Good Living Growers' Market

Due to the enormous bump in my belly, I missed the Pyrmont markets last month, so I was determined to make the trek last Saturday, weather permitting. And it permitted. In truth, it was a glorious sunny day, and sure enough, the markets were packed. So packed, in fact, that I couldn't whizz around with my stroller--now of the tandem variety--and was reduced to a slow stroll.

I had planned to get to the markets by 8am at the latest. Unfortunately, I fell asleep after the babies' morning feed and sprang up in alarm when Rob informed me that an hour had gone by. I had planned to meet up with BottlaRed, W and Wandergurl, and I cringed everytime I heard the sound of messages arriving in my phone.

I finally arrived, brood in tow, at 9pm. By this time, the markets was teeming with people. I think this was the most crowded I've ever seen it, although there also seemed to be more stalls. We were immediately spotted by BottlaRed and W, who had met each other through a mutual friend. Yes, right there are the markets. And by coincidence, they were meeting up with me to meet their goddaughters-to-be. Talk about a small world!

If there's one thing I learned last Saturday, it's that it's almost impossible to shop quickly with three young children in tow. No, not because of the kids--but because people love to come over and chat, particularly when they spot the twins. After almost half an hour, all I'd managed to pick up was a stick of caramel-macadamia fudge from Fine Taste Bowral. I was ever so thankful when BottlaRed offered to scoot around with the stroller while I purchased some lime butter from Blue M and a second tub of creme fraiche from the Gympie Farms stall (BottlaRed had already bought me one, thinking that it might be sold out by the time I got there).

After more stopping and chatting, the toddler and I looked for gingerbread men but there were none to be found. So we went to The Chocolate Source instead, had us a few samples, and bought a Belgian truffle and a coffee-flavoured chocolate. They didn't last very long.

We went hunting around for Rowan Farm's fig jam. I must have gone around at least twice before I finally spotted their stall, and I ended up buying 3 and pimping it to W. It's great for breakfast with a hot croissant and a dollop of creme fraiche.

The guys at Rowan Farm were also selling large punnets of delicious looking strawberries and I was so very tempted--so very, very tempted--but I'm nowhere near organised enough at home to make any grand plans for them. Maybe next month I'll be ready to experiment with new recipes. And I really want to try the mushrooms and create something special(ish) for Rob.

Finally, it was time to go, but we couldn't leave without picking up some ice cream cookies from Stick and Angela. They had a new mint flavour out, which I've just tried. I'm not a big mint fan myself--and for some reason I expected the ice cream to be green, not white--but it wasn't too bad. The initial mint taste was a little strong, but after a bite or two it was quite refreshing. It's not my favourite, but if you like minty flavours in general then it's worth a try.

It was a beautiful day out and the markets were just bustling with people and pets. I had a camera with me to take pictures, but the battery was flat! Rob parked at Coles this time (free for the first half hour), so we didn't get slugged by parking at the casino. Next month, I'm going to try and walk to the markets so I can savour the sunshine and food just a little more.

The Pyrmont markets are on every first Saturday of the month at Pyrmont Bay Park (Pirrama Road, across from Star City) from 7am until 11am.

Fine Taste Bowral
02 4877 1991 or 02 4861 1367

Gympie Farm
23 Windred Lane, Conondale QLD 4552
07 5435 0487

Blue M
1 Kanimbla Street, Katoomba NSW 2780
02 4782 2650

The Chocolate Source (Jenny)
78 Livingston Street, Marrickville NSW 2204
02 9558 9931

Rowan Farm
Nowra Road, Fitzroy Falls
02 4887 7307

Pat and Stick's Homemade Ice Cream
PO Box 158, Leichhardt nsw 2040
02 9572 8041
icecreamman@patandstick.com.au

Good Living Growers' Market @ Pyrmont Bay Park

This morning, the toddler, the hubby and I went down to the Pyrmont markets to stock up on some much-needed supplies. No photos today--I'm much too pregnant to be worrying about things like that. I had to save my energy for important things. Like walking, for example.

