Hi Fran & Rich, yourselves and many other VLOG'ers have been an inspiration to me to take my life in a different direction. Having retired I was depressed as the plans for retirement were now a non starter. Finding VLOG'S on TH-cam saved the day particularly the canal based VLOG'S. After watching for some time I decided that maybe buying a boat might be the way to go. These VLOG'S rekindled memories of a couple of canal holidays over 40 year's ago. I have just completed the purchase of a narrow boat. Hopefully our paths may cross Thank you for doing what you do sharing your life on the canal"s and inspiring me to get out of spending my time feeling sorry for myself to do something with my retirement. With kindest regards Steve M
Hi Steve. I'm so pleased that through ours and others stories you have been able to see a new future for yourself. You are obviously experiences on the canals so know some of what is ahead. Wishing you the best of luck with your boat and new life. What an exciting future you have ahead of you. x
Fab drone footage Rich.... I must say, our drone is Colin's toy.... I daren't touch it LOL!! (Shaun x) And winter is the best time to be on a boat.... Fire roaring and open all the windows and doors open cos its too hot... LOL!
I've 'gongoozled' at that flight back in August 2019 and was fascinated by it, being from the north east where there are no canals. Lovely little cafe at the top of the flight too, great to see it again.👍
We were there today 29/7/20 and had a really good day walking the flight and took some good pics then came home and saw your drome clip !!!! I sat open mouthed and watched that lol love it keep it coming. We live in Newbury so it was real treat to go there today.
Love the video as always. As volunteer lock keepers we've complained many times to CRT (I've just submitted another request) about those low geared paddles with the reducer gear. They certainly don't "reduce" the effort required to operate the paddles, they increase it. Like you, we've counted the turns;-). The good news is that work is being done by other volunteers to measure the effort/force required to operate the paddles with and without the low geared boxes, to see if we can get rid of them once and for all. And the other good news is that these low geared paddles are in the minority on the Caen Hill flight. Glad you enjoyed the experience anyway:-).
Thanks for the comments Alan. We are going back up the Caen Hill flight in the next week and will look out for you. I must admit we'll be glad to get back to single locks with easier gates. Fran x
Alan Gladman. The odd low geared (or slipping) paddle seemed rarer than the 'no mechanism' or 'disconnected' mechanism on the whole K&N. As unapologetic hire boaters - we have to experience the canals in short, frantic bursts - we found the K&N double gates very heavy compared to the Trent & Mersey singles. More than 3 tonnes compared to just over 1.5 tonnes. Our last trip - during the London 'Half Term' holiday - was the Caen Hill flight because we had seen it in May on a day visit and "just had to 'do' it." Fabulous experience, but as I said, Foxhangers - Bradford - on - Avon - Bath - Bradford - Caen Hill - Devizes - Caen Hill - Foxhangers is a pretty frantic week, especially given it was a busy week and the sheer number of moored boats. "Floating Our Boat" said something quite amusing as they were about to do the Devizes - Caen Hill - Foxhangers section. "A couple of boats coming up, so Caen Hill might be set for us." That made me smile. Going down the flight is slower than going up, everything being equal. Even though a boat comes up a couple of locks before you, the chambers will nearly all be empty by the time you get there! The drone cam showed this! The 'Volly Locky's,' as Cruising the Cut calls them, are great and our thanks to them for helping us throughout our trip, but we made the mistake of looking 'too competent' when going down the flight. The Locky on the Quad Bike cast a glance at us and said he'd be back in an hour and a half. We were already down to about 34 or 33 - going at (I calculated) 6 or 7 locks an hour and, of course, had to wait about half an hour or so at 29 for him to unlock it! It was a lovely, bright day when we came down, but the wind was really, really fierce and absolutely 'on the nose' all the way. It meant the boat would veer off either side, if a sniff of wind got on either beam. If you had to pull in to the lock landing (left side) for an ascending boat, then getting the nose out to enter the next lock down was a nightmare. Reversing almost back into the previous lock and then a clumsy, thumping, high throttle turn to get the nose round in to wind again. And don't even think about letting it pay off the other way, into those tempting looking pounds! I know the 'real boaters' don't like hire boaters much and we have often seen why, but some of us are quite experienced, considerate and careful. We have done a lot of fairly challenging narrow boating and we've never broken anything, got in anyone's way or dumped all the boats in a pound onto the mud. Someone did at lock 17 on our way to Bath and we don't think it was a hire boater. (The CRT were very quick to come and re-fill the pound.) At the same time, we have been on the wrong end of 'real boaters' arrogance a few times, to the point of very, very near collision or creating total chaos above and below 'The Star' lock at Stone. We are looking at Blisworth Tunnel and the Foxton Flight or the Anderton Boat Lift and the Museum at Ellesmere Port. Thanks for reminding us of the fun of 'doing' Caen Hill locks.
