Caen Hill Locks

The Locks

While in Codford, BJ and Vincie said we must see Caen Hill. What does one see there?

Learn the locks system !

It was an eyeopener as I recalled my Geography days in school and how I sweated out my imagination about the locks along St.Lawrence of the Great Lakes. The great Goh Cheng Leong who wrote the one and only revision book then talked a lot about the locks ...

Dad is very good with directions. We found our way without the GPS ; we were map readers.

Upon reaching the place, guess what attracted our attention most?

Our very own proton !

And our MYVI ! How Sara misses the one we have back home; she often asked me if I think she could drive after such a long time away.

You know it's a great feeling to see 'home' here...so proud of the 2 cars all at one lot ! What a coincidence.

So we trudged along the sub way to see the locks...

The girls never seem to grow up when they are with us. They climbed on top of one of the locks and tried to show how smart they were...far from it.

Along River Avon, you see barges parked at the banks with an annual fee. These are privately owned and they provide, shed, leisure and even perhaps some pocket money ?

We were informed that there are 29 such lock systems along this river and they are created to allow less hazardous sailing as there are rapids which can cause danger to cruising. The water levels are adjusted to make it possible for barges to cruise along it safely.

The locks are opened manually for the barge to go through when the water level has been adjusted.

We witnessed excitedly as we saw the barge cruising through a lock.

After passing through, the user of the barge has to make sure the locks are manually 'locked' in position before cruising to the next set .

While the husband was busy pushing the bar, the wife took the next initiative.

She walked across the panelled bridge ...

...to arrive at the other bar and helped close...



Very soon, the barge reached another set of locks which depicted a change in water level again...

It sailed through...

Then the process starts again; pushing and pulling till the locks are back in position . River Avon here will lead to Bath and there are 29 such locks before you can finally see light. People who enjoy leisure enjoy the cruise while others may think it as a chore... the girls as usual went 'aunteeing ' away and asked to have a part in it.

Very satisfied with themselves ! See. We were part of the show.

The lady owner told us that they live in the barge while they rent out their house in Bath. She had invited some friends the next day for a party in the barge and was getting ready for it. I pondered over the decision people make in life. How do I grow to be like them? Can I be as carefree? Come what may? Enjoy moment by moment in life; perhaps they are the wiser ones. Why bother to want so many securities in life? Why do we need to save for the next generation?; but the Good Book teaches us to leave legacies behind; material and values.

Notice the window pane ? Shampoo, body lotion, facial wash... it's a real home.

What happens when there is heavy rain ? Where does the excess water go? See the side of the bank? Yes that's for over flows; dad told me.

In this cool place, the girls walked around with little effort and ate bread. What was Grace looking at?

Oh her tearooms! No wonder she called me last week and said she wanted another holiday again. So fast? I thought you just took all your leave? No more left for the year...slog through dear. This is what happens when you play first and pay later !

The local folks take time to walk with dogs; patiently wait for them to finish their business and then to pick up their mess. When will I learn to be like them?

All along the river, you see beautiful ducks, swans, duckings...they swim gracefully without a care. Want to be a duck; at times.

Along the beautiful Avon river, we learnt about geography and the lock system which allow water levels to be adjusted for sailing. It's good that the girls had first hand knowledge and see for themselves. Now they will understand when such topics are mentioned.

Dad was especially pleased that the day was filled with information and not shopping.

Unforgettable moments at Caen Hills.