Tynemouth Market - Treasure for All

I thought when going to Tynemouth Market that I was off to an arts & crafts market. That is the Sunday version. Turning up on a Saturday one encounters the flea-market format.

There were wonderful aromas from food stalls. The Caribbean one with its beaming hostess was oh so inviting. Other highlights for me included an organic bakery stall, where I was impressed to meet a loaf of beetroot bread, a lush pink sourdough, for the first time in my life.

For the long-standing collection of my 'mater-in-law' (my ex' Mater), I sourced a couple of pieces of the long defunct green Jasperware by Wedgwood from a ceramic stall by the café. So I was a happy chap.

[Image description: wooden cherry bowl on cherry flooring]

From a crafty craft stall by the restaurant my friend bought for and gifted to me an artisan turned cherrywood bowl, from a tree that lived and perished in Tynemouth itself, even coming with a label recounting its provenance.

My chum's little lad found some second-hand Lego - so he was happy too.

Only Mum came away with nothing but memories.

Next time I am up in the North-East, I shall look forward to the Sabbath event and purchasing something for my walls at home.

Access Issues

You need to arrive early to park close by - there is no designated disabled parking that we could see. Wheelchairs would be diffiult to manœuvre through some of the stalls. The mobility-impaired cannot cross the train-lines to the other side. There is no seating for resting, other than some of the eateries.

[Image description: wooden cherry bowl on cherry flooring, birds'-eye view]

Brunch: Potted Crab on Sourdough Rye

Regular readers will by now have realised (see my various reviews if not!) that I am a bit of a foodie - not quite a gourmand as my palate is not sufficiently refined. I have previously blogged about eateries I have - on the whole - enjoyed. However I have never actually posted on specific food products. I am about to do so. In so doing, I must point out that I have not and do not anticipate any kind of reward or remuneration for any positive comments.

The reason I have been inspired to write is due to having just enjoyed the best brunch since last Christmas Day.

One may be wondering why I am consuming brunch mid-afternoon (14.30 - 15.00). Well, it is down to my various health conditions and medications. I rarely have physical hunger pangs. Hunger for me is solely a mental & emotional experience. Additionally, I have to be able to descend the stairs, which on many days is not at all, so must await my carer coming in the evening to prepare me a meal.

Back to the brunch: as far as I am concerned the following is a perfect pairing. I brunched on two slices of "Light Sourdough Rye Bread", baked by the Gloucestershire Authentic Bread Company, liberally spread with Seafood & Eat It's "Cornish Potted Crab". Whilst full rye bread is perfect with smoked salmon (already on order for Christmas!), this lightly rye'd sourdough's more delicate flavour allowed the full piquancy of the spiced but nevertheless creamy-textured crabmeat to tantalise my taste-buds. The packaging for the crab recommends toast; however, the soft but firm bread meant one could indulge a satisfying tug before enjoying a good mastication.

[Image description: loaf & crab product; © Able & Cole and Seafood & Eat It respectively]

I accompanied my savour sensation with half-a-dozen heirloom tomatoes, two each of three varieties. Every last one was completely flavourless, barring a very slight acidic bitterness. The nomenclature heirloom does rather imply old-fashioned, the tommies of yore, full of sunny relish. Sadly, in this instance not so. Nonetheless they were, every last one, firm, juicy and attractive to the eye.

[Image description: assorted heirloom tomatoes; © Abel & Cole]

All three products were delivered this morning along with the rest of my weekly groceries by Able & Cole. For the past few months they have proved reliable and for the most part have delivered quality produce, with one or two minor exceptions. Even from a supermarket, one buys the odd dud product. So fair enough. I would heartily recommend giving them a go if they deliver to your place of residence.