Last year i had to draw a map of northern germany (my home) and i looked nearly like your england map and brought nearly everyone around to laugh. Thank you so much for sharing your talent. It had shown me, that we all are not quite perfect.
As I'm slowly watching my way through your "back catalogue" of vlogs Davis, it will be most interesting to see how closely you managed to stick to Plan B. I shall continue watching with great interest - cheers !! 😎
I stumbled across your vlog three days ago, and I must say I’m loving it. I began watching films randomly, but have just started from 1 and am currently working my way through your back catalogue in order now. I’ve always enjoyed boats, be that looking at them, being on them or watching films. (I’m someone who will spend a couple of hours on Broom or Princess web sights just looking at boats I could never afford to buy) many years ago I dated a man with a boat and that was where my love of all things nautical began, and I have a a number of friends who live on their (narrow) boats permanently. As I now live in Birmingham I just had to call by to say hello and agree that Birmingham is the centre of the canal universe. (I’m not a born and breed Brummie) I really do appreciate your films, you have a wonderful screen presence and are soothing to listen to as well as great content and you usually raise a smile and sometimes make me chuckle. Thank you for uploading your canal life, it is fascinating as well as educational, so cheers from your newest subscriber (I’ve even let the adverts play all the way through, and that is a privilege I do not afford to many)
Directions unclear, sir, ended up in mexico. Having great difficulties navigating the desert here. My boat doesn't seem to like sand. Hope things are going well for you, at least...
How can any right minded person give these vlogs a thumbs down? They are just fantastic! The right length. The right amount of information. The right amount of dry humour. And Linda (my long suffering wife of 30 years and other half for 38 in total, we're now 52) and I have decided we want to semi retire. So we're selling up and are going to have a 60' to 64' narrowboat bespoke built. Then we're going to travel the UK's inland waterways. Having considered the thumbs down blaggards, I (not Linda, she's too lovely) have decided to have a plank fitted to the side of our boat, together with standard keel hauling to boot and a lashing post too! I've even considered contacting the game wardens at the Okavango Delta to see if it is entirely possible to hire or indeed purchase a crocodile. Furthermore I have also emailed the Swiss watch and clock maker Zenith to ask if they have or could bespoke a very loud ticking time piece for said crocodile (I haven't really, just made all that up). But you scurvy thumbs down land lubbing scallywags deserve no less!!!! Oh and another thing, you do rather remarkably look and sound unerringly like one of my closest and oldest mates Steve Clark. Ummm...... Keep the vlogs coming. When we get our boat, we'll (me really) will be doing the same. Alan
Haha, you are exceptionally kind, thank you. How tremendously exciting to get your own boat built, I would love to do that. Have you picked a builder etc yet? Hope you enjoy both the build process and life aboard. Cheers
No. Never ever been on a boat, huge cross Channel or Irish Sea car ferries excepted. We, like you, are just going to do it. I doubt the CRT or EA would be pleased and more likely would frown upon a 9500 metric tonne ship trying to ascend the Anderton Boat Lift near Northwich. I worry that they might get very, very angry, or indeed cancel our boating licence? Worst case would be the threat of having our boat removed from the waterways and crushed to make 22,000,000,000 (yes 22 billion) teeny tiny paperclips for Hobbits or somesuch. And in answer to your question no. Doing Crick this year all 3 days. Arranged to view all the boats and builders. Will visit those not present later. Decide what we like and who. Shortlust. Visit their yards. And then, and then choose. If we could do it tomorrow we would. But needs must. House to be got ready for sale. Boat slot to be agreed plus price plus design (though we've already made lists of wants, needs and compromises for our boat. That word 'compromise' should be banned in my opinion, a neccessary but required evil when it comes to live aboard narrowboats. Oh and drawings and sketches too). House sold. Then rented accommodation. Then boat. We reckon 12 to 18 months very sadly. Though I have just had a genius idea. Part exchange Linda for a boat. afterall, I could've served 2 life stretches in the time that we have been manacled, nay anchored together!! Hey presto and alakazam solo boating right now! Alan
That's shortlist not shortlust. All Hobbits and their kind must've been quaking in fear? Note to self ------ think and type slowly. check. edit as necessary. check again. post. Alan
Watching your since a few days and enjoying every single one viewing. Started at Nr 1 and advancing continously. Just wonderful, especially your drawing talents. Continue this way please!!
Best route canal I ever watched. (as a mother, I've watched a few.) Your placement of London is somewhat confusing...shows good imagination. I used to think that liverpool was near leeds. But I'm Amurikan. Thanks for the video. anyhoo, best video name goes to this one.
I moved my brothers boat from Leicester to Cosgrove on my own. it was the first time I've ever done anything like this on my own. I came down the soar had no problem, I would say though the soar is over grown in many places and can be narrow. it took me 5 days 55 locks, 4 tunnels. it was a great experience I found most people on the canal to be very friendly. it can be an advantage being on your own, at Foxton locks the lock keepers did all the work. when it came to the other locks I just took my time and never rushed, when it came to double locks I waited for an other boat to go thru the locks with. I met so many nice friendly people, its such a different way of life. I wish you good luck on your maiden voyage all the best. Mark.
Watched this and very much appreciated your map . When I pulled up a map on Google I can see yours is quite accurate for giving me a good sense of these areas you and others are traveling. I seem to have developed this canal travel and history obsession. It's a long way from the Pacific Northwest to UK canals but I've definitely fallen in love with the lifestyle. Thank you
I spent many hours at Wilton Lock as a youngster, also Yel toft, fishing. All of your Northampton area vlogs have a memory for me. I remember getting sunburn on many a day.... Living in Long Beach CA. Now, not a canal in sight.... bugger! Thanks David, you have magical way of taking us down memory lane... Take care young man.
