Last night we had a nice meal at the Bar a Jee Indian restaurant on Broad Street and then walked over to the Fiddle and Bone pub as there was live band on. Pete Hyde and Vieillards and they were very good indeed. If you are in the area on Monday 30th May I would recommend a trip to the pub to hear them. We were ready to set off and went to start the engine. The alarm sounded and that then was it, nothing!! Oh dear. I had a look and could see nothing obvious. The Smartguage was showing 12V which would have meant that the alternator was duff too. That was it. I called out RCR for the first time. This was about 1000 and they called back and said that they would be with me at 1130. I dispatched Helen, Amy and Joe to walk round town as it was the Birmingham 10 Km.
Here they are getting the obligatory photo in the mirrored panels at New Street Station.
Sam duly arrived exactly at 1130 having come from Stafford. He had been delayed on the M6 and then trying to find somewhere to park but still was on time. I held my breath as he set about fault finding. The batteries were fine, the connections were fine so it seemed to be a little bit more involved. I was pleased that it wasn't too obvious but worried that it would either not be traced or be costly. Sam went carefully through the system ruling things out and in the end found that it was the starter battery isolation switch. He soon had it sorted and fixed and was on his way again after 50 mins. I could now let out my breath and thank the Lord that I had remembered to say 'White Rabbit' first thing this morning! My great thanks to RCR and especially Sam who was very through and a nice bloke, especially as he left his multi meter. It is a well worn with the probes missing so I hope he isn't too upset as I'm not sure how to get it back to him.
We were off just after 1200 and heading for thew Black Country Living Museum. we had hoped to get round to see it but would now arrive too late. Here we are just leaving the New Main Line to head up Smethick Locks to the Old Main Line.
This is Joe's very first lock and he was having trouble getting the anti vandal lock open.
It was drizzling that sort of rain that wasn't really set to get you wet and before we arrived it stopped entirely. The Engine Arm at the top of the locks was closed and drained as it looked like they were refurbishing the aqueduct. We only saw two boats moving in the time it took us to get there. That is until we arrived at the Museum arm and had four boats coming and going. three of them were historic boats. There was room on the water point which was good as we needed it desperately. It seems that there is no rubbish disposal her now it seems which was a shame as I had fished out lots of stuff at the locks.
We winded at the entrance to the Museum Dock and moored up on the spot nearest the new Dudley Tunnel visitor Centre which has recently opened. Here we on the left.
A better view of the Centre with the access swing bridge. We will have a gander tomorrow.
The last of the vistors looking round the historic boat's back cabin with the gas lamp in the foreground.
The backs of some of the buildings in the museum from the canal bridge.
The gate from our mooring was closing in about 15 mins so wandered in to have a quick look around. This is the ironmongers.
This is the Bottle and Glass pub on site. Closed at night which is just as well as we have to be dry tonight after a long run on the beer.
Overall a good day with the problem with the engine being fixed and our trip to Dudley not meaning getting soaked. There is talk of the weather improving, so May has all to play for.
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