Christmas in Bath 2009

Can you believe its December 1st today? - Where has this year gone? They say its a sign that you are getting older when the time flies, but even my youngest daughter says how quickly this year has disappeared...maybe its because we are all so busy now-a-days?

Anyway, seeing December as clear as day on my calendar this morning prompted me to think 'Christmas' again and so I thought I'd take a trip into Bath, arriving fairly early, so that I could find a parking space. Bath is extra busy at the moment, as the Christmas Market is in full swing and is attracting the tourists once again...

I would say that the atmosphere around the Abbey is far nicer in the evening, what with the twinkling fairy lights and that you may feel the excuse to indulge in a hot cup of mulled wine ;-)) - but today was a colder, crisper day of late, so I took the opportunity to weave through the crowds in the search for a few gifts...

Avoiding the temptation to jump on the traditional old Carousel for a ride, you need to walk down the side of the Roman Baths, past the magnificent fir tree, and around the Abbey to the square, where you'll find most of the little wooden chalets.

See, I told you it was busy!

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Most of the little rooftops are dressed in festive greenery and berries, with inviting displays inside...

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I bought some beautiful hand made soaps from this stall, just like I did last year...the scent wafting on the air was gorgeous.

With next door smelling just as delicious with its array of spiced decorations.

It was very difficult to capture many photos; as I said there were a lot of visitors. Many of the stalls are just an extension to some of the shops in Bath, which I find a little disappointing. So I stuck to photographing the festive merchandise where I could...

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The market is on until the 6th December for anyone interested.

I'm off now to put my feet up; why is shopping so exhausting?!!

Niki x