St Nicolas - and more
A lot of boats/ships displayed this poster last week or so – us not excepted. After all, the festivities took place in The Port de Roanne. It started for the kids at 3:00PM and Saint Nicolas was supposed to arrive shortly after 5:00PM. Even though it was bitterly cold, we made it (= being outside our comfortable, cosy home) for around two hours. Then we were forced by almost numb limbs to go home again.
A magician has to be part of the show, of course. And it was a hilarious one, too, as he limited his actions to suggestive and mysterious movements with a ribbon. About the opened box in the background: it was there the entire show. Nothing happened with it, not anything came out, nor got in and the thing became more intriguing every minute.
Leaving the bandstand - walk to Saint Nicolas' arrival
When the show for the children had ended it was time to shift our attention towards the arrival of Saint Nicolas. A bagpipes-band left from the bandstand, led by the white character from last picture, towards the (temporarily) boat-free part of the quay where Saint Nicolas would arrive by boat within minutes. On the way we took the opportunity to have a look at all the ships with festive illumination.
A glorious, though cold, moment for ‘Eendracht’s owner, Scott, seen at the left with the first prize, a marvelous vase. We think it’s a challenge trophy, so there’s a chance the possessor is only able to enjoy its presence for one year… Second from left the chairman of the harbour-boat-owners-association is visible and next to him Roanne’s major. Both men at the right hand side are waterways-officials/enthusiasts as far as we know.
Saint Nicolas' arrival by boat
See: http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Nicolas_(f%C3%AAte)#Pays-Bas. Saint Nicolas, accompanied by ‘Père Fouettard’ (as ‘Zwarte Piet’ is called in France), arrives by boat – not exactly from Spain, as in The Netherlands, but after just a short cruise inside the Port of Roanne.
Meest recente reacties