Barnstaple Pannier Market.

I didn't get to the Forest Schools course after all. I started the day with symptoms of cystitis. I've never had it before but a quick phone call to NHS Direct confirmed my self diagnosis and I was advised to get some medicine from the chemist's and to drink LOTS. I couldn't really see myself running around doing outdoor activities , rather running to the bathroom a lot, so I pulled out of the course. I was disappointed as I've done a lot of outdoor activities with youngsters at scout camp and at a city farm and it would have been interesting to see the kind of activities we are allowed to do now. Also it would have been excellent to spend the day with my colleagues. Never mind, that's the way things go.

At home summer is truly on its way. The wisteria is making its yearly attempt to flower but the snails are already lining up to munch their way through the flowers.

Today I saw the first of the climbing roses over the porch. Such a cliche but I had to have roses scrambling up the walls alongside the honeysuckle and the wisteria.

The purple drumstick alliums are making a grand appearance.

And a very tattered butterfly was soaking up the sun in the scree garden.

I had to go into town to collect some medicine from the chemists so I popped into the Pannier Market. Friday is the traditional market day, until some years ago we had a cattle market on Fridays as well. Many local businesses sell their wares here .......

.... from market gardeners to


Jacob sheep breeders.

This lady was busy knitting at her stall selling sheep's cheese, wool and woolly jumpers.

This stall specialises in organic vegetables, herbs and unusual varieties of plants.

There are also a number of farmer's stalls. If you look closely you can see that one of the duck's eggs on sale is bright blue. Occasionally there are goose eggs for sale.

This stall seemed to be specialising in dogs' toys.

I love the olive stall, it smells wonderful as you walk past. There are all kinds of olives to choose from and other delicacies such as sundried tomatoes and feta. Unlike the rest of my family I don't like the taste of olives but I love the smell.

The seconhand book stall has an overflow area around this traditional phone box.


If I wasn't planning to move I would have been very tempted to buy this wonderful iris on sale at one of the many plant stalls. I also managed to resist Roly's Fudge shop. The smell of the fudge cooling on a marble slab as you walk past that tiny shop simply makes your mouth water.