我的英国 你的英文 (Alan Palmer 作者)

唐宁街(tángníngjiē)10(shí)号(hào)

唐宁街(tángníngjiē)10(shí)号(hào)是(shì)“第一(dìyī)财政(cáizhèng)大臣(dàchén)”和(hé)英国(yīngguó)首相(shǒuxiàng)的(de)官邸(guāndǐ)和(hé)办公室(bàngōngshì)。来自(láizì)苏格兰(sūgélán)的(de)工党(gōngdǎng)领袖(lǐngxiù)戈登(gēdēng)•布朗(bùlǎng)现在(xiànzài)兼任(jiānrèn)这(zhè)两项(liǎngxiàng)职务(zhíwù)。工党(gōngdǎng)是(shì)英国(yīngguó)现任(xiànrèn)执政党(zhízhèngdǎng)，在(zài)议会(yìhuì)中(zhōng)占(zhàn)多数(duōshù)席位(xíwèi)。
唐宁街(tángníngjiē)10(shí)号(hào)是(shì)女王(nǚwáng)陛下(bìxià)政府(zhèngfǔ)的(de)总部(zǒngbù)。它(tā)座落(zuòluò)于(yú)英国(yīngguó)伦敦(lúndūn)市中心(shìzhōngxīn)威斯敏斯特 (wēisīmǐnsītè)区(qū)的(de)一条(yītiáo)小街(xiǎojiē)——唐宁街(tángníngjiē)上(shàng)。
被(bèi)众所周知(zhòngsuǒzhōuzhī)的(de)“10(shí)号(hào)”也许(yěxǔ) 是 (shì)伦敦(lúndūn)最(zuì)著名(zhùmíng)的(de)地址(dìzhǐ)，也(yě)是(shì)世界(shìjiè)上(shàng)最(zuì)著名(zhùmíng)的(de)建筑物(jiànzhùwù)之一(zhīyī)。
它(tā)是(shì)英国(yīngguó)政府(zhèngfǔ)的(de)中枢(zhōngshū)。它(tā)除了(chúle)是(shì)英国(yīngguó)首相(shǒuxiàng)的(de)官邸(guāndǐ)和(hé)办公(bàngōng)所在地(suǒzàidì)之外(zhīwài)，它(tā)还是(háishì)首相(shǒuxiàng)的(de)秘书(mìshū)、助理(zhùlǐ)和(hé)顾问(gùwèn)的(de)办公室(bàngōngshì)。首相(shǒuxiàng)官邸(guāndǐ)内(nèi)有(yǒu)会议室(huìyìshì)和(hé)晚宴厅(wǎnyàntīng)，首相(shǒuxiàng)常在(chángzài)那里(nàli)接见(jiējiàn)和(hé)款待(kuǎndài)各界(gèjiè)领导人(lǐngdǎorén)和(hé)国外(guówài)要宾(yàobīn)。
唐宁街(tángníngjiē)10(shí)号(hào)与(yǔ)威斯敏斯特 (wēisīmǐnsītè)宫(gōng)和(hé)国会(guóhuì)大厦(dàshà)相距(xiāngjù)很(hěn)近(jìn)，女王(nǚwáng)伊丽莎白(yīlìshābái)二世(èr shì)的(de)伦敦(lúndūn)府邸(fǔdǐ)——白金汉 (báijīnhàn)宫(gōng)也(yě)在(zài)附近(fùjìn)。

Number 10 Downing Street is the residence and office of the “First Lord of the Treasury” and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. At the moment Gordon Brown, a Scotsman and Leader of the Labour Party holds both roles. The Labour Party is currently in Government with a majority of seats in Parliament.

Number 10 Downing Street is the headquarters of Her Majesty's Government; it is situated on Downing Street, which is a small street in the City of Westminster in the central part of London, England.

“Number 10”, as it is often known, is perhaps the most famous address in London and one of the most widely recognised houses in the world.

It is the centre of the United Kingdom's government. It is the Prime Minister's home and place of work with offices for secretaries, assistants and advisors. There are also conference rooms and dining rooms where the Prime Minister meets and entertains other leaders and foreign dignitaries.

