On Christmas day nothing when no trains buses underground run in London my friend Laurie who I was staying with over Christmas planned a walk along the Grand Union Canal.

Hindu Temple The Shri Sanatan Hindu Mandir

When I would walk to the underground at Alperton near Wembley where she was pet sitting I would pass the the Hindu Temple The Shri Sanatan Hindu Mandir *All-inclusive Hindu Temple this morning we stopped to take some photos we were invited inside to by a kind old Man who told us the history behind the temple and also gave us beautiful guidebook. No photos were allowed inside which was too bad as it some however I did find this slide show on You Tube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98Zy_CoF4TY. The temple was opened on May 2010.

*The temple is a place of worship for all Hindus and welcomes those of other faiths. It is a landmark with outstanding architectural splendour. This spectacular free London attraction welcomes visitors of all faiths and none, although certain Hindu customs – such as the removal of shoes upon entry – are expected to be adhered to during your visit*

Afterwards we walked along the canal it was a beautiful sunny day and I loved the walk I have walked other parts of the Canal over the years this was a pretty spot at times seeing the swans. We later went back to the house and had a lovely Christmas dinner mine was Lamb and did Christmas Crackers to boot.

Beautiful swans in love

a very special Christmas dinner in London

looking across Roja River towards Ventimiglia Alta

I just had to head to Ventimiglia in Italy how could I not when it was so close just under and hour by train from Nice. Once I arrived I headed out to explore I was in the "new" town and nothing to write home about. I came across a park Tomasso Regio with a WW1 Memorial and lots of palm trees walked through it I then headed to the sea (of course). I walked along the Sea for awhile and then I crossed the pretty bridge in search of Ventimiglia Alta a medieval town.

I began the walk up to the old town cobblestone I walked up to Via del Capo to the 12th century church Cattedrale dell’Assunta and its octagonal baptistery, possibly built atop a temple to Juno. The walk was a bit steep but took my time, stopping and taking in the views.

Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta

I went inside the La Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta which is a built 11th to 12th century a service had just ended and they were setting up for a Christmas event but I was able to walk around. It was very old the walls were roman and children's art work were on display. I went down the stairs into the look at the crypt and baptistery (8th century) that was a bit of a challenge because the stairs were not solid but open and you could see between the opening and it gave me a weird effect at first and I was not going to do it but I finally got the nerve and went for it, they are not by any means dangerous its just with my knee I have trouble, so afraid of falling.

ceiling in the crypt

crypt

Chiesa di San Michele

Ventimiglia Alta, a medieval town with a sweeping panorama from Piazza Belvedere, at the east end of Via Giuseppe Verdi. From here, turn up Via del Capo to reach the 11th- to 12th-century Cattedrale dell’Assunta and its octagonal baptistery, possibly built atop a temple to Juno. Via del Capo becomes palazzo-lined Via Garibaldi. At Piazza Fontana/Piazza del Canto, head to the back-right corner to continue up Via Piedmont to Piazza Colletta and the isolated Church of San Michele, the current version built around the 10th century using bits of ancient stones: The stoops and one of the crypt columns are Roman milestones, and two of the granite pillars in the crypt hail from a temple to Castor and Pollux. - See more at: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/ventimiglia/619443#sthash.Rtjsrky7.dpuf

yummy and filling soup

I then headed through the rest of the old town and I was greeted by Bing Crosby Christmas in Killarney blasting away which was sort of surreal feeling since I was Italy. There was a Christmas market with vendors selling crafts another table was selling items for cat rescue I did not buy anything but made a donation, they asked where I was from so we had a nice but of conversation. I saw little shop that was selling home made soup for 3 euro and I got a bowl YUM and sat across on a bench enjoying both the soup and the people watching. I found another little church near the shop it was very tiny but beautiful inside.

Compagnia della Misericordia in Ventimiglia

I continued through the town and had the feeling that I was walking on a movie set or into a photograph as seen below. It was quite picturesque with laundry hanging from balconies and peeling paint on stone walls


wandering the streets

Convento delle Suore dell'Orto Convent of the Sisters

I headed back to the other the newer part of town, and walked along the Roja river for awhile you could see snow covered mountain in the distance. Then it was back to the sea where I just sat and enjoyed the colors. I headed back towards the train station and I had one thought in mind to complete the day and one was to have a gelato and the other was to see Santa Clause. I found a place and ordered the gelato (chocolate of course) and I walked out looking for a place to sit and as I sat down lo and beho Santa came by on a bicycle I managed to snap a shot as some girls stopped him and then they even kissed him. On the train back to Nice some police got on the train just as we arrived in France and they were asking to look at identification I thought he said tickets showed mine but he shook his head and walked away, the guy across from me showed me his passport and shrugged.