Open the Lock Gates & Sail Away

Loch a' Bharain Locks, Crinan Canal and 'Mischief' is waiting for the lock gates to open to allow her to sail on and away through the canal. It looks like hard work for the lads who will then rush down to the next set of lock gates and do it all over again! The boat has come in via the Crinan Basin and will make it's way through to the other end of the canal at Ardrishaig.

The nine mile stretch of waterway was opened in 1809 and is run by Scottish Canals.
There are 15 locks, 3 of which are automated, and 7 bridges. Although sea locks, lock 14 and all bridges are fully manned, locks 5 -13 are manually operated which involves opening and closing lock gates and winding sluices which is heavy work. They recommend a minimum crew of 3-4 to do this and handle ropes but provide a list of individuals who you can ring for assistance at your own cost and risk.

There is a bench on the right behind the man opening the lock gates so

HBM to you all.

I have added a song by the Allman Brothers Band called 'Sail Away'

www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwqmcNA4i6U

Christa has also suggested Enya's 'Sail Away', so many thanks Christa for the link

www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTrk4X9ACtw

The song is from their album called 'Enlightened Rogues' which I thought also fitted in with the 'Mishchief'

Best viewed large I think. Thank you

photosofghosts, Andrea Ertl, Nouchetdu38, Doug Shepherd and 58 other people have particularly liked this photo

86 comments - The latest ones

Joe, Son of the Rock ^club

A beautiful image, Carol, with great perspective. I love your use of lead-in lines that takes my to the heart of the scene. I hope you and a great weekend, and will have a fantastic new week. Kindest regards, Joe

10 months ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Joe, Son of the Rock ^club

Lovely comments. Thank you very much Joe.
We have had a fair bit of rain over the weekend but it was needed and at least it has cooled the air which is the main thing. Roger told me about your Denzil Meyrick book recommendation and I have just ordered the first book in the series and am looking forward to reading it, so thank you. I hope yours has been good too. Have a lovely new week

10 months ago.

Boarischa Krautmo ^club

your benches are well hidden but I found them ;-)
So the boat crew has to operate the locks # 5 - 13? But they can call for local help? Sunds like a perfect solution....
HBM and have a good week!

10 months ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Boarischa Krautmo ^club

Thank you very much Markus. Yes they can call for assistance but of course have to pay, but probably better that than struggling with the lock gates. It seems to me the man steering and guiding the boat through the locks probably has the easisest of the jobs!!!

HBM and have a good week

10 months ago.

Roger (Grisly) ^club

A lovely capture and a great sky from the beautiful Crinan canal,
Interesting notes that I have read somewhere before;-))
Terrific music link
HBM and a good week

10 months ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Roger (Grisly) ^club

Thank you very much Roger. I am pleassed you like it. Thank you for the information on the management of the canals

I am pleased you like the music

HBM and have a good week

10 months ago.

William Sutherland ^club

Superb shot!

Admired in: www.ipernity.com/group/tolerance

10 months ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to William Sutherland ^club

Thank you very much William. Really appreciated

10 months ago.

uwschu ^club

HBM Carol und eine schöne Woche

10 months ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to uwschu ^club

Thank you very much Uwe. You too, have a good week

10 months ago.

Annemarie ^club

Happy monday and coming week!

10 months ago. Edited 10 months ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Annemarie ^club

Thank you very much Annemarie

Happy Monday to you also. Have a good week

10 months ago.

Jaap van 't Veen ^club

Beautiful composition Carol.
hBM

10 months ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Jaap van 't Veen ^club

Thank you very much Jaap. Really appreciated

HBM and have a good week

10 months ago.

David Slater (Spodde… ^club

Lovely view Carol. HBM and happy new week.

10 months ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to David Slater (Spodde… ^club

Thank you very much David. Pleased you like it

HBM and have a good week

10 months ago.

Pam J ^club

PIT YOUR BACK INTO IT LADS !!

10 months ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Pam J ^club

Thank you very much Pam. I think they must be really heavy to move as I have seen two people on each side on occasions and it has still looked to be a struggle!!!

Have a good week. Hugssssss

10 months ago.

Makrofan ^club

Sehr gute Komposition und danke für die Informationen.

