Seascapes Travel Log
Michael Grew
Tue 1 Jun 2010 13:29
Very dull morning- 09:30hrs slipped the mooring and after about an hour the engine started making strange noises and there would be a sudden lack of drive from the engine although the revs had increased. 10:55hrs passed through Vives Jean lock after a long wait. Engine got steadily worse stopped and rang the company called Seastart in UK and spoke to a marine engineer. He suggested that the gear change linkage had slipped. We motored on with me pushing the gear linkage with a broom handle. The problem got worse so we stopped beside a disused barge and Maureen went off to try to find the location of a marine engineer. I adjusted the gear linkage and then decided to check the oil level in the gear box and found the level was well down. It was full a few days ago and I am concerned where it all went to. Next problem where to find transmission oil. Fortunately where we had stopped was close to a row of garages. One of which was a specialist oil supplier. Lucky or what! However it was siesta time so we had to wait until the place reopened at 16:00hrs! 16:30hrs Suitably replenished with the correct lubricate we resumed our way. To my relief the engine behaved perfectly and was unable find any leakage. 17:30hrs passed through La Cave lock and stopped just beyond in the Chartrettes Marina. As we arrived we were pounced on by a Canadian guy and two French couples who guided us into a space that left about a foot free either end of the boat. At 19:00hrs the Canadian guy drove Maureen up to the local supermarket to collect fresh supplies. Rained during evening. Only 24 kilometres covered today.