Merry Christmas

Fijne kerstdagen

Merry Christmas

Lights

At Groningen Central Station.

It's the season

Coming from the Netherlands we are not used to the combination of Summer temperatures and the Christmas spirit, but yes it was really that time of year :)

Merry Christmas!

Tweede Kerstdag

December 26 is celebrated here as ´Tweede Kerstdag´ or 'Second Christmas day´, though it's less 'official' as December 25. Many people go out today, either to enjoy a walk and get some fresh air or maybe visit one of the many shopping malls that are opened. Others just stay inside and relax.
We just arrived home from a 12 km walk in windy though sunny weather. Nice! :)

On the photo -taken last evening- is the Christmas crib underneath our Christmas tree.

Merry Christmas

Photo taken at the Swedish Christmas Fair in Groningen, earlier this month.

Brainteaser

The 24-December edition of our local newspaper traditionally includes the 'Dr. Denker Kerstpuzzel' ('Dr Thinker Christmas Puzzle'). And it is a real brainteaser! 40 squares with a small drawing or a few letters and/or numbers. Some seem easy to solve but a lot are way (for me anyway haha) too cryptic.  It's the kind of word game that gets into your head, as many times you feel that you are SO close to finding an answer but it just doesn't happen..
This year's theme is 'Dr. Denker goes wild': all answers have something to do with east Africa and/or the animals living there. Wish me luck! ;))

Merry Christmas

Fijne kerstdagen!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas shop windows

I love to see the creativity of shop owners in this time of year. These are 2 photos from shop windows in Bruges taken at the end of November. Here a display of Santas..

..and here, a bit of reflection included :), a snowman about to collapse as he is being torched by some happy though hungry creatures!    And all are made of chocolate..

Have fun this Saturday!

It's Christmas!

Let's take a step back from our busy lives today and enjoy time with our loved ones. Best wishes to you!

Photo taken at the Saint & Angels Christmas Fair in Meeden.

Fijne Kerstdagen!

Merry Christmas!

Imagine there's no countries,
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope some day you'll join us
And the world will be as one

(From:  'Imagine' - John Lennon)

Christmas #12 - window shopping

Window shopping around the market square in Bourtange during the Christmas Fair.

Christmas #11 - beards!

Lots of hair at this year's Christmas Fair in Bourtange ;)

Christmas #10 - the dinner table

With only a few more days to go until Christmas, another fine decorated corner from the indoor Christmas Fair "Saints and Angels" in Meeden.

Christmas #9 - red and white

A display of Santas and a snowman at "Saints and Angels", the annual Christmas Fair of Tuingoed Foltz in Meeden.

Enjoy your weekend!

Christmas #8 - Groningen Christmas tree

The Grote Markt is the central square in the city of Groningen, with the Martinitoren or St Martin's Tower on the right. Note that 10,000 lights shine in this year's Christmas tree!

Shopping for Christmas in the Herestraat, earlier today.

Christmas #7 - Bourtange shop

The shops at the market square in Bourtange are always opened during an event like the Christmas Fair. 'De Commanderie' (The Commander's House) on the photo sells all kinds of presents as well as nostalgic Dutch candy.

Christmas #6 - Bourtange Christmas fair

The market square during the Christmas Fair in Bourtange.

Christmas #5 - reindeer and santas

A gathering of Rudolphs and Santas just begging passers-by to take them home! :)
Photo taken yesterday at the Christmas Fair in Bourtange.

Christmas #4 - Christmas tree sale

Christmas trees for sale across the library at the Wirdumerdijk in Leeuwarden, yesterday afternoon.
In the background is the Mercuriusfontein (Mercury Fountain), dating from 1923 and created by the German sculpturor Gustav Adolf Bredow. The fountain symbols the prosperity of Leeuwarden and surroundings.