Abingdon to Oxford. An early start was agreed and implemented, with bacon and egg butties on the move. Mid morning I suddenly noticed smoke from the exhaust - no, much more smoke than usual... and you know what they say about smoke. Cutting the engine to tickover we headed to the bank (towpath side in case we needed to be recovered). A passing boat gave us a helpful nudge in towards the bank and we were close enough to deploy the plank and knock mooring pins in and make fast.
Opening the engine compartment let of a mini nuclear-cloud of smoke and steam into the lower atmosphere. Once cool, an examination of the engine revealed it was only a water hose that had come loose. This was quickly fixed and we were on our way again. Arriving at the next lock I dropped it into tickover.... and whoof! - the smoke was back. This time there was no obvious cause and the early afternoon was spent tinkering and scratching heads. In the end had to phone RCR (the inland waterways version of the RAC) who were with us within an hour. Now the experts were on it! And in far less time than it took me to do - he came up with the same conclusion - sorry guv - dont know what it is... but it looks like its inside, so I cant do anything now.
So they will be in touch tomorrow. In the meantime we are marooned in a beautiful Thames-side spot with an en-suite canal-side pub selling great ale and doing good food. Waiting for the repairman is going to be tough!....
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