英國國鐵串起的南英格蘭之旅
Returning to Southern England and Wales
重返南英格蘭與威爾斯
My first journey to Wales（威爾斯）with my wife opened a door that I would never quite close again. From the moment we crossed the green countryside of southern England and entered the gentle valleys of South Wales（南威爾斯）, I fell in love with this part of Britain.
There was something quietly enchanting about its beauty: rolling hills, old stone houses, winding country roads, solemn cathedrals, and rivers flowing through towns rich in history. Its charm was neither loud nor dazzling. It entered the heart slowly, like the soft rain drifting across the Welsh hills.
2005: Our First Journey
In 2005, my wife and I travelled from London（倫敦）to Bath（巴斯）, whose honey-coloured Georgian buildings（喬治亞式建築）seemed to glow beneath the English sky. The ancient Roman Baths carried us back through the centuries, while the graceful streets recalled the elegance of another age.
From Bath, we continued to Bristol（布里斯托）, a historic harbour city, and then crossed into Wales through Newport（紐波特）. Cardiff（卡地夫）, the Welsh capital, welcomed us with its castle, parks, and proud national spirit. Farther west, Swansea（斯旺西）opened toward the sea, where the Welsh landscape seemed to breathe with the tides.
When we finally returned to London, I knew that this journey had not ended. Southern England and Wales had already left a quiet longing within me.
2008: Returning with a Study Tour
In later years, I led several overseas study tours to England. My responsibilities were different then: I had students to care for, programmes to arrange, and countless details to examine. Yet whenever there was a little free time during our inspection visits, I would set out again, eager to discover another corner of the country.
In 2008, our route began in London and led to Hampton Court Palace（漢普頓宮）, where royal history lingered among red-brick courtyards, fountains, and formal gardens. We continued to Wimbledon（溫布頓）, a name forever associated with the elegance and tradition of tennis.
At Salisbury（索爾茲伯里）, the soaring cathedral spire rose above the peaceful plain. Nearby, Stonehenge（巨石陣）stood silently beneath the open sky—a mysterious circle of ancient stones, guarding secrets that have survived for thousands of years.
Our journey then carried us through Berkshire（伯克郡）, Fulham（富勒姆）, Kingston upon Thames（泰晤士河畔金斯頓）, Maidstone（梅德斯通）, and finally Canterbury（坎特伯雷）. In Canterbury Cathedral, history, faith, and literature seemed to meet beneath the same vaulted roof. Every stone appeared to whisper a story from England’s distant past.
2014: Across the Southern Counties
In 2014, I returned once more, travelling through the towns and cities of southern England. From Epsom（埃普瑟姆）and Leatherhead（萊瑟黑德）, the road unfolded through Woking（沃金）, Guildford（吉爾福德）, Winchester（溫徹斯特）, Croydon（克羅伊登）, Southampton（南安普敦）, Portsmouth（樸次茅斯）, and Chichester（奇切斯特）.
Each place possessed its own character. Winchester carried the dignity of England’s ancient kings. Southampton and Portsmouth looked outward toward the sea, filled with memories of ships, explorers, war, and departure. Chichester offered a quieter grace, with its old streets and cathedral rising above the surrounding countryside.
At Brighton（布萊頓）, the sea breeze swept across the lively promenade, while the Royal Pavilion（皇家行宮）appeared like an exotic dream beside the English Channel（英吉利海峽）. Farther east, the White Cliffs of Dover（多佛白崖）rose brilliantly above the sea. Standing there, gazing across the water toward continental Europe, I felt as though I had reached the very edge of England.
Then the road led me back once again to London—the city that had served as both the beginning and the end of so many journeys.
At Last, Time of My Own
During those earlier visits, I was often a tour leader, teacher, or organiser. I travelled with schedules in my hands and responsibilities on my mind. I saw many beautiful places, but could not always remain long enough to listen to them.
This year, at last, I have had time truly of my own. I can walk without hurrying, pause beside an old church, sit quietly in a garden, and watch the changing light upon the countryside. I no longer need to count the minutes or worry about the next appointment.
Returning now is different. The landscapes are familiar, yet my eyes have changed. I have come not merely to visit, but to savour—to rediscover the places I once passed in haste and to let their beauty settle gently into memory.
Southern England and Wales have accompanied me through different stages of my life. I first came as a traveller beside my wife, returned as a leader responsible for others, and have now come back simply as myself.
Some journeys take us to distant places. Others quietly lead us back to our own hearts.
巴斯圓形廣場（The Circus）位於英國薩默塞特郡巴斯，是喬治亞式建築 建於1768年。In Great Britain and Ireland, especially in the 18th and 19th centuries, assembly rooms were gathering places for members of the higher social classes Elegant public rooms at the heart of fashionable 18th-century Bath life.
Stonehenge Cursus Barrows
The use of photographic equipment must not inconvenience any other
person in the Grounds.
Centre Court was built in 1922 and is arguably the most famous
tennis court in the world. Click the map below to see the view of Centre Court
from your seat. 310區
有著長長的棧橋的·皇宮碼頭Palace Pier 建於19世紀末
布萊頓海灘
Brighton 的地標：兼具中國風以及伊斯蘭風格，19世紀英國國王喬治四世的別宮--皇家閣Royal Pavilion
St John's Cathedral
Diocese of Portsmouth
