There is produce – and then there is produce.  I have decided that I much rather prefer eating summer fruit such as peaches, plums and nectarines in summer rather than in winter.  I guess this means if I have a hankering for a juicy nectarine in August that I have to go to the nectarines rather than wait for them to come to me.  Or with a little more clarity – instead of sitting in New Zealand eating Californian imports, I decided to go to Portugal and eat the local stuff! My main excuse for this trip was the ISHS Horticultural Congress and I will talk about this event here a little bit as well. There will also be some comments on Portuguese supermarkets, culture and eating habits before I will move my commentary to Italy, Finland and England – the other places on my August/September European travel itinerary.  Lots to to see and lots to learn.  First interesting learning from Portugal  - many produce shops also sell liquid grapes!