News for November 2006
Note: 'Click' on each photo to enlarge it and click 'Back' to return to this page.
We have been having some lovely sunny and warm days during the month of November. As reported in the local newspaper one could believe that we were in the South of France with temperatures reaching 18 / 19 centigrade. It is expected that the record for the mildest November for many years is about to be broken. Despite the unseasonable weather, other activities for the month of November have been happening and what springs to mind is the beautiful displays of chrysanthemums around the town during this month. There was a lot of colour. This was to commemorate the 1st November, which in France is a bank holiday, and a time for people to pay special tribute to their family and friends who have died. It is normal to see lots of chrysanthemums in supermarkets and florists as part of the remembrance is to take these flowers to graves. We learnt a long time ago that it is not traditional to take chrysanthemums to people as a gift, for example if going to share a meal with them, as they are more about remembering those who have passed away. Naturally there were also the special ceremonies for the 11th November which is also a bank holiday in France.
|
|
|
||
Now the floral displays of chrysanthemums have disappeared and being replaced with things in keeping with Christmas like small Christmas trees in the flower troughs. Each day there seems to be more things in place to celebrate the festive season. There are around 20 chalets now in place in the market square for the Christmas market. Lights have been put in situ together with other decorations but as yet they have not been switched on. We wonder if this will happen on the 2nd December, the festival of Saint Nicholas which apparently involves a parade of floats and other street entertainment. Needless to say we will be there to witness the parade and join in the festivities. The patisseries have been selling St Nicholas brioche, resembling a bit the shape of gingerbread men, with various coatings including icing and chocolate. Not something that we saw last winter in Decize. Paul has been busy putting festive lights around the exterior of our boat, earlier than usual, but as everything seems to be gearing up to the festival of Saint Nicholas we decided to fall into the tradition of this area, Les Vosges. A little bit of history about Saint Nicholas who is apparently the patron saint of Les Vosges. This dates back to the Middle Ages. The story told is that he came to villages in a glittering carriage at nightfall to visit "good children". There was also a 'bogeyman' to warn the naughty children that they needed to change their behaviour!
However, not everything revolves around Christmas! We have been familiarising ourselves with the town generally and really enjoy shopping in the indoor and outdoor market. The indoor market is open Tuesday to Saturday and the outdoor market is a Wednesday and Saturday. We have quickly found our favourite stores including a good olive stall, a butcher and fishmonger. The sellers are recognising us which inevitably results in some chat which makes food shopping more enjoyable, at least for us. We have bought some colourful hardy plants from the outdoor market to replace the summer geraniums and busy lizzies which decorated the roof of the boat during the summer months.
|
|
|
|
|
The port and park area alongside the port is well used by walkers, cyclists and runners. There is activity from canoeists of all ages in the port so there lots of activity. The walk from the port to the town is pleasant, alongside the River Moselle, and particularly attractive with the autumnal colours of the leaves on the trees. We feel settled in Epinal for the winter months.
Canoes at the port