Absolutely love your channel just started from the very beginning really enjoying the content giving me ideas as I'm currently saving up for my own narrowboat
I have just discovered ur channel and find that you are really funny. I have now subscribed and have just started at the beginning of your buying the narrow boat,so far I’m at vlog 28 .You draw about as good as I do.😂😂😂 thank you for sharing.👏🏼👍🏻
All these canals were nearly lost. They were being filled in. Luckily sense prevailed. But there are also hundreds of historic roads, still unsurfaced, that are much older than the canals. Unfortunately these ancient routes are systematically being closed by local councils because of local objectors. It would be nice if those roads could be saved.
Having my boat (n/b Prospect of Whitby) moored at Ripon , the furthest NE part of the connected canal system and having to traverse both tidal and non - tidal rivers to reach the main canal network I can understand your reluctance to tackle rivers without experience. Apart from the obvious problems of currents and changing levels when it rains there is also commercial traffic, 600 ton barges on the Aire & Calder and seagoing Merchant Shipping on the lower Trent and Ouse where the tidal flow can be near the maximum your boat can achieve - quite daunting the first times you turn your boat to stem the tide and make a lock approach. Having said that the sheer wild beauty of the Northern rivers make it worthwhile to make the effort and gain the skills. The lock-keepers in these areas are gems, their vast experience will guide you and should never be ignored, They will tell you when to sail and carefully monitor your passage from lock to lock by radio. Hope to see you "Up North" one day.
There was a little canal on the Gower, can't be sure what it joined on to - the Neath/Tennant or Swansea canal or a branch railway yard. Less than 2 miles long but the sea lock is a listed item.
Really enjoying the channel, love the humor and all the stuff you are encountering, thanks for sharing! I think you have a second career ahead of you making maps :)
Looking good David, like your route plan and am sure you will very much enjoy your trip...I look forward to your vlogs to come.... All very interesting and am quietly quite envious but in a nice way..cheers David xx
This brings back lovely images of the time my son spent the summer touring the Warwickshire Ring with a troupe of mimes and players. He said it was delightful for a kid from the States to experience England at the leisurely pace of a narrowboat.
I say up a bit, over some, down a smidge and on towards the setting sun for a time. Then left a bit, right a spell and then back to the mooring for recovery.
if I come to the UK, I will make contact with you and ask if you can draw a simple (as you did in this video) map of the Motorway systems (current) and all the "short cuts" that I can take, along with any "diversion" routes if I get lost. Nothing elaborate, mind. Suggestion, leave the marina, turn left and where necessary turn left again, makes navigation simple. Looking forward to the video, "of casting off", with your Mum waving (with hanky) from the "pier", whilst hanging on to Dad, so he does not fall in the water.
@ 4:56 yes the "Monty"and that's not to bad coming from an Aussie, my wife and myself plan to do the Monty along with the Llangollen at some stage, this "stage" has now become many years as other things keep getting in the way but it will happen, at some "stage"....as to the map it looks great, you will not get lost with it I'm sure???
Lovely to see where you intend to go this year. Looking forward to updates as you travel. I'm a novice too, so please take this with a grain of salt, but rivers may not be that bad. I've had no choice but to learn on a river and lakes, and with a bit of planning and good heed to the weather, it's not so bad. The floods (in Ireland anyway) are mainly to be watched out for in winter. Yes, when moving downstream you have less control if the current is strong, so you bear that in mind, and you would usually try to moor upstream. Bridges aren't all that bad. Not the best place to attempt a turn though! As I say, big caveat as I'm new too, but my boat is almost flat-bottomed so similar manoeuverability to a barge I'd imagine. Dear god I hope I haven't jinxed my season by just posting this!
+Shannon Boat Fair points but the Soar is notorious for flooding (apparently) and I don't fancy trying to moor up while the current is trying to take the boat away. Not in my first year of travels anyway. Maybe once I've got some more miles under my belt!
I drew maps from an early age (prior to working for a while as a cartographer) and I think your mapping skills must be those attained by the age of 10 so pretty good I'd say. Very disappointed that you've not shown Derby and to the south The Grand Union at Sawley and Long Eaton because as all seasoned canal men know (not) my gt gt grandfather Joseph (born 1806) worked for Pickfords and in the early 1800s they moved pretty well all their goods via canal. Joseph married Ann England whos dad owned narrow boats on the Grand Union out of Sawley. The Erewash also features somewhere in their story. They married by 1830 and their two sons were born in Derby where he opened a chandlery supplies for narrowboat owners and farmers (similar kind of kit involved, tarps and ropes and metal clutter). They had moved to London prior to 1838 before the railway was built so that move was via canal. As soon as the London to Brighton railway was built (1841) they then moved to Brighton and set up again in business there. I still operate the business tho its changed a bit (a lot) in the last 188 years! Who was it that said people didn't move around in the old days. Joseph would have been very pleased indeed to have the use of your helpful map back then!
Hello, there is nothing to worry about regards river Soar Round by Selby Leicester the river is narrow with lots of bends have an adventure. Remember to stock up with plenty of food all the best Paul.
If you're wanting for a vlog topic, would you kindly remap your adventures so far? The scenery is lovely, but an artistically-drawn map such as this adds a certain degree of reality to it all.
Great plan. Going solo requires courage at times so stick what you feel comfortable doing. I'm excited for you - I look forward to hearing about the journey but wont be borrowing your map if it's all the same!
You're allowed to record your screen as you peruse and draw lines on top of OpenStreetMap without copyright problems, which will avoid mistakes in future, like placing Leeds south of Manchester, which it isn't.
Sounds a great plan. I'm very lucky - I can come with you without you even knowing that I'm there. Super film. Love the drawing David. Can't wait to get started.
brilliant, another fine vid. I hope you have a fine adventure once you get going. I was out in December and Feb for a week at a time and great fun .. next time will be mid summer heading up to Leicester via the soar...we shall see how it goes.
