John and I planned this Easter Day visit for a while, as soon as we head that Dumfries Farmers’ Market is moving to its new location in the Victorian Pavilion at the railway station. As we live in Kingholm Quay, the previous site was quite a way off our usual shopping route. Now we are determined to taste what the local food and drink producers have on offer!
The Victorian Pavilion looked nicely bright and spacious, with an easy access for wheel chars and dogs. Yes, there were quite a few of our four-legged friends attending the market too!
As we came in John zoomed on on Glenn Urr Ice Creams stall, particularly because the festive cream egg flavour variety was advertised. Then we moved to the Little bakery’s display of fresh pies where we picked a few Scotch ones (with the owner’s advice how to heat them later in the oven at home – very helpful!).
Penny Nowell greeted us from behind the battery of Steilhead Cider bottles. We had a mini cider tasting session where she shared details how her naturally-fermented artisan ciders were made. We also brought home two easy recipes for pan-fried gammon and gnocchi that used reduced Steilhead ciders in their cream sauces.
I was pleased to find smoked garlic at Solway Smokehouse display – I always buy it whenever I can find it locally. I love the smell! Then we watched a funny scene with a couple trying a feathers-in-a-bullet buttonhole from Bespoke Feathers and encountered Dumfries and Galloway SNP councillor Tracy Little shopping with her family.
There were a few artisan and crafts stalls around as well, not just food and drink. I liked Wikid Wood clocks and puzzles, delightfully rustic furniture from Glendivan Woodwork and delicate glass pieces by KGR Glass.
We had a fantastic sun- and fun-filled Ester day afternoon and, with all these warm memories, will be back for more.
