Saturday, 04 April: To Market

Up early to set up for the ever-so-quaint Ballina Farmer's Market. There are about 10 producers supplying the market, and plenty of diversity of selection: produce, meat (terrestrial and oceanic), cheeses, baked goods...
Not busy enough, however, for me to be much help, so I went exploring town on my own. Got into the couple thrift stores (charity shops) and appreciated all the fashionable clothing (no, really!). Picked up a couple books (the Irish make fine authors) and a funny Irish trivia game called 'Gaelic Conquest'. I want to send it to my brother, but I don't know if he would appreciate it or find it frustrating, because who really does want to know all that much about Irish history?
Spent time nursing a sad little 'mocha' at a nice cafe where they were playing some classic rock/pop that made me want to dance. (It was just a weak mocha... I don't think they do a whole lot of coffee here, probably should have asked for tea. Also, soymilk is not a standard alternative; there is typically no alternative - whole or 2%).
Spent a while in the fine, sunny afternoon talking with other producers at the market, which was interesting. Weeds in the afternoon and a tepid bath (I had no left the 'immersion' - water heater - on long enough. Details, my friends. It is the details of daily life we take for granted. Partly it is the different country, and partly it is just being in the countryside... but these are interesting little things that really influence how people think and approach the world which we never really consider. Fascinating, all of it!)
Spent lots of time talking with Beryl about food, farming, science, culture - all the usual topics.
The puppy from up the road came around wanting to play and ran off with my shoe, but brought it back and was glad to join me for a walk. He's an eager one - a hunting dog of some lovely breed.