After last years marathon of 1300 miles, Wud has had a well-deserved rest sat in the mud for most of the winter. I had promised myself to undertake to repair to the oil pump on the engine, and inspect the inside of the crankcase, and big-end bearings; the latter being a simple job on this horizontal single. I also intended to make two opening seams in the canopy, to enable better access, without having to lower it all the time. This I achieved by sowing some Velcro to either side, with appears to be successful so far.

I was helped with the oil pump repair by a friend I've recently met through boating, so a huge thanks to him. I also bought some new big end shells, although they weren't really required, but would certainly do no harm. I also got another governor needle valve, as this too requires all the help available to keep running.

Once one of the best starting diesels I had encountered, it had developed a problem that I have finally solved by lowering the injector spring pressure. If this was too high I've no way of telling, because when the diesel specialists fitted a new needle valve, they had no way of checking if the pressure was correct, as they no longer had the old type connections required. I checked it worked properly by fitting it to the injection pump on the engine, without installing the injector, and it appeared to spray perfectly. However I suspect with a worn fuel injection pump, and a slightly sticking needle in the injector, after a season or two, the injection pump just did not have enough pressure at very low cranking speed. As is often the case with old, worn machinery, compromise is required, and I hope I've done what is necessary, as it starts quite well again, once the air is purged from the system. This enters through the worn governor spindle in the injection pump, so is just another problem I have to 'live with'.

On the odd occasion there was enough water at Chapel Hill, I had a couple of short trips to Tattershall Bridge, and one up the Kyme to Bottom Lock. I had another trip upstream to Southrey towing a seemingly abandoned boat, in risk of sinking through rainwater. Subsequently the owner turned up, but despite my asking, has not contacted us anymore, so it may yet do someone some good.

Water level is raised...The Season starts.

My first proper trip when the water was raised at the start of April was to undertake the usual Boston run; easier as I was half way there from Southrey, let alone Bardney. All too easy? This IS boating we are talking about.

The trip to Antons Gowt went smoothly, where I stopped briefly to check the size of the spindle of the paddles on the locks, for the ratchet windlass I was making. Setting off once again, it was still early, so just to pass/waste a bit of time I decided to investigate some rubbish in the root of a tree. I only drifted to the bank, knowing I might pick up a bag or something on the prop, however what I did get was what must be one of the worst fouling I'll ever encounter.

After a few minutes I realized there was nothing of interest, so put her into gear to set off. There was no forward movement and the engine laboured. I tried reverse and that stopped things altogether. I was not far from the bank, so got off using the gangplank quite easily. However I could not turn the boat into the river to get the back end towards the bank. I had already fished around with the boat hook over the back of the boat, and found a few strands of what looked like fishing line.

I put my Wellington boots on, and standing on the stones on the edge of the river, reached out and tried to cut it free. Whatever was around the prop was stubborn however, and I then realized I would have to get wet. I lit the stove, having brought along an ample supply of wood, so could get warm and dry when I finished, then waded into the water. The water came up over my wellies and knees and I had taken my jumper off, leaving just a T-shirt, so knew to be as quick as possible, however this was easier said than done. After sawing away with the knife until my arms were freezing, I had made little progress. The little I had cut off appeared to be rope of around 1 inch in diameter, made of nylon strands likened to fishing line. I must have hooked a net of some sort, made of this stuff.

I clambered out, changed and got warm and dry, then went into the village to find a friend I know who has a small NB. He gave me vegetable knife, like a small carving knife, that appeared to cut through the small section of rope I had taken to try.

Back at the boat I repeated the procedure, only to find the knife blunted after a few cuts. I clambered out again, realizing I was stuck for the night. No problem as I was prepared for an overnight stay, the pub was only 1/4 of a mile away and Boston 2 miles. Even walking back to the car to come home to collect the outboard was not out of the question, although I know a few who would have been willing to give me a lift if required. Of course I had not got the outboard with me....... I mean what could happen on this simple little trip.

Later in the evening I phoned Roy and told of my plight. He immediately said he'd set out on a rescue mission the next day if required. I had one more attempt at cutting free, before being driven back to the stove again.

I spent the evening spending my dwindling reserves of cash on the mobile, to relieve some boredom; it would have been cheaper to go to the pub. I had also discovered I did not have the phone number of an ex neighbour and friend who now lives in Boston, and who I was going to meet that evening for a chat.

The next morning I phoned Roy to say I was still stuck, and he said one of his friend I have previously met had phoned him, and was apparently dead keen on a rescue mission; any excuse for a bit of boating you see. I had two more sessions in the river, which saw Wud almost free of the obstruction, although the prop was still solid.

Roy duly arrived, and we carefully pulled Wud free, taking great care not to get his boat too near to the bank. Once we were traveling back upstream to Chapel, the prop started turning so my hacking about with the knife was paying dividends. Although not free, much of the 'stinger' for boats I had encountered had come away. Once back at Chapel Roy towed me up to his mooring near the bridge, where I moored without difficulty.

