Hi guys just a little note . Mike you were saying that you kept checking the through hulls. well next time you do a blacking or any dry docking. Why not put hull valves in. Quite easy . assuming that you have a screw in hose Barb fitting . remove the hose remove the fitting , get and insert a short nipple, add a brass gate valve. then screw your original fitting back in check all are tight. then replace the hose. one final thing make sure the valve is well greased . That way if you are ever in a similar situation again all you have to do is a quick walk through close all the valves. no more worries about back flow.. Just a thought!!!
I like that idea... not sure what the existing fittings are like, they're well out of easy reach from the inside. Will have to take a look at the idea when we're closer to pulling her for blacking this year. M
We were stuck between little bedwyn and Crofton the locks ahead were dry! But we got up to Pewsey and came back down she is is in winter quaters now. Next its a visit today i forgot to unload the fridge and freezer!
+Vivienne Brooks it seeks to be a stretch of the canal with lots of problems! I hope we have better luck on the way back. Or maybe we will just cruise straight through to Hungerford! A freezer! What luxury! Jo
Happened to us on our most recent cruise, we ended up getting stuck for days on a tiny stretch. Also before we realised the canal was below level we went through an tunnel that was meant to be closed but wasn’t and didn’t have any signs or anything so we could be got stuck in the tunnel but luckily we didn’t.
After finding your video when you navigated the Basinstoke canal. Your videos are really intresting i enjoy canals they are one of the most peacful places i know ;-)
Great story enjoyed it. My Boat survey was done today with no major problems apart from the gas heating unsure if it working properly so may need a gas check and service but otherwise all good.
+Peter Rutter If it's a Webasto or Eberspacher it's worth getting them checked out at a proper diesel company, like a place that repairs big commercial trucks, as the units are really the same and no one apparently complains more about a faulty heater than a long haul trucker! M
+Peter Rutter Yeah it's not really part of the survey usually. Hopefully it works, they're pretty simple things ultimately, though like an engine they do need basic maintenance. M
How come you two have all the excitement? Everyone else, well except for Jono and his knee, lead pretty normal lives, questing for the ultimate pork pies and such. Hope the rest of the trip to Bristol is pretty tame after this. Thanks for the video.
Sadly both days we went through there it was closed, as it was quite late in the season, and we had to get off the K&A before the next pumping day, which would have left us stranded while Blake's Lock was closed. Next time! M
A video like this makes all my mucking about with tides, tidal gates, sand banks/bars and weather forecasts seem like, well, plain sailing! You should've bought a sailing boat and gone to sea, at least you *know* that the tide will bring the water back in a few hours.
So unfortable being on a lean. Same thing happened to us in a couple of spots. Ours was due to leaking gates. The lock above us didn't leak the bottom gates of the one below did. Whenever another, inconsiderate, boater came up and left the top gates of the bottom lock open it would drain the pound through the leaking bottom gates. If they'd closed the gates behind them, as is the etiquett, then it wouldn't have been a problem. Loved the video, us usual, glad you're all safe. Oh, if your bow is stuck and there is no other way to get it free, ie letting down water, drain your water tank therby raising the front of the boat.
+Tinhare Very good point about the water tank, should have thought of that at 1AM! Half the locks round here you're supposed to leave the bottom open, so when the top gate fails it's a disaster! M
Like I said before welcome to the k a hope you make it to Bristol and thanks for reminding why I left I have had the same thing happen to me more then once on that lovely canal it's down to poor maintenance but like you have said you have to try it at. Least once it does get better ? You still have option 2 surfing the seven when you get to Bristol look forward to your next exciting vid
+brian thorpe It is lovely and they do seem to try to keep it up, but methinks just too much use and abuse (I've watched a couple hire boats plow right into the gates). We are pushing on to Bristol, as I'm assured we won't be surfing the Severn while I'm a married man! M
And we see George is still giving the impression you have this boat just for his pleasure so he can see every patch of grass in England, and he fully intends to see and smell each blade. I do notice unlike our dogs George does not leave a lot of peeMail, Perhaps he does not have a following yet. ha ha
Sorry to sound a bad note to your interesting post. I know the K&A well having used it to canoe and narrowboat from dereliction through restoration to the present day. You were only opening one lock gate to enter and leave a lock. Now I know a narrowboat will fit through the gap but so much damage is done to the gates by this practice. Please open both gates. I know it takes more time but time is unimportant when cruising. Have you ever noticed the concave wear on the gates at the gunwhale level of the boats and when shut where the water leaks through? Water resource is precious and any practice to reduce water loss should be used.
