Last weekend we went to our first book fair since the pandemic began in March 2020, 20 months ago. This one was in Harrogate which was a bonus: lovely books in a lovely spa town.
The book fair was great and we enjoyed a couple of hours browsing the stock of the 50 or so book sellers. Inevitably a few volumes found their way home. We decided that we would also take some good food home. Harrogate itself is quite foodie and there are also a few good places on our return journey through the Dales, along the A65.
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Farm-fresh produce at Fodder, Harrogate
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Our first stop in Harrogate was at
Fodder, a large, modern farm shop selling produce from several hundred members of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society. We picked up some artisan cheese and other interesting food items before setting off to
Weetons Food Hall nearer the centre of Harrogate. A few more goodies went into our shopping bag and by now we were starting to feel quite festive.
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Weetons Food Hall, Harrogate
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Setting off from Harrogate, our next stop was
Keelhams Farm Shop on the outskirts of Skipton. We bought farm fresh produce including some delicious-looking multi-coloured carrots as well as a bottle of fine Yorkshire gin.
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Keelhams Farm Shop, on the outskirts of Skipton
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Next stop was the
Courtyard Dairy at Austwick on the A65, a proper cheese mongers in an ancient stone barn. They stock a wide range of mainly British artisan cheeses and always encourage tasting. Having tasted half a dozen, we took a couple of pieces home to enjoy later.
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Courtyard Dairy's barn, set in the Dales
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Lovely cheese at Courtyard Dairy, Austwick
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By now it was getting close to 5pm so we headed straight home with our books and fine food, ready to enjoy a quiet, foodie evening after the excitement of the day.
