Beziers Prepares For Christmas
Well it is definitely coming, Christmas that is. We have left the car parked up this week-end, typical of us now petrol prices are falling we walk. Yesterday we walked along the lanes passing a couple of vineyards en-route, now that is not typical of us passing the vineyards I mean,after all if you do not visit the different caves how do you know which is best. However tasting was not on the agenda as we 
walked,just enjoying the blue sky and the surrounding scenery. As is almost inevitable we eventually ended by the canal. This part of the walk is always lovely whatever the season, the colours of the trees reflected in the water prompts the amateur photographer to try and capture the scenes. Maintenance work is often necessary on the canal and there is some being carried out at the moment. It is strange to see the huge locks and the basin devoid of water but what is good is that the only rubbish we saw was the natural deposit of leaves and detritus. Not a trolly, bike wheel or pram in sight. This is also true of the rivers in the region, maybe because unlike the U.K. river warders are still in regular employment. I will probably be corrected 
on that statement but it is a possibility.
Today we walked up into the town centre to see if the festive season was in evidence and yes it was. At the top of the Allee Paul Riquet in front of the theatre the “Marche de Noel” was in full flow. There are about 35 small wooden huts all brightly lit and decorated. It was nice to see so many families spending the afternoon together and all enjoying the atmosphere. One of my favourite stalls was the one selling Santons. These are little figurines representing not only the nativity group but also many local occupations and crafts. Santons first came into existence during the French revolution when the national assembly closed the churches. They did this to stop the influence of the cur’es on the populace. People still wanted to see the nativity scenes so at great risk to themselves 
they made tiny models that could be easily hidden. If caught with these models they were sent to the guillotine—Happy Xmas. Thankfully this situation did not last and in 1798 a man made and sold a nativity scene his name was Jean Louis Lagnell, he went on to make and sell many more. Hence a new craft of Santonnier was born.
After looking at the stalls we called into a bar for a hot chocolate and hoped that by the time we came out the christmas lights would be on. We slightly misjudged the time so walked in the park to pass the time, eventually we did manage to get some pics. We also watched the huge fairground vehicules manoeuvring along the Allee ready to build the annual Christmas fair. Perhaps I will be able to show you some of this spectacle next time. Until then happy preparations.
