Oxford Blue Ice Cream

What are you up to this weekend? I'm SUPER excited because Johnny and I are flying home 

to help celebrate his Granny's 90th birthday and it looks as if you'll have something to celebrate in Oxford too... Have you seen the forecast? 27 and sunny means only one thing - a visit to one of G&D's Ice Cream Cafes is a must!

Known for their wide and imaginative range of ice cream flavours, G&D's has become something of an Oxford institution but you'll need no excuse to visit. There's always something new and exciting to try  - 'Black and Blue' (blackberry and blueberry), 'Golden Secret' (Crunchie Bar) and Hamlet (white chocolate & raspberry) all frequent the menu, but my favourites are 'Bananarama' and 'Oxford Blue' (blueberry). How about you? Which flavour do you like the best?

The first G&D's opened in Little Clarendon Street in the summer of 1992 and was named after its founders - George Stroup and Davis Roberts, who were both students of Oxford University.

All of G&D's ice cream continues to be made on site and is delivered to its new siblings on St Aldates and Cowley Road by bike. It doesn't get more Oxford than that!

Here's my favourite 'Oxford Blue' ice cream. Doesn't it look mouthwateringly delicious? Have a great weekend! xoxo

Frank Cooper's Vintage 'Oxford' Marmalade

'Behind every great man is a great woman' and Frank Cooper was no exception. His wife, Sarah Jane Cooper, made the first batch of Cooper's marmalade in her High Street kitchen in 1874. She was the first in Oxford to bottle and market her homemade marmalade commercially and 'Cooper's Marmalade' debuted in the family owned grocery store (on High Street) with great success. 

A favourite amongst Oxford University's dons and undergrads, Cooper’s Oxford Marmalade became an essential part of college breakfasts and demand followed Oxford men far and wide - Even the Queen is said to enjoy Frank Cooper's at breakfast! (The company holds a Royal Warrant).

Fancy Facts 
1 Did you know that a  jar of Frank Cooper's marmalade went all the way to Antarctica with Captain Robert Falcon Scott? It was found, many years later, buried in the ice! 2 A jar of Frank Cooper's marmalade can be seen down the rabbit hole in the original 'Illustrated Alice in Wonderland.' 3 The Jam Factory, on Park End Street, (Frank Cooper's original marmalade factory) is now home to an uber-cool restaurant, gallery and bar. 4 There's an 'Oxfordshire Blue Plaque' at 83 High Street, commemorating Sarah Cooper's achievements. 

Frank Cooper's Marmalade is now owned by Premier Foods and continues to be sold to this day.

I'd LOVE to hear from anyone who's tried it. Personally, Vegemite's my favourite. 

What's your favourite spread?

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

When Alice Pleasance Liddell, moved to Oxford in 1856, at just four years of age, I'm sure she had no idea of the adventure's that lay ahead of her. As the fourth born child of Henry Liddell, the newly appointed Dean (Head) of Christ Church, Alice was never short of company. Together with his wife Lorina, Dean Liddell provided Alice with a total of nine siblings, but it was the two sisters nearest to her in age, Lorina and Edith, with whom she was closest.

Alice Pleasance Liddell, Summer 1858. Charles Dodgson. Photograph: National Portrait Gallery

With the Christ Church Deanery as their new home, the girls undoubtedly had much to explore and were often found playing in the Deanery garden. On one such occasion they stumbled upon a man taking photographs of the Cathedral who introduced himself as Charles Dodgson,(otherwise known as Lewis Carroll). Alice's father shared an interest in this new art form, so it was not long before Dodgson was invited to take the first of the many photographs of his growing family, and of Alice in particular.  

From left to right: Edith, Lorina & Alice Liddell, circa 1859. Charles Dodgson. 

During the long process of sitting to have their photographs taken, Dodgson often told the children stories to keep them entertained. However, Alice's real 'Adventures in Wonderland' began on the 4^th of July, 1862, as she rowed merrily along the Isis with her sisters Edith (age 8) and Lorina (age 13). 

