The Quick Brown Fox Jumps Over The Lazy Dog: April 2010

Date: 19 - 24 April 2009

My last few days in Manchester. I will be leaving this travel base for London. It was really kind for Clayton to let me use his place as my travel base. I hope I was not much of a hassle for him and his housemates over the past few months. I had a great time here especially those times where we cooked together. They will be having their final exams soon and I shall not disturb them anymore. Good Luck and see ya guys back in Singapore one day. :)

This was what I did before I depart Manchester.

Haggis and IRNBRU, Scottish stuff. Bought it back from Scotland for them to try.

I rather you not know what Haggis is made of. Heehee...

Leo treated me to a farewell lunch at his Uni. I learn lots about cooking from him during my stay.

I had a farewell dinner with Clayton and gang one of these nights and after which we headed out for some ShiSha.

Clayton did not join in for the puffing session. Why? Firstly, he hates smokey places. Secondly, he went back to STUDY!!! No Joke.

Another gathering with Clay and his friends.

Well, its time to pack. Here is something unique I had with me. This was in the display set when I had my stand by bed during my BMT days. Kept it for nearly 7 years. Then I decided to bring it out and use it on my trip (save money, every cent counts). I think it has done its job well and its time for it to rest. Off to the bin it goes...

So long my friends.... See you all back in the lion city, Sillypore... Oops.. I mean Singapore!! Hahaha....

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Date: 18 April 2009

According to Clayton and Leonard, York is a beautiful place and it is definitely worth a visit. Even the website of york states that:

"Visit York and be enriched in one of Europe's most inspiring cities...

If you are looking for a cultural getaway or a romantic weekend break then visit York and be inspired. Renowned for its exquisite architecture, tangle of quaint cobbled streets and the iconic York Minster, York is fast developing a flourishing, cutting-edge scene. Delve into the city's vibrant cafe culture, take time out to enjoy some of the country's most talented street entertainers or simply watch the world go by while sipping a drink by the river.

A city of contrasts and exciting discoveries, York is a place where the old encompasses the new and the commonplace meets with the unexpected. Broaden your mind with a visit to world class museums or a variety of festivals held throughout the year catering for all ages and interests."

Well, York is indeed a very charming town. However, departing Edinburgh and arriving York kills the excitement. If you say york is a very charming town, then Edinburgh is a super charming town. Because Edinburgh is so much bigger than York, it seems like a downgrade now. If I had visited these 2 towns in a different order, the feeling would be much better. Unless of course you find smaller cities much easier to handle, than York is a better choice. But then again, everything is so well labeled here in UK, be it Edinburgh or York, you will never get lost.

York Minster, the second largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe, stands at the city's centre. York's centre is enclosed by the city's medieval walls, which are a popular walk. The entire circuit is about 3 miles (5 km), including a part where walls never existed, because the Norman moat of York Castle, formed by damming the River Foss, also created a lake which acted as a city defence. This lake was later called the King's Fishpond, as the rights to fish belonged to the Crown.

Clifford's Tower, a stone quatrefoil keep built on top of a Norman motte, was the site of a massacre in 1190 when the small Jewish community of York sought protection in the tower on the feast of Shabbat ha-Gadol. Many Jews took their own lives rather than face a violent mob in an event regarded as one of the most notorious examples of antisemitism in medieval England.

A feature of central York is the Snickelways, narrow pedestrian routes, many of which led towards the former market-places in Pavement and Sampson Square. The Shambles is a narrow medieval street, lined with shops, boutiques and tea rooms. Most of these premises were once butchers' shops, and the hooks from which carcasses were hung and the shelves on which meat was laid out can still be seen outside some of them. The street also contains the Shrine of Margaret Clitherow, although it is not located in the house where she lived. Goodramgate has many medieval houses including the 14th century Lady's Row built to finance a Chantry, at the edge of the churchyard of Holy Trinity church.

The city has many museums, including the Castle Museum, Yorkshire Museum and Museum Gardens, JORVIK Viking Centre, the York Art Gallery, Richard III Museum, the Merchant Adventurers' Hall, the medieval house Barley Hall owned by the York Archaeological Trust, Fairfax House owned by the York Civic Trust and the Treasurer's House owned by the National Trust. The National Railway Museum is situated just beyond the station, and is home to a vast range of transport material and the largest collection of railway locomotives in the world. Included in this collection are the world's fastest steam locomotive LNER 4468 Mallard and the world famous 4472 Flying Scotsman, which is being overhauled in the Museum.

York is noted for its numerous churches and pubs. Most of the remaining churches in York are from the medieval period. St William's College behind the Minster, and Bedern Hall, off Goodramgate, are former dwelling places of the canons of the Minster.

Enough said. Its time to depict them.