A few photos from Founder’s Feast …

Okay, I have been taking photos since my desktop was packed up and none of them have made it online yet … but that is about to change …

Here are the first ones, from Cliff’s Birthday trip to Wychwood Brewery in Witney.

Unfortunately, none of the photos inside turned out well … anyway, more photos to come soon!

What is this box being stuck in my face?

Out on a walk ... hopefully my next home will have its' own yard!

Watch me go !!!

Look at me fly ...

GGGGOOOOOAAAAALLLLL !!!!

Come on slow pokes ...

For more images of one of Phoenix’s last trips to Port Meadow, click here.

Tuesday was our second anniversary and to celebrate, we went to Malmaison on Monday night.  As with the last time that we went, we started the night at the upstairs bar.  They have a great cocktail menu but Jill still went with the same drink she got last time – a rum-based strawberry and balsamic vinegar concoction.  This time I went for one of their current specials – a fresh raspberry drink.

Unlike last time, we did go for the Homegrown & Local menu.  Instead we ordered off the regular menu because Jill saw the Steak Frites on our last visit and has been dreaming of them since!  So, we got some Serrano Ham with peaces and cheese to start.  Then, we both got Steak Frites for our main with a side of string beans and shallots.  It was Jill’s first time ordering a rare steak … which she did because it was a thin steak and they did not offer a medium-rare option.  I am happy to say that she enjoyed it!  The one difference between our mains were the sauces – Jill went for the bearnaise and I went for the garlic-butter.  The garlic-butter was not just very good on the steak but it was nice on the fries.  About the fries, they were some of the best ones that I have ever had … and Jill thought that they were the best she had ever had.  To go with the meal, we had a bottle of their house red (not the same one available on the Homegrown & Local menu) which was a Malbec-blend from Argentina.  It was a very easy drinking wine.

So, I would highly recommend the Steak Frites, especially the fries.  From our experiences, the Oxford Malmaison is the best restaurant that we have eaten at in the UK.  So, if you are looking for a nice place to eat in Oxford, check them out!

Register at Malmaison to get a special voucher for a two course meal from the Homegrown and Local menu, a bottle of our sommelier’s Bin End Choice wine, and an after dinner coffee for two people for just £29!

We did this on my birthday and combined with a couple of excellent cocktails from the swanky upstairs bar … so nice that it is not even included on their website.  Jill had a balsamic and strawberry concoction which is now her favorite mixed drink, while I had a maple syrup old fashioned which was very enjoyable and I would recommend it to any bourbon fan.

In case you have not seen the Oxford Malmaison, it is a truly unique building.  Once a Victorian prison, it is now a very stylish boutique hotel with a plush upstairs bar and a cool downstairs bar/brasserie. Read more »

This is a new exhibition opening at the Museum of the History of Science and it will then be going to the Yale Center for British Art.  It is focused on the role of geometry in the early modern period of English history, touching on major figures such as King Henry VIII, Queen Elizabeth, and George III, plus practicioners, such as Christopher Wren.

The exhibit will open on 16 June and run until 6 Sept in Oxford.  For more information, click here.

Last Monday was the May Bank Holiday and so we took a lovely walk to the Meadow.  Phoenix got to play with his new toy … a 1p frisbee from M&S’s anniversary sale.  He liked it, especially when we were playing keep-away from him!  More pictures …

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Since the weather has gotten better, we have been able to take Phoenix on several nice long walks on the weekend and in the evening.

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Okay, the weather was so nice last week that we had to take full advantage of it over the weekend.  So after our cycle to Abingdon on Saturday, we took a little picnic to the University Parks on Sunday.  To make up for leaving Phoenix at home on Saturday, we took him with us!

At one point, to try to tire him out a little, I took him across the river to the ‘Little Mill Pond Mead’ to run around off the lead (dogs are supposed to be kept on the lead in the parks).  Phoenix had other ideas and tried repeatedly to cross the river back to Jill … it was both hilarious because he was running up and down the bank looking for an easy place to get into the water and frustrating because he was not listening to me!  He did get a little energy out but it was not enough to make him lay down in the sun and sleep … there was too much going on around us in the parks for him to do that!

Also, it was the first weekend of punting season and so there were a few people out on the river having a go … many of them were not that good at it (or just out of practice), including Raymond Blanc, who we saw punting with his family.

Overall, this last weekend was a great weekend and I hope that we continue to have wonderful weather!

On Saturday, we cycled to Abingdon down the Sustrans Cycle Route 5, which follows the river nearly to Sandford.  It then turns onto country lanes (evidently used by HGVs during the week) for a few miles before returning to traffic-free areas.  The route brings you to the Abbey Gardens, where there are cycle racks.

After that, we went and had lunch at the Broad Face.  They have a great menu and don’t skimp on the portions!  I have eaten there the last two times that I have been to Abingdon and I would recommend them if you are going to visit the town.  They also carry a small selection (3) of ales but they always have something very good – like Bath Gem, which I had on Saturday.

After our very good lunch, we walked around Abingdon for a little before going to Waitrose … the highlight of Jill’s day!  After our long stay in Waitrose, we cycled back into Oxford. Read more »