I went to the farmers market at Wyken Vineyard because I'd been re-reading this book below. I picked it up at one of the small book sales . I knew I'd read it before but a long time ago - probably when it was first out in 2001.
Carla Carlisle was born in Mississippi and married Sir Kenneth Carlisle a British farmer, Tory M.P and owner of Wyken Hall a 600 acre estate which had been in his family for four generations. She moved into rural Suffolk and set about planting a vineyard and establishing the restaurant.
The book is collected writings from her articles from Country Life Magazine where she wrote about her farming life and compared life here to life in the USA.
I knew there was a vineyard, restaurant and one of the only weekly farmers markets at the Hall but despite it only being about 12 miles away across country I had never been.
I didn't realise that they also had a Country Store and that the gardens were sometimes open too
There were already a lot of cars on the car park there when I arrived but I was surprised to find not really many stalls selling. Just 1 cheese stall, a couple of meat stalls, bread and a vegetable stall both with very long queues.
There were also jams and chutneys. People selling gin and beer and fruit juices. And everything was, as usual, VERY expensive.
I had a wander round and bought a cheese to try, a pack of 2 pork and apple burgers and 2 Lamb and mint burgers. I looked at the restaurant but didn't stop for a coffee there as I'd spent a fortune already!
But one of the most interesting bits was the Country Store where I discovered they had the Little Toller Country Classic Books on the shelves as well as many other country books including a second book of Carla Carlisle's magazine pieces and a book written about the history of Wyken Hall by Sir Kenneth.
I may well go back nearer to Christmas as they also had lots of eco-friendly household products.
Back Tomorrow
Sue
Sounds like a fascinating place, especially since you knew the history of its creation. Well worth another visit, I would say!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure I will go again - if just for the book shop!
DeleteWhat a great place...and I spy, with my little eye, in that little book shop a book that your just wrote about last week! 'Wanderers in the New Forest'! The three children jumped out at me right away. I knew that I'd seen the book on someone's blog...turns out it was your own!
ReplyDeleteYes I bought my copy from Amazon I'm afraid - cheaper than the proper price - I'm Very Bad!
DeleteI hate to say it. You're very sensible. Do you have access to betterworldbooks.com? You can get cheap books second hand there. It allows me to nurture my inner frugality without feeling guilty.
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DeleteLooks like Carla has really made a business of the estate there. Will you return to view the gardens one day?
ReplyDeleteShe has changed the whole farm around since her arrival - yes I'm sure I will go back
DeleteThat looks like a good collection of books there. Lovely. The Hall sounds as if it is worth a visit too, especially being fairly close.
ReplyDeleteI love a farmers' market but I agree, everything is terribly expensive. Nice for gifts.
xx
Good to try some "proper" burgers as I'm avoiding the veggie ones but at £5 for 2 it's just silly!
DeleteWe have a few of the Little Toller books, they are really good. Carla Carlisle still writes an occasional column which I've always enjoyed. Sounds like it will be worth a return visit.
ReplyDeleteI'm always looking on the Little Toller website to see what they have new, although I'm disappointed they don't keep their books in print for very long
DeleteI always find Farmers' Markets beyond my purse too. The one in Carmarthen was short-lived I think, probably for this reason. I hope that the burgers WERE extra-special, for a treat. I know you pay for quality but I think they make a very good profit.
ReplyDeleteOh those books - all up my street, and several I have already - or read in the past (Ring of Bright Water). I was given a couple of H E Bates for my birthday - In the Heart of the Country and The Happy Countryman.
I bet you will go back and have a lovely afternoon wandering around that garden - it looks beautifully set out.
They are mostly once a month around here except this one but always expensive. Think I prefer going to the Co-op for their Locally Produced shelves
DeleteThat looks like a place I would like to visit if I ever get to your part of the country. It does look very attractive.
ReplyDeleteI like the look of the garden but the bookshop was a treat!
DeleteLovely books...I could’ve spent all day browsing! There are certainly quite a few on my wish list!
ReplyDeleteIt was good to visit somewhere different - especially the book shop
DeleteIt looks an interesting place. I like the Country Store and would be seduced by many of the books on offer.
ReplyDeleteThey had some nice homeware and giftware too - I'll visit again
DeleteNow that's a place I'd like to wander around. You find the most interesting expeditions. Yes, expensive, sigh.
ReplyDeleteI suppose it's the proper price for what they produce but seems very expensive
DeleteHope your food will be tasty. This is the kind of place I love to visit and would most certainly have bought cheese. Catriona
ReplyDeleteI shall write about the cheese - it was disappointing
DeleteWyken is a beautiful enterprising business. Something for everyone. I could easily spend a day there touring gardens, shopping and eating at the restaurant.
ReplyDeleteI will go back for the bookshop and gardens
DeleteLooks nice and I love the illustrations, but yes, anything with the label farmers market seems to be pricey doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteThe books look great, lovely for a browse.
Alison in Wales x
The book shop was the best find of the morning!
DeleteI used to buy a delicious brand of vegetarian sausages called Wyken Fen, from that area. I wonder what became of them?
ReplyDeleteI googled and found a Wicken Fen sausages from Northumberland - different place - but several years ago.
DeleteHow lovely that you were able to visit! Sounds like an interesting story. I imagine it's a really big change from Mississippi to Suffolk lol
ReplyDeleteAccording to the farmers that are interviewed on TV we should all be paying much more for food but this will never happen while we have the choice to pay supermarket prices.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a wonderful place, and worth going back to for the book shop alone. I think we are so used to cheap supermarket prices now that quality handmade foods and household items seem really expensive don't they.
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