3 Nov. Enjoy a traditional British meal in a British family
I was invited to a British family to have a meal. The graceful hostess — Mrs. Gates, nicely picked me up to their house which are located in the suburbs of York. The wooden-warm colour in décor and the authentic fireplace in the living room add a cozy and friendly ambiance. Before eating dinner, we have some drinks and crisps with a welcoming chat. We shared a big hand-made shepherd’s pie (filling with a lot of vegetable stuff inside) -- a simple British family supper and after that, we enjoyed a large lemon cake topped with ice cream and seedless grapes. As I focused on the food and interesting conversations too much; I did not take many photos . Most of all, this wonderful couple share their growing-up and love stories with me and another two guests , making all the memory become more lovely and memorable. It is my first time but won't be the last time to eat such a cake in this way, yummy! Thank you for the invitation!!
5 Nov Bonfire Night
Known as Guy Fawkes Night, the British national event can be dated back to the autumn of 1605. At that time, Guy Fawkes was founded in the basement of Westminster Palace in the early hours on 5 Nov and he was trying to blow up Britain’s parliament by gunpowder. Surprisingly, he was born and educated in York! Some may want to know what could happen if he succeeded in this dangerous plot (he was really a terrorist!!)? I will say, noting big will be changed, the British will ‘keep calm and carry on.’ As London's quasi-terrorism attacks never change the glory of the great city. However, I have to find a time slot to see the legendary birthplace of Guy Fawkes—now has been reconstructed as Guy Fawkes Inn. Now, British people celebrate his unsuccessful plot with sparkler and fireworks.
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| we gathered outside the church to celebrate the bonefire night! |
30 Nov. Saint Andrew's Day Special
30 Nov is Saint Andrew's Day which is a Scotland's official national day. When it comes to Scotland, local people are proud of their own two products—as BBC news reports, "Scotland is now home to the UK's biggest drink export in Scotch whisky and the biggest food export in Scottish salmon. They continue to lead the way." Therefore, I registered a whisky—Saint Andrew’s Day Special—for this day to know more about it. Seriously, I am currently a bit dizzy after tasting five different kinds of whisky from light to strong favours. However, now I have learnt how to taste and choose whisky with my meal from Mr. Simon who origins from Norway (He is a chef, too). The framework of tasting whisky begins with nose, palate and ends up with finish. Food and whisky should match with the same tone, for example, spicy meat with spicy whisky. OK, Time to go to bed…
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| (Mr. Simon has worked abroad since he was 12, this photo is provided by Wentworth College) |
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| (NOTICE: the right one: Jameson has bad quality and is not suggested to buy!!) |
By the way, today it is snowing—the first snow of the winter in York. The X’mas is approaching soon.
十一月
11月3日 在英國家庭享用傳統的英式餐點
我被邀請到一個英國家庭吃飯。優雅的女主人 - 蓋茨夫人，很好心地載我到他們位於York郊區的房子。木製暖色調的裝飾以及客廳真正的壁爐增添了一個舒適，友善的氣氛。餐前,我們享用一些飲品和薯片，然後開始我們的晚餐。我們分享一個簡單的英國家庭晚餐，大手工製作的牧羊人的餡餅（裡面裝滿了很多蔬菜），然後我們享用了冰淇淋和無核葡萄的大檸檬蛋糕。因為我太專注於桌子上的食物和有趣的談話。所以沒多拍照。最重要的是，這對美好的伴侶與我及其他2位客人分享他們的成長和愛情故事，讓所有的記憶變得更加美好及難忘。這是我第一次以這樣的方式吃蛋糕，美味也~絕對不會是我最後一次！感謝你的邀請！！
11月5日篝火之夜
被譽為蓋伊·福克斯之夜的英國國家事件可以追溯到1605年的秋天。當時，蓋伊·福克斯在威斯敏斯特宮的地下室被逮捕，他正試圖用火藥炸毀英國的議會。令人驚訝的是，他在YORK出生和受教育！有些人可能想知道如果他成功達成這個陰謀會發生什麼？我會說，沒什麼大不了的事會改變，英國人會“保持冷靜，繼續下去”。如同倫敦的類恐怖襲擊從未改變大城市的榮耀。不管怎樣，我必須找到一個時間點來看看Guy Fawkes傳奇的出生地 - 現在已經被重建為Guy Fawkes 旅館。今日，英國人用煙火和焰火來慶祝他失敗的陰謀。
11月30日聖安德魯日特別節目
11月30日聖安德魯節是蘇格蘭正式國慶日。就蘇格蘭而言，當地人以兩件事情為榮：就像BBC的新聞報導，“蘇格蘭現在是英國最大的蘇格蘭威士忌出口飲料出口國和蘇格蘭鮭魚最大的食品出口國，他們繼續引領潮流”。所以我就去報名了威士忌 - 聖安德魯日特選活動 – 以便了解更多。在品嚐從淡到濃的五種不同的威士忌後，我現在有點頭暈。不過，我也很興奮，現在我學會如何選擇威士忌。從開始到結束用分段式品酒:nose(聞味), palate(味覺) finish(喝後)…是時候去睡覺了…
順便說一下，今天正在下雪 - York冬天的第一場雪。 聖誕快要到了。
