Please accept my apologies for not reading, posting or replying to your recent comments. I had a problem with an old email address that was no longer picking up comments from Blogger, all sorted now though. Thanks for the comments for Mags’ health, we’re still in limbo to a certain extent but she says she’s actually feeling fine and doesn’t know what all the fuss is about!
I keep spare belts for the twin alternators on the Isuzu donk, unlike some of the later engine installations we’re still running on vee rather than flat, multi-vee, belts which aren’t as durable but don’t tend to run off with the slightest pulley misalignment! Having said that, I’ve only changed the domestic belt once and the engine belt twice, now.
I‘d started up the engine yesterday morning to warm it up before we set off, and both alternators were delivering a combined 110a which is normal at first. I’d just untied the fore-end and was walking back to the counter when I heard the charge alarm howling away. The engine side warning light was on and the rev counter wasn’t working, both indicators of no drive to that alternator. So I switched off, lifted the covers and there was the remains of the belt wrapped around the engine pulley.
With the debris removed and the spare fitted all was well. I’ve just picked up a new spare from Blackwater Meadow Marina.
We had two steady days heading back from Whixall Junction to here, stopping over near Hampton Bank. Most of the leaves are off the trees now, unfortunately an awful lot of them are in the cut, lurking just below the surface to ensnare a passing propeller!
A quick “chuck back” in reverse clears them – until the next time!
At Bettisfield is an Aqua-Bike…
…and a tandem for couples!
This well-dressed gentleman was strutting his stuff along the opposite bank in the evening…
The temperature dropped to -3° on Thursday night, leaving us with stiff, frozen ropes but a fine sunny morning for Friday.
It was a fine but chilly cruise from Hampton Bank, passing between the meres to the east of Ellesmere.
Cole Mere.
Instead of trying for a mooring on the Arm we pulled in just short of the marina, the towpath is a bit messy here but we had beautiful sunshine all afternoon. And anyway, I expected the moorings towards Tesco to be busy, with the Ellesmere Winter Festival last night. And they were.
After dinner I had a walk up to see what was going on and wasn’t disappointed.
There was a bit of a cock-up at the start; Santa Claus was supposed to arrive at the wharf by boat, but the pick-up point was unclear. The boat was waiting at the entrance to the arm, but the bearded, rosy-cheeked chap was 200 yards up the canal at Red Bridge! Still, they got sorted out to be able to arrive at the wharf on time to meet the crowds waiting.
The old chap got to ride on this dragon.
The parade got under way shortly after, winding through the town and ending at the market hall. The route was packed with people!
The lanterns were pretty impressive!
Apologies for the fuzzy pictures, my camera doesn’t cope well with extremes of light and shade!
We’ll be hanging around Ellesmere for a few days, we’re waiting for confirmation of an appointment for Mags at the local GP.
Locks 0, miles 6½
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