Well I have got my day job to first on a 183mtr long ship first to deal with. Shiny new she is too when I get there at the end of the month. Will let you know how it goes. I will miss your adventure at work as no streaming media allowed...
A Pablo Picasso in the making me thinks! When you start your travels you're going to find places on the cut that are so beautiful you will want to stop longer than intended, so you might not travel quite so far as planned,but I wish you all the best with your adventures and maybe I'll bump into you at Crick boat show.
I know you said you can't do Scotland without pulling the boat out but I still have fond hopes that one day you will be taking us on a journey up Scottish canals maybe on a friend's boat or something
Hello, don't forget the river Great Ouse and Cam via the Nene and middle levels. A beautiful river, very wind in the willows, particularly lovely above St Ives. Pretty safe and calm in summer months. Well worth a visit.
Love to see how easily you can shift to Plan B. And in your spare time you could be a corn maze designer. Sure glad I still have a couple of hundred more videos to go to catch up.
Hi from Aus. Just caught up on all your vlogs over the last few days. Your video editing and commentary is really top stuff, BBC quality. Looking forward to the touring episodes to come, now you have got your house all sorted and routes planned. We only have one main navigable river for houseboats over here, but ours are like five bedroom houses with two hundred horses pushing them fast enough to pull a skier. Cheers.
Sounds like a great plan. the map drawing was something else though haha. Glad you didnt just say the canals you were going on though, else you would have totally lost me! I am also heading to Crick Show for the first time. Getting serious about this narrowboating malarky haha. Excited to see what the future holds :)
You make me laugh!😂 great videos. Loved the map, as a non boater I’ve never seen such a good explanation of where canals go and which ones join up! On a side note, I really thought they only made Stargate for me to watch😂 I don’t think I’ve ever met another watcher!!😀 Hope they were your dvds in the cupboard,
Glad to see you're hazy about "up north". Leicester is not North of Birmingham. But who cares! You'll have a great journey anyway. It's difficult to get lost on a canal. Really excited for you about to set off. I understand your want to get to your family date and the Crick Boat Show at the end of May, but you could head north to the Three Counties Ring and that's your gateway to the lovely canals further north and across to Wales.
Indeed, I was thinking of it being where Nottingham is but Leicester, Nottingham and Derby are all one big conglomerate in my mind. I think Wales will have to wait until next year.
+CruisingTheCut Oy Oy ... Derby Lad here broad in the arm and thick in the ed .... be careful in the East Midlands with that sort of talk.... we are all very different and would not take kindly to being called a conglomerate - I think that is Macclesfield way innit? Nev NB Percy
+Nev Wells Haha, sorry. Someone's always going to be offended about something! I went to university at Loughborough so that's why I tend to clump them together, they're all in striking distance.
If you come down to London and need a pilot for the tidal Thames I'd be happy to help. I've been on the tidal Thames 14 times in the last two years on my narrowboat and have VHF radio, license to operate, life jackets and chain/anchor. Best trip is from Limehouse through the middle of town to Brentford or, better, Teddington. What a video! You could then make your way back up north via the Thames and Oxford canals. Cheers. Andy (I live in Hackney - 2 miles from Limehouse!)
Your map reminds me medieval charts, with Birmingham as center of the world, like Jerusalem was. Schematic draw of canals looks medieval too ;-). You schould write "Hic sunt dracones" somewhere where Scotland should be drawn and your map would be complete.
Nice to see the itinerary for the journey, think you made a good call avoiding the river initially, besides being daunting for any single handler I think they require things like side navigation lights and anchors etc to be in order. There are a few canal based route planners when you search online, that can can help with your planning also :)
As it happens, the boat does have side nav lights and an anchor. The prior owners must have done some rivers. But yes, a bit daunting to start with. I'm aware of canalplan.eu which I love (and was going to put in the video but it would have been too long). Are you getting ready for any voyages now the sun's started to come out?
+CruisingTheCut Too long!? no such thing! haha, I'm sure I'll be doing some mini cruises while working on the budget for extensive network cruising later on :)
Love the map but I'm already lost so will leave the map reading to you and just in joy the ride via the Vlog. So with my little sailors hat and parrot at the ready I eagerly awake for us all to set sail or what ever you do in a narrow boat. Lol
We are starting to dry out but it going to be slow as we are waiting for rivers to crest, but we'll make it. I was wondering do they have GPS for the channel yet? That would be kind of fun.
For a really interesting trip, try the Sharpness and Gloucester - out into the Severn, down the 'shoots', into Portishead, then up to Bristol. Fantastic trip - I did have a pilot showing me the various navigation marks, and it was a tupperware cruiser, but it was fascinating.
Loving your vlogs. Your route reminded me of a trip 4 friends & I made in a 2 berth cabin cruiser with an outboard (5 horse I think) many years ago. Down the Grand Union, up the Thames to the Oxford Canal and up the Oxford back to where we started. Braunston I think. That little boat sure had to work on the Thames. We were teenagers so we just did it.
Our first NB adventure started with traversing the Seven.... Oh what fun! (NOT). As you are from Kent, as are we, you didn't mention the 28 mile Royal Military Canal. Perhaps because one cant Narrow Boat It?? (Enjoying everone so far and am going to work my way through every one. They have all been so great so far, thank you. Lots of memories.
As new narrowboat owners (we bought ours October last year) we love watching your vlogs. We are also planning on going to the Crick show, for the first time, this year. Which brings me to my question, on one of your replies to a previous comment you say that you should "book" to go on plenty of boats. Do you need to book to go on them in advance? I was thinking that you just turned up and stood in line! Thanks for information on this.
Some of them you can just turn up but as I recall a lot of the boat manufacturers have a bookings system to limit having hoards of people tramping through.
