Too much water

As I wrote up the last blog I was unaware there had been flash floods at Todmorden and more flooding on the River Calder.  The next morning our journey included stretches on the river but the indicator boards were showing green, "safe to proceed".  Unfortunately the flood gates were shut and the landing stages aren't long enough to tie up Brent III.  At Thornhill flood gate Kev dropped me off to open the gates and moved back into the river.  The gates would not budge and Kev sat waiting in the middle of the river.  I was starting to wonder what to do next when I spotted a couple enjoying a walk on the towpath.  They obligingly helped push the gates and held them open until Kev had sailed through.    

The floods had brought debris down the river and also dislodged clumps of reeds.  As we left Dewsbury a large island of reeds, complete with resident ducks, blocked our path.  After gently running our bow into it and some manoeuvring with the barge pole the ducks left and their home floated off to the side.  

We stopped at Broadcut that night and were enjoying a quiet evening when a loud moo sounded very close.  A black bullock was walking up and down the towpath, distressed at being parted from the rest of the herd who were in a field further away.   As he walked back passed Brent III I went in the opposite direction to the local pub.  The landlady rang the farmers and before they arrived Kev herded the bullock into an empty field safely away from the canal.  

At Stanley Ferry we met up with Shaun, Laura, Nic, Gaz and all the grandkids.  We had a good get together which included a meal in the pub and then Bett-Lou stayed with us for a holiday.  During the next few days Bett-Lou had a busy time, helping with the locks, learning how to steer the boat, walking Bess and Brinny and bird spotting.  We saw a lot of herons, ducks and swans but were surprised to see a peacock landing in a garden.   There was also time for drawing, working on a collage and beating us at cards.  Bett-Lou's holiday ended at Viking Marina and we turned our attention to some maintenance.  

We'd noticed water was getting into the engine bay and prime suspect was the stern gland.  The propeller shaft runs from the engine through the stern tube and out into the canal.  The stern gland packing is thick cord wound round the shaft which is kept greased to stop canal water coming into the boat.  Kev replaced the cord and gave it a good greasing. 

The next morning the local news reported Lafarge at Whitwood will no longer be using the barges for transporting sand and gravel.  The redundant barges are moored up at Goole awaiting their fate.  As Lafarge was one of the last companies to use commercial barges in the north it could be the end of an era.  

Sand and gravel barges moored up at Goole

After leaving Goole we turned down the New Junction canal and on checking the engine bay were concerned to see we were still taking on water.  We pulled over and spotted the source, the bearing on top of the rudder was letting a flow of water through when the propeller was turning.  We carried on to Thorne with the little bilge pump working overtime. 

Bess and Brinny enjoying the view as we sail away from Goole.

  

On arrival at Thorne Kev dismantled the the casing around the top of the rudder and with a little help from a big hammer retrieved the bearing which was well and truly worn out.  He called City Seals and Bearings in Rotherham and spoke to Bill who was very helpful.  He checked the measurements to ensure it would fit in our boss before handing over the new bearing to Nic who had called in to collect it.  He also offered to come back to the shop after hours to change the bearing if it didn't fit and gave us his mobile number.  Nic passed the bearing to Shaun who then drove up to Thorne.  The new bearing fitted perfectly and resolved the leak so thanks to a combined effort we are back up and running.  

Our journey from Brighouse to Thorne.  From Goole to Thorne is marked in orange.