Now we are below the first lock waiting to enter the Erewash proper at Trent Lock and we have another problem. Marian seems to be taking ages to empty the lock chamber and when I ask why she says that she can't turn the windlass because there is a lock on the gate paddle.
Now we'd been on hire boats over the years so weren't complete novices, in fact spent a fortnight on one in April 2016 on the Llangollen. But some things were new, such as licencing the boat, insurance etc.
Part of me thinks that if you buy a licence for the first time from the Canal and River Trust they might send you an email with helpful reminders. I did get one but it was mainly about how they monitor your sailing and whether they deem you to be in breach of the continuous cruising licence and how they will respond. Welcome indeed to the cut.
One thing they might have told us was the need for a type of key if we came across this type of anti vandal lock. Well we were now both wondering what on earth we were going to do to get through the lock when good fortune once again favoured us. A boat was approaching the lock (the only movement we saw that day) and they explained the need for a key and helped us by coming down then waiting for us to rise and replace the locking device before they continued on their cruise. We were very grateful but as soon as we were moored I realised that now we had another problem. We would need a key to continue along the canal. We were stuck!
Where did you find them? How would we get one? Nothing for it but have a pint and see what morning brought.
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