On our way at last.

Aug 30th

I have come to the conclusion that I am too trusting. Ian and I went over to secure the cruiser yesterday and managed to grab the bow rope. As we heaved trying to get that cruiser into the side, all that did was make the stern drift deeper into the channel. Gosh, Ian nearly took a dive when he climbed onto the bow and started to walk along the side to grab the stern rope. The cruiser tipped, Ian scrambled back pretty quick, but this meant other means had to be tried. As he walked back to FS for the boat hook, a lad cycled past wearing dark gear and balaclava, stopped and asked what had happened. All I said was we were not sure, but it had to be pulled back as it was blocking the lock. So this lad grabbed the bow rope, climbed onto the roof and threw the stern rope toward me, jumped off and pulled the boat back in. I thanked him, he was very pleasant and said "your welcome". Then he rode off, only to stop on the bridge by the lock. Ian arrived back at that moment, said that was one of the lads that had smashed the windows. OMG, how gullible was I. And here was I thinking some lads are not too bad. Anyway, no sooner had we got back on FS when he, plus two others came back, untied the rope again, jumped on the roof and proceeded to try and turn the boat over. I managed to discreetly get a photo, I was slightly reluctant to post the photo, but the chances of these lads actually reading this is slim.  Unfortunately, they spoilt our time here, so much so that a decision to leave very early the next morning was promptly made.

Go on...fall in!

 

Friday 8am and I couldn't believe it when our friend Jenn text about the Erewash being closed. Lack of water was the issue again, an email on CRT website had been seen earlier. It was between Pasture Lock and Gallows Inn and, seeing as we were on the right side of the closure, didn't think this applied to us. We had plenty of water but to be on the safe side, phoned a friend by Dockholme lock and one the other side to Long Eaton Lock to check. With a green light from both, we left at about 9.30am.

It's not often we travel along the canal at this time of year, there were a few very overgrown bushes to skew around and dredging wouldn't go amiss in places, but the journey to Trent lock was pleasant enough. Ian did have to go down the weed hatch at Dockholme, unsurprising it was mainly blanket weed that was the problem. While he was doing the biz, I grabbed the windlass to fill the lock. Gosh, I can't remember when I last did a lock. Winding the paddles up made me realise just how out of condition I was, and even opening the gates took all my strength. No wonder I leave it all up to Ian!

Ian grabbed the opportunity to take FS in, I thought he may get off and pass the helm to me, but no, he stayed on and watched me struggle! Typical!

At Trent lock facilities, much needed water was taken on. Having been away from Langley Mill for 10 days, our three cassettes were emptied too. Luckily, by having the car with us, we could take the cassette back to the mill to empty when necessary, but the last 5 days were spent trying not to drink too much!

Took over an hour to take on water, we were lower than we thought! It was the lack of showers, stand up wash only, and washing machine only on once that helped. 

The river was like a mill pond, hardly any flow, it was a joy to be back on deep water. Slightly baffled why a boat continued toward us on the wrong side and only moved over at the last minute. Ian, helming, was all for playing chicken, after all we were where we should be! I looked back to notice he immediately pulled back to continue on that side. I'm wondering if he wanted to be near to the bank in case of a problem.

The lockkeeper was on at Sawley lock, meant we had to rope up. My rope throwing skills are almost zero, so trying to throw one over a bollard when it's about 6 feet higher than the boat always fills me with dread. I liked this lockie because with him was a boat hook. It made my life easier when I just had to place the rope over the hook.

