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。
Are you envious of Hogwarts students, who get to live in old castle buildings? Well, tell you what, you can be envious of students of Durham University as well. Because one of the buildings of this castle, is student hall... 
你羨慕「哈利波特」裡的學生嗎？因為可以住在城堡式的建築裡？那我可要告訴你，德倫大學的學生你更要羨慕！因為這城堡的其中一棟，就是拿來當學生宿舍用的！
If I remember correctly, it's that round building. The student hall, that is. 
如果我沒記錯的話，宿舍就是山丘上的那棟。
Pictures were not allowed, so this was the only shot I managed to take sneakily.
因為內部禁止拍照，所以只有偷拍到這張。
It was not a very long tour, but it's a strange feeling to see a castle put into use like this one. Mind you, this is property of Durham University. 
這導覽不會太長。但是見到這麼一間目前還在使用中的老建築，真的是一種很奇妙的感覺。這可是德倫大學的財產喔！
 
This marks the end of my Durham tour. I am fully appreciative of P and his wife's hospitality. When P was getting ready to walk me to the train station to see me off, he offered to carry my 5kg backpack. It was good training for me, so I didn't really want him to carry it for me, but both P and his wife insisted. P said he would've carried it for me when I arrived had he realised how heavy it was. (It's a 15 minute walk, up and down hill, from his house to the train station) I think there is a reason why some teachers will always have a secure place in your memory, and influence your way of thinking and behaving for the remainder of your life. 
德倫之旅就在這畫下了句點。對於Ｐ以及師母的招待，豈能是一兩句謝謝就能夠表達到位？（那三句夠嗎？）Ｐ正要送我走去車站時，自告奮勇地說要幫我背那5kg的背包。那背包對我來說是個很好的訓練體力的工具，而我也不好意思請他老人家幫我背。但是師母跟Ｐ都很堅持不讓我碰自己的背包（綁架啊！）Ｐ還說，我剛抵達的時候若有發現我背包這麼重，來的路上就會幫我背了！（從他家到車站距離約十五分鐘–坡路！） 我想有些老師會永遠的存活在我們的記憶裡，影響我們後半輩子的思考以及行為，不是沒有原因的。

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！
沿路上我跟Ｐ其實沉默的時間比談話的多。不過大自然以及小鎮發出的聲音已經足以製造這種愜意的氣息囉！
 01
Scene along the river. 河畔景色
 02
Greek style building 希臘式建築
03
Side view 側面
 04
Flower 路邊花朵
 05
Footbridge 徒步橋
 06
Boathouse 船庫 
 07
Another bridge 又一座橋
 08
Yet another 本篇第三座橋
 09
Flower of a tree 樹上的花兒 
*The wind was blowing and I couldn't get a good shot, so P held the branch for me while I took this shot. 
*此時有一陣風吹過，我一直沒辦法好好拍。結果Ｐ就幫我把他固定住～
 10
River tour 遊覽船隻
 11
Secluded section of the riverside 清幽的一景
 12
Footbridge 徒步橋
 13
Culvert 涵洞
 14
Dangerous path 危險步道
 15
Cute little blue flower 可愛小藍花

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
Bar 吧檯
Empty pub (of course! it's only 10am!) 空無一人（廢話！才十點啊！）
Is this Victorian style, too?
這也是維多利亞風嗎？
Another good chat over beer. 
醉翁之意的確是在酒！
But 10am is still much too early for me, thus the half-pint. 
但老實說十點真的還是太早啦！所以才喝小杯的... 
 
Wisdom on a coaster 
最後送上杯墊上的：建立長期關係的才是真正的贏家！
檢視較大的地圖 

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？
I really looked foward to spending some time with P (this teacher of mine). It was the first time ever in my life to have the chance to so closely observe the lifestyle of a teacher. At the time of my visit, I had a lot of questions, issues, and problems. After openly discussing with P and his wife, J, I think I can say now, that they had help me find that balance in life. 
當初真的很期待能夠跟Ｐ老師一起共處。我想這是我人生中第一次這麼近距離的能夠觀察一個老師的生活模式。而且拜訪的時候，我自己在生活上也遇到一些無法解開的疑惑跟問題。藉著這次跟老師以及師母共處打開心房毫無保留的分享，現在我可以說他們在當時真的幫了我找到現在我得到的生活重心。
It was P's first class with us, and he walked in with a can of beer. That certainly made a deep impression on us as sophomores. Then, he started the course by telling us how much he didn't want to teach the course. As it turned out, his method, from my point of view, had been the most effective. He didn't give me very high grades, to be honest. But what kind of reason would it be for one to like a teacher for giving high scores? I felt that I had really learned a lot from him. Ever since that incident with the beer, for the rest of my time during undergrad, I took every single course he taught in the department. 
上Ｐ老師的第一堂課時，他老大帶了一瓶台啤進教室。這舉動當然就已經足以造成我們大家對他印象深刻。接著他開始邊喝邊抱怨他有多麼不想上這門課。但時間一過，他的獨特上課風格卻在我眼中成為最有效的教學方式。不過他卻未曾給我很漂亮的成績。當然，我不認為一個給你很高分成績的老師，就一定得成為你心目中永遠難忘的那位老師。而且若是因為這樣才讓你覺得他是好老師，那也有點莫名其妙。我是真的覺得從他身上學到很多！自從啤酒事件之後，他在系上開的每一堂課，我都會想盡辦法去修。
During these few days with him and his wife, we talked about the old days, present day, and the future. Sometimes he would become laconic and the room would be filled with silence. But then the next minute, he'd start telling me a funny story. Then, we'll chuckle together. 
在這陪伴他與師母短暫的幾天，我們談了過去，現在，也談了未來。有時候他會沉默不語。整個氣氛變得很沉靜。但下一秒他又會開始敘述好笑有趣的故事。我們師生兩就笑在一團。
  
