Car boot sale

Car boot sales in France go under the name of vide greniers, or empty attics.   I like browsing them, since not only is there an opportunity to pick up bargains, but they're a window into the local culture: we often go to them when we travel, and it's interesting to note the differences in what is for sale.

The ones this weekend were local, and pickings were thin.   There was a stand that had a "help yourself" box, so I picked up a couple of CDs from it.   The squash plant is a Butternut squash, and although I have some seeds planted, they are not up yet.    This plant is starving (indicated by the yellow lower leaves) because the nutrients in the pot are exhausted, but I think it will recover in my garden, and it was only one euro.  The apples were being sold to fund a home for mistreated animals.  This is always a soft spot for me, I can neither understand nor abide ill-treatment of animals, so I bought a kilo for a euro (5 apples).  I was told that they are Jonagored, a type I had not heard of, and they are delicious.  I looked them up, and discovered that they are supposed to keep until April or so, but here they are in in June, still firm, crisp and juicy.  I found a tree nursery (pépinière, m) that sells this type of tree, and I will plant some.   Another reason to go to vide greniers.