Ranunculus - NYC

I discovered these gorgeous ranunculus blooms in the Union Square Park Market in New York City. We came across this farmer's market by accident while walking  on a glorious spring day. It is a great market and these beautiful bouquets in salmon, coral and ballet pink were irresistible.

The Pannier Market

We're still here in Bideford so let's stop in at the Pannier Market while we are here. I think you will agree that the market is housed in a lovely Victorian building all its own, built in 1884 for 4,200 pounds. Originally it contained a fish market, butchery stalls and corn exchange.

After its opening, 200 people sat down to a celebratory public dinner, followed by a promenade concert. Later that week, around 2,000 children enjoyed a tea party at the market. The name Pannier Market, comes from the French panier, meaning basket, as the farmers' wives brought their wares to market in wicker baskets. A market has been held in Bideford since 1573. 

These days, the Butchers' Row is located along the outside of the building. Why don't we wander inside to have a look at the vendors' stalls?

There are vendors selling fruit and vegetables, antique and vintage items, arts and crafts and second-hand books. One of my favourite stalls offered knitted food. It was so amusing to see cupcakes and fruits made out of knitting, but best of all was the full English breakfast with wonderful knitted eggs, tomato, rashers of bacon and sausage. There was a knitted lighthouse which I remarked to the lady running the stall would make a perfect thermos cosy. After suggesting a few other knitted projects, she asked if I lived in Bideford. She wanted me to knit for them and come up with ideas!

After buying some vintage hankies and engaging in conversation, the lady at the antique and vintage stall recommended that we visit Hartland and its rugged coast down at the harbour. She particularly loved the rock formations and the pub in Hartland. How could you argue with that? We added it to our list of must-sees!

After touring the Pannier Market we ambled down the shop-lined streets and stopped in at Patt's to buy a box of luscious local strawberries.  The shopkeeper, whom I will presume was Patt, asked if we needed clotted cream to go with them. Well, actually we had already bought cream at Morrison's (you do have to have your priorities straight after all). I took the opportunity to ask my favourite question of Devonians... is it cream or jam first on scones? Well, that launched a very long conversation about scones and how to eat them, the rivalry between Devon and Cornwall in this regard, as well as the pronounciation of various English words. It was a delightful interlude. And in case you are eager to know the answer to the question: Patt's firm reply was jam first, then cream "like a hat on top", and that's the way her mother did it too!

Tomorrow, we'll be off to the charming tiny seaside village of Appledore!

Borough Market

Another market that we visited on our trip was the Borough Market, just south of London Bridge. I have read that there has been a market in this spot since the first century. Ponder that for a moment! The whole market is devoted to food, which makes it a food lover's paradise. We wandered and explored the many food stalls and bought and ate as we strolled about.

These photos don't begin to convey the wide variety of foods on offer. I would guess that whatever you have an urge for, you will be able to find it among these market stalls! Lots of samples to lure you over, including the amazing number of varities of powdered Turkish delight at one stall. We bought a small bag full of our favourites, so soft and fresh, with real flavours, no artificial flavourings. So good! But that wasn't all we sampled, there were the gigantic meringues (larger than your fist), German sausages on a bun, baguettes, beautifully designed cookies (like the elephant cinnamon cookies pictured here) and wonderful pastries.

Portobello Market

Portobello Market is hopping. Especially on a Saturday, which as it turned out was the day that fit into our itinerary. Getting off the tube at Notting Hill station, and surfacing at street level, we only had to follow the sea of humanity to find our way to the market. The crowds flowed down the road and there were so many people it was hard to see what was for sale in the market stalls. No one was getting anywhere fast. Patience was the order of the day! Fortunately, as we walked further down the road the crowds thinned a little and we were able to get to the market stalls and shops that line the street.

It's a bustling carnival atmosphere with lots to look at! Antiques galore, there are also no shortage of souvenirs, clothing and all sorts of interesting things. There are also food vendors so you needn't go hungry and entertainers, like this stylish headless couple who were happy to pose for a photo with you!

Harvest of Gourdly Delights

Such a lovely tumble of gourds were for sale at the farmers’ market when I went the other day. Ornamental gourds truly are one of the best visual treats during harvest time. The beautiful blends in rich colours and wonderful textures and patterns seem fresh to my eyes because they are available to us for such a short period of time each year. I didn't stop to buy any that day and I should have... because just a couple of days later I made a find that these gourds would have embellished most wonderfully. And I won't say more for now because I'll be posting about that find in an upcoming post!

Vancouver Shops: Granville Market

No need to introduce Vancouver’s Granville Market as it’s a well known food-lover’s haven. Truly a feast for the eyes and the stomach! The vendors have a real knack for displaying their goods in such a way that it is hard to resist their charms. We found it impossible not to sample various bakeries’ croissants the morning we spent there. It’s a great place to wander with a coffee while you shop for all sorts of delicious and enticing produce to further your enjoyment later at home.

Cumberland Market

If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers, what kind of peppers did Peter Piper pick? Why Purple Peppers, of course! I saw these gorgeous purple peppers at the Cumberland Market today. I loved the re-use of old wicker basket chairs by one ot the food vendors. What a great idea! Cumberland Market in Cumberland, Ontario has a wonderful small town market on Saturdays. The produce is local and the prices are good. And best of all, the atmosphere is very friendly and welcoming. Definitely worth a visit.