Wednesday, January 31, 2007

等候

曾经有一位长辈告诉我

单身是好的


因为

如果你遇到对的人,那你可以放任的去爱

如果那时你身边有了一个人, 将会进退两难;

不想辜负

却也不想错过...


所以

你不要难过;我也不要难过...

只要耐心等候

我深信

属于我们的幸福

会悄悄地降临在我们的身边...

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

North East England - Durham


For the last 3 years in Newcastle, though Durham is just 10min away, I never really have the chance to visit this historical city, until the very last month before I leave North East, moving down South. To me,Durham is the landmark to remind me how near Newcastle is whenever I travel on train. Once the train announced "We are approaching Durham Station, Durham Station- our next destination.", it's time for me to be prepared to get down the train for the next stop Newcastle.

On the day I finally visited Durham, it wasn't sunny. In fact, it was drizzling all the way.. It was good for couples, when they could breath the same air under the umbrellas. But hey! Weak people (:p) like me would have caught a cold!


On the way to town from Durham train station

Durham town centre

Due to the typical UK weather, Durham Cathedral was our only choice (Indoor, not to get wet! Haha!!!). O.K., some history time again. Durham Cathedral is one of the finest examples of Norman architecture in the world (Sorry, I have no idea what is that! But the building indeed is really grand.) According to Durham tourism info, it was completed in 1135. There is no admission fees, but donation is "encouraged"! :p Next to it, it's the Durham Castle. Unfortunately there was no guided tour due to privat event. Please check the schedule of guided tour if you really want to visit the castle.


Durham Cathedral

Different angle

Stunning!

The market in town was lovely. It was so different from back home. The fruits and vegetables were so attractive. Even the butchers were awesome! We spent our evening watching "Oliver" in Gala Theatre & Cinema. The ticket itself was only £5 after student discount. The quality of the hall was alright. It's suitable for small-scale shows. It's really not a bad idea to have one day trip in this little charming town.


Part of Cathedral

Inside the Cathedral

Souvenir shops

Long Pathway in Cathedral

Durham Castle

你与她

那时候的你们,像是两只刺猬,渴望倚偎,却又总是一再刺伤对方,结果,你们都遍体鳞伤 ...

如果现在学会了用适当的方式去爱对方, 走下去未尝没有可能...


未来难以预测...

只盼你能快乐、幸福...

Sunday, January 28, 2007

没资格

既然见不得他跟别人好

当初就该牢牢把握


既然错放

现在就没有资格表现出多愤怒、多受伤的情绪

拿自身的不如意来伤害别人!

North East England- Hadrian's Wall


If you enjoy countryside views, relaxing walks; why not leave your car behind, and come to this one of the World Heritage Sites - Hadrian's Wall.

I know history is boring, but Hadrian's Wall was constructed by the order of Emperor Hadrian (Obviously! :p). It is built to "separate the Romans from the Barbarians". Hadrian's Wall is relatively small scale if you compare it with the Great Wall of China. However with the nice sceneries surrounding it, Hadrian's Wall indeed is a good choice to have some walks, away from city busy life.





We took a bus from Newcastle to Hexham, and the B&B owner picked us up from there. It would be a bit of hassle to go there by public transports. The B&B is very lovely, traditional country house, with great warmth feel.





It was freezing (January is very cold, and I wonder why that time we chose to go to Hadrian's Wall!!!) with the wind when we walked along the wall. Remember to put more clothes on!!





We took the opportunity to have a short city tour of Hexham while waiting for the bus to go back to Newcastle. Hexham Abbey is one of the tourist spots in the city centre that we went. Spending an afternoon in Hexham after Hadrian's Wall walk in Hexham is definately a great idea.



Saturday, January 27, 2007

North East England - Newcastle upon Tyne


Newcastle, Newcastle.. This is the place to be!!

Too much memories in Newcastle! I spent my 3 years degree in this Geordies Toon, experiencing my first ever "oversea" time, get to see the first snow in my life, realising that I actually love Chinese food the most, learning how to greet people everytime you see them, saying cheers all the time beside tossing the glasses, giving hugs as well as receiving them, being brave to voice out, learn how to be proud of myself, respect own's will...

