Friendly fishermen and a pub from the past

We enjoyed the modern service at St. Mary's, Market Drayton, this morning; then we bought a few provisions at Lidl and set off at about 1320. The old wharf building has a For Sale sign but I don't know if it's the whole building or just a part.

We had a salad on the move, then we were at Tyrley Locks.

These were fairly busy with boats coming down at each of the five locks, although we seemed to be the only boat going our way.

Between the locks and Shebdon Embankment there was a fishing match on. Almost without exception the fishermen (all men) were happy to exchange pleasantries and some were even chatty.

We stopped at the Anchor, High Offley, and had another successful barbecue - despite a brief shower while the coals were heating up. After this we went to the Anchor pub and enjoyed the interior largely unchanged from the 1820s. We were served by Olive, now 79 or 80, who had been the landlady for more than 40 years, her ancestors being the original publicans.