Christmas Market (pic heavy)

[Sar]

As promised, I have finally uploaded some of my many pictures from my weekend visit to the Continental Christmas market! :clap:

I started off in the smaller part of the Market in Saint Anne's Square - see the One Man Band! :lol2:
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i302/grinning_blonde/OneManBand.jpg
I didn't get too many pictures here as everyone was insisting on being in the picture! ;)

From here, you head through the Royal Exchange Arcade, which runs under the theatre. This is a view of the entrance
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i302/grinning_blonde/RoyalExchange1.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i302/grinning_blonde/RoyalExchange2.jpg

This is the entrance to the main area of the Market on Albert Square - you can see the Town Hall in the background
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i302/grinning_blonde/Welcome.jpg

Each lamp post, surrounding the Square, is decorated beautifully
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i302/grinning_blonde/LampPostDecs.jpg

[Sar]

Obviously, I had to start my visit off with a cup of Gluhwein (Mulled Wine)
This is the view to the right of the stand
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i302/grinning_blonde/RightofMulledWine.jpg

To the left
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i302/grinning_blonde/LeftFromMulledWine.jpg

and the sweet stand opposite! :yummy:
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i302/grinning_blonde/Sweets.jpg

Around the base of the main tree, there are Angel decorations (sorry the picture isn't great, I was being pushed towards a tree! :lol2: )
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i302/grinning_blonde/AngelLights.jpg

[Sar]

Around the edge of the market, you are spoilt for choice with the plants, Christmas trees, wreaths and Bulbs available for sale!

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i302/grinning_blonde/PlantSanta.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i302/grinning_blonde/ChrissyTrees.jpg

Bird Wreaths - I love this idea!
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i302/grinning_blonde/BirdSeedWreaths.jpg

Dried Fruit wreaths
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i302/grinning_blonde/FruitWreath.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i302/grinning_blonde/Plants.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i302/grinning_blonde/WhiteTree.jpg

and all the Bulbs you could ever dream of!!
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i302/grinning_blonde/BulbStand.jpg

[Sar]

The Bulb stand also sells a wide selection of Christmas Ornaments
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i302/grinning_blonde/Ornament1.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i302/grinning_blonde/Ornament2.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i302/grinning_blonde/Ornament3.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i302/grinning_blonde/Ornament4.jpg

At the end of the plant sale area, you reach the Nativity Scene - the quietest and most comfortable place in the whole market at times!
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i302/grinning_blonde/Nativity.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i302/grinning_blonde/NativityCloser.jpg

[Sar]

The smells are just amazing while you walk around! You can generally find at least ten things you want to eat or drink!
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i302/grinning_blonde/Fudge.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i302/grinning_blonde/Sausages.jpg

Of course, I can't miss out the talking and singing 'moose' which is apparently supposed to be Rudolph! :lol2:
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i302/grinning_blonde/Moose.jpg

I did get a short clip of him, but you can only hear the crowds talking around me! :lol2:

[Karen]

OMG!!! I would be there every day!!! That is so cool looking!

[Sar]

It really is brilliant! The sights, sounds and smells are just amazing! I wish I could sample it for you and let you all experience it for yourselves!

I have so many more pictures, so I hope you're ready for them! :lol2:

[Sar]

One of the central items is the giant spinner (can't remember the real name off hand! :blush: ) I bought a noraml sized one for my friend last year!
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i302/grinning_blonde/Spinner.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i302/grinning_blonde/closerSpinner.jpg

The Town Hall is also a main feature!
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i302/grinning_blonde/TownHall.jpg

The Father Christmas has been the Town Hall's decoration for 21 years - sadly this will be his last year though! :(
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i302/grinning_blonde/TownHallSanta.jpg

[Sar]

On the walk back to the main central part of the city, the lights guide you through!
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i302/grinning_blonde/SeasonsGreetings.jpg

You can see the ferris wheel in the background, too!
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i302/grinning_blonde/Wheel.jpg

I'm sure I'll be taking a ride on the ferris wheel before Christmas, so I'll make sure I take my camera along to show you the sights of Manchester from above! :clap:

[neetanddave]

OMG!!! I would be there every day!!! That is so cool looking!
I would be happy to have Faneil Hall like you do, Karen. We don't have things like that in the South...

[neetanddave]

:clap: Great pics, Sarah! I love Rudolph!!!!!

[Karen]

I would be happy to have Faneil Hall like you do, Karen. We don't have things like that in the South...


It's still an hour away from me. :(


Why is it the last year for Father Christmas? :(

[Sar]

Why is it the last year for Father Christmas? :(

They want to make way for something more modern! You can read the article here. (http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/229/229138_town_hall_santas_last_christmas.html)

Poor inflatable Father Christmas! :(

[snosrap5]

OMG that is going on my things I want to see list!!!

[Sar]

OMG that is going on my things I want to see list!!!

:clap: That would be great if you could make it over one year! :clap: I could show you the sights and sounds of Manchester and cook a batch of Scouse for you to try! :)
So long as you're not Veggie! ;)

[maggiesgranny]

OMG you had me at the FUDGE! I WANNA GO!!!!!!



:wow: :19: So how many guest rooms do you have? LMAO

It really is brilliant! The sights, sounds and smells are just amazing! I wish I could sample it for you and let you all experience it for yourselves!

I have so many more pictures, so I hope you're ready for them! :lol2:

[icklemiss21]

OH maybe I am going to have to push my visit back next year from the summer to Christmas :)

[snosrap5]

:clap: That would be great if you could make it over one year! :clap: I could show you the sights and sounds of Manchester and cook a batch of Scouse for you to try! :)
So long as you're not Veggie! ;)

No veggin here! I just might do that one day Sarah!

[LokisMum]

Wow, Sarah! That is amazing! I could really spend a lot of time at something like that! The closest thing we have is Ottawa's Byward Market, but it's really not the same thing! And I love the moose!

[Sar]

OMG you had me at the FUDGE! I WANNA GO!!!!!!
:wow: :19: So how many guest rooms do you have? LMAO

:lol2: I thought the Fudge would go down well! You're welcome to visit too! :)

OH maybe I am going to have to push my visit back next year from the summer to Christmas :)

Oh you should! I'll definitely treat you and your Nan to a Gluhwein! :clap:

No veggin here! I just might do that one day Sarah!

That would be so cool!! :clap: Especially as I'll be able to feed you Scouse! :D

Wow, Sarah! That is amazing! I could really spend a lot of time at something like that! The closest thing we have is Ottawa's Byward Market, but it's really not the same thing! And I love the moose!

Apart from it being hellishly busy, it really is a great place to visit! I only wish it was here longer!

I'll have to google Byward Market to see what it's like!

It is a moose, isn't it? It says it's Rudolph, but I'm positive that that's a moose! :lol2:

[LokisMum]

Looks like it's straight from Canada!