【莎翁故鄉】B&B 住宿－il Giardino Romantico

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