Gosforth Central Park with Urban Park Markets

The first opportunity to trade in the year is, for me, one of mixed emotions. This year it was to be on the 31st January with the team from Urban Park Markets at their regular, monthly Gosforth Central Park food, drink and crafts market.

The blue and white Bass Notes Coffee trailer is set up in a park, offering a cozy spot for visitors to enjoy freshly brewed coffee.

This market is set both inside, nice for some and outside in the cold for the rest of us totaling some 40 plus traders ! At this time of year special consideration has to be given to caring for the grass in the park so vehicles are kept to a minimum. As my van can be moved easily by hand I am likely to cause the least amount of damage.

The reasons for my mixed emotions about the first trading day after a long break is, will I remember how to do everything, will my equipment work, will anybody turn up! I'm a classic sufferer of imposter syndrome which I know is a good thing but at the time those internal voices are chattering away it certainly doesn't feel like it.

January is also the month when I do as much maintenance on the van as I can, it's now 57 years old so takes some looking after. I've had issues with the rear lighting board and how the door shuts in transit so I'm keen to try the improvements to these out over a longer, bumpier journey to see if my money has been well spent. It was yes for the latter, not so much for the former sadly.

As for previous years I did remember how to do everything, the equipment did work, people turned up and thankfully, it didn't rain. As things quietened down I treated myself to a pulled pork Torta from Andy and Danielle who run a fantastic authentic Mexican Street food business, Truly Torta so I left with a full stomach, a smile on my face and dry clothes.