A Market with a Difference

"I would like to buy everything on display, pack it in containers and ship it back home to Dublin to sell because there is nothing like this at home" said an Irish friend of ours when visiting the Bryanston Organic Market.  And it continues to be one of the "must visit" destinations for our overseas visitors.
Situated in the grounds of the Michael Mount Waldorf School, the open air market was started over 30 years ago as a fund raising venture (which it still is).  A high proportion of the school parents have Continental roots and this is reflected in the amazing variety of high quality handcrafted goods. Food produce is natural (the "Organic" in the title) and covers the gamut from vegetables to cheeses, breads, honey and coffee beans. Need an unusual and unique gift: the range of crafts are too numerous to mention but include leatherwork, pottery, jewellery, curios, clothing, photography and many more.
And when your feet are sore and your stomach empty, there are a variety of eateries to chose from offering coffee, pastries, light meals and pizza's. Live music can be enjoyed while sitting under the trees at the Photosynthesis Tea Garden. The Not To Be Missed Moonlight Markets complete with Christmas Carols are held each Tuesday evening starting in late November through December.  In 2013, the Moonlight Market starts on Tuesday 12th November and continue each Tuesday until Christmas. 


The Market is open from 9.00am until 3.00pm each Thursday and Saturday while the Moonlight Markets start at approximately 5.00pm and continue until about 10.00pm (check the website).

http://www.bryanstonorganicmarket.co.za/

Anyone for Indigenous?

After several days of cool, rainy weather, Easter Saturday dawned with bright sunshine and crisp blue skies, just the invitation to head out of town to Muldersdrift and The Random Harvest Indigenous nursery. Our outing started with a general pottering around and checking out the plants, shrubs and trees (the nursery had mounted a wonderful display of succulents and cacti), a strenuous appetite building exercise that was satisfied with an above average breakfast. This was served underneath the acacias and included farm butter and milk, homemade bread and jams to supplement the staple eggs and bacon.  Delicious.
After some advice on ridding our lawn of the ever encroaching weeds and the purchase of some bulbs and succulents, we were done.
It is without doubt our favorite nursery.  Why?  It is in the country, it sells a staggering array of indigenous trees and plants, a very high quality standard is it maintained, displays are interesting and change frequently, expert advice is freely available, staff are pleasant and helpful and and and.  Oh and there is a play area for the younger members of the family and it is also possible to wander around to see the farm animals.  Bottom line, it is so much more than a nursery but is an experience and an outing.
Do you feel like a break for a night or two in the country?  Random Harvest have a couple of wonderful cottages to rent complete with DSTV and all the other little touches you would expect from a quality operation.  A chatty online newsletter is also available free of charge.  

http://www.randomharvestnursery.co.za/