Our Narrowboat Journey Begins! 7 Days On The British Canals
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- Опубликовано: 15 сен 2024
- Join us on Day 1 of navigating the British canals! With only a brief training session, we’re captaining a narrowboat for the next 7 days, and we’re questioning everything!
In this episode, we take you through our challenges, show you the beauty of canal life, and give you a full tour of our narrowboat. Whether you’re considering your own canal adventure or just curious about what it’s like to live on the water, you won’t want to miss this!
We hired our narrowboat through www.abcboathir...
and started our journey in Wrenbury Mill, England.
However, there are a few canal boat companies to choose from, so you can shop around.
Remember to subscribe to catch our next video, where we take on some of the most challenging parts of canal boat life!
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We're Andrew and Megan, and we left on a one way ticket for the first time in 2017. After years of people asking us, where’s the video?! We started this channel to capture our everyday adventures. On our vlog we share our unique travel experiences and on our blog we answer - how to create a life of spontaneous travel. We’re grateful you’re here and can’t wait to show you around the world!
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#narrowboat #narrowboatlife #canalboat #narrowboatvlog
Not sure why I got your video recommended but I'm glad it was. What a breath of fresh air you two are.
@@markrichardson3421 we’re so glad you’re here! Thanks for enjoying this adventure with us.
@@markrichardson3421 I don't know how far you went , it is beautiful, I await the next post
"I can't believe they gave us this boat"
Definitely the best thing I've heard anyone say all week. 😂
❤️ from Northeast England ❤️
lol, I think the entire 7 days I thought that!
What a lovely couple, welcome to the UK canals
@@amiducour thank you! 😊
I was just going to say that very thing!
Huge respect for taking up this challenge, you both did great. Looking forward to the next vlog. Thank you for posting this, made my day😁
@@iankelly5387 thanks for the celebrations! We really enjoyed this one! We’re glad you’re here 😊
Loved this. I lived on my Narrowboat ‘September song’ for 17 years until recently. I travelled extensively and also worked on a marina. It’s a great life. Made me chill. I now have my own ‘slow living’ channel.
@@primalengland wow! What a beautiful way to live. In 17 years, I’m sure you saw so many fascinating corners of the canals!
Be aware ... I hired a narrowboat ... got addicted ... hired more narrowboats ... now buying a narrowboat! 😁 #mynameisClaire&I'maboataddict
Thank you for the much needed warning! We're quite keen on the idea of living on one and it's definitely come up a few times already. CONGRATS on buying your own, that's amazing! Have the best time!
A generous blast on the horn is helpful when approaching blind bends with bridges. It just lets others know you're there before you suddenly come into view.
A helpful tip!
Great fun. Great people . Great Video
For the longer term travelling, a bicycle is a very useful adjunct - for collecting groceries and visiting sites of interest which are fairly close to the canal.
@@kumasenlac5504 that sounds like a perfect way to get around!
I shall look forward to seeing you guys climbing the Grindley Brook staircase locks.
@@owencarlstrand1945 yes! Stay tuned for that! It was a fun one to navigate.
What a lovely random youtube recommendation! Seems you've done a couple UK related trips but regardless: Welcome to the UK!
Canals are such a lovely historical, somewhat lowkey and unique part of UK culture. A slow paced and enjoyable way to explore the countryside.
Glad you seemed to enjoyed it. Looking forward to part 2
@@massjammster7986 thank you! We always love a welcome back to the UK! We are very glad we experienced the canals and fell in love with the slow pace of it all. Thanks for being here. 😊
It's a sobering thought that in the heyday of the canals, most of that living space you have would have been a cargo hold, and an entire family would have lived aboard permanently in a cabin probably no more than ten feet long. The enforced slow pace probably makes narrowboating the most relaxing way to see Britain, once you've mastered not hitting things. Btw, it's not cricket to pinch other people's cats, however gorgeous they are!