10 months ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Makrofan ^club

Thank you very much. Really appreciated. I have a fascination with the canals

HBM and have a good week ahead

10 months ago.

Edna Edenkoben ^club

That's what I'd like to do now... ahhh, the fresh breeze, wouldn't that be nice?
I remember a motor boat cruise on the Canal de Bourgogne many years ago. It would have been relaxing if it hadn't been for all those locks every 5 km or so. It was hard work for us (the boat crew), since often there was no help at all. Well, it was an adventure, that's for sure.

HBM, Carol, and have a great week. And I think you win because your benches this Monday are even smaller than mine ;-))

10 months ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Edna Edenkoben ^club

Thank you very much Edna Yes the breeze would be lovely, although it is a bit cooler than it was thankfully. Is it still hot and close there?

The motor boat cruise sounds lovely, despite the hard work with all those locks!! Boats cruising along the canals always look so peaceful but I guess for the crew it is not so much!!

Yes the benches are tiny but I bet the guys working hard here would be pleased to be sitting there instead!!! We have gone for a trio then - Markus also has a very small bench this week!!

Happy Wee Bench Monday then. Have a good week

10 months ago.

Christa1004 ^club

I have another suggestion for a song: Enya's "Sail away" from the Orinoco Flow album. HBM Carol.

10 months ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Christa1004 ^club

Thank you very much Christa. You are right that is a beautiful song. I will add it to the picture.

HBM and have a good week

10 months ago.

Christa1004 ^club has replied to Ecobird ^club

I think it fits well, too.

10 months ago.

Malik Raoulda ^club

Une admirable et excellente capture joliment rendue avec cette magnifique profondeur.
HBM et agréable semaine clémente.

10 months ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Malik Raoulda ^club

Thank you very much Malik. Really appreciated.
HBM and I hope you have a lovely new week

10 months ago.

tiabunna ^club

A lovely image, Carol. I'd have thought this a relaxing trip, until I read your notes about the amount of manual work involved! HBM and have a good week.

10 months ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to tiabunna ^club

Thank you very much George. I must admit I have always found the sight of the boats passing through the locks really relaxing too. I have on occasions thought how hard the people working the gates and sluices work, often cycling from one lock gate to the next, but I hadn't realised they are mostly not employed by the Scottish Canals. It is down to the crew of your boat or you arrange to hire the help and pay for it.

Unless I can just steer I think I will settle for just watching!!!!!

HBM and have a good week ahead

10 months ago.

Schussentäler ^club

so eine Bootsfahrt auf einem Kanal ist bestimmt sehr entspannend

10 months ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Schussentäler ^club

It does look really relaxing Reinhard. Opening and closing the locks looks quite a lot of work though!!

Have a good week ahead

10 months ago.

TOZ ^club

A lovely image Carol I love the canals.
HBM have a great week.
TOZ

10 months ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to TOZ ^club

Thank you very much TOZ. Me too. The only problem is that we spend so much time there we sometimes miss out on seeing other places, - but it is a good excuse to go back!!!

HBM and have a good week ahead

10 months ago.

J.Garcia ^club

Perfect title for this marvelous ensemble, Carol!!
Let's go!!
HBM too!

10 months ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to J.Garcia ^club

Thank you very much Judite. I am pleased you like the title.
It takes quite a while to get through all the locks so by the time you get to the end you probably just want to sail away!!!

HBM and have a lovely new week

10 months ago.

Günter Klaus ^club

Poah,das ist aber eine anstrengende Arbeit,alles mit der Hans zu machen liebe Carol,aber deine Sichtweise mit dem Schiff gefallen mir sehr gut :))

Wünsche noch einen schönen Nachmittag,ganz liebe Grüße Güni :))

10 months ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Günter Klaus ^club

Thank you very much Guni. You are right. I think we will just have to agree just to steer then!!!!

Have a lovely week ahead

10 months ago.

Rosalyn Hilborne ^club

A very beautiful picture Carol. I sailboat looks lovely as does the sky and the forests either side of the canal. HBM and wish you a good new week.

10 months ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Rosalyn Hilborne ^club

Thank you very much Rosa. I have to admit we are always drawn to the canals. It is fascinating watching the boats and the Crinan is a pretty canal.

