This morning at 7.45am we got ourselves and
the boat ready to depart the Macclesfield Canal after about 7 weeks. Well, when
I say got the boat ready, I mean everything from pulling in the fenders,
opening the cratch, taking down the pram cover, putting on the tiller. As it
was before 8am, I didn’t want to start the engine right next to the boat behind
us. I shouldn’t have worried as the damn thing didn’t start. It turned over
fine but wouldn’t fire. We did some problem identification ourselves first.
David is keen on problems being connected with the batteries – he understands
that stuff more than he is comfortable with the engine (he hates cars, by the
way, and wouldn’t have one given the choice). But it couldn’t be the starter
battery as the engine was turning over. I remembered we had the same hassle
back some weeks ago (more than 7 as it occurred at Alrewas) and we called out
the RCR guys. After the engineer identified it was a starter motor problem, he
checked its connectivity all the way from the control panel back to the starter
motor itself – all fine. Then he noticed that the wee nut that pushed the rod
back into the solenoid was extremely loose. He tightened that, and hey presto,
after a couple of goes, the engine started. So, I got down into the engine bay,
found the nut and it was so loose it was nearly off. I could tighten it by hand
very easily, so I did, and then I tightened it a wee bit more with the
crescent. Attempted to start it. No dice.
OK, which set of ghost busters were we
going to call? RCR or Ed. OK, in true project management style, we covered all
options and called both and left messages. Ed, the champion, called back first
and did some diagnosis over the phone. We followed his instructions, still no
dice, so he said he would call in on his way to his first job of the day. While
I was standing on the engine, I reached over and gave it one more try. Whammo,
it started!!! Yay, and loud noises of triumph!! (It feels rather strange to be
standing on a motor when it starts, by the way. Very vibratory. David had a
rude comment about that which shall not be repeated.) However, as we were
heading through the tunnel, we spoke with Ed and agreed he would still come to
check things out. So I cooked and we ate breakfast while we waited. When he arrived
he was certain that the issue was the nut and he further tightened it. Checking
its drunkenness (is it tight or not) is now down to be part of my weekly
routine – before we start the motor as I couldn’t do it when the engine is hot.
David has eschewed it as anything to do with him for some reason. I think maybe
it’s to do with engines being Booth territory and electrics being McDonald
territory.
So we were ready for the off, and as I was undoing the stern rope, the phone rang and it was the RCR people 3 hours after I had called. I'm not complaining at all, but that did seem a long time since the original call. I was pleased to be able to tell them we were sorted - if it had taken that long for them to call back, they must have been pretty busy on other calls.
We set off down to the junction of the
Macclesfield and Trent and Mersey, a right turn (or 90 degrees to starboard, I
should say) and on towards the tunnel. We had expected that there would be a
long queue but we were boat number 4, and arrived as boat 2 was entering the
portal. There was a delay of a few minutes after boat 3 as we needed to
register with the tunnel keepers. I sounded the horn and they were suitably
startled. No danger it won’t be heard then – thanks, Steve!
In we went, and I still don’t like it but
it seemed easier this time as most of the low headroom parts are at the
northern end and once past them it feels much more spacious. I was pleased as I
didn’t touch the sides at all – came close once, but stayed off them.
When we came out we pulled over to get
water and were hailed by Ray and Leonie on nb FireflyNZ. They had been hoping
they would see us on the other side of the tunnel this morning as they had read
the post saying we were moored at the bottom of the Maccie. We managed a quick
chat before they were on their way through the tunnel, and while we could have
met on the other side by our walking over the top, they were keen to keep
moving as the weather was fine. So next time!
As we had moored up just after the water
point we chatted with a family who were on one of the lovely Aqua narrowboats
for a fortnight doing the Four Counties Ring. Then we saw the boat Macter’s
Filia, and knew we had seen it before. Then the penny dropped. We had met
Jennifer and Peter at Middlewich, we think, when they were in their second
summer on the boat. They come over from Tasmania and boat about 4 months of the
year. We found them very encouraging as they were doing what we wanted to do,
and they showed us over their boat which was the first reverse layout we’d
seen. Waka Huia has the same configuration – with, from the stern, galley,
dinette, bathroom (off the corridor), bedroom and then saloon.
So we had a quick chat with them while they filled
with water and before they received their instructions for the tunnel.
It was lovely to meet two sets of
antipodeans in rapid succession. It feels as though we may be taking over the
waterways …
We then looked for the pathway over the hill to
the other side of the tunnel. We found it, but the weather looked very
threatening, so we returned to the boat, cast off and moved to the visitor
moorings at Westport Lake. We have the first spot at the northern end of the
moorings and still have the engine running to do a decent charge of the
batteries, given we have been snails who’ve not moved far or fast for the last
several days.
David has just come through and has turned off the engine – suddenly
it has gone quiet!! Do I hear the sound of the chardonnay o’clock call? I shall
ignore it temporarily till I’ve made the batter for the toad in the hole I’ve
planned for tonight’s dinner. It’ll be my first attempt at Yorkshire puddings
in this oven, so I will report back tomorrow.
Ah, too late to avoid the chardonnay o'clock call - David has poured one for me. Best I get into the kitchen quickly and get that batter made!
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