To the Congregational Hall on Saturday morning to refresh the mind and body with the goodness of the earth. You can tell I’ve been reading far too much Ben Goldacre of late, can’t you?

But there was no bad science to my logic of lapping up the local fruit ‘n veg. A late, late finish with the lovely @HiddenDingbat’s the night / morning previous, and my eyelids were telling me that organic, rather than alcoholic, was the order of the day.

This was the first spring Farmer’s market for @AnnaJCowen and I since the Great Escape. With enough blue in the sky to make a sailor a pair of underpants (steady,) we skipped down the High Street with an extra kick in our step.

That will be the double JD and coke before breakfast kicking in then.

There is something really rather special about the Wivenhoe Farmer’s Market come this time of the year. The stalls start to slowly, slowly head to the great outdoors (um, the Congregational Hall car park) and the event becomes even more social.

We started off with a decent chat with a herbs chap, who also supplied us with a rhubarb plant that is now taking up the prime growing location in the back garden. With rhubarb being the Celery of the Gods, we’ve high hopes for some crumble over the coming month.

Our herb man then set about the task of sourcing us something a little more exotic. No need to call in the crime squad - we’re simply after a local lemon tree that can make the most of those glorious Wivenhoe rays.

Inside the Congregational Hall and Tony’s Fish was all the fancy for the early morning trade. Fished in local waters, we came close to treating that special little girl in our life with a wet haddock across her little inquisitive nose.

A bit of basic fruit and veg shopping filled the bags, and then we were back outside for a catch up with the ace Transition Town Wivenhoe folk. Promoting sustainability within the town is what it is all about for TTW. For the Farmer’s Market and the group has come up with the great idea of a local seed swap.

I was also fascinated with the Wivenhoe Food Map of free fruit and nuts. Locals are encouraged to pinpoint sources of free food, such as blackberries, rosehips and various nuts. It was a shame to see a now empty and barren stretch heading out towards Alresford Creek.

Many thanks, as ever, to the charming Bob for taking the time to explain and update recent TTW activities.

The shift outdoors continues with TTW over the coming months. The regular Sunday gardening sessions outside the Station Master’s House have commenced once again. Volunteers are of course always welcome.

And so another month, another bumper crop. The next Wivenhoe Farmer’s Market takes place on Saturday 16th April - the fifth anniversary of the event within Wivenhoe. To rent a stall call 01206 367776. For further info or to volunteer help, call 01206 826226.