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Even though it was cold and raining I’d do anything to avoid twenty 5 year olds running amok at a birthday party so I went AWOL and headed north to the Talbot market.
It’s actually a farmers market, but I don’t like using that term. I rarely see any true farmers, maybe a handful. The rest of the stall holders are selling gourmet products at ridiculously high prices to cash in on the farmers market craze. I’ll refrain from my Farmers market angst for another time. It’s not that I HATE farmers markets, I just wish we had more real farmers primary produce and not ‘artesian’ gourmet stuff. Savvy?
The Spa Country Venison guys had shoulder at a reasonable price so I picked some with a slow cook stew in mind. Deer shooting is an expensive exercise here, requiring time, money and knowledge. It’s on the to do list, but for now I’m happy to buy locally raised venison, it fit’s in with the support local economy principle. On the way home I pulled over in Clunes, one of my favourite hidden treasure towns of the west. The main street is a step back in time, so much so that they filmed part of the Ned Kelly movie with Heath Ledger in it. Anyway, true to form Clunes provided me with another magical moment when I spotted a 1930 Ford truck.
I was pretty excited to see this beauty lovingly restored, but on top of that it was still being used for it’s original purpose. In the tray was a tonne of recently chopped firewood. This put a real smile on my face, proving that if things are made to last and looked after they can be used and used. An 80 year old truck, still collecting firewood. STUNNING.
Anyway I cooked the stew with with a bunch of stewing vegetables, bacon, rosemary, bay leaves all brewed in a broth of Fino Sherry, Pinot Noir and Beef Stock. Two days on slow cook. The venison melted in the mouth.
What a wise idea to skip the party – I had a headache by the end of it! But the kids were super cute! You should have seen Helena’s face when she saw some of the creepy crawlies, she’s a sweet kid. I’ll post some photos at some stage this week.
It’s the noise Rach…..drives me postal.
I’d love to see some pics!!!
You hit two of my soft spots, Ro. Old trucks and venison. Beautiful art, as always.
same here Mike!!!
great post, i like the pickup. not fast and furious but tough and serious!
delicious two day stew…god, my mouth is watering and that truck is so gorgeous!
Jas it gave us a few meals……the last on toasted crunchy bread…..so divine! I love peasant food.
Just browsing your site, like what I’m reading and will read more, I like the attitude, one I try to adopt, raise it, kill it, cook it and eat it. http://rozinbrittany.blogspot.com/
It’s simple but provides a great deal more flavour and it’s good for the soul.
Great blog, normally I only read French blogs but this fits in in many ways to our attitude to life and living. http://rozinbrittany.blogspot.com/
You’re right about stalls at farmers markets selling gourmet ‘artesian’ products for an arm and a leg. Its like that at every farmers market I’ve been to here. I look but very seldom do I ever buy from them. Fancy paying $20 for gourmet soup! **mutter** Some of these same gourmet products are also sold in speciality supermarkets but when sold at these farmers markets, the price suddenly goes up! The cheek of them…But still, I like farmers market for the real fresh straight from the farmers to you kinda stuff.
I always head straight for the veg farmers, but even now that they have ‘organic’ pasted everywhere I have to pay extra. It really shits me.
I say a ciabata loaf for $8. It’s bloody flour and water!!!!!!