Day one in Diglis

Travelled up after lunch with a plan for an afternoon's work before walking into Worcester for dinner.  Work did not progress as hoped, an error on length of the under bed cover meant it's a template for a future 'proper job', but the idea of slides worked. Gap now covered .. still cannot work out how to add photos!

Work was delayed helping Stileto and Steel move berth. Apparently they had arrived from Droitwich, helped by a knowledgeable friend but moored in the wrong berth and now needed to move their boat. Clearly lacking confidence I offered to help and as usual took over, must stop doing it. At 9' feet longer than Ada I think I did a reasonable job.
Dinner this evening at Siam Smile. A while since we dined there but stil as good as before, everything freshly cooked.

New in line bed

The new sliding bed, just a touch of the finger to pull it out. It's shown pulled across the passage to allow access to the underside of the bed next to the boat side. At night it pulls out about 240mm to get the onboard sleeper away from the side.
The work has progressed further and this weekend we plan a 'shake down' cruise, a few days to check the boat after the winter break. Before we set out I intend to fit a cover over the boat side gap. It'll be in place when pulled out for the night but push back for access to the under floor storage. Other jobs before we set out include fitting the old heater control, fitting a new holding tank gauge and pulling in a clothes short hanging rail.

Summer cruise 1

Arrived, packed the boat and departed for Stourport on Wednesday. A cold uneventful cruise up the Severn and an easy passage through the locks to the basin. Pump out and fuel at Limekiln Chandlery and a new rear button fender. Also wanted a new bow fender but apparently an urgent order from a Liverpool boat builder had cleared their stock. Moored above York Street lock for the night.
Away to Sainsbury Kidderminster to top up supplies and on to moor just short of the 24 hour moorings at Kinver. The morning gave a clear view of the Astra satellites back down the canal.
Friday, cruised to above Bratch. Straight in and through. The lock keeper confirmed our impression that the canal was very quiet. We were the 7th boat through all day. Mooring provided neither digital nor satellite TV, as I miss read the app. Apart from this Dish Align is a useful aid to finding the Astra satellite. Rain early evening and heavy rain overnight.
Woke to rain but set off after a late breakfast when it eased. Uneventful cruise to Compton Lock for a lunch stop and milk. Noticed the new closer Sainsburys Local only on the way back from the Spar. Rain increased over lunch and decided to stay. Limited TV reception on the stick ariel.
Sunday, a fine sunny day and a quiet cruise until the engine cut out after lunch. Obvious symptoms of a blocked fuel filter. Checking my records I changed the filter 100 hour and 9 months previously! I thought I had changed it since then otherwise would have done it earlier. After a 30 minute emergency stop set off with a replacement filter. With J wanting to see the last episode of Home Fires, moored about 1.5 miles past Gnosall at a location that promised a clear view of the Astra satellite. On the bank with my iPad, for the first time that day, I had a 3G signal enabling the app to indicate the direction of the satellite. It was a poor mooring with the boat away from the bank. However, the stick ariel detected 202 TV stations, so no need for the satellite, but no 3G signal. Eventually discovered that if I stood by the canal mile post there was a 3G signal. 10m either way no signal.
Monday, a quiet cruise in cool sunshine to the top of Adderley Locks. Stopped for lunch and passed by 2 boats. A very slow passage through the 5 locks behind a single handler and a bad decision by the boat immediately ahead to open the gates of the last lock to allow a distant approaching boat to enter before the single handed. Delayed by being caught on the side before the last lock. One foot in the canal a a scrapped shin getting off it. Moored at the closest Market Drayton moorings. No reception on the stick ariel but a clear view of the satellite down the canal.

A very normal start to our cruise to Liverpool.

Hanbury to Worcester - Days 6 & 7

A walk around Hanbury Junction and a lazy afternoon. We decided to cruise straight back to Worcester the next day.
Lunch at Saffron's and home on day 8.

Droitwich to Hanbury - Day 5

Time has moved on and not being able to cruise the river we have recast our plans. There's not time to do the Stourport -Wolverhampton-Stourbridge ring that we intended and J is not well. We have decide to take our time getting back to Worcester, so 2 nights at Hanbury and maybe a stop at Tibberton.
Uneventful cruise on the Droitwich Junction Canal, calling in at Droitwich Marina for a pompous and fuel. Apparently they are full and the office/lounge/chandlery building has just been completed. Service very slick.
At the top lock there's a board with lights indicating the states of the Rivers Salwarpe and Severn but, so a volunteer said, it does not work. CRT is certainly sending out confusing information regarding the state of the River Severn
... a traffic light system that does not work,
... a stoppage notice closing the river, a clear message that it is not safe,
... water level indicator boards, Red, Amber, Green.
Talking to boats, both private and hire, heading for the Severn, the response was always the same, "We heard the river was closed but it is now open," whilst the water level was still at Red!

