Patersons Fruit Fayre In Cupar

Unicorns are soooooo last year!
Hello all,
Anybody else noticed that just about everything for bairns has a Unicorn on or in it, or is Unicorn shaped this year? Well, maybe not for much longer... Mr G brought me some Fabu Llama Smarties yesterday. Now, he was wondering if this was some new franchise like StarWars or The Broons so he looked it up on Google. Well, if it is a franchise they are disguising it well... all he got was some dame from Romania who was either christened... that, or has changed her name! Enough of this already, I think.
Since we are on the subject of stuff he has found for my customers, the star performer this week has to be Fish Sauce. I have no idea what you do with it but the chap at the Cash and Carry assures him that "Squid" is THE brand of the moment for this stuff.
Up to Scone again this morning for lots of fresh bedding plants. Also collected another box of mixed Pepper and Chilli plants since the last box sold quickly. Nice tidy blue Felicia's too and some really colourful hanging baskets. Please take a look yourself. One of Mr G's photos shows the low cloud that was hanging around yon Angus glens this morning.
The other photos are his attempts to grab a picture of the new Azuma train. Older readers night recall the Concordski scandal where the Russians "developed" a supersonic plane to rival Concorde and it looked so similar that suspicions were voiced that Russian Agents had stolen a copy of our plans. Well, Mr G isn't saying anything more than, that Azuma doesn't look all that different from the Inter City 125's it will be replacing. ;-)
Just before I close I will return to the Scotch Tomatoes I featured on Friday. This has started a wee bit of debate as to whether they are Scotch, or Scottish. I do tend to veer towards calling them Scottish, but Mr G reckons that there are four things you are entitled to call Scotch, and everything else can then be Scottish. Here is his list of Scotch's.... do you agree? Firstly there is Scotch as in the Amber Nectar. Secondly there are trains that originate in England and are bound for north of the border. This was primarily mail and newspaper trains which are pretty rare nowadays, but it applies to passenger services too. Thirdly he has put down Scotch Tomatoes, and finally, who could miss out Scotch Mist!
I think that's enough nonsense for one night so I will wind it up there.
Hope to see you in the shop soon and we don't get so much rain this week!.
Audrey
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Scotch Tomatoes in May!
Hello all, Unexpected Friday night news from "Mrs I only ever post on Sunday's".
... Special delivery this week of Scotch Tomatoes from a farm near Hawick. Whatever the merits of the Dutch and other varieties of tomatoes, you simply can't beat the smell and taste of Scotch.
Also news for tomorrow is that I have now reduced my Cairnie Strawberries to just £1.99 a punnet. You have to see the quality of these beauties to believe them.
Since I'm on I will add some Azuma train news from Mr G. (The Azumas will be taking over the Aberdeen to London route from HST's in August). One has been up in Aberdeen all week for tests and it will pass through Cupar twice at the weekend if you fancy taking the kids down to the Station Bridge, or The Common, for a look.
On Saturday it goes through Cupar towards Edinburgh about 19:40 and on Sunday it goes through Cupar towards Dundee about 17:30. Then, a week on Sunday (9th June) it goes towards Edinburgh again about 12:15. Please realise things can change or go wrong, but that's the best information available right now. So as you know what to look for he has included a photo of an Azuma at Perth last year.
Anyway, enough of all that kids stuff, hope to see you in the shop soon.
Audrey
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The rain is good for the garden!
Hello again.
Yes, we have had a few showers to break the recent run of good weather but just think on them as being good for the garden! And, talking about the garden, it's plants that I need to tell you about this week.
... I managed to source some more trays of Ornamental Poppies and there are still some available. Bedding Plants really are at their peak now with more than two dozen varieties in stock. If you are wondering about availability just give me a call on 01334 652440.
I also have single pots of Petunias,Narsturtiums, Begonias, Fuschias, Dahlias, Lavender and lots more. I have also included photos of Twisted Hazel and Standard Laurels which are among bigger plants I don't keep in stock but can easily obtain for you if you wish.
