Cardiff - capital of Wales

From Southampton airport train station, I took the 9.34a.m train to Cardiff, capital of Wales. Unfortunately, the train broke down I have to transit at Bristol. It delayed my arrival at Cardiff. But, still not too late. I still have ample time to visit the Mermaid Quay, city centre, The Tube, The Cathedral, St. Paul Parish Church, Harbour, Cardiff Castle, St. Fagans open air museum, National Museum, Milennium Stadium, Milennium Centre, Red Dragon Centre, etc....
Basically, the trip was enjoyable.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6O4s9thb26A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBhdTFeda1w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYBuxRDOUfM&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyTxhj_ciF0

Bournemouth Airshow

Bournemouth is the top beach in the UK. The long stretch of sandy beach is really attractive. Due to the Airshows, the beach was full with people. Some of them were doing sun bathing, and most of them were enjoying the show. As for me, I was enjoying my time here by walking along the sandy beach.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-O8a1Hbj9Tk

Windsor

Windsor Castle is the famous castle in the UK. The magnificient palace really amazing. The Eton College is another place that been visited. I have spent almost a day here. Walking around, enjoying the greenery in town. The lovely weather has made my trip a pleasant one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U85TSQpDvYU

York, Oxford & Sheffield

On the way to York, we dropped by Oxford, where there are 72 universities in the city. Just a city, the number of universities is more than the total number of university in Malaysia. We visited the Harry Potter shooting scene too in Oxford.
York is an old city in the north England. The Clifford tower and the York walls are the main attraction in the city.
Sheffield is a modern and vibrant city. We just dropped by for a few minutes, just to have some coffee in the McD.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4OCDIoKYGo

Ichen Valley Country Park

Yesterday was the 2 months anniversary in Soton. It was a lovely sunny Sunday. Initially planned to pick strawberry in Fairoak, and visit the Ichen Park. But I can't find the Fairoak strawberry farm, so cancelled the strawberry picking. As usual I brought some fruits to picnic in the park. There was so many people picnicing in the park. BBQ, kite flying, football, sun bathing, running, cycling and .... so many activities. I walked in the park, gone through 3 fields. Cool scenery! Next weekend, Yorkshire!

Car boot sales - Bursledon

19/7/2009, morning at 9.15a.m I started my expedition to Bursledon, car boot sales. I need to pay 30 pence as entrance fees. Not expensive. I can buy a lot of things from this market. Even microscope I can get it from here, just cost me 4 pounds. But I didn't buy it coz it is too heavy for me to bring to Malaysia later. In fact I was looking for my bike helmet, because I heard that somebody can get for 1 pound only. But too bad, I can't find it. Never mind, next time hopefully can get it at the Fair Oak car boot sales. Let me cross my fingers.
From Bursledon I cycled to Pickwell Farm Shop. What can I find in this farm? Haha... fresh strawberry, raspberry and redcurrant. It was a big farm, planted with many types of fruits. Unluckily, it was almost the end of the strawberry season. But still can find quite many big strawberries there. I was given a small basket to enter the farm. I supposed to pick and pay at the counter. But, what I did was....... picked and ate there. The picking rate was not as fast as my eating rate. So end up, my stomach was full, and just walked out with empty basket. Hahaha..... free fruits lunch.
From Pickwell, I headed to Swanwick Marina, some where around Hamble. Cruises were parked at the marina. Big one small one, boat come boat go, boat boat with rich men.... I was having my lunch here. Not in the restaurant, but just sat on the stone step. Having my 10 pieces of chicken wings which just costed me 1 pound and reduced price egg sandwiches.

An enjoyable trip. From Wessex Lane, going thru Swaything, Bursledon, Hamble, Manor Farm Country Park, Sholing, Bitterne and back to Wessex Lane. A big round which took me 9 hours to complete the journey. An economic journey! Next week, Brokenhurst and Lymington!

WINCHESTER

The 4th week in the Soton. Yesterday cycled to Winchester and the journey took me 1.45 hours to reach the destination. I had an unexpected surprise in my journey. On the way back, I just dropped by at a beautiful farm as an "invader" to take photos. A lovely farm owned by a nice and friendly couple. They invited me for English tea and their farm. They fed the donkeys, rabbits, dog, cock and fox. Thanks Sheila and her husband for their hospitality shown to me. Thank you very much.

Netley Common

I cycled to Bursledon yesterday. It took me 45 minutes to reach there. The main purpose is to visit the big Tesco there and buy something for children. On the way back, I dropped by the Netley Common. It's a nice and cool place to visit. Lovely!

The Zon on the park

The quality time spent with family will always bring us good memories. I miss them so much when I am in the Soton now. But still can communicate with them via skype. Thanks a lot skype. You make our relationship closer!

2nd weekend in Soton

Today started my 1st expedition with my new bike in my 2nd visit to Soton. A lovely Sunday morning. Started journey at 10.00am and returned to residence hall at 5.30p.m. A pleasant journey; dropped by at the Ocean Village Marina, Southampton Harbour, Ikea, Asda and last stop at Southampton Common. I saw a group of Malaysia having family day at the field.

1st week in Soton again!

2nd trip to Soton. I have landed safely in Stansted Airport around 7.30a.m on the 2/6/09. School has arranged a taxi to pick me up there and sent me to Montefiore 2 University Residence Hall. It took 2.5 hours to reach here. Really tiring and exhausted journey. The flight was not a pleasant journey coz having a serious headache. And it dragged for days to fully recover.
Now is summer, but a cold summer. Day long and night short. The day become bright at around 4.30a.m and dark at 10.15p.m. Still not used to it. 10p.m there are students playing football at the field. Girls were playing water bomb, shouting happily out there, because they have finished their examination. My flatmates, 6 all together are Master final year students. Some of them have left, I guess, coz I don't see them but just hear the closing and opening doors sound.
Really boring here, maybe because of the long hour day time. I feel like nothing to do. But in fact, there are tons of work load waiting for me. Normally I will go to jog at the Riverside Park at around 7p.m, after walking back from office. 7 something then only start cooking. When finished taking dinner, it already 10p.m. Due to jet-lag, sometimes, I slept at 9p.m. But now, I am getting better and settling down quite well.
1st weekend going back to Eastleigh. Just to visit the charity shop, Swan Centre, Tesco and Sainburys. The old lady at the charity shop still can recognise my face, eventhough I have cut my hair. So touch to listen that. Last winter, I went to her shop to buy a jacket c/w fleece in a cold morning. She saw me cold and happy to see me put up the jacket which I bought from her. She said she was happy because she can help to get a suitable jacket for my slim body. Old kind lady, thanks a lot!

Bangkok WREC 2009

1st conference paper was presented in the Bangkok WREC 2009. Quite worry, but also enjoyable. Now looking forward to present in Abu Dabi and Yokohama next year. Hopefully will be supported by UniKL MFI.

Mother's day

Mother's day - a day for us to celebrate and having family gathering. As usual, I will make a cake for my lovely wife. This year is chocolate brownies. See my kids were so eager to eat the tasty cake!

London trip

Christmax Eve - I reached London from Manchester by taking 1st class Cross Country Train. Very luxury and comfortable. I was lucky because I purchased the tickets with a very low price. We knew that most of the shopping complexes and restaurants will be closed on the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, so we have bought some food to standby. Initially I was thinking to celebrate my 1st white Christmas in London, who knows......