Hawford to Droitwich - Day 4

Returned to Droitwich. Although the river was opened yesterday, the indicator was still in the red and the water level had not changed since yesterday afternoon. Looked at the river and decided to return to Droitwich. Turned the boat on the river pontoon and the speed at which the boat came round suggested we had made the right decision. Maybe would have considered a swift passage down river but our plan was to go up river and that would have been a long slog against the stream. Now considering a really idle cruise, all within about 10 miles!
At least this gave me another opportunity of getting round the sharp bend at Salwarpe with some dignity, having on the way down cut the corner and run aground. I did it but only just and I have now concluded that the only way travelling towards Droitwich is to stop on the corner and then turn.

Hawford Lock - Day 3

Expected to be here all day. The river has gone down about 250mm but still flowing strongly.
 Yesterday  Today  Surprised by CRT unlocking the lock at about 1430. Two boats when through but both going to Worcester expecting to moor at the race course. Told them the moorings were underwater when we passed Wednesday and told then about the pontoon below the WBC lock moorings. We decided to stay as we would not make the last lock before Stourport before the river locks closed at 1800. We'll leave tomorrow morning and hope the river will be lower still.

Droitwich to Hawford - Day 2

 The locked lock gates at Hawford. We shopped in Droitwich this morning and set out for Hawford before lunch. We had expected it so it was no surprise to receive an email notifying that the River Severn from Gloucester to Stourport is closed because of strong flows. We had already decided to stop at Hawford and expected we may be there for a day or two ... hopefully not much more.
Met first two hire oats reversing from Hawford to Droitwich and then a private boat. I had though that it was wide enough for shorter boats to turn before Hawford locks but apparently it was thought not possible. However, helped a 48' boat to turn and then discovered we knew them ... result a very pleasant pre diner drinks. They had expected to be able to turn in the pound between the 2 Hawford locks ... they had spoken to CRT and had this confirmed ... however, finding lock number 2 locked meant they could not do this. Poor CRT customer relations.

Worcester to Doitwich - Day 1

Away on our Easter cruise. Unusually not planned but including Strourbridge and Netherton Tunnel. arrived at the boat yesterday after a day out with N at the Avoncroft museum of buildings. Pizza Express for dinner and away early this morning and breakfast on the river. No lights at Diglis and I forgot to check the boards as we entered the Severn. Stong stream and managed 3mph though Worcester but this decreased to 2mph when the river narrowed North of the city.
Arrived at the lock to find a hire boat detained on the moorings. Lock keeper let us though but warned us that the river was rising and to keep well left to avoid the pull of the weir. Speed down to 1mph approaching the Doitwich Canal river lock but some power in reserve.
Found hire boat White's Thrush in the lock. Transpired their hire company had refused permission to go on the river to Worcester but the only way to turn the boat was on the river. The most dangerous manouvred completed they were back in the lock. It would have been safer for then to cruise to Worcester despite the turn there into the WB Canal!
Uneventful cruise to Droitwich sharing locks with White's Thrush. Early in the year so the reeds have not grown across the canal. However, it appears that much work has been done to dredge or clear the reeds with the spoil on the bank. Made an outstanding mess at Salwarpe Corner only just backing off the bank before hitting it before the bridge. Arrived safely at the mooring to find one unoccupied boat and White's Thrush taking on water, but otherwise empty visitors' moorings.
N departs this evening after meal out with us and parents.

Short Maintenance Visit

Half day visit and fitted the altered sump pump mounting.

Also changed the 55amp alternator for the 70amp alternator, to improve recharging time. Fitted a new inner belt but confused about which are my new belts so did not replace the outer.  This will have to wait for a later visit.

Planning our 2015 long cruise

I had thought we would go south to the K & A. We started out with this I tension a couple of years back but turned round at Oxford because of unremitting bad weather and then enjoyed fabulous weather all the way back. However, J suggested Liverpool so looked up the detail of our previous cruise there. Eventually found the spreadsheet, 2009, six years ago!

