When travelling country roads one often comes across signs attached to gateposts or propped against trees proclaiming “fresh fruit and veg” as well as many other delights such as free range eggs and honey.

One such occasion was yesterday, for once a dry and mild Saturday, enabling us to take our dogs Buster and Charlie for a good long run to stretch their rain weary legs.

A day out by the sea was required and on the way we chose to take the back roads which wind past many small farms and villages.

At this time of year the soft fruit is ripening and sure enough, on a fence was a sign saying “blackcurrants and raspberries”.  Turning off the road onto a narrow farm lane overhung by what promised to be quite a crop of apples later in the year, we came to a small courtyard with a table bearing boxes brimming with ripe, juicy fruits.

At only £1.20 for 500g of currants and £0.75p for a box of raspberries, we helped ourselves to the pickings and left the money in the honesty box on the table. I think I got quite a bargain, as most of the large supermarkets charge around £1.00 to £1.79 for 250g of currants.

The next stop yielded some free range eggs, tomatoes, beetroot and some lovely home made lemon curd.

In fact all of the produce you see on the table below was purchased for just slightly under £10.00.

Some of the raspberries, we could not resist eating on the way home, but once home we promptly washed and froze the fruit for later use.