Christmas Fayre

Or "Fête de Noël" here in France.
This weekend the amusements in the square started up. All jolly good fun, and rather like going back in time for us. It was even cold (but not wet) to add to the atmosphere.
There is a merry-go-round (the same one as is usually here) for the children, and a new event, the toboggan slide. Actually they are large and rather heavy rings that the children themselves have to drag to the top of the slope. They have also added some mats on the route to slow the descent somewhat. It appeared to be popular!

Welcome, we sell sweet things!

So too was the candy-floss, especially as the portions appeared huge. We plumped for the hot mulled wine after first buying local honey at another hut. We were rather attracted by the welcome sign that read "Come in we're OPEN".  And one of the ladies did speak English. Apparently we were their first customer. Not surprising with the welcome sign being as it was.
And then the French decorate the event. This time with polar bears, arctic foxes, penguins and seals in a snowy scene. All lit up when we returned later after dark, and the merry-go-round added mist, very effective.
Further up the road the city 'gate' was lit up. It is on a roundabout but still worth decorating. Here are the snaps:

The slide (before it was open)

The alpine side of the slide.

Merry-go-round at night Arctic Theme Polar theme! Merry-go-misty, also reflected in the foreground water The town gate, in pink

Sunday afternoon.
The afternoon was remarkable because we went to the advertised gospel choir in Chalons. By experience we knew this would probably be in English; and it was. Also by experience we knew that, despite no advertised price, we might need to find an entrance fee; we didn't.
It was free, and very good. The soloists had superb voices and there was a wide range of music. The leader also explained the origins of the music and the meaning of the gospel. And they were there to chat to us afterwards with biscuits, bibles and big smiles.
In fact the event was so popular that it quickly overflowed the meeting room. The choir decided to put on a second event straight after the first on for all those who could not get in first time. We just squeezed in to the first event, but it was standing room only at the back for Terry and June got a seat only because children were asked to sit on their parent's laps.
No photos, but great memories!

Fire in the Wood

Ok, this is a little old, but we did visit Chalons en Champagne in December 2011 to see the notable Christmas fair. There were some nice things on offer, at the usual "not knocked down at all" French prices. But one man was demonstrating French Canadian woodsman/tracker skills.

A woodsman's hut

He set up a hut opposite the marie and lit his fire- a most remarkable method.
Take a look at the photo below. Then imagine starting by cutting the log with a chain saw cross-wise from the top. The fire is lit in the centre and burns inside!

A warm feeling inside

It was a very welcome warm moment on a chilly day!

Vitry Lights

Not quite the Northern Lights, but pretty just the same, and much more dependable.
I did think they had come on a couple of days ago. Early morning, I was opening the shutters and saw the lights on. Later June looked out to see them and despite the night still being dark, there they were, off. And off all that night at the end of the day too. I imagine I must have spotted the test turn on!
So today, Friday 2nd Dec, they turned on properly and I took some photos. Here are a couple of shots. There are more on the link. Photo Album of Christmas Lights: