Grand Union Canal:Bridge 100

Having missed the pumpout at the closed wharf facilities yesterday, I made for Braunston.  As always the winding nature of the canal as it follows the contours above Fenny seems to take for ever and the recitation of "it must be just round this corner" many times anticipates the top of Marston Doles two locks.  Unusually, there was no queue, but it became apparent that there was a boat just ahead, so I had to fill the lock as no upcoming traffic was evident.  So, as a single hander it's working the lock from lockside of course.  Nudge the boat up to the bottom gates, open the paddles and watch it drop.  The boat always tends to run back as the lock becomes empty.   Opening the mitred bottom gates works for me by first winding the paddle opposite to the lock ladder down, then standing at the pointy bit and just pushing the opposite gate open, then getting off lockside, opening the remaining gate, dropping the paddle, nipping down the ladder to the boat roof then counter, and all this hopefully before the boat bumps up against the top end of the lock.   I try to remember to leave the boat with the rudder hard over for this reason, because it would be the rudder that takes the shock.  I have used a rope on a bollard to prevent this run back, but with my new long rear fender is doesn't seem necessary.  There is one potential snag to this and that is if there is a badly leaking top gate.  It can drown the boat if the doors are left open.  (Bad experience at Watford Locks some years ago).   Leaving the lock slowly it is often possible to grab the rail on the outside of one gate and close it, then stop the boat and push the other gate shut without leaving the boat.   Saves mooring up.   So I worked like this and kept pace with the boat ahead and the one behind, although I would confess to welcoming on two occasions a boat just exiting the lock ahead as I arrived, thus avoiding the need to moor up the prep the lock.   To get to the bottom of Napton took about 2 1/4 hours and it was gone 1 pm.   The wind was getting up a bit and it was getting cold.   Besides getting a pumpout, I wanted to visit Midland Chandlers for a few essentials to do an oil change and effect some repairs, so decided to leave all that until the morning.   Hence Bridge 100.