韓版流星花園

https://www.top66.com.tw/web/UPA?command=toCoupon

書蟲
Bookworm
高中第一次接觸莎士比亞，應該與許多接觸英/美式教育的高中學生一樣，不是『凱薩大帝』、就是『羅密歐與朱麗葉』。當年遇到我人生中第三位恩師 - Margaret Wallace，讓我了解了文學這個領域，更讓我深深的愛上英國文學。不過對於當時的我來說，親自造訪Stratford，簡直就遙不可及。沒想到過了好幾年後，我真的親自來到這裡，見識到莎士比亞的故鄉。
這兩天的行程，第一天的天氣相當不錯。不過到了第二天就開始下起雨來了。雖然這樣的天氣有損照片的品質，不過實際上，兩天下來該看得都看到了。連原本沒有預計要看的也看到了。可以說是非常的充實。
I first encountered Shakespeare, just like many other high school students, through 'Romeo and Juliet'.  It was during that time, when I encountered one of the teachers who had made the greatest influence in my life - Margaret Wallace.  She made me understand what literature was, and also made me fall in love with it.  However, back then, I would have never imagined that one day, I would actually set foot in Shakespeare's home town.  It seemed so ever-so-far from where I stood.
The weather was fair on the day of our arrival.  Then it started to rain on the second day.  Although this influenced the outcome of the photos I took, the trip was more than well worth it.  We saw almost everything we wanted to see.  We also saw some things that was not included in our initial itinerary.  It was, over all, a very fruitful journey.
城鎮一角。
A scene of the town.
白天鵝旅館。
White Swan Hotel
可愛的一排房子。
Cute house buildings.
某戶人家的草皮上的羊咩咩。
Sheep on someone's lawn.
新的banner背景。
New background picture for my banner.
可愛的小店。
Cute little shop.
『跳上、跳下』旅遊巴士。
Hop on - Hop off Tour Bus.
David Tennant - The Doctor [Doctor Who]、Hamlet [RSC Hamlet / 2008]
據說是莎士比亞曾就讀的算命、風水、占卜軟體學校
Allegedly, where Shakespeare went to school.
馬洛餐廳 [馬洛為『浮士德博士』作者]
Marlowe's Restaurant
奧賽羅餐廳
Othello's Restaurant
橋瑟之首 - 書店
Chaucer's Head, it's a bookstore.
Garrick為18世紀知名的莎士比亞編輯以及演員
The Garrick Inn
巫術及魔法博物館...
Museum of Witchcraft and Wizardology
莎士比亞書店
The Shakespeare Bookshop
紀念石牌
Memorial stone outside The Shakespeare Centre.
莎士比亞中心
The Shakespeare Centre
 
柏明罕大學的莎士比亞研究中心
Shakespeare Institute
可愛的小車站
Train Station.

這是我去曼城的Visitor Centre看到一本專門介紹Stratford-upon-Avon的旅遊雜誌中所看到的B&B。雜誌中只有大概的價格，設備，以及地址。實際的圖片是到了他們的網站上才看到的。其實當初會選擇這家的原因，是因為在安排過程中以電話詢問其他兩間B&B卻只聽到已無空房的消息。後來到這個網站上看到可以直接在網路上訂房，也可以在網路上看到哪幾天還有幾間空房，就直接以上面還有空房的日期來決定我們改期的日子。所以原本決定在七月二十四日出發，才會因此延後到八月三日。
之前有說過，安排這次行程的確花了不少時間。不過，我覺得這一切都很值得。主要的原因，是因為這間B&B的老闆 - Pascal，實在是太盡責了。我們先來瞧瞧房間內部，再來細談這位Pascal到底有多盡責。
I found this B&B in a magazine on Stratford at the Visitor Centre in Manchester.  The magazine only told us the relative price range, the facilities, and the address.  We only saw the actual picture of the B&B when we logged on to their webpage.  At first, we tried to phone other accommodations, but only to find that they were fully booked.  To save us from further trouble, we chose to arrange our trip around the availability of rooms in this B&B, because that information is readily available online.  This is the main reason why we moved our original plan of departing on the 24th of July, to the 3rd of August. 