I look forward to hearing of your adventures, successes and travails, as you traverse two tunnels of 1500 and 2000 yards (which are only 200 odd years old and safe?) and bunches of locks at Watford and Braunston and Atherstone, solo. I get scared just thinking of it all. I lack your sense of adventure, or is it that I am just sane.
Haha, who can tell who's sane and who's not? There's also the Wast Hill tunnel at 2,700 yards or thereabouts! The Vlogs may come to an abrupt end when I realise how difficult it is :-(
I mean no disrespect, but you've kind of reminded me of Mr. Rogers (from Mr. Rogers Neighborhood)... In a way... The calming way you speak, the clear and concise way you explain things... And well, now, the way you draw... Lol. In all seriousness, this is one thing that was missing, mapping of your routes...
No disrespect at all. I'd not heard of Mr Rogers until the film with Tom Hanks came out recently, which I very much enjoyed. It's quite a compliment, so thank you.
+googoogolly Don't forget the legendary Ronnie Barker!!! Great little film, set on the southern Grand Union, in the final throws of the canals being used for freight. Somehow, I think I've managed to pick up two copies of this on DVD ...
Thanks for the map. Gives me a idea of the relationship to the different places you go to. Not living in England I have no idea to the geography of the country. Is there a place I can get a map that i can refer to as you travel. Thanks again. Nice vids.
Hello from the US of A again, another good vlog, really looking forward to each new one, especially since you will soon embark on your new adventure, and I'm thinking you are very wise to avoid the rivers, going through the locks solo seems to be a major problem from my stand point, but I'm sure you'll manage, you seem to know how to get the job done, whatever it may be, Enjoy or should I say "Cheers" :0)
East Anglia represent! ;) Great video as always sir =D Your drawing skills are top notch =D Have a great journey! And who knows, one day you might even see the bus driving about =D That'd be neat! All the best!
Hi there - really enjoy the vlogs. Was wondering will you be commenting on things like mobile signal, WI-FI and watching TV etc. I know some may say that you don't need these things as you have the beautiful countryside - but I really find it nice to have. Tony
No worries about your drawing skills. Remember: All maps lie flat and all flat maps lie. Your efforts were quite sufficient for the purpose.
Quite right. Mr. Mercator was a little fibber.
Last year i had to draw a map of northern germany (my home) and i looked nearly like your england map and brought nearly everyone around to laugh. Thank you so much for sharing your talent. It had shown me, that we all are not quite perfect.
Still binging and liking my way through... (Macon Georgia USA)
As I'm slowly watching my way through your "back catalogue" of vlogs Davis, it will be most interesting to see how closely you managed to stick to Plan B. I shall continue watching with great interest - cheers !! 😎
Stephen Pegum me too
I stumbled across your vlog three days ago, and I must say I’m loving it.
I began watching films randomly, but have just started from 1 and am currently working my way through your back catalogue in order now.
I’ve always enjoyed boats, be that looking at them, being on them or watching films. (I’m someone who will spend a couple of hours on Broom or Princess web sights just looking at boats I could never afford to buy) many years ago I dated a man with a boat and that was where my love of all things nautical began, and I have a a number of friends who live on their (narrow) boats permanently. As I now live in Birmingham I just had to call by to say hello and agree that Birmingham is the centre of the canal universe. (I’m not a born and breed Brummie)
I really do appreciate your films, you have a wonderful screen presence and are soothing to listen to as well as great content and you usually raise a smile and sometimes make me chuckle.
Thank you for uploading your canal life, it is fascinating as well as educational, so cheers from your newest subscriber (I’ve even let the adverts play all the way through, and that is a privilege I do not afford to many)
Thank you! Glad you're enjoying the videos - and extra thanks for watching the ads ;-)
Interesting, as a person thinking about trying the narrowboat life the insights are valuable especially the dangers of rivers of which I was unaware.
Directions unclear, sir, ended up in mexico. Having great difficulties navigating the desert here. My boat doesn't seem to like sand. Hope things are going well for you, at least...
I love your map. I love you got rid of floral, and I love your humor. Brilliant.
How can any right minded person give these vlogs a thumbs down?
They are just fantastic!
The right length. The right amount of information. The right amount of dry humour.
And Linda (my long suffering wife of 30 years and other half for 38 in total, we're now 52) and I have decided we want to semi retire. So we're selling up and are going to have a 60' to 64' narrowboat bespoke built. Then we're going to travel the UK's inland waterways.
Having considered the thumbs down blaggards, I (not Linda, she's too lovely) have decided to have a plank fitted to the side of our boat, together with standard keel hauling to boot and a lashing post too! I've even considered contacting the game wardens at the Okavango Delta to see if it is entirely possible to hire or indeed purchase a crocodile. Furthermore I have also emailed the Swiss watch and clock maker Zenith to ask if they have or could bespoke a very loud ticking time piece for said crocodile (I haven't really, just made all that up). But you scurvy thumbs down land lubbing scallywags deserve no less!!!!
Oh and another thing, you do rather remarkably look and sound unerringly like one of my closest and oldest mates Steve Clark. Ummm......
Keep the vlogs coming. When we get our boat, we'll (me really) will be doing the same.
Alan
Haha, you are exceptionally kind, thank you. How tremendously exciting to get your own boat built, I would love to do that. Have you picked a builder etc yet? Hope you enjoy both the build process and life aboard. Cheers
No. Never ever been on a boat, huge cross Channel or Irish Sea car ferries excepted. We, like you, are just going to do it.
I doubt the CRT or EA would be pleased and more likely would frown upon a 9500 metric tonne ship trying to ascend the Anderton Boat Lift near Northwich. I worry that they might get very, very angry, or indeed cancel our boating licence? Worst case would be the threat of having our boat removed from the waterways and crushed to make 22,000,000,000 (yes 22 billion) teeny tiny paperclips for Hobbits or somesuch.