We stopped shortly after, I really fancy getting the rod out again but with no fishing licence, went straight onto the website and purchased a 12-month one for £23.80. It's been about two years since I last fished, I'm hoping for more than the usual tiddlers this time.😉

Update on engine and nothing good was about to happen

 Aug 29th

Yea....we have a running engine! Everything came together yesterday, injectors ready for collection and a part number was found for the thermostat. So it was a run into Hucknall to collect the injector and then Ilkeston to purchase the thermostat. Slight problem when he saw that thermostat, it appeared ever so slightly longer than the existing one but felt sure it would work okay. Not being able to help, I kept Ian supplied with coffee and within an hour, I heard the engine fire up. Hmm...didn't sound quite right, pretty rough to be fair, but of course the diesel lines had to be bled. Anyway, eventually it got going, thought how happy Ian would be when suddenly loud swearing from the back. Racing down to see what was up, he was frantically trying to stop the engine. Water was peeing out from the thermostat and no matter how often he pushed the off button, the engine refused to stop. With some urgency he switched off the diesel supply but of course, diesel was still present in the components so would take a while. I'm not sure what else he unhitched, he was like a whirlwind disconnecting various things and finally, having detached the throttle link, it stopped! My best bet was to disappear, looking over his shoulder wasn't going to help matters, but bringing him a cider did! The old thermostat went back in, he made a new casket and decided it would be better to run the engine at 60 deg then what it should be about 80 deg. The biggest problem was finding out why it wouldn't stop. After extensive testing he found a wire broken and sure enough, having replaced the wire, turned on the diesel supply, bled that through, and the engine fired into life. There was no smoke to be seen from the exhaust when the revs were increased and best of all, the stop button worked.  As to that thermostat, well we can't return it, but maybe he can sell it on eBay. Ian is sure he can get the correct one from Anglo Welsh, so maybe a trip to Great Hayward when we leave Shardlow.

I was just about to post this when Ian phoned. He was behind the cottage sorting out the outside lights when he heard a commotion from the lock area. What he saw, well it was obvious nothing good was about to happen. Heading toward that sunken cruiser were three youths in dark colours and wearing balaclavas. In their hands were baseball bats. Considering how near to that cruiser FS was, I didn't here a thing, I was watching the Paralympics and cheering on GB in the wheelchair basketball. Anyway, they bashed in the windows and tried to push it further out. Ian phoned to see if I was okay and that was when he told me. All I can say is what BASTARDS. They were probably the same youths that sunk the boat originally. I wonder if they will ever have a conscience about what they had done when they grow up, I also hope that one day something bad will happen to them. It's what they deserve!

 Anyway, Ian phoned the Police (doubt if they will do anything) and then CRT. The owner will have to be informed. It needs removing, sooner rather than later because I dread to think what they may still do to it if it stays. We certainly don't want to wake up to find it in flames!

Later I walked to the cruiser to get more photos and noticed someone had put a board from the bank to the front, probably to stop it drifting away. When Ian returns, I expect we will try to bring it back to the bank and secure it again.

The golden oldies belly dancing

 Aug 26tth

There was a treat in store today. The Sandiacre Lock Cottage was open for folk to view. It's usually open on the third Sunday in every month, as well as Bank Holidays, and today, of course, was one of those. The cottage, dating 1779, has loads of photos from when the canal was restored as well as many a researched artefact, it's a wonderful glimpse of the Erewash canal's heritage. I went with my camera and very glad I did because, performing for the public outside the cottage, were several ladies of a certain age showing how to belly dance!

 

I had a most enjoyable morning looking around and Ian, supposedly doing all the jobs he had set himself at our bungalow, spent half the time greeting and chatting to old friends and neighbours.

So, back to that engine of ours, it had another problem. Ian decided to check the thermostat and found the rubber seal had perished. Water was seeping out, which could contribute to the engine not running at high enough temperature. Not understanding why it had to run hot, I read about it HERE

It relates more to a lorry engine, but I expect all diesel engines are more or less the same. So in brief,

It results in filter clogs, reduced fuel flow, and engine damage.

 Now, one would think it would be easy to find a replacement thermostat. But no...Motor factors, Halford and other motoring outlets all wanted a car registration number and no matter haw many times he explained it was for a boat engine, it was more than their job was worth to even go and look for one. He even put our old moggie thousand reg in as he felt sure the same thermostat was in that car (how he remembered that car's registration number from the early 70s remains a mystery, especially as he can't even remember what happened a day or two ago) and the answer came back, the records didn't go that far back!

We also had a phone call from Gee Diesel Services to say the injector had arrived...oh goody....but it was faulty and had to be returned...oh blast! So we won't be setting off anytime soon. I still hope for Thursday, but I'm not holding my breath now!

Strange what one sees on the canals.

There's an update to the engine saga, Ian removed one of the injectors and found soot to be present, just as he and Tom suspected all along. Because we couldn't take them to Gee Diesel Services until the next day, he decided to replace the injector so we could charge the batteries. And there lay a big problem. Yes the injector was replaced but what he failed to do was tighten one of the nuts sufficiently and by starting the engine failed to notice diesel peeing out. I noticed the smell first, the engine had been running for a good 5 minutes. Ian was shocked when he saw what had happened and a day later is still in the process of cleaning it up! 

Of course, we failed to remember a bank holiday was coming up, so I expect it will be next week before we get the serviced injectors back. In the meantime, our generator is the only means of charging batteries. It's a bit noisy, so glad we have no boat nearby.

And wildlife

We do make Sandiacre, not without problems, though.

 Wednesday 21st

This mooring was lovely and quiet, and we should have slept well except for the worry of the engine. Waiting for Tom to turn up, Ian did a few more engine checks, including checking to see if water had got into the diesel, it was a beautiful red colour with no moisture signs at all, just as it should be. I had to give up one of my plastic beakers used for when the grandchildren came round for drinks, Hmm, best not serve orange juice in that any more!

Tom arrived around 10 and first thing he did was to rev the engine. Clouds of smoke, first grey then white, unsurprisingly. What baffled me was why did Tom put his hand over the exhaust when the white smoke appeared? Turns out this was a good way to check if soot was present, it's a tried and tested method, apparently! So it appeared that both Ian and Tom were right when they mentioned injectors. Maybe Tom should have asked Ian to do that, it would have saved him a journey, but just goes to show how Langley Mill Boatyard puts their customers first. Ian knows a place in Hucknall that has sorted the injectors out for us in the past, so said he would deal with it. Toms advice was to go steady and definitely try and make Sandiacre today.

Within ten minutes of Tom leaving, we were on our way. Still the issue with low water levels and the bottom being too near to the top. More and more reeds encroach the canal from both sides, and the towpath hasn't seen a mower in months...hmm...if at all! The locks are in a state, paddle gear missing, anti-vandal locks not working, gates that are impossible to move and some that won't open completely. In fact, the journey was every bit as stressful as I thought it would be. One time, many, many years ago, this was a lovely canal to cruise. Now I'm wondering if this will be one of those that Richard Parry talked about on Midlands today this morning when he told viewers how getting the funding from Government was becoming an urgent matter. Many canals will close if they can't raise the funds. The Erewash is rapidly becoming completely overgrown, so much so that soon we will have to rename FS, the African Queen! Too much work is needed on all aspects and not enough money to do it. ECP&DA do what they can, Pentland the workboat is out often, but there is only so much the society can do. In fact, between the M1 motorway bridge and Sandiacre top lock (roughly 2 miles) 3 sunken cruisers were seen! One by our mooring on the lock landing at Sandiacre. If I sound dejected, that's because I am. Will our time on the canals soon be over. It's a question we both have asked ourselves many times and am very afraid it will.

Okay...having said my piece, these next photos will show what I mean. 

Greens Lock was one where I had to squeeze through the top gates as both would not fully open. One paddle was taped with the ratchet gear missing. Ian struggled to open the bottom gate paddles, they squeaked and squealed as they were wound up. Then as I descended I noticed a worrying amount of water coming in and hitting the opposite lock wall holding FS onto the side.

It was so bad that the water wouldn't equalise to open the bottom gates, and no amount of straining against the beam could get it open. I was all for climbing the ladder when two ladies and a child appeared, saw Ian struggle and offered to help. It took all 3 combined effort to get that gate open.

