Thank goodness we stopped where we did.

 Tuesday 17th

We did get the BBQ after all last night. That shower was short-lived, the sun appeared and with no dark clouds on the horizon, out came the wine and food, but first we had to shoo those pesky Canada Geese out of the way.

 

Gosh, I really thought there would be nothing to write about today, it's been a very uneventful journey to Willington. There were the usual hold-ups at the locks, mustn't complain too much as everyone helped each other so no long delays, and it was nice to just hold the centre rope and take in the warmth of the sun. And we also filled with diesel at Shobnall marina. At £1.19 this must be the cheapest around these parts. Ian decided to fill the jerry can, at that price it was worth it.  Rightly or wrongly the empty can was stored in the engine compartment and on lifting it out, what he found shocked him. Water lying on the floor under the engine. Where had that come from? Was it from the webasto diesel heater? It was decided to wait until we moored to find out.

 

Just past the entrance to Mercia Marina, we moored. Initially the conversation had been to continue to Stenson, but the moorings there are normally all taken, and we do like this mooring.  Anyway, after removing the engine covers, what he found was a shock. All the water had emptied out from the engine cooling header tank, so the first thing he did was pour two full kettles of water to top it up.

Then a drip was heard. It was like looking for a needle in a haystack, really maddening because he couldn't see where that drip was coming from. Then with the help of a torch and mirror he found it. It was coming from the calorifier take off hose. A big sigh of relief as this was easily remedied, especially as a very handy Midland chandlers was at the marina. Fate must have made us stop. Crikey, if we hadn't filled that jerry can and if we hadn't stopped when we did, the engine may have seized!  

 

That white line is the water drip

New hose was bought, usually sold by the metre, all Ian that was required was a short length. An off cut was found and for £4, a bargain.

 That man of mine...fitted the new hose within 10 minutes then out came a hand pump and all the water was removed from the floor, bar a small amount. Absorbent pads came in useful for the last bit

I'd been fishing while all this was going on. A couple of hours soaking up the sun and catching perch and roach. Time was marching on, and I had dinner to prepare and had just packed away when a boat pulled up next to FS and a "hello" was heard. Well we dashed out to see who was calling and wow it was John and Jan, Nb Jubilee. Last time we met was back in 2014, and I believe on the Huddersfield Canal. It was lovely to see them and to catch up. I do hope it won't be another 8 years before we meet again.

And wildlife today