Boxing Day

Our plan (now!) was to have perhaps a four day trip so that we would turn around after today. We did not manage an early start but when we did turn on the engine there was an alarm from the control panel and elsewhere the monitor reported that the battery was not being charged. In addition, the amount we were down from full charge was a lot more than we would have expected overnight despite having the tv on for quite some time.

Despite checking what we could there was no obvious problem other that that it appeared that the alternator was not making any output - our testing equipment is rather primitive and our knowledge spartan! in any event, the only real option was to turn back now and head for the marina and a shoreline. We just managed to wind without having to go up the next lock as the canal was exceptionally wide where we had moored.

A few boats were again on the move - although there never seem to be many along this stretch even in summer. The weather today was mild and dry - unlike the forecast for more northerly parts of the country.

The journey was uneventful. Surprisingly few onlookers although we did have a little helper at Denham Deep.

At Widewater Lock Mike was able to take a photo of a milestone which is normally hidden behind a line of moored boats and so was missing from his collection!

With lunch on the run, we were back into the marina with daylight still available. Indeed we were able to walk down to Morrisons for a few larder items and get back for dusk.

Spotted what we think is a new sign at the junction and start of the Slough Arm. Certainly not noticed before.

As soon as we tied up we reconnected the shoreline and the batteries started charging at a high rate. We did have a moment when the current reading seemed to go up and down with alarming irregularity. Still, we seem OK for the moment but we will now have to explore options for an expert investigation. If the issue is indeed with the alternator - part of the new engine - then we will have to contact Oxley marina but they are up in Wolverhampton so no prospect of taking the boat there for a repair!