Some might have called it a grey Saturday, but in truth it was pouring with rain. Off to Matakana, a Māori word which (appropriately for travel on a rainy day) can mean watchful or vigilant. With water often on the roads in winter, it pays to be. But, with raincoats and umbrellas at the ready, there’s a feast of fine food to be found.

Great weather for ducks

It’s great weather for ducks, but very pleasing to find a number of hardy locals and food-seekers undeterred by the bulging grey skies. Start on a strong note, a warming take-away coffee, from the local coffee roasters. With cup in hand, here’s the place to fill your bags with fine food for the weekend and week ahead.

The bustle of people and product, and the rain, combine to give the place an almost Sherwood Forest sense. No Robin Hoods, but a definite feeling of that rustic charm.

And great conversation

In the way of all great farmers' markets, there’s plenty of enthusiastic and informative conversation with very engaging stall-holders. Lots of seasonal produce, olive oil, nuts, oysters, bakery goods, sweet treats, some favourite pies, beautiful roses, and plenty more besides….Lots of ready-to-eat, and lots to take away, certainly enough to fill a weekend’s schedule of good eating.

In other activity, there’s live music at play, a knife sharpener at work, and dog-sitters on task, the Matakana Mutts dog-watching service for a very reasonable gold coin donation.

Pictures tell the story

They say a picture tells a thousand words. Here’s a few thousand more words.

Winter salads

With seasonal watercress, mandarins and tamarillo, and special macadamia nuts, it was homeward bound for a delicious winter salad lunch. Click here for this market produce idea.