@@davidjones332 learning about the history of the canals was so fascinating. We really felt like we couldn’t do the full history of the canals complete justice but we are hoping to sprinkle in a few historical facts throughout the series.
Btw… we would absolutely never take an animal. 100% a joke because it was such a sweet kitty. 😆
@@AndrewandMegan I never had you down as catnappers, but beware of stowaways!
So glad this was recommended. Great quality and very entertaining video. Boats have been part of my life since being born. Nothing better in my opinion
I love canal boat holidays. My dad used to live on one with his dog and cat and as a kid I'd "captain" the dinghy being towed behind.
@@DS-uy6jw what a fun memory! We wondered if anyone towed anything on the back of theirs!
I havn't done this for decades. Also used to love walking along the local navigation though the countryside.
Common mistakes when passing through locks.
1. Approaching too fast and forgetting there are no brakes on a boat, then ramming the lock gates (bad for lock and boat).
2. Not mooring far enough forward when emptying the lock. The back of the boat will get grounded on the step and tip the boat up.
3. Tying the boat too tightly when lowing in the lock. The boat will end up hanging from the rope and tip over.
4. Dropping the windlass ("lock unwinder"!) into the the lock. Now what do you do ?
Other dramas: Getting grounded at the edge or under tree branches. Falling in when walking up the outside of the boat (hope you can swim and have all you vaccinations !). Getting dark looks
from other boat owners when you exceed the the 4mph speed limit.
Unlike British roads, don't forget to drive on the right.
@@Birko64 proud to say we didn’t do any of the 4 you listed! And didn’t fall in… we were warned that it’s not the cleanest water the UK has to offer. The walking paths are quite lovely too. We went on a few long walks to stretch our legs from all of the sitting and driving.
Yes, guilty of number 3, you definitely learn from your mistakes, and quite often involves some high vocal comments. They are great holidays. Definitely recommend them.
Nice. Adventurous and fun, definitely would like to do this. I love the cat.
@@J.Seamans you would enjoy it!!! I still miss that cat 😆
Glad i watched this. I have lived in the area you are on all my life. A different perspective is always interesting.
Glad we could share a unique perspective. You certainly live in a beautiful area of the UK ❤
Walked from Whitchurch to teh Horse and Jockey for a pint this evening. Spooky how your video popped up
We stopped there on the way back. Glad we did as it was really good. Thanks for hanging around to watch the video!
Wow, hugely impressed with your vlog 👍.. We’re Brits & did an RV week in Texas last month. we only had 20 minutes familiarisation from the Cruise American guy before setting off, so completely empathise 🤣 🚐🛥️🇬🇧🇺🇸
PHEW! That would be a tough one too... I (Megan) still won't drive on the left side when we're over here 😂 Maybe that will have to be our next challenge!
@@AndrewandMegan 😂 We have loads of experience driving on the ‘wrong side’ on the continent. The USA is so easy because roads are huge & it’s built for driving. Walking’s sadly difficult, because city’s have so few footpaths & most people don’t bother (especially Texas)!😢
@@petersloane252 Agreed! I wish we had more walkable cities in the US. We always joke how many steps/day we walk in Europe, compared to the US. It's wild!
Well done for navigating the skills derived over a couple of centuries, which you have accomplished over a few days. Would have been wonderful if you could have stopped off at Chirk Castle - and maybe Attingham Park. If not, no worries, they will be waiting for you next time. Peace and love.
