Called in first thing at Springwood Haven to book a blacking – 31st October. Liz said we could stay on board while it is done, so that avoids travel complications.
In view of the weather forecast we decided to do minimal travel, pulling in just after Bridge 27. Just as well – between sunny spells there was fierce rain and even thunder at one point.
Engine: 517.6 – 517.3
0.5 miles, 0 locks, 0.7 engine hours
At last, starting out on our journey! But by easy stages. Back to the Spring Wood mooring for the night.
While we were having a cuppa on the towpath, Andy & Sue Smith came by, assisting NB 10,000 Reasons, followed by Chris Buck. They all stopped for a natter. The conversation suggested Springwood Haven's price for blacking was about par, so we decided to drop in and book it, if they still had slots this year.
Engine: 516.5 – 517.6
1.9 miles, 0 locks, 1.1 engine hours
Stayed in the marina for church on-line. Cleaned the roof in the afternoon. No need to run the engine.
Wanted to get some supplies, so went back to Atherstone and winded at the head of the flight. Tied up so I could walk down to the Aldi – no longer than the walk from the visitor moorings half way down. Then back to the marina for Kat's party in the evening.
Engine: 513.8 – 516.5
4.7 miles, 0 locks, 2.7 engine hours
Alarm for 7.30, and at Springwood Haven marina at 8.30. They agreed to get Rob to fix the leak on the calorifier. Basically, he screwed the fitting tight down, and constructed some pipework to bring everything together. Annoying to find that now gets in the way of where a folding chair has slotted down.
Strikes me that if we changed over the two exit units, they would be in the right position, and take away the need for the pipework. The main thing would be to get the emergency outlet pointing in the right direction.
Went back to the Spring Wood mooring for the night;
Engine: 513.1 – 513.8
0.5 miles, 0 locks, 0.7 engine hours
De-winterising – the calorifier junction was leaking slightly. Turning the junction piece down tight took it 180˚ past where the outlet and emergency pipes fitted. Not something with RCR's remit, and for their sister to come and do a repair was going to be very expensive. Rang Springwood Haven – she said to ring again at 9 a.m., though it was to be their hire-boat turnaround day.
Decided to simply turn up in the morning, so took Erin Mae down to the mooring spot just before the marina.
Engine: 512.1 – 513.1, 1 hour
1.9 miles, no locks