If you have chance to visit this place, don't miss out the famous Quayside. You can actually walk to Gateshead, across River Tyne by Millennium Bridge or Tyne Bridge.


Millennium Bridge

Tyne Bridge

In city centre

If you are coming from the South, you'll see the "Angle of the North" along A1, welcoming you to this most friendly town in England.







Newcastle is served by GNER rail. It takes about 3.5 hours from London, and another 2 hours to Edinburgh. Newcastle is relatively developed. Beside the normal bus services, you can travel inter-city by Metro. The day ticket is just about GBP4 (if I'm not mistaken!!), and you can go to Tynemouth, Whitleybay the beach. You can also travel as far to Sunderland! Newcastle airport is about 20minutes drive from the city. There are a number of budget airlines, for e.g. Easyjet, Jet2, Flybe etc. that offering cheap flights to major cities in UK and Europe.


Windmill in Sunderland

Winter Garden in Sunderland town centre

Beach at Sunderland

And hey, Newcastle is very famous of its nightlifes! You'll be amazed by local Geordies girls wearing mini-skirts, sleeveless during winter 0 degree Celsius!! A scene not to be missed! Newcastle is also home for Newcastle United Football team! And ChinaTown is just directly opposite St. James's Park. "All you can eat" Chinese buffets from GBP5.99 during lunch or from GBP7.99 onwards in the evening. It's really a bargain!


Chinese New Year celebrations in China Town

Newcastle Train station

University of Newcastle upon Tyne

Leazes Park


Newcastle Newcastle.. Good people, Great place, Great Life!!

Thursday, January 25, 2007

South West England - Bournemouth


The time I first arrived in Bournemouth was summer 2006. Before that, I had no idea what was the town like. To be honest, I was quite lucky to be based in this little seaside city, with great view of beach and great weather (only summer!!!). Basically the beach is the place to be, it's the bes attraction in Bournemouth after all. The free showers and toilet facilities by the beach are quite clean. Not a problem at all if you fancy a swim (though the sea water might be icy cold!), picnic, BBQ or even just sunbathing.
You need to pay 50p to get onto Bournemouth Pier, which allows you to have different angles for the sea views. In summer, there are fantastic fireworks at 10pm on every Friday night. There is an aquarium just beside the Pier, but I haven't got a chance to visit it yet.



Don't forget to try the famous Harry Ramsden's fish and chips. Take away would be a cheaper option while you can sit on the bench outside and enjoying the sunshine. Along Old Christchurd Road, there are quite a number of good restaurants, bars and bistro. If you fancy different nationality cuisines, Charminster is the place to go (About 5min drive, half an hour walk from town). There are Italian, French, Brazillian, Tunisian, Middle East, Chinese, Thai.. you name it! It's best to reserve a table, as it can get very busy during weekends.

Like other cities in UK, shopping in Bournemouth is alright, nothing too fantastic. We have Debenhams, Beales, M&S, Bhs, TopShop, Zara, H&M, Next etc. Castle Point is another shopping outlet that open late till 8pm just outside of the town (can be accessed by M1 and Yellow Bus 3a I think).




For the public transports, Bournemouth can be accessed from London Waterloo by South West Train, it takes about 1.75hours or 2.30hours (depending on journeys and routes). National Express serves from London Victoria to Bournemouth coach station (opposite the train station), for 2.30hours. It's cheaper to come by coach, especially National Express now has promotion called FunFare, which can be as low as GBP1 for a single journey.

If you have sometimes, don't forget to visit some towns nearby. Poole Quay, Christchurch, Wimborne are lovely towns to spend your relaxing afternoons during weekend.

To travel around Bournemouth, Sandbank, Poole, Christchurch, all day ticket by Yellow Bus for GBP3 each could be an option. If you travel with someone, M1 and M2 served by Wilt and Dorset is a better option for you, as they have 4 for 5 (4 persons for GBP5) all day tickets available in evening of weekday and all day during weekend.


Poole Quay



Christchurch

PS: Special thanks to the great photographer! :p