Out again - a short 4-5 day trip

After what seems a very long winter we are out again for a short trip.  It gives us a chance to check that the new alternator fitted a couple of weeks ago performs as well as the engineer predicted and reduces the amount of time we need to run the engine in order to recharge the batteries.

Swan nesting at Hopwas

We set off yesterday from our marina, turned right at Fradley Junction onto the Coventry Canal and moored out in the countryside at Tamhorn Farm Bridge.  This morning we cruised the couple of miles to the Ventura Park shopping complex in Tamworth to stock up with groceries.  After lunch we set off again turning right at Fazeley Junction down the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal where we turned round at the winding hole at Curdworth locks and moored up for the night.

The alternator seems to be working well.  Its charging voltage rises to the maximum within a minute from starting the engine whereas the old one took two hours or so.   However we dont have any way of checking how well the batteries are charged other than checking the voltage the following morning.