It’s become a tradition that once a year, around this time, I go to the Manchester Christmas Market for a mooch around and a Bailey’s latte.
At the weekend, my friend and I completed this tradition together. Considering it was the end of November, it was relatively warm and the sun shone brightly – at times blinding our vision.
We arrived about midday and it wasn’t overly crowded (top left photo).
We started at the stalls straight outside of Manchester Victoria Train Station and began to make our way towards St. Ann’s Square and the City Hall Square. Along the way we saw a singing Christmas Tree (top right photo).
The stalls either sold food or gifts. The food choices were very varied from delicacies to more mainstream dishes. Generally most of the food stalls smelt devine.
The gift stalls had some lovely trinkets, some unique and original products (that would make perfect presents for Christmas), but also some over-priced tat.
Midway through the markets my friend and I managed to get seats at a coffee stall (above: left hand column), where we were able to enjoy our drinks. I had the Bailey’s latte as always (above: right hand column) while my friend had his Bailey’s white coffee. As we drank we talked, about many different things including: Christmas, our plans for 2014 and tablets (the Kindle & the iPad Air).
As the afternoon got later, going into early evening, the markets got busier and busier. I had expected that it would get quieter as it got later, but I was wrong. It felt like we were sardines (below: left & right). We had a great time, but maybe next year I’ll avoids the crowds by going midweek.
Reading Time: 2minutesI am sooo excited about Yule (see Pagan Festivals) this year. I will get to celebrate it with Simon and Chrys, my good friends like last year (see Yule & A Lifetime Gift). I also celebrate Christmas (because the family and majority of my friends do, plus I like love gifts).
In addition to this it’s my first in the new apartment (see The Move), so I’m going to get the biggest, campest christmas tree I can afford! But I thought I’d better let Father Christmas what I want like you used to as a child, addressing the letter to the North Pole. So here goes:
Dear Father Christmas,
This year I’ve been a good boy. I have tried hard at work and tried to help those who need it. Plus I have tried to be more adult-like and responsible by buying apartment (I know you have a super computer system that can find me, so I don’t need to give you my address, mum told me). I am concerned that this place (as far as I’m aware) doesn’t have a chimney. So I have let security know and they said they will let you in.
So now on to the important issue of what I would like this year. Here’s my list (I’ve split it in to Books and DVD’s to make it easier for the elfs to find):
That’s my list. Oh just to add one more thing, right at the top of my list please A joyfilled, happy christmas for all of my family and friends. Hope that’s not too much of a tall order for the 1st November?
My love to the elfs and raindeers and of course Mrs Christmas, hope they are all keeping well,
Antony x x x
Post pictures of the tree when I’ve bought it, decorated and put it up.
