Monday 30 April 2007

A Short Visit to Chester (28 Apr 07)

We went to Chester on the same day we visited Conwy. It was about an hour drive from Conwy to Chester. We stopped by at Chester on our way back to Leeds. Chester is an old town with more than 2,000 years of history. It was one of the last towns falls to the Normans (people from northern France). This town is well known with its' Roman architecture.






Visting Chester city centre was our last action before we depart. You could find lots of shop houses here, it's a shopping paradise. These shop-lots are all in dacker, means with 2 storeys. The rows form a second level of shops above those on street level and are the only known examples in the world although no one is sure why they were built in this way. Some of the building along the streets have remained since 13th century, but many are Victorian copies. This unique designed of shop houses is called Chester Row.





Chester Row, the city centre with lots of shops.



Chester Row.


Way to Roman Garden.







This was one of the greatest invention back in many centuries ago. Pillars were built below hypocaust to reduce heat and helps air circulation in the house.


If you are visiting Chester, dont miss Chester Information Centre. Not only that it serves as a place to provide visitors with lots of information and guides, you could also discover lots of armours in the exhibition hall, just right up to the second floor. We put on the plate armour and chain armour, boy oh boy...they are heavier than we thought! We didn't expect chain armour could be so heavy (hubby said it should be more than 20kg). Just wondering... hmmm...how people faught in the battle with all these heavy stuff on them?


The chain and plate armour.



Haha... acting as if he is a Spartan.




A double storey tour bus...



... with a lady tour guide in costume.



Roman Amphitheatre.












Believe it or not? A human is hiding under the poodle dog's costume!




Very unique architecture in Chester.


Eastgate Clock is a turret clock built above the Eastgate of the Ancient Walls. This clock served as one of the landmark for Chester, it was placed there in 1897.

The Eastgate Clock.





Of cause not forgetting to visit another main attraction in Chester --- The Chester Cathedral. This old church is over 1,000 year old. Originally a Saxon Minster, then rebuilt as a Benedictine Abbey. This magnificicent building has been the Cathdral of the Diocese of Chester since 1541.

Chester Cathedral.


We rushed to Chesire Military Museum at around 4:30, unfortunately, the last admission was at 4:00pm. We were so dissapointed that we had missed the opportunity to visit such a great place. We also couldn't find our way to Dewa Roman Experience (it was some where down at the back street). Actually, we did by pass Dewa Roman Experience a few times, just couldn't understand why we didn't see it until it was 5:15pm... sign!). Dewa Roman Experience should be a great place to explore, it exhibits lives of Roman Empayer in Britain.


Although we missed out Chesire Military Museum and Dewa Roman Experience, we manage to get into Grosvenor Museum. This museum has the largest collection of Roman tombstones from a single site in Britain. We learnt alot from the museum, including old Roman costumes, Roman fine arts, history, artifacts, Chester herritage & etc. The admission is free.


Grosvenor Museum.



In Grosvenor Museum.



Outside Chester Council Hall.



Sunday 29 April 2007

Visit to Conwy in Wales (28 Apr 07)

We went to Conwy yesterday with a group of international students. This trip was organized by International Office from University of Leeds. We were told to gather at Parkinson Building before 8am. It was really a long day for us as we have to wake up at 6:30am to prepare breakfast. The coach was fully seated, most students/ research fellows are from China and the others are from Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, Italy & etc ( I would say most are Asian). I called this trip as a 'free and easy' package. We had transportation ready for us, we had a group leader who provided leftlets and informations. However, we were given freedom to explore the place freely. Basically we went there as a group, but then we were on our own when we reach the destination.


The journey took us about 3 hours to reach Conwy. Conwy stands along the coast, it is really a very attractive place. The main attaraction in Conwy is the Conwy Castle which was constructed in year 1283~1289, by English King Edward. Standing on the castle will enable you to see into the castle's Great Hall (it has no roof), which the height is over 38 metres. Conwy Castle is surrounded with ring of town walls (have to take spiral staircase to reach to the top), where we could enjoy breathtaking views of mountains and sea. Basically, the castle is surrounded by sea and river. The admission ticket for the castle is 4.50 pounds for an adult; 4.00 pounds for a student; 3.50 pounds for a child; family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) for 11.50 pounds.


Conwy town is surrounded and once was protected by Conwy's Town Walls. It was built in 13th century, and is considered to most remaining medieval wall in Britain. The walls are completely intact and are mostly unspoilt by later building. The walkway of Conwy's Walls is approximately 3/4 miles long, and visitors will have to take about 30 minutes to complete walking the walkway.