Agreed, and that is why we took a class with the RYA to learn how to drive through a single gate when there's more than enough room not to rub. I do appreciate the problem, and we go to great pains not to do any damage, but for us it's never about saving time, it's about the lowest possible risk. The gates on the K&A are quite high, often with extremely poorly maintained walkways and slippery surfaces ... where Jo could safely cross because of a bridge we very much tend to use both gates, and any time there isn't at least 4-5 inches of clearance and it's dry and safe, but I'll always prioritize personal safety over inanimate objects, which is why I don't think it should be a rule, but more of a best practice determined by the situation at each lock when you arrive at them. I do appreciate that a lot of people aren't thinking about that when they ram into the locks, but we're always weighing the risks, which is why we've both done very little damage and suffered very few injuries. Thanks for the feedback! M
Minimal List what and set a bad presidence? Nahhhhhh. It does make me wonder if she has an inner ear imbalance in the works. Next time you're across the table from her at dinner, tilt your head slightly to see if she gets sick. 😉
Wow i am so glad you guys are ok, it must have been scary for you, that`s what happens when the lock gets damaged? wow i hope that dose not happen to me when i get my boat. by the way GO UP THE SEVEN LOL great vlog thank you.
+adrianuwant3 It is what happens when they get damaged sufficiently to leak continuously, while the ones above hold their water, yeah. A little list and grounding is normal, this was really really abnormal. M
+adrianuwant3 They do get called out and they do respond, eventually. We had a volunteer out that morning inspecting the gate, and repairs have already been done! M
Amazing story and must have been a bit worrying! I have been reading the comments and some of them are quite concerning. I wonder if you can offer me advice on building a narrow boat? I was going to build a 70 footer but my back garden is only 30 foot long, so I guess I will have to build it in 7 x 10 foot sections and weld it together when I transport it near to the canal. I have done all the drawings and am just sat here right now with a crayon up each nostril. Bon nuit et Bon dormie as we used to say.😉
Would suggest getting those crayons removed by a professional before starting construction. Also possibly getting a bigger garden? Not sure I'd want to trust 5 full circumference welds. M
I think in future you need to pay more attention to Jo the inclinometer :) Maybe you didn't notice so much due that bang on the head you took! How is that by the way? Is that towpath face plant why you're having physio? Anyway, glad you're both safe, and it just shows, you have to be alert at all times on the boat...even when asleep :)
+Ronnie Lloyd The noggin's okay, there's no denser material known than the Morehouse forehead. But it did aggravate my sciatica, which started to get bad back in January, and that's why I'm in physio. I do accept she's a better judge of shifting incline than me, though! M
It would have been better to have waited and watched this scary story video tomorrow morning, instead of just before going to bed, as this may be a reason for nightmares. The level were I am moored has to go down more than 2 metres before I'll touch the bottom, but that would be quite a disaster for the big commercial barges that are trading here. Glad nothing (too) serious happened, and I don't think that George was worried, he was probably even happy to go for another night walk. Take care.
lmao use a six foot crow bar to bounce the gate clean the sill ok all the canal was built on lime cement trust me I worked bwb cement portland was used
It was 2am, pitch black, and the last thing we were thinking about was trying to take a picture or two. More concerned with sorting the boat out and getting some sleep! I’m sure you understand!
I'm so happy that George found his forever home with you both on the boat. He obviously loved the lifestyle.
We're so happy he joined us! He's made the boat better in every way! M
Hi guys just a little note . Mike you were saying that you kept checking the through hulls. well next time you do a blacking or any dry docking. Why not put hull valves in. Quite easy . assuming that you have a screw in hose Barb fitting . remove the hose remove the fitting , get and insert a short nipple, add a brass gate valve. then screw your original fitting back in check all are tight. then replace the hose. one final thing make sure the valve is well greased . That way if you are ever in a similar situation again all you have to do is a quick walk through close all the valves. no more worries about back flow.. Just a thought!!!
I like that idea... not sure what the existing fittings are like, they're well out of easy reach from the inside. Will have to take a look at the idea when we're closer to pulling her for blacking this year. M
Thanks again
We were stuck between little bedwyn and Crofton the locks ahead were dry! But we got up to Pewsey and came back down she is is in winter quaters now. Next its a visit today i forgot to unload the fridge and freezer!
