Every 3rd Sunday in the month, the Talbot Farmers Market is held in the little country Victoria town of Talbot.  We had been meaning to go for quite a while, and I felt well enough to drive, so we invited our friends and neighbours, Rick and Renata, who leapt at the chance to go on an adventure with us.  We drove there yesterday, via Ballarat to pick up our daughter Amy, and then headed up north to the town.  Here is the route we took (click on any picture to enlarge).

This post is a bit of a photo feast with description of all the exciting things we did and saw.  Ben was once again in charge of the camera.

The trip to Ballarat is a bit boring, and is just freeway driving, however once we got to Ballarat the fun started.

In Ballarat we didn’t get many pictures because we had been there many times before, but Ben captured King George V standing in his full regalia.  We then headed up the Midland Hwy to Creswick, then on to Clunes.

Some wonderful old buildings circa 1855 in Clunes.  This is the Clunes Post Office.

What looks to be a Free Library from the sign.  Also in Clunes.  I thought all libraries were free?

We travelled on to Talbot, and when we arrived we had to park about 1km away from Scandinavia Street where the market was held.  The walk made us hungry!

The first stall had two little pigs.  Kim declared to me that this was the closest she had ever been to little pigs and said that they were quite cute. 

At $125 each, I have a feeling that they did not sell.  I liked them too, and they were very friendly.

Next to the piglets were some pullets, mostly ISA browns, however we saw some Silky Bantams.  They were all roosters, and Mr man was trying to flog them for $20 each.  He was dreaming!

Then there were some geese.  Lovely big birds that were a bit angry at being in that small cage.

Moving along, we got to an olive stall that was selling cured olives and vinegars,

A large range of olive oils, which all tasted delicious, and

some raw olives.   Renata and I went halves in 2 kg for $7 (more about what I am doing with the olives in another post).

Kim bought a loaf of wholemeal sour dough bread from the Baker man.  We ate half of it when we got home.  Great flavour.

At the Dressing stall I tried some balsamic, chilli and honey dressing on a bit of bread.  It was tasty, and Kim made some when we got home.  It was just as good as the one I tasted at the market.

The cheese man was selling about 3 types of Brie and Camembert, and 4 varieties of blue vein cheese.  All were very nice, especially the ash coated Brie.  It spurred me on to make some Camembert in the next few weeks.  We bought some of the ash coated, as well as a Biodynamic Camembert.  Quite cheap at $4 each.

Officer Plod was selling oil seeds and oils, mainly flax and safflower I think.

Rick and I tried some beer.  A pale ale and a pilsner.  Rick and I both agreed that it was nice, however we make a far superior product ourselves.

We passed the venison man, but the prices were a little deer!  I didn’t buy any, because we had a long trip home and I thought it might go off.

We sampled some pudding from Pud.  I actually remember seeing the lady who ran the stall on a travel show and said gidday to her.  The puddings were nice as well, but we can also make these so I didn’t get one.

Then onward to the garlic man.  He was selling all sorts of good stuff, however his bulbs were half the size of the ones that I grew.  I did sample his garlic salt, which was made of dried garlic bits and salt flakes.  It was very nice, so I bought a small packet for cooking.

Amy took over the camera duties about here, and took a snap of Ben, who is growing so quickly.

Then one of yours truly, and Ben’s ear!

Amy and Ben in a typical Facebook pose.

This puppy was so cute that Amy wanted to take it home.  I convinced her not to as she already has two jack russels at home.

This is the Talbot Town Hall.  There were even craft stalls inside.

Down the street a bit we saw some very old engines doing some things with chaff cutters.  Very cool.

Then on to the Scottish Hat Man.  He had a great range, even one like I was wearing.  Kim took a fancy tho this 1920s hat, but didn’t buy it.

An entire stall of bush furniture, which was wonderfully crafted.  I especially love the coffee chair with built in table.
 

I bought some salami at the Salami man.  A massive big knob for just $16.  Then it was time to go home.  We walked back to the car, and on the footpath was a quince tree laden with fruit.  They were selling for $5 for two back at the market, so Kim and I picked a few so we could stew them later on.  Nice scrumping honey!

 
The trip back to Ballarat was picturesque.  A nice country drive back through Clunes, straight to Ballarat.

And the final picture proves that even in a small country town like that there is room for a few solar panels on your roof.  Nice work.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable day.  Looking forward to the next farmers market.  Kim is tracking down a few more markets so we can visit them whilst I am on long service leave!  Only 4 days work to go, then it is 9 weeks off!  Hazar!