The Stavanger Expat Photography group planned an outing on Saturday to the Egersund Christmas market.  Egersund is about an hour south of Sandnes – we decided to meet on the train and go together.  Most of them did……. yours truly missed the train and was an hour late! But now I know that I can take the red (Oslo) train to Egersund from Sandnes, and don’t have to wait for the local one.

The train was absolutely packed with families on the way to the festival.  I was lucky to get a seat. We piled out at Egersund, and the trek to the downtown market began…. I didn’t realize it was going to be such a hike – probably close to a mile.  I didn’t think to start my walk counter to see.

We passed the marina on the way to the market – it was clear and still, and the reflections in the water were terrific.

Tons of people there – I called Maria and soon joined her and a few others.  They had been scouting around and were ready to eat – I had eaten in Sandnes while I awaited my train, so I went off on my own. There were so many people –All ages – There were men singing carols – not sure if they were really monks, but that’s how they were dressed.  They served at the grog stand (with or without alcohol) afterwards.

And what would a festival be without food – this was just one of many stands.  Norwegians love their donuts, waffles and pancakes!

A school band performed some carols too – they were so cute with their red Santa hats and their cute, healthy smiles.

A wonderful display of mechanical wonders drew many small children, their nosed pressed tightly to the glass for a better view.

The huge Christmas tree also drew the kids – finally a tree they could climb.  Wonder if they’d like to try with the ones that will soon be in their houses!

The local quilt group had a booth with lots of beautiful items for sale.  I identified myself as a Rogaland Quiltelag member from Sandnes, and admired their handiwork.

Lots of stands with wool goods – felted mittens and woolly slippers and hats.  I bought a pair of mitts – and discovered that I need to wash them in hot water and then wear them so they will mould to my hands to keep me extra warm.

Here was a tableau of carding and spinning – isn’t this young lady gorgeous!

I also discovered a booth manned by Latvian nuns and bought a CD of Christmas music in Russian – I’m listening to it now – beautiful and a bit different from the tonalities we are used to in the West.  I look forward to attending an Russian Orthodox church in Sakhalin to hear more.

More reflections in the water – a bit later in the day with the sun shining –

I met up with the group again in a local restaurant.  We wandered around the market a bit more, and then headed back to the train.It was packed again, but not quite so bad.  I took a few shots out the train window of the sunset and the ice-covered lakes along the route.  a perfect ending to a beautiful day.