Everytime we go anywhere, we always miss a good market by a day or two, probably because we aren't keen on busy weekends in popular places! However, as we were leaving beautiful Bright, I saw the sign for the market, so Jamie screeched round the corner, found us a park, and off we went around this lovely artisan/makers and growers affair.

Bright is a gorgeous town known for its Autumn colour and stunning street trees, as well as good local produce and mountain biking. We had never been but heard lots about it, and it's only four hours from Melbourne so quite popular.

First up was coffee. It was only 8 am so even most of the stall holders hadn't set up, but the coffee line was busy. I was pleased to see they only did ceramic mugs instead of take away cups, and you simply brought them back when done. Jamie had a flat white but there was nothing for me that didn't have sugar, which was annoying.

Someone was selling oyster mushrooms, pickled and fresh, and oyster mushroom salt. Kudos to anyone who can time a mushroom grow to a market.

A lovely Spanish lady was selling olive oil. I bought some as a gift for my neighbour who was looking after my chickens. I thought it was a better gift than wine from the supermarket.

Speaking of chickens, someone was selling them too. I always feel sorry for them in cages but I'm sure they would go to happy homes as everyone has land in this area and I could imagine them pecking under nut and apple trees.

Did you know there was wild deer in Australia? Hunters come here for them as the nut farmers can't keep them off their crops. Still, it's a lovely closed system - deer gets traded for nuts and so on and so forth. This is the kind of community that could survive in that way. In fact if I didn't love the ocean so much I would move here.

Next is proper German strudel, plum, apple and quince. A bit pricey for me but of course worth the money. We had already picked some wild apples and I would make apfelkuchen at home, so we didn't get tempted. I did buy a big punnet of fresh berry farm strawberries though which were amazing. I won't buy them unless I know they come from a small berry farm that uses organic methods as they just taste better. In fact I'd scoff half of them with coconut yoghurt and seeds half way down the road for breakfast. So good!

Of course you could get dutch pancakes or bacon and egg rolls for brekky - standard food at most Aussie markets.

We bought some fresh smoked trout. We only eat meat of any kind of it's ethically farmed and produced, and sustainable. Thanks for your life, river trout.

Jamie found some lovely canvas prints of photographs from the high country which were lovely. Definitely no shortage of material to take photos of in the mountains, of both scenery and the remains of historic huts and beautiful snow gums.

There was of course many other things such as recycled wool blankets, nuts, homemade bags and ceramics, soy candles and many other things for passers by to buy.

All was under the shade of lovely trees, but it was destined to rain very heavily in the afternoon so we hoped the sellers were packed up by then.

We bought a few overpriced veggies for roast veggies when we got home but they were a bit overpriced sadly. As is always at artisan markets, some things are reasonable, some aren't. Still, it's good to support local people and such markets to keep them going.

Absolutely so pleased we parked and had a stroll as it was quite inspiring too.

What's your favourite suprise market?

With Love,

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