Outnumbered

The rain poured down all night, and carried on drizzling throughout the day.  So, not a great June start for our local farmers' market.  However, spirits were not dampened.  Stallholders were there in force (more than ever before) and most seemed to be getting plenty of custom.

My children were happy to rediscover their favourite snack stall.  I was happy to stock up on greens and granola.  We saw many familiar faces.  One farmer remarked that he appreciates this market because of the all-weather loyalty of the customers, and the sense of community.  It certainly has a buzz about it, and I'm glad it's back.

Tonight, advisedly or not (and I'm tending towards "not"), the Girl and Boy each have a friend to sleep over.  The Man, of course, is still in Hawaii.  It all seemed like a good idea at the time...

The Man adds...A physics conference is a clash of cultures at the best of times. The cast of The Apprentice meets the cast of the Big Bang Theory. But in a Hawaiin mega-resort it is even odder: a man in a grey suit sweats in the hot sun trying to schmooze a potential customer, while at the next table a family sits in their swimsuits.

The Hilton resort is immaculate but artificial. The local area is bare volcanic rock, so they shipped in soil and plants to create gardens, lagoons and golf courses, and then for good measure added statues, dolphins, flamingos, even  monorail and a canal. The result is impressive but deflating: a temple to commercialism. Today, with the conference over, I am going in search of something more natural.