When I was at school, every May we would make a small Welsh musical and a couple of Welsh language rock bands (fricking cool) and descend on the Urdd Eisteddfod and the glory it held. After winning (in the case of my sister's band) or not (me) we would hit the many stalls to collect as much free stuff as possible. Pens mainly, or information booklets. Or these weird fluffy stickers with googly eyes. Then we would stuff our faces with candy floss and hit the walzers. For all you who don't know, the Urdd is a Welsh children's festival. It is a beautiful combination of wellies and fairgrounds and traditional dancing, all culminating in the chance to win a chair. Absolutely worth the camping it demanded.
But my point is not about forgotten childhood talents but about the surviving joy of acquiring free stuff. The reminiscence was just a pleasantly nostalgic opener.
Yesterday I went to Borough Market. It's mouthwateringly beautiful. I saw fruits I've never seen before. And the cheese...epic. I wish I'd thought to take a couple of photos for your viewing pleasure..I'd've Instagramed them up a storm too. I forgot though in the surge of food lust that overtook me.
Anyway, after actually paying for a hot dog with red onion marmalade and some mulled apple juice (mmm!) we went on a freebie hunt. Of course. Obviously. It goes without saying.
So in tiny, Borrower size mouthfuls we had what probably equalled a meal of various types of cheese, a selection of cured meat including ham and venison, bread and olive oil, crackers and chutney, chocolate, more ham, more cheese, bread and vinegar, biscuits and marmalade...
It was like being at the Urdd again except my childish satisfaction with a free Biro has matured into a frightfully middle class love of organic food. I do like that I'm true to my roots though.
I wonder how much money the stall holders loose as a direct result of people like me? That's why it's so expensive perhaps. That, and the yumminess. If I had £12 to spend on a small piece of cured venison I would. It would certainly be a positive step up from the Heinz Classic Tomato Soup that I'm heating up as we speak.
But despite my slightly sad lunch I'm still quite full and happy from my freebies so all good. Now all that is left for me to say is that I may consider returning every week for my fill. But you should definitely go too. Invite me..I'm a pro at this by now.
But my point is not about forgotten childhood talents but about the surviving joy of acquiring free stuff. The reminiscence was just a pleasantly nostalgic opener.
Yesterday I went to Borough Market. It's mouthwateringly beautiful. I saw fruits I've never seen before. And the cheese...epic. I wish I'd thought to take a couple of photos for your viewing pleasure..I'd've Instagramed them up a storm too. I forgot though in the surge of food lust that overtook me.
Anyway, after actually paying for a hot dog with red onion marmalade and some mulled apple juice (mmm!) we went on a freebie hunt. Of course. Obviously. It goes without saying.
So in tiny, Borrower size mouthfuls we had what probably equalled a meal of various types of cheese, a selection of cured meat including ham and venison, bread and olive oil, crackers and chutney, chocolate, more ham, more cheese, bread and vinegar, biscuits and marmalade...
It was like being at the Urdd again except my childish satisfaction with a free Biro has matured into a frightfully middle class love of organic food. I do like that I'm true to my roots though.
I wonder how much money the stall holders loose as a direct result of people like me? That's why it's so expensive perhaps. That, and the yumminess. If I had £12 to spend on a small piece of cured venison I would. It would certainly be a positive step up from the Heinz Classic Tomato Soup that I'm heating up as we speak.
But despite my slightly sad lunch I'm still quite full and happy from my freebies so all good. Now all that is left for me to say is that I may consider returning every week for my fill. But you should definitely go too. Invite me..I'm a pro at this by now.
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