Glad you enjoyed your stay on the canals! Really enjoyed watching you both get to grips with a narrowboat 😊 We live on a narrowboat full time so it was fun to see your thoughts!
smashed it! 👏🏻can’t wait for the next one
@@BoatTime ah, what a fun way to live! We didn’t want it to end. Thanks for enjoying with us! We actually came across some of your videos in our research! ❤️
The canal network is a much under-valued National Treasure, and it is genuinely shameful in many ways that so many miles of canals have gone forever. Remember, these were started long before steam engines were available, and the majority of canals were dug by hand, with teams of men labouring with picks and shovels to dig them out, then labouring even harder to line them with clay and 'puddle' it (they literally pounded water into the clay with hand tools to make the waterproof bottoms and sides of these huge trenches so the water wouldn't just seep away into the soil). That kind of monumental effort (and yes, literally the same kind of effort that goes into making monuments) wasn't done lightly or on a whim, and so every inch of the canals is a historical monument to the Industrial Revolution and the Industries that made it. That intense, manual labour, is why the traditional canals were so narrow and relatively shallow.
The one real 'curse' of Britain is that there's just so much history, literally everywhere, that it just can't all be properly maintained and preserved for future generations. Just a few miles of canal are as epic a construction as any stately home, castle or cathedral, in terms of the commitment made to it, and the labour that went into it, yet hundreds of miles of canals have been lost to neglect and later re-allocation of the land.
One canal boat, pulled by a single draught horse, with a couple of crew, could carry a load that would have needed a few dozen horses pulling a dozen carts, each with its own teamsters, and so was one of the earliest forms of inland mass-transport, without which there would be no factories, and no mass-production, no Industrial Revolution at all. When one understands that, that narrow, weed-sprouting canal takes on a wholy different meaning and importance.
I once "legged" it through Dudley tunnel after dark. It was an experience!
That would be quite an experience. After turning a flashlight on in the tunnels, I'd be most nervous of the spiders lurking on the walls. 😬
You could show the absolutely crazy lock designs and the aquaduct overpasses on canals that have to navigated.
Stay tuned 👀😆
Brilliant vlog. Can't wait for part 2.👏👏👏👏
Thank you! Stay tuned - it's coming tomorrow!
In the English language, the term "ish" is used a lot (it's not always stated but usually inferred) In some parts of the country the term "ish" it's almost compulsory and should be applied to a lot of things, time, weight, measure, volume etc (the list is almost endless) Welcome to the UK.
Made it look easy. Natural longboat adventurers.
@@AW12-W what a compliment! Thank you very much!
@@AndrewandMegan Hey, you're very deserved + welcome!
This is the life I eventually want to lead. So peaceful and less stressful than everyday life. You both aced it and took to it like pros! 👌🏻💪🏻
Not a good look that the pub wasn't doing food. Hope you enjoyed the UK.
@@Paul_Allaker8450 I think we’re all meant to live a little slower pace like this! And we will take the pro compliment 😅 We didn’t feel like pros quite yet. Thank you for enjoying with us!
@AndrewandMegan Can't wait for the next installment of this vlog. 😁
Great video from a fun couple ❤
@@glastonbury4304 thanks for enjoying the adventure with us! 🥰
Whenever you was holding the boat with the rope i couldn't help but think it looked like you was just out walking your boat
It felt more like the boat was walking me! 😆
Fantastic video absolutely brilliant what a great way to travel.
Excellent. You did good. Great video. Lovely couple. Looking forward to the next stage. Cheers ! Sheffield South Yorkshire.
Thanks for enjoying the adventure with us! See you in the next one.
The Shropshire Union Canal I think? Spent many happy moments on that little baby over the years! Great vlog guys 😀
@@quinnerefc great eye! We took the Shropshire Union Canal to the Llangollen Canal. What a dream to spend many moments on the canal, 7 days was not enough! Thanks for enjoying with us!
I'm pleased you guys injoy the uk and the locks 😂 as we injoy florida 😂😂
Thanks so much! The UK has always held a special place in our hearts. The canals and locks have certainly provided a different perspective of the UK. It’s such a different experience than what we'll ever find in Florida, but of course we enjoy both in their own unique ways! Glad you’ve enjoyed the sunshine state too!
Great job guys, well done.
Lovely to meet you both. You did really well!
