Merry Christmas!

I have just returned from a lovely little trip to Germany, it was my first time to go there. I thought that the weather would stop us from heading out because a slight dusting brings everything to a standstill but we broke through and got out and it was brilliant! I have wanted to see a Christmas market for some time and have finally got a chance to do so. We went to Cologne for 3 days to see the final days of the Christmas markets. They sold a variety of handcraft and decorations which were all very pretty. The stalls were decorated and the snow was on the ground. It all felt very festive and the air was filled with delicious fragrances of sausages and mulled hot drinks. If I were German, I would look forward to that time each year as they seem to. People came late into the evening in bit groups to stand outside drinking and socialising with each other. Most of the people seemed to be Germans as well. I always find it interesting when a country chooses to tourist their own country so thoroughly. We don't really see the local sights too much back home but I suppose we don't have an 800 year old cathedral to look at. The shopping was great as well outside of the market scene. There was an extremely well stocked outdoors store there called Globetrotter. It had a mini lake in it to test kayaks and canoes, a cold room to test sleeping bags and a wet room to test the water resistance of various products. I didn't want to buy anything there except for a spork or two but it was an experience just to see it.

The markets had a variety of entertainment options for families like merry-go-rounds, puppet theatres and skating. I liked them best at night but that was when they were at their most crowded. My favourite food items were the bratwurst, fries and mayo, and the delicious waffle covered in warm chocolate. I could live on a diet of these items quite happily. I'll put some photos up as soon as possible. I hope everyone has a great holiday. I have managed to get a few cards out on time-ish this year and more will still be sent although after the fact. Thank you to everyone who has sent me one. They are all on display in the flat waiting for the cats to knock them over.

Happy Birthday to Dad and Aunt Donna, hope you both had a great day :o)