Birmingham - The Canal’s Beating Heart - Narrowboat Life Adventure - Episode 194
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- Опубликовано: 29 сен 2024
- #canal #narrowboat #offgrid
Birmingham is by far the BEST canal city in the UK. Join us as we cruise and stay in this amazing place.
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We are Fran and Rich and along with our furry companions, Archie and Jess, we explore the UK's canals and rivers aboard our 58ft Narrowboat named 'Laura Maisie'.
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Sorry Fran--I totally agree with Rich--graffiti is horrible and has no place on old structures, whether brick walls or otherwise. I find it totally distracting from the beauty of the brick textures and colour. As far as I'm concerned, graffiti, whether "artistic" or not is vandalism, pure and simple.
Those that work for their daily bread, don’t have the time for such nonsense.
Great vlog - thanks
Glad you enjoyed it
Really great vlog. Guys 😊xx
Lovely episode thank you. Hmm I'm a bit undecided with regard to Birmingham. I've had a couple of not so nice experiences visiting there, not on a boat I must add. Glad you enjoyed it though. Looking forward to your next episode. Regards Howard
I think there are probably places to avoid. We loved our stay but were happy to get out after a week
sorry Fran I am with Rich, graffiti not on old buildings
Lovely gentle video. I'm with you Richard, I dislike Graffiti but I do like street art and murals that say something about the area or history of the area.
Always a pleasure to hear from you both, thanks for another good cruise.
Our pleasure!
Graffiti used to be called vandalism….thats the side I’m on I’m afraid Fran. I find it to be a complete lack of respect of other peoples property and offensive to the eye. As you say it’s all about your own opinion of things.
I agree if it is a used building, but many of these old crumbling down buildings are a dirty mess just waiting to be pulled down. It is interesting to hear others views
Fab to see Birmingham, thanks for taking us along. Good to see you both looking well and enjoying life together ❤️
Great news that both of you are on top of things again. Onwards and upwards.
I agree on the idea that grafiti does not belong on 100 year old buildings. In general I dislike grafiti, but I have to admit that you can get across some great art sometimes 🙂
Love from Denmark
It's easy to see why you like Birmingham. I agree with Rich about the graffiti. Enjoy the quiet.
Birmingham is one heard a lot about growing up and lot more of Rock groups were from there.what a amazing site Birmingham was a industrial city like Birmingham,Alabama .always great hearing from you both 🫶👍
Hello again. Wow! In all my years nature/bird watching I've never seen a Heron just sitting and not fishing. How do they sit with such long legs 🤣. I've seen them sat in nests up in the tree tops though. And the cormorant up on the pole keeping watch over it's canal.
Take care. Sending love and light 🐶🐾 🐕 xx
It is amazing how still they stand, just like statues
Thank you for sharing your cruise. Birmingham is so quiet!
So cool seeing Birmingham from this perspective. I just love how different places look from a canal. Great video as always guys 😊.
What a delightful cruise. So enjoyable. Both of you looking so well and contented. Rubs off on us viewers. Very informative too Rich. So must history down there in Birmingham. Thank you for sharing.
I love the canal rides through the old industrial ripped backsides of our old ciites before the trains and cars arrived....And those ironwork bridges!
Thanks for sharing your journey into Birmingham. It’s nice that you can visit big cities, then sail away to quiet canals so easily. Fran, your flowers look great, esp. the lavender. Cheers
Thank you
Another great video I do enjoy watching you both. Thanks for doing the videos. I do enjoy watching Birmingham. Look really interesting but I know what you mean. It’s nice to leave.
Birmingham is one heard a lot about growing up and lot more of Rock groups were from there.what a amazing site Birmingham was a industrial city like Birmingham,Alabama .always great hearing from you both 🫶👍
Graffiti consciousness is also connected to the state of the nature...all down to the depths of education these days...(don't get me started 😁)
Always enjoy your videos. You’re both very engaging. Greetings from Maine, land of lobsters 🦞 and blueberries 🫐 !
I’ve been in downtown Birmingham with my boyfriend who grew up in Sutton Coldfield. It’s such a nice town. I agree with you frequently I walked along the canals and wanted to take a narrow boat ride
Just had a chance to watch your video. Birmingham looks really nice. The areas around the canal are really nice looking. Glad you had a good time. You both look great.
🤗😊 Kathy
Thank you
Great video, as always, and wonderful photographs.
