Christmas is Coming

Well we did get to the Christmas Market
and what a treat it was.
I took lots of photos
just for a change!
We arrived when it was still light and after stopping to buy a glass of Gluwein
we made our way to the main market square.
We took the Gluwein with us as you pay a deposit on the glasses and can return them to any of the stalls selling the Gluwein.
The first thing we heard was a band playing Christmas Carols.
Then I looked around the square.




We saw them working on this house on Thursday.
I thought perhaps they were putting up lights
and changing the window boxes.
I never imagined the decorations would be so creative.



This Hansel and Gretel House below
is just off the market square.

Can you see the witch outside the house

and Gretel at an upstairs window?

Mike took the photo above standing next to the Hansel and Gretel House.

Doesn't the square look pretty?

The band stopped playing.

The square was full of people and there was an air of anticipation.

So we hung around.
Then the trumpeteers sounded.
A speech or two were said.

And a choir of young children sang.

One of the carols was in English!

In the photo above you can see the trumpeteers in the upstairs window.

They were dressed in Medieval costume.
We moved around to soak up the atmoshere and take in the different views.

I found myself next to a cake stall
and couldn't resist,

so I bought myself an Apfulstrudel Beliner.

Delicious!
Beliners are like a doughnut.

Mine was flavoured with apple.

We then wandered up out of the square where we came across a horse and carriage.

What lovely horses they were.

Waiting so patiently

and looking so fine.
Can you see Saint Nicholas in the carriage?

The carriage then made it's way to the square that we had just left.
Led by the small band below.

Mike waited patiently as I tried to get some decent shots.

I just had to try and get another shot

not easy with people milling around

but the horses were gorgeous.

We passed a number of cosy looking bars
and cafes.
I am peering through a restaurant window

to get the photo below.

And I had to take a photo of people in Santa hats sitting outside this cafe.

It has come out more hazy than I intended

but I still like it.

Can you tell what the blurry shot is below?

Can you see it now?

A chicken

sitting above the nativity.

We eventually made our way back through the town passing some different stalls in another part of town.
It wouldn't be complete without seeing some of these confectionaries.

I must find out what they are called.

I'm not sure why there is a toy dog poking his head out of a suit of armour......

The suit of armour was stood in the street near to this antique shop.

When we passed the shop the other day it was empty

but although you can't see from the window,

it is heaving with people inside.

And so down to the river where we had parked the car.

Where I couldn't resist taking a few more photos.

Can you see the castle in the background?
It looks as though it's floating in mid air doesn't it?

Such a lovely visit.

It makes Christmas even more special when it is as pretty as this.