The forecast for the today was for rain, possibly heavy, in the morning and for a chilly wind. The warm days of last week have been displaced by a large lump of Arctic air pushing southwards for the next few days.
After breakfast Mike walked back to the nearby bridge to see what lay either side (not a lot!) but he then saw a pusher tug making its way back to the dredging spot we passed yesterday evening.
We set off neither early nor late with the expectation that, as we had done just over an hour yesterday, we might get a bit further than the planned overnight stop at Penkridge. It might be that the only place today for milk and a paper would be here late in the afternoon.
We had been going for about half an hour when Mike noticed the warning light for the cabin services batteries. We had both checked that they were charging OK when we started but this was a new concern. Mike came alongside but in so doing the warning light went off so we continued on our way.
Only a few minutes later the light returned and this time it was initially intermittent but finally permanent. No choice but to come alongside and call Orph at Oxley Marine - regular readers will recall that we had to have the new alternator replaced at the start of the New Year when our Boxing Day outing was brought to an abrupt halt. Surely it could not be the same thing?
We arranged a meet at Bridge 72 which meant reversing back about a quarter of a mile - not far when going forwards but a bit tricky in reverse. After going under the railway bridge we were about to go through the road bridge (there is a better mooring there) a boat came around the bend from where we were heading. Just as they passed under the bridge a gust of wind blew the steerer's hat into the water. Fortunately we were able to retrieve it for them with our boat pole.
Just then we saw Phil arriving and, after helping us to moor, he set about inspecting the situation. Although the alternator was putting out something, the voltage was way too low. So, he removed the alternator and said that he would take it to their supplier in Wolverhampton and hopefully return in about an hour and a half.
Mike discovered that there is a shop in Coven when was not too far a walk as he had spotted a footpath across the field just before we started to have a problem. Alas, a short part of the path was under water after the heavy rain - just as well he was wearing good boots!
After crossing the field and then the dual carriageway bypass, he followed a further footpath through the houses to the centre of the village. Along the way he passed the village church and was amused by a poster on the noticeboard for an unusual Rogation Service!
The shop indeed exists and turned out to be an excellent and well stocked Co-Op (meaning it had our newspaper and milk!) Mike also called Christine and thus picked up a few other items before setting off back to the boat.
The bypass has obviously made a big difference to the village - the main road is now very quiet but still feels as if it is expecting the thundering hordes to return at any moment!
Mike also spotted this poster for a park home for sale. We have seen quite a number of park home sites, yesterday and today. One site, by where we moored last night, was advertising new ones - but only 32 ft x 20 ft, not a lot more room than our boat. Judging by this poster, they are no cheaper either.
Phil arrived back as predicted bearing a new alternator. He was keen to make sure we knew that this is a British make (Lucas) unlike the Chinese make that had been originally supplied by Beta Marine. (They will not doubt be having an ear bashing before long). It was soon fitted and tested - Phil declared that all was now well and certainly the battery was charging properly.
We had just opted to have lunch when Phil returned - Christine had started to make soup even before we ran into problems. Once that was eaten we set off once more with fingers well and truly crossed. Although there were a few short showers only a couple were especially wet and they did not last long. The cold wind was sometimes rather strong and made manoeuvring the boat a tad awkward at times - especially as we are still getting used to the new prop.
The larger prop means that with even a lower engine speed we make better progress over the ground but we have to re-learn how much oomph to give it in slow speed conditions, like when coming alongside and entering a lock.
We did also have some sunny spells but black clouds still loomed kin the opposite direction.
Spot dredging has been happening over winter.
This large works dominates the skyline for some distance as the canal loops around through Hatherton Junction. We saw it last year and did not work out what it is - we made no more progress despite looking closely for a sign.
We reached Gailey by three o'clock but before going down the lock we used the full range of a facilities. Just as well as it did seem to take quite a long time, with a good flow from the tap, to fill the water tank.
We continued down the remaining three Gailey Locks (although each has its own name there is not far between them) and then through Otherton Lock. We were thinking that we might have to go through both Filance and Penkridge Locks to get a mooring close enough to the shops to get a paper in the morning. However, just before the first of these, Mike saw that there were good Visitor Moorings and it did not look too far to walk so he opted to pull in for the night. Christine quickly lit the fire!
Just in case any reader wants to know what all the fuss was about with the work on the boat, here is a picture of the stern tube and (yes really) stuffing box with new prop shaft going out to the back of the boat.
Later research reveals that the Four Ashes site is an 'energy from waste' development, jointly between Veolia and Staffordshire County Council an opened officially in 2014. "The facility can divert 300,000 tonnes of waste from landfill and generate up to 22MW of electricity to power 30,000 homes." (see here)
8.5 Miles - 5 Locks
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