Listening to some calming acoustic music on Spotify, and this sweet little melody Bahia Dream by Reynaldo Delgado comes on. It takes me back to a beautiful rendition of You're Too Good to be True, that was performed inside my waiting gate at Incheon Airport in South Korea, exactly one year ago today!
Unusual, but I'm enjoying it immensely and thinking this is too good to be true!
My trip from Cebu to London via Seoul, not the quickest, or common route, but a great last minute deal from Asiana Airlines (and the most hassle free, smooth flights, with exceptional food that I've experienced).
Mactan-Cebu stretch was pretty straightforward and I'm happy I gave myself added time of 3 hours check-in, because I was surprised at how many passengers were already waiting for my flight in the lounge...
Incheon Airport to Heathrow Airport
Onboard screen display!
Several hours and a day later, sleepily I wrote this email to Gill, my mother-in-law:
Hello Gill,
I arrived safely this morning after long flights. Everything was super efficient with Asiana Airlines and the flight arrived early.
However, I was delayed getting to Leicester because my reserved National Express Coach for 20:15 did not show up, and the next scheduled bus for 21:30 was 20 mins late. Didn't reach to Leicester till after 01:00 AM.
My body clock is completely out of whack, but I'll be fine by tomorrow and I'm looking forward to seeing you.
Gonna get a sim card now, so I'll text you my number.
In touch with you soon!
Love,
Camille
...Affectionately called "General Gill"...who happens to love Gin!...
Always keep Gill in the loop! ALWAYS!
N.B. Gill has earned the right to live her days on cruise ships, so she is either on a cruise, going on a cruise, or just back from a cruise. Here, she is on a short break from packing her bags to go off on a cruise early in the morning...hence the reason she's my number 1 prior to visit.
Hooraaaaay! I'm in Leicester, one of my favourite cities in the UK, stretching and relaxing in Gill's beautiful garden.
Leicester is one of the oldest cities in England, located in the East Midlands of the country, close to the cities of Birmingham and Nottingham. Leicester has many notable landmarks and attractions such as The National Space Centre, Abbey Park and Abbey Pumping Station, Leicester Market, and some beautifully manicured and well kept parks. Leicester City is also known for its unpredictable winning success in football, and a history of industrial innovations, just to name a few.
Personally, what I like most about Leicester is the diversity in culture, which means that there's a wide range of imports of international foods and supplies from regions such as the Caribbean, Asia and Africa. I also like the layout of the town, and the logistics for walking and experiencing the city's contrast of country canalways and modern cityscapes in the town centre.
An Agenda of Things To Do In Leicester
With no return date finalised for my trip back to Cebu, I set off to see some of the places I'd never managed to visit during my time residing in Leicester.
I'm spending time with friends who happen to be great nature lovers like myself, as we find nature to be an amazing way to recharge batteries and reconnect with ourselves.
First off, we head for a walk along the canals across Abbey Park - one of Leicester's finest parks.
Lestafarian Warrior
Still in Abbey Park
Leicester has a top notch football team, and I'm sure that when one thinks of football (soccer), Leicester City Football Club (LCFC) is foremost on their minds [Ahem].. I never made it to the Leicester stadium this trip, but at least I witnessed Leicester's newest squad member, made from recycled plastic bottles.
Leicester is big on recycling, and in an effort to help keep the canals and waterways plastic free, a group of students, volunteers, and other associations came together and with over 9000 plastic bottle tops from the rivers, streams and canals, they created a six-metre tall sculpture of a footballer, with the plastic waste found in Leicester's waterways.
Leicester 1 - Plastics 0
Art in Nature - Creative Totem Pole
Vacant Cottage in Park
Abbey Pumping Station
As stated by www.abbeypumpingstation.org:
Abbey Pumping Station is Leicester's Museum of Science and Technology, displaying Leicester's industrial, technological and scientific heritage. Situated adjacent to the National Space Center, the two attractions tell the story of over 200 years of science and technology from the early days of steam and industry, to the space exploration of today.
Here are some photos of the immaculately protected museum.
Just a short spin please, pretty please?
The Beam Engines in Abbey Pumping Station
The Beam Engines according to www.abbeypumpingstation.org
The main building on the site houses the 4 massive Gimson beam engines, which have all now been restored to full working order. At various special events throughout the year one or more of the engines are steamed for the public to observe. Originally built in Leicester in 1891 for the purpose of pumping sewage to a new treatment works at Beaumont Leys off Anstey Lane. The engines worked until 1964 when electric pumps started to take over their duties and it finally closed soon after as a pumping station on completion of the new sewage works at Wanlip.
In Close Proximity
Adjacent to Abbey Pumping Station and Park is the National Space Centre, along the canalways.
According to www.spacecentre.co.uk
The National Space Centre is a museum and educational resource covering the fields of space science and astronomy, along with a space research programme in partnership with the University of Leicester. It is located on the north side of the city in Belgrave, Leicester, England, next to the River Soar
From National Space Centre
'The award winning National Space Centre, home to the UK’s largest planetarium, six interactive galleries, 42m high iconic Rocket Tower and over 150 hands-on elements, really is an out of this world experience for the whole family.'
I've always loved Leicester.
When I first came to Leicester, I thought it was so different from London which was the only section of the UK that I was familiar with.
Only a few days back, and my visit to Abbey Park and National museum is just a quick walk from where I'm staying with friends on Loughborough Road.
I have so much more to tell you about my trip last year ... TO BE CONTINUED...
I have some street photography, my walk across Watermead park, City Centre, Basketball, and Leicester Market - the largest covered market in Europe.
Stick around for PART 2!
(Actually, here's the added link below:)
https://peakd.com/hive-163772/@millycf1976/365-days-ago-i-was-in-leicester-uk-part-2
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Thank you very much! I'm beaming!!!
Thank you very much! I appreciate it! Big smiles!!!!!!
It's lovely to discover and learn about a part of your trip to Leicester. The Abbey Park is beautiful.
Thanks Arni!
It was an interesting trip because all these places were in my backyard and I never visited them while living there. It was all a pleasant surprise. Abbey Park is stunning and I was actually in shock to discover it. I can't wait to go back.
I can imagine how fun it must have been to discover a lovely place nearby. The walk to the park alone in cooler weather is something to look forward to on your next visit. Congrats on the top feature 😀
Indeed!
This was a special discovery... my backyard for years and I never took the time to go visit.
Congrats on your win too :)
I've only been to Leicester once, but just hanged around the centre, everything seemed to be about Richard 😅
Yes, you're right. In the recent years I noticed everything to be around Richard. In my part 2 post tomorrow, there'll be some mention close to Richard the III. However, there is so much more to Leicester than Richard III. I love that city.
Memories of cold winter days at the football stadium will always make me smile...win or lose, Leicester till I die!
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Great photos!
Oh, thank you very much! 😊