Winter walking in Hove

The average of temperature in January is approximately -5 to 5℃. The sun only shines for a short moment if has any. One of the best ways to chill out the winter blue is strolling with people that like-minded.That is what I did today (29 Jan): The guided walking tour in Hove.

As I described before, Hove is a quiet and genteel area compared to its big brother: Brighton. Now it makes sense when I knew Hove was once an ancient burial mound, and only a single street for hundreds of years before. Oh, see we just met up at the Floral Clock, Palmeira Square -- the place of ancient burial mounds (古代的墳塚)! 

you never know this was once an ancient burial mound. 

Then the Prince Regent and his lover came to light up this place, you can notice that many streets in Brighton and Hove are named after royal’s members, yes, Regent Street, Jubilee Street, Victoria Road (Here is a full detailed street history!!Amazing records!)

The mysterious Goldstone , relic of the Druids (督伊德教).

Bull fighting ever had in the town and people kept bulldogs before! I just caught up a matched photo while Nick was introducing the local history.

Nick Richmond was telling the story of Hove

At the time, the government imposed high taxes on tea, and Hove is close to the beach and very secluded, thus became the best place for smugglers to sell tea and other goods. 

Please follow the footprints of past smugglers, from beach through the main street, and reached to the church.

The smugglers once stored their goods inside the church and it was uncovered when people came to ask for services (a great place to hide goods from the government). 

We then stood in front of the building of Sussex Cricketer because people once play cricket at the beach in the old days. Now they have a big club.

Afterwards, we walked to St Ann's Well Gardens.

It is said that hermits were in the cave at St Ann's Well, and the yellow-coloured water from the well cured people’s disease.

But this somehow scares me as it reminds me the movie: リング, the さだこ will come directly from the well!!!!!! However, sooner or later, the well water died out. 

Birds were intrigued by the voice of story-telling and flying more to the trees.

Along the street are the houses with criss-cross window bars.

croft:與住宅相鄰的小田地

Finally, we back to the icon of Hove -- Brunswick Square. The houses here are repained every three year to keep its nice colour of buffpale yellow. 

Just look at the sign of the Square, is this to say ‘NO grenade!’ or ‘NO pineapple’ ? (ha)

新增說明文字

Hiphop Street Art: Graffiti

In the gloomy and chilly winter, it is pleased to see colourful paintings when wandering in the streets.

BBC News once reported graffiti art in Taiwan many times and Brighton city in the UK has many graffiti, which I would like to show you some.

Many interesting graffiti are painted in the outlook of houses, shops and on the walls in every possible corner.

Painting on public places are not always legal everywhere, while it is acceptable in Brighton, moreover, the official website introduces the top 10 graffiti Artwork.

Colourful, stunning or fantastic figure and animal icons dotted around the city. It seems to be one of the best ways to revive aged or ruinous buildings.

Graffiti creators deliver sub-cultural messages by painting specific symbolic words or images with their own styles.

Some people regard it as a street culture and it mixes with hip-hop music and other elements.

If we think about the ancient graffito such as the Egyptian draw on the surface of stones or the temples to record stories and to define the territory, graffiti is definitely not something new today.

The Pretty Cotswolds Villiages IV

Day5 Bourton on-the-Water to Moreton-in-Marsh (Moreton在沼澤)

This is the final day that I was in the Cotswolds, I back to Moreton-in-Marsh and waited for my train. 

As its name, this town is relatively flat and low-lying compared to other areas in the Cotswold Hills.A traditional market is held every Tuesday throughout the year, while I came on here on Monday;therefore, I chose to visit Batsford Arboretum & Gardens.Here are flowers & plants that represent the colour of the winter(am walking in the mist):

The different side of boundry of Batsford Arboretum & Gardens connects to a private property and a church without any fence between two.

Keep walking into the mist in the forest…

As I walked out the exit, I can image how pretty the Cotswolds will be in the Spring and Summer when all the flowers and plants are very lively. But for this moment, it is the ture colour of the winter, and I have caught the beauty of it. 

The Pretty Cotswolds Villiages Ⅲ

Day 4 Bourton on-the-Water (Bourton在水上) - 'Venice of the Cotswolds'

It was a raining day (again!), I stay at Bourton-on-the-Water. This town lays on the river Windrush with crystal clear water, low bridges, elegant ducks, mushroom-shaped stones, and greens.

I walked into the fishing path and the public footpath to enjoy the countryside scenery in he morning.

The traditional Cotswolds buildings are built along the river, and there is no shortage of restaurants, cafes and hotels for visitors.

I went to the pub of the Old Manse in my second night

What a hipster can do in the raining afternoon? The best way is to have my British cream tea and write blogger in a stone-house tea rooms.

Cream tea