I loved watching how P and J interacted. How they would so subtly exhibit their deep love and respect for each other, without giving others goosebumps. There was an instance when they were both busy in the kitchen, while I sat and sipped my premeal sherry in the living room, when I thought - P was the kind of man I wish my future husband would be like! 
看著Ｐ與師母的互動，讓我格外感動。他們很低調的表示出對彼此的愛與尊重，但不會過分甜蜜使得旁人尷尬不知所措。記得當時他們兩夫妻正在廚房忙，而我正坐在客廳喝著我的飯前酒，心裡想著：真希望我未來的老公能像Ｐ一樣！
I had originally wanted to name this piece 'Following the footsteps of a teacher', but I changed my mind. I wanted the article to depict that sense, but I don't want to give it away right at the beginning. As students, we are always following the footsteps of our teachers. Whether in our minds they are brilliant or not so brilliant, one incontrovertible fact is - you will ALWAYS! learn something from them. 
原本這篇要命名為『跟隨老師的腳步』，不過我後來還是改變主意。我想要呈現這樣的感覺，可又不想再抬頭就將內容曝光。我想身為學生的我們，總是在跟隨著師長的腳步。無論在我們眼中，那位老師是好的或沒那麼好的，無疑的是，只要是老師，你就可以從他身上學到東西！

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！
This was taken on the terrace of a pub. Durham is full of bridges, but it's even more full of greeneries, as you can tell from the pictures. 
這其實是在一間pub的戶外空間拍到的。這裡有很多橋，不過更多的是一片片的綠油油樹林～
Staircase down to the riverside path. 
往下可通往河邊步道～
Life, in mid-summer 仲夏的萌芽
Downtown Durham 鎮中心
 
Place of interest 有趣的地方～
 
Wouldn't be England without it's 'Shakespeare'... 沒有莎士比亞，就不叫英國啦～
檢視較大的地圖  

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。
Even though I've seen quite a few cathedrals already, each one of them still manage to take my breath away. Though similiar in many ways, each one is different in its own unique way. 
累積至今雖然已經見過不少教堂，但它們還是有辦法讓我看地目不轉睛。雖然基本架構都一樣，但細節部分還是使的每一座都有獨特的風格以及視覺效果。
Even with a wide-angle lense, the entire building still didn't fit. 
就連超廣角都捕捉不到全景
You can tell from the exterior, that the building has had a long existence. 
從外部就可看出年代已久。
Sanctuary Door Knocker
聖殿門環
Cloister 迴廊
 
View of tower from cloister. 
從迴廊角度看塔樓
Corner of ceiling 
天花板角落
My local guide, patiently awaiting my photo-taking session
我的專屬當地導遊，正很有耐心地等我拍攝完畢
Angel 天使
Magnificent cross by the cathedral 
很壯觀的十字架
These are tombstones 
這些是墓碑
The English inscription shows the age of the stone
上頭的英文字也顯示出墓碑的年齡... （dyed = died）
Crosses of all designs 
各式各樣的十字設計
GREAT PEACE HAVE THEY WHICH LOVE THY LAW 
Some inscriptions are more worn-out than others. 
有些雕刻字已經看不清楚了
This is a Celtic cross 
這是凱爾特十字
 
It doesn't take very long to see the inside of the cathedral, but it's definitely worth taking a look, as with all cathedrals of this scale. 
參觀內部不會花上太多時間，但絕對值得參訪。尤其像這麼大間的教堂，不進去看一下，真的有點可惜。
 
檢視較大的地圖 

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！
會來德倫的主要原因，也是為了要拜訪一位師長。最近才剛退休返回英國。在來之前根本不知道這裡會是個什麼樣的地方。但我知道他一定不會讓我失望的！
 01
A river runs through Durham. 有條河流穿過這小鎮
 02
Very soothing green. 非常安撫心靈的一大片綠～
 03
Best of all - no tourists 更棒的是，完全沒有觀光客！
 04
A mystery  很神祕的東西
 05
Full of bridges 有很多橋喔！
 06
That's Durham Cathedral 那是大教堂～
 07
Crossing one of the bridges 過橋ing
 08
Beautiful weather 天氣不錯～　
 09
Following my teacher's footsteps... 跟隨著師長的腳步... 
 10
Durham Cathedral 德倫大教堂
 11
Buildings 建築物～
 12
Stained glass windows from the outside 從外頭看彩繪玻璃
 13
Work of a local artist 當地藝術家傑作～
 14
Shakespeare in Durham 這裡也有莎士比亞
 15
Neptune 海神（喂～～海神有聽到嘛！？）
 16
Neptune close-up 近拍海神
 17
Whole in the wall... 牆裡的洞
 18 
By the same local artist 也是之前提到的當地藝術家傑作
 19
 20
 21
 22
Another bridge 又是一座橋
 23
(Tremble...) 抖抖抖
 24
Look at all the green! 好綠啊！
 25
The only bridge name I got! 唯一知道名字的橋... 
 26
Samuel Johnson on tavern. 之前提到的Johnson對酒吧的看法～ （當然是"不能沒有你"）
 27
 28
For friends from the far east. 無魚蝦嘛好... 看到中文還是很親切
 29
Peeking inside 偷看裡面～
 30
Narrow alley 很窄的小道
 31
Red building 很紅的建築
 31
Dun Cow 有點詭異的名字... 
 32
Story of the Dun Cow 名字的緣由
 33
What's up? Roses! 舉頭一尺有玫瑰
 34
Skyline 天際線