Ice skating rink

The Christmas Fair included a small ice skating rink.

Kids enjoyed themselves on the ice while their parents sat for something to drink or eat.
Once more the Fraeylemaborg in the background.

Fraeylemaborg Christmas Fair

This weekend a Christmas Fair was held on the grounds of the Fraeylemaborg in Slochteren. A "borg" (or castle) is a former stronghold or villa in the province of Groningen, they used to belong to noblemen or prominent citizens. You can see the Fraeylemaborg in the background, I will show you more in the coming week.

With blue skies and about 4°C (39°F) today it was great weather for an outdoor fair.

Merry Christmas

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

Swedish Christmas Fair

 We visited the Swedish Christmas Fair today, held this weekend at the former site of the Groningen Sugar Factory. "The fair that takes care of the Christmas spirit with a fine industrial edge and a Scandinavian touch", that's what we read on their website. And it was so nice to see so many items made from wood and felt.

A very special location indeed! The processing of sugar beets into sugar ended at this site in 2008. In 2011 the municipality of Groningen became the new owner of the Sugar Factory, or 'Suiker Unie' as we know it here. The site is not expected to be developed for housing for 15 or 20 years, and in the meantime it is used as a venue for a variety of activities. Like a nice Swedish Christmas Fair!

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 #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 #3

A mirror view in the old barn of Tuingoed Foltz hosting the Christmas Fair "Saints and Angels".
Are you getting in a festive mood already?  :)

I am linking to Weekend Reflections.

Christmas #2 - Saints and Angels Christmas Fair

Another table at the Christmas Fair "Saints and Angels" in Meeden.

Christmas #1 - Saints and Angels Christmas Fair

Every other day (or maybe everyday) for the rest of this month I will be posting photos taken at local Christmas/Winter Fairs. "Saints and Angels" is the annual Christmas Fair at Tuingoed Foltz, a local garden nursery in the small village of Meeden in the province of Groningen. In the weeks prior to Christmas the barn on their property is one big display of candles, lights, season's decorations, luxury chinaware etc. etc. And it's all for sale!

CAUTION

Seen on a Christmas fair earlier this month.

Linking to Lesley's signs, signs.

a ride with the steam train

Taking the steam train was also part of the Dickens style-Christmas fair in Stadskanaal, yesterday afternoon.

A steam train leaving is spectacular for eyes and ears!

The Museum Stadskanaal Railway (S.T.A.R) rides on special days between the towns of Veendam and Musselkanaal. Stadskanaal is halfway.

Christmas carols

A local choir singing at the Dickens style-Christmas fair in Stadskanaal

Bourtange

two more pictures taken in Bourtange last Sunday during the Christmas fair