Going to Market - Puntagorda Mercadillo

You know how it is when you go back to a place that you haven't visited for ages? It looks so much smaller and less interesting than how you remember it from last time. That's the theory anyway!
But maybe it doesn't quite work like that when you are an adult, well at least that what we found when we re-visited the weekend market at Puntagorda on the west side of La Palma.

It must be a good few years since we went to the market - enticed out of our lair in the north of La Palma by the suggestion of a picnic at nearby El Fayal, one of the several lovely recreation areas on La Palma set in a wooded area.

The picnic was great of course and a good chance to meet up with friends in a beautiful setting. At the moment, because it is so dry in the wooded area, BBQ's are not allowed but that's no excuse not to have a picnic.
The market just across the road looked quite busy with people coming and going - those going were laden with all manner of goodies - and once inside, we were pleasantly surprised at the number of stalls. Clearly in our absence, the market has become much more popular and with many more stalls.

I'm quite into handicrafts at the moment so made a bee-line for hand-made jewellery. If you like leather friendship bracelets, bags, purses and even sandals then you will indeed be spoilt for choice. But my eye was firmly on the bracelets and necklaces made from dragon tree seeds. In fact I recently bought a bracelet made from dragon trees while I was on a quick hop over to Fuerteventura and since we have many dragon trees on the finca which are in flower, it's been my ambition ever since to make one myself. My attempts at drying the seeds weren't at all successful so whilst I didn't buy any bracelets at the market, I was really pleased to see loose seeds on sale. So that's me occupied for the next few evenings!

Also on offer were other handicrafts - La Palma T-shirts, a stand with everything made in felt - hats, bags, baby shoes, waistcoats, all in sunny colours.

Ceramics too, lovely paper craft - bookmarks and pretty little cards - silvercraft and a stand with ornaments made from driftwood. There's a thought for the various bits of driftwood we find at the beach below us!

I was also hoping to buy some nice fresh veg and it's good to know that you can buy fresh produce on a weekend when most of the shops are closed. The fact that it is all grown locally certainly adds to the feel good factor and the choice and quality was excellent. Also rather interestingly, the produce is given to you in a brown paper bag, just like in the old days!

For those that want to get a head start in the vegetable garden, then this is where it all happens with lots of plants on offer - courgettes, lettuces, beans, tomatoes, cauliflower and peppers to name but a few.
Also other plants for the garden and house including aloe vera plants.

Apart from the fruit and veg stalls there are also lots of other edibles - local cheeses either smoked or semi-cured, great big fat cakes just begging to be eaten (quite a queue at that stand I can tell you!), black and green olives sat in half barrels and even meat on sale too. That will be exceptionally useful when BBQ's are allowed at the recreation area again.

Just one last thing to complete the purchases. Made on La Palma from a La Palma produce - wine. Cheers!