CHRISTMAS MARKET II

Top to bottom:

Market stalls next to Abbey

The 'Snow Queen'

Buskers singing 'White Christmas'

Merry-go-round

CHRISTMAS MARKET

The Bath Christmas Market opened this evening. I had been at church all day and Maurene braved the 'heavier than usual traffic' and came down for the Christmas Tree Lighting, a quick stroll through the market, and dinner.

A few years ago we had been to a Christmas Market in Lille, France and were greatly disappointed. I remembered the Christmas markets from my days in Germany and my expectations were shattered in Lille. Well, tonight my faith in open air markets was restored. This is only the fourth year in existence and it was as good as I remember those in Germany -the home of Christmas markets. And yes, our German friends came across the channel with brats, glusswein, and ghoulash soup! The market is in town for 12 days and so I passed on the German delights tonight and we went to a restaurant. I'm sure that in the next week I'll stroll over to the brat stand on more than one occasion for my lunch.

Photographs from the top:

Maurene examines one of the stalls

The Christmas Tree outside of the Abbey

My favourite busker

Maurene waving to everyone (she is the tiny speck at the side of the road)

Long time, no post. . .

I just got back from celebrating Thanksgiving in the states. It was good to be with my daughters and the rest of the family. I didn't take my camera, so there won't be any photographs.

It is good to be back home. Maurene 'held down the fort' admirably whilst I was away. We now begin our Christmas and Advent season of craziness.

Maurene and Jake

Friends of ours from London paid us a visit with their six month old baby, Jake. Obviously, Maurene loved it!

As much autumn as we get. . .

Since moving to the UK we have noticed that for the most part autumn isn't all that colourful. We have heard that the Westonbirt arboretum a few miles north of here is beautiful. But, for the most part the trees that do lose their leaves quickly change from green to brown. This tree in our neighbours yard was an exception.

THE SUBTLETY OF BRITISH NEWSPAPERS

This cover of the Independent says it all. . .

GUY FAWKES II

This photograph was from yesterday's Bath Chronicle. The recently finished Bath Thermae Spa has an outdoor, rooftop pool. This photo shows people enjoying the waters while watching the fireworks display mentioned in yesterday's blog. The strange green tower is the top of the Bath Abbey which is illuminated each night. Maurene liked this picture.

Who the Fawkes is Guy?

Strange customs here in England. November 5th celebrates bonfire night. Guy Fawkes, attempted to blow up the houses of Parliament. He was caught in the early morning hours of November 5th, 1603 with a torch and 36 kegs of gunpowder. He was tried and executed. Every November 5th Brits get together and set off copious amounts of fireworks. Most people don't even know what they are celebrating or commemorating. Guy Fawkes was a Catholic and was protesting the ill-treatment of Catholics that began with Henry VIII.

Last night, after my evening service at Central, I spent 20 minutes or so watching the fireworks that were set off in the city centre.