Mind the Gap

Mind the Gap, 這句再耳熟也不過的一段話，卻伴隨所有londoner度過每一趟的journey!!

遺孀請願 倫敦地鐵注意月台縫隙廣播重出江湖  (copy from yahoo news)

就讓我們再一次回味一下 MIND THE GAP

Meantime, 筆者還收藏了一系列的地鐵站站名圖，與大家分享 :)

Piccadilly

London Underground

DLR

Metropolitan

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Westfield in London

Westfield opened in late 2010, it says it is the largest department store in the Europe, but while I was there, I would probably agree with this slogan, this is really huge. Westfield also has the largest M&S, GAP in here, also when you feel tired, there are quite a few options for you to choose, but mostly from South European, such as Italy food, Greece and so on, so it really depends on you if you like it or not.

In fact, we have been coming here couple times, not only it got all the high street shops in there but also it offers us a relax place, we can do shopping, find a restaurant, apple shop, even though the cinema still not ready yet when we left the country. That is a shame indeed.

However, it doesn't matter, especially we came more often after we got our car and it only took us probably 15 mins drive way if no traffic..lol anyhow, it is more convenience, otherwise we usually went to Westfield by Bus and u know what, it tooks us an hour to be there, which means it also took us another hour for return, so it is really time consuming in this case.

As far as I know, there might be another Westfield in East London, oh....maybe it is already opened, so don't forget to go both shops :)

Sassoon in London

In London, you could be able to find anything, cos this place got everything here from all over the world. Fashion, Financial, Salon, etc.

Today, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce you all Sassoon.

However, Sassoon could be distinguished to 3 different parts, one for creative style, one for school training purpose, the last one is kinda free style, i recon.  In fact, when I first entered Sassoon, I went to wrong place, this is because the designer looked at my hair and touched it, then asked me what did I need from them? Well, what should I say to her? I simply say I wanna cut my hair with normal style, I personally don't prefer really creative, forward style, that is not me. Then she told me I got the wrong place after she heard what I really want.

So, we left that place and continue find the one we need. We found that place after all I got new hair style, during that time, I had a chat with designer and then I realized most of them are all designers in their countries, and the reason they come over here is because of they keen to learn more skills from other the people and bring them back to their home town. I think the purpose is really good, motive themselves keep learning new skills and update and share their experience and know how. 

I think Sassoon offer the place and brand in order to attract some talent designers and people whom are interested in this industry, not only promote their products but also build up their reputation and good name, on the other hand, these designers are like us whom are working on master degree. and they do their degree in Sassoon.

Bravo...

Bicester Village

這一個月光是Bicester就去了兩次~~而且Bicester現在蓋了一個立體停車場 整個MALL變超大 店家超多

有GUCCI, D&G, TOD, BOSS 還有ARMANI...是還不錯!!

但是和往常不同的是我們是開車去 之前是坐火車再走路/接駁車 等等

現在在英國很夯的superdry 聽說台灣也有了 且價格一點都不親民 不過在outlet價格可親民多了!

雖然非假日  但是人潮還是很多 我有注意到尤以產油國家&祖國人民居多

他們真的是快狠準   雙手滿滿的名牌貨~~

消費力很驚人 :)


Related Post
bicester-village

Oxford

While I was in the UK, got quite a few opportunities to visit Oxford, a great and historical city. The most famous is of course Oxford University. 

Hundreds years university caused a lot of tourists come to here and have a look at this place, but I personally feel if you see a series of such place, you might feel bored soon, cos for me they are just Oxford, Cambridge...blabla...means I didn't get any spark during my visiting, I think it is a shame for majority people, but it is also a truth.

In the meantime, I have to say, a lot of people from around the world come to here and visit the city, simply because of the university, ain't it? Or else, what do we know about Oxford? Unlike Cambridge, William is named Duke of Cambridge recently and his wife Kate came to Duchess of Cambridge, so what do Oxford has? For a foreigner, honest, I don't know~~

Hello Windsor

Windsor Castle

A lovely place, crowd of tourists especially during the weekend, such as last week, when we back to Windsor with our British best lad-English weather- A lovely sunshine.

Actually, this was not the reason we back to Windsor, this is because my gf's family, they came to visit us, as a result, she was planning some thing for them. So why not Windsor Castle, a royal castle with historical building which is a good choice.




In order to ensure every detail goes well and right. We went through the some famous spots, of course Windsor Castle, Cruise, Eton college, shopping centre. As she was sure where is where :)

  

In the end, she took her family to here and had a lot of fun when they stayed in Windsor Castle, after all it is a new experience for them.

