Braderie de Lille (Jour Two)

So onto Sunday and the follow up to yesterdays entry.

We got the metro into Lille again, a lot quieter at the station and a bit more civilised in the city, walked in the opposite direction towards Vieux Lille and the Canal de la Deûle. 
A lot of different stuff out this side of the city.

 The crowds had thinned out a lot compared to the Saturday but it was still fairly busy.

I saw this which originated just down the road from home, they wanted 20€ for it so it stayed there.

Got handed this by a girl handing out little packets.

So we did buy some stuff, apart from the kneepads we got another coffee pot for the collection

A glass dish, which is very tricky to get a decent photo of...

And a pair of plates, apparently this pattern is called Eclipse and was made by Thomas

Got a couple of other bits and pieces too, then back on the metro and after having walked for over 4 hours on top of the day before we decided to eat in the hotel.

Braderie de Lille (Day Un)

Got back from the Braderie De Lille yesterday.

We went over on Friday morning on the Eurotunnel from Folkestone to Calais and then drove up to Dunkirk turned right and then about an hours drive down to Lille.

We stayed in the Ibis hotel in Villeneuve D'Ascq a suburb on the south-eastern edge of Lille again this year as it's really handy for the Metro and the V2 shopping centre which has eating places.
We walked there on Friday evening and had a great Italian meal, a nice couple on the next table acted as translators between us and the waitress.

Up Saturday morning and straight to the Metro for a long queue at the ticket machines and then 7 stops later crammed onto the small train (not much fun with a claustrophobic wife) we arrived in Lille.

The streets were heaving already.

We walked almost non stop for over 6 hours only pausing to look at goods on sale and stopping to queue for some frites with mayo and a beer.
Only one skateboard spotted, a 1980's Toys R Us type complete, loads of rollerblades and a Snakeboard.

Loads of cameras though, some looked as though they'd been dredged up from the bottom of canals at times though.

Above is a Zenith Photosniper kit that the seller wanted 100€ for, although that was open to negotiation. I didn't negotiate.

There were also a load of Velo Solexes (Solexi?) and various other assorted motorbikes and mopeds, including a nice looking Peugeot.

Back on the Metro early evening which was quieter, a rest, and then into the V2 Centre for dinner at a nice Belgian themed restaurant.

More tomorrow in Part Deux

Braderie Bargain

Just got back from the Braderie de Lille.

Full report tomorrow (hopefully)

Picked up these for 3€, XL Once Upon A Time Kneepads.

I know Trevenen swears by the elbow pads, couldn't believe my luck spotting them and then they fitted and were so cheap.

Going in the washing machine in the morning, caps just velcro on so they've been removed.
Open backs. Saved me a few quid.

Braderie De Lille

Got back from the Braderie De Lille today.

Imagine the outcome if a giant car-boot sale, antique fair, jumble sale, flea market, January sales, fete and festival all collided then the result would be the Braderie De Lille.

We went over on Friday lunchtime on the ferry from Dover to Dunkirk and then it's only about an hour or so's drive down to Lille.

We stayed in the Ibis hotel in Villeneuve D'Ascq a suburb on the south-eastern edge of Lille.

After arrival we went out for a stroll to check out the whereabouts of the Metro and shops and restaurants etc. Both were about a 5 to 10 minute stroll away.

Late Saturday morning we left the hotel for the short stroll to the Metro.
The Metro is a narrow rubber tyred driverless train that hurtles between stations, 7 stops later (about 15 minutes) we were in the cente of Lille and left the station amidst the throng of people heading for the action.

The shops in the pedestrianised shopping centre have stalls outside with special Braderie goods on sale at discounted prices, interspersed between them are locals from the apartments above the shops who peddle their wares and services such as selling coffee and waffles from machines plugged into long extension leads.

There are whole districts given over to antiques but not exclusively.

We walked almost non stop for 6 hours only pausing to look at goods on sale.
Not one skateboard spotted but I nearly bought a 1960's wooden water monoski which would have made a nice deck but at €50 it wasn't gonna happen.

Back on the Metro, freshen up then out for a meal.
Up this morning, drive back to Dunkirk and home on the ferry, a great weekend.

Next year, we're going to stay Saturday/Sunday night and do both days as this year we missed a lot and probably only covered about half of it.

Pic up the top isn't mine I found it on Flickr. it was taken by bpmm there's more of there shots here

I only took my Vivitar UWS with me and haven't quite used the film up yet.

Oh and when they said on the television news in the hotel on Saturday morning that 2,000,000 visitors were going there I didn't think they really meant it, I do now.