Thank you, we'll take all of the compliments here, day 1 felt a little rough! ha
Canals were used for transporting goods into the 70s in my experience. I had a summer job in the Kelloggs factory in Manchester ,where barges full of Argentinian corn would float in from Liverpool and big hoovers would suck the stuff out to be transformed into cornflakes.
Good start! I checked out where Wrenbury Mill is and it is not too far from me here in Loughborough (pronounced LufBr'). Here we have the Grand Union Canal, and we know a few folks who live on canal boats. We have The Great Central Railway here too, so we are spoiled for vintage travel. I look forward to seeing Day 2. Stay Safe!
We've now added the Great Central Railway to our never ending UK must see list! What a neat area you live in. Thanks for enjoying with us!
YT recommended this video and it was quite relaxing to watch two of our American cousins enjoy our canals.
@@AK-bx3ft ❤️ We’re glad you enjoyed! And thank you for being so welcoming!
My two most memorable holidays as a child were on canal boats. ❤
What a fun episode! I always wondered what it's like inside those boats! such a great video and way to go on navigating the canals and driving the boat with such little instructions! that takes courage and confidence!
@@ConsciousTravel-yn3zh Such a perfect way to slow down while also feeling a little stretched. Thanks for enjoying the adventure with us!
Lovely video, Glad you're having fun here in the Uk. Happy, belated birthday wishes.
Thank you!
The lock "winding handle" is called a windlass.
@@geoff1201 good to know, thanks!
Your "lock unwinder" is called a Windless.
Nice folk at ABC. We went with them from Whitchurch doing the Llangollen Canal. We live in N Wales owning a village store with post office and tearoom (Henllan) and our favourite place to visit is Llangollen because of the canal, its tow paths and the horse drawn barge. It can take you to the Horseshoe Falls which is the source of water for the canal. Pretty sure the barges from ABC come with a kettle by the way….only mention it as did I really see you boil water in a saucepan????? Enjoy the canals and the UK! Lovely young couple.
@@andrewthorpe2539 they were very friendly at Wrenbury, where we hired from too! If we find ourselves driving through your village on our next UK adventure, we’ll stop into say hello! They definitely have a kettle, I (Megan) burned my hand on it 😬 It’s a stovetop kettle, not an electric one.
Well you did good up to that first bridge . You need to let other boats know that you are coming to that bend in the bridge by sounding your horn . And slow down big time so you do not bash the bridge with the boat and damage the boat at the same time. But good times ahead for you two. All the best to you two. Take your time and slow down and enjoy your time on the canals .
Thanks so much for sharing! You’re right about slowing down and using the horn at those tricky bends-we picked up on that on our second/third day. Still learning as we go, but it’s all part of the adventure! Appreciate the tips and the good wishes. Definitely taking it all in and enjoying the journey.
Rule of thumb when holing the tiller. "Point the stick at what you don't want to hit"
This is brilliant. I will 100% be keeping this motto in my mind.
I am old enough to remember seeing horse drawn barges bringing coal to my local coal yard, which was then deliverd by horse and cart to our homes. Barges were still better at delivering ceramic wares as there are no potholes in canals.
@@johnadey9464 wow! What a neat memory to have. We were amazed by the photos of the horse drawn barges. What a fascinating piece of history that people can experience!
@@AndrewandMegan You can find a horse drawn canal boat, along the tow path, but I can't remember where!...The shiny coat of the giant horse was gorgeous...
Nice watch. I'm glad you enjoyed your trip. X
The handle for winding the lock paddles is called a windlass.
@@Scuba72Chris thanks! We’ll get the boat lingo down soon!
Yes, and a windlass is also when your girlfriend has eaten too many baked beans.
@@stonemarten1400 🤣🤣🤣
You steering that boat reminds me of the first time I rented a 1970s car in Florida.
@@kellyk5946 a learning experience it was! Now that we’re off the boat, I miss it. And I feel like I’ll have to learn all over again when we go again. 😆
Did that sort of trip for our honeymoon in 1976!