"And Breathe".....your videos have such a calming effect, thank you for sharing Birmingham and I'm looking forward to Stratford XXX
Gaynor, thank you for putting me onto this channel! Along with yours, one of my faves now x Nell.
Thanks for the tip about the moorings! They look ideal 😊 Looking forward to visiting birmingham after watching this
Have fun! X
All the graffity ruins the looks of England! People caught doing it should be forced by law to remove it.
I still find SOME of it very artistic and it makes me smile when on dirty old crumbling down walls. But as we say it is a matter of opinion, Thanks for your comment
Looks very relaxing travelling in the country areas. Pity we as a country are not more vigilant in caring for our surroundings which make England and the UK what is should be.
I was thinking the same thing about the old factories and warehouses, they could be turned into amazing apartments that have windows, maybe even balconies on the water. Graffiti is a blight everywhere.
Great chilled video, music was great , thanks :)
Hey guys missed you. Glad to see you both doing ok and love the cruise through Birmingham.😊
So cool seeing Birmingham from this perspective. I just love how different places look from a canal. Great video as always guys 😊.
We have always said that a town from canal view is totally different to up on the streets
12 years ago we sailed through Birmingham on Stouport ring. Notice you didn't stop at Bourneville to top up supplies Rich.😂
🤣
I always vowed never to go to Birmingham, as it seemed like a horrible dump, full of undesirables. Until someone said I was being narrow minded, and that I shouldn't judge a place until I had at least visited it. So I visited it.
I was right. It was worse than I thought. A cesspit of degeneracy and unfriendly. Dirty and smelly. I saw countless crimes in juat 5 hours, constant police speeding about.
I'll never set foot there again
Oh dear, you obviously didn't visit the places we did
Lichen (itself a symbiotic relationship between plant and fungi) grow on old brickwork- at around 1 mm per year. I have one that is 200+ years old on my house wall. I despair when I see lichen spray painted and killed.
I understand what you are saying as I am also fascinated by lichens and took lots of photos in a church yard the other day. All I was saying is that some artisitic graffitti which is on otherwise dirty crumbling down walls which look a mess can be something to make you smile and brighten up the day.
I don't go back to my hometown Lyttelton (NZ) much any more. There was a devastating earthquake in 2011 and most of the older buildings were taken out including my childhood home which I loved. Christchurch the neighbouring city also had huge damage and now there are slab and glass buildings everywhere, not the city I knew and I hardly ever go there any more. Time is a healer apparently ........ Take care =-)
That is so sad.
Sounds like thd suburbs and canals in those areas could fo with some attention. Nice to see you looking forward to the changes - going into the city - and back into the countryside canals. Variety is the spice of life, isn't that what they say ? A schoolmate has studied Shakespeare at ... the Shakespeare Institute in Birmingham, and is now teaching it to the next generation of students, so the Bard of Britain still has something to say. Maybe the graffiti-ists can lend an ear ? Thanks for your thorough tour, and I'll look forward to more in Stratford.
The canals on the outskirts certainly do need some attention. It is a shame as there could be so many lovely places to moor but at least the centre is a lovely place to be. Thank you for watching
Great video i was suprised how few people there was on the towpath in the middle of such a busy city, Rich when i come home to Leicester the old buildings are being torn down and replaced with modern structures ad how easy it is to get lost because of the changes, But it was good to travel along with two of my favorite narrow boat people. Stay safe and happy travels, Ed 40 S of Vegas
Thank you. It is sad when places which have childhood memories disappear.
have you ever run in to a fellow with the following youtube address, The Amateur Boater? how you guys meet at a pub.
We do know of him but haven't met
Wonderful video Fran and Rich! Really enjoyed seeing your latest travels! Good to see you both looking so well. Take care.
Thank you
Great cruise, good to see you two enjoying yourselfs.
Another amazing episode. Looking forward to the next one. Thanks for sharing
Thank you
Enjoyed going on the tour with you guys in Birmingham. I have been missing you guys and glad you are once again vlogging. Since I am from Philadelphia, I find these vlogs so interesting and informative. You are so lucky to be able to enjoy nature in this way.
We have to sometimes pinch ourselves to remind us how lucky we are
You make the tunnel navigation look easy, Fran’🇨🇦❤️
Thank you. There are many more difficult tunnels but this one is a bit tiring
Lovely vlog but Birmingham and Culture in the same sentence !
Sorry you feel that Alan. We found so much culture from the old canals, the library and would have gone to a classical concert if the timing was right. I guess it is a case of each to his own.
