Rufford Lock, Rufford branch of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Tuesday, 19 May 2009 18:47

Rufford Lock (7) is the last lock before the sea lock out onto the tidal River Douglas. Our mooring above the lock is very quiet and the air is full of birdsong.

Rufford Lock overlooks St Mary's Marina

The marina is so named after St Mary's Church that stands across the road from the marina.

On my last blog, I mentioned handcuff locks and keys. It occurs to me that non-boaters and boaters who have never used these may have a mental picture of handcuffs a la Police!

To disabuse you of this notion here is a photo of Rufford's handcuffed paddle gear spindle on the bottom gate of the lock

Handcuff lock on paddle gear

This is the hand cuff key we use to open it

The square aperture is inserted to match the square top of the screw in the right-hand side of the handcuff and turned anti-clockwise to unscrew the handcuff. The top of the T is the bit you hold and as I mentioned you have to keep fast hold of the key lest you drop it in the drink!

Fettlers Wharf Marina is on the towpath side below the lock

The bottom gates of the lock have the bypass stream running beside them

When we were stuck in lock 3 yesterday the bypass stream was completely dry!

It was interesting to see these two informative notices on the bottom gates of Rufford Lock: no doubt as to what BW want you to do!

BW Lock notices

Finally a treat! John on the back of Epiphany at her mooring

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