I've mentioned before, how much hassle we'd had to go through to arrange this trip.  In the end, I think it was well worth the trifle.  The main reason is the owner of this B&B - Pascal.  Let's see what the room looks like before I go into more detail.
因為睡單人小床睡太久，很惡霸的跟我同學要了這張床來睡。
Due to the prolonged torment of having to sleep in a small bed, I begged my mate to let me have this bigger one. 
我同學則是犧牲小我的睡單人小床。
While she slept in this smaller bed.
等我們放下行李準備好要開始第一天的行程後，Pascal早就在樓梯口等著我們。他順手拿了一張Stratford的地圖，詳詳細細的跟我們解說鎮內的主要景點的方向，以及可用餐的地方。我們很不忍心告訴他，我們並不打算花一毛錢再食物上。不過最重要的是，他告訴了我們一個可能只有內行人才知道的內幕消息：就是當天晚上若是要看戲，看完之後要到哪一間pub才會看到劇中演員！就光是這一點，我跟我同學兩人就愛死他囉！
Once we were ready to put forth our day one itinerary, Pascal was already waiting for us by the staircase.  He grabbed a map of the town and elaborately showed us the various sites of interest, plus a detailed introduction to all the nice places to dine.  We didn't have the heart to tell him that we did not anticipate on spending a single penny on food.  The most significant information he let us in on, however, was that if we were to go see a play that night, there was this particular pub that we should go to after the play, in order to meet the members of the cast!  This was enough to make us love that lovely old chap.
隔天早上，我們梳洗好到了餐廳，已經有一整間滿滿的客人等待著與我們一起享用早餐。其實早餐一點也不特別。普普通通的英式早餐加上麥片牛奶。但是因為Pascal招待的很周到，因此也讓這份早餐吃起來更有味道。在吃早餐的同時，還遇上了一對同是來Stratford玩的情侶黨。瞧他們用生疏的英語和Pascal以及與他們供桌的英國人聊天，實在很佩服他們來這遠行的勇氣呢。
The next morning, after we got ready and went to the breakfast room, there was already a big crowd of people waiting for their breakfasts to be served.  The breakfast was nothing special.  It was just the usual English breakfast with milk and cereal.  However, because of Pascal's excellent service, it made the meal more pleasant than it seemed.  During breakfast, I met a Taiwanese couple who was also there for a visit.  Watching them struggling to communicate with Pascal and the English couple sitting with them, I couldn't help but admire their courage to travel this far on their own.
這就是Pascal為我特製的素食早餐。
早餐結束之前，我和我同學還鬧了一場小插曲。個性開朗樂觀的法籍Pascal，不知道為何突然問我們兩個女生最喜歡的藝人是誰。我見我同學遲遲未有回應，就勉強說出了Christian Bale。結果沒想到造成了大轟動！不過他們當中卻沒有一個人知道他是誰捏！真是有點詭異。不過我印象最深刻的就是與我們供桌的一對英國夫妻對於Christian Bale是威爾斯人很不屑的反應。真是有趣。
Before breakfast was over, my friend and I caused a scene in the dining room.  The French chap, Pascal, asked us all of a sudden who our favourite celebrity was.  Seeing my friend's hesitation in responding, I replied 'Christian Bale', mainly just to be polite.  However, the uproar in the room was hardly what I would ever anticipate. What was even more interesting, was the fact that none of them had ever heard of him!  I clearly recall the indifference the English couple showed when I told them that Bale was Welsh.
