Awaiting Santa

We are in Plymouth (a bit of a detour as we are actually on our way to London for the weekend, but High Pike is speaking at a conference tomorrow and we thought we could combine the two).

This afternoon we were down at the Barbican, part of the old harbour area of Plymouth, and discovered by chance that in the early evening Santa was arriving for the Christmas lights switch on and there was to be a lantern procession. So we stayed.

This picture is looking across the harbour towards the landing stage where Santa was to arrive in a lifeboat. There were crowds ready to meet him and watch the procession, which was quite a sight, as hundreds of children carried beautiful lanterns.

The Barbican is home to Plymouth's Maritime Heritage. I took this picture from the Mayflower Steps, where in 1620 the Pilgrims set sail in the Mayflower for the New World. Apparently every year many Americans travel to Plymouth to find out about their ancestors and especially to celebrate Thanksgiving here. Hence the timing of this evening's Lantern and Lights celebration. And indeed there were American flags and icons amongst the lanterns.