Leaving the Northern Winter

December came to Nancy, as did the rain and cold weather. The town was starting to warm though - with the Christmas spirit. Shops were decorating their windows and the squares were filling with traditional stalls as the street traders offered classic festive goods. The massive Christmas tree was erected in Stanislas Square to be decorated for the parade that would bring Saint Nicholas to town.

The day of Saint Nick’s parade arrived with plenty of fun.

Fairground rides made from found junk amused the children.

These miniature buses were actually transporting people around.

We found the parade and evening entertainment a little flat this year and retired to Matilda early.

Probably the most popular pastime for men in France is fishing and the sport is big business and supported by the government. One evening a truck arrived at the port and emptied millions of fish of all sizes into the canal.

Most seemed to survive – for the present!

We were off to Australia for Christmas in the sun and departed Nancy by train, Wednesday 17^th Dec. We spent a day in Paris giving us the opportunity to do a final Christmas shop (look at the windows of the big stores) and see a few sights.

The windows were full of animated monsters and toys, much to the delight of many children.

We wandered into the store – Lafayette, and Marg sampled (and bought) some of her favourite perfume.

  

The building is structured around a wonderful glass dome, the detail of which is typical of opulent French architecture of the late 19^th century.

Next day we visited the Les Invalides museum – the history of the French military. The building started its life as a hospital under the direction of Louis XIV in 1670 and has been expanded since then to the complex it is today.  It became a museum in 1906.

Amongst the massive collection of exhibits we found these models and dioramas which were made during conflicts in the 18^th and 19^th centuries so that attack and defense strategies could be worked through.

We left Paris with the Eiffel tower shrouded in cloud and rain. 24 hours later, the warmth and blue skies of Perth. We will be staying with Rohan and Olivia and their children.

There will be plenty to tell then, so we will keep in touch.