Is anyone else majorly crushing on autumn at the moment? I feel like there's change in the air - there is always that back to school vibe this time of year where you feel giddy with nerves and anticipation (is that just me?) I've gone through a period of massive upheaval through the summer and after arriving home from our travels, I feel like it's time for a fresh start and to really get on board with all manner of cosy, homely autumnal pleasures.
I love the simple things about being closer to home this time of year, like the shop displays changing, tempting us in with comforting foods and chunky knitted clothes.
But one of the highlights of my autumn calendar has become visiting the Beverley food festival and sampling so many delicious locally made products.
This was one of the busiest years I've ever known in the 11 years it's been running, with people teeming around the market, basking in the low slung sun.
There was every kind of treat imaginable but these locally made red velvet chocolates drew me in like a moth to a flame. So pretty and they tasted pretty too.
The Carnivore and I skipped breakfast due to severe jet lag and instead saved our appetite for the market.
The delectable savoury treats from french cafe TC Pattiserie won us over first and we may have picked up some goats cheese tart for tea too.
But then these delicate little tarts caught my eye and it took all my willpower to keep walking rather than use all of my money (and calories) on the first stall we stopped at.
In the next heartbeat this rag tag bunch came tootling past us playing their instruments very loudly, dancing and generally whipping people up into a party mood.
Colourful bottles of delicious looking liquids, like flavoured cooking oils, set a vibrant background for the hub bub around us.
But it was the four legged festival goers that really stole our hearts and their big puppy dog eyes may have won them the odd scrap of leftover pastry.
Every foodie delight was available and I may have actually bought one of everything. Whoops! I may have got carrier-ed away. Boom boom.
Eventually, bellies satisfied for now, we stumbled across the boozier offerings and I very much enjoyed sampling some of this lovely sloe gin. Having made my own sloe gin for two years in a row, I like to try others so I can improve my own recipes and this had a lovely smooth taste,
To make up for our earlier naughtyness, we chatted to the stall holder about a subscription for a monthly fruit and veg box. I was very tempted as I like the idea of getting a surprise each month - I love to make meals out of whatever I can get my hands on.
Before long the bellowing market stall holders pulled me back over to the dark side but it didn't take much convincing to be honest.
I've recently got into gin in a big way and when I saw this lovely lavender gin, which is made just up the road in my beloved Yorkshire, I couldn't resist giving it a whirl.
And it was delicious! Sold to that woman clutching a bottle to her heart.
Then like the magpie I am I saw something shiny and swooped in for a closer look. Have you ever seen a prettier drink than this glittery vodka from Raisthorpe Manor?
After being away for three weeks, it felt like I was seeing my hometown in a new light and the Market Cross, which had become part of the furniture to me, glowed proudly from the cobbled street.
There was just so much pretty to look at that I may have got carried away slightly. Doesn't this Turkish Delight look like beautiful pink blooms from a distance?
Like all good fairs, I had to leave with something ridiculously large and difficult to carry around for the rest of the day but rather than a cuddly teddy, I picked up these delicious sprouts instead.
The Carnivore was in his element when we happened across this seafood stand and the oysters and beer combo may have won him over.
Soon it was time for the demonstrations to begin and so we dashed over there to get a good seat. One of my favourite local chefs from the Star at Sancton took to the stage.
The Carnivore is quite the cook (lucky old me) and loves watching the experts doing their thing and we've got some fab Michelin starred chefs in this area.
As the demonstration came to end, tinkling bells and an accordion rang out from the market square and we paused for a moment to enjoy these beautiful garland dancers.
Never ones to miss out on a trend, Burt's street food truck stood handsomely serving piping hot pizza complete with the most delicious stringy cheese.
In my idyllic autumn fantasies I imagine us romping through fields to pick our own plump juicy pumpkins from the local patch but for now choosing one from the local market will have to do.
It really was the perfect autumn day out and just what we needed to make us fall in love with our hometown that little bit more after travelling to some amazing places. Next time I go I intend to take a chic french basket to the Beverley Food Festival so that I can carry even more tasty treats.
Do you have a local food festival you like to go to? What's your favourite autumn pastime?
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