By Derek Schlennstedt
It’s very easy to hibernate in winter when all the outdoor events that got you out and about for the past few months are off the calendar … and the sofa is extra comfy. Don’t succumb. Nobody wants to spend months with a grumpy hermit – with a Vitamin D deficiency.
Spring, it’s scientifically proven that spring is the most charming season, with lovely weather, beautiful blooming flowers and leaves, and delightful doses of warm Vitamin D, it really is the season to come out of the house and begin exploring.
And as you make your first steps out of the house which you have hibernated in over winter, markets are the first on the list to explore … and there is no shortage of interesting and diverse country markets around the hills and valleys
It’s not all about the spend … although a little retail therapy can also do amazing things to lift the spirits.
It’s about getting out, discovering new places, unearthing new (or old) treasures, catching up with amazing artisans and craftspeople, finding that book you’ve always wanted to read (The Old Man and the Sea?), gathering fresh produce for a hearty soup, or just browsing, and who doesn’t love browsing?
Throughout the region there is an abundance of markets to suit every niche from farmers’ markets selling gourmet produce, to community markets where everything from knitted baby clothes and baked biscuits to fresh seedlings for the garden, bric-a-brac, and second-hand books help raise funds for local groups.
Commercial-type markets are also great value and very often have a greater array of stalls, including clothing and shoes to homewares. Farmers’ Markets too are becoming increasingly popular as awareness of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle grows.
Spring is also the perfect time for get the most delicious produce and fruit and veg and for very reasonable prices – the growers of course are always up for a chat and suggestions on how to cook their hand-raised produce.
At some markets, buyers can get fresh, unprocessed meats, free of chemicals and preservatives. Local farmers and growers also stand to earn top dollar for their produce without on-selling them through supermarkets. If you have the luxury of a greenhouse, now is the perfect time to snap up seedlings and grow them on for a fabulous spring display.
