Hail to the Hive!
As much as they slow things down there is no canal network without the Locks and I for one quite enjoy them.
Working the locks, or indeed flights of them, along the network is definitely part of the fabric of being on the canals. I love it as it adds a sense of accomplishment to the whole journey.
Also its like living history as they are over 200 years old, amazing when you think about it.
It鈥檚 also a meeting point of sorts for the boaters as they cross paths with some boats coming down the locks and others going up. Sharing stories and jokes and also advice and warnings about the weather and water ,evels and all sorts really. Weather mostly 馃槀