HBM and have a good week ahead

10 months ago.

Mick Herbert

Super shot Carol, great track from the Allman Brothers ttoo

10 months ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Mick Herbert

Thank you very much Mick. I am pleased you liked the music too.

Have a great new week

10 months ago.

Xata ^club

See boats passing on this HBM can be soothing

10 months ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Xata ^club

Thank you very much Isabel. The Crinan is an attractive canal and there is always something to see. I love watching the boats work their way through the locks.

HBM and have a good week

10 months ago.

Fred Fouarge ^club

(Hbm) Prachtig foto Carol

10 months ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Fred Fouarge ^club

Thank you very much Fred.
HBM and have a good week

10 months ago.

Diana Australis ^club

A bit of tranquil canal- ing could be very soothing, I suspect, Carol…an invitation to float…

10 months ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Diana Australis ^club

Thank you very much Diana. It does look relaxing, especially if you have someone to open and close the lock gates for you!

Have a good week ahead

10 months ago.

Herb Riddle ^club

A great canal sail and walk here. We have walked much of this canal side. Very well captured here. Well done.

HBM - have a good day. Herb

10 months ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Herb Riddle ^club

Thank you very much Herb. We have never actually walked it, - perhaps next time.

HBM and have a lovely new week

10 months ago.

Herb Riddle ^club has replied to Ecobird ^club

We did there and back walks from both sides in separate years. About 4 miles each way, then back.

H

10 months ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Herb Riddle ^club

When we were leaving we saw people walking on the other side of the canal. It must be a nice walk I imagine and one to remember for th future. Glad you enjoyed it

Thank you very much Herb

10 months ago.

Dinesh ^club

Beautiful constructions of yore -- to the best of my knowledge HBM Have a great week

10 months ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Dinesh ^club

Thank you very much Dinesh. This canal would have been very well used by working vessels back when it was first built and Queen Victoria travelled along it in her boat pulled by four horses in 1847. Of course it is widely used nowadays by pleasure boats.

HBM and have good week

10 months ago.

Ulrich John ^club

A nice scene, Carol ! HBM and a good start to the new week !

10 months ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Ulrich John ^club

Thank you very much Ulrich. Really appreciated

HBM and have a lovely new week

10 months ago.

©UdoSm ^club

A very nice tour is the one on this channel. I once rode on the Canal du Midi in France, it was an unforgettable trip...

10 months ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to ©UdoSm ^club

Thank you very much Udo. I have been here many times but we have not actually sailed through the canal. It is peaceful to watch others go through but it would be lovely to sail through it ourselves.
The trip on the Canal du Midi in France sounds wonderful Good memories I would imagine.

Have a lovely week ahead

10 months ago.

Peter_Private_Box ^club

Hi Carol
A wonderful and interesting picture, which I like very much!
Very nice composition and information
Of course in the old days it would take a whole day to pass through a long sequence of locks...
Best Wishes, Happy Monday, a nice week ahead, and stay safe!!
Peter

10 months ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Peter_Private_Box ^club

Thank you very much Peter. I am sure it must have taken all day to pass through her in the past. It still takes quite some time now I believe. It is hard to image Queen Victoria coming through here when she was on holdiay in Scotland, with her baot being pulled along by four horses. It must have been quite a sight!!

Have a good week ahead

10 months ago.

trester88 ^club

Es muss wunderschön sein, mit dem Boot den Kanal entlang zu fahren. Wer allerdings die Mühen des Schleusens scheut, kann um den Mull of Kintyre fahren.
HBM und einen guten Start in die Woche, Carol!

10 months ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to trester88 ^club

Thank you very much Wilhelm. Yes you are right, - the canal was built to cut the journey time but you can go around.

Here is a link to a poem by Joyce Schofield about the canal and it has been set to music if you can open it.

HBM and have a good week

www.waterwaysongs.info/Songs/C/the_crinan_canal.htm

10 months ago.

sea-herdorf ^club

Eine interessante Reise durch den Kanal scheint Deinen Schilderungen zufolge sehr aufwendig zu sein, Carol.
HBM und eine gute Woche
Erich

10 months ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to sea-herdorf ^club

Thank you very much Erich. I am sure people get used to the locks very quickly though. The Scottish Canals are probably ensuring people who are not used to them are adequately prepared for all it entails.