Sitting in the wet west of Ireland and getting emotional myself.Thanks for bringing me back to wonderful Birmingham.The place where I taught daily for decades.Wonderful to see so many wonderful familiar buildings.Big Up Brum❤❤❤❤
Glad you enjoyed the trip down memory lane.
Thank you both for a lovely video xx
glad to see you put vlog out cranking it on the cut keep up the vlogs on you travels cranking it on the cut thanks for shareing the vids you do wit use thanks lee
Thank you, lovely video.
How did the trip to London go Fran?
It was an amazing experience being among so many like minded people
I get the impression you quite like Bimingham :)
We definitely do, it is still a great city
I did that trip through Netherton Tunnel to Brum so many times to my home town. I also enjoyed mooring up & exploring. It is an interesting City.
Hello from Florida been watching all of your videos and I have enjoyed them all immensely. Many times I wish I was there helping you through the locks. But Fran I got to ask a question about graffiti. What you’re saying is it OK for all those people to go out and deface private property and the council properties. Agree the graffiti is artistic and some of it is enjoyable. But that’s all for now. Keep up the videos. I enjoy them. You get big shoes to fill after foxes afloat but you’re doing great so far.
Thanks for your comment. I definitely don't approve of all graffiti, I just find the more artistic graffiti which much of this was brightens up run down crumbling old walls which are just waiting to fall down. Some of it really makes me smile
@@FloatingOurBoat yes the very artistic graffiti does brighten up the old crumbling walls. Thanks for your honest reply back and you have a great day.
I kevin and fran a fantastic caountry a and wild flower on the canal absoltely beautiful all for now best wishes to both 😊
Don't know why, but a lot of times I don't get the notification re: your channel, & find myself going looking, and then, like today, it says ''9 days ago'' - but alls well & lovely. Always good to see you two!
Oh dear. Just make sure you have pressed the bell icon. RUclips has a mind of its own sometimes.
@@FloatingOurBoat Yeah, but I think I'm back on track. I think I'll just have to keep an eye on, to make sure it stays on "subscribe" - you two are too good to miss!
Hi Very disappointed I was unsubscribed from your channel so now on catchup
Oh No! Welcome back though and happy catching up x
@@FloatingOurBoat blasted you tube grrhh
pretty views. I love your videos bless you both.
Thanks so much
Thanks for another great Video. We are currently on the Avon coming up to Birmingham and then Netherton where we used to live. Well done Fran for going to the demo.
We are on our way to the Avon now. Really looking forward to it
@@FloatingOurBoat We may see you. We are at Bidford now The 48hr mooring restriction at designated moorings only is becoming a pain after three weeks. We're looking forward to being on the canals again.
Great to see this vlog - thank you. We did similar a few weeks ago. Netherton Tunnel - which feels very comfortable compared to some - then turned left for Black Country Museum where we spent a couple of nights and had a fab tour of the museum and the Dudley Tunnel trip. Highly recommend this. When we left the museum we travelled the Old Line into Birmingham - only to find a fallen tree at the other end of the Summit Tunnel. Too large for either us or the CRT local team to remove on the day. So we had to reverse a mile - back under the motorway - back past the bemused civil engineers working under the motorway - to wind at Spon Lane junction. That made for an interesting day! 😂
Oh the joys of the Birmingham canals!!!
Peace.
Great video but they always are Cheers 🛥
Thank you
Surport fran and rich dont skip the adds ❤
I know how you feel Rich, I grew up in Tyseley & Kings Heath, lived across across most of the South of the City for 46 years until moving to Wales. Now I barely recognise the centre, except the bits along the canal and by the Council House. I used to walk along the tow path from Ladywood to work in the Council House.
You missed the other musical connection with "Black Sabbath Bridge"...Cliff Richard's 1974 Film Take me High was filmed in that area :)
Glad to hear that both of you are feeling better.
Thank you. We’re back to ‘normal’ 😃
My wife and I hired a boat many years ago from "Brummagem Boats" on the Ooozel Stree loop. I see they're gone now. Shame, they were nice boats.
Thank you for a lovely video! Birmingham was interesting & good to be back in the countryside! 😊😊
Lovely video, I’ve only been to Birmingham once on the canal on my bcn tug Wotan, was in the early 90s it was quite industrial, I remember going by the large Cincinnati factory it was very impressive.
Hey team! If you had just a week to explore the UK canals, where would you go?
Cheers.
