The lock keepers wanted us to start about nine and get through them as fast as we could to let the boats coming the other way come as fast as possible. Since a speedy ascent was expected, I thought Shane locking would be quickest. He would be keener to rush ahead to set locks if needed and be faster at winding and opening. We expected no help but on approach to the first lock of the flight, I was surprised to see a CRT volunteer at the gate. She had brought her husband with her and he had all the gates opened before I got there. The flight went very smoothly, with the odd tricky by-wash, and overgrown brambles obscuring the stonework on entry adding to the leaf clog and shallow water to keep steering interesting. We were through the dozen locks very quickly.