I am trying to remember a Christmas Market I went to many years ago . Was it the location in Cathedral grounds and a town full of architecture teaming with history , who I was with or the chimes of gaiety ? The goods lovingly made or chosen with care by the stall holders optimism for sales and interactions with people full of excitement . It was most likely a mix magically composed for the season and that particular night . A perfect dynamic created . I am going again with a different friend to enjoy the dark , the fluttery lights of Christmas , the sounds and smells to delight with a friend who feels equally optimistic . An evening adventure with a hub of others with expectation of the same . What a way to finish the working week or to celebrate the weekend . Marking less days to the holidays and often enwrapped with family traditions .
I can’t eat any of the typical delights in the food : mince pies , sausage rolls or meats served on chunks of bread . I could taste a new cheese , but could enjoy mulled wine warmed up . I fancy that . My friend is really restricted but will love it if I taste something and show her the texture , encourage her nose to fill with the glorious aromas . That’s her senses fulfilled and such a generous trait . What will stand out is the creativity , colours and items produced . Artisan’s work shown off at its best with Christmas characteristics in styles maybe never seen before . Bath products and handmade soaps , old fashioned sweets stored in jars . People singing , exclamations and laughter . All that too look forward to this coming Friday night .
What I remember was daytime markets in Greece . Stalls full of often limited products . Not like the one or two vegetable stalls on Salisbury market where you chose your purchases from a favourite person . I did have a favourite egg lady and I loved how she folded an egg tray over and tied it carefully with string enduring my 12 or 15 eggs arrived home intact . I really appreciated her skilful efforts and her easy manner . Other stall holders were indignant at my needs for insufficient amounts that they presented them without payment . I mostly came away with huge bag brimming with oranges , spinach , apples, carrots , juicy cabbages and lettuces. In late spring I was weighed down with tomatoes , courgettes , apricots , early peaches , cherries and strawberries . Sumner was watermelons , more tomatoes , huge bulging cucumbers . How I carried it all home was amazing . I refused to buy a trolley , now I rarely shop without one . The markets in Greece were a way of life and made the diet rich in variety and so affordable . I miss the quality, such variety and abundance . I don’t miss the crowds of trolley wheels bumping into the backs of my legs . I will always miss the smell of souvalakia cooking. Also the seasonal variations where Halva or baby chicks added yet another dimension of diversity . The market was a mission often but as the crowds faded it was easy to appreciate such hard work for selling their wares . Many stall holders had driven for miles from surrounding villages and some had actually grown their own produce . The hard working ethos shined through .
It must have been fun to skate across the River Thames to shop at markets that were set up on the thick frozen ice. The winters of 1813 and 1814 were known as ‘The Little Ice Age’, when the old river froze solid. Frost Fairs were held as folk made the most of it. Whole oxes were roasted that fed up to 800 people and pop up pubs appeared so they could enjoy a few ales with their friends. Hopefully, there weren’t too many broken bones as they drunkenly slipped their way home. It is said that the last fair lasted for five days and included fox hunting and even an elephant was paraded up and down. Definitely severe cases of animal cruelty. Frost Fairs had been held before the 1800s on rare occasions. The Thames did freeze again in 1963 but only in parts and du to changes in the river architecture and global warming, it is unlikely to freeze again.
Market
I am trying to remember a Christmas Market I went to many years ago . Was it the location in Cathedral grounds and a town full of architecture teaming with history , who I was with or the chimes of gaiety ? The goods lovingly made or chosen with care by the stall holders optimism for sales and interactions with people full of excitement . It was most likely a mix magically composed for the season and that particular night . A perfect dynamic created . I am going again with a different friend to enjoy the dark , the fluttery lights of Christmas , the sounds and smells to delight with a friend who feels equally optimistic . An evening adventure with a hub of others with expectation of the same . What a way to finish the working week or to celebrate the weekend . Marking less days to the holidays and often enwrapped with family traditions .
I can’t eat any of the typical delights in the food : mince pies , sausage rolls or meats served on chunks of bread . I could taste a new cheese , but could enjoy mulled wine warmed up . I fancy that . My friend is really restricted but will love it if I taste something and show her the texture , encourage her nose to fill with the glorious aromas . That’s her senses fulfilled and such a generous trait . What will stand out is the creativity , colours and items produced . Artisan’s work shown off at its best with Christmas characteristics in styles maybe never seen before . Bath products and handmade soaps , old fashioned sweets stored in jars . People singing , exclamations and laughter . All that too look forward to this coming Friday night .
What I remember was daytime markets in Greece . Stalls full of often limited products . Not like the one or two vegetable stalls on Salisbury market where you chose your purchases from a favourite person . I did have a favourite egg lady and I loved how she folded an egg tray over and tied it carefully with string enduring my 12 or 15 eggs arrived home intact . I really appreciated her skilful efforts and her easy manner . Other stall holders were indignant at my needs for insufficient amounts that they presented them without payment . I mostly came away with huge bag brimming with oranges , spinach , apples, carrots , juicy cabbages and lettuces. In late spring I was weighed down with tomatoes , courgettes , apricots , early peaches , cherries and strawberries . Sumner was watermelons , more tomatoes , huge bulging cucumbers . How I carried it all home was amazing . I refused to buy a trolley , now I rarely shop without one . The markets in Greece were a way of life and made the diet rich in variety and so affordable . I miss the quality, such variety and abundance . I don’t miss the crowds of trolley wheels bumping into the backs of my legs . I will always miss the smell of souvalakia cooking. Also the seasonal variations where Halva or baby chicks added yet another dimension of diversity . The market was a mission often but as the crowds faded it was easy to appreciate such hard work for selling their wares . Many stall holders had driven for miles from surrounding villages and some had actually grown their own produce . The hard working ethos shined through .
Such a deep dive into your memory of markets Chrissie, thank you!
PromptVent Day 11
Market
It must have been fun to skate across the River Thames to shop at markets that were set up on the thick frozen ice. The winters of 1813 and 1814 were known as ‘The Little Ice Age’, when the old river froze solid. Frost Fairs were held as folk made the most of it. Whole oxes were roasted that fed up to 800 people and pop up pubs appeared so they could enjoy a few ales with their friends. Hopefully, there weren’t too many broken bones as they drunkenly slipped their way home. It is said that the last fair lasted for five days and included fox hunting and even an elephant was paraded up and down. Definitely severe cases of animal cruelty. Frost Fairs had been held before the 1800s on rare occasions. The Thames did freeze again in 1963 but only in parts and du to changes in the river architecture and global warming, it is unlikely to freeze again.
I never knew this! How wonderful
#promptvent #day11 MARKET
The magic of the market
spreads it's glow around the town,
with twinkling lights and music,
spreading Christmas cheer.
The carollers sing joyfully
with smiles from ear to ear,
while chestnuts roast on braziers
and Gluhwein scents the air.
I wander through the stalls,
till there I see the perfect star
to glisten on the topmost branch
of my Christmas tree this year.
'while chestnuts roast on braziers
and Gluhwein scents the air' - wonderful lines of poetry Jane!