Last of November and 1st Advent

The last week of November ended on the 1st Advent Sunday. I was doing various things to get ready for the season and went to the Christmas Market twice. The weather ranged from wet and cold to spring-like mild sunshine.

Monday (24 November) saw a rise of temperature above freezing level, but it was wet all morning and only stopped raining in the afternoon.

After work, I went into town to buy a Christmas present for a 15-year-old girl. The company I work for has a large Christmas tree in the foyer of our building, hung with wishes from children of disadvantaged families. Children between 7 and 15 write down what they wish for, and we can pick a card, buy what's on the card, wrap it nicely and leave it with the department in our company who organises it all. They then make sure all the gifts (none of which should exceed 30 euros) are delivered on time. 

Looking at the cards, I didn't know what half of the items were (toys? clothing? something else?) and settled for a girl wishing for a small gift set by "Rituals", a company producing cosmetics and toiletries. I knew which shop in town stocks their products, and was indeed lucky to find the exact one the girl had written on the card. It was wrapped festively for me at the shop, and I then went for a few more errands. 

I was out for a couple of hours; not a proper walk but at least I was away from my desk and got to stretch my legs a bit.

Sunset on Monday, as seen when I left ALDI.

Ludwigsburg's beautiful Christmas market opened on Tuesday (25 November), but the weather was so dismal that I imagine it wasn't quite as packed with visitors as it usually is on opening night. 

It rained basically all day, but I still managed a brief walk of just under an hour around lunch time. It wasn't pure bliss but again, at least I did get away from desk work and computer screens for a while.

Here are a few pictures of Ripon's Christmas lights, sent to me from my sister-in-law:

My usual office day on Wednesday (26 November) was followed by a first brief visit of the Christmas market. 

It had again been raining most of the day, so that both my Mum and my sister decided they didn't want to go out in the evening. Being on my own, I didn't stay long, just had a quick stroll and something to eat. It was nice to find most of the familiar booths at their usual places, but I noticed quite an increase in prices for food and drink. Still, people were eating and drinking and buying other things, obviously undeterred.

On Thursday (27 November), I was at the office again. For a change, my trains were on time, and I managed the way to work in 27 minutes - just as it should be! (More often than not, it takes me 45 minutes or even a full hour for a journey that is supposed to take 17 minutes on the train, plus a few minutes on foot at both ends.) Why can't it always be like that?

After work, I met my Mum in town, and the two of us went to the Christmas market together. It was very nice to have a look round, some food and a hot drink. 

On our way home, Mum posed for me at the shopping centre :-)

Friday (28 November) was busy; first work of course, then the weekly cleaning. I then brought up my Christmas boxes from the cellar and started on the first bits and bobs of Advent decoration.

Next, I packed my little red suitcase and set off for the station at 4:30 pm. My train to Offenburg arrived there at 7:00 pm, bang on time - hooray!! O.K. and I had fresh pasta and an equally fresh salad for our evening meal after we'd briefly popped in with his Mum to say hello.

A small Advent market was held at the village on Saturday (29 November),  and five members of the village brass band (including O.K.) were playing Christmas tunes in the afternoon.

Of course, I went with O.K., and while they were playing, chatted to some friends and acquaintances and had a look round at the few stalls. As dusk fell, the lights came on and the fires were lit, the atmosphere becoming more festive. 

Sunset over the village

It was still rather mild after what had been a day of almost spring-like temperatures, but by the time the quintett finished playing, I was glad to join O.K. and the others for a steaming hot mug of mulled wine - when you're mostly standing about without moving much, it gets inevitably cold at some stage, no matter what you're wearing.

We had something to eat there as well (prices being about half of what they charge at Ludwigsburg's Christmas market) and then went home for a relaxing evening.

The 1st Advent Sunday (30 November) was here!

In the morning, O.K. and I met a group of friends in Offenburg for a sumptuous breakfast. I don't get to see them often, and it was nice to catch up and enjoy the meal together.

Back at the cottage, we prepared everything for the family meal we were hosting later, putting up a few Christmas ornaments as we went along.

O.K.'s Mum, his sister and her husband arrived, and the five of us spent a very nice evening eating, drinking, talking and sharing some laughs.

After our guests had left, O.K. and I put everything back in order and then settled for our customary early night in view of Monday's early start to get me to the station.