Iluka markets

Coastal chill

Jeremy and Sue Challacombe are familiar faces at many markets in and around the Clarence Valley. Today they were at the Iluka Markets. Have you tried their farm-grown strawberry ice-cream? Delicious!

It was a cold start, but when the sun arrived, it didn’t disappoint the north coast market community this weekend.

On Sunday I packed the family (and the new pup) into the wagon and drove through  Bundjalung National Park to visit Iluka markets, held on the sports fields in town.

Strawberry ice-cream. Yum

We arrived around 11am and the markets were in full swing. The rest of the family was interested in finding a source of food, but I was keen to see if remembered any of the tips I was given at a photography workshop yesterday.

Markets always have a great mix of characters and colours, and are a great opportunity for amateur photographers like me (isn’t everyone?) to practice capturing the moment and experiment with the buttons and knobs on the camera.

Norm Heinz is a colourful bush balladeer and a familiar face at the Iluka Markets.

Afterwards we went to the beach and felt very lucky to have it almost to ourselves. Later we had lunch at the Sedger’s Reef Hotel, one of my favourite hotels on the north coast. Iluka really has got a lot going for it, and so much more.

Here’s some of my favourite images from Iluka Markets on Sunday August 5, 2012 – through my eyes.

Samara’s dad hand-makes toys to last using mainly timber and metal work. He was camera-shy though, so Samara said yes instead.

Here’s one of his timber trucks. Cool. My boys love them.

How about these for a fun hat?! Just one of the many amazing and unique things you might find at the Iluka Markets

Helen makes many beautiful things, among them a fun and pretty range of colourful jewellery. Today she was at the Iluka Markets, but you’ll also find Helen at the Grafton Showground Markets and the GDSC Markets too.

And here’s Banjo enjoying his first visit to the beach. We’re not sure what breed he is, but that doesn’t matter. He has found his forever home with our family after we rescued him from the pound a couple of weeks ago. He’s just adorable and we all love him to bits.

For more photos, visit the NCM facebook page. To stay in touch with what’s on, when and where in the north coast market community, follow us on facebook , twitter, or subscribe via email to this blog. As always, your comments welcome.

Banjo enjoying his first time at the beach