吃完早餐後我們上樓收拾了行李。原本計畫要將背包扛著走一整天，Pascal卻好心的說我們可以將行李寄放在他那。到我們要走之前在回來領就好。反正與車站同方向。不過我們因為不好意思麻煩人家，就還是背著走。沒想到半天還沒過，我那比我年輕五歲的同學，竟然就說他吃不消。我們又跑回去將行李寄放在人家那，等到要去坐火車前才又回去將行李領回。
離開之前，我答應Pascal，一定要將這麼優質的B&B告訴好友。親切的服務態，貼心的Pascal，舒適的環境，以及乾淨整潔的Macromedia相關系列房間。不用再找了，就是這間了！
Finally, after breakfast, we went back up to our room to finish up packing.  We originally planned to take our knapsack with us the whole way through.  Pascal generously offered an area for us to place them, and told us we could come back for them before we leave.  Well, we didn't listen.  Not even half the day had passed, and my friend, who was 5 whole years younger than I was, couldn't tolerate it any longer.  So we went back, left our knapsacks there, then returned only shortly before we were due at the train station.
Before we left, I promised Pascal that I would tell all my friends about this place.  Great service, wonderful owner, comfy environment, and clean rooms.  What more can you ask for?
延伸資訊：
Salamander Guest House

這裡不是倫敦。沒有哈利波特那9 3/4月台。也不會通往Hogwarts學院。其實來利物浦這麼久了，我一直到最近幾個月才真正踏入這個車站。之前搭火車都是到比較小的Macromedia相關系列Liverpool Central。直到有朋友來訪，我才第一次見識到Liverpool Lime Street車站原來裡面這麼的壯觀。
而也第一次見識到，原來英國有各式各樣的火車。常常聽人說火車誤點或是取消的麻煩事。不過幸好我自己倒是還沒有碰上過。與朋友去Stratford，還有之後自己坐火車去Cardiff，旅程都很順利。無論是換車，或是抵達時間，都是一切順順順。刻意安排將Stratford排在自己單獨去Cardiff行程前，其實為的就是要很低調的讓人家帶過一次，未分類程式這樣自己單獨行的時候才不會很茫然什麼都不會。以前常怪某人不會善用台灣的大眾運輸工具。來到英國才發現，原來到了異鄉，即使語言上不成問題，還是需要很大的勇氣啊！
This is not London.  There is no 9 3/4 platform, and there are no trains that will take you to Hogwarts.  After having been here for a while already, I have to admit that I had only first set foot inside this station recently.  My previous train rides all departed from a smaller station - Liverpool Central.  It was not until I had to pick up a friend here, that I first saw how impressive this station really is. 
Because it was my first experience, I noticed for the first time how many varieties of trains there were.  I've frequently heard about delays and cancellations, but I had not encountered those during my few travels so far.  Everything ran very smoothly when I went to Stratford with my friend, and also when I was on my own to Cardiff.  Transferring, departure times, and arrival times were all well in control.  I intentionally arranged for the trip to Stratford to be before my trip to Cardiff because I wanted someone to take me through the process before I do it on my own.  I used to moan at Jason for not taking advantage of the public transport systems in Taiwan, but it was only until I arrived here, did I realise that it can be a very big deal for an expat, even if you have no language barrier!
不同於Mersey地區內的火車列車，漫畫CD這些走長途路線的車廂都很乾淨，也很舒適。不過還是比不過台灣的自強號。為什麼哩？因為位子都不能調整喔！一定要一路『直直地』坐到底才行。
Unlike the service provided by Merseyrail, these trains were clean and comfy.  Of course, they weren't as good as our own Tze-Chiang Express, but why?  Because you can't adjust the backs of the seats!  You have to keep your back straight the whole way through!
但是有一點就贏了自強號。有些車廂會有桌子。如果坐長程的，吃飯、寫字、看書、玩遊戲、打電腦都很方便。廁所也是很高級的。不過還是要看提供路線的公司。因為有些路線的車廂就沒那麼新。
There is something that I prefer about the trains here, and that is the tables in some of the cars.  If you have a long journey ahead, it would make life much easier if you had a table where you could eat, write, read, play games, and/or use your computer on.  The toilets are also much cleaner and sanitary.  However, this also depends on the service provider.  Some trains are not as new as others.
