lunch times on locks

[thamesS23]

anyone know what times the locks are shut for lunch (thinking of skivving of work and going out on the boat)

 

[MiskinDriver]

try here:

http://www.visitthames.co.uk/poi/184/locks.html

Though it doesn't mention lunch - it at least gives the phone numbers so you can ask.

Always thought it was OK to operate Thames locks without a keeper though?

 

[bradtarga34]

at the moment they seem to be closing between 1300-1400.

 

[teddington_lock]

Usually 1 till 2 .... everyone tries to keep it uniform as far as i know so that everyone knows what time the locks will be closed , other wise you'd have some going 11 till 12 , others 12 till 1 , others 1 till 2 etc etc and everyone would get confused ...

Obviously when the summer hands start , there will be a service through the lunch break.

Perfectly ok to lock yourselves through though !!

 

[thamesS23]

thanks for all that, I thought it was 1-2pm. Something came up at work anyway, so that plan went to pop! Still, I think the golf course is calling me!

 

[Captain Coochie]

I always find it quite odd when people wait for the lock keeper to come back from lunch rather than work the lock themselves . I pulled up behind someone waiting so just went and opened the lock . By the time i had a few more boats where behind me . I walked back to my boat and went into the lock , the boat in front had decided to use the bollards the other side of the controls /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif anyway i left my lines long and closed the gates , walked past all the other boats all with more than two people on them /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Pulled my boat in and went to operate the other controls . Back to my boat to watch the ropes and it goes on . When i went back to open the gates they all drove around me to get out /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

Worked Moelsy a few weeks ago and was rewarded with a query from another boat "Why are you allowed to work the lock? Is there a test?" I managed to avoid the snappy retort of "Literacy" and helped them through.

 

[rr_123]

[ QUOTE ]
managed to avoid the snappy retort of "Literacy"

[/ QUOTE ]

Andrew, how did you resist???

 

[the_wanderer]

I usually do not bother about keeper's lunch times. They deserve their break as we all do when working and I would not have it any other way. I did have a bit of a run in a couple of years ago when a keeper got quite ratty when he was taking his break and eating his sarnies in the cabin (signs up etc.) and I worked his lock single handed. He thought I was taking the p... and came out and finished off working the lock, grumbling as he did so.

You just can't win

Regards.

Alan.

(The old git is still here despite no posts)

 

[TrueBlue]

If I end up working the lock for a succession of boats - funny isn't it how, just as one is about to close up, suddenly a line of boats approach - in which case i get all jolly and pro-active, saying "OK guys, I've worked the lock thus far, would you (the last boat in), kindly close up after us?

Usually get a positive and friendly reply.

Folks are:-
Afraid / unsure if they should be working the locks themselves
OR
so locked into themselves that they expect someone else to do the work.
OR
some other reason.

Nobody seems to read or perhaps are not aware of the Boaters Guide freely available at (most) locks.

This of course where this Forum can educate other boaters..