The Farm Gate...Is it the new Farmers Market?

Over the last few weeks I have been holidaying at one of my favourite places, The Mornington Peninsula and taking advantage of some of the wonderful food delights that are on offer...particularly the summer fruits that are in abundance...strawberries are just delicious at the moment...do you know where to go for them?

Try the strawberries from Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm, 244 Shands Road, Main Ridge...here

Are you a fan of PYO... "pick your own"?  I have not done that, but I'd love to hear from those of you who have...

Image - Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm

I have noticed a new trend with some of the Farmers Markets that are available...have you?  Usually at the Farmers Markets they are just that...food from the farmers, grown organically or not...picked fresh...and sold to the many visitors at the Farmers Markets...however, this year I have noticed there are fewer of the farmers selling their fresh produce and there are many more craft type goods.

Now there is not a problem with that per se... however, where are the farmers selling their produce... other than in the shops of course?  It seems to me that the farmers have started a new trend.."The Farm Gate".  

At a recent Farmers Market on the Mornington Peninsula there was a stallholder who was handing out to everyone who purchased their produce, a list of all the Farmers who operate a "Farm Gate"...included on the list are...the hours of operation...the produce available... and the time of year the produce is available.  I found this to be invaluable and would recommend you get a copy of this Farm Gate list when you are next on the Peninsula...here

Image - Dannic Garlic - here

Mock Orchards & Totally Pure Fruits, 1095 Mornington Flinders Road, Red Hill,  is one of the Farm Gates I would recommend, the produce is certified Demeter bio-dynamic and has been in existence since 1974...a good recommendation...here

Another Farm Gate I have visited is...Del Grosso's Orchard, 101A Stanleys Road, Red Hill South and they  grow apples: Pink Lady, Fuji, Jonagold, Delicious and Granny Smith.  Also delicious cherries, plums, pears and nashi fruit and are open every day during summer...here

There are many, many more of course, and a visit to the extensive Mornington Peninsula website will provide you with all the information you need to purchase some wonderful produce at very good prices...and of course, helping our Australian Farmers...here

Image - MP Gourmet

Enjoy the summer fruits while they last...Wendy

Cardio Tennis Flashmobbers...A Great Success

The Cardio Tennis Flashmobbers were a great success at Federation Square...The two days proved to be well attended and enjoyed by all...Well done to all those people who took part in this activity...such fun and so agiile these dancers...there are lots of photos here

Images - Cardio Tennis Australia

If you wish to see more links go to the Facebook page here

Enjoy the tennis finals...Wendy

The Australian Open AND Cardio Tennis....

The Australian Tennis Open is now underway and as usual Australians are flocking to support their own...it is a great time of year in Melbourne...the sun is shining and looks like it will be for some time and there are sure to be some great matches...here

Image - Tennis Australia

There is so much to see, not just the games, but also the other activities going on around the Open.   One of the things that has interested me is the Cardio Tennis program that is being run in conjunction with the Open...here

Image - Cardio Tennis

Cardio Tennis is a fun, social, group tennis-fitness program for people of all ages and abilities.  It's more about getting a high energy workout than pure tennis technique. Constant movement is the focus as a Tennis Australia qualified coach guides you through a series of fun and heart pumping drills that cater for all abilities and fitness levels...here...there is a Cardio Tennis marquee at The Grand Slam Oval where fans can feel the burn going through a Cardio Burst circuit as a warm up!

Image - Cardio Tennis 

And then there is...The Flashmob Dance...The Cardio Tennis group are running a Flashmob Dance ...this promises to be a lot of fun.  The idea is that as many people as possible watch the video...register to be a part of the Flashmob...and then take part at the locations...the easiest way to find out all the details is to check out the Cardio Tennis Facebook Page for more details and to register and learn the amazing dance or alternatively click here...

Have a look at the video below to get the idea of how to do the dance and be a Flashmobber...

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZAXRyZvK34

YouTube - Videos from this email

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Hope to see the Flashmobbers there...Wendy

Holidays....where do you go?

I do hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and wish you a healthy, happy and prosperous 2013.  Of course, by now many of you will be enjoying the holiday season with much joy.  There are so many beautiful places to go in Australia...where is your favourite place?  Is it in your state...or perhaps further afield...so many of us these days go out of Australia but for me to stay in Victoria at this time of year is so lovely with so many things to see and do...here

The Mornington Peninsula

Of course the beach beckons so many of us...and I am no exception....for me the Mornington Peninsula is a wonderful place to visit..and there are so many things to do.  This weekend is the much sought after Jeep Portsea Polo...a very social event..here.  

Image- Jeep Portsea Polo

The event is held every year at the Point Nepean Quarantine Station, Point Nepean National Park, Melway Map 156C2...the excellent website has all the information on transport, food, entertainment and, of course...THE MATCH...here

Image - Jeep Portsea Polo

And then there is...

THE RACE...the ladies are invited to race for a chance to win a Jeep motorcar, the key to which is attached to a bottle of champagne!  The trick is to pick up the correct bottle of which there are five at the finish line...good luck ladies...here

Image - Jeep Portsea Polo

This event promises to be a most exciting one...there is lots to see and do and I hope for those of you who will be attending that you enjoy the day immensely...here

Enjoy the weekend...Wendy