Two ends of a canal I'd love to see reopen

Not in my lifetime if ever sadly. The canal is the Cromford Canal. Within a week I'd visited both ends for different reasons. In fact over the last week we've walked The upper Peak Forest, The Caldon and the Cromford canals. Makes up for not being able to get to Percy when we had planned. 

Looking back at the pump station on the aqueduct 

Some renovation work by volunteers on the aqueduct cottage 

Lovely views 

Just under 8 miles post covid not too bad for me 

As in my last post I had passed covid onto Rachel so our mothers day plans were cast aside much to Rachels understandable frustration. So on the Saturday we went for a drive and parked at Buxworth basin and walked into Whaley Bridge. Our last visit was on Percy last year when we got to the basin in the dark ... Bollington to Buxworth on Saturday the 5th October.

Bollington to Buxworth

This is the stretch where we met a cruiser in the dark  - he had no lights !! 

The Sunday we visited Rachels mum's grave at a natural burial ground on the outskirts of Derby. I'd woke up with an idea about moving Percy to the great Northern Basin as they had mooring vacancies advertised on their web site.... our son lives in Heanor with 3 of our 4 grandkids. So we drove on for another socially distanced walk ( why we didn't hail Freespirit) It's an interesting gaggle of boats and facilities. But we agreed if we did move there Percy would get less cruising use than she does now. 

Going back a few days  - yes all over the place, we'd also had a walk down our canal to Cherry eye bridge for a little picnic to break the monotony of isolation! 

A much viewed view from my favourite bridge - Cherry eye 

Hopefully on Percy when this is published .... and I promise myself to try and get some boat memories at least up to date....

Pleasing but more questions need answers

This blog is a mess, so much I have not put on that I would have done so in the past. Can't even say it just boatey stuff as there are visits missing updates. Hey ho .... here is something by way of a catch up and an excuse!

First off I need to recognise the move onto the water by Adam and Adrian on NB Briar Rose. Its nice to see a blogger realise a dream of canal living. I always wanted to and remember the excitement and a bit or dread when I moved aboard in April 2014..... I can't believe ( I did it )  and that it will be 11 years ago later this month 

My living aboard announcement

Anyhow  - here is a link to their blog 

Briar Rose day 1

We were due on Percy up the Llangollen last week but this put paid to that. 5th consecutive virus since Christmas .....  

Went down with it while up in Scotland on my motorbike - maybe a blog to follow on that. Made that lovely trip a challenge but one that was achieved. Problem was in my return Rachel got it from me so our plans were messed up !

I used my first day free of virus to go over to Percy and get a sample of the hydraulic oil from her drive system as I wanted to know if it needed replacing. The internet gave me an oil testing company and for £50 plus they sent me a container and instructions. I was able to run the engine and circulate the hydraulic oil for half an hour before the sample was taken via syringe and pipe out of the reservoir. As the lab was near Burton on Trent I took it over on my bike for the testing.

Go the results today, they classified it as satisfactory with some technical data I need to dig into. I'd like to get it topped up a bit but unsure of the grade and make etc... I've reached out to Tony and Paul Redshaw in case they are able to offer advice....

I've also ordered a complete gasket kit from Stationary engine supplies as the crankcase door has an annoying oil weep I need to address. It means draining down the block and removing the alternator water pump and starter to get the door off. I will drain and wipe out the sump which is a 500 hour service item but as I did it last year and we can't have done more than 100 hours on the engine since it's premature but such simple jobs (relatively) with nice fresh SAE30 oil afterwards can only be good for the engine. I'll check the impeller at the same time..... maybe pics to follow.