Yandina Markets and the last known photo of the Occupy Veggie Mama bump

So once upon a time I was reading the very first edition of Regional Foodie magazine (which featured yours truly, so it was doubly exciting) and I saw David Rayner, chef at Thomas Corner in Noosa, say the Yandina Markets were wonderful on a Saturday morning.

He's a chef, so you'd expect he knows what he's talking about.

I went a few weeks ago and was so excited at the mix of produce, trash and treasure and individual little stands selling their home-made wares. This time I went I armed myself with my camera, because it truly is a lovely way to spend some time in a lovely area.

I like living close to cooooooows! Moo.

You start getting in to this kind of landscape literally 10 minutes' drive from my house.

And I live 10 minutes' walk from the beach.

I think I live in paradise.

 I also love how out this way, stuff still looks like it did way back when. 

I don't like it when they chuck a big ugly billboard up, but at least this one isn't inquiring as to my desire for longer-lasting SEX.

There's lots of old railway stuff around here and I could go mad photographing it all.

Little miss was very keen to get in on the action. The football club next to the market had a huge inflatable slip 'n slide for all the kids to run around on, so that may have been what was attracting her attention...

What was attracting mine was old suitcases chock-full of old books. There seems to be some kind of magnetised mechanism in them that draws me over no matter where we are or what I'm doing.

 I have my favourite stalls for bananas and strawberries, and this guy is my favourite for pretty much everything else. He even had blueberries at a price I could afford!

In fact, everything here was shockingly cheap and vibrant and delicious.

I don't know about you, but this is just so much nicer than buying fruit and veg under flourescent lights and served at a checkout by a bored teen.

Don't get me wrong, I like bored teens. I find them amusing. I was a teacher aide in high schools for three years, and they kept me on my toes. But fresh produce is pretty much begging to be bought out in the sunlight and fresh air and with a feeling of community.

 I could do so much with this. But I'm a good girl and I didn't. 

Probably shouldn't have gone home without that drinks tray, though.

Had I not lost Veggie Dad and Veggie Kid in increasing heat, I would have stopped and checked this stall out a bit more. I did look at the dresser, but couldn't find a price, so kept hurrying to find my fam.

Come to think of it, I really like that picture of Mary too, even though I'm a Scarlet A atheist. I think it's pretty and it reminds me of my nan.

Oh and that milk urn.

And kerosene lamp.

Stop. It.

I want to grow lavender, but don't know if I can. Someone told me it's too hot here. Is this true?

Anyway, I like how cute these are in their little square homes.

So much junk that demanded someone go through it for gems.

 I would have, only I looked like this:

And couldn't bend over for the life of me.

Pepper was born the very next day :)

Oh and here's where I get my fruit and veg from if I miss the markets. It's 10 minutes from home and open every day until 6pm. My very own on-demand farmers markets.

It's so close to the beach you can see the high rises along the coastline from here.

pah-rah-dise.

and because I'm a grub I can't stand putting the food away without a little snack. So I had fresh avocado and olive tapenade on wholemeal handmade bread and the most delicious tomatoes ever grown.

I'd like to see where you shop - have you got a market post? Hook me up!

xx