Jericho

After our cruise from Abingdon we moored in the Oxford district of Jericho opposite College Cruisers on Monday (03/08/2021). It seemed to be a good place to stay for the day on Tuesday and explore the city of Oxford.

We could see the tower of St Barnabas Jericho across the canal. It is a fine Victorian Basilica-style Church in west Oxford. Built in 1869, its founders and benefactors were committed to serving the needs of the local population of the characterful district of Jericho.

“How long was the peril, how breathless the day,

In topaz and beryl, the sun dies away,

His rays lying static at quarter to six

On polychromatical lacing of bricks.

Good Lord, as the angelus floats down the road

Byzantine St Barnabas, be Thine Abode.”

From ‘St Barnabas Oxford’ by Sir John Betjeman.

Oxford City Council will shortly consider a fresh planning application for the Jericho Wharf canalside development adjacent to St Barnabas Church. From the outset, over two decades ago, the City Council and key stakeholders have shared the vision that this site should accommodate, alongside the new housing, our long-awaited accessible community centre, a new boatyard serving the canal and boat residents and a public square.

As live-aboard continuous cruisers we had laundry on our minds and found a launderette just over a mile away. This took us passed the junction between the Oxford Canal and the Sheepwash channel to the River Thames.

It was quite a hike but we got there in the end. Luckily we had our shopping trolley and backpack to fetch and carry.

Shopping was accomplished while the washing machines were doing their bit.

We had lunch in the Rickety Press pub and then set off for another long walk.

We walked into central Oxford and passed some epic old buildings.

And some impressive new buildings.

And some very old buildings and shops.

The streets got busier as we progressed into the centre.

Altogether the city of Oxford was quite picturesque and full of history.

We finally got to M&S and Steve and Vera waited outside listening to a talented violinist busking outside while Hilary bought a suitable dress for Lizzie’s wedding on 14th August 2021.

There were some charismatic old hostelries in Jericho, including the Rickety Press.

The Old Bookbinders Ale House where surgeons were discussing the days operations over a pint. Vera was delighted to get a gravy bone and a bowl of water.

And last, but not least, the Harcourt Arms, an old school Fullers pub.

Vera was welcome and took to the comfortable interior of this old tavern.

She was also quite keen on the Rickety Press which provided dog water bowls (as did the other two pubs mentioned above).

The terraces houses in Jericho all seem to have brackets outside to padlock their bicycles to. In Oxford the cyclist is king.