I know im asking randomly but does anyone know a tool to get back into an Instagram account?? I somehow lost the password. I love any tricks you can offer me
@Kristian Guillermo thanks so much for your reply. I found the site through google and Im waiting for the hacking stuff now. Takes quite some time so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
Good evening. We've only just been introduced to your channel and now realise that we nearly bumped into you.. we were coming out of Bath/Bradford on Avon (around 16-17/9) and you were approaching. From memory, you were just entering under a bridge at the start of a bend and we were coming the other way. Luckily I was concentrating and was able to slam into reverse to slow and then ducked into a little lay by so that you could pass. You commented "very nice steering sir.." which made my day. I recall your smile, which is very engaging. Thanks, we're reliving memories of our holiday.
Something made with your hands has a bit of your sole in it. Makes it so much more special. Really enjoy your talks and trips. Also the music is wonderful.
Meg Callea thank you for that. I may use that in my Etsy description if you don't mind. That is what 'Saori' weaving is all about. Thank you for watching Fran x
You guys have got a lot of fun stuff to say. I suggest you consider showing cruising footage while you discuss you other plans and comments. It would give us our canal fix while still getting to hear what you have to say. Cheers.
I came back from abroad, determined to live in a canal boat. I paid my teenage son £50 quid a week to search for a boat. Six months later he's found nothing! Now I'm too old to cruise on my own so you vlogs are compulsive. Thank you - lovely people.
You two are just adorable & hillarious...such a pleasure to watch!...I'm playing catch up & your ch is just wonderful. I'm all the way in Lexington, Kentucky. Usa. Getting to see all this through your eyes is really such a neat thing!! I don't blame u for taking the adventure, I'd be right there w u!!! 😁😁Cheers!!!!haha
Hi guys. Thanks for another great vlog. I am currently resting up after having meniscus repair on Saturday and your latest episode provided a welcome relief from the boredom. Just think, as you float by looking out at those multi million pound houses in Bath, that you have found the secret of a blissful life. Happy cruising. Looking forward to your next vlog. Until then I’m going to watch ep24 again. Take care guys 👍
Good luck with the knee Andy. Thank goodness Rich's seems so much better at the moment. We'll try to keep the videos coming for you to keep you busy while you recover. You are so right about the houses. I wonder how many people there are as happy as we are? Fran x
Fran & Rich, I just had to come back and watch this particular video again, I am really impressed with the drone footage. This aspect really adds in letting the viewers have a different perspective. To see the complexity of the locks and the reservoirs for each was amazing. Thanks so much.
Thank you, best Caen flight video. I was wanting someone to do one like that, no other youtubers doing the K&N. And the drone footage, brilliant. Cant wait to see more, if you can hover over the lock going through. It's a DJI, they can. Maybe something got bumped. And I'm glad to see the pound is not low, plenty of water.
I so enjoy listening to you both about your narrowboat life. I am selling my house (in Australia) and heading to the UK in about 8 weeks with the plan to buy a boat . Iv hired a boat for a couple of weeks in January to experience winter on a boat but all the time I’ll be looking at as many boats as possible . Can’t wait. Cheers Cathy
As an Australian too, would be very interested in your journey because its my plan to do this in 5 years time, but I only have English grand parents so Visas will be an issue for me
Wow that's such a big journey! We were in Australia a couple of years ago and absolutely loved it. Good luck with your adventure. Let us know how you get on in January. Thank you for watching Fran x
Do you ever say hi to the cows and/or ducks? Just wondering. Love seeing them wandering around and drinking from the canal. This was grand fun AND I wasn't even there!
It's always a treat to see your videos pop up! I love aerial footage so really looking forward to more drone shots and loved the last clip with the misty golden autumn morning, just beautiful x
I helped my friend take his boat thru those Locks a couple of years ago (we're both from the Merseyside Region but he purchased the Boat from a Marina near there) - there was a very welcoming Pub quite near the top as I recall. Great Upload, thanx. My bones ached a little just watching this! it was a blisteringly hot and busy day at the time :D
Great, Ariel photography drone footage certainly adds to the atmosphere of your vlog. Hope it’s got “ return to home feature” and you don’t loose it. The music is so enjoyable and you both look really well, relaxed and healthy. Great lifestyle change! Not to mention less stress.
