il Giardino Romantico

P had been such a wonderful host. I really think he had done more than he needed. What I enjoyed more about spending time with western host is their directness. Sometimes the orient can be a little too concerned with pampering their guests. This can often times make your hospitality become a burden. The reason I mention this, is because when I insisted on visiting the castle, P asked me to do the tour on my own, which was completely fine. Although I felt a little guilty since he'd have to find something to do to kill the time, I thought it worked out for the best - he got some time to catch up his own errands, and I got to see the castle. 

Ｐ實在是個很稱職的導遊。他真的是很熱情的在招待我。不過比起東方人的招待方式，我真的比較喜歡西方人的直接坦率。有時東方主人的過度關切，只會造成客人的困擾呢。我會提到這個呢，是因為我真的很想參觀城堡，可是Ｐ很堅持他不要進去（應該是因為看過太多次了）。所以Ｐ就請我自己去。我不覺得這有什麼不好的。不過對於他必須找點事情來殺時間這件事情，我倒真的有點不好意思。但我想最後這樣的安排還是好的：他利用這點時間去做點他自己的事情，而我也參觀到了我想參觀的城堡。

As I mentioned before, a river runs through Durham. One afternoon, we decided to walk along the river. Both P and his wife said the walk would be very pleasant. Since I had been well prepared, physically, to do this kind of exercise, I was definitely up for it. Initially we estimated an hour's walk, but I think we ended up walking for two hours.  

P and I were silent most of the time, but the sounds of nature and the pleasant noises of an English smalltown was enough to fill the air with a delightful atmosphere. 

就如同之前所述，德倫有條河流。這天下午我們就決定沿著河畔健走。Ｐ與師母都認為這條健行路線非常的悠閒，風景非常美。由於來英國之前我就有為這種活動作準備，所以當然是很開心的接受了這項行程的提議！原本我們預估要走一個小時左右，但最後我算算時間，應走了有兩小時之久！

I guess, this is what they call 'like teacher, like student.' I've told this early pint story to many, and everyone found it absolutely astounding that we would go for a pint at 10am (beating my previous record of drinking at noon). The story goes: P takes me for a walk around the city. After about half an hour or so, we stopped across from a building when Paul said to me, 'This pub is quite special. It's built in Victorian style...etc...' Then after about five seconds of silence, and me taking the silence as a photo op, he continued... 'So? What do you think? How about a drink?' I looked him in the eye, then glanced at my watch, then walked into the pub with him...  

我想這就是正所謂的『有其師必有其徒』吧！這個故事不管跟誰說，誰都會覺得很不可思議！在此之前，我的紀錄是中午才碰"麥茶"，沒想到在這竟然也有這種紀錄可以破！當天的情形是這樣的：Ｐ帶著我走著走看看不同的景色。約半小時後我們停在一棟建築物對面，他便對我說：這棟建築物很有意思！是維多利亞風格的巴拉巴拉巴拉... 。接著是冷場五秒左右。我以為Ｐ是給我機會拍張照，沒想到他接著說：怎麼樣？進去喝一杯吧！我睜大眼睛看著他，又看了看手錶... 然後就走了進去.......XD

All the destinations during my 2010 trip to the UK was rewarding, but Durham was rewarding in a significantly different way. I came to Durham to visit a former teacher of mine. I say 'former teacher', but in reality, there is no such thing as 'former' teacher. Once a teacher, always a teacher. Wouldn't you agree?

這次的英國行，每個行程其實收穫都很豐富！不過來這裡的收穫是很不一樣的豐富！我是來探望以前的老師。雖然是"以前"的老師，不過『一日為師，終生為父』，老師沒有什麼現在或以前之分（對我而言）。你是否同意呢？

This is a short arcticle containing scenes of Durham that I had found difficult to categorize, but had not the heart to delete or ignore. I guess it would be nice to use this as an interim between two larger scale articles. 

這篇極短篇，說實話是來佔版面用的。原因是這幾張很難分類，但又捨不得直接刪掉或私藏。想說剛好上一篇跟即將要發的下一篇都是比較長篇，不如就趁機來點輕鬆點的light reading吧！

Full name of the cathedral is 'The Cathedral Church of Christ, Blessed Mary the Virgin and St. Cuthbert of Durham'. Founded in 1093, the cathedral is a UNESCO World Hritage Site and a fine example of Norman architecture. 

這座教堂全名為『達勒姆基督、聖母與聖Cuthbert座堂』。建立於1093年，這座諾曼式教堂現已為世界文化遺產。

Other than visiting places I had not been able to visit before I left this country the first time round, I also let my friends decide where my destinations were going to be. I chose to visit places where my friends were, because on top of sightseeing, I'd also get to spend some quality time with my dear friends. 

The main reason for visiting Durham, was to visit a very dear teacher of mine who had recently retired and returned to the UK. I didn't know what Durham was like, but I knew I was not going to be disappointed. 

這次除了要去一些之前沒去過的地方之外，我還讓"朋友"決定我的行程。哪裡有朋友，就去哪裡。因為除了看風景，當然還有跟朋友相處的寶貴時間啦！