The building is very near to the Palace of Westminster, the Houses of Parliament, and Buckingham Palace, the official London residence of Queen Elizabeth II.

wǒ我 shì是 ā阿lún伦。jīntiān今天 wǒ我 yào要 jiǎng讲de的 shì是 yīngguó英国 gāosùgōnglù高速公路。gāosùgōnglù高速公路 shì是 wèi为 gāosù高速 jīdòng机动 chēliàng车辆 ānquán安全 xíngshǐ行驶 ér而 shèjì设计 de的 dà大 róngliàng容量 de的 gōnglù公路。zài在 yīngguó英国 wǒmen我们 shì是 zuǒcè左侧 tōngxíng通行。 yīngguó英国 de的 dìyī第一tiáo条 gāosùgōnglù高速公路 kāitōng开通 yú于 1958 nián年，dāngshí当时 jiào叫 “Preston Bypass”。xiànzài现在 zhè这 tiáo条 gōnglù公路 jiào叫 “M6” M liu， cóng从 kǎ卡lái莱ěr尔 tōngwǎng通往 bó伯míng明hàn翰。jīntiān今天 zhèlǐ这里 yǐjīng已经 yōngyǒu拥有 2500 duō多 gōnglǐ公里 de的 gāosùgōnglù高速公路。
zài在yīngguó英国，wǒmen我们 zài在 gōnglù公路 de的 zuǒcè左侧 xíngshǐ行驶，tong同 xiānggǎng香港 yíyàng一样，zhèshì这是 yuán源yú于 yīngguó英国 céngjīng曾经 tǒngzhì统治 xiānggǎng香港。qítā其它 de的 guójiā国家，rú如：yìndù印度、àodàlìyà澳大利亚 hé和 rìběn日本 yěshì也是 zuǒcè左侧 tōngxíng通行。wǒ我 zài在mànchèsītè曼彻斯特 jīchǎng机场 fùjìn附近 de的 M60 gōnglù公路 xíngshǐ行驶 shí时 lùzhì录制le了 yī一xiǎo小duàn段lùxiàng录像，nǐ你 kěyǐ可以 cóngzhōng从中 kàndào看到 wǒmen我们 shì是 zěnyàng怎样 zài在 zuǒcè左侧 xíngshǐ行驶de的。xiè谢xiè谢！

Nimen hao. Wo shi Alan. Today I am talking about motorways in England. Motorways are high capacity roads designed to carry fast motor traffic safely. In England we drive on the left. The first motorway in England was opened in 1958 and was called the "Preston Bypass". This road is now called the M6 and goes from Carlise to Birmingham. Today there are more than 2500km of motorways.
In England we drive on the left side of the road. This is the same in Hong Kong which comes from when Britain controlled Hong Kong.
Other countries such as India, Australia and Japan also drive on the left. I have made a small film to give you an idea of what it is like to drive on the left. I made this when I was driving on the M60 near Manchester Airport. Xie xie

Nimen你们 hǎo好！wǒ我shì是 Alan。huānyíng欢迎 guānglín光临 wǒ我 de的 wǎng网zhàn站！wǒ我 xuéxí学习 hànyǔ汉语de的 shíjiān时间 hái还 búshì不是 hěn很cháng长，suǒyǐ所以 wǒ我 zài在 zhèlǐ这里 de的 zhōngwén中文 jièshào介绍 wénzì文字 shì是 yóu由 wǒ我 de的 yígè一个 zhōngguó中国 hǎo好péngyǒu朋友 yǒuqíng友情 fānyì翻译 de的，zài再 yóu由wǒ我 zìjǐ自己 dú读 chūlái出来，duìyú对于 shuō说 hànyǔ汉语 shì是 yígè一个 hěnhǎo很好 de的 liànxí练习。

**点击 [Play] 你能听到我的话！**
**Look down the pages for more articles!**
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Firstly I must acknowledge a great deal of help for the Chinese text here for each podcast. Thanks to a good friend in China 谢谢！I hope you like my new website for Chinese friends learning English! I want to make Chinese introductions to help me practice speaking Chinese and also to make a friendly presentation to the English podcast.

