29/6/2023 0 Comments Thursday 29th JuneToday started really well.
Shopping at Morrisons in Northants for toothpaste, flour, fruit, squash... Northants Marina to empty loo and bin and fill up with water. Then Town Lock, Becket's Park. Nothing too surprising. Then, the swamp. The stretch between Town Lock and Rush Mills is wide, therefore shallow, the weed come withing a few inches of the surface where it snags the prop and hinders the cooling water intake. But I made it to Rush Mills with only two trips down the weed hatch and one slightly overheated engine. There was a family on the small cruiser waiting at Rush Mills as they had dropped their one and only windlass and didn't have an EA key for the locks (or a licence). S we worked through together then I set about the cooling system again. Blew through various pipes, tested the flow through the seacock. I didn't actually find a blockage but once it was back together the water flow was restored. So off I went and just before Abington Lock met the family boat coming back. the guy told me the lock was closed for maybe 10 days. There wasn't a good turning spot and lock was close so I went to check. The lock was open. There was an EA pickuptruck there but no staff around. No notices on the lock. I phoned the number on the pickup. 'We are experiencing high call volumes...' I phoned Northants Marina. 'We are not here at present...' I did an internet search on Abingdon Lock closure and found an EA page detailing Nene closures. 'This page was published in 2014 and last updated in 2017...' WTF??? I went through the lock, and round the next bend is Abingdon flood barrier which was down. And according the EA staff looking at it likely to be so for days. Possibly weeks. I'm back near Rush Mills on the mooring by the Brittania Inn overnight. Then tomorrow have to brave the swamp again and leave Seren in EA's Northampton Marina. Annoyingly it's double the price of Oundle and, no they won't contemplate a discount because I'm stranded by their broken flood gate. I hate the River Nene. Every time I come here something goes wrong and EA's attitude is always the same. I've had two excuses for the weed situation this year from different staff. 1, We haven't launched the weed cutter boat yet because it's broken. 2. Today, at Abingdon, We haven't launched the weedcutter boat because of some EU environmental directive. Really, 7 years after Brexit?
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28/6/2023 1 Comment Wednesday 28th JuneWell that was interesting.
As previously mentioned I moored behind Carl and (?) so once I saw him getting ready to go I got Seren going and followed. Lock 1 has newish gates and plenty of water. Lock2 quite good condition but less water. And so on down to 5 which had very little water and we both got stuck on the mud. After that the water level improved, I guess all the water that had been leaking overnight had filled up the lower locks. As we left 6 CRT turned up, not to help or let down water but to commence work on the first few locks. We'd got through just in time. Sitting there waiting for a lock to fill I noticed there was very little water coming out of Serens wet exhaust system. And back onboard the temp gauge was approaching the danger point. It seemed likely that the mud I'd been stuck on had clogged the water intake, or filter or pipe or knackered the impeller. Carl towwed Seren through the next couple of locks while I checked the 'sea' cock was letting in water (it was) and then the filter, which was full of mud. Washed that out reassembled it and tried the engine. More water in the exhaust but not as much as usual. The temp gauge was back in safe territory though so I pressed on. All was well until we'd cleared the Rothersthorpe flight and were motoring on to the four well spaced out individual locks. The canal is VERY overgrown the clear water only just wide enough for a narrowbeam cruiser, the banks hidden by weeds and reed metres wide. It was shallow and weedy too so inevitably after the first of the four locks I picked up some weed (and it later turned out a plastic bag) The engine struggled then overheated. I honked the horn and Carl very graciously backed up to take me under tow again, this time all the way down to Northampton Embankment. After lunch I serviced the cooling system. Seacock still clear, filter still clear, impeller showing some damage to one blade but not a showstopper. Interestingly though it was bone dry. So I took the pipe off the seacock and blew down it. Initially it was hard but then suddenly a gush of dirty water and mud erupted from the (open) pump body. Think I found the problem. Reassembled everything and it seems to be OK. Much more water gushing out of the exhaust. Dirty muddy water at first but soon clearing. We'll see how it holds up tomorrow. And so to Morrisons for dinner. PeriPeri chicken (ready cooked) and salad (ready to eat). And croutons (made those!) Then raspberries and Yoghurt. Two hours to bedtime then off we we go again. I'm hoping the Nene weed will be a little less troublesome going downstream. And there's rain forecast which is unpleasant to cruise in but might raise the water level and downstream current a bit. 27/6/2023 0 Comments Tuesday 27th JuneTooday went as planned, which is not something that happens a lot on this trip. In fact, better than planned. When I turned up at Buckby top lock there were two narrow boats about to enter. Amazingly though one of them was quite short, short enough for me to slip in behind. And to repeat the trick for the next six locks. Not only that, there were CRT volunteers and Katherine (remember her?) to help at some of them. They were initially there to deal with a low water issue probably caused by all the craft leaving the weekend do at Braunston. Crt were pumping water up to the top pound and Katherine was there to supervise letting it down into the locks without draining the top pound.
