Some may know that Uncle Mort misbehaved in the early stages of our
planned trip to the Lancaster about 7 weeks back. What was described as
engine trouble was eventually confirmed as an air leak INTO the fuel
system via the diesel filter. The very unit that I had difficulty with
during routine service last winter so I have to feel culpable and Listers
vindicated.

Anyway, after the fix we had a week’s excursion on the Weaver and all
proved reliable so we have now set off from Aqueduct Marina for what
should now be our journey to Stafford Boat Club where we now have a
permanent berth. The route intended should take us along the Langollen,
back to Chester and Ellesmere Port, then down the Shroppie.

Although trip reports have been eclipsed on this list by the onset of
blogs, tweets and other gizmos or have simply become unfashionable – I’ll
press on.

We left the marina serenely at 8am on Saturday 12th – expansive waves from
Sue the resident admin person followed possibly by a more basic gesture as
we disappeared from view. Hurleston 2 hours later and 2nd in line for the
ascent. All very gentle progress, our previous trip on this canal was in
company with the 3 Beeklets in the late 90s aboard Sir Edmund Hilary of
Dartline, Bunbury.

Approaching Swanley Locks oncoming boats warned of queues ahead, so after
passing the new marina we throttled back arriving at the end of a 3 boat
line. Not too bad, and after that things seemed relatively sorted with
only the odd boat or two ahead of us at the locks until a longish lunch,
then all very relaxed through to Wrenbury where we overnighted – with no
TV and England losing 1-1 to USA.

Beeky

Reply via email to