With FS pinned to the side, and even with engine revs at almost maximum, (clouds of smoke again) FS only just crept forward. Ian had to push the bow away from the wall with a pole to get me moving! It appears that it's not just the ratchet missing, but the paddle has either disappeared or is stuck in the open position! So could this be the reason for low water levels? 

Ian has emailed the area operational manager with a list of other things he found on our journey down. This is his list

 Shipley Lock :- Excessive rubbing on top gate mitres - May need new wood inserts. Above lock the trees overhanging the lock landing, need the lower branches removing

Trying to see through a mass of leaves as I made my way to the lock was nigh on impossible.

Stenson Lock :- Towpath Side bottom gate, Windlass post is very loose - may need replacing
Barkers Lock :- Towpath side bottom gate, Handrail securing board has come adrift - see photo

Greens Lock :- Neither of the top gates will open fully into the recess due to debris behind the gates. Also, as the paddle gear has been removed from the offside ground paddle the paddle has lifted sufficiently to allow water through the culvert making it almost impossible to open the bottom gates. Either needs the paddle gear refitting or the rack fixed in the down position.
Gallows Lock :- The rubbing plates on the new bottom gates have not been fitted correctly. They are too far back from the edge to be effective. - See Photo

Stanton Lock :- The new anti-vandal locks fitted to the bottom gates need the stop plate on the spindle repositioning, as they exert too much pressure on the bolt to allow it to retract. Someone has already attempted to remove the towpath side unit and the fixing nuts are missing.

At Sandiacre, opposite the visitor mooring, there is a tree branch/bush across half of the canal which will need a grapple to pull it across to remove it.

A short length of towpath has rings opposite this fallen shrub, effectively stopping any boats who want to moor.

 I must say, Ian got a reply almost immediately. It was from Oliver Lockett thanking him for the email. Most of the problems were known and are trying to be addressed, but some needs specialist equipment, especially replacing the windlass post at Stenson, and at Greens there was talk of dewatering the canal to fix the paddle. Hopefully we should see an improvement when works will be carried out over winter.

Ian didn't mention those sunken cruisers, no point, I think CRT are already aware of those. Not sure if they know about the rowing boat, though. It was right by the lock with a rope wrapped around a bollard. As I entered the lock, I had to laugh when that boat, still floating, tried to make its escape. Ian raced to grab the rope, missed and had to come back for the boat hook.

Burnt cruiser under M1 bridge

This as we approached Sandiacre

And this one above Sandiacre lock.

There is a story of how this one was sunk. It came from the owner, who was trying to bale it out. Apparently his mate was sleeping on it, got woken up by youths where a confrontation took place. In retaliation, the youths sunk the boat!

Ian with the owner.

The plan is to take the injectors to Hucknall to get serviced and we aim to be at Sandiacre for at least a week. Thankfully we have our generator, and that, with the solar panels, should keep the batteries topped up 🤞

Not the best of starts to our Summer/Autumn cruise

It was one of those spur of the moment decisions. Monday, watching breakfast TV, our ears pricked up with the mention of a hurricane heading our way. Wow, that was worrying, especially as a trip to Sandiacre was on the cards later this week. A few jobs had to be done on our bungalow and taking the boat down was the logical thing to do. When BBC weather girl Carol said it was an ex-hurricane but with gusts of 40mph plus and would be arriving by Thursday, we decided then and there to come out of the basin, reverse through the boatyard to get diesel from Tom at £1.05 litre and then moor across the canal by the facilities. It was a good opportunity to be by a convenient tap and wash the starboard side of FS, and by jove she needed it. Took some scrubbing to get rid of the grim, I can tell you! We could have left that afternoon, but a dentist appointment the next day got in the way.

