Market color

On a recent Saturday, we headed out to a couple of markets that we enjoy in London. Shown in this photo is the market that is very close to our house. Held only on Saturdays at the Duke of York Square, it primarily features many types of prepared food. It was such a pretty September day, that I grabbed my new camera and away we went. Before this last trip, I finally purchased the new Nikon D3000 that had just come out, got a quick lesson at the store and left town the next day. So far, I'm pretty adept at taking pictures on the "automatic" setting--otherwise known as the default setting for those who know nothing more.

I love the colors of the market, and this Saturday was no exception. Grabbing an almond croissant, we headed out for the day.

Can't go to the market without getting a little bag of nuts. The vendors love to give you samples, and are quite willing to mix a bag of your favorites.

I was surprised to see such beautiful strawberries this late in the season. A bowl of strawberries with cream poured over the top is the English way to indulge.

Fresh vegetables from the farmers nearby.

The color story continues at the Borough Market that I wrote about earlier in this post.

Shades of purple and white--I'm just getting the hang of this new gadget.

And this plant with pink, white and red berries. I'm dying to know what it is. Does anyone know?

And to welcome autumn which knocks at our door, a wagon full of pumpkins.

Happy fall!

Now if I could just find that instruction book for the camera, that I never even opened, I might could try something more advanced. At the present time, it is AWOL, and I have a sinking feeling it might be on a Continental airplane flying all around the country deep in one of those seat pouches, never to be seen again. Oh well.....

Borough Market

Thursday, I headed out with friends visiting from Chicago to the London Bridge area to the Borough Market. It's a great place to shop for trendy specialty and organic foods, as well as dinner supplies and treats. It's in this area that even 1000 years ago, farmers would bring fresh goods to the city gates.

The market is situated next to the Southwark Cathedral which dates back to 1207. It's a beautiful church known for many reasons, but I found it interesting that this is where Shakespeare and his family worshiped. His brother was the bell ringer and is buried there.

There's a little something for everyone. Perhaps appetizers are in order for dinner, so you might buy olives,

sausages,

bread,

and cheese.

This cheese shop is Neal's Yard Dairy which specializes in British and Irish cheeses and is located just outside the market gates.

For dinner, you might need vegetables

seasoned with sea salt.

Even easier would be a prepared meal such as these meat pies,

or paella.

I always stop for roasted cashews at this vendor's booth.

My friend, Holly, introduced me to these creme caramels that you eat right on the spot.

But if you have a sweet tooth, you might try some Turkish Delight like my friend, Carol from Chicago,

or some chocolate like Carol and Barry purchased to carry home.

And what is dinner without beautiful flowers on the table? Good thing it's only open Thursday, Friday and Saturday of each week! That much daily temptation could make a body weak!