Crewe to Cardiff, Arriva
Cardiff to Chester, Arriva
除了車廂大不同之外，當然最主要的就是窗外的景色啦！無論是比對台灣的山線或是海線，英國鄉村的景色真的跟台灣的很不一樣！所以無論是往返，路途中我都沒什麼睡。因為錯過窗外的景色，到底何時才能再見到？沿途中除了綠油油的草皮之外，更還有可愛的羊咩咩跟牛群在草皮上吃草。沿途中看到的鄉村小屋，也是很令人難忘的景色。
Other than the differences in the cars, there is also the scenery out your window.  The country scenery here is dramatically different from both lines of rail tracks in Taiwan.  That is why I bearly slept on my journey.  If I missed the scenery this time, when will it be that I see this next?  Other than the green interminable grassfields, there are also sheep and cattle happily devouring grass on them.  The little country houses along the way are also very picturesque.
以下攝於Cardiff返Liverpool途中。
Taken during my trip from Cardiff back to Liverpool.
個人還蠻中意的一張。
Personally, one of my favourites.
遠方的小白點就是羊咩咩。
Those white dots are sheep.
又是一群羊咩咩。
Another herd of sheep.
試圖拍近距離的羊咩咩。Autodesk[有點失敗]
Attempting to take a photo of them at a close range. [Half failed...]
好幸福的羊咩咩！
A whole field of sheep.

在此篇文章中，IntreVideo說明了Stratford-upon-Avon之旅對我的的重大意義。為了與大家共享這段無價旅程的經驗，國小.國中.高中.升學教學我決定破天荒的再辦一次明信片活動。

Manchester Metrolink
好像沒什麼好稀奇的。不過我沒坐過這種輕鐵，所以特地花了一點小錢來體驗一下。不過這段時間去的真不巧。因為軌道處處封閉都在維修。不是想去哪裡就可以去的。至於上了電車後我搭到哪裡去哩？下篇將會揭曉。不過，IntreVideo大家要不要來猜猜看呢？你們絕對想不到的。呵呵。
I guess it's not that big a deal.  But seeing that I had never been on a tram, it was still an experience waiting for me to try out.  It wasn't the best time to experience the tram, as certain stops were closed down.  The places I could get to was very limited.  Speaking of that, I'd like you to see if you can guess where I went on the tram.  My guess is that you'll probably never guess it. 
車廂內部。財務、管理、記帳軟體Inside the tram.
曼撤斯特輕鐵最初建造計畫差不多在70至80年代開始。最後到了1992年七月，終於由伊麗莎白女王親自駕臨開幕儀式。整個路網在經過多次修改之後，目前約23哩長，並一共有37站。目前改造的工程其中包含了擴展到曼撤斯特機場的路線。相信完工之後會帶給當地民眾以及旅客不少旅程上的方便。
The planning of Manchester Metrolink first began in the 1970's and 80's.  The openning was finally witnessed by Elizabeth II in July, 1992. After different phases of reconstruction and expanding, the whole network runs 23 miles long, and consists of 37 stops.  The extension work currently undergoing includes a route to Manchester Airport, which would definitely save a lot of time and trouble for travelers.
整個過程還挺舒適的MSC軟體。車廂內清潔度也不錯。如果當時沒有某些路線被封閉的話，其實以這樣的方式來看看曼城景色也是挺不錯的呢。
The whole process was quite enjoyable.  The cars were relatively clean as well.  If it hadn't been for the closing down of a certain area, this would have been a nice way to go all around Manchester.
延伸資訊：Metrolink [官方網站]

注意：曼聯迷勿入！！
Warning: Man. United Fans Prohibited.