My other website is: www.alanlancs1.podomatic.com （英文）

Alan
Lancashire
英国
E-mail:alan_r_palmer@hotmail.com

Nimen hao
I have a connection at home again
I hope you like my new videocast about English cities
zai jian
Alan

I would like to say sorry for not posting recently.
I have a big problem with my home internet connection.
I did not realise it would take so long to fix
I will be back in a week or so
keep visiting!
I have many more podcasts to make this year!
nimen de pengyou
Alan

Nimen hao. Wo shi Alan. Today I want to tell you about National Parks in England. There are 12 national parks in England. These are regions which have a natural beauty of some special scenery. There are 4 national parks near to my home. These are: Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, North Yorkshire Moors and the Peak District. The parks are recognised in England as places of beauty and many people visit the parks as tourists. My wife Marie and I spend quite a lot of time in the Yorkshire Dales and North Yorkshire moors. We will have a holiday in the North Yorkshire Moors in August with our friends from Germany. I hope you like my presentation about national parks. Xie xie.

Here are different ways of describing the regions of my country:

你们好！ Here is another quiz for you. Answers in 3 days. Alan.

1. Where and what are the Mendips?
2. What is the “Angel of the North”?
3. What is the flag of England called?
4. What and where is “Hadrian’s Wall?”
5. Where is the most famous sports stadium in England and what is it called?
6. Where is “The Wash”?
7. What is a “Brummie”?
8. What is “Brands Hatch”?

I hope you like my presentation

"click on Play to watch and listen"

zhongwen/English

xie xie

Bye bye

Alan

1. Which is the biggest county in England?
2. Where is Buckingham Palace?
3. What is "Land's End?"
4. What is a "Geordie" and where do they come from?
5. What is the "Cheddar Gorge"?
6. What is the biggest river in England?
7. Who is the Mayor of London?
8. Which famous town did Shakespeare come from?

You have a small English Culture quiz now

Take care,

Answers in 2 days

Alan

Introduction;
nǐhǎo)！ 我(wǒ) 是(shì)Alan。

新年(xīnnián) 前夕(qiánxī)（十二月(shíèryuè) 三十(sānshí)一日(yīrì)） 是(shì) 英国(yīngguó) 人(rén)庆祝(qìngzhù) 新年(xīnnián) 的(de) 时刻(shíkè)。

人们(rénmen) 以(yǐ) 很多(hěnduō) 方式(fāngshì) 来(lái) 庆祝(qìngzhù) 这个(zhège) 盛大(shèngdà) 节日(jiérì)。

在(zài) 这里(zhèlǐ)，人们(rénmen) 可能(kěnéng) 出门(chūmén) 会友(huìyǒu)， 也(yě) 可能(kěnéng) 会(huì) 到(dào) 饭店(fàndiàn) 或(huò) 酒馆(jiǔguǎn) 吃饭(chīfàn)、 喝酒(hējiǔ)。

还有(háiyǒu) 一些(yìxiē) 家庭(jiātíng) 在家(zàijiā) 观看(guānkàn) 新年(xīnnián) 的(de) 特别(tèbié) 电视节目(diànshìjiémù)。

绝大部分(juédàbùfen) 人(rén) 可以(kěyǐ) 享有(xiǎngyǒu) 新年(xīnnián) 假期(jiàqī)。

而(ér) 苏格兰(sūgélán) 人(rén) 会(huì) 在(zài) 新年(xīnnián) 前夕(qiánxī) 举办(jǔbàn) 比(bǐ) 英国(yīngguó) 人(rén) 更多(gèngduō) 的(de) 庆祝(qìngzhù) 活动(huódòng)。

在(zài) 苏格兰(sūgélán)，人们(rénmen) 把(bǎ) 这个(zhège) 节日(jiérì) 叫做(jiàozuò)“Hogmany”。

Nimen hao. Wo shi Alan. New Year’s eve (31st December) is a time for celebration in England. Everybody celebrates this in some way. Maybe people will go out to visit friends. Others will go out for a meal and drinks in a restaurant or a pub. Some families just stay at home and watch special New Year television programmes.

Most people have New Year’s Day as a holiday. Scottish people celebrate New Year’s Eve even more than English people. In Scotland, the festival is called Hogmany.

In England, the biggest celebrations are in the big cities, particularly in London. Many people will gather together at London’s Picadilly Circus or Trafalgar Square in order to dance, sing and drink. Some people even jump into the fountains!