Whilst chatting and waiting Katherine told us that CRT were doing work clearing debris from Rothersthorpe locks on the N'hants Arm so we may be delayed tomorrow. Before leaving Buckby Bottom lock agreed with the couple on the short narrowboat (who are going to Cambridge) that we'd do the Arm together tomorrow morning. That should speed things up and take some pressure off. Seren vibrating again at low revs so I just re-stuffed the rubber matting between engine and bearers. Seems better while stationary, will get a better idea tomorrow. 27/6/2023 0 Comments Monday 26th JuneThere seems to have been a glitch in publishing Sunday's post, now fixed so writing Monday's on Tuesday morning! Nothing much of note to report. Left Rugby,passed through Hilmorton Locks stopped for fuel and loo emptying at Barby Marine, where I met a guy who works for Canal Boat taking photos of a narrowboat refuelling. Stopped for water at Braunston. There had been a boat festival at Braunston over the weekend so there were lots of old, proper narrowboats leaving the site and passing me all day, and still quite a few hanging around.
At Braunston Locks met a couple I'd last seen in Northampton about three weeks ago, on a different boat. We doubled up for four of the locks which took the strain off. After the nice little locks of the T&M and Coventry and Oxford the big GU main line ones are hard work solo. Then through Braunston Tunnel and stopped at Norton Jnct. After being a travelling hermit for days I thought it'd be nice to rejoin society foor a bit so showered, deoderised, clean clothes head to toe, and off to the New Inn at Buckby Wharf. I guess society isn't ready for me yet, it was closed. Buckby Locks Tuesday Morning then cruise along to Gayton Jnct. Need to start planning where to stop and leave Seren for Linda to collect me. Gayton on the 27th, N'hants on 28th. White Mills Marina or FOTRN at Doddington 29th, Irthlingborough EA moorings 30th. Oundle Marina 1st July? 25/6/2023 0 Comments Sunday 25th JuneAfter the breakdowns and cock-ups of the last three weeks today was very peaceful. Between Nuneaton and Rugby, where I am now, there is one lock. A stop-lock rising about 6" at Hawkesbury Jnct ontothe Northern section of the Oxford Canal. And there was a CRT volunteer to do that for me.
It's been very hot, I closed the sliding roof over Seren's cockpit for the early afternoon. It amplifies the engine noise but makes an effective sunshade. Made it to Bridge 58 at Rugby and stopped there as there's a Tesco not far away. Far enough for my ancient legs though. I was going to carry on but it was still hot and Hilmorton Locks are only about an hour away so I decided to stay here for the night. Tomorrow, three Hilmorton Locks before it gets too hot, then another long lock-free cruise to Braunston Turn. After that 6 wide locks to Braunston Tunnel and on to Norton Junction where I branched off northwards on the Leicester Arm on the outward journey. Ffom then on it's well worn territory including the dreaded Northampton Arm and the even more dread River Nene. 24/6/2023 0 Comments Saturday 24th JuneI have a decent internet connection tonight so I've just caught up the last two posts. Today has been hot but easier than expected. I'd stopped just past Tamworth so it was an easy cruise to Atherston Bottom Lock. The first six locks are in three pairs with a bit of space in between so I did those before lunch. By then it was hot and humid, real sweaty weather for lock work so I stopped for lunch and a long siesta. Off again about 14.30 rather dreading the remaining five locks that are quite tightly grouped. but at the first one CRT volunteer popped up and did most of the work upto the toplock where he handed over to anoth volunteer. Apparently there are 25 lock-free miles after Atherstone but I didn't do all of them. Stopped just past Nuneaton. Still hot.