+Vivienne Brooks it seeks to be a stretch of the canal with lots of problems! I hope we have better luck on the way back. Or maybe we will just cruise straight through to Hungerford! A freezer! What luxury! Jo
Happened to us on our most recent cruise, we ended up getting stuck for days on a tiny stretch. Also before we realised the canal was below level we went through an tunnel that was meant to be closed but wasn’t and didn’t have any signs or anything so we could be got stuck in the tunnel but luckily we didn’t.
Oh goodness. Getting stuck in the tunnel would have been miserable. Glad it was only a few days.
After finding your video when you navigated the Basinstoke canal. Your videos are really intresting i enjoy canals they are one of the most peacful places i know ;-)
Great story enjoyed it. My Boat survey was done today with no major problems apart from the gas heating unsure if it working properly so may need a gas check and service but otherwise all good.
+Peter Rutter If it's a Webasto or Eberspacher it's worth getting them checked out at a proper diesel company, like a place that repairs big commercial trucks, as the units are really the same and no one apparently complains more about a faulty heater than a long haul trucker! M
No its an old Alde system it may well work but the surveyor was could not check it.
+Peter Rutter Yeah it's not really part of the survey usually. Hopefully it works, they're pretty simple things ultimately, though like an engine they do need basic maintenance. M
How come you two have all the excitement? Everyone else, well except for Jono and his knee, lead pretty normal lives, questing for the ultimate pork pies and such. Hope the rest of the trip to Bristol is pretty tame after this. Thanks for the video.
Charles Damery he was so cool about his knee and i was freaking out infront of my ipad...
+Charles Damery just lucky I guess!
whilst at Great Bedwyn area did you stop at Crofton and see the beam pumping engine. quite impressive to watch on days it is pumping.
Sadly both days we went through there it was closed, as it was quite late in the season, and we had to get off the K&A before the next pumping day, which would have left us stranded while Blake's Lock was closed. Next time! M
Wow! Talk about a scare...that would have sent me in to a panic! So glad you managed to level the boat and go on your way. Safe travels!
+Luann Crownover I'm just glad we moved when we did! Jo
A video like this makes all my mucking about with tides, tidal gates, sand banks/bars and weather forecasts seem like, well, plain sailing! You should've bought a sailing boat and gone to sea, at least you *know* that the tide will bring the water back in a few hours.
+Justin C Maybe once we can handle the rise and fall of the canals we'll feel confident enough to handle the rise and fall of the tides! M
What a beautiful area , those stone homes along the canal are amazing! Thanks for the video
Thanks for watching! M
So unfortable being on a lean. Same thing happened to us in a couple of spots. Ours was due to leaking gates. The lock above us didn't leak the bottom gates of the one below did. Whenever another, inconsiderate, boater came up and left the top gates of the bottom lock open it would drain the pound through the leaking bottom gates. If they'd closed the gates behind them, as is the etiquett, then it wouldn't have been a problem. Loved the video, us usual, glad you're all safe.
Oh, if your bow is stuck and there is no other way to get it free, ie letting down water, drain your water tank therby raising the front of the boat.
+Tinhare Very good point about the water tank, should have thought of that at 1AM! Half the locks round here you're supposed to leave the bottom open, so when the top gate fails it's a disaster! M
Like I said before welcome to the k a hope you make it to Bristol and thanks for reminding why I left I have had the same thing happen to me more then once on that lovely canal it's down to poor maintenance but like you have said you have to try it at. Least once it does get better ? You still have option 2 surfing the seven when you get to Bristol look forward to your next exciting vid
+brian thorpe It is lovely and they do seem to try to keep it up, but methinks just too much use and abuse (I've watched a couple hire boats plow right into the gates). We are pushing on to Bristol, as I'm assured we won't be surfing the Severn while I'm a married man! M
And we see George is still giving the impression you have this boat just for his pleasure so he can see every patch of grass in England, and he fully intends to see and smell each blade. I do notice unlike our dogs George does not leave a lot of peeMail, Perhaps he does not have a following yet. ha ha
We tend not to show all his deliveries! M
Sorry to sound a bad note to your interesting post. I know the K&A well having used it to canoe and narrowboat from dereliction through restoration to the present day. You were only opening one lock gate to enter and leave a lock. Now I know a narrowboat will fit through the gap but so much damage is done to the gates by this practice. Please open both gates. I know it takes more time but time is unimportant when cruising. Have you ever noticed the concave wear on the gates at the gunwhale level of the boats and when shut where the water leaks through? Water resource is precious and any practice to reduce water loss should be used.
