Farmers' Market Walk

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Farmers' Market Walk...

Today
we are going
to the Farmers' Market



Are you ready-
I've got the green bags
Have you got your jacket
It's a little chilly
as it's only 6.15am
and 12*


We'll park here
under the gum trees
beside the football grounds
Being early
we have secured a good park
and it won't be too far
for you to walk
when you carry back
the full bags for me...

It's still quiet,
very few people
just the way I love it...

down there you can see
the Bean and Gone coffee stand
and after our purchases
I will reward you with a treat-
one of Grant's superb coffees...

now turn right
and head up this lane,
we are walking anticlockwise
around the elliptical arrangement
of vendor's stalls

we pass the orchid lady

and head for our first
port of call
the apple stand

we will buy twelve
of these crunchy gala apples
Here I'll put them
in your bag...

next I will choose three pawpaws
which you might know as papayas
we have gold - those closest to us,
or red ones to choose from
My favourite is the red

adjacent to the pawpaw man
is the organic vege stall

where I'll pick up
some leeks,
lettuce

and silver beet
to have in a pasta dish
this week

over here you can see
one of the flower vendors

but we will purchase our flowers
later...

we always stop
at the friendly pie lady
today I'll get some little
creamy chicken and fetta pies
do you think you might like that...

woops
don't go off on me like that
come back here to the reds

I'm making tomato porridge
again tonight
so we'll need some more
big reds

No
I don't think
that is a good idea
at least not before breakfast...

Ok
some of these glowing beauties
we can buy...

Hmmmm...
I feel like making a mushroom
chicken stroganof
on these cooler nights
I'll take some button mushrooms

Frank the banana man
has cavendish
and the small sweet lady fingers
which we love

too tempting,
the Pink Cake Lady
has turned your head...

I'll take this citrusy
lemon slice cake
for afternoon and morning tea treats
during the week

I can vouch for these
flourless almond orange hearts too

oh don't look any more...

let's think instead
of hearty nourishing
pumpkin soup
slow baked pumpkin wedges
or maple syrup drizzled chunks
roasted over time

the pumpkin man
shows me his amazing
enormous cauliflower plant
that stands over one metre high

but we'll buy beans for now....

the baby Romas
hang like chandeliers
catching the early sunlight

I love tomatoes on the vine
to throw into oven baked dishes
for the last five minutes

yes we need celery
how heavy are your bags getting
do you think it is time
to take a walk
back to the car
and stow them...

I am just looking now

while I wait
for your return

look at these wonderful herbs
and greens

red beetroot
and radishes

Oh good
you are back
thank you for that...

Now
we need two loaves
of sour dough bread
to get us through the week,
wrapped in a paper bag
inside a plastic bag
they will keep fresh
for up to two weeks
in the fridge

and any left overs
we can use
in Tomato Porridge

ahhhhhh
our first circuit
of the market stalls is complete
you have been a great help
Let's find a seat
and I'll order the coffees
how do you like yours...

Mine is a soy flat white

Oh and look
Beloved has bought us
some toasted egg and bacon sandwiches
good one dear...


We can now sit for a while
and watch the passing parade
as we sip our coffee
and enjoy our toastie

The second lap
around the vendors' stalls
is much more leisurely,
we'll look at the various flower stands
and select today's flowers

these...

or maybe
these soft muted roses...

we'll call by the Spanner Crab
and see what fish is fresh today
or maybe we'll get some more
of that delicious bug meat,
Yes bugs
the Moreton Bay Bug
is a cross between
a crayfish and a crab

It's now going on for 8am
and the crowds are building

we leave this way
via the Cane Juice man

who looks a little scary
with his machete

he pokes the piece of sugar cane
into the juicer

folds the flattened squeezed stem
and resends it down the chute

adds a little fresh lime juice
and ginger to my bottle
and there I have a deliciously
refreshing and sweet tonic ...

Now
time to stack all the produce
away into the fridge,
and you can see why
I always seem to have
an over abundance
of produce -

the Markets
are just
so
inviting
and
enticing...




Oh,
and thanks
for your help today
I greatly appreciated it
and your fine company...





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