Went to Manchester Christmas Market the other week, mainly to compare it with Munich and as we made our way from the station to meet up with our friend, Paul, I stopped to take a photo of this
Mother and Child
I must confess I have liked this since my college days when I used to pass this statue daily on my way to the bus and yet I know nothing about it. I feel it is a northern depiction of Mary and Baby Jesus as she is wearing a headscarf and is simply clothed. Something about it for me!
Met Paul, who is a fabulous guide around Manchester and made our way through St Anne's Square where we met this town crier. he posed for me, much to the amusement of the copper stood by him.
A lovely display of Father Christmases down one of the streets where there was a small market.
Some "hangy uppy" things (nice but not quite the Viktualmarkt)
Then Paul took us down the back streets and into this alleyway. Look at the umbrellas at the top that kept the rain off us.
and the exit (or entrance depending on which way you are going)
The hats were definitely NOT Munich prices - think about £12
Is this guy French?
Finally Food!
This is the market in the Town Hall Square which was mainly food and Gluhwein. Of course we had to sample ... and of course it had to rain! Think the Bratwursts and Gluhwein were about the same price (not as nice a cup though) but the marshmallow bomb thingies were 99p here compared to 2.50 euros in Munich. Might not be the same atmosphere but the prices were certainly more affordable on most things.
Don't think you will see these in Munich (and maybe you don't want to) - "an egg wrapped in a Bury Black Pudding, sausage meat, coated in golden crumbs. Served with black peas." Could manage the black peas but not sure about the egg!
By now it was raining quite steadily so we escaped into the Town Hall where there was yet another small market. Paul went to enquire about trips up the tower whilst we rummaged around. Once we left there we escaped to the Art Gallery for a well needed sit down and a cuppa before spending a quiet hour looking at some of the beautiful paintings on display.
Then it was into another coffee shop whilst dodging the raindrops and time to say toodle pip to our host for the day. Thanks Paul, loved every minute of it and can't wait for next year and another adventure in Manchester.
Piccadilly Gardens in the Rain