24/6/2023 0 Comments Friday 23rd JuneThe Coventry is great after a busy day. No locks for many, many miles. I stopped at Streethay Marina to empty the loo, the bin and buy some milk. Then again at Whittington to do some more shopping at the Co-Op. Supermarkets are a pain for the solo boater. I fancied doing a Sweet & Sour pork casserole in the slow cooker but the pork steaks were packed in fours, the sweet peppers in threes and the mushrooms in big punnets. Now I have enough casserole for at least 3 days! Plus a fridge full of peppers and mushrooms. Think some of the mushrooms might go in a fry-up breakfast tomorrow.
The slow cooker is great. I started the dish off on the hob at lunchtime then tipped it into the slowcooker and left it on all afternoon with minimal attention. Every so often a gust of wind would blow a delicious cooking smell out into the cockpit. So when I stopped for the day all I had to do was boil some rice to go with it. 24/6/2023 0 Comments Thursday 22nd JuneBoat electrician from Burton Boats showed up about 09.30. After writing Wednesdays blog I’d found the problem myself, the positive wire from the alternator to the battery had come off. Actually the wire had come away from the spade terminal, and of course my spare terminals and crimping pliers are at home. It’s a pig of a job anyway because the terminal is under the alternator and you just have to grope for it so I was glad to leave it to someone else. Although it did cost me £60 which stung a bit.
On my way about 11.00. Ten locks from Shobnall Marina to Fradley Junction. With all the boat problems and my own lack of fitness I’ve decided to take the ‘quick’ way home and abandon the planned tour. I think Gareth has solved, or at least dealt with, his family problem but his health has gone downhill. He’s been in hospital for more tests, a change of drug regime and has more scans and tests scheduled. I don’t think he’ll be back on board and I’m not strong enough to do the whole tour without help. So at Fradely I turned left onto the Coventry Canal heading south east. I moored a short distance from the junction and treated myself to a packet of crisps and a pint at The Swan. Then went back to Seren to do some washing and cooking. The domestic stuff has suffered recently, I didn’t want to drain what little life was left the batteries so saved the power for pumping enough water to make dinner and a cup of tea. Though the tea was a waste because the fridge had been off for so long the milk had gone bad. 21/6/2023 0 Comments Wednesday 21st JuneAnother day, another problem. Or two really. Problem 1. The boat wouldn't start this morning. My multimeter showed there was a 12.5V charge but that's probably misleading, starter batteries can retain a high voltage as they discharge but lose the ability to supply much current, and starter motors need a lot of current. There's a boatyard at Shobnall, not too far away from where I stopped but if I called them out they'll struggle to get to the boat as I wasn't near a highway bridge.
I walked back along the canal a short way and on the other, non-towpath, side there was a house with moorings to let and a dog/cat kennel business. So I called and asked if they'd mind me mooring there for a while and would they let an engineer through their garden to the canal bank? They agreed so I went back to Seren, turned her around and pulled her back. Not that heroic, only about ¼ of a mile, or less. Then aimed her at the opposite bank and punted her off from the rear deck. I got the address and directions sorted and phoned the yard. Their electrician is off today but they can get his self-employed brother to cover for him, but not until 4pm. Phoned another engineer, but he's busy today. Then got chatting to a guy on a live-aboard narrowboat about why I was there and what the problem was. He produced a spare battery and jump leads and in a few seconds I had Seren running. He didn't really need the battery so sold it to me for £10! Although the engine was running, diesels don't need electric once they've started, the Battery warning light was flickering so probably no charge going to the battery. Motored along to Burton Boats at Shobnall Marina and moored just outside so the electrician can find me more easily. Then went shopping. A very long walk but eventually came to a Polish (I think) deli/grocer. SO got some cottage cheese type stuff, pickles, sausages and yoghurt. So sausage and mash tonight. When I go back Burton Boats called. The engineer can't comae this afternoon as his vehicle has broken down. V. re-assuring. Still, the full-time regular guy will be in tomorrow at 09.00. The second problem? Me. I'm finding this tougher than expected. The breakdown issues don't help but the real problem is I lack strength and stamina. Lock gates are tough (though this morning's was the first narrow lock on the T&M so a lot easier). Climbing out of the a lock via the ladder leaves me breathless. And walks, like this morning, are exhausting. Ever since my right knee developed problems three years ago I've favoured my left, but now that hurts too. Climbing down from Seren's high-ish deck onto a low canal towpath is tricky as neither knee is happy to take my full weight in the flex while I stretch the other leg out towards the ground. I'd already decided to do the planned voyage in reverse hoping that I'd have Gareth back on board for the hard stuff up north such as the Wigan flight. Reading his text messages though I don't think it's likely he will be back, he's been hospitalised for a day or two since he went home and is having loads more tests and scans. I think I'll keep on the T&M to Fradley Jnct then turn south on the Coventry and head for home. And then nag the NHS about getting some more energy. If this is likely to how am from now on I think I'll have to sell Seren. 