Luckily we have had no further mechanical problems and have been able to progress our journey onwards towards Stratford Upon Avon before we turn round and head back towards the Midlands for Christmas.
We were also fortunate enough to finally find a marine electrical engineer to help us sort out the electrical issues we have been having on Daisy. For a few weeks now we have been noticing that the batteries are not holding their charge and the fridge keeps going off. This was worrying us, especially with the darker and colder weather coming (although the colder weather means that we can store food safely in the cupboards!).
We found Pete at Floating Home Services in Warwick and he spent a good few hours aboard looking at our batteries and electrical set up and going through it all with Paul. It turns out that the electrics and batteries are fine, we just hadn’t fully understood the impact of losing solar power, nor understood just how much power we are pulling from the batteries for things like charging phones, using a monitor for my work or even running the inverter (the thing that turns 12 v into 240 v). We now have a new charging regime and are much more conscious about preserving our battery power. We also ensure the engine runs for at least 5 hours a day to fully charge Daisy’s batteries.
Whilst at Warwick, I also caught up with an old school friend, Fran Moffat, whom I haven’t seen for some 25 years which was nice.
Paul, Zak and I also went for a walk around the town of Warwick and of course the castle. Whilst we didn’t go inside the castle itself, we did walk the perimeter of the castle grounds and stopped to have fun in some leaves.
Unfortunately, whilst we were having fun , one of the groundsmen shut and locked the gate leading to where we were and so we had to telephone the castle to ask them to set us free. Paul joked with our rescuer that he thought the castle had stopped taking prisoners 😂.
To steady our nerves, we headed to the pub only to find that dogs weren’t allowed in – even the outside area. So, we wrapped Zak up to camouflage him against the pavement and we managed to get away with it!
After leaving Warwick, we went up the famous Hatton flight, which is also known as the ‘stairway to heaven’ and is comprised of 21 locks.
Ascending the flight usually takes around 6 hours but we did it in an amazing 4.5 hours! We were lucky to meet a couple called Ray (short for Rachel) and James right at the beginning and so we were able to ‘buddy’ up for the flight. We worked really well as a team and they were a really fun couple to pass the day with. They had a lovely dog called Gordon, with whom Zak became good friends.
After reaching the top and after filling up with water and emptying the loos, we headed out for a well deserved pint and a meal with Ray, James and Gordon. We also had breakfast with them the following day at the Hatton Flight cafe.
We were blessed with beautiful weather the next day and I absolutely love this picture of Daisy amongst the trees.
After going through a short tunnel, we said a fond farewell to Ray. James and Gordon as we turned off the Grand Union and on to the Stratford and Avon canal.
The Stratford and Avon canal is a beautiful stretch of water and it is nice to get back to single locks after the heavy double locks of the Grand Union.
Below is a video of the turn that Paul had to do to get us in to the new canal system. How he does it, I will never know. I would probably have taken the bridge out.
The locks are almost always accompanied by these small bridges which although are picturesque, mean we have to drop the pram covers each time we go through.
Another tight turn below!
As with the rest of the UK, the weather has turned and today we woke to snow and sub zero temperatures.
Unfortunately we had to move on as we needed to find a shop for some supplies and also I needed a better internet connection so that I could work. So, after donning our thermals, off we went.
We are now half way to Stratford and our journey took us over a couple of very scary aqueducts. The second one went over a river, road and railway line. Both Paul and I freaked out a bit as it was so high and there are no railings or anything to stop you falling! I tried to take a video but it didn’t work. I will try again on our reverse journey. I did however manage to get some pictures.
We finally moored up at Wilmcote just after midday. Paul secured boat and put the pram covers up whilst I got a roaring fire going to keep us warm whilst I worked.
The three of us are now nice and toasty and have had a lovely hot dinner to warm our tums.
Love to all,
Jo & Paul xx
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