It was a dull, freezing cold, wet morning when CC and I boarded the crowded, delayed train to B'ham. What on earth persuaded us to take this trip on a Saturday when we could have a lie in? It's just that I'm curious about the popular Xmas market and wanted to see what's the hype all about.
And it was truly fascinating. With nearly 100 beautifully decked stalls, the Frankfurt Xmas Market was the largest authentic German Xmas market outside Germany or Austria. They were selling jewelleries, handmade toys, ceramics, candles, glass and traditional Xmas decorations, bratwurst, gluhwein, German lager and specialist beers. There were long queues for sweets made with almonds, marzipan, dried fruits and honey. Our noses were leading us towards the gingerbread, crepes, waffles and roasted chestnuts.
We'd a mug of gluhwein to keep us warm and nibbled on huge salted pretzels. There were colourful carousels and fairground rides and we swayed to the beat of bhangra drums (huh?) adding fun to the festive atmosphere. It was truly a lovely start to the Xmas countdown.
I bought several glass Xmas tree decorations, huge salted pretzels, mulled wine herbage and a gingerbread heart. We left when the crowd was getting heavier and busier and we were also in need of replenishments.
The Xmas Market fills Birmingham's Victoria Square and the upper part of New Street. It was surrounded by the classical Town Hall (1834), the Renaissance-style Council House (1874–1881), and the City of Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, noted for its Pre-Raphaelite paintings and its English watercolours. Another trip is already on my mind to explore them next time.
We decided to forego Wagamama because of the long queue and headed to Chinatown. We checked out a pastry shop for buns before trying out a Cantonese restaurant. We spent a long time going through the menu before we settled for the salted fish fried rice, king prawns chow mein and vegetables in oyster sauce. Big mistake cos they came in gigantic portions. As usual, we took a long, leisure lunch washed down with pots of steaming Chinese cha.
We later browsed in a Chinese supermarket where I bought a box of chopsticks. Then slowly we waddled uphill in the rain towards the railway station. Stopped at the open market for huge sharon fruits. It was a lovely end to the day.
Earlier in the week, it SNOWED around 9pm. Hurrah!!! I couldn't believed it when Hubby asked me to go outside. Nearly gave my neighbour a shock cos I rushed out with my hair covered in henna with a blue face pack. (The things I do to look good :-)). Sadly, it was washed away by the time I left for work the next day.
That's how the whole country felt when England failed to make it to Euro 2008. They lost to Croatia 3:2. It's going to be a very loong summer. The irony is that MacClaren was sacked over a football match but no one was found responsible/sacked when that poor Brazilian, Jean Charles de Menezes, was shot dead on July 2005 by the police in broad daylight. Can you get your head through that?
We were expecting fireworks when the pièce de ré·sis·tance was (forced) to open on Thursday. But it went down like a damp rocket. The anticipated buzz was missing. Why Thursday? Why not next Monday? The 'frontline' staff was given an hour briefing when they were promised a week to familiarise with the set-up. Grumble, grumble...Chinese whispers...
And they'd forgotten moi up in the penthouse. Everyone had moved back to their original offices except for me. Luckily SH kicked some b---s and I'm finally back. Home, sweet home. Management later came down to say thanks for the use of my space. You're most welcome but I won't be so obliging the next time.
The Severn Bridge tolls will go up again to £5.30 on January 1st 2008. You have to pay to go into Wales but not when you enter England. With the costs of fuel rising every time we blinked, it's going to be a dang expensive 5 hour drive to see our lovely pet, Connie, and the tribe down in Pembroke.
Wishing Jax a very happy birthday and I want a sinful sprinkled chocolate-coated custard-filled doughnut next year. Have a good one.
And it was truly fascinating. With nearly 100 beautifully decked stalls, the Frankfurt Xmas Market was the largest authentic German Xmas market outside Germany or Austria. They were selling jewelleries, handmade toys, ceramics, candles, glass and traditional Xmas decorations, bratwurst, gluhwein, German lager and specialist beers. There were long queues for sweets made with almonds, marzipan, dried fruits and honey. Our noses were leading us towards the gingerbread, crepes, waffles and roasted chestnuts.
We'd a mug of gluhwein to keep us warm and nibbled on huge salted pretzels. There were colourful carousels and fairground rides and we swayed to the beat of bhangra drums (huh?) adding fun to the festive atmosphere. It was truly a lovely start to the Xmas countdown.
I bought several glass Xmas tree decorations, huge salted pretzels, mulled wine herbage and a gingerbread heart. We left when the crowd was getting heavier and busier and we were also in need of replenishments.
The Xmas Market fills Birmingham's Victoria Square and the upper part of New Street. It was surrounded by the classical Town Hall (1834), the Renaissance-style Council House (1874–1881), and the City of Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, noted for its Pre-Raphaelite paintings and its English watercolours. Another trip is already on my mind to explore them next time.
We decided to forego Wagamama because of the long queue and headed to Chinatown. We checked out a pastry shop for buns before trying out a Cantonese restaurant. We spent a long time going through the menu before we settled for the salted fish fried rice, king prawns chow mein and vegetables in oyster sauce. Big mistake cos they came in gigantic portions. As usual, we took a long, leisure lunch washed down with pots of steaming Chinese cha.
We later browsed in a Chinese supermarket where I bought a box of chopsticks. Then slowly we waddled uphill in the rain towards the railway station. Stopped at the open market for huge sharon fruits. It was a lovely end to the day.
Earlier in the week, it SNOWED around 9pm. Hurrah!!! I couldn't believed it when Hubby asked me to go outside. Nearly gave my neighbour a shock cos I rushed out with my hair covered in henna with a blue face pack. (The things I do to look good :-)). Sadly, it was washed away by the time I left for work the next day.
That's how the whole country felt when England failed to make it to Euro 2008. They lost to Croatia 3:2. It's going to be a very loong summer. The irony is that MacClaren was sacked over a football match but no one was found responsible/sacked when that poor Brazilian, Jean Charles de Menezes, was shot dead on July 2005 by the police in broad daylight. Can you get your head through that?
We were expecting fireworks when the pièce de ré·sis·tance was (forced) to open on Thursday. But it went down like a damp rocket. The anticipated buzz was missing. Why Thursday? Why not next Monday? The 'frontline' staff was given an hour briefing when they were promised a week to familiarise with the set-up. Grumble, grumble...Chinese whispers...
And they'd forgotten moi up in the penthouse. Everyone had moved back to their original offices except for me. Luckily SH kicked some b---s and I'm finally back. Home, sweet home. Management later came down to say thanks for the use of my space. You're most welcome but I won't be so obliging the next time.
The Severn Bridge tolls will go up again to £5.30 on January 1st 2008. You have to pay to go into Wales but not when you enter England. With the costs of fuel rising every time we blinked, it's going to be a dang expensive 5 hour drive to see our lovely pet, Connie, and the tribe down in Pembroke.
Wishing Jax a very happy birthday and I want a sinful sprinkled chocolate-coated custard-filled doughnut next year. Have a good one.
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