#172 

Sounds like they fixed you up right. New bolt(s), head gasket, skinned the head (machined a thin layer off the mating surface for a proper seal). He didn't mention the block, but machining the head leads me to believe that he checked it for flatness and passed muster. That snapped bolt is a million-to-1 thing. Yanmar (makes the Vetus engine) makes a solid engine. Keep your coolant topped up and you'll be all good.

That museum was wonderful! I completely understand why you spent so much time there, I would have done the same thing. I really appreciate your observations and explanations of the plants and wildlife you come across. It adds so much color and life to your videos. All of it combined with the beautiful music makes for a rich and warm viewing and listening experience. Thank you so much!

"This model narrow boat reminds me of Alice Grace - largely because it's not moving". With your energy and sense of humour, I'm sure you'll get through this set back. Good luck. x

Love folk like Alec who's enthusiasm brings life to inanimate objects.

Loved the transport museum and how volunteers spend so many hours dedicating their time to bringing the past alive again xxx

Cupiccino for dogs that's something new she deserves it and much more . What a place and museums thanks for showing us and for your comentry.thanks for that guy too . Phil looks like a man who knows what he 's doing just be patience . May you have a good week

Thanks again for a lovely video. The museum was amazing. Thanks for showing it to us. I hope that your engine repairs don't cost too much!! ☹

What an adventure. You have such amusing patience and acceptance I couldn't help smiling. I do hope you get some good news soon.

Vanessa, I’m so sorry to hear the bad news about the engine, what a nightmare! It must have been super frustrating for you but you stay positive and cheerful. I’m always amazed by your shots of Kingfishers, I only ever manage to snap a flash of blue. The model train was lovely it looks a very interesting place to visit. I really hope your engine is fixed very soon. Lots of love. xxxxx

I'm going to be passing that museum in a few weeks. That's right down my street. I'm glad you're getting the engine sorted at last..See you soon mindful family. ❤

Don't worry Vanessa, you're in good hands. Phil's humour is so dry, but he works hard, and is honest. My engine is the same as yours, I also had the head skimmed 3 years ago, and now it's still running perfectly. Good luck, don't worry, it'll be OK. X

As usual another superb Vlog. I'm always amazed how you spot and explain the simple wildlife you encounter out and about that I fail to find. That museum for a chap like me is an undiscovered heaven now on my "Bucket List". Hope the engine repair goes well.

Well done Vanessa you done it 😀

I love it when you and zeph take us to museums, fish ladders, kilms, and the like l love the contrast between nature history and infrastructure Britain really does look like a wonderful place

Thanks Vanessa for taking us along on this lovely part of your autumnal adventure, it looks like Phil knows what he's doing so you'll be back on the move soon. thank you very much for sharing your beautiful journal. Have a great weekend. Take care and all the best. Stevie ❤

So good you found a good place for your engine repair. You can find an adventure everywhere. Well done, Vanessa.

Zeph’s eyes nearly popped out at the sight of that puppachino & love the way you seem to find a pot of gold in every nook and cranny along our beautiful waterways be it nature, reused buildings or simply pootling along the towpath ❤

Your journal is lovely..🌷 Ever thought of publishing 🎀🎄 Enjoyed the the characters today, and loved the museum as well. I could send hours there. 🤠

Zeph with a puppachino AND a stick -- if she can wrest it away from her mom! Awesome museum, thanks for showing it to us. Bummer about the engine, though. Hope they can get it fixed soon.

I really enjoy your vids, your love of nature, poetry, art, history and architecture. And videography and Zeph. Repeating myself but must highlight the highlights. Excellent Vanessa. Go well ok

I admire your good-natured manoeuvring. I’m the worst with an audience! I hope it’s all back to normal soon for you.

I wouldn't trust any mechanic who says" its just a mess". The mechanic should at the very least tell one what he thinks is the problem, and how he would try to repair the engine.

You are an amazing lady Vanessa. I could listen to your voice forever and never get tired. So natural, with a dog for company. What more could I ask. There is nothing you do or say that upsets me. When I saw what your engine was doing, I immediately said, "Head gasket"

Awww what a grand vlog good you took the time with your problemshope Phil can sort them out very soon do tc now the oldies 🤗🤗

Hope your engine gets fixed soon. What a super museum love all those cats built for grandchildren. Think it's worth a visit. 💚

sorry to hear about AGs more serious problems museum viisit was very cool as are the birds in fact iwatched this video several times yes it was backwards and forwards backwards and forwards several times LOL thank you for another great video

Hello, I've just come across your videos. I have to say, you are an incredibly good artist! As a retired Chief Marine Engineer, I'm amazed that you have lost your cylinder head studs! That is an extremely unusual situation! The engineer sounds like he knows these engines well, and I'm sure you will be up and running soon! All the best, Charlie.

