Lock gate step-over disclaimer!

You have to be a little cautious when putting your words out into the world.

And I know this.

Every so often I write something that touches a nerve for someone, and yesterday's post was one of those.

While writing the story I recall thinking it would be a good idea to write some sort of disclaimer - I didn't want people to start stepping over lock gates willy nilly and then coming back and suggesting it was all my fault for encouraging such foolishness if something went awry!

But I forgot.

So thank you Martin, for commenting, and raising awareness of the fact that actually, the step-over, if you don't make it to the other side, can indeed be catastrophic. My imaginary 'catastrophising' was not out of context! Luckily when his wife didn't make it, she didn't damage herself too much - and it didn't stop her from boating in the future (but then they're 'can-do kiwis', whose resilience never fails to amaze me).

Whether you step-over the lock gates, or walk around the other end each time, is entirely your choice and responsibility - but you all know this of course ;-)

Stepping confidently over lock gates - when you think you can ...

You must know the saying by Henry Ford? "Whether you think you can, or think you can't, you're right."?

Well last Wednesday I proved it's correct - once again.

Many (I'd go as far as to say most) things we do, or don't do in life, depend on your chosen or conditioned mind-set. We can look at life as a struggle, and see the world as a 'scary place' (especially if you read the newspapers too much or watch the TV/news!). Or we can make a commitment to perceive it as an amazing adventure.

Often challenging, occasionally painful, usually interesting, frequently fulfilling and wrapped in wonder.

I'd decided to 'let' Barry off the stern to do a few locks - well we did have 17 to ascend to get to Market Drayton!

Knowing how Barry likes to step over the one open lock gate, rather than walk all the way around the opposite ones, to open the paired one (are you still with me?!), that morning my mind began playing all sorts of silly tricks on me.

I saw this picture of Barry stepping over the gate, but missing or slipping and ending up dropping with a splash into the canal below. He'd likely be holding his camera (where it normally resides when he's locking!), and didn't quite balance well enough.

The next scene in my made-up mind-movie was Areandare moving towards him, me trying with all my might to reverse or stop her, but not being able to and driving right over him.

Talk about catastrophising! (I know, it's not a word, but I think it should be!).

We laughed about it, but I knew it was something I'd feared in the past, which was why it was coming back to haunt me.

Sure enough, at every lock Barry gaily and confidently stepped across the gates. It certainly saves time. I just averted my gaze and focussed on the steering which was a challenge at times in the narrow locks, but I didn't scrape the new bottom too much ...

The lovely lock-side cottage in Audlem

Oo-er Sandra, you're a bit close to the side there (they're rather a snug fit along here)

Lining up for the lock - with the pressure of the side overflows, you have to over compensate. Not as easy as it looks ...

An arty shot!

Some of the locks are very close together - and I had to pass other boats mid-way between which was interesting!

No problem - though why is he looking at me in amazement? Is it because women are rarely at the tiller? Or is he eyeing up Barry's top boxes?

A training boat along the route - an ideal place to learn the intricacies of locking!

And another one safely passed

Evidence of bygone days - markings under bridges from ropes attached to the horses, which used to pull the working boats along the cut

Almost time to swap roles ...

Yet another half dosey doe (for the barn dancers amongst you!)

Another female in charge of the driving - good to see

Just enough room for a 'narrow' boat!

There's a lotta locks Cilla!

Having some fun in the water

Yet another lock - but who'd complain when you're out in the countryside seeing sights like this?

And this - home baking to tempt worn out boaters at the lock-side - Barry had a sample but we rested temptation to purchase (as we already had some ginger cake on board!)

After the first 11 locks were completed, I'd had enough of standing still at the back of the boat, so suggested a swap. 

I'd sort of gingerly attempted the 'step across' last year, but hadn't felt terribly enamoured at the prospect, and my fearful thoughts scared me out of it.  This time I'd decided it couldn't really be that difficult. Could it?

So on the first lock, safely out of Barry's view behind a bridge, I stepped onto the walking platform of the open lock gate. Looking over at the other platform, it suddenly didn't seem too far. So I said to myself loudly "Yes you can, yes you can, yes you can!" And yes, you've guessed it - I DID IT! Barry was right (he generally is!), it was just a step. A big step admittedly, but definitely a step and not a jump.

It wasn't a one-off, I did it a few more times, just to prove to myself I could.

Oh, and Barry caught me on camera on the third lock step while I wasn't looking …

One small step for Sandra ...

But a giant leap for womankind!

We arrived at Market Drayton in the early evening, 17 locks completed, of which I displayed my fearlessness 7 times!

One of the five Adderley locks 

A calm and peaceful canal - reflections from a line of moored boats

Someone loves their Susan

Waterside developments at Market Drayton

Safely moored up for the night, Wednesday 19th March, after hours of driving to travel six miles!

Milling around the dead centre of Audlem - and the best chips!

It's 11 days now since we were in Audlem, but I've only just got the rest of the photos from Barry of our walk into the village!

They're so impressive, showcasing such a smashing canal side Shropshire venue, I felt we had to share them with you.

Right next to The Shroppie Fly is Audlem Mill, where you'll find an immense selection of crafts to suit most tastes - rag rugging kits, knitting needles and wool, embroidery, and an array of canal-related literature.

The impressive building of Audlem Mill

We visited the Mill during our first boating trip in 2009, and I purchased a cross-stitch 'lace plate' for those idle evenings of quietness (which surprisingly are few and far between!). 

Admittedly I completed most of it during that trip, but now, almost five years later, I've yet to finish it! As you can see below, the interesting part is done, it's the beige around the outside and the pattern on the edges that has ground my motivation to a standstill!

One day, I hope, I'll commit the time to finishing and framing it!

Barry nipped across the water to shoot another angle of the Shroppie Fly - and fortuitously captured a boat passing by which adds to the ambience ...

And we popped briefly into the bar again - not for a drink mind you, but to get a photo of the BCN butty bar ...

The church is set on a slight hill. We've never ventured inside for some reason, maybe it's pleasant enough just gazing at it's exterior? And what a pleasure it'd be to wait for a bus here - shelter, seating and sufficient waste bins to keep the village smart.

Last time we were in Audlem we'd been recommended to visit The Bridge Inn for their apparently outstanding fish and chips. They were indeed delicious, though the mushy peas didn't go down so well!

On this occasion we'd been told there was now an amazing fish and chip shop at the top end of the village - 'The Village Chippy'. After a stroll around the nearby graveyard, we thought it'd be rude not to check out the chips - and we weren't disappointed. They were quite possibly the best we've had in England.

Thanks George and Ali!

A very well-kept graveyard. In the distance you can see the canal - this'd be a great spot for Barry to rest in peace at some (very) distant point in the future!

To end the current Audlem posts, here's a few more angles of the famous pub and Mill ...