Out and about...at last

The tail end of last week Steadfast's engine was refitted after major modification and a rebuild. On Sunday we travelled across to Hatherton Marina with the car stuffed with food, booze and clothes and prepared to get out and cruise; at last..

The engine wouldn't start. I kid you not.

Joe tried all the obvious things, whatever they are, and ended up removing the engine room decking, climbing down into the nether regions of  Steadfast's rear end and dismantled the starter motor, before reconnecting everything up again.
It started!  That was it, we were off.

We headed south on the Staffs and Worcs stopping overnight only two and half miles from the Marina. The next day we called into Oxley Marine for a pump-out (£14) and with an empty tank Joe was able to calibrate the new gauge he has fitted to the waste tank; no more surprises when the light goes red in future.

We moored up at Wightwick, six or so miles and three locks later because I wanted to go to Wightwick Manor the NT property only yards from bridge 56.  We have been up and done the S&W canal so many times but never stopped to visit this amazing place and we were not disappointed.