Tuesday 29th March 2022

What a day. Can’t believe what a ditz I am (have I made that up to suit the occasion or is there really such a word!) but can only take comfort that out of stupidity silver linings can arise!

The day started well even if it was a bit drizzly. We awoke later than planned but by 1000 we were saying goodbye to Calcutt marina and I was cruising the cut alone. All checks completed, such as oil and water coolant levels, I felt pretty confident. Meanwhile R was moving the car so that when we met up at the flight of locks at Stockton the car would be close by. The locks, being a flight, have very short pounds separating them so we decided to save fuel and turn off the engine. That meant we walked the boat through the locks and didn’t have to keep hopping on and off the boat. It was surprisingly relaxing, the lack of hurry combined with the quietness of the canal. Also, no other boats around. If there were we couldn’t have completed the flight in such a leisurely fashion. It was also helpful to remind ourselves how to most efficiently work a lock, especially if we ever need to do them single handedly. An added bonus was the chats we had time for with walkers on the towpath. One young couple in particular were very open with us and shared that she was in and out of hospital, especially hard with three children to care for. They welcomed the offer of prayer and it was a timely reminder of why we are here in the first place! It gives a purpose and focus to our travels that is more than just navigating the cut and appreciating its beauty, including all the spring flowers that are out at the moment. It’s the people we meet who will bring our journey to life.

With a great sense of satisfaction we completed the flight and turned on the engine to reach the Blue Lias pub, the very same one we started off our adventure in October 2021 on Day Dream. If you remember P, our son, left us in the pub garden surrounded by all our belongings and so began the boat trip that never was! The upside was the subsequent purchase of Naomhog so we probably have a lot to thank Day Dream for! I could not believe that just as we moored up the engine coughed and spluttered and died!! We fortified ourselves with some pub grub and decided there and then to join the canal boat rescue service, before trying to restart the engine which started without mishap, so we set off to the next lock. Again the engine failed as we entered the lock but easily restarted so R, thinking we had somehow just flooded the engine, left me in order to move the car to our next short flight of locks, whilst I went along the cut alone. I didn’t get far! Another cough and splutter and this time the engine really did die. Luckily I was close to the bank so jumped off, holding the midrope and my mobile phone. I rang the canal rescue service who immediately offered to send someone to my aid for an additional £100 as I had only just joined them! Where was I? Could I remember the bridge number or anything else remotely helpful? I did offer ‘what three words’ but she said her engineer wouldn’t recognise that. There was nothing else for it but for me to find a stake and mallet, in order to tie up the boat and walk to the nearest bridge as a point of reference. That meant letting go of the midrope and hopping aboard before the boat drifted into the middle of the canal. Then I needed to find the strength to knock the stake into the ground, which believe me is very difficult when the soil is compacted. Boat secured, I decided to ring R who was walking back to the boat having found somewhere to leave the car. A cup of tea once he met up with me, gave us both time to think what might be the problem, the obvious cause being an empty fuel tank – unlikely since we had filled up to capacity a month previously and had not used more than 10L of the 300L tank! Suddenly it dawned on both of us – the diesel pipe has a switch that we turn off when not cruising and we hadn’t switched it on this morning. Just as this thought dawned the canal rescue team arrived at the boat and were met by a very sheepish couple! Our only consolation was that we were commended for working out the problem – many don’t! The silver lining was that the delightful young man and his kind trainee went through the whole workings of the diesel engine with us. They changed filters, tightened fan belts and told us what needs replacing when and what regular checks we should carry out. They told us the spare parts we need to carry and all sorts of other really useful information. I had been planning on going on a diesel maintenance course (which would have cost the same as this call out fee!) but I really don’t think that is now necessary as the engineer today was just so helpful and I feel he has greatly increased my knowledge. I don’t think I would go as far as servicing the engine myself but at least I know when I should be changing oil filters or what to look for if a fuse blows. Even the terminology is making more sense!!

All this resulted in us tackling the final four locks of the day much later than anticipated, so the lighting of the stove was delayed, supper was later than usual and R, who has walked for miles along the towpath and helped with numerous locks, is out sparko at the other end of the boat, gently snoring, which shows how deeply asleep he already is. It’s given me time to catch up on this blog – usually we’d be watching a film now! What it has done for me is reminded me how great it is to be once again out on the cut, exploring pastures new, without knowing quite what is around the corner. So like life in general. Living in the moment and trying not to be anxious about the future, rather looking to the challenges ahead without being overly fearful. Of course, this is easier said than done, especially when fortified by a nice glass of red – we hadn’t quite finished the housewarming present opened on Sunday!