Back to the Anchor

I have been in areas with no internet connection for some time so it's good to be back online. Since leaving Lapworth I have been having boat problems. On the BCN I was down the weed hatch many times. (I'm never going near the BCN again). The delay meant I didn't get to Brewood until after dark. As I was approaching a mooring the engine went completely dead. So I did the obvious thing, moored up and went to the pub. Friday morning I checked the engine, expecting (hoping) to find a blown fuse or similar but what I found was a flooded engine bay. My bilge pump had packed up a while back (due to spilling a tin of paint in the engine bay!) so I emptied the water by using the shower pump, which has also packed up now. On Monday I got a tow to the nearby boatyard who spent 3 days rewiring. Fortunately it does not seem to have damaged alternators or starter motor which would have cost a fortune.

I made a presumption that for so much water to have entered I must have failed to properly fit the weed hatch on the last time of use so set off Yesterday to the Anchor confident all was resolved. By Gnosall I knew it wasn't as the bilge was filling again. Running with the engine boards up to keep an eye on it, I reached the anchor and today hitched a lift on a boat to Norbury Junction to buy a new bilge pump (though I had to walk back). It's the stern gland leaking. Must need re packing - I don't know how to do that but someone on CWDF will tell me how.

Next few days will be spent here and as the forecast for the weekend and beyond looks good I hope to finish painting the boat. I'll put up a photo when it's done.

Changed plans

I didn't leave Lapworth today after all as I decided the weather was a good painting day. Have added another coat of paint to one side and it is beginning to look something like my plans said it would.

Lapworth

I met up over the weekend with friends from Canal World Forum. About 25 for a night in the pub then all 25 being treated to breakfast on NB Tawny Owl. It's Tardis like in it's ability to get so many people aboared. The weather was wet, unlike the same event last year when breakfast was taken in the picnic area.

Attendees have now largely departed and I'm away in the morning. This is the southernmost point of this years trip and I'm heading back up the Shropshire Union, eventually to cross the Pennines on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal - but no rush.

Gas Street Basin

The trip into Birmingham wasn't too bad, but not a single boat moored in 14 miles. I can imgine why. The Gas Street Basin is full. Not a single spot available.

The towpaths were the quietest I've come across in an urban area, and the majority of those that are there don't acknowledge a greeting - just eyes down and plod on. Is this a big city thing?

The Anchor

I have had my weekend at my favorite pub on the canals and am about to set off through Wolverhampton and Birmingham. Should I be looking forward to this bit of the trip or just hope to get through as quickly as possible. I'm about to find out.

Beer and water

I was  trying toget to the Anchor today, but spent too long in Market Drayton trying to find some plumbing bits so 10.45, knowing I'd miss last orders I moored at the Wharf, one mile short. Into the pub for a much required pint and the landlord claims he's shut, despite the drinkers in there. That's one way of trying to go bust.

The plumbing bits were to try and get my water tank working. On three prevous ocasions I've filled it and it all leaked away - I've never been able to get a watertight outlet. Today it's not leaking, instead its pouring out of the connection to the toilet . Of course, this is the only connection I've pannelled over. Hopefully it will fix tomorrow and I'll have running water on the boat for the first time in two and a half years. Then to get some hot followed by drinks in the Anchor.

Solved

It took a bit of tracking but the problem was a leaking hose. I had dismissed this because the header tank remained full. There must have been an airlock preventing water from the header decending into the cooling system and since the water had got too low I couldn't find a leak. The airlock must have cleared when I opened up to check the thermostats. the system suddenly needed lots of water and the leak was revealed.

So I was able to move on and despite not leaving until 1:00 I have now reached Audlum. I may stay two nights or move to the Anchor tomorrow, where intend to spend the weekend.