Tuesday 29 July 2008

Three Locks

On Sunday we went to the Three Locks Pub in Stoke Hammond. The food was very run of the mill, but it was the location we were there for. It's a series of three locks which take the canal traffic up or down hill, depending on the direction they're going. The water level inside the locks is raised or lowered to the same level as the section of canal being exited, the gates are opened, the boat moves into the lock, and the gates are closed again. Then the water level is then raised or lowered to the same level as the section of canal being entered, gates are opened, boat moves out of lock etc. etc. etc.

This picture was taken from the middle of the gate of the first lock, looking downhill to the other two locks.


This is the second lock.
Looking at the third and lowest lock, from within the area of the second lock.
This last picture was taken from the open area outside the pub which is alongside the third lock. You can see wild flowers growing at the top of the gate, and some canal boats pulled up at the bank, with people sitting and eating lunch on the towpath.

This is a gorgeous area, and life on and around the canal is slow and relatively calm. I wouldn't like to fall in the water, though. It looks a bit murky.

8 comments:

Anvilcloud said...

We have locks not too far from here on the Rideau system, but I don't know of any fine establishments from which to view them.

Donna said...

Glad for you post today sweetie! Have missed you!! Hope all is improving there!! Sending love!hughugs

Sally said...

I'm glad you were out and about! Take care; it's good to see you!

Jeanne said...

I used to live in an area with locks. It's a very interesting system for water travel. Nice to see you're having some fun.

Shammickite said...

What a pleasant way to spend a sunny afternoon.
Whenever I have "foreign" visitors I always take them to see Niagara Falls, and of course on the way we have to go past the Welland Canal... so I always stop and show them the locks. Much bigger of course, as the Welland carries ocean-going freighters.
Lovely pictures, and how nice to sit and watch the boats go by from the comfort of a pub!

Anne Lyken-Garner said...

I went to the water works with my daughter's class a few months ago, it was good fun.

I love your pictures here. I like the fact that you always have your camera with you, something I forget to do when I go out.

Icy BC said...

You took some very beautiful pictures, and I'm glad to see you back posting this.

Unknown said...

Lovely - reminded me of childhood holidays taken on rented narrow boats