Rob the Lockie

No I didn't mean steal from him - he is called Rob!

Rob at workRob

We were very impressed with Rob - the Lock Keeper at Tuel Lock. He has a great sense of humour and obviously so enjoys his job that he makes navigating the deepest lock on the system a real pleasure!

Tuel lock is locks 3 and 4 all in one. It was opened in 1997 - the Rochdale canal was then open all the way from Manchester to Sowerby Bridge.

The canal was realigned and tunnel builtmap

First we had to negotiate locks 1 and 2 and then wait for Rob's instructions before proceeding through the tunnel. Summoned by three blasts on his very loud whistle we entered the tunnel.

In we gotunnelin tunnnel

The tunnel turned a corner and the lock towered above uslock

We slipped our ropes behind the vertical cables to steady the boat. I was in the bows and looking up saw this above me!

Cill of top gatescill

Rob told me that the lock builders used some of the Bath Deep Lock features for Tuel Lock. However Tuel lock feels more "airy" and less like "going into the gates of hell!. Cick here to read about our Bath Deep Lock (Kennet and Avon Canal) experience!

Rob closed the gates, with their new paddle gear protectors designed by Rob to prevent boats catching their rudders. He then opened the paddles on the opposite side of the lock from Epiphany and we gently rose to the top!

When not seeing boats through, Rob tends his flower bedsflower beds

He keeps the gates clear of rubbish too!rubbish

There is a very narrow cut after the lockcut after lock

It can be shallow from here to the next lock and Rob warned us we might scrape along a bit. Two other boats arrived as we left, so we said goodbye to Sowerby Bridge and Rob and really began to enjoy the Rochdale Canal.

Goodbye!goodbye

 

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