‘I’d like to try steering in a couple of these locks’ announced an over-confident Karen one morning. Soon it had been decided (without consultation) that Karen would steer all day.
Good experience, time served, motor memory, all were terms used to describe the experience ahead.
Naturally, there was plenty of advice and guidance on hand as we had three other skippers on board, two of whom had been up the Caledonian Canal recently. No shortage of input for two ears to process and act upon instantly!
One lock safely navigated, not necessarily very prettily, and Skipper at Wheel was ready for a short interval. Skipper at Reserve Wheel was keen to push on.
Two locks in and Skipper at Wheel threw a hissy fit and demanded time out. Skippers on Shore moving lines said nothing. Best not.
But by the end of the day, there was some sequence in place, and during the debrief over sundowners, Karen decided to take the wheel for the whole Canal.
But now the Carl Johans Staircase of locks at Berg lay ahead, a popular viewing point for Swedish tourists keen to watch the mayhem of yachties messing up with ropes and fenders.
We did not disappoint.
At one lock, after much advice from deck and shore, and fender abuse against the granite lock walls, Skipper at Wheel asked how come everyone else is making it look easy?
At which point Skipper Ashore poured her cup of water over her own head and shook it. That’s probably as good an answer as any.
This sounds great – Funny as I was just talking about that Womens sailing weekend that we talked about going on., Karen – ‘manoeuvring your boat in small harbours’ – I was just saying to Anthony today – ‘I don’t think Karen will be needing to do this any more – she’ll be an expert’. Sounds like you are doing a fine job! Well done.
It is well known that quote: “the man on the pier knows best”