The Ups and Downs of a Lockkeeper

by Jake Kavanagh

A light-hearted look at the lock-keeper's job, be it a rural little lock on the canals, or an ultra-modern affair at a huge marina. Jake Kavanagh presents a humorous survey, using his inimitable cartoons and anecdotes, of the scrapes people get into when trying to use locks. He focuses on notable events like the Henley Regatta which afford many opportunities for horrors to unfold. Readers have enjoyed Jake's tales for decades; this is the perfect book for his devotees. 'Do not read this book while edging your 52ft hired narrow boat towards an impossibly small lock. It would seriously damage shipping.' Southern Evening Echo 'Excellent reading whilst queuing for those over-busy Thames locks on a summer weekend.' Waterways World

Paperback

First published August 24, 2003

Reviews

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny look at boating from a slightly different perspective!
Anyone who’s used a lock can relate to this & especially to the steep learning curve that comes with every boater, owner & hire boater alike. Particularly like the bit when the “helpful” idiot jumped on the boat to offer unsolicited advice & “help”
Like many boaters I have had that person jump on the back of my narrowboat (we’ve had it 8 years & at the time had only had it 2 or 3 & crossed the Trent 4 times so obviously needed educating by this person?😂I’ll be sure to let my dogs up in the lock if I think they could prevent this?😂

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

True and truly hysterical stories and author illustrations of his time as a lockkeeper on the Thames River in the UK. As I'm currently staying in the UK in a town on the Thames, I walk down periodically to spend time at the local lock and I'm seeing it in a whole new light.