Christmas Boar...

...No, not cousin Eustace and his knitwear eulogy…

Wild boar... and more! In Manchester!

Manchester again hosts the annual (and hopefully to become ‘traditional’) Christmas Market - in the square just in front of the famous Town Hall (found off Lloyd Street and not so far from Deansgate, the Central Convention Centre, Art Gallery and Evening News Arena).

It is not massive, but it is festive and there is some lovely food on offer, much of which can be consumed then and there, either at café style table areas or ‘on the hoof’ whilst browsing the fare… Right in the middle is the main attraction: the big German sausage char-grill with its no-nonsense choice of ‘not spicy’ or ‘spicy’ wursts, served on a bun that is too small for them and is only really there as a ‘handle’ and something to contain the mustard. Highly recommended as a satisfying lunch… And while you devour/savour your sausage, have a good look around at what is an interesting mix of continental and British Xmas confusion.

There are stalls offering a variety of items such as soap, Dutch blue & white china decorations, gourmet mustards, bonsai trees, clocks, cheeses, specialist fudge, cured meats, pancakes, waffles, beer, cosmetics, olives, smoked giant garlic… There is a vaguely German theme throughout, but Holland and Switzerland are also in evidence, as well as the Lake District. That makes it sound bigger than it actually is... (perhaps I was 'spoiled' by 'Masterchef Live' at London's Olympia a couple of weeks ago? Well, when you are walking around an open air market on a cold crisp winter afternoon, those bratwursts in buns could hold their own against anything from the big show's dining experience) ...but you could still spend a couple of hours and a lot of money if you wanted to, especially if you sit down to sample the range of German Ales from the ‘canteen’ – or you could just whizz around the place (whilst eating your big German sausage) and buy a cured wild boar peppered ham for a special Yuletide treat, and then make your get away.

This compact and lively market usually coincides with another seemingly annual Town Hall event, the ‘Dazzle’ exhibition of contemporary jewellery, which is also worth some time and attention if you are at all interested in fashion, craft and small things of elegance and beauty.