什麼！！一個號稱是當紅利物浦球隊西班牙籍前鋒 Fernando Torres 的老婆，竟然跑去敵軍戰營 Old Trafford！！有沒有搞錯啊！？沒錯！！由於晃完教堂之後，當下覺得市區好像沒其他有看頭的地方，我只好淪落到搭上Metrolink，來到的敵軍戰營Old Trafford來閒晃！不過，除了覺得這個球場的確是很壯觀之外，其餘的時間，我都在努力的隱藏我的苦瓜臉。因為要是被人家看到了，一定馬上就認出我這個『間諜』來啦！
It's true!  I admit! I went to Old Trafford! How was this possible, though, for someone who claims to be the number one fan of the Spanish striker for Liverpool, Fernando Torres, to visit such a horrible place!  Well, after seeing the cathedral, I decided that there was not much left to see in the city centre.  That is the only reason I decided to see what Old Trafford is all about!  Other than the fact that it is undeniably an impressive stadium, from the outside, there is not much more I have to say.  I spent the whole time trying to refrain myself from making funny faces at it.  After all, I didn't want to get myself into trouble.
球場附近的pub。
Pub near the stadium.
要我進去？打死我吧！
Not a chance I'm going in there!
其實我最後會想來的原因還有一個。因為我的好姊妹跟她男友是曼聯迷。因為他們有會員，所以偶爾會很幸運的買的到票來觀看球賽。因為這樣，所以想了解一下他們來看球賽時的路線。經過這次的Old Trafford之旅，才了解，居住在利物浦的曼聯迷，可真是不簡單啊。若是為了省錢坐coach，要花上一小時。到了曼城，又還要搭電車來到Old Trafford。電車到站後，又還要步行一段距離才能抵達球場。好辛苦啊！
There was actually another reason why I wanted to come to Old Trafford.  My best friend and her boyfriend are Man United fans.  They've got membership, so occasionally, they would come and watch the match here.  I wanted to see what it was like for them to come to the match.  After my trip, I realised what a hassle it had been for them.  It takes about an hour to get to Manchester on the coach.  After they arrive, they have to take the tram to Old Trafford, then walk for a while before reaching the stadium! What toil and trouble!
到了接待中心後，接待人員問我說要不要參加tour。問了之後得知tour要￡12。我很想大聲叫出來說：『Anfield的tour我都還沒參加過，要我花錢參觀Old Trafford？門兒都沒有！！ULEAD軟體』不過當然是忍下來啦！畢竟也要看看我當時在誰的地盤嘛！哈哈呵呵！！*汗* 不過我還是進去Mega Store殺了一下時間。買了什麼？當！然！不！可！能！買！Macromedia相關系列啦！DVD9程式有沒有搞錯。
When I entered the reception area, they asked me if I wanted to join the tour.  Once I found out that it cost ￡12, I immediately said to myself, NO WAY, JOSE! Why? C'mon! Do you even need to ask?  I haven't even done the tour for Anfield, yet!  It would be insane to spend that money for a tour in a stadium of our enemy! But I did go into the Mega Store, just to kill time.  Yes, really.  And obviously, I did not spend a pence in that horrible place. Haha.
被我惡搞的壁報。
I simply had to.
我承認，還是挺可愛的啦。
I admit, it is rather cute.
這樣的收銀台，一共有四排！
There were four rows of cashiers like this!
這大概就是我的極限了... 不能在進去了。
This was as far as I could go, and as far as I wanted to go.

University of Manchester的某棟大樓。
One of the many university buildings.
