Bath Lantern Parade & Christmas Market 2012

This week we’ve had heavy rainfall and high winds, and many areas within Bath are now flooded. Bathampton Meadows (pictured in my top banner) has turned into a lake and our garden is completely submerged under water. It’s an amazing spectacle! I’ve posted some pics on my FB page if you want to see for yourself.

However, these adverse weather conditions weren’t going to put us off attending the Lantern Parade and opening of Bath Christmas Market last night. It was raining and blowing a gale when we first ventured out. Fortunately, by the time the Parade kicked off, the rain had reduced to a fine drizzle. Good thing too as I don’t think the paper lanterns would have lasted very long in a deluge πŸ˜‰

The Lantern Parade started at the Holburne Museum and made its way down Pulteney Street to the sound of Bath Samba Band. Everyone was in high spirits despite the weather.Β  I noticed that lots of people (me included) couldn’t help but add a little samba strut to our step as we made our way into the city centre πŸ˜‰

The Parade ended at the Abbey, the site of the Christmas Market.

I just love visiting the Market at night. The sight of all those little wooden sheds lit up is so inviting πŸ™‚

And who are these two characters? I’m not exactly sure but they were very entertaining. Lil’ L ‘high fived’ the … Snow Queen?

In addition to the parade, there were some awesome animated light projections on the Holburne Museum and Bath Abbey. These were the work of Transient Graffiti, a local community development project.Β  We enjoyed the animation whilst warming ourselves with veggie pasties from Pasty Presto (by far the best pasty shop in Bath in our opinion!)

It was a great night out and I’m so glad the rain died down so we could all enjoy it. About an hour later the torrential rain started again so we were very lucky indeed!

Just before I sign off for the weekend, I must announce the winners of the Raw Hot Chocolate Giveaway.

The 3 lucky winners are…

Julia
Denise Williams
Kathleen Hooper

Congratulations guys! Please email me your postal addresses (Sharon at BitoftheGoodStuff dot com) and I’ll post the prizes to you next week.

If anyone of my other readers would like to try some of the Elements for Life Raw Hot Chocolate, Dan & Paula have given me a discount code that entitles you to 10% off any of the individual hot chocolates, mugs and hot chocolate gift sets.Β  Simply order before 1st December 2012 and enter the codeΒ BOTGS1112 at the checkout.

If you live in the South West of the UK, you’ll be able to find Elements of Life raw chocolate goodies in a number of retail outlets. The full list can be found here.

I’ll be running another chocolatey giveaway in December and this time it will be international.Β  I’m excited already. I love giveaways πŸ™‚

Have a great weekend everyone! Stay safe & stay dry xx

 

9 thoughts on “Bath Lantern Parade & Christmas Market 2012

  1. What a fun way to kick off the holiday season! I love paper lanterns so that parade must have really been a sight to see. We’ve had heavy rains and wind too, and with such a regular occurence this time of year, sometimes you just have to brave the elements or you will miss out on so much! We plan on attending our city’s tree lighting downtown tomorrow night, despite the formidable forecast. I hope the flooding doesn’t cause too much trouble for you guys.

    1. It’s still raining here and the flooding’s really bad but, as you say, we can’t let the bad weather stop our fun. So many events have been arranged in our city in the lead up to Christmas and it would be a real shame if people didn’t attend. Whatever happens, I’ll be there to show my support πŸ˜‰
      I hope you had lots of fun at the Christmas light switch on. I’m not feeling festive yet but, as soon as December kicks in, I’m sure I’ll get into the swing of it πŸ™‚

  2. I’m really pleased to have won your chocolate giveaway. I am really looking forward to trying this, your review really whetted my appetite! My intention however, is to put this away as an extra Christmas present for my hubby, as he loves chocolate even more than me! If I am lucky, he might share it with me.

    1. It was very cool indeed. My photo doesn’t do it justice at all. I must improve my night time photography skills as they’re pretty atrocious right now πŸ˜‰

    1. The Christmas Market is beautiful isn’t it? I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time with your friend this weekend. Fingers crossed the rain holds off for you xx

  3. I remember pictures from last year and it was just as stunning as this year (although with a bit better weather). I love the wallpaper effect in your first picture.

    I am completely in love with the wooden shops at the market. They are so inviting and I am sure I would be drawn right into each of them.

    I hope your rain holds off and things are permitted to dry a bit.

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