Agreed, and that is why we took a class with the RYA to learn how to drive through a single gate when there's more than enough room not to rub. I do appreciate the problem, and we go to great pains not to do any damage, but for us it's never about saving time, it's about the lowest possible risk. The gates on the K&A are quite high, often with extremely poorly maintained walkways and slippery surfaces ... where Jo could safely cross because of a bridge we very much tend to use both gates, and any time there isn't at least 4-5 inches of clearance and it's dry and safe, but I'll always prioritize personal safety over inanimate objects, which is why I don't think it should be a rule, but more of a best practice determined by the situation at each lock when you arrive at them. I do appreciate that a lot of people aren't thinking about that when they ram into the locks, but we're always weighing the risks, which is why we've both done very little damage and suffered very few injuries. Thanks for the feedback! M
Yikes! Time to install some sort of gyroscopic balance shift detecting alarm or something.
+Lee Bruner or just listen to your wife 😂 jo
Minimal List what and set a bad presidence? Nahhhhhh. It does make me wonder if she has an inner ear imbalance in the works. Next time you're across the table from her at dinner, tilt your head slightly to see if she gets sick. 😉
How is your head?
+Jon Auty Healed, but still too many voices! ;-) M
Wow i am so glad you guys are ok, it must have been scary for you, that`s what happens when the lock gets damaged? wow i hope that dose not happen to me when i get my boat. by the way GO UP THE SEVEN LOL great vlog thank you.
+adrianuwant3 It is what happens when they get damaged sufficiently to leak continuously, while the ones above hold their water, yeah. A little list and grounding is normal, this was really really abnormal. M
Do people report grounding areas to the canal authority? Do they actually clear it?
+adrianuwant3 They do get called out and they do respond, eventually. We had a volunteer out that morning inspecting the gate, and repairs have already been done! M
That is great to hear, the volunteers do a wonderful job.
steady yer on rocky ground fella
Amazing story and must have been a bit worrying! I have been reading the comments and some of them are quite concerning. I wonder if you can offer me advice on building a narrow boat? I was going to build a 70 footer but my back garden is only 30 foot long, so I guess I will have to build it in 7 x 10 foot sections and weld it together when I transport it near to the canal. I have done all the drawings and am just sat here right now with a crayon up each nostril. Bon nuit et Bon dormie as we used to say.😉
Would suggest getting those crayons removed by a professional before starting construction. Also possibly getting a bigger garden? Not sure I'd want to trust 5 full circumference welds. M
Shock horror you mean to say the CRT never finished a lock repair on time !
That is guaranteed they won't.
Actually we've seen them get a couple done ahead of schedule... though I'm sure that's a rarity. M
you turn even the Canal disasters in to just another event that happens, oh well
It’s all just one event after another! M
Nearly at Maximum list :)
+Northern Narrowboater eek! Exactly!
I think in future you need to pay more attention to Jo the inclinometer :) Maybe you didn't notice so much due that bang on the head you took! How is that by the way? Is that towpath face plant why you're having physio? Anyway, glad you're both safe, and it just shows, you have to be alert at all times on the boat...even when asleep :)
+Ronnie Lloyd The noggin's okay, there's no denser material known than the Morehouse forehead. But it did aggravate my sciatica, which started to get bad back in January, and that's why I'm in physio. I do accept she's a better judge of shifting incline than me, though! M
It would have been better to have waited and watched this scary story video tomorrow morning, instead of just before going to bed, as this may be a reason for nightmares. The level were I am moored has to go down more than 2 metres before I'll touch the bottom, but that would be quite a disaster for the big commercial barges that are trading here. Glad nothing (too) serious happened, and I don't think that George was worried, he was probably even happy to go for another night walk. Take care.
+Peter Mastenbroek George thought it was good fun, except the not being allowed to chase bats part! M
Interesting 👍
Thank you! J
Pics of otters when next you meet them :)
Not liking the fact that you nearly went over, great video. When you were trying to describe the collar I thought of a sextant :-)
+Desmond's Donders - A Motorhome goes Wild It does look a bit like a sextant, that's true... possibly for someone at least 40 feet tall. M
talk talk talk
Disaster follows you... 🇦🇺👍🤣🤣🤣🤣
😬
lmao use a six foot crow bar to bounce the gate clean the sill ok all the canal was built on lime cement trust me I worked bwb cement portland was used
Yea - hows about a few pictures of this 'AMAZING' lean.
It was 2am, pitch black, and the last thing we were thinking about was trying to take a picture or two. More concerned with sorting the boat out and getting some sleep! I’m sure you understand!
lol
Dark sunglasses !!! Please remove them
Err... no!