I'd be scared stiff going along there, it's sad that town & city canal sides attract a lot of trouble & rubbish. I used to walk to work along the canal from London W9 to Little Venice & Paddington, I loved it, especially the 'Canal Cavalcade' festival. I was 18 and I think that's where I first started getting fascinated with narrowboats. Another great video.
I was born in Birmingham and served my apprenticeship in Digbeth at a company called Delta metals , your video at the start showed the canal between the buildings and at lunch we would jump across the lock . Thanks for the memories from 1966 I've been waiting years to see that view.
As a retired proper police officer that video really disturbs me to think the area I used to work in is now so dangerous. Unfortunately the over educated senior ranks have reduced the police to a social service. This country is going down the drain so fast.
The Tories cutting 20,000 experienced officers is what caused the harm. Then they stoked non-stop culture wars and their partying and corruption during lockdown showed the people breaking rules is OK. If you think a couple of 'over educated' senior ranks are the whole problem then you might need to open your mind a little bit.
You are an incredible videographer -this was a cinematic experience and the colorful flowers at the front of the narrowboat give such a brilliant lower frame to the video. Perfect music choice as well.
@@TaylorsAboardaNarrowboat If you pick up litter, they'll raise the rent. I'm glad underclass tenants seem to understand this innately if not articulately. However, many homeless people manage to rent storage bins for their belongings and the broken warehouse windows make this more difficult, though the graffiti doesn't. So most underclass behaviors serve their class interests, but some do not.
@@TaylorsAboardaNarrowboat Who are the "Mandem"? and do you think they might be disputing ownership with the CRT and trying to collect tolls or mooring fees? Might the gibberish have been a Mandem toll collector? Turf claims do compete with legal deeds for effective ownership in such areas so don't think the CRT claim and fees are the only ones in areas where the CRT may not be fully in control. Son anyone know anything more about the "Mandem"? and if they have a fee structure?
A slang dictionary says mandem means homies in general and so is not referring to a particular group which might be organized enough to collect tolls or mooring fees, or physically dispute CRT claims. The sign being in all caps makes it not obvious at first whether mandem was a name, which it seems it is not.
Bham and Fazeley had a lot of rubbish dumped in there and that was 10 years ago. Yes it's dodgy along Star city and up to Camp Hill. CRT did have a good facility at Camp Hill for water/showers that was off towpath side so it felt secure, but I notice now it's closed.
I really enjoy watching your videos . While the landscape might seem apocalyptic, there is also a lot of beauty in the old architecture. We have nothing like this here in Essex, Connecticut. I would love going on a tour with you and your Mum. Wishing you both a Happy and Healthy 2025.🎉
such beautiful countryside and such a nice man for being understanding and not hostile. That puddle jumping grocery grabber is a turbo diesel? Noice- The little one looks like he will be Govna one day 😃
gained a subscription, very well put together, fantastic information lay out with the maps, stay safe on the bridge water guys, am not far away in st helens our canals suffering as per
Josh you do a great job, I love your camera work you are very talented.keep up the good work and I just love following your adventures. Peace and god bless from Tom in Lancashire.❤
Hey, Tom. I couldn't help but notice your profile image. I was wondering what your thoughts are about the recent documentation of the 24 hour sun in Antarctica?
I have done the EGGHHH and AGHHHHH at locks before, I feel your pain - I'm only 5.1ft and sometimes had to use my whole body with feet lifted off the ground lol - must've looked like a demented Oompa Loompa 🤣
When I read it was Star City my heart sank. I'm so sorry! I promise the rest of the area isn't like that. I've lived near several canals in West Midlands now, but Birmingham always just.. doesn't seem to really care anymore for it's canal history. There are areas between Birmingham and Wolverhampton are looked after more, but I'm always too afraid to go anywhere near Star City sort of area.
I did incident response for the railway on call I had to do some parts of this hell hole. Drug addicts, alcoholics,criminals and out of control youth. So glad I'm retired and never have to go there again.
17 дней назад+1
Her Majesty gave me the pleasure of visiting CampHill 😅😂😅
Thanks for sharing, it is good to see the bad as well as the good, it makes us appreciate the good even more. I live in the far south of Cornwall, so never see these places.
That is just part of the East Birmingham canal network, try going through the city centre on a boat or out through Edgbaston and you will see utter beauty.
If you think that's bad Try the Wyrley Essington canal through walsall Very very dangerous for outsiders Such a shame for the history of canals of this country
Thank you for sharing your journeys. We have 10,000+ lakes here in Minnesota ( frozen at the moment). Have there been winters when you have been “Iced in”? I am truly amazed by the amount of work required to move about the canals.
We cruised this section two years ago and my thoughts were that Birmingham should be ashamed of itself. This could be such an asset but is badly neglected. We saw rubbish, drug use, and mad people everywhere.
