So yesterday started well…

An early start as a neighbour motored past and I decided to join him at Millmead Lock, then shopping at Lidl and B&Q for a crimp set to fix our amp gauge problem. On restarting the fridge alarmed and the smart gauge indicated low capacity on the start battery. I decided to move on hoping the alternator would charge it up. It didn’t, but the house battery did, indicating the start battery was defunct or on its way out. All thoughts of a shady mooring evaporated, we had to get to Pyrford Marina for a new battery. This involved 6 locks in 32 degree heat, exhausting H and myself. Fortunately we carried on travelling with our new found friend, halving the lock labouring.

We finally entered Pyrford Lock, and then Marina after saying good bye and thanks to our fellow boater. Finding Rachael, who sold T42 for us, had good and bad news. They don’t sell batteries anymore, but a mobile mechanic was on site who had one. He checked the battery under load, all good nothing wrong with it, ignore the smart gauge! By now it was 35 and we wanted shade, but whilst Rachael was there she informed us there was never a better time to sell and offered a good appraisal. I was sorely tempted there and then because the day had been so taxing. We told her we would think about it and found a tiny patch of shade outside the Marina. I had to move it every 30 minutes to keep it out the sun whilst H crashed inside the 30 degree cabin….

At 9:30 it dropped below 30 ! Time for tea and a cool shower….but no water……the fuse had gone on the pump….time for more running repairs, in which I found a loose connector on the smart gauge fuses..FIXED the original problem …..aaaHH

So this morning we had another early start, thru Pyrford Lock and onto a lovely shady spot at Walsham Gates. There is a RED ALERT for the area, Wisley is going to be the hottest spot in the UK with 40 degrees forecast today and tomorrow ! Emma, the lengthman at these gates, has just visited us checking all is ok and giving us permission to stay for more than 48 hours.

I don’t think we’re going to move soon ! battery and electrical issues permitting.