Loving the videos. Caen Hill brings back fond memories of my holiday of 3 years ago - fantastic footage! You don't need to justify spending 4 days in Bath :)
I'm another person who has binged on these vlogs to catch right up to date (written February 2021!) and I am delighted for you both so far. The fact that you are so totally enjoying your new way of life is refreshing, and I love that your matter of fact way of dealing with the trials and tribulations when they occur - which isn't often - is so positive. I'm looking forward to watching the next however many vlogs!
Thank you Andy. Were do glad you are enjoying working your way through our story. This life isn't without its problems, but then no is any way if life. Our way of coping is just to deal with each thing one at a time. At least on a boat, most things are under our control. X
Great video. It's great to have lots of lights but something to keep in mind to stretch your battery is to use 12v (or 5v USB if you have it handy) wherever you can. Running 240v means having to run your inverter, and every inverter has losses that will add up and shorten the usable time on the battery. This is especially important if you are trying to go full solar while on a longer mooring.
After every trip we went on in our RV (aka Caravan) and returned to our house, I would clean out closets and drawers. We just did not need all we had even at the house. Very freeing to rid ourselves of clutter, isn’t it! Then when we chose to downsize RVs I was amazed how much we could throw out from the larger RV without missing things in it! 😃
It is a great feeling to get rid of stuff. I always used to feel it with my children when they were small and we used to stay in a tiny farm cottage which had just enough dishes saucepans etc and was very basic and we would go home to a house full of stuff that hardly ever got used and just used to be in the way. I love this life now.
Another great insight into your lives. I have a DJI Spark and find it great fun. One piece of advice, calibrate your compass before each flight, takes seconds and can save ££££’s if you lose it. Shame you don’t find the boat big enough, you weren’t to know. Once again, thanks. AJ
Thank you so much. Im working hard to get the Etsy shop going but we have been so busy in Bath. Hopefully it will be up and running really soon. thank you for watching Fran x
Wonderful...thanks for sharing. Love the brief tunes, really adds to your adventures. I'll motor on vicariously through you guys. Love from Vancouver Island. Canada.
I understand it controls the raising and lowering of the water...but how does it actually work? I haven/t seen all your vids yet, so perhaps the answers are there?
I love your honesty, the fireside chat with complete openness is extremely helpful for those teetering on the brink of a life changing decision. I'll be at the tiller for the first time in a few days albeit just for the day as I take my next step, encouraged not by the romance but by subjective and honest opinion - thank you .. and p.s. autumn is here, forget the calendar, everything on my allotment has now moved on from summer and the compost heap is getting bigger
Hi Guys I live in Bristol and I'm looking for a narrowboat (still) and can't wait to move away, Your car would definitely go missing here so it's a good choice not to come, love your vlogs keep up the good work, Cheers Chris
Great video guys. We’re selling our house in France and moving onto our narrowboat that we bought a few months ago. We will be full time cruisers also. Your attitudes mirror ours to a tee so we hope we bump into you sometime...Best regards!
We will be setting out of Harefield Marina just north of Uxbridge on the Grand Union Canal. We hopefully heading towards Aylesbury, we will be spending a couple of weeks in October on our boat before we return to France to sell our house.
Just watched your vlog and lovely to see life’s good for you both. Where has the Summer gone eh!!!...Myself and Fi and Georgie are currently on The Leicester arm near Leicester. Heading up onto the River Soar. Loving the vlogs and keep em coming. xx
Great to see the drone footage, the last time we did this flight, drones hadn't been invented, mind you video cameras hadn't been invented either, let alone go-pros, but a really good way to see the perspectives.
I initially couldn’t understand why there was all those locks on a flat waterway and then you showed the view from the bottom. I was wondering if those locks are all post electricity era because how else would they work without gravity doing the work? By the way I love your laidback videos and getting to hear the sounds of nature. Plus you guys are pretty funny. I really wish I was able to live there in a canal boat. I’d want a boat that could cross the channel though so you could travel around European mainland canals too. Anyway I hope you keep making these videos and at 30mins because anything less is just a teaser, beauty never gets tiring! Thank you guys for making them.