Accompanied by their friends Mr Dodgson and Rev. Duckworth, 10-year-old Alice asked Dodgson to entertain her and her sisters with a story. As Rev. Duckworth rowed the boat, Dodgson happily obliged, regaling the girls with stories of a girl named Alice as they made their way from Folly Bridge to Godstow. (The Oxford River Cruises 'Mad Hatter's Tea Party' follows this very same route today).

Alice and the Dodo, by Sir John Tenniel, 1865. Image: The Victorian Web

Although these stories were not unlike those that Dodgson had spun for the sisters before, 
this was the first occasion that Alice had begged him to write it down for her. 

Those of you who know the story well, may now even be able to guess who inspired a few of the charters in Chapter 2, “The Pool of Tears.” Any ideas who Duck, Lory, Eaglet and the Dodo might be? None other than Rev. Robinson Duckworth, Lorina Liddell, Edith Liddell and Charles Dodgson himself of course! 

The Oxford Morris Men

Have you ever seen such a jolly bunch of men? I didn’t know quite what to think when I first laid eyes on these chaps. Men wouldn’t be caught dead dancing around waving hankies like this where I come from, but hey, maybe they should loosen up a little. There’s nothing wrong with having a dance with your mates, tapping sticks and ringing your bells is there???

Morris dancing is a form of English folk dance which is believed to have descended from pagan spring and summer fertility rituals or “good luck” ceremonies.  Morris dancers have been performing in Oxford since the 15th century and thanks to groups like the Oxford City Morris Men, Morris dancing has lived on in the Cotswold region long after its popularity ceased elsewhere.

You’ll find the Morris Men at pubs in and around Oxford on summer evenings from May to July, at numerous locations at the May Day morning celebrations, at fetes, festivals and other events all year round.

Locally brewed beer

I realise I've almost come full circle by suggesting another 'Oxford brew' for my 9th 'Oxford' inspired gift idea, but I've just discovered that Oxford is home to three local-ish breweries. The Old Bog Brewery, The Compass Brewery and The Shotover Brewing Company. 

Particularly fitting with my Christmas theme is The Compass Brewery's 'Winter 6 Pack,' which contains two bottles of each of the following beers: Tannenbaum (Christmas beer), Baltic Night Stout and The King's Shipment IPA. However, The Compass Brewery's 'Isis Pale Ale' is about as 'Oxford' as it gets. 

The 'Isis,' (a shortening of it's Latin name Tamesis) is used to refer to the River 'Thames' and is synonymous with university rowing and the annual clash between Oxford and Cambridge.

The Compass Brewery Winter 6 Pack £16.00

Oxford's own MINI Cooper

Did you know that the BMW factory near Cowley, (right here in Oxford) is the only car production plant that makes MINIs worldwide? What a nice 'Oxford' inspired gift a MINI would make. Hands up who wants one for Christmas? 

MiniCooper S 1:24 Scale Full Function Remote Control Car £11.94

Ok, so buying someone a MINI for Christmas is a bit out of the question, but you could always treat them to this fully functioning, remote control 'mini' MINI instead. It's just 24 times smaller than the real thing! I can't promise it will make them want a MINI any less, (in fact it will probably make things worse), but a 'mini' adventure at the Oxford MINI Plant is also sure to thrill.

  

Tours begin in the showroom and continue through to the production and assembly areas where a team of over 600 robots and 4000 humans work side by side to produce up to 800 cars each day. Tours last for approximately 2.5 hours and cost £15 /adult and £12 /child.

Oxford MINI Plant Tour Oxford, OX4 6NL. 

Getting hold of the booking team can require a little patience, but is well worth the wait.

Jeeves & Jericho's 'Oxford Brew'

In the lead up to Christmas I thought it would be fun to feature a number of 'Oxford' inspired gifts and I couldn't think of a better place to start. The Jolly Good Tea Company is not only based in Oxford, its house blend pays homage to it and for this reason, Jeeves & Jericho's 'Oxford Brew' goes straight to the top of the list. (It's just like an English Breakfast, but packed with a little more punch). 