I am now easing back on Chillies, Tomatoes and Courgettes so if you are interested in these please make yourself known this week before I give them all to Mr G to grow into crops for me!
Regular customers will be aware that I have started to stock fresh Yeast for breadmaking and it is actually cheaper than the dried variety. Fresh sandwiches also available daily at very reasonable prices.
Other "specials" sourced for customers this week include genuine Campbells condensed Tomato Soup and tins of cooked Lentils.
Mr G had his usual outing to Muchty to work at the Election last Thursday and always comes back saying how much he enjoys the "banter" with both his co-workers and the public and how much it saddens him to hear of those who have passed on since his last visit. One who has fallen into that category this time is big Sam Anderson who was always such a jovial character and really brightened their day.
You might wonder why Mr G took a photo of the crowd at Cupar Station on Sunday? The answer is that there was nothing else to take! He got wind of a new Azuma train being taken on a trial run from Doncaster to Aberdeen on Sunday so he headed to the station in fine time for its arrival at about 12:35. Nothing happened by 12:50 so he picked me up from the shop and we headed home.... just in time to see it (no camera ready) zooming past the house about 13:15. Grrrrrrr, I think he said!
If you are interested, The Azuma is still in Aberdeen but there is no suggestion yet of when it will go back south. Once it does go south though it "just might" come back again next Sunday so keep these blinds open!
That's about it for now, other than to say that the Cairnie Strawberries remain in perfect condition and quality, and that I can also supply you with small tart cases and piping jelly for your home made strawberry tarts.
Hope to see you in the shop soon.. Audrey
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It's Chilli, but not the weather!
Hello all,
If you are a Chilli and pepper fan, this week might just be the highlight of your year. Mormally the plant nursery insists you take a minimum of 15 of each plant/variety but today Mr G convinced them that we are getting near the end of the chilli plant buying season and they agreed I could "mix" a case. Result is that for tomorrow I have TEN different varieties of Chillis and Peppers. First come, first served!
... I have also obtained another tray of Tomato Plants - Tumblers this type - partly as an order for a customer, but there will be some to spare. These Tumblers are already starting to hang down - they are ideal for hanging baskets - and even have a first truss of flowers on some plants. One final tray too of Leek plants for transplanting into your garden.
For those who prefer plants with more of a floral reputation I have basket and planter-sized scarlet Geraniums and other types. Also very healthy looking Oriental Poppies.
Huge selection of bedding plants too so please have a look for yourself.
Only one photo from Mr G for you today. It id the cement empties train going from Aberdeen to Dunbar on Wednesday night.
Hope to see you in the shop soon.
Audrey
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Heatwave on the way!
Get the swimming trunks looked out - we are in for a bit of summer this week. That's the weather forecast right now anyway.
We are rapidly approaching the end of the local tattie season but I still have a few bags available. Mr G went to see if any were available at the farm last week and unexpectedly found the grader running full-tilt. Usually, by this time of year the farmers and merchants are deciding among themselves who will keep their chill stores r...unning for the summer to meet what demand there is for "old" tatties, and the rest can clear everything out and save on running costs. This year however, it seems that there is a heck of a shortage of tatties in Poland and Chechnya and they are buying up everything that is available. So that no space is wasted in the shipping containers the tatties go into bags which are pallet sized and about nine feet high (they weigh more than a tonne each). So, busy times and the "Sold Out" notices will be going up soon.
My Cairnie Strawberries are proving very popular and they have already been reduced by 50p a punnet from the early season prices. If you want something exotic to mix with your strawberries why not try a Custard Apple (also known as Guanabanas). Or, new season Apricots came in on Saturday along with Spanish Cherries.
We are well into the bedding plant season now and I picked up a big selection of varieties today. I have also taken one more tray of Tomato plants to meet late demand. These plants are further on than most, but not so-far as to be "scrawny"! Also picked up a tray of outdoor "Succulents" in an amazing variety of shapes and colours.
