Becky had stayed over yesterday evening in order to drive me to Lymington Market to buy some presents which cannot yet be named.
Many others thronged the High Street with no possible social distancing and not always wearing masks. I managed to buy most of what I had come for and take a few photographs of stalls I could get near.
A Nativity scene graced the Children’s Charity window.
These are samples of the stalls.
After lunch we enjoyed a happy conversation until, just before sunset, our daughter set off home for Southbourne.
We then took a short drive hoping to catch the last of the light. The sunset was rather uninspired.
On Everton Road we stopped and chatted with Robert Gill as I photographed his Christmas display. I told him I had been posting pictures of his scarecrows for some years and was happy to give him the link.
This evening we dined on more of Hordle Chinese Take Away’s tasty dishes with which Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I drank more of the Malbec.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
I’ll bet you can get tons of novel present ideas at the market!! ??
Indeed we can, GP. Thanks very much
The festive spirit cannot be suppressed by the invasive pandemic!
Thanks very much, Anne
I would have had so much fun here. I always loved outdoor festivities.
Thanks very much, ourlittleredhouse
The market displays look fascinating Derrick… I’ve not done my Christmas shopping yet !!
Thanks very much, Ivor
yes these times, are not going to truly slow down Christmas and shopping for sure…I on the other hand have done nothing, which isn’t unusual but feels somehow quite wrong this particular year. I have however ordered in a enough interesting food stuffs which should keep me eating well at least until after that special day – online food shopping this morning, arriving this arvo…
Looks like some interesting goodies on sale at the market…
Thanks very much, Catherine. It is a good, ancient, market. Too much going on for me to stay there for very long this year.
Sher and I used to set up at fairs and festivals and roadside markets, that is until the virus shut them down. It was enjoyable seeing the stalls you visited.
Thanks a lot, Maj
No masks and no social distancing! No wonder UK’s figures make grim reading. You two take care.
Thanks a lot, Sheree. I wore a mask throughout and didn’t stay too long
Good to hear
Like looks so normal there. Wishing you and yours a happy, healthy and merry holiday season Derrick.
You, too, Cindy. Thanks very much
Looks like a wonderful day.
Everything looks so festive. All is well when you end your day with Hordle Chinese Take Away.
🙂 Thanks very much, Jill
That looks like a fun day out with Becky at the outdoor market! I love those gnomes, and might have come home with one.
We lived near a Chinese restaurant back in Connecticut. We could walk to it, and Rick and I often had their take out. 🙂
Thanks very much, Lavinia. It had been nearly a year since we last saw Becky.
The stalls are quite festive. I hope that lack of social distancing and masks does not endanger too many shoppers.
I agree with your hope, Dolly. Thanks very much.
You are very welcome, Derrick.
I love market stalls. They are slowly reopening here now that borders are open and Christmas approaching.
Christmas lights seem to be more popular this year. I think we all need something to look forward to after a horrid year.
Yes. Christmas lights around here have been going up early. Thanks very much, Chrissy
I was quite taken with the sunset photo. It has a subtle, nuanced beauty.
Thanks very much, Liz. I appreciate this comment particularly. Sunsets are not always a blaze of glory – a bit like life.
You’re welcome, Derrick, a bit like life.
? ? “…the goose is getting fat…Please do put a penny in the old man’s hat…If you haven’t got a penny, a ha-penny will do…If you haven’t got a ha-penny then God bless you…” ? ??
OH! What wonderful items to buy for gifts! I see A LOT that I like! 🙂 I see some wonderful creatures to add to your garden! 🙂 Hmm…can’t wait to find out what Santa Claus brings to Jackie!!! 🙂
I think that sunset is lovely…such a soft peaceful sky as a backdrop to the trees in their seasonal fashions. 🙂
Mr. Gill has a wonderful festive fun Christmas display! 🙂
HUGS!!! 🙂
Thanks very much, Carolyn X
I really must get my Christmas lights set up. Thanks for reminding me.
🙂 Thanks a lot, Andrew
Love those Christmas display. Lucky you to be able to go around.
Yes, we are lucky, Arlene. Thank you very much
What a treat to spend the day together just you and Becky.
I had a massive clearout of my wardrobe last week, First thing Monday morning i was at the charity shop with my two sackfuls.
I wanted to stay and look around but it was busy even at just after nine o’clock and I didn’t want to risk being with others for any length of time.
Talking of masks, a week last yesterday I took my iPad to the Apple shop in Harrogate for fixing the keyboard (first thing) I was surprised to see so many people outside wearing masks. That must be why they’re in tier two and Leeds is in tier three!
I think your interpretation of the tiers must be correct. There was a very long queue outside a closing down shop in Lymington yesterday. We gave it a miss. Thanks very much, Sue
Harrogate only just gone into tier 2 from tier one. I border hopped against the rules, but seeing as I’m just about on the border and healthier than most I took the chance. It was either that of going into Leeds!
A wise choice
You perhaps saw on BBC News that the Nottingham Christmas Fayre had to be closed by the police when thousands of boneheads turned up without masks or any knowledge of social distancing and tried to launch a third wave of Covid.
I didn’t see that, John, but it doesn’t surprise me. Thanks a lot
I especially enjoyed the contemporary and child-friendly Nativity scene. I smiled at the inflatable decorations in the last photo, too. Our news has been filled recently with warnings to those who have installed such things; we have a serious cold front coming, with very strong winds. As the weather people are warning, “Your Santa and reindeer may be two towns over if you don’t uninflate and secure them!”
Thanks very much, Linda. I’m sure Robert is watching the weather closely
Nice to have an outing with your daughter, too, I bet.
First for nearly a year, Laurie. Thanks very much.
So special!
A beautiful day!
Thanks very much, Ribana
Seasonal stalls make interesting subjects and your photos prove it amply. I reckon I remember having met Mr Gill and his scarecrows through your blog.
You have, indeed, Uma. Thanks very much
Like Liz, I think the sunset is lovely–sort of wintry cool.
It sounds like you have a lovely day with shopping and Chinese food for dinner. I miss that sort of Christmas market stall shopping. It doesn’t seem appealing in these times.
It was a bit risky, Merril. Thanks very much
You be safe! We’ve heard about the new Covid strain.
Thanks very much, Leslie. I hope it doesn’t cross the pond
Me, too, but I worry about my friends!
Thanks again