It’s not that far away from where we live, but we always drive because we buy so much when we are there. I particularly like the plant stand, where we can get beautiful planted baskets. Today we found this gorgeous outdoor basket:-
with the earliest daffodils I have ever seen. Apparently they are called “Early Bloomers” and they really are! I also bought this basket for indoors:-
and these potted hyacinths which should be blooming for Christmas or not very long afterwards.
They were all really reasonable, and I know their quality is wonderful as I already have two of their planted baskets outside our front door which have bloomed non-stop since we bought them two months ago.
We always start our visit to the market with breakfast at one of the farmer’s stands. They make the best bacon rolls I have ever tasted. My husband and son always have the “full English”roll which has sausage and egg in addition to the bacon. One day I will have that too - but I’m always trying to be “good” so I just have the bacon roll! Today we bought some of their bacon and sausages for the first time to bring home. Hopefully they will taste just as good when I cook them as they do in the cold, crisp morning air at the market!
I buy huge trays of free range eggs in the market building which are great for all the baking I do, and I also get vegetables and fruit to top up the things I get in my organic vegetable and fruit boxes which I have delivered once a week. Today I got some broccoli and parsnips which look really delicious, and some pears from our favourite orchard.
There is a bakery stall as well, and we always pick up some of their wonderful almond croissants (delicious for Sunday breakfast with a hot steaming cup of coffee) and anything else that looks yummy - which today was their mince pies.
We buy Scottish tablet (kind of like fudge, but even nicer) from a lady who sells sweets and treats, and something you might not expect at a traditional market - freshly baked samosas and onion bhajis. They are still warm from the oven, and you can bring them home and freeze them - if you don’t eat them first!! There is a lady there who sells not only these, but also homemade curry sauces as well.
It’s a lovely little market and I always look forward to the second Saturday of the month when it is on, but it was extra special this morning. As we walked along in the cold morning air, with our breath visible and the sun shining down, the sound of Christmas carols echoed through the air. It was the perfect Christmas market, and just being there made me feel festive and grateful for this wonderful time of year.