And in answer to your question no. Doing Crick this year all 3 days. Arranged to view all the boats and builders. Will visit those not present later. Decide what we like and who. Shortlust. Visit their yards. And then, and then choose.
If we could do it tomorrow we would. But needs must. House to be got ready for sale. Boat slot to be agreed plus price plus design (though we've already made lists of wants, needs and compromises for our boat. That word 'compromise' should be banned in my opinion, a neccessary but required evil when it comes to live aboard narrowboats. Oh and drawings and sketches too). House sold. Then rented accommodation. Then boat. We reckon 12 to 18 months very sadly. Though I have just had a genius idea. Part exchange Linda for a boat. afterall, I could've served 2 life stretches in the time that we have been manacled, nay anchored together!! Hey presto and alakazam solo boating right now!
Alan
That's shortlist not shortlust. All Hobbits and their kind must've been quaking in fear?
Note to self ------ think and type slowly. check. edit as necessary. check again. post.
Alan
Let's hope she doesn't read these comments eh ;-)
Watching your since a few days and enjoying every single one viewing. Started at Nr 1 and advancing continously. Just wonderful, especially your drawing talents. Continue this way please!!
Best route canal I ever watched. (as a mother, I've watched a few.) Your placement of London is somewhat confusing...shows good imagination. I used to think that liverpool was near leeds. But I'm Amurikan. Thanks for the video. anyhoo, best video name goes to this one.
I’m impressed with your memory. Loving the Vlogs.
I moved my brothers boat from Leicester to Cosgrove on my own. it was the first time I've ever done anything like this on my own. I came down the soar had no problem, I would say though the soar is over grown in many places and can be narrow. it took me 5 days 55 locks, 4 tunnels. it was a great experience I found most people on the canal to be very friendly. it can be an advantage being on your own, at Foxton locks the lock keepers did all the work. when it came to the other locks I just took my time and never rushed, when it came to double locks I waited for an other boat to go thru the locks with. I met so many nice friendly people, its such a different way of life. I wish you good luck on your maiden voyage all the best. Mark.
Thank you. I think you've pretty much summed up the approach I'll be taking to locks. No hurry, use help when it's available. Cheers.
Your drawings are hilarious and the way you describe them is both fun and true! hehe
Thank you
Watched this and very much appreciated your map . When I pulled up a map on Google I can see yours is quite accurate for giving me a good sense of these areas you and others are traveling. I seem to have developed this canal travel and history obsession. It's a long way from the Pacific Northwest to UK canals but I've definitely fallen in love with the lifestyle. Thank you
I spent many hours at Wilton Lock as a youngster, also Yel toft, fishing. All of your Northampton area vlogs have a memory for me. I remember getting sunburn on many a day.... Living in Long Beach CA. Now, not a canal in sight.... bugger! Thanks David, you have magical way of taking us down memory lane... Take care young man.
I too live in Long Beach, Naples, to be exact..and we DO have canals.
Absolutely love your channel just started from the very beginning really enjoying the content giving me ideas as I'm currently saving up for my own narrowboat
Welcome aboard!
Ah! Greetings to Birming'am, England from BirmingHAM, Alabama! We also have a Leeds and Oxford nearby. 🙂🙂
it does make sense--you explained it very well.
Thank you
The countdown begins! Blindingly clear ;-) Looking forward to sharing your adventure. And yes, Birmingham is the centre of the Universe ;-)
It is indeed. Ah, memories of the concrete Bull Ring...
I shall be looking forward to following you on your canal travels. I've got my Nicholson guide books at the ready.
Haha, excellent!
I have just discovered ur channel and find that you are really funny. I have now subscribed and have just started at the beginning of your buying the narrow boat,so far I’m at vlog 28 .You draw about as good as I do.😂😂😂 thank you for sharing.👏🏼👍🏻
All these canals were nearly lost. They were being filled in. Luckily sense prevailed.
But there are also hundreds of historic roads, still unsurfaced, that are much older than the canals. Unfortunately these ancient routes are systematically being closed by local councils because of local objectors. It would be nice if those roads could be saved.
Thank you David. I chuckled throughout. Thank goodness you are such a good narrator.
Ouch David, that lot hut my head🤕🤕🤕. I shall now continue the watch. Enjoying it immensely.
All the best with your trip keep us updated on your progress and will look out for you on the canals. Rivers are not that bad just need to take care.
+Garry Stacey Will do. Rivers when I'm less of a novice :-)
Having my boat (n/b Prospect of Whitby) moored at Ripon , the furthest NE part of the connected canal system and having to traverse both tidal and non - tidal rivers to reach the main canal network I can understand your reluctance to tackle rivers without experience. Apart from the obvious problems of currents and changing levels when it rains there is also commercial traffic, 600 ton barges on the Aire & Calder and seagoing Merchant Shipping on the lower Trent and Ouse where the tidal flow can be near the maximum your boat can achieve - quite daunting the first times you turn your boat to stem the tide and make a lock approach. Having said that the sheer wild beauty of the Northern rivers make it worthwhile to make the effort and gain the skills. The lock-keepers in these areas are gems, their vast experience will guide you and should never be ignored, They will tell you when to sail and carefully monitor your passage from lock to lock by radio. Hope to see you "Up North" one day.
Thank you. I will definitely venture northwards one day, especially as I've now got three rivers under my belt :-)
This clip shows the fun on a spring tide! ruclips.net/video/f5WKzWhme0E/видео.html
man with the plan... I am beside myself to see how it went. nice lounge cushions BTW
Sounds great looking forward to sharing your adventure.
+Derek Carroll Thank you. I hope it will be!
There was a little canal on the Gower, can't be sure what it joined on to - the Neath/Tennant or Swansea canal or a branch railway yard. Less than 2 miles long but the sea lock is a listed item.
Absolutely love your Map skills....As an ex Geography/History Teacher I would be proud if my pupils could do this...
