We felt it about time we left Penkridge and with Dennis and Margaret also leaving today (they are heading back toward the boat club) it was their turn to help us up Penkridge lock. Stopping first on the facilities to do the bizz we then set off for the first of the 4 locks scheduled for today. With a boat heading in our direction we knew Filance lock to be with us. Having been informed that one of the gates had swung open I was going to nudge in and Ian would get off by the lock. Thats when this lady came along from the top and shut the bottom gate in front of us! So thinking she hadn't looked to make sure no boats were coming I gave her a toot on the horn. She turned, looked and continued to walk toward the top gate. Both Ian and I couldn't believe it. Nothing to be done as Ian was still on FS and I first had to maneuver to the lock landing. Okay, we were both annoyed but for all we knew it was a hirer and new to canal etiquette, so once Ian was on the bank side, he raced up to the lock to see what was what. Now this is the point which got me really annoyed. She said that she had lifted both paddles to fill the lock, then realised the bottom gate was open so went to shut it. She blatantly told Ian that the lock was already half full. What!!!!!!!!! with the bottom gate wide open?????? Ian told her in no uncertain terms what he thought, and no it wasn't a hirer but a private boat owner. Then to make matters worse their dog jumped off the boat and crapped right next to one of the bollards. The chap at the helm just ignored it so Ian did no more then get a bag out of his pocket and march over to the lady saying she had better use it! With that he walked away in disgust. I think the lady must have been very ashamed because, once their boat had left the lock, she actually stayed behind and helped close the gate for me. Anyway after this little episode the rest of the journey to Brick Kiln lock went without hitch. The vegetation was as bad as ever and at Rodbaston lock the landing must have been unsafe to use judging by the Defra rash along its length. If there hadn't been a fishing peg all flattened down, Ian would have found it almost impossible to get off!
We are now moored between locks, a lovely quiet mooring and good fishing. I'm still suffering with this darned cold and Ian's cooking a very hot chilli tonight to see if I can sweat it out! It will either kill or cure that's for sure!
 |
| Otherton lock side. Notice the 2 mown strips. What was wrong with doing the whole lot! |
 |
| Approaching Rodbaston lock. Defra rash all over the landing. |
 |
| Lovely quiet mooring. Shame about the undergrowth |
No comments:
Post a Comment