Haddon Mercatum

The start of December brings with it a certain sort of shopping frenzy fueled by Christmas's imminent arrival. I'm trying my best to avoid doing all on my present-buying on line which is ample reason to be off out to another Christmas market - this time at Haddon Hall.

This is the first time I've visited but I'd heard good things about it, and it definitely didn't disappoint. 

It's hard at first to appreciate how large the market is - there were stalls situated on the flat ground before the hall, some in the main courtyard, more throughout the hall's rooms and kitchens, and a marquee in the terraced garden.

I'm always drawn to the foodie section first, sampling this and that, picking up some treats to bring home (Infusions apple balsamic vinegar, and cakes for the evening), and getting some lunch (bean chilli from Eat Shoots and Leaves), before facing the climb up to the hall.

Through the main door and into the courtyard filled with mainly outdoorsy stalls - wreaths, plants, woodworking - 

then into the Great Hall dominated by a huge Christmas tree, and on into the smaller rooms beyond before heading into the garden and returning via the Long Chamber. I lost count of the number of vendors  - more cheese, chocolate and flavoured spirits, jewellery, soaps, knitted goods, candles; a list that goes on forever.

I particularly liked the setting. Not traipsing through mud from stall to stall, but going inside and experiencing the atmosphere of such an historic house. Although the rooms weren't fully decorated for Christmas there was a festive atmosphere throughout with lights in the windows, trees and garlands. 

Looking back as we left it's easy to imagine Haddon in its Tudor heyday. 

Back home though for some rather delicious cakes.
 

November

 November started with Diwali lights and decorations at Kedleston,

took me walking through autumn leaves, 

up to Manchester and Dunham Massey where the garden was full of autumnal colour and preparations were underway for Christmas

 

then through days of snow just after mid-month

followed by brilliant sunshine and a chilly evening for Chatsworth Christmas market and their illuminated garden trail. 

Cheers now to the festive season, with a glass of gin jam

Chatsworth - Christmas market and Illuminated garden trail

As a sort of early Christmas treat to ourselves, we decided to re-join the Chatsworth 'Friends' scheme, and our first visit was timed to catch the Christmas Market and visit the Illuminated Trail round the garden.

We were fortunate to have missed all the snow and ice, and stumbled on a wonderfully sunny day. The food and drink stalls were, as always, the main attraction for me - trying samples as diverse as White Peak gin and Casa Mia amaretti biscuits - and, of course, we came away with more treats for ourselves than presents for family or friends.

As the sun set, the day turned colder so we headed inside to the cafe in the old stable block for tea and cake before our visit to the gardens. With an illuminated 'tree' in the central courtyard and decorations around the ceilings, I doubt any previous occupants would have recognised their former stables.

On then into the gardens as the sun sank completely and twinkling lights appeared. No matter how well you know a place (and we've been frequent visitors to Chatsworth for years) it takes an a different appearance after dark, especially when illuminated. It was like following a path through an enchanted woodland.

 

There were small flickering lights which swayed and danced, huge static ones to light the tallest trees, searchlights moving across the maze area, all in all an enchanted wonderland.

And as a grand finale, a light-show transformed the front of the house.

November snow

My mother's birthday was in mid-November, and our family tradition expected snow either on the day or very soon after. This year certainly didn't disappoint. 

Late on the 18th, snow started to fall - despite not actually being forecast to do so. By bedtime we'd had quite an appreciable amount fall but I expected it to change to sleet and rain, as forecast.

In the morning though my corner of the world was white over.The trees and lawn were covered in snow, the birdbath smothered, the red poppy bird feeders full.

For a couple of days I stayed home, relatively warm and snug, but once  the pavements and pathways looked clear and safe (even for a person inclined to fall and/or twist ankles) and the sun was shining brightly I headed out. My plan had just been to head over to the playing fields but the day was so lovely I was tempted to add on a walk round our local wood.

There was even a robin looking seasonal.

 

Back home though the winter jasmine continued to flower brightly.