Now then tell me

is it normal to cross over someone else's boat to reach the towpath.  Or is it just plain bad manners?

the reason I ask is that I observed people off the boat behind me do this twice.

The first time he crossed via an occupied moored boat near the lock landing at Barton Turns.  The lock landing was vacant as I was already in the lock.  He seemed a nice fella and we had a chat whilst operating the lock so I didn't think much of it.

But then at the next lock SHE crossed the front of my boat from the back of theirs so basically they had overtaken my boat.  This was at Tatenhill Lock which those of you who are familiar with has the lock landing away from the lock itself.  There is an oval shaped pound with a narrow entrance complete with an historic boat moored by the lock cottage in between the lock landing and the lock.

As I walked back to my boat having set the lock in my favour I commented (in jest) I hope you aren't queue jumping.  Well she went off on one ... we don't do that blah blah.  I pointed out that her boat was now blocking the entrance to the pound.  Oh he will reverse etc ...

I told him that I might have upset his wife with my comment.

He then bizarrely proceeded into the pound and breasted up to the moored boat.  If they had gone to the left hand side and left me a straight run at the lock it would have been okay, but no ...

They were adamant that they were not going to queue jump so I had to zig zag into the pound, he then reversed and I managed to get into the lock.  I was still trying to be polite so as I came up to the woman I said you can't beat a bit of fun and games of an evening and she responded with well you made a bit of a meal of it you could have gotten a broad beam through there.

IS IT ME???

So am I making too much of it?    I have been simmering for days now.  I spoke to another boater and he said if anyone stands on your boat uninvited you are within your rights to throw them in the water because of piracy?  Perhaps a bit drastic.  I know that if I was moored up minding my own business and someone casually crossed my boat rather than use the lock landing I would be furious.   But then I feel guilty stepping across a CaRT boat left moored on a lock landing so perhaps I am a little sensitive.  I suppose it is the equivalent of crossing someone's garden as a short cut to the street behind.  What if Rob had been in bed with a migraine?  Often happens and someone stepping across the front deck?  boom boom boom

And don't get me started on going to the front of the queue in a bank and making the people standing in the queue supposedly in front of you manoeuvre their way past you

Let me tell you if I meet up with this pair again I will not be polite.  I know who you are 515xxx.

And what if there had been a boat waiting to come up after I had vacated the lock?  Hmmm that would have been fun.