When midnight arrives, this is always celebrated by the chiming of “Big Ben” the famous bell in the building called the Clock Tower. Once Big Ben has chimed, then all over the country, people let off fireworks. The interesting thing is this tradition of fireworks only started at the millennium evening in 1999. Since then, fireworks are now a permanent way of celebrating the New Year.

nǐhǎo)！我(wǒ)是(shì)Alan。

我(wǒ) 生活(shēnghuó) 在(zài) 兰(lán)开(kāi)夏(xià)（Lancashire），位于(wèiyú) 英国(yīngguó) 北部(běibù)。这里(zhèlǐ) 有(yǒu)一道(yídào) 著名(zhùmíng) 的(de) 菜(cài) 叫做(jiàozuò) 兰(lán)开(kāi)夏(xià) 火锅(huǒguō)，它(tā) 是(shì) 把(bǎ) 肉(ròu) 和(hé) 蔬菜(shūcài) 混合(hùnhé) 在(zài) 一起(yìqǐ) 烧(shāo)煮(zhǔ)。兰(lán)开(kāi)夏(xià) 火锅(huǒguō) 据说(jùshuō) 在(zài) 过去(guòqù) 是(shì) 一种(yìzhǒng) 穷人(qióngrén) 吃(chī) 的(de) 食物(shíwù)，而(ér) 现在(xiànzài) 已经(yǐjīng) 在(zài) 全世界(quánshìjiè) 非常(fēicháng) 流行(liúxíng)，你(nǐ) 甚至(shènzhì) 可以(kěyǐ) 在(zài) 超(chāo)市里(shìlǐ) 买(mǎi)到(dào) 现成(xiànchéng) 的(de) 兰(lán)开(kāi)夏(xià) 火锅(huǒguō)。现在(xiànzài)，它(tā) 已(yǐ) 成为(chéngwéi) 一道(yídào) 备(bèi)受(shòu) 喜(xǐ)爱(ài) 的(de) 佳(jiā)肴(yáo)，陪(péi) 你(nǐ) 度(dù)过(guò) 寒(hán)冷(lěng) 的(de) 季(jì)节(jié)！

Ni hao, wo shi Alan. I live in Lancashire. This is a region in the North of England. A famous food from Lancashire is called Lancashire Hot Pot. It is a mixture of meat and vegetables cooked together. Lancashire Hot Pot used to be a poor people’s food traditionally. Now it has become extremely popular all over the world. Nowadays, Lancashire Hot Pot can even be bought, ready-made, in supermarkets. It has become a much-loved meal to get you through the cold times!

The Lancashire traditional dish is basically a mutton stew. The first rule, no matter which recipe you use is to use mutton. If you want to use young lamb, beef or any other type of meat, you won’t be cooking a real Lancashire Hot Pot but it will still be a tasty hot pot.

The following is a recipe for a basic Hot Pot, with vegetables.

For 4 people, you need:

500 grams of mutton
750 grams of potatoes
300 grams of carrots
3 large onions
Oil
Salt
Pepper

Cut the meat into small pieces maybe 20mm square. Peel and slice the raw potatoes. Peel and slice the raw carrots. Cut the onions into rings.

Fry the meat chunks in a frying pan with a bit of oil until browned.

In a large casserole dish, place the meat chunks, then potatoes, carrots, onions, and then add a final layer of potatoes on top.

Add ½ litre (500 ml) of water and salt and pepper to taste.

Place in preheated oven and bake at medium heat for 40-50 minutes.

Ready! Serve with pickled red cabbage and bread. Enjoy your meal!

Note: Different varieties use different ingredients. In some parts of Lancashire. Only mutton will give the gravy its taste by itself – if you must use beef or pork instead, then be sure to add stock cubes to the water. Usually, people who use other meat add two stock cubes to their hot pot. In some parts of Lancashire, the carrots are left out, but if you want a nutritious winter meal, then it is best to cook your hot pot with carrots for the extra vitamins