That's an appaling indictment of today's schooling!! ;-)
the map went all wavy
Really enjoying the channel, love the humor and all the stuff you are encountering, thanks for sharing! I think you have a second career ahead of you making maps :)
Haha I really rather doubt it!
Looking good David, like your route plan and am sure you will very much enjoy your trip...I look forward to your vlogs to come.... All very interesting and am quietly quite envious but in a nice way..cheers David xx
Thanks Monnie!
I very much like the names of some of those towns! Mumbles...Leyton Buzzard...
I've heard of Mumbles before but I don't know where, great name!
This brings back lovely images of the time my son spent the summer touring the Warwickshire Ring with a troupe of mimes and players. He said it was delightful for a kid from the States to experience England at the leisurely pace of a narrowboat.
:-)
I say up a bit, over some, down a smidge and on towards the setting sun for a time. Then left a bit, right a spell and then back to the mooring for recovery.
if I come to the UK, I will make contact with you and ask if you can draw a simple (as you did in this video) map of the Motorway systems (current) and all the "short cuts" that I can take, along with any "diversion" routes if I get lost. Nothing elaborate, mind. Suggestion, leave the marina, turn left and where necessary turn left again, makes navigation simple.
Looking forward to the video, "of casting off", with your Mum waving (with hanky) from the "pier", whilst hanging on to Dad, so he does not fall in the water.
Excited to see your plans. Cant wait to see the videos popping up on the actual cruise. :)
+Gary A Me too. Except I'll probably drop the camcorder in the canal or something :-(
Looking forward to following your epic journey. I know I'll learn a lot.
That I am certain of. Cheers.
Can you do a vlog on the difference between narrow boats, widebeems and the Dutch barge? By the way I really enjoy your vlogs.
I'm hoping to do a vlog about widebeams over the winter :-)
@ 4:56 yes the "Monty"and that's not to bad coming from an Aussie, my wife and myself plan to do the Monty along with the Llangollen at some stage, this "stage" has now become many years as other things keep getting in the way but it will happen, at some "stage"....as to the map it looks great, you will not get lost with it I'm sure???
I suspect I may have to have a sneaky look at the official maps sometimes...
I hope your plan comes to fruition soon!
Lovely to see where you intend to go this year. Looking forward to updates as you travel. I'm a novice too, so please take this with a grain of salt, but rivers may not be that bad. I've had no choice but to learn on a river and lakes, and with a bit of planning and good heed to the weather, it's not so bad. The floods (in Ireland anyway) are mainly to be watched out for in winter. Yes, when moving downstream you have less control if the current is strong, so you bear that in mind, and you would usually try to moor upstream. Bridges aren't all that bad. Not the best place to attempt a turn though! As I say, big caveat as I'm new too, but my boat is almost flat-bottomed so similar manoeuverability to a barge I'd imagine. Dear god I hope I haven't jinxed my season by just posting this!
+Shannon Boat Fair points but the Soar is notorious for flooding (apparently) and I don't fancy trying to moor up while the current is trying to take the boat away. Not in my first year of travels anyway. Maybe once I've got some more miles under my belt!
Well it sounds like you have plenty to see even if you're not intending to go on the river. Rivers can be fun too though :)
+Shannon Boat Next year. And hey, maybe I'll do a "Cruising The (Shannon) Cut" episode one day ;-)
Oooh that would be brilliant! And in the meantime, with my footage and your editing skills we'll go a long way :D
I drew maps from an early age (prior to working for a while as a cartographer) and I think your mapping skills must be those attained by the age of 10 so pretty good I'd say. Very disappointed that you've not shown Derby and to the south The Grand Union at Sawley and Long Eaton because as all seasoned canal men know (not) my gt gt grandfather Joseph (born 1806) worked for Pickfords and in the early 1800s they moved pretty well all their goods via canal. Joseph married Ann England whos dad owned narrow boats on the Grand Union out of Sawley. The Erewash also features somewhere in their story. They married by 1830 and their two sons were born in Derby where he opened a chandlery supplies for narrowboat owners and farmers (similar kind of kit involved, tarps and ropes and metal clutter). They had moved to London prior to 1838 before the railway was built so that move was via canal. As soon as the London to Brighton railway was built (1841) they then moved to Brighton and set up again in business there. I still operate the business tho its changed a bit (a lot) in the last 188 years! Who was it that said people didn't move around in the old days. Joseph would have been very pleased indeed to have the use of your helpful map back then!
Hello, there is nothing to worry about regards river Soar Round by Selby Leicester the river is narrow with lots of bends have an adventure. Remember to stock up with plenty of food all the best Paul.
I'll do it one day, just not as my first real voyage! Yes, plenty of tins in the cupboard! Cheers
Nice jip and janneke drawing.
There are some lovely canals further north too, the High Peak has beautiful views too
Cheers
If you're wanting for a vlog topic, would you kindly remap your adventures so far? The scenery is lovely, but an artistically-drawn map such as this adds a certain degree of reality to it all.
I'm unlikely to make a vlog where I map where I've been, sorry.
Great plan. Going solo requires courage at times so stick what you feel comfortable doing. I'm excited for you - I look forward to hearing about the journey but wont be borrowing your map if it's all the same!
Really? And there I was thinking of selling copies :-)
Its a shame the Scotland and England canals aren’t connected, would be interesting to see what you think of the Falkirk wheel.
You're allowed to record your screen as you peruse and draw lines on top of OpenStreetMap without copyright problems, which will avoid mistakes in future, like placing Leeds south of Manchester, which it isn't.
Thanks for the videos! Lots of useful information that I just wouldn't have thought about when living on a canal barge.
