carpet wallah Posted May 20, 2013 Report Posted May 20, 2013 So, we're coming up through Nell Bridge Lock on the S Oxford this afternoon and I notice that the water is nearly coming over the top gate. The bywash wier thingy was completely blocked, so in public spirited moment I fetched the boat hook and pulled most of the branches and other detritis on to the edge. I could see by the look on the old guy from the lock cottage, when he suddenly appeared , that he was not impressed by my efforts. I enquired what was troubling him, he said it was where I'd dropped the debris. I asked where he would prefer it and he indicated the other side of the lock. When I motioned to pick it up, he said that he would do it himself, so I thanked him and crossed the top gate. As we were leaving the lock he kicked all the rubbish back into the wier! It's so nice to know that occupants of old canal properties have the interests of the waterways at heart.
Maffi Posted May 20, 2013 Report Posted May 20, 2013 His property ends at the fence. It's none of his business where you put the flotsam.
i love my narrowboat Posted May 20, 2013 Report Posted May 20, 2013 Miserable old beggar, some people's behaviour is crass, but well done to you for at least making an effort :-)
Roadsteam Posted May 21, 2013 Report Posted May 21, 2013 One of the chaps who lives in the cottage(i have not heard of his death) at Nell Bridge has mental health issues and his brother is his carer. Last time i saw the brother with the issues i thought it was the other brother who i know, i was quite put out when he blanked me when spoken to, but when i realised my mistake the lack of response made sense.
blackrose Posted May 22, 2013 Report Posted May 22, 2013 Reminds me of when I came into Gloucester basin a few weeks ago from the G&S. I wasn't sure if there were moorings in the basin itself and I saw boats moored up outside Sainsurys so I pulled in and saw a guy in the back of his semi-trad. He'd watched me moor up behind him and it looked like he was fixing something on his boat. I said "Excuse me, are there moorings further on in the basin?" He just stared at me for what felt like about a minute and said nothing. It really freaked me out. It's the strangest response I've ever had from another boater. Needless to say, I didn't hang about there! I thought afterwards that he must have had mental heath issues, although at the time I didn't think of it in those politically correct terms.
carlt Posted May 22, 2013 Report Posted May 22, 2013 I thought afterwards that he must have had mental heath issues, although at the time I didn't think of it in those politically correct terms. Perhaps he didn't see you standing on your tippy-toes trying to see over your cabin roof?
Laurie Booth Posted May 22, 2013 Report Posted May 22, 2013 (edited) Reminds me of when I came into Gloucester basin a few weeks ago from the G&S. I wasn't sure if there were moorings in the basin itself and I saw boats moored up outside Sainsurys so I pulled in and saw a guy in the back of his semi-trad. He'd watched me moor up behind him and it looked like he was fixing something on his boat. I said "Excuse me, are there moorings further on in the basin?" He just stared at me for what felt like about a minute and said nothing. It really freaked me out. It's the strangest response I've ever had from another boater. Needless to say, I didn't hang about there! I thought afterwards that he must have had mental heath issues, although at the time I didn't think of it in those politically correct terms. He might of been deaf or had a throat problem effecting his speak. Edited May 22, 2013 by Laurie.Booth
nipper Posted May 22, 2013 Report Posted May 22, 2013 So, we're coming up through Nell Bridge Lock on the S Oxford this afternoon and I notice that the water is nearly coming over the top gate. The bywash wier thingy was completely blocked, so in public spirited moment I fetched the boat hook and pulled most of the branches and other detritis on to the edge. I could see by the look on the old guy from the lock cottage, when he suddenly appeared , that he was not impressed by my efforts. I enquired what was troubling him, he said it was where I'd dropped the debris. I asked where he would prefer it and he indicated the other side of the lock. When I motioned to pick it up, he said that he would do it himself, so I thanked him and crossed the top gate. As we were leaving the lock he kicked all the rubbish back into the wier! It's so nice to know that occupants of old canal properties have the interests of the waterways at heart. Used Nell Bridge lock an hour or two ago and a chap appeared from the road bridge area and stopped and looked at my wife struggling to close the top gate, he just stood there looking and when sahe got the gate was closed he walked across it and went onto the cottage garden! I caught the look the missus gave him, the look only a woman can give, gentle but with a bite! When in his garden he then turned around and looked at us using the lock! Maybe this guy has a problem with canal users in general. Never mind, the little weir was clear. Nipper