@@ianlewis3023 that sounds like a wonderful honeymoon! ❤️ Happy memories!
Enjoyed your video ... shown from a novices perspective... I fancy a go at that!
Novice indeed! We highly recommend giving it a go.
Great fun...
Glad You appeared to have fun. If You're ready to leave the baby pool have a go on The Caledonian Canal. You might even see Nessie in Loch Ness which contains more fresh water than England and is deeper than The North Sea.
@@lesliemackay7853 phew 😅 We might be ready for that… maybe! Sounds like an adventure for sure. Would love to have a Nessie spotting!
We’re actually staying right next to Neptune’s Staircase right now. There are some BIG boats coming through there.
@@AndrewandMegan Hi, I don't know if it's still available? But you used to be able to get a vessel equipped with sonar/asdic.
The staircase is a beautiful location.
Have You been to the Falkirk Wheel?
👍❤️🏴!
Yours Aye, one of Neptune's Subjects.
" Loch Ness which contains more fresh water than England and is deeper than The North Sea."
Utter nonsense. Is this what they teach in school in Scotland?
Good job ... Skipper !
Thank you! ❤
lol, we rented a canal boat from the same place! Some tricky bends to manoeuvre 😂.
Amazing! Yes, especially as you get closer to the town of Llangollen. We had no idea what was in-store for us!
Apparently a pastime of actor Harrison Ford.The first thing I noticed when steering (as opposed to a car) it takes a while for anything to happen, but it does happen and I had to be ready for it LOL
We heard that as well! Our trainer shared " It's been said that Harrison Ford and a woman 'dripping' in jewels stepped off a narrowboat, so be on the lookout, as you never know who you'll see on the canals". And yes, the steering definitely took some time to get used to.
It becomes easier when you realise the boat pivots about a point about a third of the way back from the bow. Also the steering works the opposite way in reverse, not that most narrowboats really steer in reverse.
@@user-pf3ye6yi9n all helpful tips! We were told about the non steering in reverse… makes it a little harder to learn! But Andrew definitely got the reverse down after some practice.
On the Llangollen. A stunningly beautiful canal. By the way: narrowboating in the UK is a contact sport! ;)
It certainly is a beautiful canal. And yes, we quickly learned that about narrow boating! 😆
Only for people who can't drive a boat.
I really hope someone randomly clicks on this video only to find that their cat plays a supporting role. 😻
@@chippydogwoofwoof this would be my absolute dream. 😆😻
The problem with going through bridges is that in slowing right down you lose your steerage. Keeping up a reasonable speed comes with confidence and a good aim. That pub not serving meals at that time was ridiculous. Not a good advert for tourism. I would have to have tried the local beer or two or three. Have a great time and spend lots of money, the country needs the revenue.
@@legend9335 some great tips! They really throw you in the deep end with the canal boat hire… so much trust in us! We were surprised at the time they stopped meals but we did make it to that same pub on the way back and the food was great. Thanks for enjoying with us!
You must visit the Falkirk Wheel
We're in Scotland now, so we certainly will, as we've heard it's quite a remarkable feat of engineering.
There's that favourite American term super
There's quite a few videos of Americanise visitors trying out canal journeys in the UK, and this is the best 👍
Don't forget to tell viewers the name of the canal. It's the Llangollen Canal, home of the world famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
ruclips.net/video/ehX7gKaAL74/видео.htmlsi=dwLGk_B0ohRgOOzA
@@martinalma_azul4262 well, thank you very much! We really had the best time!!!
Yes, can’t believe we didn’t say the name of the canal in this one. We did practice our Welsh pronunciation for a while before giving it a go in part 2 - ruclips.net/video/DWIYOlENAfw/видео.htmlsi=6duxRXzBxMxWv_Xn
49ft is short the average is 58ft and some go to 72ft making turning a little more involved. Bow thrusters help in tight spots, I'm guessing the rental they had was kitted out.
