Today is the last Sunday in November, a date set aside each month for the Markets in the Mall. Dot and I often make a point of visiting the markets, partly because it's a good occasion to meet up with friends and acquaintances and partly to but local produce for consumption or as presents. Despite's Dot's being in Singapore, I made the trek alone today, but wasn't disappointed as I met many people I knew, brought a few things like bars of soap, a new cactus for my collection and some food-stuffs, and chatted about batteries to complement the solar panels on our roof. Besides that the weather was, as they say, glorious: about 22C (at 10am) and a cloudless sky. It certainly made me feel happy. So this is what I saw - in no particular order.
This couple had bought themselves a touring Harley and set up business escorting passengers around New England's many lovely tourist destination - a definite must for me, provided it's not raining!
A general view of the markets, with Armidale's historic court-house as a backdrop.
There were multiple cafes where patrons could relax and watch the passing crowds while consumign their chai lattes.
The main drag, where the markets are held has a few vacant shop premises and sometimes pop-up shops emerge, this one selling high-quality artistic pottery ... and doing good business.
Typical of many market days, there are many stalls selling garden plants (front) and fresh fruit and veges (rear).
Then there are stalls selling bric-a-brac, comme ca!
Dot's favourite honey provider was also there.
And it was a foodies delight, with heaps of ethnic foods. This picture shows an Indonesian stall (closest) and one selling German sausage (rear). I noticed a Vietnamese stall nearby, but I chose Prawn Har Gow dumplings (or Cantonese Xiā jiǎo). And I also bought a French-style croissant.
Then I had a quick squiz at the metal menagerie produced by a marvellously imaginative welder. He makes many different animals, some imaginary, from pieces of scrap metal, and we have two in our garden: a blow-fly and a winged mythical beast.
Entertaining us, was this school band featuring kids from one of Armidale's expensive private schools (The Armidale School). Long a boys only school it has just started taking girls, so I was surprised to see this outfit dominated by the girls and noted that the singer had a fine voice.
Next I passed an astrologer ... but passed on quickly for obvious reasons.
And so to my favourite stall. I have a sizeable collection of cacti and and added one more today - a Parodia Scopa. Don't know what that is? Well see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parodia_scopa. If I keep on buying cacti we'll have to move to a larger residence.
I think that these picture illustrate my point. The monthly markets are fascinating - lively, colourful, friendly, often innovative or imaginative and so on. If you visit us, try to make it near the end of a month.
AS
This couple had bought themselves a touring Harley and set up business escorting passengers around New England's many lovely tourist destination - a definite must for me, provided it's not raining!
A general view of the markets, with Armidale's historic court-house as a backdrop.
There were multiple cafes where patrons could relax and watch the passing crowds while consumign their chai lattes.
The main drag, where the markets are held has a few vacant shop premises and sometimes pop-up shops emerge, this one selling high-quality artistic pottery ... and doing good business.
Typical of many market days, there are many stalls selling garden plants (front) and fresh fruit and veges (rear).
Then there are stalls selling bric-a-brac, comme ca!
Dot's favourite honey provider was also there.
And it was a foodies delight, with heaps of ethnic foods. This picture shows an Indonesian stall (closest) and one selling German sausage (rear). I noticed a Vietnamese stall nearby, but I chose Prawn Har Gow dumplings (or Cantonese Xiā jiǎo). And I also bought a French-style croissant.
Then I had a quick squiz at the metal menagerie produced by a marvellously imaginative welder. He makes many different animals, some imaginary, from pieces of scrap metal, and we have two in our garden: a blow-fly and a winged mythical beast.
Entertaining us, was this school band featuring kids from one of Armidale's expensive private schools (The Armidale School). Long a boys only school it has just started taking girls, so I was surprised to see this outfit dominated by the girls and noted that the singer had a fine voice.
Next I passed an astrologer ... but passed on quickly for obvious reasons.
And so to my favourite stall. I have a sizeable collection of cacti and and added one more today - a Parodia Scopa. Don't know what that is? Well see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parodia_scopa. If I keep on buying cacti we'll have to move to a larger residence.
I think that these picture illustrate my point. The monthly markets are fascinating - lively, colourful, friendly, often innovative or imaginative and so on. If you visit us, try to make it near the end of a month.
AS
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