Mr G went to Markinch on Wednesday for a photo of Flying Scotsman on the viaduct but made a right hash of it when the large area of sky overwhelmed the sensors on his camera. Never mind - he spoke to Iain Smith who has a photo recovery program and the outcome has been published here for you to see.
That'll do for now, please drop in to see everything that is available.
Audrey
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Steamy pics and Strawberries... Bliss!
Hello all, You might have noticed my posting earlier in the week about Cairnie Strawberries being available. They are so sweet and tasty that I have had folk coming back for more supplies already so if you have yet to try them you don't know what you are missing.
... Mr G took me to Scone this morning and had a hope of getting back to Perth in time to see 60009 Union of South Africa on a railtour to Aberdeen. Unfortunately there was too much for me to see and time passed - making him re-plan and go for a photo in Dundee. He reckoned the station would be busy so we went to Dock Street where what could have been a half-decent phottie was ruined by a Land Rover. Anyway, it was then back to Cupar and get the plants unloaded.
In addition to the usual suspect, this week I have Sweet Corn in a very advanced stage, Courgettes, Peppers and young Leek plants. I still have some Tomato plants too and can obtain more if you have a special request.
Mr G's other pictures are farming scenes in Angus, a copper still on its way to a distillery somewhere, and some more of 60009 taken tonight from the Freuchie Mill Road. He went out half an hour early and saw the sun appear and disappear twice before it came out again just in time for the train. Two lads appeared and said they had been following it all day for a photo and this was the best light they had seen. One final pic too of a fancy scaffie cairt in Cupar. It has two compartments for different waste types. Might be worth the Council considering one of these to half the mileage travelled by four separate cairts covering the same streets four times every month? Just a thought.
Hope to see you in the shop soon.
Audrey
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New Season Local Strawberries from Cairnie
Hello all, Apologies for being a day late with the news again but I fair enjoy watching the Grand Prix highlights, and then of course we were on to Line of Duty which I saw the end of…. before dozing off!
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Sunshine and Chilli too!
Hello all, Lovely to see a bit of sun over the past few days. Every silver lining has a cloud however and Mr G - who is never ill - got it really bad on Saturday night. I will spare you the details but you can be assured I did fling a towel over him to try to dry up the sweat that was lashing out of his head! He is saying that even now he doesn't reckon he is totally over it, but he is 100% better than he was yesterday.
... I did manage to get to the flower nursery of Sunday though. There is a fresh supply of "pinks" - in three different colours this time - some really unusual colours of pansies, four shades of foxgloves and some Chilli plants to go with the Tomato plants. The Scotch Bonnet Chillies are a dwarf variety so ideal for growing in a pot on your kitchen windowcill.
The schollars returned from their holidays on Monday and are rapidly demolishing my special 50p stocks of Gatorade and Sprite.
Mr G noticed the Coup operations are visible from the main road again so he stopped for a couple of pics on the way to work, and it was from Glenrothes he saw the pink moon on a night last week.
Once a month I give Mr G a night off to go to St Andrews for the Railway and Transport Society meetings. They are having the last meeting of the season (apart from AGM) tonight (Tuesday) and the speaker is Pete Small the renowned local Agricultural Historian.If you are at a loose-end tonight feel free to pop along to Madras Kilrymont School for 19:30 to hear his talk and enjoy the slides. Just ask at Reception for the Transport Society Meeting.
I'm sure that there are other things I meant to write but it is getting late and my brain is slowing down! So I'll leave it there for now and hope to see you in the shop soon.
Audrey
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Cover Photo details...
To those who have been asking recently, I have checked back and the flood in my cover photo was on the 6th of July 2009. There were a couple of floods before that, in the 1990's I think.
Audrey

Let's start with an appeal!
How's about the next time BEAR Scotland decide to close the A92 and divert all traffic through Cupar (like they did Saturday and Sunday), would they mind supplying a traffic warden to assist folk to get out of the Bonnygate Car Park? Yes, inconsiderate drivers are probably the cause but I'm sure those being diverted off their intended route will have no comprehension of how long their compatriots have been sitting trying to get out of the car park.... OK - rant over!
