To Dunkirque and Beyond

3131/0505/2011201120112011 by admin.

Hi since my last Blog things have taken a change of Direction. As you know we were going up the Kennet and Avon Canal to Bristol and on up the Severn to Sharpness and Gloucester but the story of the Alternator that would not charge has changed all this. By the time the problem was identified (bear in mind it has only taken 19 months ) which was that the alternator that charges the engine starter batteries was telling the Domestic bank alternator that it did not need to charge anything as the battery was full. The solution was simple cut the wire conecting the two and insert a relay now all is fine and the Domestic alternator works . Dont ask why it has taken so long to find this out!!. Anyway as I have said by the time this was done there was not enough water in the K&A for us and the River Severn is on restricted Locking with water shortages. We then met up with Fred and Tony on Bertilac who said we are going to Dunkirque and the Benelux countries why not come with us. This was just over two weeks ago ! It has been manic we have had to open a bank account in Malta so that we have a Euro Account arrange a Pilot change the Insurance to cover the trip apply for an EIN a European Identification Number that was another £45 obtain spares as the Pilot wanted at least 5 spare fuel filters for the crossing , we have had a duel fuel filter fitted bought extra Charts and made a dash down the Thames to Kingston as we are due to start out Tomorow 1st June. Passage plans have had to be done the boat packed up and secured for sea and the List goes on . I will endevour to take as many pictures of the crossing as I can and will post them as soon as we get an oportunity. For those of you reading this that we converse with by email bear with us as it will cost us £10 a Day to connect to the web to deal with our mail so we will restrict this to at the most once a week to make the most of the cost. I am going to try and connect via Wi Fi where at all possible and will use the oportunity to update you all when we get the chance.

Bertilac the Dutch Barge we will be crossing with

Dragon Boat in Henley

Nuns having a water fight I kid you not

Alternative Transport on the river

Rock Stars Recording Studio near Hampton Court

French Brothers River Steamer

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