什麼？從去年九月二十二日從曼撤斯特機場入境之後，我就再也沒再踏入曼城一步過了！？大家聽到都覺得有點不可思議。曼城可是大家都逛到不想再逛的地方了，我竟然只到過機場。點點點。一個人旅遊的優點很多，但是缺點就是，若是沒有動力，真的會一拖再拖。所以擇日不如撞日。我隨便選了個日子，告訴我再曼城的朋友說我那天會去。因為話一說出口，駟馬難追。這下子就真的得出發啦。
之前就有稍微看了一下火車以及coach到曼城的價錢。火車￡10不到，但coach只要￡6.50。既然車程不長，當然是選比較便宜的coach囉！其實說實在的，這可以說是我第一次在英國一個人坐coach呢。認識了許多新朋友之後，有的時候會習慣依賴朋友。這次曼城之旅對我來說最大的收穫不是在於看到的景色，而是除了見到老朋友之外，我那細胞裡『一個人去流浪』的慾望又再度燃起囉！
會這麼說得原因呢，音樂素材其實是曼城真的跟大家口述的一樣，就是一個大城市。沒什麼特色。就連他們中國城的拱門，都沒我們利物浦的來的要大。不過最令我失望的是，這麼一座大城市的Linux系列教堂，居然一點看頭都沒有。不過雖然對曼城這個城市非常的失望，但這一趟旅程還是超級有意義的囉。再怎麼說，也都是一種有趣的體驗囉！
A lot of people find it hard to believe that ever since my arrival through Manchester airport in September, 2008, I had not set foot in that city again.  It's like one of those cities where people get sick and tired of going because it's so close by.  And I had not been, yet!  There are many advantages to travelling on your own, but one of the major disadvantages is that there is way too much freedom for procrastination.  Therefore, I chose a random date, told my friend in Manchester when I'd be going, to push myself into making actual plans for the trip.
I'd taken a look at the prices, and found that the train costs around ￡10, whereas the coach only costs ￡6.50.  Since it was not a long trip, obviously I would pick the cheaper option.  In fact, this was my first coach ride on my own!  When you meet new friends, you tend to depend on them to organise everything for you.  The biggest reward from this trip, I would say, would be the fact that I've learned, once again, the fruit and joy of travelling 'solo'. 
The reason I say this, is because the city itself, turned out to be a big disappointment.  Just like everyone said, there isn't much to see.  Even the arch in China Town was significantly smaller than the one we have in Liverpool.  But the biggest disappointment is the fact that the cathedral of this urban city, could be so little!  Despite the city being a major let-down, it was, nonetheless, a meaningful journey.  After all, the experience is priceless.
隨處可見的雕像。左：Robert Peel。右：Duke of Wellington。
參見維多利亞女王。
Queen Victoria at Picadilly Gardens
中央圖書館。Central Library.
莎老頭彩繪玻璃。Stained glass window with a portrait of William Shakespeare.
Town Hall
即將展開的International Festival。
歌劇院。Opera House.
戲如人生。The play mirrors life.
John Rylands 圖書館。John Rylands Library.
介紹到這，就不得不說明一下。這個圖書館，大概是整個曼城裡面最吸引我的地方。因為他號稱收藏了許多老舊文學作品的原稿。但！是！就在我來到這，悠悠哉哉的拍完外觀踏入大門之後，櫃台的人才跟我說：我們要準備關門囉！此時我才驚覺：又是因為天一直不黑，讓我以為時間還早！害的我唯一有興趣的地方竟然看不到。不過我再想，光是這間圖書館，應該值得我為他專門在回來一趟唷！
At this point, I must say that the only site I found extremely interesting was this library.  It claims to be in possession of a lot of old manuscripts.  However, just as I walked into the entrance, after slowly taking my time in taking shots of the exterior, the receptionist told me: We're about to close!  WHAT!!??  This is yet another incident where I'm misled by the lenght of time it stays light out during the summer!  Although I had missed the opportunity to see this place, I think the library by itself is worth another visit, don't you?

01
不過就是個摩天輪，台北也有、迪士尼CD高雄也有。規模也不比倫敦之眼來的壯觀。升學、留學、國家考試DVD只是既然來了，就當作是練習拍照。天氣時好時壞，也算是英國天氣的特色。瞧！這些照片中可輕易看出，往某個角度拍攝，就是灰色的天空。再換個角度拍攝，又變成了藍天白雲。
It's just an ordinary ferris wheel.  We have our own in Taipei and Kaohsiung.  It's not even worth comparing to the London Eye.  But since I'm here, I took the opportunity to brush up my photography skills, if I have any.  You'll see in these pictures, a portrayal of typical English weather.  From one angle, the azure sky provides a beautiful backdrop to the wheel, but from an other angle, the sky looks dim and miserable.
