Enthused by seeing the Taiko drumming at the start of each Rugby World Cup game Sue searched online for any touring ensembles, low and behold a group were playing at the Stafford Gatehouse Theatre.
Photography was not allowed during the performance, this photo is borrowed from the WWW.
We had an excellent time at the Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers Concert, the pulsating beat of the music from the energetic baton-wielding performers sent vibrations into every atom in the room. It sorted out my tinnitus too.
There's more water around the Trent and Mersey canal than in it at the moment, making the towpaths mucky but gloriously squelchy for anyone with a pair of wellies.
This time of year continuous cruisers have to keep an eye on C&RT planned maintenance lock closures. We are at Great Haywood, the T&M has been barred at Haywood lock since the 4th November for gate cill and balance beam repairs, the 22nd being scheduled completion date
A lot of equipment has to be brought in to do the repairs including pumps, scaffolding and fencing using five vessels in this case. C&RT have a lot of knockers, I have never been one of them, in my view, they have a un-enviable task of keeping the canal system open while trying to generate the means to do so through boat licence fees and charitable donations. They do receive some government funding, this is due to be phased out over the next five years, C&RT is expected to be self-sufficient by then.. we'll have to wait and see.
Support vessels at Haywood lock (west end)
East end
The River Trent runs cheek by jowl with the canal here.
Essex packhorse bridge dates from 16C.
Swollen river Trent
How many boots.
I watched the Barbarians V Fiji game in the Hogarth in Stafford with my pal Gordon, £1.90 for a pint of Courage Best. This particular beer reminds me of my teenage years of convincing barmaids I was old enough to drink one.
The MCCC (Mojacar canal cruising club) arranged a visit to Elan Valley, a comfortable cottage was booked in Llandrindod for a couple of nights which just happened to be attached to the pub next door.
Visitor centre.
Martin with Bev and Sue at Llandrindod Wells lake.
During our summer cruise, I noticed that there was vibration in drive at just above idle speed. I suspected the engine mounts were worn, I also noticed there was a bit of play in the cutlass bearing when I tugged on the prop through the weed hatch.
I had already had conversations last year with Peter at Canal Cruising in Stone, (my go-to outfit for engineering work) about changing the water-lubricated stern tube for a conventional grease-lubricated stuffing box.
It is a big job but one they have experience of doing, I have confidence in their workmanship so scheduled the work for last week.
Cutting out of the old cutlass bearing housing is required to fit the larger diameter shaft and bearing.
How it was, the Vetus shaft is 30mms diameter. The new shaft will be 1.5inches (38.1 mms)
The hospital silencer and fuel filter were removed for access. The metal step was also cut off.
Propshaft and Vetus gland removed exposing the bearing housing.
Charlie cutting a hole in FL
Cutlass bearing cut out.
Best not fill the dock yet.
New stuffing box installed, using an alignment shaft.
Thrust plate welded in position and Python drive installed. I'll need to get in there and repaint the bilge.
The Python drive plate takes all the thrust from the prop this frees the engine mounts to just dampen engine vibes.
New propeller
Filling the dock
One coat of Bilge paint.
All four engine mounts were replaced with HI-Hush items, a leaking flexible exhaust pipe was also renewed.