20/6/2023 0 Comments Tuesday 20th JuneEventually about 11.00 the rain lessened and looked like it might stop so I got all dressed up in waterproofs and set off. Most of the time I can just about steer Seren with the roof closed but the view isn't great. The clear-screen stuff works for a while, then gets washed off and you can't reapply it to a wet screen. Of course you have to open up and get out to moor up and operate locks. It's pretty miserable but the rain did slowly come to a stop. And then just as things started to seem more cheerful it returned with a vengeance. I did two locks, the last one already had a narrowboat in when I arrived and the guy on that was already on the lockside, so he did most of the work. And then on to Mercia Marine at Willington. It's a huge Marina with all the usual facilities, plus a bit of a posh shopping village attached with jewellers, designer goods and a smart restaurant. And crucially for me it's hoome to Midland Chandlers who have a big, well stocked store there. I got a gasket seal for the Porta Potti, some blue and pink chemicals for the loo and some loo roll. It's all glamour this boating. Some advice too. For a few days the grill on Seren has been getting harder to light and prone to going out. The guy at MC was pretty sure which thermo-couple I needed, they still stock a similar Thetford stove, but as the the marina was quiet and there wasn't a queue for the visitors' moorings I decided to take the stove apart and remove the old one to get a precise match. Failed. The thermo couple is right at the back of the grill where no spanner I've ever seen will reach, you probably need a very slim, long box spanner. So I tried to remove the grill unit. There are only two screws holding it, both badly corroded. One yielded eventually, the other I took the Mole wrench too. With a lot of twisting I managed to dislodge the pillar that the screw goes into, but that still didn't allow me to remove the grill. I gave up and put it all back together. And now it works better. After wasting nearly 3 hours tinkering I set off again, stopping at Stretton near Burton on Trent.. 20/6/2023 1 Comment Monday 19th June Late again because not a lot happened yesterday and I was too lethargic (lazy) to get the laptop out and write about it. This morning it's raining so ideal time to blog. From my overnight mooring at Zouch a pleasant cruise along to Kegworth deep lock. Where I couldn't get the water to make a level and I wasn't strong enough to force it. I was just about to go and make a brew when A narrowboat turned up and the two of us managed to get through. Then moored by Kegworth flood lock there's no flood so its open and the moorings are not needed for locking. Walked to village for some shopping. It's quite a long walk and I realised about halfway I've done it before. 2021 I suppose. A coule more locks to Trent Lock, where there is a wide expanse of water and a cross 'roads' with the Trent going west to east, the Soar entering from the south and the Erewash canal heading north. There's also a water point which was useful. Then a wide deep section of the Trent towards Shardlow. Stopped at Sawley Marina, previously Sawley Bridge Marina where Seren was built, for diesel. It's part of the Aquavista group so instead of just purchasing diesel you have to have a Fuel Card (prepaid of course). But the machine was broken anyway, so they couldn't sell any diesel even for cash.
The engineer I met yesterday said he was from Shardlow Marina, but when I got there, no sign of it. Apparently it's on the final section of the navigable Trent, not on the T&M canal so I'd have to go back down two locks. They're wide and heavy and I couldn't face it. So onwards through a few more locks and stopped overnight at Weston-on-Trent. 10 locks in all but two of them flood locks that were open. 18/6/2023 1 Comment Sunday 18th JuneEarly blog today as not much happening. At the very first lock this morning the propshaft coupling came undone AGAIN. I've bodged it for now, but before tightening with the old screwdriver I put some Araldite in it. I hope it'll get a better grip but Araldite takes 16 hours to cure and reach max strength. So I'm going nowhere until tomorrow. Meanwhile done some cleaning and some bits of maintenance. Cleaned the cooker, especially the thermocouples and jets so it lights and stays lit more reliably. Adjusted one of the rollers on the sliding cockpit roof so it actually rolls rather than dragging on the handrail. Swept the dead leaves, insects etc off the outside of the cabin. Did laundry. Made bread (it's still rising, bake soon). While I was faffing about with Araldite a gang of blokes were manhandling a big, steel, widebeam boat through the lock. The boss came to ask me to move back a bit, fortunately is a very long lock landing stage. Turns he runs a boatyard in Shardlow (near the southern end of the Trent & Mersey and had had the boat at the yard to attend to some pitting in the hull, replace the anodes and black it. On the way back to its mooring the starter motor failed so having cleared the lock and secured it, they left it. I got talking to the guy, Vernon, about my problems and have agreed to visit his yard tomorrow and let him do a better job on it. I think after that I'll stay on the T&M heading north rather than the Trent. It'll be easier to meet Linda and get to Llangollen that way. If Vernon's work makes Seren more reliable, and if I'm feeling up too it then I'll carry on the Manchester, Wigan, etc doing the planned loop in reverse. But if Seren or I are struggling I'll just turn round after the Eisteddfod and head home. Meanwhile, here's some geese swimming past Seren this morning. Spot the odd one out.
