【生活】英國的火車 @ il Giardino Romantico

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，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，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。[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.