With the farmers\u2019 market moving to a new location in June, the usual breakfast bratwurst from Meige\u2019s butcher\u2019s now has to be fetched from further afield. It\u2019s about 400 metres there and back. Quite a distance, then. And we\u2019ve heard the same from quite a few visitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But let\u2019s start at the beginning. We set off extra early as we wanted to check out the new layout first. A good thing too, because our 4.5-metre-long tent doesn\u2019t fit between the trees as we\u2019d estimated from satellite images. It would have been far too tight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we decided to pitch the tent behind the trees, as we didn\u2019t know if we were allowed to go out onto the paved area at the front. It\u2019s just our first time here in front of the Kurhaus Hotel. Still, it\u2019s a bit of a nuisance when your planning is based on a 3x3m tent. But never mind, there\u2019s enough space. All good, then.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was actually clear that there would be complaints about the allocated pitch, and that\u2019s exactly what happened. Ralf couldn\u2019t wipe the grin off his face when the time came. You could almost feel sorry for dear Vanessa from the cultural management team. Every exhibitor has their own sensitivities, after all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eventually, we finished setting up the stand and were able to enjoy the sunshine. There was, however, one slight fly in the ointment. In future, the toilets will be these plastic cubicles, as the spa gardens are being completely overhauled with new facilities for the State Garden Show. And that could be a problem when it comes to the toilets. There were already three or four cubicles in place. Well, Ralf finds these things disgusting, and in summery outdoor temperatures they quickly turn into a sauna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So let\u2019s get back to the breakfast bratwurst. The whole farmers\u2019 market is no longer a circular route, but stretches out from Kurallee all the way to Kurstra\u00dfe. That\u2019s about 400 metres. We\u2019re standing at one end and the sausage at the other. You have to \u2013 or rather, Ralf has to \u2013 keep up a brisk pace if the bratwurst is to arrive back at the market stall while still warm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All in all, it was a satisfactory market and we ended up packing a few fewer baskets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether or not the concept for the farmers\u2019 market catches on in this form is down to the organisers. We\u2019ve heard both positive and negative feedback about the new location, which will hopefully move back to the Lower Spa Gardens after the 2027 State Garden Show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We simply enjoyed the day, just as much as the breakfast bratwurst that had \u2018travelled a long way\u2019, and we\u2019ll wait and see how things develop.<\/p>\n\n\n