17/6/2023 2 Comments Saturday 17th JuneLast night I left the transmission system in bits, this morning I was up early to fix it. Using a highly scientific method of groping under the engine whilst leaning on the gearbox I discovered that the engine mounting brackets are VERY close to the engine bearers. So close that when the engine is running slowly and vibrating on it's mounts the brackets bang against the bearers. Hence the god-awful noise. I carefully adjusted the engine mounts to align the propshaft but that didn't change the basic problem.
A couple of pieces of rubber flooring folded in half and wedged between brackets and bearers made a huge difference. Long term though I think I'm going to have to remove the brackets and see if it's possible to re-design them. So off we go again. Today is a bit special, it's the anniversary of my tongue cancer op. So I decided after two and a half weeks of boat food I'd treat myself to a decent dinner. Checking the map, working out times and reading reviews the Rose & Crown at Zouch (north of Loughborough) seemed a good bet. It even has a landing stage. So, moored, tidied up the boat, had a shower and put on some decent(ish) clothes and went to the bar. Unfortunately the pub changed hands yesterday and the new owners declared the kitchen a health hazard. In the words of the landlady, 'Even the rats had left'. I had a pint anyway and am now waiting for 'Just Eat' to bring me a takeaway Chinese. Happy anniversary tongue. 16/6/2023 0 Comments Friday 16th JuneHaving pondered on the vibration problem overnight I was out in my overalls before it got too hot. Pressing down on the gearbox body with the engine running made the noise worse, though actually standing on it stopped it. I thought it was worth trying to raise the rear engine mounts a little. Harder than it sounds, there is very little space to work but I jacked it up a bit and the vibration was reduced so off I went heading north out of Leicester.
Did 5 locks by 13.30 but it was too hot and I was too tired to continue so stopped for lunch and a nap. Turns out I need a two hour nap but it was cooler by then so off I went. The vibration problem was worse than ever. Stopped at moorings just north of Hope & Anchor bridge. Dinner. Read. Then when it cooled down a bit got back in the overalls for another go at the engine. Disconnected the propshaft rom the gear box and the engine runs quiter suggesting that the shaft alignment is poor, possibly due to me messing with it yesterday or maybe because the new moounts have settled, bedded-in with all the use they've had in the last couple of weeks. Tried leaning on the gear box again and it really does sound as if the engine is making contact with the hull or engine bearers, but I can't see where. Will investigate the front mounts in the morning. 16/6/2023 0 Comments Thursday 15th JunePosted 24 hours late due to tiredness and heat. I stopped at Kilby Bridge overnight and first thing in the morning tried to manoeuvre across to the CRT yard to dump some rubbish, and the propshaft came loose again. Tightened it with the screwdriver and Mole grip and set off. Made it to Crow Mills Bridge where I intended to stop and shop in South Wigston. And the propshaft came loose again, this time actually pulling back as I reversed, or tried to. Fortunately en route to the Co Op I passed an Old-school car repair workshop and went in the beg, borrow or even buy a 4.5mm allen key. They lent me one, but it was too loose. So took a screw out and took it to the garage. Being old-school they had a rummage and found a 3/16" long handled one. Perfect. The end of the shaft the fits into the coupling was badly scored though so I took it right out and turned it round. The other end fits into a different, much longer and stronger coupling to the gearbox. It hasn't (yet) come loose again. However, during the day the vibration problem got worse. It's at it's worst at low revs so I had already increased the tickover speed, but as soon as I engage a gear and the revs drop it feels as if the engine is banging against the bearers or even the hull. Read on... |
AuthorPhil, owner, captain, chief engineer, electrician, carpenter, cook and comms manager of Seren Archives
April 2024
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