Saturday evening we went to another concert at the cathedral, this one a Ukrainian trio consisting of two violins and an accordion. This is the second or third small ensemble that we've heard that included an accordion. I think it's actually an underused and underrated instrument in the U.S. where it seems to be mostly associated with polka bands and Lawrence Welk. It's actually a very versatile instrument and perfect as part of a small ensemble because of the rich orchestral sounds it can produce. It provides a lot of accompaniment to a pair of violins from a single instrument. The group was very good.
We got there early enough to get seats in the center portion of the cathedral under the heat lamps. We had dressed warmly, everyone does, but it felt like we were being cooked when they switched on those lights. I've not seen those in other churches, but in a cavernous, unheated structure with what is probably a mostly elderly congregation, I'm sure it helps.
Sunday morning continued our cold streak, and there may have been more snow overnight, more of the dry, beady stuff, but still just enough to barely cover concrete surfaces. There were a lot of people out walking, as always, and we found a good group of dogs and their owners in the playing field. I am getting to know several of them, or at least their dogs. Today we met a German Shorthaired Pointer, a little younger than Bailey, and one of the few dogs we've met who is actually faster than her. His owner spoke English well enough that we were able to have a good chat. She was intrigued by our move to France, and to Lille in particular, but like all the Lillois we've met, she was gracious, friendly, and welcoming.
The weather for the coming week looks to be cold and wet so this appears to be good timing for our upcoming visit back to the states. We leave here Tuesday, January 6th, returning to France on Monday the 12th. We have a lot to do in the short time we are there but we will be at Decipher Brewing for happy hour and evening on Friday, January 9th, ~5:30 - 8:30 p.m. If anyone in the Charlottesville area wants to stop by and say hello we'd love to see you.
It wasn't deep, but snow was covering the cobblestones Saturday morning.
On the backside of the Citadel where the sun doesn't shine, the water has partially frozen.
I was enjoying the splotchy pattern of the snow on the ice.
More of that dry snow with the look of styrofoam on Saturday later afternoon.
Concert at the cathedral Saturday evening.
The Christmas market is gone but the city lights are still up for now.
Sunday morning walk
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