Have you set up your Etsy page for selling your scarves? I love your weaving. As I was typing you said Etsy is coming soon. Great to see a another video...more please...more often!. I agree with Megan, great music.
Thank you for your lovely comments. I feel a bit nervous about setting up Etsy for some reason 😏. I have sold a few bits privately and am now just trying to take some good photos. I have promised myself that I'll have etsy running next week. It will be call 'Constanze Creations' Fran x
@@francesmccarty1544 Thank you for letting me know. I'll look for it. Don't be nervous. Your weaving is gorgeous. From what I've seen, you have a great eye for color.
Hi Fran and Rich, Years ago Bikes on towpaths were not allowed, and if you did the nails from the Horses Hooves Would sort you out.The Horses then had to be reshod every two weeks orso due to the mileage they did.
Love your vlogs, really funny and informative. I saw you with Robbie Cummings so thought id have a quick look, 5 videos later and i think i may be addicted. Keep up the great work and maybe we will meet on the Cut one day....
That's great Michaek. I just had a look at there site and tbey are such an actuve group. It us thanks to people like you that so many of these canals are open x
Great vlog as usual Have a chat with youtuber Just Steve A good truck vlogger that is just about to sit his drone flight exam either last week or this week which would mean he can then take on drone work etc Obviously subject to usual regulation etc But more and more Narrowboat ers will be taking their drone flight exams lol
Great vlog , your not on your own with cyclist , I have wheels, I have to pedal ,I slow down for walkers , I have a bell and try to be courteous , the north wales cycle path where we have a holiday lodge is terrible with them and dangerous , tour de wales comes to mind with 80% of them so rude , so fast , anyway keep up the good work 👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧
.....still LOVING your vlogs.....had a short stoppage over Christmas, but now back to two or three blogs each evening! How do we find you on "etsy" and have you had any trouble from others during your time on the canal?
My etsy page is Constanze Creations. There is not much there as I sold out on the build up to christmas, but I am back weaving again now. The link is below. We have only had trouble trice with childrenthrowing things at the boat in Manchester and Birmingham suburbs, Really not bad in two years of travelling. Hope that helps. www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ConstanzeCreations?ref=ss_profile
Thanks Fran for your kind words I’ll try (not too tech savvy) to let you know how I get on .I’m doing this solo so may take me much much longer to get my head everything.
Love you guys. Totally agree with the rude cyclist. I think that southwest people in general. I should know I live here. If you want to store your car on my drive your more than welcome. 😁
I can't agree more. My parents spent their lives planning for and worrying about the future, then forgot to live their lives. We have learnt from others and are living life now! Thank you for watching Fran x
Fran, my dear wife is asking how you dry clothes. We have a washing machine on our boat which we move into in April but no boat tubers seem to show drying clothes other than visits to the laundromat in towns or marinas. Thanks!!
Floating Our Boat Hi and thanks. I watch every episode and some more than once. Looking forward to episode 42. (The name is Gus) we will be on the River Medway which is sort of cut off from the rest of the canal system. I motored from Limehouse down the Thames and round the corner and up the Medway
hey another fantastic upload from you both please do you have any info on the drone as I'm interested in getting one keep safe and keep the videos coming Clive in Nottingham .
Rich & Fran, Nice chat. Would love to get my better half to cast off the lines and live upon the cut. Have you met any yankee folks living aboard full time? If so put me in touch. All the best and stay safe and well. Courtenay Barber, Falmouth MA
Hi Courtney.nwe have so many American guests and have met a few on holiday boats. There was also one couple who have s boat here and come every summer then go back to the States in the winter.
Fran, did you knit your blue cardigan? it's beautiful, and I was wondering if there was a pattern name I might be able to look up :-) ... Really loved your vlog, you are such a lovely couple! Nice drone footage, Rich! :-)
thank you so much for your lovely comments and thank you for watching. I'm afraid I didn't knit the blue cardigan. Like most of my clothes it came from a charity shop 😀. Fran x
I notice that narrow boats do not appear to have screens on the doors or windows. I may be particularly sensitive given the huge number or mosquitos in my backyard at present, but are there not flies, mosquitos, and other bugs to contend with in GB.