I'm sure we travelled through Birmingham from Northampton to Nantwich when we bought our first live aboard narrowboat. It was scary with some very strange people about, looking like they were high on drugs, very menacing and such a lot of disgusting graffiti, the language was awful😔😔 Our daughter and her two girls (now has three girls) were with us. So glad they were safe on the boat with Grandad and our dog 💙
Sad to see a city so comprehensively trashed by its inhabitants! I cruised most of the Birmingham canal navigations twenty years ago but rarely moored in the city. My worse night was in Wolverhampton - mooring lines cut etc. why does every available square inch of our cities need to be covered in graffiti?!!!
Great video , but What a Mess , all that grafitti , it is'nt nice to see at all , it would make me feel very nervous to go through there , & i would'nt want to stop there either .how do you get on with the locks with your boat being so long ? Have you ever got stuck in one ? .
It's such a shame but it's good to show people it's not all countryside out there. Lots of cities we have been through have lots of rubbish in them and on the towpaths etc. It's very sad to see😊
When are the pair of you coming to do the air and Calder canal to Google it's a very nice canal the Leeds and Liverpool canal is also another peaceful canal you too might want to cruise some time as a long weekend holiday
21:30 Those were long bones; a bit longer than you'd expect from most wildlife. A bit too much fat for most wild animals too. I would have reported it - maybe someone's pet, maybe someone.
turned my stomach seeing your hand down the weed hatch and then the next shot you and your mum eating......joys of narrow boat living.....shame to see the industrial areas that the canals were built for in such a run down and graffiteed state. Years ago the worst you would get along a tow path would be a few drunks, now with spice and other drugs its sad to see . Lack of respect for everything..
Be nice to have a can of axel grease on some of those paddles. Most of that colorful graffiti are messages to and from gangs, the cops read them to find out what is coming down the pike
Don't let it put you off. You don't have to go onto these canals if you don't want to. We like to show our viewers the good and the bad. Personally we love canals where there is plenty of countryside 😊
Yeah off putting for me too, I would be scared that someone would jump onto the boat from those narrow locks and struggling to get all that trash off that tangles up is a vulnerable position too I would feel. I would have to stay in a marina and not venture far
All that horrible graffiti. What have they done to our once beautiful country? All that loss of industry and dilapidation is disgusting. The councils could clear all that rubbish but they can't even be bothered.
I'd be scared stiff going along there, it's sad that town & city canal sides attract a lot of trouble & rubbish. I used to walk to work along the canal from London W9 to Little Venice & Paddington, I loved it, especially the 'Canal Cavalcade' festival. I was 18 and I think that's where I first started getting fascinated with narrowboats. Another great video.
I was born in Birmingham and served my apprenticeship in Digbeth at a company called Delta metals , your video at the start showed the canal between the buildings and at lunch we would jump across the lock . Thanks for the memories from 1966 I've been waiting years to see that view.
Great story
Glad it bought back some wonderful memories for you😊
Hello & God Bless
For sharing your
precious memory ❤
As a retired proper police officer that video really disturbs me to think the area I used to work in is now so dangerous. Unfortunately the over educated senior ranks have reduced the police to a social service. This country is going down the drain so fast.
The Tories cutting 20,000 experienced officers is what caused the harm. Then they stoked non-stop culture wars and their partying and corruption during lockdown showed the people breaking rules is OK. If you think a couple of 'over educated' senior ranks are the whole problem then you might need to open your mind a little bit.
Birmingham has been dangerous since the 60s...
Don't pretend that the British police haven't always been corrupt authoritarian powertripping pieces of dirt.
"Is there life on mars" that showed Police. as they were
I too am retired (Met) and I know exactly what you mean.
You are an incredible videographer -this was a cinematic experience and the colorful flowers at the front of the narrowboat give such a brilliant lower frame to the video. Perfect music choice as well.
Thank you do much what a lovely comment 😊
@@TaylorsAboardaNarrowboat If you pick up litter, they'll raise the rent. I'm glad underclass tenants seem to understand this innately if not articulately. However, many homeless people manage to rent storage bins for their belongings and the broken warehouse windows make this more difficult, though the graffiti doesn't. So most underclass behaviors serve their class interests, but some do not.
@@TaylorsAboardaNarrowboat Who are the "Mandem"? and do you think they might be disputing ownership with the CRT and trying to collect tolls or mooring fees? Might the gibberish have been a Mandem toll collector? Turf claims do compete with legal deeds for effective ownership in such areas so don't think the CRT claim and fees are the only ones in areas where the CRT may not be fully in control. Son anyone know anything more about the "Mandem"? and if they have a fee structure?
A slang dictionary says mandem means homies in general and so is not referring to a particular group which might be organized enough to collect tolls or mooring fees, or physically dispute CRT claims. The sign being in all caps makes it not obvious at first whether mandem was a name, which it seems it is not.
