And then before Casio Bridge lock another widebeam coming towards us and yep, you've guessed it, those gates were left open too.
Why don't they close them. Is it bloodymindedness and sheer laziness because I cant see it being anything else? I admit in the days gone by with the working boats this was common practise but these days lack of maintenance means leaky gates and consequently drained pounds. Closing all gates help to stop this. It was only when we met another narrowboat waiting to descend at Iron Bridge lock that all the remaining three locks today had the gates closed. This chap was spitting wasps as he had to close those heavy bottom gates on his own nearly all day before filling the lock for his descent. Do I apologise for this rant? I feel very strongly about it although of course, it did mean we had every lock with us. But imagine if it had been you having to do 12 locks, wanting to descend but had to close all those gates first just to get the locks filled. I expect most would feel really P'd off as I would have done if it had been me. So I'm appealing to all boaters and not just widebeams, please, please close gates!!!
Serious stuff over we did see some funny and weird sights on the way,
And seen on route,
9 comments:
I’m with you on this one! We came down the Audlem flight last winter I know they aren’t double gates but I had to close all the bottom gates before we could fill the lock someone told me it was a single hander going down I’m just glad I never caught up with them I was so annoyed.
I'm also with you on this one. We've found it starts to get better once you get to round about Tring. They are all lazy b*****s down in the south.
Mick
I think it is because so many people living on boats now, especially wide beams, are not really ‘boaters’. They’ve never learnt the rules of the road and the etiquette. We moored on the lower grand union for a number of years and it certainly wasn’t the ‘local custom’ then to leave gates open
Kath (nb Herbie)
We experienced the same situation with the lock gates on the lower GU and when we ask "Why?" from a local boater were informed "London Rules!" Which is (of course) nonsense. Leaving one set of gates open either means half or double the work for the next boat. And as you point out, does nothing to help save water.
We've experienced that too Irene on the GU and it is most annoying! On the plus side you appear to have got a hold now on the new camera, especially the one of the little grebe with the fish.
Thank you to you all for agreeing with me. I did expect negative comments from some boaters but it seems they are too ashamed to say anything being the ones at fault.
A few years ago on our first visit to London we shared with a local boater in the locks round King's Cross. I got told off when I went to close up. 'That's how it's done round here' he said. Well it shouldn't be!
Debby
Quite right Debbie, It shouldn't.
We are two others in complete agreement, Irene. We had the same problem on the lower GU last year - for us, however, they were all against us. As we only ever use one gate it was truly annoying and caused a lot of extra work. When we left the Erewash this summer we shared the last few locks with a boat who moors in Sawley Marina. I had gone ahead to get the next lock ready and they left the gates open behind them as they left the previous lock. I asked why and they just shrugged and said it was 'just what they did!'. We were not amused and made sure they went ahead at the next couple of locks, so we could ensure the gates were shut! I got the feeling that they probably only venture out a couple of times a year which is probably just as well. Jennie
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