Hollywhere?

Yay! Go Schtre'uminnityeah!

On Streatham Common.

Bounty of The Earth

It’s farmer’s market day at our local pub The Railway in Streatham. It’s quite a bijou affair but there’s always a good assortment of provender to be had.

Last time we asked Andy from Gill Wing Farm to bring us a box of whatever vegetables were available. I’ve seen some of the organic boxes that the big suppliers (you know who they are) offer, and the prices they charge, but Andy's offering was a huge baker’s tray creaking with scallions, beetroot - with the tops still on! - kale, chard, cucumbers, aubergines, courgettes and lettuce.

That supermarket is getting further and further away.

This is more like my weekly order from Dr. Gwen Egginton when I lived up in Bridlington. She’d call me on Thursday night to take my order, and it would arrive the next day by WWOOFer courier. Occasionally I’d cycle over to Nafferton and pick up my order in person. It was always a joy to stroll around her smallholding as Gwen shared the deep wisdom of her little ecosystem “that plant - Limnanthes douglasii - attracts hover flies which eat the aphids” and so forth.

I’m glad I ambled a while along the path of life in her company. The world could learn a lot from Gwen and would be a better place for it.

Food Glorious Streatham

The Streatham Food Festival

gets under way on Thursday. Despite living here for over 7 years we haven’t been to this event. We’re often away when these local jukes are on but this weekend we’ll be around so I’d best get my eatin’ trousers on!

I was noodling around the website and drooling over all the restaurants we haven’t visited - although I was delighted to see that our local pub The Railway was first on the list of great places to eat in Streatham.

There were so many places I’ve seen from the top deck of the 159 bus but never thought to visit, but now I’ve read about them I have a long list for payday suppers (Lamberts again this Saturday).

I was sufficiently intrigued by The Elephant Bakehouse to pay them a visit today. Hidden away in a cobbled mews I didn’t know existed, off Streatham High Road and surrounded by car repair shops (or was it the same car repair shop that had spilled over into the adjacent buildings?). I love it when I find some new place near where I live that takes me off my beaten tracks.

I rolled up around 1 o’clock and spotted Nicole toing and froing between the bakehouse and a car. “Are you looking for some bread?” she asked. I must be in the right place. The half stable door was open with industrial flyscreen strips obscuring the inside. Duncan peered out between them. “Wotcha got?” I inquired. “Just some white sourdough, want to give it a try?” I certainly did. After a brief chat I parted with some cash and went walkabout to explore the surrounding streets. I was surprised by how many large Victorian houses had ‘Sold’ boards outside and evidence of refurbishment going on. Looks like the gentry are moving back to Streatham.

I wandered home across the common to try the bread with some Italian cheeses and salami I’d bought in Lidl yesterday. It was utterly lovely.

I hope the ancient curse I alluded to in the previous post doesn’t scupper them.