This ground paddle has been raised, as shown by the straight, toothed rack: it is all the way up.
(A paddle is a door that holds back tons of water.)
The shiny black parts are greased. Grease helps the gears move smoothly.
Sticking out on the left is a steel rod, or spindle. A boater puts a tool on the spindle to wind the mechanism up or down. The tool is a windlass.
#CanalLife #canal #BoatingLife #boating #BoatLife #boat #narrowboat #lock #GroundPaddle #paddle #spindle #gear #rack #windlass
