Market Drayton

Paul came back from the pub yesterday afternoon shaking his head. “It’s a tad expensive over there”  he said. The beer was okay but after looking at the menu he could quite understand why there was no one eating there. Your run of the mill ham egg and chips was over a tenner. So we made do with mince, mash and beans. The 48hr moorings here were full and we were one of the first to leave this morning. It is only 3miles to Market Drayton but there are 5 whole locks to contend with.

Going through Woodseaves cutting was a bit of an eye opener, very narrow and over hung with trees. Along the stretch between bridges 56 and 57 there had been a couple of land slips that BW had obviously sorted. There are two very high bridges here too.

 

Wouldn't be so bad if some of the shrubbery was clipped back.

Did think about getting the shears out and doing it myself.

When we got to Tyrley Wharf  we had to fill the lock which gave me time to take a couple of snaps.

Once through the first lock there were boats coming up so it worked out fine for all.

This is the view looking back at the bottom lock.

Again you can see the rock face. It makes you wonder how many navvies it took to cut all this out.

Once moored in Market Drayton and after a coffee we walked to the town. Thought we would use the new Asda which has replaced the Netto store. There we were wandering through the store gaily putting stuff in the trolley not too much as we only had a rucksack with us, then we got to the checkout, well, to say it was chaos would be an understatement. They only have 1 yes 1 checkout, there are 2 self serve checkouts and the tobacco kiosk. Any other time I would have been quite patient and waited but today I just couldn't be a****d. So the trolley was left (with all its contents) and we walked to Morrison's. Wasn't till we got there that I remembered we had to put a £1 in the Asda trolley and it was still in it, never mind it was worth it to keep my stress levels low. So just be warned that you may have a bit of a wait if you use this store although hopefully some bright spark at head office may sign the chit for another checkout to be put in. Will save a lot of disgruntled customers.

We were very good resisting the pull of a Weatherspoons and 2 fish and chip shops looking forward instead to crusty rolls and the nice ham we bought instead. Paul bought himself some McKewans beer reckons he hasn't had any since he was at sea all those years ago. He has already downed two cans so it must still be as good as he remembered.