02 藍天白雲 Blue sky and cotton candy
03 天灰灰 Grey cloudy backdrop
04 半藍半灰 Half blue, half grey
05 取得全景不容易 Difficult to squeeze the whole wheel in one shot
06 躲貓貓 Playing hide and seek
     
07 離開前又放晴 The sun came out to bid me farewell
延伸資訊：
The Wheel of Manchester @ World Tourist Attraction

第一眼看到這座教堂，我整個人都傻掉了。為什麼這座位於這麼繁榮城市的教堂，會這麼的不起眼？所謂不起眼的地方，當然主要是指他的大小。對於一個比利物浦還要繁榮的城市而言，主要的大教堂就這麼一間？而相較之下，利物浦這種不大又不小的港都，音樂素材主要的大教堂就有兩間。這點實在令人匪夷所思。
不過上網查了資料以後才發現，原來是我有眼不識泰山。這座教堂的歷史遠遠超越利物浦的兩間大教堂。這間原名The Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St Mary, St Denys and St George in Manchester的教堂，事實上早在第八世紀就建立了。而在第二次世界大戰中，大部分慘遭德軍空襲毀損。重建工程花了約二十年才完工。1952年被正式列入Grade I of Listed Buildings。但在1996，再度慘遭愛爾蘭共和軍襲擊造成部份毀損。該教堂存有大量的歷史性資料庫。最古老的文件可追朔到十五世紀。
When I first caught sight of the cathedral, I was absolutely taken aback.  It was not because of how spectacular it was, but quite on the contrary, it was by how little the cathedral was in such an urbanised city as Manchester.  I couldn't come to figure out the reason why a medium-sized city like Liverpool would have two large-scale cathedrals, but a city as large as Manchester only had one significant cathedral.  After checking up on its history, I've decided that size isn't the only thing that mattered.
Manchester Cathedral was originally names 'The Cathdral and Collegiate Church of St Mary, St Denys and St George in Manchester'.  It is a medieval church constructed in the 8th centry.  During the second World War, the Blitz destroyed most of the cathedral, and took twenty years for the reconstruction to complete.  In 1952, it became an official Grade I of Listed Buildings.  However, parts of it got destroyed, again, by an IRA attack in 1996.  The cathedral has an extensive archive of documents dating all the way back to the fifteenth century. 
教堂外觀 Exterior of the cathedral.
彩繪玻璃 Stained glass window
讀經室？ Prayer room?
彩繪玻璃 & 吊燈 Stained glass window and chandelier
從教堂走出來後，我發現了一件很慘的事情。那就是：我一抵達去Visitor Centre要到的地圖竟然不見了！不知道是不是在換相機電池的外語DVD時候不小心鬆手丟掉的。不過反正下一站要去的地方正好也是要回到Visitor Centre附近。所以我就硬著頭皮，憑自己的方向感走回去再跟他們要一份地圖囉！
When I got out of the cathedral, I realised I had somehow lost the map I got at the Visitor Centre ealier during the day.  It must have slipped off my hand while I was changing the batteries to my camera.  But since my next destination requires me to return to that same area, I made good use of my overly developed sense of directions and headed back to get another map.