So long as you have the patience and time to go at a maximum 4mph it's a good way to see England. In 7 days how far are you going to get? Maybe a month or more might be better for the adventurous.
@@daveofyorkshire301 we looked at some of the larger ones… we thought we’d start small on this go! Perfect size for 2. No thrusters on this one, we saw a few of the larger boats with them. Looked nice to have 😆
Such a great way to see the country! We’re making it to Llangollen in the 7 days but do wish we had longer.
@@AndrewandMegan You're in Wales?
You can buy or hire 72 foot narrowboats, but they can’t navigate the whole of the English/Welsh canal network. Could be that 58 foot is the longest that can go everywhere. Obviously the shorter the boat, the easier it is to turn around or otherwise manoeuvre…
My son and his girlfriend live on one permanantly.
@@tomarmstrong5244 so cool! I think we could really enjoy it permanently!
Reverse if you're going too fast!
@@keith1222 stay tuned for part 2 the panic subsides a bit by day 2 😂
well done you two. Sorry about the pub?😊
Thanks you and that's alright! It just wasn't meant to be that night, but we got to visit it on the way back.
@@AndrewandMeganLast orders for food at 7:30pm? Can happen, unfortunately. I guess the chef needs to go home sometime…
Canal Boating ....The fastest way of slowing down.....Enjoy
@@robertmspooner excellent slogan for canal boating!
I am really sorry you missed dinner that is sad.
It's okay! We got to have our first dinner on the boat :)
Hip trendy Volk with "V" and a drone but will we get a "eating with a knife fork" like it's a dark art section ?
Stay tuned for next weeks episode 😆
@@AndrewandMegan Will be swinging by St.Gloriana Girls College for High Tea etiquette experience just ring the bell and ask for....THE BEST OF DARJEELING GUP...think Megan be at home with the..."not allow a single drop of tea to spill".. Tubes of You ethos Bless her Andrew can try find a ...JOLI ROGUE BAR....just the one mind you ?
a under ground ...JOLI ROGUE GUP....is the best bar to seek out
Its a Barge.
Hi hope you’re both well just to let you know I’m about to subscribe also just to let you know u don’t drive a boat u row a boat lol : - )
If you’re not feeling confident moving the boat …..just do it SLOWLY. but do it
@@iansmith7369 that’s the right mentality to have for sure!
Not entirely. The faster the boat is going the more effective the rudder is. The quirk with this kind of boat is that you can also use the rudder to deflect the thrust from the propeller to push the stern around, if you slow down first this allows you to power against the momentum of the boat and effectively pivot it without too much forward movement, but the slower the boat is going the more the bow is affected by wind and currents like lock bywashes.
You steer a boat 😊
Aye, that is one of many things we did with this boat ha
I don't think your food can go bad in one night!
😬 We ate a fair bit of it... but the meat had discolored a bit, which made us a little nervous. It was maybe 27 degrees outside on the first day on the water so the boat got pretty warm!
Typical rookie narrow boat mistake.. forgetting to tie up the boat.. 😂😂
It's not your boat so treat it with respect. The steerer should approach at 1/2mile per hour while No. 2 should fend off so you Don't hit any thing. Also when leaving a mooring or lock you should gently push off stern then bow then edge away sideways as you slowly move Forwards so you don't scrape the whole side of t he boat as you leave.
I don’t think it was a lack of respect, choose your words more carefully
And it's not your blog so don't be so condescendingly bloody rude !
Everything in the world is not AMERICAN size, thankfully, and hence why they are called NARROW Boats 🤔🤨
😆 We have narrowboats in the US too… more commonly called canal boats there. But we’d just never been on one! The UK does small spaces so well! I feel like the British really know how to maximize a small area.
No offence Andrew, But Megan is a babe...............
Your life has obviously been very limited until now.........living in the United States. Clearly the UK has much to offer you!
The UK certainly has a lot offer! We've visited 6 years in a row (minus 2020) and always have a new and unique experience.