Slough Arm

We planned a short trip today just to check out that everything is OK whilst moving - we have been using all the static facilities over the winter.

First, we made another quick trip to Tesco to stock up for the next two days. By just after 11 o/clock we were ready to move off and unhooked the electricity and water, ready to move off. Mike then went to start the engine but there was no movement in the starter at all.

After checking that the battery had a charge and that nothing immediately obvious (like the isolator switch being off) Christine made a call to RCR. They arranged for an engineer to attend once the current job was finished.

Two young men arrived by about 13:45 and, after a quick 'fiddle' with the main connector box which distributes power between the starter and alternator, the engine sprang into life. It responded immediately the starter turned over. The chaps tried starting several times, each OK so they returned to their car.

We quickly prepared to set off but once again there was no life in the starter! A quick phone call brought the two RCR engineers back again. Although we are still not 100% certain, it is possible that an unidentified unconnected lead was to blame, causing a slight shorting. They taped it up and left us once more to set off.

This time we were successful but by now there was not enough time to reach the end of the Slough Arm, but that was the direction in which we headed. It was a wonderfully sunny and warm afternoon.

There are just two intermediate winding holes along the five mile arm and we decided to turn around at the second - we might have managed the whole length and back before dark but it was not certain so better to play safe after the earlier difficulties. (Pictures of bridges just to show what the weather was like!)

Alas, we have to report that although Mike seemed to be making a correct approach and turn into the mooring, a last moment sudden gust of wind took the boat in just the wrong direction and any attempt to correct the alignment just made it worse. (We moor with the stern next to the main pontoon so have to reverse in between the adjacent boats) As a result, he had to reverse right back and make a fresh approach. This time was almost perfect just a little fending off the next door boat was required!