This was Wednesday, and on the following Friday, a friend was having his boat put back into the water at Dogdyke just around the corner from Chapel Hill, and was going back to Boston for the summer. I asked if he wanted a lift back to his car on my boat, if I could get the rest of this net off the prop, so went down and managed to free the prop fairly easily. I just pulled Wud into the shallows, and within 20 minutes or so, had cut the rest of the stuff off. A simple, uneventful and enjoyable trip to Boston and back, enjoying the fish and chip dinner I had missed out of the previous Tuesday; payment by my friend for the 'taxi' ride, grin.

I also had a trouble free trip up the Slea to South Kyme and back, a day or so later, meeting the 'owners' of the Sleaford Canal (The chairman of the Sleaford Navigation Trust) in their narrowboats on their way up. They were preparing for the meet they have, which this year was on the first Bank Holiday of May, the latter one having the national trail boat rally on the Grantham canal. Although no formal invitation is required, I was shocked and delighted to be invited to attend, and said I would try, as I suspected I might be moored at Southrey by then.

The Friday trip to Boston had restored some of my confidence, surely it wasn't going to be another time of 'trouble and strife' every trip (grin). So when my ex neighbour phoned to say he would like the trip on the drains to Boston, we had recently talked about, I jumped at the chance. The weather forecast was good for tomorrow, Sunday.

To Boston...by the Back Door...

Not a crack of dawn start, but an early one saw me arrive at Antons in plenty of time, with him and his girlfriend having just arrived. Being the first boat through the lock onto the drains would probably make for an 'interesting' trip, and a bit of a challenge. The first of which was to clear the lock, which was made easier as he is a strong young man in his early thirties, so the heavy gates weren't a problem, but it was time consuming, as we had to clear some rubbish before putting the boat in. They had just started filling the drains so the water level was lower than the usual summer ones, however there was still plenty to float Wud. But the climb down the vertical ladder was even longer than usual, and sticky fingers were required to make sure you were safe.

Once through and safely aboard we were chugging along the smaller drain with ease, the depth on the fish-finder showing four to five feet, ample. Suddenly everything stopped with the, now familiar stirring of mud behind the boat from the prop fouling another obstruction. With almost perfect timing, Lidl had some waders on offer for a fiver, and I had purchased a pair only the day before, however I hadn't anticipated using them so soon. Still requiring wellies or old shoes as they only have stocking bottoms, but they are easily good enough to keep me dry for this type of job. That is however if the water is not too deep for it to come above me chest. I probed the obstruction, which we thought was a tarpaulin with the boat hook and found only about 2 feet under the prop, no wonder we had fouled. However probing to the side I found almost five feet, enough to almost come up to my neck.

Using the grappling hook anchor on a rope, we pulled the bow to the bank, then the stern and I clambered in behind the boat, wearing the new attire and started cutting free. We had fouled one of those large plastic woven sacks, this one being filled with thin tree, or hedge cuttings. This must have been blown in from the garden of the house opposite. I pulled most of these cuttings out, and then cut the rest of the bag that had wound itself around the prop. We set off again, no worse for the adventure at all, plus a few photos for 'the story'.

I seemed to be spending as much time in the water, as on it, and thought I ought to get paid to be Lincolnshires' chief 'waterways clearer' LOL.

We got through Cowbridge Lock without incident, and enjoyed a trouble free trip into Boston, after removing the lights, hooters etc. from the roof, and finding I could get under the lower bridges on the higher 'Trader' drain. We then enjoyed a pint in the local pub, before returning in very good weather for the time of year. His girl friend was competent at boat handling, having been boating herself before, and was driving Wud back when the water overheat alarm sounded. The blockage to the inlet was quickly overcome by clearing the filter and poking wire through the seacock. I had forgotten to wire brush the inlet grill after blacking last year, so it tends to clog up with any weed or debris a bit more than usual. It's something I may be able to remedy easily if we take the boats out this year.

So we enjoyed another good trip in fine, warm weather.

Four great trips up Lincolnshires Finest...

I've already managed four trips up the Slea to South Kyme, taking advantage of the weed free few weeks, plus the fact I was moored at the mouth of the Kyme Eau for the first few weeks. I actually managed to get through South Kyme again, going further than ever before with Wud, and even getting to the head of the navigation on one occasion. After the first simple trip there and back to the Road Bridge, without even getting off the boat, other than at Bottom Lock, I had arranged a long awaited trip with some friends from the Lincoln Boat Club who had eventually got a free weekend. We met as planned while I was still moored at Chapel, and enjoyed what must rate as the most trouble free trip I have taken up there. To add to the enjoyment some other new local friends I have just met, arrived at exactly the right moment to accompany me. We had agreed to meet somewhere on route, as they were busy in the morning, but a cancellation meant they had the entire day, instead of just the afternoon. My other friends from the club also enjoyed their trip, and after waiting a couple of years, the father of the young woman said it surpassed all his expectations. I managed to get right through South Kyme before being stopped by only two inches at Halpenny Toll Bridge. I had previously mistaken the tumbledown bridge just through South Kyme as this; much talked about one, mainly because I only just scraped underneath on my one and only trip up on Naiad. I had totally forgotten there was another bridge just as low further on.