Herb Robert - a geranium, all geraniums (pelargoniums) originally came from South Africa, wonderful to see, nice vlog, Paul, Johannesburg

Thanks again for the fascinating adventures!!

The way that you flip through the pages of your journal is like a trip through time for us the viewers!!! I'm looking forward to receiving my copy from my former home (UK) to my current home--the Gulf Coast! No snow, already 26°C!

A stream crossing on a bridge, fairy parachutes, transport for a disabled kid, an evaporated Phill, then baked pear I last enjoyed in Italy. What more could a guy want when it is finished off with a poem and an illustration. So sorry about the engine. Hope it is fixed very soon. Enjoyed the museum as well. Great episode. Thanks.

A new set of head studs and nuts, head crack test, resurface head, new head gasket, reassemble, refill coolant, change the oil / filter and you should be ready to fire it up and go.

I noticed the Moorhen was ringed, (banded, for the Americans watching) nice to know the record keeping that is going on. Paul, Johannesburg

Sorry for you, Vanessa, It seems like this has been a real nightmare for you. Poor Alice Grace. You seem so calm and hopeful even though it must be really stressful. I think I would cry and give up.

In addition, it is a big plus. When you introduce us to a world that is so familiar to us. Unfortunately, it's is a bygone era.

So, I believe you blowed a head gasket, my present boat has a 2 cylinder diesel engine, when I first purchased this boat it had a blown head gasket, I did all the work, I have worked on diesel engines over 20 years myself, it just cost money, but we got her back running diesels don’t like to get hot, over 220 degrees, watch your instruments while the engine is running, keep plenty of coolant in her, and or change the impeller on the River water coolant pump, there are ways to tell when you need to change it, visual coolant strainers, Cheers Young Lady, Steve from Texas

What a magical walk a kingfisher with vibrant colours Herb Robert delicate & beautiful Fungi selection on trees & museum of transport a cafe & Zephyr bright eyes of delight at her latte What more enjoyment than that Thank you ❤ Good luck with engine in good hands of Phil 👍

I loved the music while you were moving your boat and the rain clouds. Brilliant. lol! Thank you.Great editing.

Hello there. There's a Acqaduct on the famous Settle and Carlisle Railway. Just before Bleamoor tunnel. It carries a stream over the Railway. Just below Wherenside the highest of the three peaks. Ribblehead is just south of this. One of my favourite places on the S&C.

Hello again, and thank you for yet another wonderfull vlog! So sorry to hear about your engine, though it looks to be in good hands, Really enjoyed seeing Zephyr get her special treat. As well as that amazing museum. I recently bought that video "Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines". So that part in your video, seeing that machine...incredible. Really hope it won't be long till you're on the move again, and hopefully not much poorer. Best wishes, as always!

My gosh I was having the most awful spell until you said "my gosh I hope Phil hasn't evaporated! " The first chuckle I have had all week. I am so happy to have found you,your pup and youre little boat! Love spending time here and escaping life for a while! Also, are all the poems ones you have written? I love the readings and seeing your art. Please stay warm it is VERY cold here in Northwestern Connecticut too! CaT

Thank you for showing us round the museum it was great, not so good news about your engine, hopefully Phil can work his magic and get you up and running back on the move again. We shall keep our finger's crossed for you, All the best Gary n Irene

There´s such a depth of meaning in your voice when you say "Up North", as a Lancastrian it resonates. I can tell you have England weighed up, and as a retiree in southern Spain I really enjoyed the views of the English countryside and "The Cut." Thank you -- may you keep your fine diesel engine as cool as your photography. Subscribed. Rock on...... (mindfully). Myself I´m exploring "mindless" but strangely I think that's a similar wavelength. When we realise we are part of something bigger and allow ourselves to go with the flow ... Personally I find that going through life at 4mph is about right. Ask the ducks.

That was a lovely vlog as always. Great artwork and a beautiful funny poem. Good luck with your engine . Good to see your walks and i love the stories you tell of the folklore. Wonderful 💐🪻🌿🍁

Whipped cream and more! Crazy. Whatever next for Zephyr.

Hello Vanessa, so happy to follow you. A little late to Wish a Merry Christmas , but in time to Wish a Happy New Year to you and family all the way from Verona ( Italy ) Love Anna N. Johnson xxx

Thanks for your vid 😇💟💟💟 Love and bless you guys, very beautiful.

Thank you for the interesting tour that you given en the beautyfull draw that you make.

FANTASTIC

Sorry about the engine hope it’s fixed very soon, lovely walk and interesting , come on technical team let’s get Alice grace on the move again please. Best regards Charlie

I'm re-watching, thanks for another wonderful vlog, you do the best vlogs IMO :) Sorry there are so many horrid problems with the engine. Impressed with the way you handle adversity with graceful equanimity.

