Its time to move on once more, the cars been returned and there is nothing to hold us here now. Anna did an Aldi big shop yesterday whilst we still had the car to ferry it all back to the boat.. so were all set.
It’s a quick run to get some water, get rid of the rubbish, and put some washing on whilst we move. The smokey situation with the exhaust has returned so we will see what happens with a run – I’m hoping to put this down to the engine getting a bit coked up with all the low power usage to just charge the batteries.. we will see..
Sutton lane bridge was fun.. came through the bridge, boat moored up just after.. and a sharp bend to the left.. which a boat was coming round on.. Now.. normally, I would slow, stop, backup a bit and give them room.. but I had no where to go, and the person coming towards had no intention of doing that.. so 3 abreast we go.. and where do I end up.. on the sand bank, listing heavily to port and taking on water with the exhaust under water.. so, floor it, hard over.. get on the side of the boat and hope for the best, whilst Anna comes up to see whats going on and switches on the bilge pump for me!
Eventually, were off the bank and level again, after Anna checked all the sinks and the shower (as those pipes were also on the same side and close to being under water) – and the best way to sink a narrow boat is to let the sink drains get under water and a route into the boat.. put all the books back in the book shelf, as they were scattered into the living room.. including all the paperwork.. awesome!.. But we seem to have survived it with no lasting issues. I will need to mop out the bilge now, but I had planned to do that anyway.. so no biggie..
Most of the run today has been with the hood up to shelter from the rain.. or at least up as far as needed (up but held with just the bungies and not the normal straps) and dropped again every time we get to a bridge or a low hanging tree.. to be lifted back up again after..
After a good 6 mile run, with little need to slow down too much, the exhaust has cleared up a bit – so yea, engines coked up or the cylinders are glazed – or the thermostat needs looking at – but it does seem to get to running temperature ok.. so it may be time to perform the de-coke.. which according to the manual should be done every 50 hours (oops).. and “the engine should be run, in gear, at or near to full load for 15 minutes”.. Now.. I don’t like doing this as it can cause bank erosion.. but if I can find a stretch with armco, it should be OK for a little while.. but not today.. lets give it another run tomorrow and see if simply moving more often will help to clear it up.