Waiting for diesel

Tuesday dawned fine, a great day to do the 5-hour cruise down to Sandiacre. By the time Ian came back from the dentist, and we had set off, it was after 1 pm. Going into the lock, I was slightly concerned by the amount of grey smoke the engine was producing, but was reassured when told it could be the fact the engine hadn't been started for a while.

Very noticeable as we left Sandiacre lock was how low the water levels were and with the increase of reeds and blanket weed, the going was slow.

Many a reverse to try and clear the prop, which produced more of that deep grey smoke. By the time we reached Eastwood lock, I was very concerned by the amount and smell. 

Even Ian, my man that can and knowledgable about everything, had doubts about the first scenario. Revving the engine when we got into the lock produced more of the same, but this time in bursts of white smoke as well.

 Now this was concerning! So he checked to see if water had got into the overflow from the header tank. That was clear, it wasn't head casket! He thought about the injectors, decided to phone Tom from Langley Mill Boatyard, who also thought this was what it could be. His advice was to get to Shipley lock where there was a large car park, and he would come and see us on Wednesday. 

Considering we left Langley Mill about 1 pm ish, it took nearly two hours to do 2 locks in about 1.5 miles,   Never has it taken so long but travelling on tickover, scrapping the canal bed more often then not and having to clear the prop, was the reason. It definitely didn't bode well for the rest of the journey down the Erewash. Mind you, that will happen only if we don't have to be towed back to Langley Mill to get the engine fixed. Now that would be interesting because with no winding hole for miles, it would mean a backward tow!

So a mooring presented itself below Shipley, unfortunately we had to take the last bollard of the landing because the only other mooring available was where a boat had been moored for over a year. I got out the bucket and washed the port side of FS and suddenly realised Shipley lock had been filled. A paddle was up on the top gates, and no sign of anyone about. Because of the dire water situation and because Shipley lock leaks like a sieve, this lock never stays full so Ian did no more than walk back to find out what was going on. When he returned about 10 minutes later, it was with a story that beggars belief. A chap wanted to try out his bait boat and not wanting to lose it in the canal, decided to bring the water levels in the lock back up, (he had a windlass belonging to his brother) and leave a paddle raised so the water wouldn't disappear. Ian was not best pleased, told him about conserving water especially on this canal and closed the paddle before any more could be said. As he walked away the levels dropped as he knew they would and then watched as the chap frantically tried to retrieve the boat on the rapidly dropping lock!

 And a Kingfisher has returned to the basin. 

Homeward bound

Aug 11th

The journey today was to be long, made longer by deciding to drive more of those wonderful roads in the Dales, stopping frequently to take photos of scarecrows and the inevitable hold-ups on the M6. 

It was driving past a small village called Keld that the first of the scarecrows were seen. I found out later that a scarecrow competition was being held in the surrounding villages. 

One caught my attention. We have been watching the TV documentary series 'Our Yorkshire Farm' following the Owen family's remote sheep farm.  Husband and wife Clive, 68, and Amanda, 49, starred in the series from 2018 to 2022. The oldest son Reuben left the family farm to start his own business, so I expect the sign by the scarecrow was meant for him.

I think Reuben's answer was on the brown board.

On the Hawes road, we came across the Ribblehead viaduct, an impressive structure on the Settle-Carlisle Railway line. There is a great piece about it HERE

The M6 was busy, not so for us travelling South, but the North bound traffic started queuing at junction 31 to get off the slip road at Blackpool. And it went on for miles, well past junction 28. I had just mentioned how pleased that we were not caught up in that, when all the South bound traffic also stopped;

 

Top photo, North Bound traffic, and we joined the South bound queue as we passed junction 28

 

We stopped briefly at our daughter and son-in-law's place in Swadlincote to wish our grandson Josh happy birthday before eventually arriving back on FS by 5.30pm. 

This won't be our last trip away as we have been asked to help at Shardlow Inland Waterway Festival in September, and it's easier to cruise to it on FS. We will leave toward the end of August to make sure we find somewhere to moor.

And a few more photos of the Dales