nǐmen你们 hǎo好！wǒ我 shì是Alan。zài在 sī斯jī基pǔ普dùn顿 de的 shèngdànjié圣诞节 jíshì集市 shàng上， chūxiàn出现 le了 yìqún一群 jiàozuò叫做“Flagcrackers” de的 mínjiān民间 wǔ舞zhě者。zhèxiē这些 tiàowǔ跳舞 de的 rén人 yě也 jiàozuò叫做“mò莫lǐ里sī斯 wǔ舞zhě者”。tāmen他们 zài在 dàjiē大街 shàng上 chuāndài穿戴 tèshū特殊 de的 fúshì服饰，biǎoyǎn表演 yīnyuè音乐 hé和 wǔdǎo舞蹈。zài在 jiérì节日 lǐ里，tā他men们 tiào跳 zhe着 wǔ舞 ，chuān穿suō梭 yú于 xiǎo小zhēn镇 hé和 cūn村zhuāng庄。

Morris dancers

A good example of a more ordinary popular tradition is morris-dancing. This type of dancing developed from an ancient pagan activity and its original intention was to frighten away evil spirits. The dance is performed in groups (usually men, but sometimes women, men and children take part)

The dancers wear costumes and sometimes carry sticks or bells. Many different dance groups exist in England and most have their own name and special costume.

The Flagcrackers have special dark costumes and put black on their faces.

These types of dancers can be seen on many a village green, in town centres, outside pubs in the summer and sometimes in winter. They usually dance as an entertainment to accompany a festival or official celebration.

******VOCABULARY*********

Morris – dancing = type of folk dancing
Flags - big flat stones used for house roofs and for pavements
Ancient - very old
Pagan – old religion concerning nature
Costume – special clothes for decoration
Village green – the centre of a village where there is a small field of grass where people can gather
Pubs = Public House - a place where people can drink alcoholic drinks and sometimes have meals.
Town centre = centre part of a town (called “downtown” in USA)
Accompany – to be with/ next to
Official = lawful. Decided by government
Celebration = to enjoy something special – birthday celebration, festival, marriage

Christmas

The original religious meaning of the Christmas holiday (Christmas means Christ’s Mass or celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ) has weakened considerably since 1945. Many people not do not go to church nowadays and church attendance at Christmas is steadily decreasing. Most English families now see Christmas as a well-deserved, end of year break, a time to relax, have a good time, spend time with family and friends and spend money.

The commercialism of Christmas grows stronger each year, with earlier and more advertising on TV, longer shop opening hours and money spending of money by everyone who celebrates the festival.

Many factories and offices are closed between 24th December and the 2nd of January. (This year, many are closed until the 6th January) and because many people have this holiday from work, they take the opportunity to visit relations in other parts of the country – or some even take a holiday in another country.

Christmas traditions are changing. Until the 1980s, it was common to have carol singers going from street to street collecting money for charities. Now this custom appears to be dying out, particularly in the cities; carols are more often sung in traditional settings such as church, school or town hall.

Christmas decorations used to be limited to inside the home and the Christmas tree itself, but a more public show can be seen in some suburban streets where a house (or several houses in the street) may be elaborately decorated with fairy lights and other displays. Decorated tress and hanging lights are also familiar sights now in most town centres.

The giving of presents (usually on the morning of the 25th December) remains a strong custom, as does a big family lunch, which usually consists of roast turkey or chicken and “all the trimmings” (an expression meaning: roast potatoes, a range of boiled vegetables, particularly brussel sprouts and a sweet fruit sauce made crom cranberries)

The meal will often be accompanied by crackers (which are paper containers wrapped in silver and gold paper containing a small gift) and paper often wear silly paper hats.

After the meal, some families may play Chrismas games. The modern games are often computer games, but a lot of people like the old traditional board games such as Cluedo, Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit and Pictionary. Other families will make a special point of watching TV at 3:00pm to see the Queen speak her Annual Christmas broadcast. Many families will drink beer or wine and watch the special Christmas television programmes throughout the evening. Many television channels offer these special Christmas programmes to entertain.