Probably llangollen canal in winter or peak district in summer but it is a difficult call
@@FloatingOurBoatwe’ve noticed cheaper rentals towards the north. Any tips for the north between Aug/Sep?
Cheers.
Lovely vlog and what a great mooring, gosh Birmingham has improved so much in the 40 years I’ve been away. I came from a village about 18 miles south and would always have a pre Christmas Shopping trip to the City Centre. Hope you’re march went well Fran, love the serenity of the boat going through the beautiful countryside ❤️
had many boating hoildays from gas street with a moter and butty with my girl guides up from cornwall great days!
Thank you Rich and Fran for sharing this wonderful vlog of you cruise to Birmingham, the city looks amazing and the canal trip when you left looks wonderful also. Again thank you both for another wonderful vlog.
Went through the Netherton Tunnel several times and spent time on B'ham canals many years ago. So it's great to see your video and remember a past cruise we did with the kids. I trained as a teacher at Birmingham University, so have good links with this great city. Of course, the centre has been remodelled and I found it really difficult to orient myself the last time I was in Birmingham.
2:35 Had to listen again 😅
It was amazingly quiet where we were moored. Not like being in the city centre at al
Unfortunately, the lot we have in power now will be the final blow for nature in this country.
As for Birmingham, the best buildings and areas have been destroyed, and don’t get me started on the new residents 😢
As always, it was great seeing you both. I'm glad you took time and got around Birmingham. See you on the next one. 😊
Thanks for sharing 😊
Thanks for watching!
What is Ko Fi?
Ko-Fi is a way of showing appreciation if you like the videos by sending a small donation for a cup of coffee.
I ended up cutting a whole Saree plus a dozen bin bags and cargo wrappers off the prop between Netherfield and Gas Street Basin during last visit in 2017 (I really did wonder why a saree would be in the canal)... but it was a million times better than the 70s when BCN travel involved grounding every mile or so, collecting bicycles, shopping trolleys and less savoury items under the boat, plus the gauntlet of brick throwing oiks from nearly every bridge they could find.
The smell of a freshly churned up BCN canal bed sediment beats any of the other rich aromas enroute.. even the Smethick scrap yards or the curry power packers 🙂.
Interesting to see how tidy the city centre is now - gone is my old workplace of Central TV, but good to see the city hall still there, where i saw one of my first Pink Floyd concerts back in 1970 (Atom Heart Mother tour).
You cruised right past the sites of Rum Runner and Opposite Lock without a mention.. call yourself a brummy !? 🙂
It seems that some things have improved over the years
Loved this! You are beautiful, funny and kind peeps. My first day here, after seeing you pop up on Gaynor Pattle's channel. Have watched quite a few of your older videos. I've just ordered a bookmark Fran, for my son to use.... can't wait for it to make it to me in Australia 😊 x Nell.
Hello Nell. I just sent you an email about your book mark. Thank you so much for coming to join us after seeing us on Gaynor's channel. She is such a lovely lady and it was a real thrill to go to see her. She is such an inspiration for Rich and his artwork
Even Brum looks good in the sunshine! 😉
I was hoping to see you come down 'my' flight - I'm a lockie on the Aston flight of the B'ham & Fazeley. Ah well, another time, maybe! Enjoy Stratford. 🙂
Sorry we missed you. Three cheers for all the lockies❤️
lovely trip for me to watch , do not go into city these days , grew up in Oldbury , lived in Rugeley for 57 yrs still think of it as home , my dad worked at the glass place you passed
chance glass made lighthouse prisms' part of Pilkington's , brought back happy days for me , thank you for the blog, take care 😊😊🌹🐞
That is really interesting, thank you
Hi guys can you settle an argument? Did you go to Foxes Afloat wedding, there was a lady there who looked just like Fran. A shame you need to use safe moorings in Birmingham. Hope the weather is good for you.
Hi. Watch tomorrow night’s video 6pm 😉
An interesting trip to Birmingham Rich and Fran nice to see it thirty years on and Galton Bridge on the main line from which our trad narrow boat was named. My late wife and I made that journey from our home mooring at the Hyde near Kinver in May 1991, when we joined Brummagen Boats at Sherbourne Street Wharf and lived aboard Galton while working for the company. We made some good friends in Birmingham and had a great time. The museum of science and industry was standing then and what a wonderful museum it was! So sad it has been allowed to go. Stay safe and well all of you your vids are great and always very interesting and bring back great memories and very different times on the cut.
Someone else has commented that they bought their boat from Brummagen boats!
Hi guys!