Now for some better news. Host of offers from Glasgow, courtesy of Mr G. I have three flavours of genuine imported from the USA Gatorade - in date, but short - normally about £1.50 a bottle but yours for 50p a pop. Also a selection of Thorntons quality Easter Eggs and Easter Bunnies at £3.99 each. And, Elephant Pretzels. I have to say I usually mortally hate these hard black things that are usually sold as pretzels but this is totally different, and delicious. Normally 89p a pack but on sale here in two flavours for just 30p a bag.
Whilst on the "What's New" front, I have taken delivery of the first batch of this year's Strawberry Plants. Just Mid and Late season varieties for now, but hopefully the others will follow soon.
Mr G had a day off on Thursday and headed for Bridge of Dun to see how he could help with the 46464 loco rebuild again. On the way he visited the Michelin Factory Gate for some free-air, courtesy of Bibendum, whilst he is still there, and then saw a field of daffies being grown at Redford.
Grit blasting and weld repairs to the 46464 loco drag-box are well under way and the guys explained that the grit of choice these days is crushed glass (courtesy of bottle banks) and once you have used it, because it is similar to sand you can rake it into the garden! An opportunity was also taken to press on with trying to degrease the three pairs of driving wheels prior to these also being grit blasted then painted. The dirtiest bit of that job was the balance pockets where lead is poured in similar to balancing your car wheels. That lead was buried under 60+ years of dirt, bits of coal, grease, stones and water and steam, and was well stuck in place thanks to the centrifugal effect of the wheels going round at maybe 60mph. Never mind, four laddies were assigned to the task and by going-home time at half past six most of the gunge was out! During piece-time he had a wee tour with the camera and got a photo of the Caledonian Railway's 350hp shunter appropriately named "Brechin City".
That's enough of him, back to me. Best thing I can say is that I am really getting into the plant season to do please have a look in and see if anything takes your fancy.
Hope to see you in the shop soon.
Audrey
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Tis the season for Woolly Jumpers
One or two specials for you this week. If you are planning to visit a friend or neighbour and want to appear ultra generous without pushing the boat out (too far) I have gifting boxes of McVities Victoria Assortment at just £1 each and a selection of tasty cakes at £1.39, or buy 2 for £2.50 and keep the second one to yourself!
Lots of new season stuff at the plant nusery this morning too. First of this year's Tomato Plants at £1.29, but ask m...e for a deal if you want a few! I brought Alicante because they were the best looking and most advanced but Moneymaker, Shirley, Tumbler, Ailsa Craig and others should be available next week - just give me a shout with your requirements. At this stage, obviously, you will need to guard against a frost getting at your plants.
Other plants in stock now include Leeks, Lupins, Semperviviums, Sweet Peas, Saxifraga, Erysimum Bowles Mauve and others.
Mr G decided to be a bit arty-*arty in Glasgow yesterday morning and took a photo of the (ex?) Gas-holders that are supposed to be on the site to be used for a replacement Barlinnie Prison! And, this morning in deepest Angus County we saw a selection of Wooly Jumpers. Enjoy the pics.
Hope to see you in the shop soon.
Audrey
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A Spring-loaded Hippo?
For me to pull this story off I have to get the posting finished and filed before midnight today, so get these typing fingers bouncing!
It's been a busy week, all the more so with me being a bit under the weather on Wednesday and heading off to my bed in the afternoon. I was feeling a lot better by the time Mr G arrived home - about half past eight! - after a day at Bridge of Dunn helping to do one of the last dismantling tasks on 46464. The loco "drag ...
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And now for something completely different..
Those of you "of a certain age" will recognise that as a link from Monty Python's Flying Circus which was on the telly about 50 years ago.
Well, not quite fifty years, but my Mr G's clock ticked-up forty years with his "firm" yesterday. He had been keeping it all "under wraps" but then sent an an email to his workmates to let them in on the secret and invite them to have a slice of banana cake to celebrate. He read out the email to...