Manchester Cathedral

威爾斯愛情湯匙
聽說今天是七夕。DVD合輯所以天仙決定來插播一篇應景文，來送給世界各地的情人。電腦認證與應用學習希望大家能夠每天都甜蜜、每天都幸福。若是情人不在身邊也沒關係，只要你心裡有他/她，其實也可以很開心、漫畫CD很快樂的囉！
這篇要介紹的是威爾斯的特產『愛情湯匙』- Love Spoon。可別小看這玩意兒。這篇拍到的愛情湯匙都只是簡單小小的紀念品。少則￡2 ~￡5就可以買到一個回家做紀念，或是送給情人當作定情物。導航地圖不過也有很高級的。貴則到￡20以上都有的呢！
百年前威爾斯開始流傳這樣的傳統：年輕的男孩們會親自雕刻一個愛情湯匙送給心儀的女生當作是定情物。今日演變成送給友人之間的紀念品，當然也還是可以送給心儀的對象囉！在威爾斯當地，愛情湯匙可當作是週年紀念、結婚禮物[西方人不包紅包]、文定、新生命的誕辰、受洗日、生日、當然還有今天的主題：情人節禮物。
而每一個圖樣都代表了不同的意義。愛心代表堅定不移的愛情。馬蹄代表好運。凱爾特結代表不朽之愛。鎖則代表穩定。鈴鐺表示結婚的祝福。鑽石表示好福氣。花兒代表鍾愛。環節代表永久緊繫。錨表示以固定的愛情。龍代表保護、防衛。十字架表示信賴。被拴住的球表示會有幾個孩子，或是被困住的愛。鎖孔象徵我的家就是你的家。
如何？是不是覺得挺有意思的呢？那來練習一下吧！
還記得錨象徵的是什麼嗎？
鑽石形狀又代表什麼呢？
馬蹄呢？
凱爾特結的象徵是什麼呢？
那鎖孔+馬蹄呢？
是不是覺得很特別呢？這些都比較小，所以頂多只能用到兩個象徵物。不過比較高級一點的，可以設計融入三到四種象徵物的都有呢。如果有機會到威爾斯玩的話，可以考慮買幾個小的送給親朋好友。
而高級一點的，當然就留給你的另一半囉！
最後，當然還是要說：七夕情人節快樂！
延伸閱讀：Love spoon @ Wikipedia [英]

這不是一塊荒廢的空地。這是考古學家只挖出一半的羅馬露天劇場。歷史可以追溯到第一世紀。原本是拿來當作是軍隊訓練營。但後來也拿來鬥雞、鬥牛、XBOX360-DVD9及其他競技運動[當然包含大家所熟悉的角鬥]的場所。圖片右上方所見到的教堂即是『聖約翰聖洗者教堂』。
This is not an abandoned site.  This is the ruin of a Roman amphitheatre, of which archeologists have only half uncovered.  The history of this amphitheatre can be traced back to the first century, when it was initially used as a training and drill site for soldiers.  Later, it was also used for cockfighting, bull-baiting, and other combat sports, including gladiatorial combat.  The building you see on the top right hand corner is the Church of St. John the Baptist.
這位老兄是要來帶領其他羅馬小兵來認識古羅馬對切斯特的影響。
This bloke is dressed as a Roman to instruct the little gladiators about Roman influences on Chester.
他不是在瞪我啦！探索、國家、知識頻道VCD
He's not staring at moi....
很有朝氣的一群小士兵唷！
What energetic bunch of lil gladiators!
這兩位帥哥正好顯示出這露天劇場到底有多大！
These two blokes really helps in showing how big this amphitheatre really is!
方便遊客上下的木階梯。
Wooden staircase built for tourists.
應該是柱子...剩下的
What remains of the amphitheatre.
再來一張。
Close up.
售票口的一部份就在此上方。
講解挖掘過程的告示牌。
被我朋友的手蓋住的那一半，就是被挖掘出來的那一半。都已經這麼大了還只是一半而已唷！可見當初這個露天劇場應該對於當時的居民是非常重要的DVD9程式一個娛樂場所。雖然歷史學家早就揣測切斯特會有一座露天劇場，但這個劇場其實一直到1929年才被真正的挖掘出來。而複雜的挖掘過程，牽扯到政治及經費問題，使得它從2000年至今都一直維持著現在這副模樣，毫無進展。其實是有點可惜的。你說是不是呢？
The semi-circle covered up by my friend's arm is the half of the amphitheatre that had been uncovered by archeologist.  Can you imagine how big this place had actually been?  What you can see in the picture is only half of it!  It wouldn't be too presumptous, then, to assume that this amphitheatre had once been an important centre providing entertainment for civilians back in the days.  Although historians had long speculated an extant amphitheatre, it had only been discovered in 1929.  The complicated archeological process involved financial and political issues, and because of that, the site had remained as it is now since 2000.  Personally, I think it's a real pity.  What do you think?