Belated HBM and have a lovely week

10 months ago.

MaggsMep ^club

Just us two old farts sorting the locks out aboard the blue Buzzard, except BB did them on his own when none of the family were around. I thought the Scots were supposed to be the tough guys!!

Lovely shot Carol, the leading line to the clouds, beautiful.

10 months ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to MaggsMep ^club

;-))))) My mum used to say there is no point getting older if you don't get crafty!!! Maybe your brother enjoys having the extra help!

Thank you Maggs. I love watching the boats.

Have a lovely week ahead

10 months ago.

Albrecht Girle ^club

Mir gefallen der PoV und die Perspektive:
Es lockt mich aufs Wasser, weckt Reiselust.
Bei den Anstrengungen, die du beschreibst, bleibt zu hoffen, dass an jedem Schleusenabschnitt Ruhebänke stehen.
HBM und eine gute Woche, Carol.

10 months ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Albrecht Girle ^club

Lovely comments Albrecht. Thank you. Fortunately there are plenty of benches along the canal!!

Belated HBM and have a good week

10 months ago.

Kawasirius ^club

Une agréable scène qui donne envie de naviguer sur ce canal avec ce superbe navire ! Ceci dans une belle ambiance lumineuse ! Superbe capture, Carol, avec un bon descriptif sur le fonctionnement de ces écluses !
Passez une bonne semaine ! HBM !

10 months ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Kawasirius ^club

Thank you for your lovely comments Henri. We can dream!!! Meanwhile I could spend hours watching the boats on the canal. Belated HBM and have a lovely new week

10 months ago.

Trudy Tuinstra ^club

very nice

10 months ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Trudy Tuinstra ^club

Thank you very much Trudy. Really appreciated

9 months ago.

Patrick Brandy ^club

C'est très beau ce paysage pleins de verdures un endroit de rêve agréable journée.

10 months ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Patrick Brandy ^club

Thank you very much Patrick. I love watching the boats. It all looks so peaceful

9 months ago.

Heide ^club

A very beautiful shot with the ship, which is also waiting for the lock to open.
The description is fascinating, too.
You can really say that a river trip is fun, but also involves work.
Belated HBM and I wish you a beautiful week, Carol

10 months ago. Edited 10 months ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Heide ^club

Thank you very much Heide. Yes you could say that. It is very peaceful to watch though!!!

Belated HBM and enjoy the rest of your week

9 months ago.

Nicole Merdrignac ^club

Très belle photo . Bonne soirée. Bonne semaine . Nicole .

10 months ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Nicole Merdrignac ^club

Thank you very much Nicole. Really appreciated.
Best wishes Carol

9 months ago.

Esther ^club

Wow! Manually opened locks.

10 months ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Esther ^club

Thank you Esther. Most of them are yes.

Enjoy the rest of your week

9 months ago.

Gudrun ^club

Just lovely, the canal, the boats and the mix of sun and clouds! The green in spring just shines, such a pleasure to look at in our current heat where everything is dried up....

9 months ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Gudrun ^club

Thank you very much Gudrun. I always find watching the boats passing through the locks quite peaceful and soothing. Apologies for the late response

6 months ago.

Jocelyne Villoing ^club

Belle invitation au voyage en toute sécurité !

9 months ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Jocelyne Villoing ^club

Thank you very much Jocelyne. It looks like it could be quite hard work. It is much more peaceful and relaxing just watching!!

6 months ago.

Doug Shepherd ^club

Love the depth created by the perspective of this lovely and busy scene of the locks Carol.

All the best, Doug

6 months ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Doug Shepherd ^club

Thank you very much Doug. We always take the opportunity to visit the Crinan Canal when we are in the area. No matter how many times I watch the boats going through the locks I still find it fascinating and restful

6 months ago.

photosofghosts ^club

It actually takes a lot of work to open and then close these locks. I like the composition with the boat in the foreground and the canal which gives great depth to the photo.
Warm greetings
Fabio

2 months ago.

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