Louisa Glides Through Sonning Lock

Boating anyone?

On starboard side the deck hands stand

with practiced hands they hold their ropes

to lasso bollards painted black

No looking back as rear gates close

then ready, steady, open up

the keeper's key turns by degrees

A gush of marbled crystalline

pours through the sluice gates in a rush

Louisa rises in the lock

Above the chained and green slime walls

she dips and falls then stretches tall

soon eye to eye with keeper's clock

She waits for gates to do their job

the nod is given and they're off

on board the crew know what to do

Her sturdy bow slides slowly through

a wave to you a wave to me

Louisa glides through Sonning lock

Reviews

[Stella Armour]

Wow, and yes i know how it feels to be on a boat as it rises in the lock...a wonderful experience.

lovely imagery of the inside walls of the lock itself ...deep down there, and the lock keeper's practiced hand. In fact i can almost smell the water lol..

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Stella. Yes, river water has a smell of its own. Usually it's me doing the ropes, but this time I was watching a huge boat, with a proper crew taking up the whole lock. They were so professional. Not like me fumbling about!

[Stella Armour]

i used to help at a disabled group, and we live in the area of the Leeds canal; well we took our group, wheelchairs and all for a cruise on the waterway one afternoon, the boat was specially adapted for disabled groups and would you believe she was called "Ethel"

[Chris Shaw]

Ha ha. Boats have some great names. It's such fun looking out for some of the more unusual ones. What a lovely afternoon for those disabled folks. bet they had a great time.

[Stella Armour]

yes, i did too lol

[Chris Shaw]

And why not? Fun for everyone :))

[Gee]

Can picture this as your words paint the scenes. You ain't 'alf bad at this old writing game missus.
Talking of boating I'm sure I heard a brickie call me a punt today !!!
Hope all is well in your neck o' the woods Christine

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Gee.Now what have you been doing to upset brickies? Naughty brickie. All good here, a lovely, lovely day. Been to Marlow for lunch. Hope all is good with you

Chris

[Gee]

Love Marlow. Everyone seems to be permanently happy. Lovely little boutique shops and you can get seriously ripped off in Tom Kerridges gaff ( I thought it overpriced and overrated)
Been there 3or 4 times in the last 18 months, Marlow not Tom's....as if I'm his mate.

[Chris Shaw]

It has a wonderful ambience at the best of times, but when the sun is out, it is even better. Went to Zizi's

[Gee]

Jealous here...