Thanks!
So glad I found you. My other narrow boat guy has taken to the road. Thank you so much,! ❤ Roxy Oregon usa
Bham and Fazeley had a lot of rubbish dumped in there and that was 10 years ago. Yes it's dodgy along Star city and up to Camp Hill. CRT did have a good facility at Camp Hill for water/showers that was off towpath side so it felt secure, but I notice now it's closed.
I really enjoy watching your videos . While the landscape might seem apocalyptic, there is also a lot of beauty in the old architecture. We have nothing like this here in Essex, Connecticut. I would love going on a tour with you and your Mum. Wishing you both a Happy and Healthy 2025.🎉
Good morning to you both, this section is definitely an eye opener!
Really enjoying your old videos and thinking about you all every day
such beautiful countryside and such a nice man for being understanding and not hostile.
That puddle jumping grocery grabber is a turbo diesel?
Noice-
The little one looks like he will be Govna one day 😃
gained a subscription, very well put together, fantastic information lay out with the maps,
stay safe on the bridge water guys, am not far away in st helens
our canals suffering as per
Brilliant! The graffiti was almost everywhere, quite something to see. Thanks for this reel. You’re both well seasoned bargists..!😊
Josh you do a great job, I love your camera work you are very talented.keep up the good work and I just love following your adventures. Peace and god bless from Tom in Lancashire.❤
Hi Tom. Thank you for the very kind comment. It is appreciated 😊
Hey, Tom. I couldn't help but notice your profile image. I was wondering what your thoughts are about the recent documentation of the 24 hour sun in Antarctica?
incredibly beautiful....with the craffity...looks like a computer game
Thankyou.take care
Thank you for watching 👀
Love watching you guys x stay safe x
Thanks Cherry❤
Ey up me ducks.
Phew, bet you were glad to get through and past that nightmare of a place.
Been on the BCN a few times now. It is an experience ❤
I have done the EGGHHH and AGHHHHH at locks before, I feel your pain - I'm only 5.1ft and sometimes had to use my whole body with feet lifted off the ground lol - must've looked like a demented Oompa Loompa 🤣
I have been like that before. Sometimes can't even do the paddles so I have to ask Josh lol 😂
Done comment twice but it's flown with the birds Great video,
When I read it was Star City my heart sank. I'm so sorry! I promise the rest of the area isn't like that. I've lived near several canals in West Midlands now, but Birmingham always just.. doesn't seem to really care anymore for it's canal history. There are areas between Birmingham and Wolverhampton are looked after more, but I'm always too afraid to go anywhere near Star City sort of area.
There's probably some logical reason why they don't care..
Amazing trip but a brave boater experience well done to you both !! Not many joggers along there 🏃🏃🏃 🤭
Thank you 😊
I did incident response for the railway on call I had to do some parts of this hell hole. Drug addicts, alcoholics,criminals and out of control youth.
So glad I'm retired and never have to go there again.
Her Majesty gave me the pleasure of visiting CampHill 😅😂😅
What a horrible canal. It’s like a zombie apocalypse down there
That's the thing with all the canals we go on they aren't all countryside I am afraid 😊
Thanks for sharing, it is good to see the bad as well as the good, it makes us appreciate the good even more. I live in the far south of Cornwall, so never see these places.
Even the water fowl looked depressed.
Shame about the Graffiti, the whole area looks so uninviting. Your camera work is amazing Josh, stay safe, mum too.
I worked within the inner ring road in Birminingham. Anything outside that road was dodgy as heck. Birmingham has many areas which are dumps.
I used to moor on the offside to trees in rough areas. At night.
Good idea but usually the land belongs to someone and we wouldn't want to upset anyone😊
Always wondered why you don't see more boats doing that
Thanks for sharing
Such great experiences..
The comment section
is a treasure trove ❤.
it was the back bone of the industry like most city's fall into decay like old mines in other area 's of the countryside.
It's a shame. Many canals near the cities are a bit run down and plenty of rubbish around. Very sad sight😊
One of our major cities….doesn’t it look depressing….what our country is turning into I’m afraid
Very sad I am afraid 😊
That is just part of the East Birmingham canal network, try going through the city centre on a boat or out through Edgbaston and you will see utter beauty.
Birmingham has been a sad dump for decades. Nothing has really changed for decades if you want nostalgia.
13:53 great bit of brickwork
If you think that's bad
Try the Wyrley Essington canal through walsall
Very very dangerous for outsiders
Such a shame for the history of canals of this country
Thank you for sharing your journeys. We have 10,000+ lakes here in Minnesota ( frozen at the moment). Have there been winters when you have been “Iced in”?
I am truly amazed by the amount of work required to move about the canals.
We cruised this section two years ago and my thoughts were that Birmingham should be ashamed of itself. This could be such an asset but is badly neglected. We saw rubbish, drug use, and mad people everywhere.
