Top photo is approaching a lock, going uphill. Andy and I would jump off the boat as we approached a lock, run up to the lock, open the gates and Nev would drive the boat into the lock. We then close the gates behind the boat, fill the lock up by opening up the "sluices" or paddles (with a special lever provided with the boat) at the top end of the lock. Once the lock has filled up with water such that the water in the lock is level with the canal on the other side of the gate, Andy and I push open the gate and lower the sluices. The boat then drives through the gate and we close the gate behind us, jump back onto the boat and carry on.
The third photo you will note a woman sitting on the balancing beam. We nicknamed this woman and her husband the "Lock Nazis" - they were retired boat owners who travel the canals for most of the year, the past 10 years and had little to nil patience for novice boaters. They appeared to be in a hurry and gave much unsolicited advice as to when and how to open the locks! This was afterall, our fourth day on the canals and we considered ourselves well seasoned veterans by this time!The third photo is of "Captain Nev", navigating the boat we rented (the Folkestone) through the lock.
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