Where have all the lock keepers gone?

DogsBody

DogsBody

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Had a trip down from Bray to Teddington on Friday and back again Monday / Tuesday, quite a few locks but doubt if I saw more than six lock keepers (a couple of which were just going to / returning from lunch), were they all hiding?

Got similar figures from other boaters I spoke to, do they only work weekends now?

While I'm posting, one for Boatone, see if you can spot what is wrong with this picture-
hamptoncourt.jpg








Yes, thats right, its Hampton Court moorings and NO NARROW BOATS (or any boats for that matter). Never seen it so empty.

Darren.
 
some friends of our came down from Windsor on Friday to Teddington as well and said the same thing, a distinct absence of lock keepers. Even on weekend, I have found that Chertsey seems to be unmanned more often than when it is! Was suprised to see Hampton Court moorings empty, and even more surprised that Teddington was chockers with us having to raft! I noticed that boats over 60' long at Hampton Court are to be charged at £10.00 a night for mooring, a new sign tacked onto the bottom of an existing sign. How was your trip to Limehouse?
 
Re: Limehouse

Good trip actually if a little slow on the way down (our "fleet" was averaging about 5 knots for some reason).

Finally got Unwinder to Limehouse on what I think was the fourth attempt and glad we did as they seem much better organised than St Kats and cheaper too.

Got drenched watching the marathon on Sunday but could have been worse - at least I was only watching not running it. As usual bright sunshine for the return trip on but ce la vie.

Where you around? Don't remember seeing your boat but there were quite a lot moored at teddington as you say.

Darren.
 
Re: Limehouse

Congratulations on getting Unwinder to Limehouse - glad you persevered. I hope you had a drink to celebrate. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
 
Re: Limehouse

Was a little early in the day but oh yes "refreshments" were served on arrival, followed by a short period of R&R due to the 0500h departure from Teddington.
 
Re: Limehouse

We got down about 1930 to Teddington, with a Targa 38 and rafted next to a couple of our friends who were down the footbridge end of the layby. We left about 0430, which was nightmare, as our no drinking early to bed plan went out the window in a major fashion! Amazingly, after a radio call ahead, St Kat's actually had the lock open for us when we got there! Engines now smoke free after probbably the only stretch you can give the boats some welly after Wandsworth bridge going to Chelsea Harbour, making sure we slow down well before. Having stayed on that pontoon I know full well what it is like to have boats speeding past... Got soaked as well watching the marathon, blimmin' freezing it was as well, but soon cosy enough in The Dickens Inn with a hot choccy (only 'cus they weren't serving bloody mary's yet) and a good feed at a Dim Sum restuant called ping pong, which is at the back of the dock. I think a quiet weekend up river this weekend to recover could be on the cards.
 
Re: Limehouse

Hmmm, Brad and abstinence...

oudrageoustoga.jpg


(it needs dragging out from time to time)
 
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