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Good old computers!
Hello again, I typed this post up about one o'clock this morning only to see it somehow disappear when I pressed send :-( so now I have to try to remember everything again.
... One thing you didn't get last night however is a photo of tonight's fire in the Letham/Monimail area!
Okay, firstly the plants this week. Lots of lovely fresh primulas and pots of mixed Violas. Also some "pinks" that really are pink this week, and smell delightful. Don't miss the highly unusual Callicarpa Bodinieri too. These shrubs have small bunches of miniature purple berries that look like grapes (but aren't!). They are only about a foot high right now but give them a couple of years and they can grow to six feet (2 metres) high.
Yesterday also saw some really strong winds which gave scenes in the Howe of Fife that better resembled the Prairies with dust clouds.
Mr G's Glasgow challenge this week was to find a small portion of Ancho chillies (dried) which are rumoured to sell for about £50 a pound! This item has "so far" eluded him but he did manage to source a couple of jars of Ancho Chilli flakes at not much more than a quid each to hopefully partially satisfy my customer. He also noticed that Golden Wonder have re-launched Roast Chicken crisps after a gap of about five years and yes, I now have them in stock.
Another "super special deal" from Glasgow concerns Brazil Nuts. You are probably tired of me saying how expensive and rare they are this year. No more, though! I have Yoghurt (flavoured) coated Brazil Nuts at the incredible price of just £1 for 125 grammes. I also have new stock of plain chocolate covered ginger for the gentleman to whom I promised anonymity.
My new selection of fresh sandwiches in settling in nicely. I had at least four varieties every day and rotated these out of a range of eight flavours to keep something different popping up every day.
On his way over to Arthur's on Sunday afternoon Mr G spotted some daffies pushing their way through a branch that was blown off an oak tree in the Autumn. A sign that the young ones always triumph in the Spring!
I get the feeling that there was more news last night but that's all I can remember for now.
Hope to see you in the shop soon.
Audrey
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My contribution to National Apology Week!
Hello again, Not many folk know this, but National Apology Week lasts for a week and comes round once a year.
... Since I got my new double fridge/chiller installed in the shop this week, I could maybe think of a few apologies....
I would like to apologise to all my customers who have been deprived of their usual selections of cheeses, yoghurts, cold meat etc for the past few weeks. I would also like to apologise to my very hard working refrigeration engineer for a few of the messages somebody impersonating me might have left on his voicemail recently, and I would like to think about apologising to Mr G for giving him both barrels on the occasions when he was the only target in view.
Never mind, it's all installed now and we are on the go again. A side-effect of the additional capacity is the I can expand the chilled soft-drink selection and am also experimenting with a range of modestly priced sandwiches, freshly made each day.
As we are due to get a bit more sunshine this week I have a really nice selection of primulas available as well as plenty of cut flowers.
In amongst Mr G's "catch" from Glasgow yesterday, I see he has brought me tins of Nescafe Azero Nitro to put in my new chiller and sell at just 50p each versus an RRP of £1.99. The Orange Smarties are still going very well at the special price of 30p and I have added an economy range of seed and unnetted fat balls to my wild bird food offering.
Mr G's van passed its MOT again this week so my Saturday delivery surprises are assured for another year! His accelerator pedal was generating funny error codes in the on-board computer so he had to get another one. It was a revelation to him the this van has a "fly by wire" throttle rather than the conventional sleeved connection through the bulkhead and he is becoming unbearable telling folk all about how advanced this is. Hey - we know now, already!
On the photo front this week we have the new chiller (obviously), and West Lomond (and Angle Park Quarry) on Wednesday, and some unusual looking cattle at Strathmiglo this morning. Mr G is always going on (although nobody else agrees) that the West Lomond looks like Mt Fuji in Japan in the winter, so he included the hill in one of the cattle photties to totally confuse folk. Certainly confused me, anyway.
Hope to see you soon, and please have a look in the new chiller.
