It's quite rare to get a bank holiday (meaning holiday for everyone lah) in UK, unlike in Malaysia where we get tons of various holidays (No complaints here!) like Sultan's birthday, Agong's birthday, my birthday, Chinese New Year, Hari Raya (Malay new year), Deepavali (Indian festival of lights) et cetera.
Therefore, instead of staying in my little room, I decided to go to Loughborough to visit some friends and their homes (and pet). I also took the opportunity to view my future accommodation in Loughborough.
I got up at 7.30am, hoping to catch the train at 8am. The night before, I drew up a map to guide me from the train station to Sek Hao's place. The streets early in the morning was rather deserted but extremely dirty. There are a few pubs just down the road and the sidewalk was piled with litter. If not for the 3 years of "Petaling Street (The Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur) experience", I would have been quite shocked.
Raining in the morning
After arriving at Loughborough, Shuv, Sek Hao, Shu Yee (Shuv's sis) and her bf, Jonson (also my future housemate) decided to go for a movie. I opted to spend some time in Waterstone (bookstore) instead. I quite enjoyed my time indulging in a good book. The only fallback was the lack of seats in the bookstore.
The one and only cinema in Loughborough
Loughborough town
Came across this funny looking statue on the way to Waterstone. Makes me feel slim, hehe...
After movie (or reading for my part), we went to The Basin for lunch. It's an oriental restaurant that serves dim sum and japanese food. I hope to get a part-time job here, hehe... We ordered quite a lot and for UK standard, I think the food is nice. I shall now let the pictures do the talking.
I miss good Chinese tea
Notice their cups and bowls are square?
This is a BIG portion of porridge
Century egg!!!!!!!!! :q
Food served
Served like the dim sums at home, but the dim sum trolleys are missing :(
My favourite: Siew Mai!!
Oh my darling, oh my darling~
Bf's favourite: Unagi don
Cha Siew Cheong Fun (pork rice flour rolls). Reminds me of SS2 "Wai Sik Gai", the Hong Kong Shrimp Cheong Fun in SS2 (a place in Malaysia) is really good.
Lin Yong Bao (lotus paste bao)
Cha Siew Bao (pork bao)
Siew Long Bao (pork meat with soup)
It's served in an iron "cup"
Loh Mai Gai (sticky rice + chicken wrapped in lotus leaf)
Different from the ones at home. It's not brown.
Still yummy nonetheless
After lunch, we had some Cranuim fun at Jonson's place (which is also my future accommodation). The place is quite homey though it's a bit far from town and train station. But I think I don't mind walking. Good exercise. In the evening, we spent some time at Castle de Coombs. Chris and Estelle live nearby in a nice cosy house, which I like very much :D They kindly showed us around the house and curbed my curiosity. Fell in love with the place immediately. And I finally got to meet...
Digby!!
He's so cute. Loves to eat (like me). Knows lots of tricks especially "pat" where he'll pat your hand with his tiny soft paw (and you will then need to feed him after that).
The flower bed I saw on the train back to Nottingham. Ah, spring~
