Rymus {dot} Net

Farmers markets; How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.. Took a spin down to the Farmers Market at Hosfords Garden Centre (few miles outside Bandon on the Clonakilty road). Garden Centres should be contractually obliged to provide the services of a constant farmers market. After being shown around every plant, tree and shrub in the vicinity, nothing is finer than settling down with a nice black coffee and your choice of breads, meats, cheeses or any of the wide variety of goodies to be found at many such markets.

Having sampled the herbed fried potatoes from one of the stalls, I swiftly moved onto dessert. None more capable to provide a wide selection of whatever you’re having yourself than Crumbles Bakery.

Crumbles are a recent addition to the town of Ballydehob in West Cork. The bakery is run by Patricia Delaney and Colleen O’Kane, both natives of Bantry. As you’ll appreciate from the photos below, the spread on show was almost as much a feast for the eyes as it was for the taste-buds. I couldn’t resist, I bought two of everything. Well, almost everything. I just knew Sandy wouldn’t appreciate the delicacy which was the almond and pear slice.

I thought I’d last until I got home, but on the way back to the car I just had to make the little gingerbread woman a widow. Which is odd, because normally I can’t stand the taste of anything ginger (careful now). I’ve been known to run the opposite way when offered a ginger biscuit. Damned if that wasn’t the tastiest gingerbread man I’ve ever eaten.

The smell in the car on the way home was sublime. I don’t know if it was the Gubbeen cheese bread or the general melee of sweets and pastries in the paper bag that produced the olfactory marvellousness but whatever it was, I strongly considered leaving the bags in the car full-stop so I could enjoy that wonderful smell every morning. Glad that I didn’t, as soon as I got into the house I destroyed the outstanding almond & pear slice I mentioned above. Then, a croissant and next, the bread is going into the oven for a few minutes as Patricia suggested earlier.

I’m already massively looking forward to a follow up trip to the bakery to shoot some more fabulous food. Err, and eat some more. You can contact Patricia and Colleen on 086 3387266 or crumblesbakery@live.com. But, why call or email when you can visit the bakery and invest in something truly delicious? Now, time for some of that bread… Oh, but these photos and a couple more are on flickr. Off with ye to Ballydehob!

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