Vocabulary
weakened considerably = become less
well-deserved = something people deserve to have through hard work
Commercialism = about selling products
Opening hours = times that shops are open
Carols = Christmas songs – usually religious
Relations = means here “family”
Charities – good causes – help the poor and ill
Suburban = in a town or city
Roast turkey - turkey meat cooked in the oven

你们(nǐmen) 好(hǎo)！ 我(wǒ) 是(shì) Alan. 今天(jīntiān) 我(wǒ) 将(jiāng) 介绍(jièshào) 一个(yígè) 非常(fēicháng) 古老(gǔlǎo) 的(de) 英国(yīngguó)传统(chuántǒng) 节日(jiérì)——圣诞节(shèngdànjié)。圣诞节(shèngdànjié) 的(de) 时间(shíjiān) 是(shì) 每年(měinián) 的(de) 十二月(shíèryuè) 二十(èrshí)五(wǔ) 日(rì)。这(zhè) 既是(jìshì) 一个(yígè) 基督教(jīdūjiào) 的(de) 节日(jiérì)，也是(yěshì) 一个(yígè)非常(fēicháng) 古老(gǔlǎo) 而(ér) 传统(chuántǒng) 的(de) 冬季(dōngjì) 节日(jiérì)，庆祝(qìngzhù) 一(yī)年(nián)中(zhōng) 最(zuì)短(duǎn) 的(de) 日子(rìzǐ) 即将(jíjiāng) 结束(jiéshù)，这(zhè) 就(jiù) 是(shì) 冬(dōng)至(zhì)。

nǐmen你们 hǎo好！wǒ我 shì是Alan。mùǒuxì木偶戏 biǎoyǎn表演shì是 yìzhǒng一种 fēicháng非常 liúxíng流行 de的jiētóu街头 biǎoyǎn表演-，zài在 zhèlǐ这里- wǒmen我们 jiào叫 tā它“Punch and Judy”. zhèshì这是 yìzhǒng一种 chuántǒng传统 de的 mùǒu木偶 biǎoyǎn表演-。yígè一个 mùǒu木偶 jiào叫Punch，tā他 de的 qīzi妻子 jiào叫Judy。 mùǒu木偶 biǎoyǎn表演 -zǒngshì总是 bèi被 háizi孩子 men们 suǒ所 xǐài喜爱- bìngqiě并且 fēicháng非常 huájī滑稽 kěxiào可笑。

Nimen hao. Hello Alan here. Punch and Judy puppet show. A very popular street show is called "Punch and Judy" This is a traditional puppet show, which is about a puppet called Punch and his wife Judy. The puppet show is always funny and really for children but adults like it also. It is interesting that Punch (or “Mr Punch”) with his long hooked nose likes to be violent and hit the other puppets – although this idea is done in a funny way.
The idea is to entertain children and usually Punch and Judy shows are held in the street, at fairs or at the seaside where people can relax and watch the entertaining show. Only one person works the puppets and makes the silly sounding voices.

Vocabulary

Hooked = looks like a hook
To entertain = give people interest and enjoyment
Silly = jokey
Fair = a place of entertainment where people come together to watch or do something – usually in a town but sometimes in a village or in a field.
Violent = try to do harm to somebody or something

shèngdànjié圣诞节 shìchǎng市场

nǐmen你们 hǎo好！ wǒ我 shì是Alan。 jīntiān今天} wǒ我 xiǎng想 jiǎng讲 de的 shì是 yīngguó英国 de的 shèngdànjié圣诞节 shìchǎng市场}。zài在 yīngguó英国}，shèngdànjié圣诞节 shìchǎng市场 fēicháng非常 pǔbiàn普遍。tāmen它们 tōngcháng通常 shè设 zài在xiǎo小 zhēn镇 jíshì集市 shàng上}， chūshòu出售 yìxiē一些} hěn很 tèshū特殊 de的 shèngdànjié圣诞节 lǐpǐn礼品}，tóngshí同时 }yě也 mài卖 yìxiē一些 tèshū特殊 de的 shípǐn食品 hé和 yǐnliào饮料}。 shàng上 gè个 xīngqītiān星期天}，wǒmen我们 qù去 de的 dìyī第一 gè个 jíshì集市 shì是 sī斯jī基pǔ普dùn顿 de的 zhōngshìjì中世纪 jíshì集市}， dìèr第二 gè个 }shì是 zài在 mànchèsītè曼彻斯特 de的 déguó德国 shèngdànjié圣诞节 shìchǎng市场。

Christmas Markets
Nimen hao. Wo shi Alan. Today I want to talk about Christmas markets in England. Christmas markets are very popular in England. These are usually held in towns and villages around the country. The markets are set up in market squares as small wooden stalls and the stallholders (sellers) will sell special Christmas gifts. Also some sellers will sell special Christmas food and drinks. The first market we went to was Skipton Medieval market last Sunday. Medieval refers to English history of over 800 years ago. People dressed in costume to make the historical theme.

