A Market Drayton Day.

 Wednesday 26th June 2024 in Market Drayton.

As we have until Monday to get to Overwater Marina, we took today off and stayed in Marlet Drayton. The day was hot and sunny.

Wednesday here is Market Day, so we set off to town to find some breakfast. This is the old Buttercross in the centre of town and the start of the open market.

Opposite the Buttercross was a tea room named after it and we had enjoyed nice food there a number of times in the past. Sadly, it had closed since last year. M went into the delicatessen next door to buy Billington's renowned gingerbread and asked for recommendations for somewhere else nearby where we could have breakfast. We were referred to "The Hideout" a few yards down the road. It was formerly a pub and we received a warm welcome and an excellent breakfast.

Market Drayton has a wealth of handsome old buildings such as this former flour mill, now up for sale.

In the centre is this very impressive Tudor House Hotel, which could rival anything in Chester. Sadly, however, there were many empty shops and signs that Market Drayton is not thriving.

M liked this road sign, but listened in vain for music!

There is a large Morrisons in town and M went in for a "few bits" but managed to keep it to just a single bag full, much to R's relief!

Close to our mooring is this very austere pill box. During the Second World War, the canals were used as possible defensive lines and there are many of these along the waterways but most are not in such good condition.

A quiet and relaxing afternoon followed. Even MM had a rest in the hot sunshine.