We got here in the end, only 30 minutes late on our 6 hours a day scheme. However it was an eventful day’s cruise. First of all we had an EFATO. Aviation speak for an engine failure after takeoff. We had only been going for about 5 minutes and just up to cruising revs when the engine started slowing to nearly stopping all together. Dropping the throttle to idle got tick-over power back enough to head for the bank and tie up. This sounded to me like a fuel starvation, possibly the fuel filter. Examination of a small drainage from the agglomeration showed no sludge or water, so next was to fit a new fuel filter. That is a quick job, but then the system has to be bled of air. It took me ages to find the manual fuel pump lever but once that was done all well again.
Next we got to the first lock (Leigh Branch No 2) and got the boat inside before realising that there was no water in the next pound. So set off to find some. Got to lock 1 and opened a couple of paddles to let some down. The lengthsman appeared shortly after and helped, so with just enough water Pat was able to get the boat into the next lock. Both locks leak badly and indeed there is an official notice plate screwed to the lock beam to the effect that one must use all paddles because of leakage. We subsequently found that all the Wigan Locks leak to some degree or other so open all paddles is the order of the day.
All this, as you can imagine slowed us down a bit, but thereafter lucky lock timings recovered some time.
Today was driving fine rain to start then sunny and warm to finish. Loads of walkers out.
Comments