Day 12 – 29 August 2007 Whittlesey to Whiston Lock We left the mooring at 10:05am. I'd told Stanground we'd be there for 11, but in the end we arrived at 11:30am. We found out from the lock keeper that the other two boats had been delayed, but were due shortly. We stopped at the Asda in Peterborough, and when we returned our two friends had just arrived. We had lunch, and then left at 14:10 just before the steam train left the station.
The train thundered past us before we reached the next lock, when we did reach it the guillotine gate had just started closing. We sounded our horn, and raced up to the lock side. "Oh, I was miles away", was the answer. When operating such a dangerous piece of machinery it would be a good idea to take more care. I must admit that a control box was placed in her view of the downstream river, but when you hear a horn it would be prudent to look. In fact the bloke sat on the top lock balance beam – part of her crew – could see us fine. Anyway the gate was raised again and we went through the lock. At least we didn't have to turn it again. As we entered the lock a small cruiser came steaming up the river, but declined entry after seeing us in there. At the next lock they had just arrived as I opened the gate, and by the time someone was on the lock it was fully opened. A hire boat just arrived before the time-out of the guillotine finished at Water Newton lock. I put the gate back down, and wound the top paddle up half way before jumping on the boat. The flow of water put the hireboat out of shape and she ended up across the waterway. As the bow approached the landing stage the husband and their lad jumped off, but then the lad decided to jump back on the boat to get the rope. This was a mistake as he misjudged the jump and nearly ended up in the water. Luckily he had one leg inside the boat but I bet it hurt! We just missed the steam train pulling into Wansford station, but I did get a glimse of it through the trees. We had an uneventful journey up to near Cogenhoe, where Dad thought there were some moorings at the lock after the next, and I thought it was the next lock. We were both wrong, and ended up on the end of the locks moorings at Whiston Lock. -- Michael Askin http://shoestring_DOT_zapto_DOT_org/ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/canals-list/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/canals-list/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
