Market Buildings, Maidstone

It was a real treat to catch up on your journals this morning after our holiday in Scotland. Thanks for continuing to visit, leave comments and hearts while we were enjoying ourselves.

We walked into town primarily to resolve issues with bank cards which was only partially successful as even the bank staff weren’t sure of the problem I was having. The true test will be tomorrow morning.

Of course, there were other things to be done, we stayed for lunch and called in for a few things. Quite noticeable how many empty shops there are.

Today’s blip is of the town’s Market Buildings built from 1839. The ground floor has a “colonnade of 7 round-headed arches flanked by engaged Tuscan columns” There is also a Corn Exchange within the building.

The restaurant is, I think, the only independent restaurant in the town. I can’t think of another place that isn’t a cafe or pub or chain. It’s very good too.

On the way home we passed a family of swans with 7 cygnets in Mote Park, which we thought was pretty amazing, so I’ve included them as an extra. Lots of preening going on there!

After I’d posted yesterday’s blip we walked out to Mote Park to stand in the gathering gloaming to watch bats flitting over the water of Mote Lake, magical