sueb Posted May 22, 2013 Report Posted May 22, 2013 Used Nell Bridge lock an hour or two ago and a chap appeared from the road bridge area and stopped and looked at my wife struggling to close the top gate, he just stood there looking and when sahe got the gate was closed he walked across it and went onto the cottage garden! I caught the look the missus gave him, the look only a woman can give, gentle but with a bite! When in his garden he then turned around and looked at us using the lock! Maybe this guy has a problem with canal users in general. Never mind, the little weir was clear. Nipper Maybe he has a problem with wives struggling whilst their hubby's watch
keble Posted May 22, 2013 Report Posted May 22, 2013 Reminds me of when I came into Gloucester basin a few weeks ago from the G&S. I wasn't sure if there were moorings in the basin itself and I saw boats moored up outside Sainsurys so I pulled in and saw a guy in the back of his semi-trad. He'd watched me moor up behind him and it looked like he was fixing something on his boat. I said "Excuse me, are there moorings further on in the basin?" He just stared at me for what felt like about a minute and said nothing. It really freaked me out. It's the strangest response I've ever had from another boater. Needless to say, I didn't hang about there! I thought afterwards that he must have had mental heath issues, although at the time I didn't think of it in those politically correct terms. I have to say that is really unusual for the docks! Never had odd behaviour but I guess you were just unlucky
mrsmelly Posted May 22, 2013 Report Posted May 22, 2013 Maybe he has a problem with wives struggling whilst their hubby's watch Thats how it should be. Women do all the work whilst us blokes take in the scenery, there are one or two blokes out there who dont seem to grasp that fact but thankfully not too many of them or life could become difficult for us majority. Tim
nipper Posted May 22, 2013 Report Posted May 22, 2013 (edited) Maybe he has a problem with wives struggling whilst their hubby's watch Yes, maybe the husband had entered the lock, stopped the boat, got off to work the offside paddle! But,there again, the scenery is nice!! Nipper Edited May 22, 2013 by nipper
MtB Posted May 22, 2013 Report Posted May 22, 2013 Thats how it should be. Women do all the work whilst us blokes take in the scenery, there are one or two blokes out there who dont seem to grasp that fact but thankfully not too many of them or life could become difficult for us majority. Tim Thing is, a lot of wimmins dislike taking the boat into a lock, fearing hitting the gates or whatever. The wimmims I speak to working the locks always say they prefer to work the lock to steering the boat, when i comment on him making them do all the work... MtB
carlt Posted May 22, 2013 Report Posted May 22, 2013 Yeah! I wish I had a real woman like SueB who has the confidence to steer the boat into locks so I could get off for a walk. Her husband must be the happiest man alive, constantly thanking his lucky stars.
blackrose Posted May 22, 2013 Report Posted May 22, 2013 He might of been deaf or had a throat problem effecting his speak. Deaf people usually say something to tell you to speak slower so they can lipread. It wasn't any of that - there was no reaction at all - he just stared at me.
carlt Posted May 22, 2013 Report Posted May 22, 2013 It wasn't any of that - there was no reaction at all - he just stared at me. Perhaps he was dumbstruck at seeing a little person controlling a big boat. His silence may have been awe and admiration rather than a symptom of mental illness.
mark99 Posted May 22, 2013 Report Posted May 22, 2013 Common tactic to get you to move on. I do that and wife starts to play the banjo in the cabin deliverance stylee. Reminds me of when I came into Gloucester basin a few weeks ago from the G&S. I wasn't sure if there were moorings in the basin itself and I saw boats moored up outside Sainsurys so I pulled in and saw a guy in the back of his semi-trad. He'd watched me moor up behind him and it looked like he was fixing something on his boat. I said "Excuse me, are there moorings further on in the basin?" He just stared at me for what felt like about a minute and said nothing. It really freaked me out. It's the strangest response I've ever had from another boater. Needless to say, I didn't hang about there! I thought afterwards that he must have had mental heath issues, although at the time I didn't think of it in those politically correct terms.
magnetman Posted May 22, 2013 Report Posted May 22, 2013 Perhaps he was dumbstruck at seeing a little person controlling a big boat. His silence may have been awe and admiration rather than a symptom of mental illness. or he may have been completely hammered
Laurie Booth Posted May 22, 2013 Report Posted May 22, 2013 Deaf people usually say something to tell you to speak slower so they can lipread. It wasn't any of that - there was no reaction at all - he just stared at me. Sadly a few years ago I was struck deaf in one ear and had an infection in my throat which rendered me incapable of speaking. I was boating and someone spoke to me, another boater, I tried to explain my problem but he just turned to his wife and said "What a rude ........" The infection lasted 16 weeks, just imagine not being able to talk for 16 weeks, it was an absolute nightmare, I also lost my job at the Co-Op because of this. My voice has now returned but sadly not my hearing in one ear.
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