The French farmers market arrived in the town centre on Thursday, and we finally got around to going today,and stupidly walked the two miles there and back, absolutely laden down with goodies for lunch.
The strongest Blu D`Avergne, I have ever had, a very delicate Chaumes, and a whole smoked duck salami, we have a venison one for later. The bread was fantastic, and was being baked fresh in a caravan in the road, just like we had on our hols in France.
But the gutsiest delicacy, has to be the 500grams of marinated raw garlic that we bought, the pungency is taken away by the marination, but it is starting to repeat a bit. The same stall was also selling Carmague rice stuffed vine leaves, and they are perfect and minty, all finished off with a selection of biscuits from the little cake making lady.
But sadly, here`s the funny thing about a continentel market arriving in a small retirement town in England....Each stall was about twenty five feet long, and filled with goodies, and in the true English tradition, there was a line of people waiting in turn to have a look, and maybe even BUY something(shock horror!) We just bundled in like we did in France, bought food and left.
And a classic quote from a little old lady waiting in line, referring to the slightly larger elderly lady behind her, "I`m eighty years old today love, but I`ve got more upstairs than you!"
It`s all going to kick off,I tell yer!

A French guy turns up at the Sunday market not far from our place every Sunday. It's an experience, and you have to let yourself be tempted. The man has extraordinary knowledge about the cheeses and meats he sells. I also end up walking back loaded with goodies for Sunday lunch.

Having said that, most people in France just pop down to the Carrefour or "superette" for their shopping. There was also a sort of reverse chic to buying tea and biscuits chez Marks & Spencers. But they closed the Continental shops a while back.

As it happens I had a French couple visit me this weekend; they come over regularly and love Britian.

I gave them M&S Tiramisu cake for tea and they thought it was delicious.

So there you go; French people adored a British version of Italian food. We're now officially generic.

It has to be said though, although our English cheeses have their place, the French are far superiour at making them, I just met the lady that took the chance on booking our local one, she is very pleased and will be doing it again.
You have to hand it further to the French in food shopping though, food is given so much respect over there, however I did dispair when I saw the line of cars whilst travelling through Normandy going to get a burger underneath the big golden arch.
re M&S; I am still amazed they have a couple of motorway service stations over here now, they cost a fortune.
And re Tiramisu, I only recently tried it, when a waiter insisted that I did, because he had made it, and knew I was reviewing him. It is wonderful and light , which I did not expect, but I still had the cheese after I`m afraid!
I am very grateful for my high metabolism indeed.
I have a great meeting today at lunch with a chef at his restuarant, I feel a bloatedness coming on!