Now booked for Liverpool Link for late June. Press reports of online booking and changes to the access routine seem premature. The only change since our last visit is that boats transit from Hancocks Bridge to Malthouse Dock in one day (in 2009 boats were required to stop overnight at Eldonian Port).

Maintenance Visit

Visited for 2 nights, part maintenance and part leisure. Weather forecast was not good but turned out dry and sunny, but cold. Difficulties lighting the diesel stove seemed to be over now that the catalyser has been replaced.

When we took the boat round for a pump out the over voltage alarm on the Smartgauge was activated. I bought a replacement voltage regulator with a field wire fitted on eBay and replaced the faulty one. Running the engine pre and post fitting the new unit demonstrated the fault was fixed.

I had brought the 5 domestic batteries home when last visited the boat. One had a faulty cell and two more failed to hold the fully charged voltage. Refitted the remaining 2 and 3 new ones.

When new the engine had one alternator and the sump oil pump was at the front of the engine. When I fitted a second alternator the pump has moved to the side and mounted on a steel plate bolted to the side of the engine. The pump was held in place by 2 large cable clamps secured by bolts on the plate. A few years back I noticed that the cable clamps had broken and, although still in place, the pump was loose. Attempting to replace these I first ordered the same size cable clamps on eBay. Unfortunately, although the right size for the pump the holding holes did not align with the bolts on the plate. Then I ordered two cable clamps from Beta Marine but they supplied the wrong size. I gave up trying to correct this and the pump has been held on with just the one cable clamp. I was never happy that the pump could come loose if the single cable clamp broke. I have now modified the plate.

The picture on the left shows the remodelled plate with the clamps fitted. The picture on the right shows the new bolt, nearest, and the cut off bolt just to the right of the new one. After cutting off the old bolt, a new hole was drilled and tapped. The new bolt was screwed in and welded on place at the back.

J's new top accidentally left behind so extra visit now planned to bring it home. Plan to replace the domestic 55amp alternator with the 70amp alternator and fit the new pump plate. We're almost ready for the next cruising season.

Start of Winter Maintenace

With thoughts now turning to cruising it's time to start the jobs to get Ada ready for the coming season. Today, put in the new diesel strove chatyliser. Whether it was just luck or the new part, there was no difficulty lighting it and it seemed boil the kettle faster ...

The other job was to bring home the domestic batteries. As the batteries are always fully charged I could do the checks onboard but I would still need to take out the batteries as it's not possible to check and top up 3 of the 5 without removing them all ... so I've brought them home to do the checks here.

It took longer than I planned as I wanted to leave the shore charger powering the boat but could not work out which where the cables from the charger ... there seemed to be only one cable and not two (Domestics and starter). Then I realised how clever I'd been when fitting the charger, the charging cable for the domestic batteries is connected to the distribution connection by the fuse box. Attached some cable labels to help in the future.

A very pleasant day and it I'd checked the weather forecast I'd have planned to do more.

Diesel tank cleaning

I have become very efficient at changing the fuel filler when the engine stops unexpectedly. However, lately this has happened after very few hours cruising. I now realise that it happens after filling with diesel and then cruising immediately afterwards. I believe this is because filling with fuel disturbs sediment in the tank that is immediately sucked into the fuel filter and the remedy is to clean the tank using one of these ...

... a fuel polishing machine. Booked in for the work at Lowesmoor Wharf but after taking the boat there, the machine was not working. Returned a couple of weeks later, machine repaired took the boat for a repeat. Turned out the tank was so dirty the machines filter blocked very quickly. The tank was eventual cleaned by sucking out the dirt from the bottom of the tank and then washing the tank with water. With limited access it was difficult to direct the water jet but eventually what was visible of the tank bottom was fee of dirt. Finally my fuel was passed through this machine and returned to my tank. The cost of this was determined by the amour of fuel 'polished'. At just 25ltrs in the tank I had timed it too perfection.
I did have a fright as leaving our mooring to cruise to Lowesmoor the engine stopped just as we entered the main cut. I thought I had run out of fuel and with that panic it took longer than usual to prime the system after changing the filter.

Moored in Nottingham

Arrived yesterday from Shardlow. Another fine day, it's cruising as it used to be before the recent years of poor summers. Only surprises were the mechanised locks at Sawley and finding lock handles welded onto the paddles on the locks on the River Trent ... pleasant surprises. At Beeston Lock a paddle is left up on leaving, both at the top and at the bottom. Assume this is to provide a flow into the canal but must remember to close one of the paddles before operating.
Moored near Castle Marina at the back of Sainsburys. Although well screened there is just a short path to the main entrance with only money separating us from everything we might need!
Although official CRT moorings they are not particularly good, with stretches of missing rings, which mean we moored in a long empty space leaving small gaps at either end. Also, a disproportionate number of scruffy looking boats that suggest live aboards working locally. A well used towpath and surprising quiet at night despite a road on the opposite bank.
No winding holes shown in Nicholsons Guide but no prohibition on turning in the marina entrance. Boats can be turned below Castle Lock.
Meeting school and university friends for lunch.

