Eventually, today was what a proper British summer day should be. Totally undecided between sun and rain. In the end we got a bit of both.

But before that, it was almost a disaster.

This morning was one of those times that I was grateful to have developed a regular habit of checking the engine bay every day. It has become just part of the routine. On lifting hatch this morning I was surprised to find the sheared off end of a screw resting, neatly, on the starboard engine bearer. A quick check showed that this was the end of the locking screw that stops the engine mount nut from moving. I retrieved the rest of it, still screwed into the engine mount.

As a result, the engine mount had loosened, and that does explain the extra vibration we experienced yesterday. Not a good situation. A loose engine is one of those things that can start damaging more parts, like the propellor shaft and its coupling. Luckily, I found a spare in the box of parts the previous owner had left. So, emergency averted, I though it was a good idea to check the three other engine mounts to make sure. Then I found where the spare locking screw must have come from, one of the other engine mounts! It wasn’t loose and must have been like that from before we owned Heron. Still, it’s not right so I will have to source a replacement. I just don’t think there is that much urgency.

The rest of today was about enjoying the proper British summer and, for me, trying not to repeat myself from the trip up the Cheshire Locks in June. As a result one of the few pictures I took was of this kneeling cow.

And more sun and clouds.

I’m sure Heather and Nick were enthralled to learn where I injured my leg and how wet it was “when I was here in June”.

We ended up travelling a lot further than we expected. I am certainly having to recalibrate my estimates for daily distances now that I’m not single-handed.

We did come across a boat traffic jam at Middlewich, as everyone seemed to want to turn onto the Middlewich Branch. It is often busy where the branch joins the T&M, as there are two locks very close to the junction. On a summer weekend you often have an audience at Kings Lock, as it sits next to a pub of the same name. Today I provided the entertainment, gaining a sarcastic round of applause when I bumped the lock gates.

Our mooring tonight is on one of the formal mooring sites provided by the Shropshire Union Canal Society. This is the one overlooking Winford Top Flash and the River Weaver.

And Heather managed to capture an atmospheric sunset, reflecting off the water.