'supporting each other through really tough times'

Popperwell

fuddle wrote: »

Also pops, you mentioned before you had been a market near me. Where is it and is it any good and is the centre finished yet? The nerves get the better of me walking round tere with all the buses darting here there and everywhere.

Fuddle, I can tell you where virtually every market and food festival/farmers market is across the Durham, Teeside, Yorkshire, Cumbria and Northumberland area.

For fruit and veg the stockton market is the best I have seen in years as cheap or cheaper than most supermarkets and that includes Aldi's and Lidl. There are at least 4 greengrocers and some good discount stalls for cakes, biscuits, sweets etc...

It is held on Saturdays but also(I don't know how big it is midweek)on Wednesdays. A smaller market also takes place on Fridays.

In Wellington Square which is near M&S and Debenhams on the last friday of each month there is a small Farmers Market. And next to that market is a Lidl and you won't have a lot of walking to do...

I am afraid there is still a lot of work still going on, having not been in Stockton for almost 30 years I was amazed what was happening and I cannot really see how it has been improved with what they are doing. If you are a bit nervous, a local bus might be a good idea and take your shopping trolley...

I get the impression that you are reasonably close so hopefully its not too expensive and not a long ride(a return ticket might be a good idea)

If using local buses or your car both markets are near the best shops too(M&S, Debenhams and discount shops)

The main market runs roughly from the town clock down to Maxwells corner. It takes me approx 75mins by bus each way. And that includes a change over in Darlington.

I am already quite friendly with a couple of people on the Farmer's Markets and am really behind the movement even though it is not always easy for me to get to them.

I am thinking of launching a second blog that promotes and talks about them with links to those who sell online. Where they appear, what they sell etc...I feel this could be the way forward as prices increase and hopefully if they can increase in popularity there will be a market near to all of us and the food will come to us and we'll get quality and have more control over what we buy.

boultdj

Wash liquid rubbed neat on to the stain and washed straight away Fuddle.hth.

fuddle

Thanks boult

Pops wow, thank you for that. Wellington square must be the new bit that I know about, so I know how to get there I will walk it with my trolley on Weds as we have no bus service any more.

I never saw the town of old but also not sure what it is they are doing to improve it either. Sedgefield used to have a farmers market once a month. Not sure now or how good it was but might be worth a look. Also the butchers on the 6 miler I used to do, B0wlems in S'field . Well worth a look, or rather it was 6 months ago. Prices might have also been effected now

[Deleted User]

Hi JENNY have just called He Who Knows in to the study to read your post, not a nice thing to do to a man who is eating cheese and oatcakes, anyway he has stopped choking now!!! Really pleased your ROOBARB is thriving and giving you nice things to eat, we've just started harvesting ours and are having poached rhubarb and yoghurt for brekkie nearly every day, Mmmmmmmmm!!! Cheers Docky, Lyn and He Who Knows xxx.

Popperwell

Now Fuddle, do remember the FM is the last Saturday of the month. Wellington Square was the part I did not know. There is(if money allows)some meat stalls, fancy bread and cakes, a stall that has lots of items that contain ginger...and seafood. I assume the ordinary Wednesday market is the same as the Saturday one...but it could have less stalls, that is in the main street and can't be missed.

What I missed was somewhere to sit down and I really was shattered by the time I caught the bus home, that was because walking is difficult for me. I'll be quicker next time...may even have cup of tea in a cafe...BTW the Dovecot theatre is quite near by and I think there is a carpark in the area but I think the bus in the best idea.

Never been to Bowlems, always wanted to but thought it may difficult to get to but today I was told I can reach it by bus(have to change services)but I'm used to that...

I have to change if I go to Stockton, Saltburn, Newcastle, Barnard Castle and there is a big trip on May 11th to Tynemouth(all being well)which may see me using the Metro for the first time...if the weather is kind I may get my first look at the Northumberland coast.

If I could find a cheap and cheerful B&B somewhere I would happily spend a few days away and stay there, use it as starting point to go even further North but the time it takes to travel on a bus from here that's about my limit. Might be able to get to Hexham/Alnwick at a push.

So I miss a lot. Its the same going into Yorkshire. But many places are fully booked or they know that they can charge £50-£100 per night!

mcculloch29

Pops, I'm sure I'd mentioned you can do Bolam's on the 21, and no need to change buses, just pick up the 21 from outside T*scos or opposite St Clare's, whichever suits you better. DS went about six weeks ago and came back laden with steaks so it was certainly fine then. They have a cafe there and the bus stops are right outside on both sides of the road, so you will be able to have a sit down and rest before getting the bus back.

Popperwell

Fantastic mcculloch29,
Now I know what I must do...get through what I already have;) If it was cheap to run I could do with another freezer...

Earlier on I mentioned a weighing machine and being six pounds over my ideal weight...I've switched to pounds and I have more to lose...:(I am 9st 8lbs if I lose 8lbs I am on the border line. So I could do with losing 1st 1bs. But I'm quite happy.

My weight could be water retention but according to the scales I am in the right range for body fat/water ratio readings.

mcculloch29

Pops, if only I'd known, one of the items that went to the BHF the other week from here was a body fat monitor and scales.
When I had mine done in B**ts some years ago (pre scales) I was told that my fluid retention on legs was giving a false reading. Just as well as it wasn't a good one! That's part of the reason the scales got rehomed, they weren't so accurate for me.

Popperwell

That probably explains a lot, I always said i would not buy any that were more than a weighing machine, then I gave in...at least it weighs ok...it may still give me a rough idea...and would show an increase...I think my body fat is said to be 21-25% and water 51-53%.

I'm staying up tonight and having a massive tidy round and hoovering in the morning, having a visit from the HA in the afternoon.

Could do without that...still tomorrow night to look forward to:Dearly start too...

nuttyp

Good morning everyone, What a lovely sunny day we have here. I Have managed to get together enough bits for a load in the washer. Just catching up on watching the hoarder next door from last night. Feel better that my house isn't that bad.

Just caught up on some lovely news on here, pops its good to here your getting out and about more. Fuddle glad you managed to talk to the owner, hopefully they will improve things. Mrs LW your gardening skills are very helpful, will be asking for advise in the next few weeks.. What grows in shady damp areas???

Well im off to sort a few boxes for the carboot tomorrow, me and DD are taking a few bits n bobs. Somethings are harder to part with than others......

take care x