Summer Cruise 2014

Now moored at Fazely after cruising for ? Days on 2014 long cruise to Liecester eventually but pausing a Sawley.
Moored the first night above Tibberton bottom lock on pillings but noisy. Second night at Stoke Pond below Tardebigge and a meal in the Queens Head. Had pleasant surprise when Bob and Mary appear and joined us for the meal, although one course behind!
Up early and through Tardebigge in 3 3/4 hours. Continued on to Gas Street Basin. Moorings busy and eventually moored on a 14 day mooring about 250m from Sea Life Centre. Stayed a second night but whilst running the engine to top up batteries, the engine stopped. Appeared to be fuel starvation so changed the fuel filter and problem cleared. However, I changed the filter only about  a month before, worrying.
Third night moored before Curdworth. Helped down farmers Bridge locks by a CRT volunteer and much appreciated, but left to do the Aston flight. Tonight at Fazeley Junction.

Maintenance

Hull blacking with Pinder in Diglis dry dock. A busy week but managed to repaint the black hull sides above the rubbings track.
Taking the boat out experienced hire duos vibration. No obvious fault including checking the propeller for fouling. Pinder had polished the propeller leading edges to reduce propeller whine. That seemed to work and the vibration was not evident after runing the engine for a time.
Though problem could be thrust plate rubbers to visited for the day for J to complete getting ready for summer cruise and I would replace rubbers.
Disconnected and removed Aquafax coupling. Unfortunately had not left angle irons onboard that I could use to support the gear box. Made up a jury rig and got gear box off and thrust plate out. No apparent fault so replaced rubbers ans started to reassemble. Unfortunately jury rig did not support the gear box to allow it to be slipped onto the drive spline.
Returned next day with angle irons to support gear box. Reftted all. The bell housing on the 1505 is designed to make maintenance as difficult as possible. The bolts have to be started with the housing away from the black and then the bolts tighter and the housing move towards each in turn. One bolt is almost inaccessible and not in line of sight.
Anyway all assembled which left me time to re wire the galvanic isolator that I incorrectly installed about 12 years ago!

Visit for maintenance

Another quick visit to catch up with the maintenance schedule. This time to change the fuel filter. This has given me problems in the past filling the new filter but not this time. Turned off the fuel using the tap closest to the filter, replaced the filter and then used the lift pump to fill the filter. Being by myself could not bleed the system so just kept cranking the engine and it eventually ran.
Also replaced the 2 temporary cables from the domestic alternator with a single 6 mm cable.
Next visit will be to clean inside ready for our weekend cruise with friends to Kinver.

Shower door

At the boat yesterday. Although the visit was planned in advance to do some jobs it fortuitously coincided with delivery of our new shower door.
First jobs were to change engine and gearbox oil and the oil filter. The second job was to install our new TV replacing our analogue only One. The new  TV has inbuilt digital and satellite and a DVD replacing a spiders web of cables, sensors and SCART leads . Both jobs went smoothly.
The shower door replaces a shower curtain. The door opens out wards and is from Wesley Windows. Delivery was longer than expected and phone calls seemed to suggest this was their first of this style. No instructions but fortunately I've installed a shower door before. Needed to drill holes in the side frames to fix to the shower sides and to the door frame. Having to do all this risks scratching the white painted aluminium. The fit of the for was too tight reducing the opportunity to align it correctly and the silicone used to hold the door side frames is rough and looks as if it was trimmed before it was fully cured ... all disappointing but door now fitted.

Easter Cruise - Stouport to Worcester

Away from mooring in the upper basin at 0900 and on the river by 0930. A sunny but cold spring day and a clear sky but where were the boats, a 3 hour cruise on the river and the only boat we met was whilst locking up at Worcester!
Back in Worcester after 12 days cruising, some rain during the first two days but dry and cold with plenty of sun after that. Boat systems all worked well but the batteries still need careful nurturing. Back home tomorrow, shopping already done online for delivery Saturday evening, washing and the family for lunch on Easter Monday.