The second market was the German Christmas Market in Manchester. This type of market has been made very popular in Germany for many years. In recent years, this type of market is now set up also in England and many English people like the German products: Gluewein (hot mulled wine) bratwurst (fried sausage) and spiced biscuits amongst others.

Christmas market: type of market only set up near Christmas
Market square: large open space in the centre of a city town or village where market stalls can be set up.
Stall: a place where products are displayed for sale (covered or uncovered)
Stallholders: people who sell products from stalls
Medieval: a period in history around 800 years ago
Mulled (spices added)
Sausage: soft meat made in a long narrow shape and fried in oil or baked

jīntiān)我(wǒ)和(hé)我(wǒ)的(de)太太(tàitài)Marie乘(chéng)火车(huǒchē)从(cóng)Skipton（斯(sī)基(jī)普(pǔ)顿(dùn)） 到(dào)Colne（科(kē)恩(ēn)）。这是(zhèshì)一次(yícì)特殊(tèshū)的(de)旅程(lǚchéng)，因为(yīnwéi)在(zài)正常(zhèngcháng)情况(qíngkuàng)下(xià)，这(zhè)两(liǎng)个(gè)小(xiǎo)镇（zhèn） 之间(zhījiān)没有(méiyǒu)直达(zhídá)火车(huǒchē)。

我(wǒ)希望(xīwàng)你(nǐ)会(huì)喜欢(xǐhuan)我(wǒ)的(de)文章(wénzhāng)。
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Today, My wife Marie and I joined a group of 80 railway enthusiasts to travel between Skipton and Colne in Lancashire (near our home). We took two friends with us.
England was the first country to have a railway. The rail network was built during the 19th and 20th century and over 10,000 miles of railtrack was built.

The British railway system became the envy of the world.
In the 1960's, more and more people were using roads to travel and transport goods and a big decision in Government was made to close some train lines.
The line from Colne to Skipton was on line that was closed down. Many people did not like this and since 1967, when the line was closed,there have been many protests. Some people want the line to be reopened.

This special train journey was to use railway lines that still operate in 2008. The protest group thought of this idea and they organised the journey as a 'Christmas shopping trip' To make this trip, the travellers needed to travel 170km though 5 towns and cities. If the former line were still open, this would only be 20km! We enjoyed the day on the train.

Maybe in the future the railway line will be rebuilt and we can once more travel between Skipton and Colne
directly.

Be good, be happy
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Vocabulary list:
Skipton (town in the county of Yorkshire in North England)
Colne (town in the county of Lancashire in North England)
Enthusiast = person active in interest
Railway network – railways connecting villages, towns and cities
“Envy of the world “ – expression to say “admired by many people
around the world”
Closed railway line – a railway line that is not used
Reopen – to open again
Protest Group – people who form a group to protest for or against
something – usually to protest against or for a law
Christmas shopping trip – organized journeys to one or more shops
selling gifts for Christmas – specially organized in the few weeks
before Christmas – usually at weekends
Direct line – a train line that travels from one place to another
directly
More and more – increasing number of
Operate – to function, to perform

nimen hao
I hope you like the small movie I made for you

Hallowe’en

In the past it was believed that on this night, 31st October, the dead would rise up from their graves. This idea is often celebrated now with parties at which guests dress up as ghosts or witches. More recently, the American custom of “trick or treat” has become common. For this, children put on appropriate fancy dress and masks and knock on doors saying “Trick or Treat?” (but usually expecting the latter – treat!)

A “trick”, if requested by the residents, would produce some kind of mild punishment such as being squirted with water or foam, while “treat” means sweets or money for the callers.

The name “Hallowe’en” derives from All Hallows (Saints) Evening. The following day, 1st November (All Saints Day), which is celebrated in Catholic countries, is not marked in any way in England.

the latter = the last one in a list (treat)
to mark - to celebrate
to squirt = to spray something in a jet (squirt water)
derive = comes from/originate
fancy dress = costumes