Happy birthday Queen Elizabeth II‎

12th June 2010 will be Her Majesty's Officially birthday.

Well, it will not be my first time to see Her Majesty's birthday celebration.

I have been there once in 2008, that was the time when I finished my final exam and prepared my dissertation. I have to say it was more likely the National celebration in Taiwan. However, as a foreigner, it was extraordinary and fascinating.

Although I did not get any chance to see Her Majesty in a close distance, I still took a photo when she passed, but not very clear, that was a shame, so this week, I am going back to Buckingham Palace and enjoy this celebration one more time.

Happy Birthday....Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II

Day trip in Bournemouth

This is my second time visit Bournemouth.


I didn't spend a lot of time go deeply, because of we had scheduled our day already, therefore, we can only took around the BU & the town centre.


Hence, this time, we did actually plan to go somewhere.


Ideally we were headed to Swange and Poole, both of them are all in Bournemouth. However, we sit in somewhere for an hour in order to enjoy the sunshine and with noise sea bird....

So, on the way to Swange, we found out there is another way to Swange which we have no idea before, that is Ferry.

How exciting...especially, we drive, which makes out life a lot easier. One way 3.20 pounds per Car, 1 pound per person. Not too bad actually!

Below two photos took on the ferry, what a lovely weather. You can imagine at the timing, majority flights have been cancelled and airports forced to shut down due to the major volcanic ashe from Iceland.

        

Take a day off and enjoy the sunshine, refresh yourself is really important, especially, in the UK, I barely don't have a proper sunshine for a long while, now summer is coming out, I am going to enjoy it.

Bath Abbey

This is Bath Abbey, the most famous historical building in Bath. Bath Abbey founded in 1499, also an active Christian church located at heart of city.

In addition, if you study at Bath University, that would be a great honor as well, this is because your graduation ceremony would be located here, it's been a kind of traditional since someday, I don't really know, sorry folks!

Further, Roman Baths just next to Bath Abbey, so you can plan visit these famous places all together but Stonehenge, if you don't drive to Bath, you can join the local travel agency, they will take you to Stonehenge, so don't need to worry too much!

U21 England team

As you may know European crazy for football, even this is not a pro game, like today, we went to watch European U21 match, England VS Portugal.

Plus, this is my first time to experience England culture, a proper football match, not just catch from Sun, Metro or sky, whatever it is, this time is a proper football match.

The game played in Wembley Stadium, it has 90,000 seats, normally it would be full if that is a pro game, however, this time, this is only for U21, as a result, you can find out there are so many kids or the whole family, I think this is because the price issue, for U21, Adult only pay for 10 quids, people who under 16, you only need to pay 5 quid for the match, how worthy!! The reason I think this is a quite deal is becuase of the pro match cost you 40 pounds or more, it depends on what kind of pro match. Besides, for me, I am not into football match, well....compare with baseball, baseball still is my favorite.

Finally, England team 1:0 WON!!
Congratulation...Bravo England!!

The Monument: The Great fire 1666

I have been to London couple times, however this is my first time saw this memorial thing here, and suddenly it attracted me, so I moved forward and checked what's going there: The monument to the Great Fire of London 1666.

According to so many literature review. The whole story is happened in began in the early morning hours of September 2, 1666 in the Pudding Lane house of Thomas Farynor, a baker to the king. Of course in London.

'The fire spread rapidly through the city of wood and thatch under the impetus of a strong east wind. By eight o'clock that morning, the fire had spread halfway across London Bridge. The fire brigades had no success in containing the fire with buckets of water. Elsewhere, the conflagration raged uncontrollably. The flames pushed north on Monday into the heart of the City, and on Tuesday, spread over most of the City destroying St. Paul's Cathedral and jumping the River Fleet to threaten Whitehall; flames destroyed Gracechurch Street, Lombard Street, and the Royal Exchange, and halted near Temple Church before it suddenly flared to life again, continuing towards Westminster. Eventually the strong east winds died down, turned south and blew the fire onto itself and into the river. ' according to one website, which I lost it.

Finally, dramatically, the strong east winds died down, turned south and blew the fire onto itself and into the river. After that over 13,000 houses, 89 churches, and 52 Guild Halls were destroyed and 1/6 Londoners were left homeless.

Overall, at that moment, it is such as a horrible and pathetic thing, and it just happened. I think people all agree with that, otherwise why they build this memorial stuff in order to let people to remember that day forever.

For more information, please also click following web site:

Great_Fire_of_London

Monument_to_the_Great_Fire_of_London

http://www.themonument.info/history/default.asp

www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/londonfire.htm

one & other

At moment, there is a live artwork in Trafalgar Square in London.