It's such a shame I know. We wish the local people would respect the canal and look after it.
Prayers for the dude who was off his barnet ,looked like spice tweaking 🙏
So sad to see all the rubbish .Great vlog Josh xx
It is such a shame the local people don't respect the canals. It's sad to see😮
I kayak the BCN a lot its such a great way to see Birmingham but the majority of people in certain areas are scruffs and live so messy.
I'm sure we travelled through Birmingham from Northampton to Nantwich when we bought our first live aboard narrowboat. It was scary with some very strange people about, looking like they were high on drugs, very menacing and such a lot of disgusting graffiti, the language was awful😔😔
Our daughter and her two girls (now has three girls) were with us. So glad they were safe on the boat with Grandad and our dog 💙
It's quite an experience the BCN but so glad we have done it a few times as it shows the differences in urban and countryside canals.
Thanks. Yes not the ideal area to go after dark.
Nice drone view of Minworth sewage works at the start of the vid, I bet it proper stunk round that way didn't it lol
It was a bit smelly lol 😂
Sad to see but has not changed in 20 years since I did that stretch
We still enjoy the experience of the BCN. All canals have good and bad with them.😊
We did The Warwickshire Ring back in 2000 and it was a dump then and nothing has altered.
It's a shame. So sad 😞
Did you enjoy the stink from the sewage plant in Minworth
Oh ive just subscribed 😊
Thank you so much ❤
Sad to see a city so comprehensively trashed by its inhabitants! I cruised most of the Birmingham canal navigations twenty years ago but rarely moored in the city. My worse night was in Wolverhampton - mooring lines cut etc. why does every available square inch of our cities need to be covered in graffiti?!!!
Great video , but What a Mess , all that grafitti , it is'nt nice to see at all , it would make me feel very nervous to go through there , & i would'nt want to stop there either .how do you get on with the locks with your boat being so long ? Have you ever got stuck in one ? .
The entire Birmingham became quite rough I must say so
It's such a shame but it's good to show people it's not all countryside out there. Lots of cities we have been through have lots of rubbish in them and on the towpaths etc. It's very sad to see😊
good choice of music josh
Yeah, haunting and depressing.
@DogheadOiginal 😂😂
What is the oddest thing you have encountered on your travels? NOT counting the breech!
When are the pair of you coming to do the air and Calder canal to Google it's a very nice canal the Leeds and Liverpool canal is also another peaceful canal you too might want to cruise some time as a long weekend holiday
I'm afraid it would be a "holiday" as although we are heading up north, the boat is too long for the Leeds and Liverpool and Aire and Calder 😔
This was so depressing….
21:30 Those were long bones; a bit longer than you'd expect from most wildlife. A bit too much fat for most wild animals too. I would have reported it - maybe someone's pet, maybe someone.
turned my stomach seeing your hand down the weed hatch and then the next shot you and your mum eating......joys of narrow boat living.....shame to see the industrial areas that the canals were built for in such a run down and graffiteed state. Years ago the worst you would get along a tow path would be a few drunks, now with spice and other drugs its sad to see . Lack of respect for everything..
Carry a small can of WD 40 make those locks easier. I'm shocked they don't drag the canals for trash as you all pay a lot of money for the licenses.
Be nice to have a can of axel grease on some of those paddles. Most of that colorful graffiti are messages to and from gangs, the cops read them to find out what is coming down the pike
Thanks for the information 😊
Wow..that's put me off buying a narrow boat, not you guys but the area.. absolute dive 🤮
Don't let it put you off. You don't have to go onto these canals if you don't want to. We like to show our viewers the good and the bad. Personally we love canals where there is plenty of countryside 😊
Yeah off putting for me too, I would be scared that someone would jump onto the boat from those narrow locks and struggling to get all that trash off that tangles up is a vulnerable position too I would feel. I would have to stay in a marina and not venture far
The UK could learn from Singapore and make graffiti a flogging offence.
I was going to subscribe until I saw the RNLI hat. RNLI are providing a taxi service to illegal immigrants. Until they stop they should be boycotted.
Same here......
.❤.
All that horrible graffiti. What have they done to our once beautiful country? All that loss of industry and dilapidation is disgusting. The councils could clear all that rubbish but they can't even be bothered.
To be fair, that is some quality, colourful graffiti work rather than the usual talentless and mindless, meaningless monotone "tags".
You say "Birminghamstan" now, No need to say "rough area in Birmingham" , that is what people said when there some area's that weren't..
The graffiti is bad im all for brighter things but its in the wrong setting
Some graffiti I really like but too much of it I am afraid. All the lovely bridges and walls ruined by it.😮
Did I miss something...? Didn't see a 'frightening encounter' anywhere
Thanks!
Very generous. Shame they didn't thank you back ☹️