Not sure if anyone will be popping in here as it’s Christmas Day, but if you do, my very heartfelt Best Wishes for a lovely day for you, wherever and however you are. Sundays are my post days here, and not even Christmas prevents that, so here’s a short one, that is at least apt for the day.
On our last outing together before Sophie’s return to Spain, we decided to visit the Christmas Market in North Shields. There were many, many stalls selling all sorts of produce, arts, crafts, clothes. All the usual stuff, and the place was heaving with people, it you stood still you got knocked into. Not really conducive to taking photographs. So we didn’t, we sauntered around trying to peek through people to see the stalls. I know Sophie was looking at a hat stall for a Christmas present but not sure if she bought one in the end as I’d wandered off to look at something else, and I bought three scotch eggs of different flavours as Phil likes them, but mostly we didn’t buy anything.
They had some fairground rides for the kids, so we went and photographed those instead. They’d kind of given it a Christmas feel, candy canes, penguins, Mickey Mouse dressed as Santa.
It was nice for the Mums and their little kids I guess, and I realise I still prefer fairgrounds empty.
On the way back to the car I spotted a man parked on the corner of a road, or his car was anyway, and he was underneath it, I think he’d broken down and was trying to fix it.
Anyway the afternoon would be drawing in soon enough so we went over the river to South Shields Christmas Market, which we took one look at and decided it was not in the same league as the one we’d been to, so we went to lunch instead. On the way to where we thought we were going we spotted a sign outside the library building advertising the café within, so a snap decision was made and we went in. Not the best photo but I was trying to be unobtrusive (sneaky really) and fluffed it.
It was so lush to be in from the cold for a while. We both had a home made vegetable soup and I had a ham sandwich with mine. The sandwich was nothing special, but the soup was glorious. I don’t do ‘food at the dinner table’ pics really, not a fan, but I had to remember this one! Made it myself last week, so yum!
The evenings arrive so quickly up North here at this time of year, you just finish lunch to find the sun beginning to set. And so it was as we walked back to the car, and we could see it was going to be a lovely sunset and if we were sharp I could drive us up the coast to get some nice shots. So I did, and we did.
I had my Contax on the go too, still waiting for those to come back, so the iPhone was enlisted for this post, don’t usually bother but they look much better clicked through to, especially the last two. Anyhow enough of me,
#itsnotchristmaswithoutabing
Merry Everything, and have a cool Yule!
Stay tooned 😎 🎄
fraggle 
It’s a Sunday morning and I’m having breakfast, so I’m here. I like the look of that soup. It even looks as if it might have been made on the premises. Merry Christmas.
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It was good soup! Have a fab day April! Haven’t seen a post from you in ages BTW are you having a break or are my notifications awry?
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I’ve just been too lazy and lacking in ideas. There will be more, but I want to know that I’ve got a few things to write about before I start again.
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Good to refresh the brain cells, glad I haven’t been missing thing!
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That does look like a hearty soup! You could eat it with a fork.
Merry Christmas Fraggle!
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I’ve been making it for myself ever since! Cheers Alex!
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Looks like he’s bleeping a dry sump pump to me. Anyway, Merry Christmas to all!
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No bleeping was heard during the making of this photo.
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There’s few things I love more than good soup and sandwich. Yum!
Merry Christmas to you and yours this holiday season!
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Cheers Melanie!
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Merry Christmas Fraggle!
I must say, kids must be hardcore if they’re going on rides while dressed for the cold. I was thinking to myself “I’d freeze to death on those things” 🙂
That soup is so thick, it looks more like a stew almost. I feel like Alex nailed it with his ‘eat with a fork’ comment. How did you get the recipe to make it yourself?
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Yep everyone’s hard core here, the postman wears shorts all year round! 🤣
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Merry christmas Fraggle and Phil!
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Thanks Peter, and to you and yours!
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Thanks for the holiday smiles for my morning. Best holiday wishes to you and yours.
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And to you Frank et al, have a fab day!
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What a delightful day you and Sophie had. The last photo is especially wonderful. Merry Christmas, FR.
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Thanks Jennie! You too!
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🙂
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Merry Merry!
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Thanks, Fraggle, and a Merry Christmas to you, too,
Pit
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Happy Boxing Day! But for me, it’s still Christmas. 😉
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Have a cool Yule Cindy!
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Merry Christmas, Jane! …and Happy Boxing Day too! That soup looks fabulous….we are still working on Christmas leftovers here. May the next year be a good one!
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Thanks Connie hope you’re having a cool Yule xx and yes let’s hope next year is a good year!
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Love the winter light in some of those shots. Here we have harsh summer sun and it doesn’t get dark until after bed time!!! Merry Christmas!
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And to you and Mrs. Steve!
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Merry Christmas!! And a Happy New Year!
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That was a lovely post, Fraggle. Laid-back, relaxing yet informative text, and the usua high-standard photos. May 2026 be a stonkingly good one for you and yours!!
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Cheers Mike!
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I love a good Christmas market, thick soup and sandwiches! Delicious post Fraggle! 💕C
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😘
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