More holdups at Atherstone and a ignorant boater.

 Saturday 11th

We did leave early, a tad before 8 am, and passed 10 boats that showed no signs of movement. I ascended lock number 11 (bottom of Atherstone flight) and then 10 but at lock 9, as I approached noticed the gates open. No boat on the landing, just one still tied a way back. Suddenly a figure appeared coming down the lock side with windlass in hand. Oh, eck...I was about to steal his lock. But in my defence, he wasn't on the landing, I had no idea he was at the lock, he was dressed all in black and on a murky day there was no way of seeing him. Anyway, I shouted I would stop on the landing and let him through, but he waved me on. Ian told him that we would lift a paddle on the next 2 locks and at lock 7 (the supposedly padlocked one) would let him join the queue in front of us. In fact, we helped him more than he expected because, Ian not only lifted a paddle at each lock, but waited for the lock to empty and opened both gates for him too. 

As we ascended lock 8, looking into the distance, not a single boat waiting, so maybe this lock hadn't been padlocked after all. 

 

Turned out it was locks 5 to 1 that were padlocked. Several boats were moored on the town moorings, but only one chap appeared to be waiting. I watched one boat come in behind him, only to see him waved past. As I drew nearer, he left his boat and walked up to the road, so I assumed he was moored still and also went past. 

He was waved past.

Boat etiquette, it is well known that you never turn a lock around on an oncoming boat, and you never jump a queue! 5 minutes had passed when suddenly that boater, the one who had left his boat, not only came past me but everyone that was already waiting.

 

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I was just joining the queue, having gone past that boat

 I shouted I was the last boat and he should come behind. Oh no, he wasn't having that, said he was going onto the landing as it was free (those other boaters had not moved up) and did I think he was going to jump the queue. In return, I shouted back, he had better not! My God, he piss'd me off big time and when the lock gates opened, and he went straight in, I was NOT amused!!! Put me in a bad mood for ages. Thankfully another boater turned up, nestled in behind FS and started up a conversation. He was really nice, made me laugh, and suddenly all the anger left me, I shrugged my shoulders and came to the conclusion that life goes on irrespective of how I felt, and to just accept the inevitable. Mind you, if I ever see him again, I may well give him a piece of my mind! 

We cleared the top lock at midday, thank goodness every lock had a volunteer, it certainly made life easier. The volunteer at the top lock did mention that they may have to close the flight again in 2 weeks time because water levels, although okay for now, would drop quite quickly the more boats that come up. I never thought I would say it, but we badly need the rain!

Got to the other side of Nuneaton and moored. Time was 2.30pm, so another longish day had. Tomorrow is Ian's birthday. It's also the day a year ago that my best friend Pat died. It's one of those dates never to be forgotten.

And seen on route,