. I bought Comte and another cheese Cione which I have not tried before.
Further exploration of Oxford, on entering Oxford University Church found they were about to begin rehearsal of Carmina Burana. Almost sat wn with the performers.
Just time yo get back to Oxford Covered Market for a coffee at Colombia Coffee Roaster. Earlier it was too busy. It was still busy. I do not think I have ever seen a coffee shop so busy. Sad to learn their coffee roaster no longer in use. They have a Probat at another location in Oxford but not nearby.
I asked of chocolate. They have bean-to-bar from Colombia, but not in stock and do not know when next consignment.
Heading to Magdalen Bridge passed by what on both sides of the street was claimed to be site of oldest coffee shop in Oxford. One now a greasy spoon cafe serving Italian coffee, the other The Grand Café a tea room.
What a pity not open as speciality coffee to honour the origins of the location.
We walked past Magdalen College to Magdalen Bridge. Disappointed not possible to walk along the River Cherwell. Can descend to the river for a boat, but not footpath beside the river.
Magdalen College is reputed to be one of the richest Oxford colleges, even containing within its walls it own deer park.
A detour maybe a short cut which was like walking along a country lane, maybe once was. Brings out into Broad Street, which is then easy for Oxford Station.
Passed under the Bridge of Sighs, which appears to be modelled on bridge of same name in Venice, hence the name.
Then back to Oxford Station. Very lucky as last time, arrive as train pulling in.
Again lucky at Reading in time for train to Gatwick. But no working wifi.
— to be continued
Redber purveyors of crap coffee have opened a coffee shop in the Tunsgate Quarter zombie shopping centre.
A weird set up, in front of a shop unit not within, a coffee roastery and yet no coffee beans on sale.
The girl, I hesitate to say working as was too busy chatting to a female security guard to notice a potential customer, who after several minutes walked away.
Not a pleasant location, an empty shopping centre, zilch atmosphere, stuffy no fresh air, loud music, and that’s even before we get to the crap coffee.
And why even bother opening when Krema serving excellent coffee outside in Tunsgate?
Boarded-up shops, devoid of people, its only use as a short cut from High Street to Castle Street, especially when raining. How long before it files for administration?
An with an unwanted shopping centre being built in Farnham that will destroy the character of a small market town, no lessons learnt.
Experience Guildford presides over or should that be complicit in collapse of town centre retail in Guildford.
It may initially have been a good idea but now Experience Guildford is seen as a parasitical organisation, controlled by Big Businesses, acting for Big Businesses, squandering the money it raises.
Has anyone yet worked out what the Town Rangers are for other than make it appear Experience Guildford are doing something?
It is not acceptable when Experience Guildford promotes Cosy Club, Pho, Tunsgate Quarter zombie shopping centre.
But they are not the only ones doing this. Visit Guildford are also promoting Big Bushiness. Are Visit Guildford doing as Visit Lincoln, taking money to promote crap corporate chains?
Why would anyone visit Guildford for the same crap corporate chains as found in every other town centre?
Visitors come for something unique.
