One of my very good friends has recently written a ‘Bucket List’ of things to do, although without a timeline, like my “50 things to do before I am 50”

I said I would love to help tick some of the things off her list whilst having a few adventures along the way.

One of the first things listed was to visit a German Christmas Market. Well, of course I was up for that and said I would happily go with her.

On My Way

It was a chilly Thursday morning when I picked her up for the day out. We had planned for a cold day and I was wearing a Winter scene skirt, long sleeve t-shirt and button boots.

We had an anytime return ticket booked on the trains so got one around 0930 which took just over an hour to arrive.

My friend Rose, hadn’t been to Birmingham since she was a tiny child and couldn’t remember it very much at all.

Frankfurt Food

Of course, forty odd years had passed and it was completely different too. Arriving at New Street, she was absolutely amazed by the size and layout. To be fair, it IS a massive station with so many exits, shops and eateries.

We exited via the main exit which faces one of the entrances to The Bullring, and walked through all the shops which were aglow with Christmas decorations and lights.

Dotted All Around The Bullring

Heading outside we were quite surprised to see that the sun had made an appearance and it was actually quite warm. Mooching around the streets, we looked at various shops and made our way to the Frankfurt Christmas Market area.

So, what exactly did we find?

A mixture of medium and large wooden buildings, featuring a host of food, drink and gifts to buy.  The tops of the structures had Christmas characters on, Santa, Reindeer, Elves and more.

Christmas Cuties

The food and drink stalls all had wooden signs hanging down with the items on offer in both German and English. Products on offer included Bier, Glühwein, Heiße Schokolade und Kinderpunsch (Beer, Mulled Wine, Hot Chocolate and Childrens Punch)

We were very tempted but I had already promised Rose a special lunch in a pub that I knew quite well. I did, however suggest that we had some mulled wine and other delicacies later on in the evening before our train home.

Deciding to check the whole of the market out before our lunch, we ambled companionably along, stopping to look at various gifts on offer. These included baubles, tin-plate toys, soaps and chocolates.

Letters to Santa

It was just after noon so we decided to go and get lunch.

I had told Rose all about this pub I knew, Bacchus. It was situated right in the middle of New Street but unless you know its there, you wouldn’t spot it!

There is a hotel called The Burlington which is situated at the end of Burlington Arcade. If you head through the arcade there is a lift or stairs down to the basement floor where you will find the pub.

And what a pub it is!

Brilliant Bacchus

Dark corners, big armchairs, Gothic embellishments, painted ceilings, bookcases and fireplaces fill the pub and make for a really unusual yet comfy place.

The pub is actually one of the Nicholsons chains, which I am very familiar with due to visiting several in London. I know it to be great value, great quality and great atmosphere.

A Quick Selfie

I wasn’t wrong with Bacchus either.

Rose was absolutely entranced by it and her eyes were darting from here to there, taking everything in.

They had a festive menu which we chose to start with; a Christmas day out needs a Christmas lunch and we both opted for the Turkey with all the trimmings.

This consisted of Hand Carved Turkey breast, bacon and chestnut stuffing, red onion and Cumberland pigs in blankets, Chantenay carrots, glazed greens, maple roast parsnips and roast potatoes.

All The Trimmings

Of course that all comes with a jug of thick tasty gravy.

I went for a lime and soda whilst Rose had a cocktail. Well, we were out for an adventure day, weren’t we?

The lunch came and it was outstanding. Hot and tasty, it went down an absolute treat and I have to admit that sitting down for a little while didn’t do my knee any harm.

A Beautiful Scene

We chatted as we ate, discussing the plan of action and what shops we would like to go in. I was pretty easy but said I would like to pop into Selfridges for a couple of gifts.

Rose was even easier as she didn’t know what she wanted but was open to opportunities, so would have a look as we wandered.

Christmas Carousel

We spent a pleasant 90 minutes in the pub before putting out coats on and heading back outside. It was a little chillier, but for the end of November, we were pleasantly gifted with a crisp Autumn like day.

Shopping for a while longer, we managed to pick up a few gifts before my knee started to scream and I knew I needed another sit down. We headed into Selfridges and sat at Krispy Kremes for a hot drink and a sticky donut.

We then had a look around, picking up one or two things before heading back outside. By now it had started to get dark so we headed right into the German Market.

The Old and the New

The lights were all on and music was playing, which really gave a Christmas feel to everything. We wandered around looking at all booths, deciding what to buy.

We hit the Glühwein stall and received two mugs (one non-alcoholic) which were the cutest snowmen. You had the choice to either return the mug for your deposit back or to keep it.

Of course, we decided to keep ours!

How Cute?

Listening to the live singers ringing out the Christmas tunes, we grabbed a Bratwurst for our dinner, which was really tasty and pretty good value.

By now we were starting to flag a little so decided to head back to the station and get the first train back that we could. As we walked past all the stalls, we hit upon a German donut stall.

Wonderful Windmill

Well, knowing that we had an hours journey back, we decided to grab a snack for the train; I had a Raspberry filled and Rose had a Gingerbread one.

The first train due to leave was the first we could get with our off-peak return so we headed down to the platform to find it was already at the station, waiting.

Getting Darker

Hopping on, we only had to wait five minutes before the train departed and we sat back to enjoy the journey and discuss the day we had enjoyed.

We also scoffed our donuts which were divine.

An hour later and we left the train for a short drive home. It had been a wonderful, tiring day and we had loved every minute.

Of course, it had also ticked off one of the things on Rose’s list.

Bonus!

Till next time,

SPSG xxx