Whilst Jeeves & Jericho take tea making very seriously, their approach is anything but. Included in their extensive range of loose-leaf teas are blends such as ‘First Flush, ‘The Earl of Grey’, ‘Smokey Russian Caravan’ and ‘Gunpowder.’  Each tea comes packed in its very own collectable tea tin with a personality to match. Jeeves & Jericho also stock a number of branded tea accessories including these adorable tea-cosies, handmade by their very own team of grannies. 

To order your Christmas gifts or perhaps a little something for yourself, 

visit Jeeves and Jericho - The Jolly Good Tea Company.

Oxford Brew £28.00, Turquoise Infuser Pot £22.00, Tea Cosy £28.00, 2 Cup Tea Ball Infuser £3.25

The 'Oxford' shoe

All the hip and happening Oxford Freshers in the early 1800s owned a pair of ‘Oxonian’ boots, 
(a pair of half-boots with side slits). However, like most students they were experimental with their fashion and soon tired of these knee and ankle-high styles. Their solution - Turn them into shoes! To begin, the side slit evolved into a side lace and eventually moved from the side of the shoe to the instep giving birth to what is now famously known as the ‘Oxford.' 

You too can follow in their footsteps - the 'Oxford' has had a huge come back! Take a cue from Selma Blair, Taylor Swift and Sienna Miller by pairing your Oxfords with everything from above knee dresses and skirts to skinny stovepipes and boyfriend jeans

 

Oxford Blue

In Oxford, blue comes in only one shade...'Oxford Blue'. This is the very specific blue of Oxford University, whose association with this colour is so strong, that its name is now recognised throughout the world. 

The origins of Oxford Blue date back to the first boat race in 1829 at a time when the Oxford crew was largely dominated by Christ Church students who sported their dark blue college colours during the race. Soon after Oxford took on the dark blue of Christ Church College as its “colour” and has been worn by Oxford sports men and women ever since. 

'Cambridge Blue' is strangely more of a green than blue and was born in a spur-of-the-moment gesture made by a young Cambridge rower. Before the famous Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race in 1863, (the second of it’s kind), one of the Cambridge crew members tied a light blue ribbon to the boats bow, the colour stuck, and has been with the Cambridge Rowing Team ever since.  

Tip for newcomers: Avoid wearing Cambridge Blue to job interviews or Oxford sporting events. The Oxford/ Cambridge rivalry is fierce!

Oxford Blue Cheese

This local beauty has been around since 1995 and has had great success in its short life. Now world famous, Oxford Blue won 'Best Export Blue' at the British Cheese Awards in 2002 and certainly lives up to expectations.

For true foodies amongst you, my description simply won't do it justice... According to the World Encyclopedia of Cheese, ' Oxford Blue Cheese is a luscious creamy blue with distinct but not strong blue flavour. Aromatic and spicy, it has a hint of dark chocolate and white wine, with tarragon on the finish.' Summed up in one word, delicious!

Oxford Blue is great served simply with bread and crackers, or melted on pasta and grilled meats. It pairs well with Cab Savs, Rieslings and Port and is a great way to jazz up bitter green salads. Here's a yummy recipe I found for a Waldorf Salad with Oxford Blue dressing at The British Larder.

Oxford Blue Cheese is available at the following locations (to name a few):

The Oxford Undercover Market Market St, Oxford.

The Woodstock Rd Delicatessen 15 Woodstock Rd, Oxford

Gluttons Delicatessen 110 Walton Rd, Jericho

Taylors of Oxford 31 St Giles, Oxford & 239 Banbury Rd, Summertown

Oxford 'Bags'

Harold Acton’s solution to the VPL (visible panty line)

Oxford University bans students from wearing knickers! (1924)  

These loose-fitting trousers were designed by Harold Acton (a former student of Christ Church College) and became hugely popular in the 1920s following Oxford University's 'knicker ban'. Students from both Oxford and Cambridge began wearing Oxford Bags to disguise their knickers underneath. Needless to say, the thong hadn’t been invented yet but the trend took off, spreading to Greater London and the States and was revived in the 70s by 'The Bay City Rollers,' a popular Scottish boy band.