I was out working a lock and from both sides some women and children appeared and stopped to watch. A few of the locks have the feature that people can cross over at little bridges but the lock arms come across the bridge when the gates open, so apart from watching that nobody is in the swing of the arm, I also am checking to see if people look like they want to cross. Everyone was just watching from a distance. Then one woman asked if they would be in my way if they stepped forwards to watch. They were not in my way where they were at all so I invited them to feel free. As they crept forward I realised I should give them a word of warning about the old coping stones at the edge. They look quite textured but can in fact be very slippery when wet so I advised that they stay on the grass and not step in to the stones. I had already slipped twice while opening and closing the head gate on the other side. They were only little slithers, but then I had grippy shoes on. For this reason I also avoided asking if any of the children wanted to help with the gates, as we sometimes do. They were being suitably cautious. I again slithered a bit on some mud while dealing with the gate when I was shutting it and winding the paddles down. I was glad I hadn’t asked them to join in.