Monday, December 9, 2013

Saint Nicolas comes to Nancy


The seasons are changing and winter is now with us. Matilda is ready for the cold weather with full tanks of oil for the central heating and a good supply of firewood for the fire. We will be leaving soon to travel back to Australia to spend Christmas and celebrate the new year with family and friends. This year we will first visit Sydney to stay with Peter’s sister Pamela for a few days. Then on to Melbourne to visit friends and family before a Miller family Christmas. This year it is on Elizabeth and Paul’s farm near Horsham in western Victoria. From there, back to Melbourne and plane to Perth for a week or so with more family and friends before returning to France.

For those who think three hours travelling in a plane is a long time we will be in and around airports and planes for about 65 hours - 44 hours of which, will be flying. And that doesn’t count trains, cars and buses.


Nancy is getting ready for the festive season too. As the second weekend in December is traditionally the time when St Nicholas is welcomed, we followed the celebrations in town.



In the Town Square a Brocante (flea market) was set up together with amusements for children. Parts of the exhibition were these remarkable carousels. Made from found items, mainly wood and old mechanical bits by very talented artists, they gave much enjoyment to the children of all ages.
















There are many legends and folklore stories surrounding St Nicolas, none of which I will go into here except to say that he assisted a poor man with a dowry for his three virgin daughters (before they had to turn to prostitution). These girls turned up in Stan Square late in the afternoon to welcome the grand man.






The excitement was all too much and we retired to a local café for some hot wine and other refreshments.

In the meantime dusk became night and the parade of St Nicolas and his helpers entered town and made their way to the square.













The virgins in the square became exited and welcomed Saint Nick.







The crowd was overwhelming and we beat a retreat back to Matilda. After a light dinner we watched TV and saw Neil Robertson, a young aussie, consolidate his position as No. 1 in the Snooker world. He is a credit to his sport.
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We leave France on Wednesday for the Antipodes and warm weather – we hope. We believe it has recently snowed heavily in the southern alps, but then we are never too sure of the weather in the mountains.

There will be more stories to come so, we’ll keep in touch.