I've not been to Brum since the early '00s, and I wouldn't have recognised the place, either.
All the best.
It is changing so quickly and will probably look different again if we ever go back
As the saying goes…”there are more canals in Birmingham than in Venice”. There is some great hx about the canals in Birmingham. A must see it is the Black Country Museum and you can moor up there free of charge in a secure area - well you use to be able to, maybe that has changed since we were there in 2019.
I think that is true, but we didn't visit this time
Good to see you cruising. Thanks for sharing. Birmingham was very interesting. The last time I was there was around 45 years ago when we moored our hire boat at Gas Street Basin, next to a night club on a Friday night! Things have changed a bit!!
Ha Ha, an interesting place to moor. Not much sleep I guess
The Worcester Birmingham was our home canal in the 1980’s. We moored at Alvechurch and used to regularly go up to Birmingham for the weekend, mooring at Cambrian Wharf. Of course, it wasn’t any way gentrified like it is now but it was still a great place to explore. My claim to fame is that I painted the Stratford finger of that signpost at Kings Norton junction. It was sad to see it in such a state when I passed in May, but if it’s still the original then it’s lasted well! Hope you’re both fit and well now xxx
Didn't know that Gill, we should go back and take another look x
My father was born in Birmingham. His parents were married in the OLD Bullring. I just looked The Bullring up and it showed it as a very large Mall/Plaza. Dad moved from England around 1922 and came to Canada. He always had a garden plot there that he loved. A Robin sat on his digging fork and would eat the worms when sighted. He married in Canada very late in life to a very young lady, thus the time line was interesting. He told me interesting stories about England. Thank you for letting me see some of Birmingham.
So glad you enjoyed seeing part of your history
Hi Fran and Rich great video calming and tranquil lovely cities are not really my thing but nice to visit and then like you back to the piece and quite of the country side to listen to all the wild life thanks for a lovely video and see you both on the next video xx❤
Our thoughts exactly
Lovely video thanks.
Is it true that Birmingham has more canals than Venice??? Thanks again for another great video.
It is often said that is true
Binging on your vlogs. Keep them coming please. We have a son with depression so know what you’re going through Rich. Happy narrow boating and for sharing
Thank you x
Thanks for the positivity for Birmingham. There’s plenty to do & It’s not perfect and a bit tatty round the edges but it’s home and proud to be a Brummie. Oh and I agree with Fran, some graffiti is very artistic xx
Thank you
Totally agree that Birmingham is well worth visiting by boat :) We moored just round the corner near the Legoland giraffe and it was absolutely fine. Will definitely be back to explore some more of the arms.
We have also moored there before and it is a good mooring
Exploring Birmingham as the beating heart of the UK’s canals in your Narrowboat Life Adventure Episode 194 beautifully highlights the charm and significance of this vibrant city. Your journey through its waterways not only showcases the intricate beauty of the canals but also captures the essence of life aboard a narrowboat. This adventure reflects a deep appreciation for the unique history and culture of Birmingham’s canal system, revealing both the tranquility and the bustling spirit of life on the water. Your storytelling brings to life the captivating experience of navigating and living within this historic network. And I am Floating Village Life.
Thank you so much for your lovely message. We have had a quick look at your channel and your life looks amazing. It always suprises me when people with such exciting lives watch us. I guess we all like to escape to another world sometimes. Thank you for watching.
Its so sad with all the riots going on at the moment. I'm so glad you both have come on you bought some sunshine/happiness into my life. Always love watching your little journeys around U.K
It is true, there is so much depressing bad news at the moment. Remember there are also good things to share but the media doesn't like that
Really enjoyed this vlog! I am a bit jealous though. Stratford Upon Avon hold many wonderful memories for us. We rented a tiny house there in 2018 for our vacation (Holiday). We had such a good time. There is a pub on the corner that has wonderful "PUB GRUB". YUMMY roast dinner. There is a cute Christmas shop there, too. Just enjoy for us as well. We are swealtering here in Florida right now. The canal scenes look inviting. Thank you! Can't wait for next week!
It is a lovely town and some interesting old pubs. We are on the edge now and will e exploring soon
@@FloatingOurBoat There is a lovely butterfly house there. The beautiful creatures will land right on you! Some great photo opps!!!
I so love Birmingham ❤ I've gone two years in a row there now and still have plenty to explore on and off the canal.
You're right about the integration with the city and canal, it's got that just right feeling
Absolutely. I'm sure we will go back again some day. Enjoy yourself.