I wonder if he was the lock keeper that I and a German chap met there one
day many years back. The LK seemed very unhappy at our early (9am) arrival - we
both being on hire boats. The German - who amazed me with his canal knowledge
took at least 10 weeks a year on the canals and on this day was wearing his hot
weather gear of Wellies, leaderhosen, hawaiian shirt flapping over bare chest
and massive black rubber gloves. Confronted with him talking better English
than both of us and lecturing the keeper on his tardiness and low pounds the
keeper stormed back to his house and slammed the door. Mr German then raced off
at super-speed to operate the locks paddles at a fantastic rate working us down
before he worked himself (single-handed) up. We offered to help but he prefered
to do it alone!
This chap - never seen again was not the only German I saw get the better
of BWs few nasties - but for canal gear he was the most impressive!
David Cragg
Steve Haywood <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
On 09/03/07, David Sullivan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> How things change...
> (and not all for the worse - I can remember when there
> were restrictions on the Grand Union EVERY YEAR because
> of water shortage. Many a merry evening I've spent tied
> at the bottom of Stoke Bruerne or the top of Buckby for
> the night because the locks were padlocked)
One year, because there'd been so many complaints, they made restrictions
'advisory' ie you were asked not to cruise outside certain hours unless
there were pressing reasons.
That year I heard my mother was seriously ill and we got up at sparrow's
fart to rush the boat back to the mooring and the car. Coming up Stockton
flight there was an a**hole of a lockkeeper who - without even passing the
time of day - suddenly started having a go at us. 'There's always one,' I
remember him saying, 'one who spoils it for everyone else...'
I was already understandably tense. Believe me, if he'd have been anywhere
near me, I'd have spoiled his nose, I can tell you.
Steve
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