thamesS23
Well-Known Member
Just came down stream through Bray and the queue going upstream goes as far back as the M4 bridge and beyond!
Bray lock busy
- Thread starter thamesS23
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Old Crusty
Well-Known Member
Excellent! Just as I remember it but on a really busy day, the queue would be back to Monkey Island. Three up, three down, 5 minute turn around. Be lovely to Keith the resident lockie, top bloke.
Pump-Out
Well-Known Member
Just like the old days.....
Gibeltarik
Well-Known Member
Keith at Marlow today with a relief - very busy there - as was Temple (LWK + relief). Thank you all - excellent service!
Hambledon and Hurley similar - self-service- but some of us always willing to help fellow boaters through.
Apparently Cookham, Bray and Boulters not yet approved yet for assisted passage.
Hambledon and Hurley similar - self-service- but some of us always willing to help fellow boaters through.
Apparently Cookham, Bray and Boulters not yet approved yet for assisted passage.
Outinthedinghy
Well-Known Member
Keith has been taking the situation re the virus very seriously. It's a bit awkward having the access to the residence via lock gates.
I've known him since the mid nineties, nice bloke indeed and a credit to the River.
Time Out
Well-Known Member
Some very bizarre self service behaviour yesterday. Came through Chertsey gates closed on us going down so chap in a hurry Could empty chamber and lock through. Once his boat entered the lock he then closed the gates on the four boats waiting to come in. One literally 30 feet away! Never seen anything like it.
Outinthedinghy
Well-Known Member
I've twice had people closing gates as I was motoring towards the lock.
At marsh I was only about 50ft and had just opened the bottom gates for my boat when someone came and started closing them... I have installed a large train horn on the boat routed to an old fire extinguisher pumped up to 100psi. This seems to wake them up nicely.
The other one I had was below Marlow I started motoring away from the lay-by and the two boats behind just came straight past claiming they thought I was tied up despite both ropes being on the boat and both props turning.
We need keepers back asap.
At marsh I was only about 50ft and had just opened the bottom gates for my boat when someone came and started closing them... I have installed a large train horn on the boat routed to an old fire extinguisher pumped up to 100psi. This seems to wake them up nicely.
The other one I had was below Marlow I started motoring away from the lay-by and the two boats behind just came straight past claiming they thought I was tied up despite both ropes being on the boat and both props turning.
We need keepers back asap.
Gibeltarik
Well-Known Member
But on the brighter side fewer cruisers overtaking slugs and widebeams as soon as they get out of the lock - grandmother's footsteps now so as not to be first at the next lock!
Lower Limit 1909
Well-Known Member
Interactions with fellow boaters at locks used to be part of the pleasure of the inland waterways. These days on the Thames it can often be categorised as one of the downsides - especially at weekends.
Outinthedinghy
Well-Known Member
I always thought this whole moan about idiots was just a symptom of ageing but I'm coming to the conclusion that there actually -are- more idiots about than there used to be.
Don't know why but it seems to be quite a popular pastime.
Is it perhaps the change to day boats rather than cabined boats over the last decade? Those little antaris things seems very popular and often have incompetent persons on board.
I guess a little day cruise will tend to bring out different people rather than those who are prepared to sleep on board and cook and use the toilet etc.
And then there must be the shared boats, and the rich kids using daddies boat etc.
Don't know why but it seems to be quite a popular pastime.
Is it perhaps the change to day boats rather than cabined boats over the last decade? Those little antaris things seems very popular and often have incompetent persons on board.
I guess a little day cruise will tend to bring out different people rather than those who are prepared to sleep on board and cook and use the toilet etc.
And then there must be the shared boats, and the rich kids using daddies boat etc.
Gibeltarik
Well-Known Member
On the other hand - on Saturday crewing a boat for a friend - everyone I met on the lockside were lovely and keen to help the self-service passage work for all. The 'cuckoos' sitting on their nests seemed happy to ignore us and wait to be helped! But - more 'thank-yous' than usual!
All is not lost - Thames courtesy is still there!
All is not lost - Thames courtesy is still there!
