Alan de Enfield

What about the other 17 times when you've headed for them after the announcement of the planned closure dates was published ?

Exactly we each suit ourselves how we do it - despite some suggesting that the 'only way' to do it is off the roof !

Well, I don't get off the boat in the lock, I get off the boat (taking a line with me) go to the lock, open the gates and bow-haul the boat in, close the gates and fill the lock. No roof-walking required.

I am not trying to make a point (sorry to disappoint) - I was in fact replying to Arthur's post and not to anything you had posted.

Exactly - (say) 6 hours on duty of which he'd operate the lock maybe half a dozen times.

The same as if he'd sat in the cabin between boats, and less than if they had employed contractors AND a lock keeper. C&RT do not use Volockies on tidal water locks.

If we were to take the example of lock keeper at Cromwwell Lock on the River Trent. Being Tidal the lock only operated for a few hours either side of high tide which gave him plenty of time to maintain and even improve the surroundings. Not only did he keep the toilets / showers clean he painted the building. He sold 'electric cards' and Trent boating guides. He kept the grass immaculate all the way from the lock to the visitors moorings (300 yards or so) He built brick BBQs and seating along the top of the bank, He built a bin compound near the BBQs (no where near the access for the bin lorry, but convenient for the boaters) He jet washed and maintained the floating bridge (down to the pontoon) and the pontoon. He was always 'pottering about' doing something. And of course he operated the lock as required. He also assisted with the maintenance of the memorial to the ten members of the 131 Parachute Squadron, Royal Engineers were killed when they went over the weir.

Yes - agreed specialist, expensive, used once every few years equipment is where contractors should come in. But, to sell off C&RTs shovels, chainsaws, wheelbarrows, mowers, winches, boats, generators, weed cutters etc etc that can be used on a daily basis by their own staff is just criminal.

That's the one - I seem to remember it becoming quite heated because the 1st two pages consisted pretty much of forum members saying I haven't read it but ................ and complaining to such an extent that RayT removed the details and video saying "not well received"

That is the picture I had filed away, but that part of the brains filing system was locked today.

That'd be handy ! A flue sticking out it the side of the boat - just waiting for a few tree branches or a bit of a tight line thru a bridge, or passsing another boat and Wooooppppsss.

That as pretty much what the video said that was posted some time ago, and then I think the thread was locked because of the abuse the OP received. A number of forum members refused to watch it becasue there was no description of the contents, I actually found it close to the facts. If I could find it I'd repost it.

Only if you are a roof-walker. When single handing on the approach to a top-lock., I'd go and fill the lock then walk the boat in. Close gate , Open the bottom paddles, open the gates Walk the boat out Close the gates Back on the boat and away, Similarly if approaching the bottom gates. I never found the need to walk on the roof and scramble up/down wet slimy ladders.

Blame the CDO (its like OCD but better because the letters are in alphabetical order) But - accuracy is important - especially if you are trying to get a 500mm cooker thru a 500mm doorway.