After all that fuss and effort we went to earlier in the year (was it really only last month?) to obtain our radio license (mostly) to appease the long suffering waterways inspector, with only two more days on the water this summer, we really thought that we’d escaped his watchful eye.
We had been mistaken. A small tap on the side of the boat and a cheery enquiry “have you managed to sort the radio problem at all?” was our clue that we were about to be inspected again. He was so delighted at our response in the affirmative that we truly think had the answer been “no” he may well have moved on, but instead he cheerily boarded, inspected and with some genuine happiness for us, ticked his boxes wishing us well on our journey, and noted in passing that we hadn’t even had to hide our transceivers this time!
Relieved to be no longer targets for the ire of some less friendly person in a uniform, we quietly pulled up stumps on Bruges for the year and turned towards the first of the significant obstructions on our course home. The bridges went well, but we had to endure a lengthy spell waiting for the first lock.
Also clearly waiting, although having shown less respect for the lifting bridges than we did, was a seal, presumably having popped into town for a waffle, now heading for home for a nice fish. It was apparent that he’d done this before, stooging around just as we were a few dozens of metres from the lock gates, until it was about to open, when he shot off and began stalking that very first crack that appears as the gates begin to part, submerging and dashing into the lock to find the best place.
The lock itself is a large semi circular thing, designed by someone who knew a bit about washing machines but nothing about tying boats up in one. The seal didn’t even attempt to secure himself against the wall, but repeated the performance at the gate, dashing over as it began to open to make the point about who was going to be home first.
We didn’t see him again, presumably because he was heading down to Zeebrugge for the afternoon, but he’d reminded us that there was no need for us to rush, we’d let the others go first and get there in our own good time.
Tomorrow we’ll be home, but as usual, let’s enjoy what’s left of our journey while it lasts.
2 comments
I have to say, I’ve never had the privilege of seeing a seal in a lock anywhere before.
How special to see a seal so far inland! It’s obviously giving Brugge its seal if approval. Sorry for the dad joke… 🤭
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