Audrey
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Peanut Butter doofers from USA
Hello all,
I'll keep it quick tonight because it's later than ever and I need to get away to my bed.
... Lots more of the special offer 30p tubes of Orange Smarties from Glasgow yesterday courtesy of Mr G. Also a good supply of Reece's Peanut Butter Chips in 100g bags. These goodies are technically a baking ingredient for adding to cakes and biscuits but you can just eat them out of the bag and cut out the middleman.
Don't miss the chance to try some Fox's Glacier Berries too. Delicious Cranberry, Gooseberry and Blueberry flavours and only 50p a bag.
Mr G brought me some more of the Lucozade Apple flavour too - reduced from £1 to 50p a bottle.
Last new offer this week is "Best One" Cheese Puffs and Bacon Sizzles reduced from 59p to just 30p a packet.
I promise to make more time to give you some other news next week.
Audrey
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I wish I hadn't bothered!
How I wish I hadn't bothered listening to Mr G last night.
You will recall that I gave oxygen to his prediction that the steam loco TORNADO would be passing through Cupar next Thursday. That was the case, until he got another email tonight advising that departure from Edinburgh on Thursday 14th has been put back to 10:14. Because of that, the "powers that be" are worried the steam train (which has a lower top speed) will delay the normal service trai...ns between Ladybank and Dundee so they have re-routed it via Newburgh and Perth..... meaning Cupar now gets zero zilch! Even the return at night in the dark is going via Perth.
Clearly these things can happen - best laid schemes of mice and men, and all that - and it's just sod's law that it gets revised the day after Mr G tells me to go public.
I can only apologise and give you what are currently the "definite timings" incase you fancy taking a trip to Ladybank or Newburgh to see it.
Thursday 14th March Edinburgh 10:14 Ladybank 11:35 Newburgh 11:42 Perth 12:14 Dundee 12:57 - 13:06
return trip Dundee 19:26 - 19:40 Perth 20:04 Newburgh 20:30 Ladybank 20:41
Tonight's photos are a couple of cattle beasts trying to understand why Mr G is sitting on that naughty step.
Hope to see you soon. Audrey
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Better late than never?
I'll leave you to decide after reading this, but apologies for a late posting this week anyway.
Some really nice multi-coloured large Cyclamen and pink/purple Hortensia's (like Hydrangea's) this week. These really are high-class plants that you will find it worthwhile to view.
... Sadly the Double Decker Duo's that have been "Bargain of the Century" for the past few weeks are now sold out but I still have lots of Orange Smarties at 30p and litre bottles of Lucozade Cherry (BBE 28 Feb) reduced from £1.99 to just 50p whilst stocks last.
An unexpected success over the past few weeks have been dried Kafir Lime Leaves. I'm not sure exactly what folk use them as an ingredient for, but they have been so popular the Glasgow cash & carry has temporarily sold out. I've still got one packet and Mr G will bring me more as soon as he sees them again.
Not too much photography this week but there was a "northern light" highlighting Fife House and its mirrored windows on Tuesday morning so Mr G delayed his clocking-in to get a few shots. These go along with the Glenrothes power station he snapped last week whilst the sun was still shining.
Now... I've tried giving out steam loco gen in the past and finished up with soot on my face, but here goes again. Firstly, there are no guarantees this will happen, and not be changed, but here is the latest situation posted in good faith. Next Thursday (14th March) steam loco TORNADO should be taking a train from Edinburgh to Aberdeen and back. Current indications are that it will leave Edinburgh about 09:30 which would suggest passing through Cupar about 10:20 - 10:30. The return journey doesn't leave Aberdeen until tea-time so it will be dark by the time it passes through Cupar. If Mr G can get firmer times I will try to post them here and put them in the shop window too. Given the position of the sun at 10:30, the South Road opposite Knox Gardens should be a decent viewing point, as will the Cow Brae and the station bridge, but just be aware it will be easing off for the station curve so there might not be too much smoke evident. Anyway, enjoy if you can and I hope to see you in the shop soon.
Audrey
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