17 August 2008

To Market, To Market...

Jane, me and Lisle, another friend, went off to the markets at Mt Gravatt this morning...a 5.15 am pick up by Lisle from our place to arrive at the markets by about 5.45. We were bundled up in thick jackets, scarves and gloves but oooh, the wind was cold and I was wishing I had a hat.

Anyway, we parked, grabbed our little wheelie shopping trundlers and poked around, bargained and commented on all sorts of treasures the stallholders had laid out for our inspection. You can buy anything at the markets from bric-a-brac to crystal, brand new leather handbags, Turkish bread, fresh fruit and veges. There is also a food area where we can buy a coffee and something to eat for sustance before making our way round the stalls a second time...just to make sure we hadn't missed anything. We met up with another friend, Donna and her friend, Jill, and we all had "breakfast" together. It's a very social exercise, this marketing business.

I didn't spend much but received good value for what I bought.

These lovely fresh strawberries $2.50/500 g. Jane and Lisle each bought a large box of jam strawberries for $5. Guess what they're doing this afternoon...

Fresh dates...I tried before I bought and they are so sweet and tasty - $3 for 200 g.

Six champagne flutes...not crystal just fine glass but only $3 for six. Hey, it's better than drinking pink bubbles out of wine glasses.


Lemon butter...oh, joy. Just sooo yummy on hot crumpets - $2.


A beanie which I will wear next time to keep my ears warm - $3.


Now this was a good buy. A leather bag that hangs diagonally across one's body, for $5. This is going to be so great to take to New Zealand...hands free shopping. I love it.

It has a purse on the front for credit cards, driver's licence, etc plus a separate zipped compartment for notes.

A pocket on the back for mobile phone or sunglasses.

Then the middle with a zipped compartment for coins and the larger centre for tissues, specs, whatever.
So I don't think I did too badly. Lisle and Jane, having families, bought heaps of fresh fruit and veges. I saw blood oranges for the first time in about 35 years. They have deep crimson flesh and so sweet and juicy. I raved about them to the others and after trying a slice, they both bought a big bag each. Then Lisle made a comment about Dexter liking to squeeze blood oranges. Who was Dexter? I wondered. Apparently it's a TV murder show and Dexter, a pathologist, is a serial killer who kills serial killers...go figure. Anyway, he has this obsession with blood and likes squeezing blood oranges...It sounds warped enough to intrigue me and I think it's on tonight, so I'll see what it's like.
Next week, Lisle and her sister are having a stall at the markets and it looks like another early morning wake up call for Jane and me...

8 comments:

Merle said...

Hi Robyn ~~ Sounds like you had a great time at the market and got some bargains, the bag in particular is great. My Dad used to live at Mt. Gravatt, and is buried there with my
stepmother in the Rose Garden.
Thanks for comments, glad you liked the jokes. Minus 3 in Queensland???
What happened to "Beautiful one day
Perfect the next?" Maybe Freezing?
Take care, my friend, Love, Merle.

Jeanette said...

Hi Robyn..
OOOOHHHHH thats an early start to the markets.. but as the saying goes the early bird catches the worm.
your Strawberries look so yummy will be nice with icream and a dob of fresh cream Yummmy..
and im sure that purse will get a lot of use even after your trip..

Gattina said...

The leather bag and the champaign glasses were really a good deal ! You were an early bird this morning ! I too, I went to the Grand'Place in Brussels because they put up the flower carpet and I thought at 7 am no tourists would be there and I could easily take pictures. But there were already Japonese !!! with their camera at 7 in the morning !!

Ramblins of a middle-aged goddess said...

Sorry I have not been to your blog much but that will change now that we are back home after our long adventure.
I have never heard of blood oranges..Hm!! Funny sounding name to me.
How is your kittens doing?

Sandy
Oh your purse was a GREAT BUY!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Robyn,
I'm glad you had a lovely Sunday.
We spent most of the day recovering from seeing the Lions at the Gabba on Saturday night. I really should'nt have gone but I am getting better now. I think I have finally broken the 'healthy' drought.
I like your bag.. very good idea for travelling. All your bits and pieces will be well organised.
I love going to our local markets at Caboolture... you should pop up one weekend with your mates and I'll show you around.
xox Nicole

Merle said...

Dear Robyn ~~ Glad you liked the Cherokee story as I liked it too.
I am lucky to have so many friends, neighbors and family who visit or
phone. Looking forward to having Jeanette, her sister Pauline and friend Gwen here on Wednesday for
a meal etc. Hope you recovered after your early morning venture.
Take care, Love, Merle.

Liz Hinds said...

THose were bargains! I need a bag like that. I can't be doing with handbags you have to hold in your hand!

Karen said...

I absolutely LOVE markets but unfortunately it clashes with my distaste for climbing out of bed early, especially when it's cold. Brrrr....maybe when I'm retired.

You did so well with your bargains and those strawberries look so tantalising. You just can't beat fresh fruit and veg.