This project would be every hour, 24 hours a day, for 100 days without a break, a different person will make the Plinth their own. If you're selected, you can use your time on the plinth as you like. One & Other is open to anyone and everyone from any corner of the UK. As long as you're 16 or over and are living or staying in the UK, you are welcome to apply to be part of this unforgettable artistic experiment. Just go to their web link and go for it:Get Involved

If you are selected, you will stay at that platform, and there are nearly 30,000 applicants to apply be part of this great project. I assume this building is their office, this is located in Trafalgar Square, as I can see people come in and out, just like a control room, in order to monitor the plinthers easily ^^

Below, this motor car is to give you a lift to go up or down to the plinth. It looks safety and powerful!

Antony Gormley, who has won many awards for his work, including the Turner Prize in 1994 and the South Bank Prize for Visual Art in 1999. In 1997 he was awarded an OBE and in 2007 the Bernhard Heiliger Award for Sculpture. He is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects, Trinity College, Cambridge and Jesus College, Cambridge, and has been a Royal Academician since 2003.

As this project, ONE & OTHER, the main idea is an extension of the exploration of the connection between individuals, I got from the official website. I feel this is really interesting, just like a reality show, however, the difference thing is real, people from everywhere and regions.

So now go to the website http://www.oneandother.co.uk/ and see what happens there or just sign up to be part of them.

North Ireland Belfast

This is Belfast, the Capital of North Ireland, below images are their City Hall, especially this period was Christmas, there was all Christmas decorations and lights things.

Originally, I thought it was a church, however, it is a church indeed, but it is a shopping centre as well. Dont thought it might be a historic building or something, the interior design of the inside church, just like a mordern stuff...it's really suprised me and let me feel how amazing!! such as a kind of clash between old and new.

Not only Londoneye in the England, but also there is one in Belfast, what a suprised! again, I didnt try it. To b honestly, I am not keen on these things at all!!

Again, happy Christmas, although it is earlier now!! anyway!!

Canary Wharf

Today, I would like to something different. London, one of the world class of financial capital, although credit crunch crashed loads of financial institutes, such as Lehman brothers.

when I first came to London, I was wondering there is a huge difference in my images and thought, I assumed London should b like Hong Kong or New York, loads of higher building, technology things, richest people...but instead of those things are traditional house, flat, studio.

but all these when I visited Canary Wharf, it changed. I realised that this is what I thought, this is the image of my London. ^^

Yes, I would like to show you some photos of Canary Wharf.

One of my friend told me, when Citi made a lot of fortune, they hired 15K employees, however, time past, credit crunch almost crashes Citi as well, now they gotta less 6,000 employess....wow...how sad it is? isn't it?

However, I believe one day these will come back, we ll c!!

Warwick Castle

Warwick Castle

is a medieval castle in Warwick, was built by William I of England in 1068. It sits on a cliff overlooking a bend in the River Avon, runs below the castle on the east side, has eroded the rock the castle stands on, forming a cliff. The river and cliff form natural defences.

In the earliy age, the castle became the military institution and power symbol. But now, it is the most famous trouist point in the UK.

How to get there?

Last time be there was by coach, you can drive, using google map or your own GPS, then u can arrive there safefly and have fun for ur trip.

The Price
as you can c, the price is not cheap at all, but considering this is a historic building and castle, also represent the history of England, it is worth to visit it, yeah? at least I think so!

Map

Before you enter into the castle, there is a map of the castle, show you where you are and what

else around the castle, all is for your information.

Now, time to show you some awsome pic, which shoot in Warwick Castle, u must go or you would b regret then!!

Bicester village

Today, I would love to share some information, in the UK, if you enjoy shopping and also wants something cheap, you must go Bicester village

but how to get there? There are few ways to get there: such as by train, by buses, by car

so I would like to introduce how to get there by train?

Bicester village is located on Oxfordshire, basically I live in London, which means I start from any of London train station, therefore, my route is from West Ruslip to Bicester North, then you have 2 options to get there: one is the shuttle bus and pay 3 pounds for return, 2pounds for one way, the second one is walk. It's up to you, cos this is not a long distance, to be quite honestly.

Then, when you arrived Bicester, share something to you which is worthy and valuable to you guys. Don't forget to go to Tourist Information Centre (see right side image). You can apply for a temporary VIP card, Just show your VISA credit card then fill an application form, once you finished the form, you can get get your own card then , remember, the credit card issued bank must be overseas banking. Therefore, you can get 10% discount when you shop in store, just show to staff, but not all of the shops accept or maybe they have their own rules, such as: minimum 40 pounds. so make sure or you wont get any discount!

So, that's go SHOPPING!!