I had managed to get the strop at the stern on to a bollard by now. It wasn’t the best mooring, but it did guarantee that we’d be able to reach the boat. With Clare safely back on the towpath side, we concentrated on the paddles. I tried the ratchet windlass on the nearside one. With the handle horizontal, if I leant my whole weight on it I could just move the paddle. Lifting the handle again and repeating I managed to get the lock to start emptying. Clare had shut the errant gate again, and now the water movement held them shut. I was able to walk round to the other side and repeat the paddle opening.