Steady - people get upset if you call them barges. Barges are for cargo ;-)
Sounds a great plan. I'm very lucky - I can come with you without you even knowing that I'm there. Super film. Love the drawing David. Can't wait to get started.
i really enjoyed the drawing! it was so extreme and awesome. please plan more cruising!!1
Cheers but I’ve no more cruising planned
brilliant, another fine vid. I hope you have a fine adventure once you get going.
I was out in December and Feb for a week at a time and great fun .. next time will be mid summer heading up to Leicester via the soar...we shall see how it goes.
+ROBERT WHEELDON Let me know how that trip goes! Maybe I'll be inspired to try it after all :-)
Well I have got my day job to first on a 183mtr long ship first to deal with. Shiny new she is too when I get there at the end of the month. Will let you know how it goes. I will miss your adventure at work as no streaming media allowed...
183m?? Wow. What's the ship? (And job, if I may be so nosey)
A Pablo Picasso in the making me thinks!
When you start your travels you're going to find places on the cut that are so beautiful you will want to stop longer than intended, so you might not travel quite so far as planned,but I wish you all the best with your adventures and maybe I'll bump into you at Crick boat show.
I think you're right and I certainly don't intend to rush. See you at Crick!
Great journey!
I know you said you can't do Scotland without pulling the boat out but I still have fond hopes that one day you will be taking us on a journey up Scottish canals maybe on a friend's boat or something
If only I had any friends. Sigh.
@@CruisingTheCut David are you ok
Hello, don't forget the river Great Ouse and Cam via the Nene and middle levels. A beautiful river, very wind in the willows, particularly lovely above St Ives. Pretty safe and calm in summer months. Well worth a visit.
So many possible places ... doubt the Middle Levels will be on my map for quite a while yet though, loads of other canals to do first.
Hopefully I'll bump into you in the summer. I'm heading down the Thames in June maybe July then up the Oxford
See you then! Cheers
Love to see how easily you can shift to Plan B. And in your spare time you could be a corn maze designer. Sure glad I still have a couple of hundred more videos to go to catch up.
Hi from Aus. Just caught up on all your vlogs over the last few days. Your video editing and commentary is really top stuff, BBC quality. Looking forward to the touring episodes to come, now you have got your house all sorted and routes planned. We only have one main navigable river for houseboats over here, but ours are like five bedroom houses with two hundred horses pushing them fast enough to pull a skier. Cheers.
Well now THAT I would like to see! (Where is that river?). Thanks for the compliments, much appreciated and glad you're enjoying the videos. Cheers.
The River Murray is navigable for 1986 Km
+Mark Phasey Maybe I'll do that one day!
Sounds like a great plan. the map drawing was something else though haha. Glad you didnt just say the canals you were going on though, else you would have totally lost me! I am also heading to Crick Show for the first time. Getting serious about this narrowboating malarky haha. Excited to see what the future holds :)
+Gina Beans Terrific! I'm sure you'll enjoy the show. Make sure to book lots of viewings on the boats :-)
You make me laugh!😂 great videos. Loved the map, as a non boater I’ve never seen such a good explanation of where canals go and which ones join up! On a side note, I really thought they only made Stargate for me to watch😂 I don’t think I’ve ever met another watcher!!😀 Hope they were your dvds in the cupboard,
Glad to see you're hazy about "up north". Leicester is not North of Birmingham. But who cares! You'll have a great journey anyway. It's difficult to get lost on a canal. Really excited for you about to set off. I understand your want to get to your family date and the Crick Boat Show at the end of May, but you could head north to the Three Counties Ring and that's your gateway to the lovely canals further north and across to Wales.
Indeed, I was thinking of it being where Nottingham is but Leicester, Nottingham and Derby are all one big conglomerate in my mind. I think Wales will have to wait until next year.
+CruisingTheCut Oy Oy ... Derby Lad here broad in the arm and thick in the ed .... be careful in the East Midlands with that sort of talk.... we are all very different and would not take kindly to being called a conglomerate - I think that is Macclesfield way innit? Nev NB Percy
+Nev Wells Haha, sorry. Someone's always going to be offended about something! I went to university at Loughborough so that's why I tend to clump them together, they're all in striking distance.
If you come down to London and need a pilot for the tidal Thames I'd be happy to help. I've been on the tidal Thames 14 times in the last two years on my narrowboat and have VHF radio, license to operate, life jackets and chain/anchor. Best trip is from Limehouse through the middle of town to Brentford or, better, Teddington. What a video! You could then make your way back up north via the Thames and Oxford canals. Cheers. Andy (I live in Hackney - 2 miles from Limehouse!)
That's very kind, thank you. Possibly a bit much for me at present, even with a pilot but maybe one day.
Your map reminds me medieval charts, with Birmingham as center of the world, like Jerusalem was. Schematic draw of canals looks medieval too ;-). You schould write "Hic sunt dracones" somewhere where Scotland should be drawn and your map would be complete.
Surely the dragons should be in Wales.
good job, i enjoy watching you and all your friends.
Nice to see the itinerary for the journey, think you made a good call avoiding the river initially, besides being daunting for any single handler I think they require things like side navigation lights and anchors etc to be in order. There are a few canal based route planners when you search online, that can can help with your planning also :)
As it happens, the boat does have side nav lights and an anchor. The prior owners must have done some rivers. But yes, a bit daunting to start with. I'm aware of canalplan.eu which I love (and was going to put in the video but it would have been too long). Are you getting ready for any voyages now the sun's started to come out?
+CruisingTheCut Too long!? no such thing! haha, I'm sure I'll be doing some mini cruises while working on the budget for extensive network cruising later on :)
When do we get to see a video of the bike?! :-)
Thanks for a great video. Who knew you are the Pablo Picasso of Cartography................
Hi Puggy,Nice picture of Bart Simpson. follow the moon, Stu x
Love the map but I'm already lost so will leave the map reading to you and just in joy the ride via the Vlog. So with my little sailors hat and parrot at the ready I eagerly awake for us all to set sail or what ever you do in a narrow boat. Lol
Very disappointed that my map wasn't 100% clear ;-( Glad you're coming along for the virtual ride. How are your floods?