Really liked the museum and it seems like you are getting there with the engine. Thank you.

What an absolutely lovely video. Despite the bad engine news you manage to see past that to the fascinating things around you. My boat is called Zephyr and we also have delightful Lab 😊

Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. Good to see that repairs to the engine have started. I hope Phil performs his magic and the job is completed successfully. What ba lovely walk along the canal and dissued railway line. The station cafe and ajoining transport museum were superb.. Zephyr certainly enjoyed her sausage biscuit and cream delight! Beautiful flowers and birds - wonderful camera work and commentary. Last but not least, congratulations on moving the boat across the canal to the boatyard. Good job, well done.

While Phil busied himself repairing your engine, you had a great time exploring the natural surroundings with Herb Robert's purple flower's medicinal properties and folklore. 🥀🌺🦋 Interesting about the water bridge too! The Vint's Vintage Cafe menu delicious papacino had Zephyr's eyes popping, as he happily lapped up his puppy treat. Tettenhall's Transport Museum was fascinating with all of its vintage transport memorabilia. Cute little fairy parachutes on the stick that Zephyr wanted! Sorry about your engine being "such a mess" per Phil. I love your delightful poem you wrote commenting on it! Let's hope that the fairies bring you luck! 🧚🧚‍♂🧚‍♀🍀☘🍀 p.s. Did you know that "Zephyr" means a soft, gentle breeze?

Thanks for the vlog Vanessa and have a lovely week ahead xx😊

............. and good luck with the engine. Expensive but at least it doesn't have to be removed from the boat.

They make them not thinking about the one to repair them. So true! My dad was a marine diesel engineer who repaired many a diesel in boats

I really liked your vid - the good, the bad and the not so bad! ❤

Hope it’s all mended now. Very brilliant Vanessa thank you. I loved it ❤😊 Take good care 🦋🌹

You are so talented with your journal and poetry. When i heard you summing up your adventure. My version went in a totally different sphere along the lines of famous urban limmericks, but that's for mere mortals like me. Your brilliant mind kept it clean 😂

Make sure your low water or oil signals work. That will save the engine from more serious damage.

Great Art 🎨 book 📖 keep going 👍

Let’s hope that the engine is finally sorted for you now Vanessa. It was interesting seeing the old railway, I have passed under that railway bridge and a few others and knew here was an old line but didn’t know about Tottenham station. I shall have a visit there and to the museum sometime. Thank you once again for sharing your adventures with us all in RU-vid land. Take good care xxx

Dark days make bright days seem even brighter. Don't focus on the negative just think how well thing will soon be 😀😀 Wish you and the mysterious Mr M a speedy return to your travels 💙💙

The research you share re plant history and uses is so enlightening. Our predecessors were smart cookies! Thanks.

Wow Vanessa… I thought it would be head off… then skimmed… new gasket and back together… I’ve never heard of head studs coming out like that! you’re so lucky to have got that far! Hopefully they’ll fit a new Thermostat as well as its in bits you may as well renew it while it’s accessible… check your hoses for damage or wear while you can as well? Great video again and I loved the little museum and sad old train station, Zeph looked happy to get her Pupachino!😂 hope all goes well with engine…😊

So adorable

Good evening Vanessa sorry to hear about Alice Grace and her engine problems 😢 let's hope she's fixed soon. What a delight u have given us this week lovely shots of wildlife and a little history lesson, what a amazing museum full interesting things especially the cars made by the retired grandfather. I had a laugh when u said l hope the engineer hadn't evaporated with just the white overalls on the floor😂😂. Isn't it funny when people say it's easy to push the boat over but goes pear shape when u attempt it making u feel stupid, but if u were left to ur own devices u would of done it without shouts of directions making u flummoxed. Fingers crossed u have a better week ahead. 🙏🐕🍁🍂🥼

Thinking of you😉🙏

Thank you Vanessa for a lovely Vlog xx

Nice vlog as usual, The museum looked great hope you get your head gasket sorted, No biscuits tonight declared a draw...take care.😊

What a character Phil is! At least you are getting your engine sorted by someone who has loads of experience. I hope it won’t be too expensive. An interesting transport museum however 😎

The museum i have known about it but never got there yet. Its got to be visited soon thanks for showing a Jem to a local hope you have got back up and running, but please do your engine checks daily

Loved the transport museum. Hope you are fixed engine-wise now.

Good old Phil and Orph. Great blokes.

