Inside a lock, looking out The helm's view from inside a partly-emptied lock. 2002-03-29T10:28 image image/jpeg 020329-1028-021 Kennet and Avon canal Nikon CoolPix 995 Zoom Nikkor 8-32mm 1:2.6-5.1 daylight The inside of locks are usually dirty and slimy as the picture shows. These lock gates are probably just a few years old -- they soon start to look work and battered, though the heavy timbers will see them through several years. I noticed on this trip that some of the new lock gates are being imported from Holland.