The town.








Conwy Castle and Conwy Town Walls.







Playing hide and seek.... haha!




View captured from Conwy Castle.











You may find Conwy suspension bridge behind the castle. The bridge was designed by Thomas Telford and built in 1826. The suspension bridge spans the River Conwy and it' supporting towers match the turrets of the medieval castle. Visitors will have to pay 1 pound (adult)/ 50 pence (children) or 3 pounds (family) for bridge crossing. We didn't have time to explore this amazing experience.
Conwy Suspension Bridge.

We also went around Conwy town to take a walk.

An armour shop in Conwy.





Another attraction of Conwy is the Conwy Beach. It's really beautiful and nice! Conwy is well known for fish and chip, we ordered two sets of fish and chip for lunch. We had our lunch beside the sea. Out there, with seagulls flew on top of us, wind was whispering in our ears, children were having great time fishing crabs... all these puzzles make Conwy a nice piece of arts! How I wish I could stay a little bit longer at Conwy.








Britain Smallest House measures only 3.05m high by 1.8m wide. To visit this amazing drawf house, visitors will have to pay a little bit for the entrance (75 pence for adult, 50 pence for student and 50 pence for kid).

British Smallest House


Bye Conwy!

Friday 20 April 2007

我一定要加油!

12月开始就伸请工作,将近5个月的时间一共伸请了不少过30 份工。很悲哀的,每一次连去面试的机会都没有。以前忙得不可开交的时候总想如果有一天可以呆在家里是件多好的事情。人,往往就是这样,会迷念及向往自己没有的东西。但至从呆了将近5个月后,发现在家里的日子不是很适合我。总是感觉到生活缺少了什么。

一直找,一直都找不到。很多关心我的朋友都劝我找清洁工作算了,他们都告诉我说在Leeds要找一份office job 并不容易,尤其我不是英国大学的‘出产品’。我不在意什么工作,因为工作现在对我来说最重要的是能帮我打发时间。但我担心回国时会影响我找工作的机会。毕竟公司一定会问我在国外3~4年做了些什么,而只有office job 才会为我的工作经验(resume)上加分或带来credit

我没放弃过。终于,在上个月一共接到两通面试的通告。28号那个面试我去了,30号那个我打电话取消了。隔一天,就在29号那天,第一家公司有写email 通知我已经被录取了。但,一定要成功收到3 张不同的references 写的推荐信,而且他们一定要满意推荐信的内容,才可officiallyappointment letter 给我。我写了3email 给两个以前的上司和一位同事,结果只有一位没回复他们的要求。我想她应该是太忙了吧!结果又写了一封email 给另一位上司请他帮一帮忙。

过后等了好久,一来是因为Good Friday 放了一个星期的假,二来是因为当地人搞不懂我student dependentstatus 是不需要工作准证的。所以他们又要弄清楚我的status,又要放假,一拖再拖,拖到我等到有点不耐烦了。结果前天写了另一封email 过去问清楚我的工作申请手续搞到怎样了,他们才回email 告诉我将寄appoinment letter给我。我想要不是我写信去的话,他们应该会在星期五那天才通知我吧!

虽然这份工作只是暂时性的,8个月,但我很珍惜这份机会。

希望这8个月里,我可以感应到不同的工作文化。加油吧!!

Monday 16 April 2007

Here Comes Spring in 2007!!





Finally the sun stop hiding himself from us. This afternoon was a big sunny day! The temperature was 23 degree celsius, warm but windy (just nice, I love it!). Again, we went to Hyde Park for a walk and to take some photos. I realised that hubby was extremely happy. He sang, he jumped, climbed up & down and danced like a child. He is a sunny boy, he needs sunshine to bring him energy!



In the park, trees are turning green and most are with pink sakura. I have never seen such breath taking scenary in my life before. The greens bring me happiness and hope, the air breeze with the smell of flowers... everything seems so great and beautiful! Hyde Park was full and crowded with people. It was different compare to few weeks ago, not much people were around. In spring, people like to do sunbathing under the big sun, as they believe tan is beauty. Some were playing games and sports, while others were lying on the grass with their favourite books and some were having great time barbecuing with a bunch of friends. I am sharing today's pictures with you. Hope you will like it! :)











Arrrhhh.... nice warm sun!!







So crowded with people!!


These were what we brought along...



But this was not what we did...




Father and son.


















Sakura was blossom at every where in the park.






Hubby was dancing 'Para-para Sakura' under Sakura tress.






Love birds in spring.