So we waited, taking a pleasant walk upstream while they journeyed to the head of the navigation in their smaller boat, which is only a mile or so upstream anyway. Everyone that day really enjoyed themselves, with not one grumble from my five passengers, man, woman, her sister and her two young children; also the four adults on the other boat.

After this trip I really wanted to get my boat closer to home, as I was using too much fuel going to Chapel. After a few frustrating days, when I couldn't find anyone available to 'taxi' me back. Roy phoned to ask if I wanted him to tow my boat back, he was of course unable to contact me earlier, as I was out of phone range on a NB at Bardney chatting to a friend. I walked along the newly opened foot/cycle path from Southrey towards Kirkstead, then realizing I was about half way, phoned him to see where he was. He said he would wait at Kirkstead and have a coffee, so I strode it out the last mile or so. Something I was to regret a few days later, as I pulled a muscle in my thigh, however it only lasted a day or two, so probably did me some good in the end. I had a pleasant little trip following him back to Southrey. One of his friends was driving, and the last half-mile or so I noticed he had opened the throttle a bit, as he was leaving me slightly. Once moored he commented on how well my boat went; well who I am to disillusion him, by telling most displacement boats go at the same speed, grin.

The next weekend, May bank holiday was the Kyme meeting so I went, prepared to stay overnight. When I got to South Kyme, a couple of the narrowboats were going to Cobblers to wind (turn around), so I said I would follow to see if I could make it under Halfpenny Toll. The water level was a couple of inches lower than usual, however when I got there I was still inches too high. As the other were keen to help, I set about removing the mast support and light bracket, and with all the folk from the two narrowboat on Wud, she just scraped underneath, although I had to spread the 'ballast' around to get the roof level. In all honesty, this is no mean feat, and without enormous effort will never be repeated, so the picture of Wud in Cobblers Lock is one to be treasured.

The others duly arrived and winded, and one man volunteered to help me clear the water inlet on Wud that had become blocked again. There were masses of dead weed on the riverbottom, often taking up three of the five feet of water. He helped me turn Wud to the bank and shallower water, so I could once again don waders and wellies and scrub the inlet grill. The steep, nettled bank didn't make the task too easy, but it was fun all the same. I was lucky not to ruin my watch however, as I forgot to take it off until it had a good dunking. Later that day it started going again though, when it dried out. It's only a cheapie Chinamans one not a 'proper one' (a Rolex). Back in South Kyme I even managed to moor on the peg at the garden of the old lady I had met the previous year.

The following Monday, another friend phoned to say he was free, and we took another (most likely the last for this year) trip and made it to Halfpenny Toll bridge again.

I strongly recommend you see the story through the photos, which are in all three hosts in the 2007 albums. As they do a much better job than I can of showing the delights of this waterway.

I've had a few short trips with friend, new, fairly new and old; in fact I think I've had more guests aboard than all of last year, which helps enormously with the boating enjoyment.

I also required an old pushbike to leave on the boat being as I would most likely have to move around a little this year, and found one in a skip that will do the job OK. I didn't want some posh jobbie that someone would nick, and although I don't want to lose this one; it shouldn't be the end of the world if it does disappear. I've also managed to ride it the few miles between Bardney and Southrey when I moved the boat up.

Since I had moved to be a 'visitor' at Bardney, I had a day at the boat on Thursday, meeting some friends I had not seen since I left. I was just showing him the engine repairs, and how it now starts better. I had stopped and started it a couple of times, when it suddenly stopped with the inlet valve stuck open. A bit later I took the rocker cover off, but nothing appeared to be wrong so I removed the head and brought it home to regrind the valves. It was only a bit of carbon that had lodged between the valve and valve seat, and most likely would have removed itself after if I had kept winding the engine over, however the exhaust valve did show signs of leaking, so did require regrinding. I've also changed the oil, as the oil pump is already showing sign of its old tricks. I need a new cylinder head gasket, which I've ordered, and will remain 'in stock', as the hermetite seems to be doing the job of holding the old one together for now.

Yesterday I took a rewarding trip to Lincoln. Coming back from the Kyme meet, I met a couple of nice people in a Mk1 Freeman. We exchanged phone numbers, and he was at Short Ferry near Bardney for the night. We arranged to meet the next moring, and as it promised to be a fine day, I phoned to ask him to wait, and I would join him for a trip to Lincoln, and am so pleased I did.

I was also able to be useful as on arriving at an unusually busy Stamp End lock, found a boat 'stuck' as the guillotine didn't work. A quick look and I saw the first of the large Burton Waters cruisers was forward of the upstream mooring, and breaking the safety infa red beam. So saved everyone (including us) an hour or so wait for BW to come.

Not bad so far, I think you must agree ......... smile.