The weather was just gorgeous today, and people flocked to the markets in droves. After being waylaid at the Fine Taste Bowral stall, where I snapped up the last mixed bag of fudge, plus some extra macadamia and caramel fudge for Rob, I hurried over to the Gympie Farm stall to buy some much longed for creme fraiche. It's obviously popular since they've been sold out the last two markets I went to. They've also raised prices to $7, which I didn't even notice until a friend pointed it out to me.

While I was there, I was handed a sample of cheese biscuits by Crooked Creek. The lovely lady handing them out assured me that she made them herself, using cheese, pure butter and some pepper. The toddler and I thought it was fab, and I forked out another $7 for a 125g bag.

Having procured my most important purchases for the day--mushrooms and gingerbread men being nowhere to be found today--the toddler and I wandered around, grabbed the Saturday paper for a dollar, and went sticky-beaking to see what new goodies we could discover.

At the far end, next to the Pastabilities stall, was The Chocolate Source. I picked up a sample of the handmade Belgian truffles and gave the toddler a bite before finishing it off--sooo yum!--and then had a bit of a chat with the stall owner. I wasn't really planning to buy anything, but a few moments later, I turned around to see the toddler with his arm out, offering 50 cents for "more chocolate". Well...I couldn't very well resist after that, could I? So I bought us a small box of Belgian truffles. I think it cost me $10, but I can't remember now, because it was one of those moments when my brain was telling my mouth to ask for the cheapest, smallest product available but my mouth was having none of it and bought something else. At any rate, I'm sure my tummy won't be complaining! :-)

By this time, Rob had managed to find some parking and was lining up rather impatiently at Toby's Estate for a cappuccino. We left him there as, from past experience, I knew it would be a very long wait.

Our next stop was for a bacon and egg roll with chili jam and some fresh mango and peach juice to wash it down with. Rob, the toddler and I had breakfast along the pier, listening to the busker and enjoying the sun. When we'd finished, Rob was still hungry so he made his way over to the pancake stall, leaving me to shop in peace. (Rob's main concern was finding food to eat. Now.)

The toddler and I ambled along the grass, laughing at dogs and pointing at other babies. I picked up a pamphlet from the venison stall so I can pre-order my tapang usa the next time Mum is in the mood to humour me. We picked up some Blue M cranberry & apple chutney and lime butter for the in-laws and some ($15 for both), and after a convincing taste test, I also grabbed some Fig Jam from Rowan Farm.

Rob had had enough by now and the toddler was showing signs of being hungry and sleepy. I just had energy left over to stop by Pat and Stick's for some ice cream sandwiches ($25 for 6). I used to balk at the price of these goodies, but ever since I tried the stuff by Peter's that I picked up at Coles, I'm not skimping on quality anymore! Being the legend that he is, Stick--aided by the lovely Angela, with whom I went to high school--gave me an extra double chocolate sandwich for the twins. W00t! And can I just mention how much I love their new packaging? The individual plastic wrappers are such an improvement in terms of keeping the ice cream sandwiches intact and making them generally easy to eat. It's probably not quite as good for the environment, although I would have to assume that people are also using less tissue--so maybe it all evens out.

Our last stop was the bacon and pork stall, where I picked up some lovely streaky bacon (aka American-style bacon) for $5.60 (526g).

The most expensive purchase of the day? $17 for parking at Star City. *sigh* I can't wait until I can walk to the markets again!

Gympie Farm
23 Windred Lane, Conondale QLD 4552
07 5435 0487

Crooked Creek
Rmb 1900, Ourimbah Creek Road, Palm Grove NSW 2258
02 9901 4821

The Chocolate Source (Jenny)
78 Livingston Street, Marrickville NSW 2204
02 9558 9931

Toby's Estate
129 Cathedral Street, Woolloomooloo NSW 2011
02 9358 1196
(see the website for more locations)

Blue M
1 Kanimbla Street, Katoomba NSW 2780
02 4782 2650

Rowan Farm
Nowra Road, Fitzroy Falls
02 4887 7307

Pat and Stick's Homemade Ice Cream
PO Box 158, Leichhardt nsw 2040
02 9572 8041
icecreamman@patandstick.com.au

Quality Hams & Bacon
Shop 9, Kurim Shopping Centre, Kurim Ave, Orange NSW 2800
02 6369 1381 or 0419 438 147