News for December 2007
It has been a delightful, busy month. We reported in the November bulletin that there were going to be competitions for the best decorated shop window for Christmas but then we were approached to ask if we would agree to be entered in a similar competition for the illumination of boats in the port. The person who approached us has done wonderful things with lights on his boat (probably the winner) but we agreed, just to be part of the Christmas fun not expecting to win! We have all been invited to a gathering the 28th Jan 08 when winners will be announced. There are several boats with lights so the port looks very festive. Gradually we have realised that there are many people 'living on boats' in the port, about 20 of us, a small community.
Carmen, Marco, Paul and Diane, coordinated their efforts to arrange the illumination of their boats so that there was a 'mini-switch on' of lights at the same time the 4th December. Earlier that day Carmen arrived looking very purposeful with stencils and spray snow. The port holes are now beautifully decorated with snowmen, Father Christmas, reindeers, amongst other things. All in all the port is very festive. Adding to our festive spirit was the visit of our close friends Maggie and Tony. We visited the market at Armentieres on the Friday morning using our regular stalls where we were given a tasting of cheese, a regular occurrence at market stalls. A coffee in our favourite cafe in the town came with a different atmosphere! About six people stood outside the cafe all dressed in black. They entered the cafe looking very serene but not talking except through a black pole and they decided who they would talk to....Maggie and Tony were the chosen people! Sadly the murmurs were in French so little was understood. We did make some enquiries about the meaning of the 'act' but the people in the cafe were no wiser than us! Perhaps one does not need to understand everything.
Our few visits to Lille Christmas Market were up to expectation. There was a lovely atmosphere with the huge Ferris wheel, Christmas music and folks searching for presents which added to the Christmas Spirit. This created an ideal atmosphere for the 19th December when we arranged an Anglo /Italian get together in the 'club house' at Armentieres. There were around 20 people who visited during the afternoon / evening so we felt well supported. The evening was finished off with 'Tombola Italian style' reminiscent of bingo
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The Anglo-Italian evening preparation
Armentieres has not been slow in creating a festive season. The decorations have become more and more evident during the month of December and the third weekend was particularly special. There was a market 'solidarity' which was made up of 15 stalls from the French community and 15 from the Polish community. There was dancing on a podium with the appropriate music and the selling of traditional wares on the stalls. At 17.30 everyone was ready to see the descent of 'Papa Noel', Father Christmas, down the 67 metre Belfry Tower. He took his time with adults and children alike encouraging him on his descent. He let off a few fireworks on his way down but then there was an unexpected spectacular firework display in front of the Town Hall which lasted about 20 minutes. Well organised, fun and very attractive.
On the run up to Christmas we had a welcome visit from eldest grandchild Leanne who thoroughly enjoyed the Lille Christmas Market and treated herself to jewellery. Leanne went off to Scotland to join her friends for Christmas on the 24th Dec. and Paul and Diane with Marco and Carmen had a Christmas Eve dinner together, later joined by four other fellow boaters to wish each one a Happy Christmas on the 25th. Hope that all our readers have had a good 'Noel'.
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