In January 2002, we had 30 people attending our Texas Globetrotter's meeting! More than 50 different people have attended since the first meeting back in July 2001. Ron Woguus shared some of his travel preparation wisdom he has acquired after hundreds of trips. We all shared our travel goals for 2002 by saying them out loud and writing them down, which will definitely help make them happen!

The eighth meeting of the Globetrotters Texas branch will start promptly at 3 p.m. on Saturday, February 9 at the New Braunfels Public Library. We might have a slide show, we will definitely have time to share common vacation goals, and we will talk about a Globies group trip.

Meetings are held at 3pm at the New Braunfels Public Library, 700 E. Common Street in New Braunfels, Texas. The meeting ends at 5 p.m. If you would like to continue travel talk on a more informal basis, we plan to adjourn to the Hoity-Toit, a local New Braunfels establishment. If anybody would like to enquire about meetings or help Christina, please contact her on: texas@globetrotters.co.uk

Spitalfields market is the Beetle's favourite London market. It has the advantage of not being fantastically busy, like Portobello Rd market or Petticoat Lane, and it offers a surprising range of products to buy and things to look at.

It is less than 10 minutes walk from Liverpool Street tube station (get out at the Broadgate exit and just follow everyone else, or ask). It is open on Sundays from around 8am to 3pm. It dates back to 1682 and was once the largest fruit and veg market in London, before it moved location to East London.

Old Spitalfields Market on Commercial Street was the location of a medieval hospital and priory of St. Mary Spital founded in 1197. Back then, this was the outside boundary of London, and the hospital is reputed to have provided shelter to travellers, hence the name `Spital fields'. The area remained fields until Charles II founded the fruit, flower and vegetable market in 1682. Another claim to fame is that Spitalfields was the site of Jack the Ripper's first victim!

Today, you can buy organic meat, vegetables, bread and patisserie, second hand books and records, vintage clothes, gemstones, jewellery, candles, pictures, kites – all sorts! There are a couple of cafes and pubs close by if you are in need of sustenance after a hard few hours seeing what the market has to offer.

Want to tell us about your local market? Contact the Beetle: the Beetle

Next month: Borough Market, London, as featured in Bridget Jones' Diary

Meeting news from our branches around the world.