We are starting to dry out but it going to be slow as we are waiting for rivers to crest, but we'll make it.
I was wondering do they have GPS for the channel yet? That would be kind of fun.
You can get canal map apps that use GPS of your phone to show your location, yes. Best of luck with the drying out. Cheers
For a really interesting trip, try the Sharpness and Gloucester - out into the Severn, down the 'shoots', into Portishead, then up to Bristol. Fantastic trip - I did have a pilot showing me the various navigation marks, and it was a tupperware cruiser, but it was fascinating.
Not something I'd try, I get queasy on anything other than still water hence my preference for canals.
dont let rivers worry you,, we love our widebeam life on the river
Ta. Maybe when I'm not such a novice and when I gave company aboard to help!
Loving your vlogs. Your route reminded me of a trip 4 friends & I made in a 2 berth cabin cruiser with an outboard (5 horse I think) many years ago. Down the Grand Union, up the Thames to the Oxford Canal and up the Oxford back to where we started. Braunston I think. That little boat sure had to work on the Thames. We were teenagers so we just did it.
Hope to see you at Crick. Regards
Cheers Justin!
Our first NB adventure started with traversing the Seven.... Oh what fun! (NOT). As you are from Kent, as are we, you didn't mention the 28 mile Royal Military Canal. Perhaps because one cant Narrow Boat It?? (Enjoying everone so far and am going to work my way through every one. They have all been so great so far, thank you. Lots of memories.
Wish I'd seen this before I lashed out on Nicholson guides.
I'm quite surprised they haven't called to hire me, frankly.
Such honesty about your drawing skills! LoL!
As new narrowboat owners (we bought ours October last year) we love watching your vlogs. We are also planning on going to the Crick show, for the first time, this year. Which brings me to my question, on one of your replies to a previous comment you say that you should "book" to go on plenty of boats. Do you need to book to go on them in advance? I was thinking that you just turned up and stood in line! Thanks for information on this.
Some of them you can just turn up but as I recall a lot of the boat manufacturers have a bookings system to limit having hoards of people tramping through.
Hi from Northampton, thank you for pronouncing Nene correctly :-)
That makes sense.
I look forward to hearing of your adventures, successes and travails, as you traverse two tunnels of 1500 and 2000 yards (which are only 200 odd years old and safe?) and bunches of locks at Watford and Braunston and Atherstone, solo. I get scared just thinking of it all. I lack your sense of adventure, or is it that I am just sane.
Haha, who can tell who's sane and who's not? There's also the Wast Hill tunnel at 2,700 yards or thereabouts! The Vlogs may come to an abrupt end when I realise how difficult it is :-(
Interesting "thought process," if you'll forgive the term. I very much enjoy your journey (both ways).
I mean no disrespect, but you've kind of reminded me of Mr. Rogers (from Mr. Rogers Neighborhood)... In a way... The calming way you speak, the clear and concise way you explain things... And well, now, the way you draw... Lol. In all seriousness, this is one thing that was missing, mapping of your routes...
No disrespect at all. I'd not heard of Mr Rogers until the film with Tom Hanks came out recently, which I very much enjoyed. It's quite a compliment, so thank you.
@@CruisingTheCut yes! It was meant as a compliment. :)
Hi David have you been marple off the Macclesfield canal it’s a beautiful place ! Or Manchester !
Heads up everyone,
Today March 24 on Talking Pictures TV (freeview 842) at 17:55 is a rare showing of "The Bargee", a comedy staring Harry H Corbett😊
+googoogolly Don't forget the legendary Ronnie Barker!!! Great little film, set on the southern Grand Union, in the final throws of the canals being used for freight. Somehow, I think I've managed to pick up two copies of this on DVD ...
Thanks for the map. Gives me a idea of the relationship to the different places you go to. Not living in England I have no idea to the geography of the country. Is there a place I can get a map that i can refer to as you travel. Thanks again. Nice vids.
If you google uk canal map or similar, you'll find several such as the one on the Canal & River Trust website
@@CruisingTheCut I was going to ask about online narrowboat planning sites, but it appears such things may in fact exist?
For planning a route, try canalplan.eu; if you want a map on app then OpenCanalMap (not a route planner)
Lovely map. You need a huge Harry Potter style hat to go with it.
Hello from the US of A again, another good vlog, really looking forward to each new one, especially since you will soon embark on your new adventure, and I'm thinking you are very wise to avoid the rivers, going through the locks solo seems to be a major problem from my stand point, but I'm sure you'll manage, you seem to know how to get the job done, whatever it may be, Enjoy or should I say "Cheers" :0)
Hmm, well whether I've got the locks sorted we've yet to see but it should make for some interesting videos! Cheers indeed!
Well done! I've learned a lot
Clear as mud
I can hear your mum now, 'That's a lovely drawing dear! Is that Abraham Lincoln?' lol
Hahaha!!
Can you get to Balsall Commons on a canal?
East Anglia represent! ;) Great video as always sir =D Your drawing skills are top notch =D Have a great journey! And who knows, one day you might even see the bus driving about =D That'd be neat! All the best!
+KV1 Neat indeed! Cheers
Omg you're from Mumbles ?? me too !! small world :D
The way the paper was slightly wavy at the edges really made me nauseous...love all your vids though
To where do the canals stop like actually end
Various points - see the map canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/canal-and-river-network
Great route go west happy cruising
Cheers Stuart
Hi there - really enjoy the vlogs. Was wondering will you be commenting on things like mobile signal, WI-FI and watching TV etc. I know some may say that you don't need these things as you have the beautiful countryside - but I really find it nice to have.
Tony
Yes, I am going to do Vlogs on those and have pre-filmed some bits already. Coming soon!