Elessar
Well-Known Member
Evenstar hasn't come back to the Thames for 18 months now, but as always today when out for a walk I am drawn to the lock to pine over gentle weekends on the river.
As I approached, a party of 6 girls on a hireboat were waiting for the lock. Entertainment looms I thought (out loud). My indignant wife said I'd be disappointed as they'd get into the lock immaculately.
Anyway I was not disappointed. Broadside on right hand wall outside the lock, then they hit the left wall just beyond the gates, the lockie dragged them in. He instructed them to go into reverse just before the down river gates which they did successfully.
An immaculate and expensive steelboat followed followed by a small cruiser, topsides bearing the scars or repeated percussion parking.
Said cruiser entered the lock and had no intention whatsoever of stopping. Go into reverse madam, reverse, REVERSE!!. He hauled on the aft warp with vigour and dragged them to a stop just before they hit the steelboat.
Lock emptied, the girls followed the lockies instructions on how to proceed. They nearly hit the waiting boats on the left bank, then nearly hit the right bank, then zig zagged down the river. They simply had no clue how to steer, it was amusing to watch.
Did anyone see them further downriver? How far did they get I wonder.
Most of all was the competence, patience and good humour on the lockie throughout. I guess it's still the start of the season......
As I approached, a party of 6 girls on a hireboat were waiting for the lock. Entertainment looms I thought (out loud). My indignant wife said I'd be disappointed as they'd get into the lock immaculately.
Anyway I was not disappointed. Broadside on right hand wall outside the lock, then they hit the left wall just beyond the gates, the lockie dragged them in. He instructed them to go into reverse just before the down river gates which they did successfully.
An immaculate and expensive steelboat followed followed by a small cruiser, topsides bearing the scars or repeated percussion parking.
Said cruiser entered the lock and had no intention whatsoever of stopping. Go into reverse madam, reverse, REVERSE!!. He hauled on the aft warp with vigour and dragged them to a stop just before they hit the steelboat.
Lock emptied, the girls followed the lockies instructions on how to proceed. They nearly hit the waiting boats on the left bank, then nearly hit the right bank, then zig zagged down the river. They simply had no clue how to steer, it was amusing to watch.
Did anyone see them further downriver? How far did they get I wonder.
Most of all was the competence, patience and good humour on the lockie throughout. I guess it's still the start of the season......
