Back from my hols and plots gone to pot!

[Suzanne]

I have had a lovely couple of weeks away in France, as well as the usual sites managed to persuade OH to visit a couple of nurseries and picked up a good supply of beans and toms seeds (Joy).

French markets are getting even better - we bought our veg from the local markets and found that they were growing lots of unusual varieties. For example I only used to be able to get marmande and a generic plum tomato from the markets a couple of years back. Now they have local producers who were selling Ananas (yellow beefsteak variety), black krim, ceour di beouf, black cherry, yellow pear, red pear, red zebra,green sausage and a couple of other varieties - all named and all at the same price so you could pick and mix. Same with the beans and summer squash. I do hope this catches on at local farmers markets here!

Piccy of the market at Issigeac - but this doesn't really do it justice.

But as per usual have got back from hols to find weeds which appeared to be subdued and under control decided to have a party whilst I was away - looks a real mess.

The plus side I now have a good excuse to be down the plots as often as poss to tidy up!

[Suzanne]

[northener]

That sounds brilliant like you say be nice if same happened here. I always find them too expensive how do their prices compare? Glad you had a nice break now back to it. Ours has gone to pot and we have'nt been away.

[lorna]

Nice to hear you had a great holiday. Wish I could grow carrots like the ones on that market stall :). Don't work too hard getting the lottie tidy.

[Suzanne]

The price for a kilo of mixed toms was 1 euro 30 cents (about £1 or thereabouts) - so dead cheap when you compare to supermarket prices. The carrots were brilliant - and really sweet.

Tidying the lottie is going to be pure enjoyment rather than hard work.

[asbean]

Don't see many markets like that in this country  :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(

[thifasmom]

wow so bright and colourful, made my mouth water :P :D.

[katynewbie]

 ;D

Great pic! I was in Issigeac a couple of years ago and remember the market. I love how they display things too, everything neat except the frisee lettuce all in a heap!

;)

[kt.]

The stuff certainly looks fresher than some I have seen here. I notice they even leave the carrot leafs on.  Now that is a good sign of veg freshness.

[twinkletoes]

I got back from France on Monday  :(   I love the markets - the food is not regimental in size or shape but is glorious.  I bought some plugs of the frisee lettuces when I was over there in June and they came up great.  I also got some tiny beetroots to transplant and they too were successful. Not like our Boltardy or other stuff with the round smooth roots - they were quite squat and rustic but very tasty. Now my ignorant moment - where is Issigeac?  I was in Normandy in June and Brittany recently. Haven't had the nerve to go to the lottie yet - saving the shock for the weekend!
twinkletoes