The Christmas market at the Park Abbey

After #Duwmee our Texan/Maastricht friends stayed over to visit the regular market (which was also a bit in Christmas atmosphere) and then join us for the Christmas market at the Park Abbey which we all love very much. 

Some Christmas attribute actors on the regular market bringing nice atmosphere

The Christmas market at the Park Abbey is just one Sunday afternoon and is a lot less commercial than its big well-known brother downtown. But that's the charming aspect of this one.   All stands are filled by charities or artisans. 

We always have to arrive early at opening hour as the school children have also made crafts to sell for charity but they are always very eager to buy their own thing back...so the entire market is filled with neighbours, parents and known school children, resulting in one big neighbourhood reunion. 

First we got shown around by Kabouter whose class decorated the major Christmas tree on the field with decorated discs.  It's beauty was in the details on the discs that you had to view from close by. 

We explored the market a bit before it got too busy. I really love the pottery but we have no room in our cupboards to make purchases.   We did buy Beertje's little hats that he made. 

Beertje's craft

the school stand

Let's be honest, one of the most important stands is the local abbey beer though.  As good fans, we started to do some tasting of the latest batch of beer. 

The children had to leave to scouts and our friends also left after which I sneaked into the church for the last part of the folk music concert.  Just as last year it was very beautiful, so remind me to be on time next year. 
The subsequent concert in the tent was making an overcrowded feeling though so I called it a day to rest at home a bit after a busy filled weekend.