To market, to market

The Gardener and I are doomed to only spend days out together in awful weather, when work is a less appealing option. Today was rainy enough to qualify for a day out. It was very chilly too - cold enough to suggest imminent winter.

The Gardener and I went to the local Farmer's Market this morning, where we had arranged to take photos for Cheryl, who manages the market's website. Stall holders were asked not to pose, but to go about their business as though they weren't being observed. 

On the whole, they did well. 

I love the slate labels on the bread stall.

Some stallholders found it hard not to laugh or come over all shy....

"Oh no, not in this hat!" was heard more than once.

But on a cold wet day, they wanted to chat, to laugh, to encourage us (well me, the non-vegetarian) to sample the wonderful prize-winning pork sausages, the hot apple juice, and to complain about the vile weather. 

Some customers wanted to be photographed.

It's a very small market, and the weather delayed a number of regulars from shopping; business is usually brisk.

The fish van always does a roaring trade - sadly, there is no longer an established fishmonger in this seaside town.

I came away with photos, dahlias, sausages, three-seed sourdough bread, and frozen fingers - time to dig out the winter woollies, I think. The Gardener sloped off for a double espresso while I shopped, and then we went home with our bounty.

And still it rained. 

Later, we went off into a remote part of the countryside to see The Gardener's lovely daughter, and on the way home, stopped off in Wellington at the shop where I had bought the Annie Sloan paint. Yes, I wanted to buy some more - very smart Paris Grey for the dining room bookcase, and Old White to tone any other colour down a bit if desired. I'm a convert now!

For those of who who are interested: While there, I asked shop owner Jilly - a great ASCP enthusiast -  about the wax/blotchiness problem, and was given very clear instructions as to how to avoid this. For those of you who are interested, you need to use a very little wax, on a very little wad of soft clean cotton fabric, applying on a very little area, and working fast. Sand very lightly if you want a really smooth finish. Buff  it up the following day.

We shopped for pet food and violas, had coffee and apple pie. And then we came home again. In the rain.