When is a lock not a look?

Well, that's a daft question. Or is it?

Decided to pop along to Sainsburys and top up supplies.

And discovered that we are moored at the Abbey Wharf. Also discovered that we should have paid for the privilege of mooring there.

The Abbey refectory, or what's left of them.

Wow, now this was a step back in time. Walking along King's Road I asked Brigid the name of our honeymoon hotel. The George, she says and I pointed across the road and there it was. We stopped there overnight and caught the train, along with car, to Cornwall for a fortnight's holiday at the Lugger in Portloe. We don't remember much about the George except that we arrived late and had to leave early.

Back on the boat and we had to operate a traffic light system to sail through the town centre. All very modern and lively.

Plenty of people to wave to.

Then, at the next lock we met up with a rescue team from the fire service. Luckily it was only a drill but they seemed quite happy wading back and forth across the river.

Now this really is a gaggle of geese.

Cripes! What's happened to the sides of the lock? Don't panic Captain Mainwaring, this is what's known as a turf lock. This is one of only two remaining working examples of turf sided locks in the country. The lock is a Grade 2* listed building. Despite that, I don't think Brigid was that impressed with the whole setup.

The following lock used to be turf sided but when they filled it in, they made it scallop sided.

Here's the captain stopping the traffic and operating the electronic swing bridge. Such power!

Next one not so powerful. Only horses and cows to upset with this one.

One lock had a swing bridge as well as the lock to operate but, as you can see above, on this lock they've removed the gates.

Stopped now just above Towney Lock where we have pulled into the side and put the pins out. 

Brigid then disappeared onto the roof garden to collect another crop of strawberries.

A footnote for Brian, because I know he's interested in this sort of thing, yesterday we saw many more kite around but one strayed into someone else's territory and was seen off by a Sparrow Hawk, about half its size. It was quite spectacular.