Cape Town - Another Saturday, another market. Some of them are huge and crammed with people, others are small and intimate.
The Good Company Farmers’ Market falls into the latter category.
It takes place every Saturday from 9am till 3pm in the Paddocks area of the Company’s Garden in Cape Town.
While the bigger weekly markets obviously have lots more on offer, I prefer this little one.
It has everything you need – wine, beer, coffee, food, produce – without the crowds.
There is plenty of space for children and dogs and if you can’t find a place to sit at the tables and benches under the dappled shade, there are the surrounding lawns where you can put down a blanket and have a picnic.
Pony rides from 11am will delight your offspring.
But wait. Before heading to the market, why not begin the day with an outdoor yoga session? The Om Revolution holds classes every Saturday at 9am, although you should get there at least 15 minutes before to register because it’s first come, first served.
The vinyasa classes are suitable for all ages and levels, and cost R40. Bring your own mat or towel and head for Lawn R (I had no idea the lawns had names) near the Wale Street entrance to the garden. Season memberships are available.
I was keen to see what this market is all about, especially since my former local, the Oranjezicht City Farm Market, grew up, became trendy and moved to the V&A Waterfront.
The market area was bedecked with gay bunting and the bubbly was on ice.
It was only supposed to be a quick recce but I was pleasantly surprised to see a table full of crates of vinyl records.
I made a beeline for them and began riffling.
None of the records had prices on them and I became quite grumpy with the vendor, who proceeded to confuse me with all sorts of “three for R100” and “it depends on the quality of the record” nonsense.
With limited cash on me, I made a selection but didn’t have enough money for everything I wanted.
Long story shorter, the very nice Brendon Roelofse let me off with the promise I would return to pay him the R60 I owe him at some undetermined future date. “I know you’ll come back,” he said.
I was amazed at finding such trust in this day and age.
l For more information about the market, look it up on Facebook where it has a well-maintained page.
Weekend Argus