Hope Phil put your engine back together without breaking the bank, homes are always coming up with new ways to spend our money aren't they. Had to have some roof work on my little house in the summer which involved having scaffolding up for a few days, big upheaval but hopefully the roof is sound again now. They managed to leave something blocking the down pipe from the guttering, took me several attempts to unblock it as we had Niagara Falls every time there was heavy rain. 😮

Hi Venessa and Zephyr lovely museum and walk loved it. Such a shame your engine is needing repair, im sure the 20 year in service mechanic has enough experience to fix it 😕 The engine was lovely and clean i do hope he leaves it as clean. Good luck see you on the move next video not like the model in the museum not moving 😉 All the best from kev the brinklow kayaker....❤

The engine is a Mitsubishi, the type is stated on the side of the fuel pump and on the cylinder head, I think an S4S, these are converted by Vetus for boats, but the engine parts and engine block are from Mitsubishi. from the Netherlands mechanic and operator..henk ,,especially check the impeller pump for the cooling water from outboard and the cooler whether it is not clogged by dirt or old impeller pieces

Thanks ,so nice you added Phil in your poem. In the Us across the pond we call engineers… mechanics or did now the young ones are called technicians. I made my living as a mechanic and just retired this year. Ole Phil will sort it out but you might have to pry him out when he’s done. Good luck.

He's just replacing the head gasket.Not a difficult job. But he wanted you to think that it was :-) He sounded like he didn't want you knowing how it was done.

"The knack" is to push your bow out first then walk the stern along the towpath with your centre rope going around the stern. I turn my boat around this way, it's only 45ft. Your 60ft would touch it's bow to the other side, then you can walk the gunnel with your rope and pull your boat into your gap from the other side.

Look good food hello from Lymm uk 🇬🇧 😀

You were very polite with those old men!😀

Very interesting to see the old railway museum

Sigh, engines. Love the girl power, showing the men that yes you did it, without their help. Take care and hopefully better news engine wise next week.

This is one of your best Vlogs for sure. I am sorry about the problems with Alice I hope it will be moving again soon but I started thinking some of the best videos happen when you and Zeph are traveling around on foot you find the coolest spots to stop and your walking tours are great. That was nice that Zeph got that treat in the shop next to the transport museum which was fascinating so my prayers go out that Alice will be made right at a cost not too dear. See you next Friday god willing . Steve

I really hope you can get the engine fixed

You are so talented my goodness they’re beautiful

“It’s a mess” 🥴 That don’t sound good. Hope the repair is better than the diagnosis suggests. 🙏👍

Thanks again.

A museum,a cafe that serves treats to pups❤🎉😊

How unlucky you were. Poor Alice Grace. How bizarre when you have cared for her so.

You stood your ground against those grumpy old men who sort of helped you to guide Alice Grace across the Canal. I hope I'm not like that when I'm their age. I suppose they meant well. Then you have the other grumpy old disgruntled mechanic who are same the world over .Deep hiss from the mouth oooh it's a bloody mess. You still made a great vlog with the little cafe and the old bridges and the transport museum. Just remember Zephyr will want to re visit that sausage and cream cafe now. Give the old Mechanic a cuppa tea Vanessa , I'm sure you already have. XXX.

Out of curiosity, you mention we all the time. Who is we? I hope that your engine can be fixed and that your ongoing adventures continued. All the best from the other side of the world.

How fabulous! My dad would have spent all day in that incredible Transport Museum And Zephyr's eyes were indeed a treat when she got her own special treat weren't they? Do you know is Herb Robert the same as Ragged Robin? Hope your engine mess gets fixed soon! Take care 🐾🌸

Hi Vanessa what a fantastic Musium so many interesting things to look at I have a Vetus 2 engine in my boat That's a strange problem I wonder if someone overtightened those engine head bolts without using a torch wrench before perhaps one of the previous owners had a problem the sequence of tightening is so important When putting the head bolts back anyway take care hopefully won't take to long !!

Vanessa, talk about a video that is simply chock-full of wonderful surprises ! I absolutely adored the way Brindley carried the stream over Tons Water Bridge, what a soothing sight to see. The cafe built inside the Tettenhall was simply charming to say the least, and their offerings looked quite scrumptious. And then . . . the icing on the cake was of course the amazing Transport Museum which was stuffed to the gills with the most interesting and highly unusual items. I also would be remiss Vanessa if I didn't comment on just how much more enjoyable your videos are, because you take the time to research so much of the local history and share it with us all. I'm sad to hear that your Vetus engines troubles turned out to be more than originally thought. I'm very surprised to learn that a few of the head studs actually broke. I'm wondering if coolant got past the head gasket causing a hydro-lock between the top of the pistons and the head (Water is incompressible) and broke several of the studs. I do hope this repair doesn't drive you and Mr. M into financial ruin. I am happy to see you have a very qualified Mechanic working tirelessly to get Alice Grace's engine back together. Thank you so much for this weeks vlog Vanessa, it was very special to say the least. I pray all of God's many blessings upon you, and your loved one's this week.

Hello, sorry to hear about your engine. But glad to see, that you do like a train lol .

Interesting as always.