On Fri, Jan 23, 2009 at 3:17 PM, Adrian Stott <[email protected]> wrote: > Michael Askin <[email protected]> > wrote: > >>I take it you are talking about the thumblining - as far as I know not >>a problem with BW? Obviously these days you have to stop in the bottom >>of the lock to close the gate and drop the paddle again. > > Er, no. The purpose of thumblining is so that no-one need be on the > bank at the lock after the bottom paddles are raised. Not much point > otherwise. > > The gates and paddles were always left open. As they still should be > today.
I'll raise to the bait... :-) I agree with everything you said, except that BW don't and therefore to follow BW suggested lock usage, all gates and paddles should be closed except were noted. Thumblining does still have an advantage if you are single or light handed you don't have to climb back down to the boat once the gate has been opened. Closing the gates and paddles after that is of course totally up to you... Mike -- Michael Askin http://shoestring_DOT_zapto_DOT_org/