Thanks for watching Steve. When we started out I was particularly worried about the mozzies as I am very reactive but in fact they haven't been a problem. Avon skin so soft works a treat at keeping them all at bay, it is even used by the army apparently. We are plagued with spiders at the moment but they seem friendly enough! Fran x
Frances McCarty yes I wondered it there were there to deter the occasional idiot boater who fancied a mid flight mooring! Then I thought perhaps they are more like floating oil booms, to prevent any spilled diesel etc going into the pounds which seem to have become a bit of a haven for wildlife. With all those boat movements in a confined space I guess the water quality here is not always brilliant.
Good morning Thank you for taking the time to make the videos, are you missing Norfolk at all? We live near Braintree Essex and are soon starting out hunt for a boat, just weekends and holidays to start with, we only have work commitments three days a week so long weekends should be good. Do you have any advice to give like what's the best maps, easiest canals to start on, places not to start on and so on? How long had you wanted to go on the canals before you did it? Had you been on before you got your boat? We got a hire boat in a couple of weeks, we should be heading up past rugby all being well.
Hi Lewis , we going on a short break from Gayton on the g u ,2nd week in Oct, I'm trying to find ideas about pubs and such.the g u looks pretty. There is a canal museum at Stoke bruerne , (if you are going that way ).
Also love watching the u tube videos and Fran and Rich on floating our boat is exceptional and very informative, with music , only wish I could compose !
Good morning Rachel Yes we watch loads of you tube videos about canals, I have wanted to have a narrow boat for years, I remember years ago walking the tow path down in Dan Browns area. Have you been on before?
A long time ago, with my family ,went around Birmingham , and more than a decade ago, we went Norfolk broads, . Is Dan Brown , something interesting ? Is that Wales area ? That's beautiful too.
Hi Fran & Rich, yourselves and many other VLOG'ers have been an inspiration to me to take my life in a different direction. Having retired I was depressed as the plans for retirement were now a non starter. Finding VLOG'S on TH-cam saved the day particularly the canal based VLOG'S. After watching for some time I decided that maybe buying a boat might be the way to go. These VLOG'S rekindled memories of a couple of canal holidays over 40 year's ago. I have just completed the purchase of a narrow boat. Hopefully our paths may cross
Thank you for doing what you do sharing your life on the canal"s and inspiring me to get out of spending my time feeling sorry for myself to do something with my retirement.
With kindest regards
Steve M
Hi Steve. I'm so pleased that through ours and others stories you have been able to see a new future for yourself. You are obviously experiences on the canals so know some of what is ahead. Wishing you the best of luck with your boat and new life. What an exciting future you have ahead of you. x
THATS WHAT IS SO LOVELY ABOUT YOU TWO, YOU BOTH JUST SAY IT AS IT IS, I THINK PEOPLE PREFER THAT. STRAIGHT TALKING. ANYWAY KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
Thank you Ray
Fran x
Fab drone footage Rich.... I must say, our drone is Colin's toy.... I daren't touch it LOL!! (Shaun x)
And winter is the best time to be on a boat.... Fire roaring and open all the windows and doors open cos its too hot... LOL!
I've 'gongoozled' at that flight back in August 2019 and was fascinated by it, being from the north east where there are no canals. Lovely little cafe at the top of the flight too, great to see it again.👍
Never seen anyone open a swing bridge so glamorously, you make it look so easy Fran. Love the weaving and the new drone footage.
We were there today 29/7/20 and had a really good day walking the flight and took some good pics then came home and saw your drome clip !!!! I sat open mouthed and watched that lol
love it keep it coming.
We live in Newbury so it was real treat to go there today.
That's great. Caen hill locks really do look impressive from the air.
Love the video as always. As volunteer lock keepers we've complained many times to CRT (I've just submitted another request) about those low geared paddles with the reducer gear. They certainly don't "reduce" the effort required to operate the paddles, they increase it. Like you, we've counted the turns;-). The good news is that work is being done by other volunteers to measure the effort/force required to operate the paddles with and without the low geared boxes, to see if we can get rid of them once and for all. And the other good news is that these low geared paddles are in the minority on the Caen Hill flight. Glad you enjoyed the experience anyway:-).
Thanks for the comments Alan. We are going back up the Caen Hill flight in the next week and will look out for you. I must admit we'll be glad to get back to single locks with easier gates.
Fran x
Alan Gladman. The odd low geared (or slipping) paddle seemed rarer than the 'no mechanism' or 'disconnected' mechanism on the whole K&N. As unapologetic hire boaters - we have to experience the canals in short, frantic bursts - we found the K&N double gates very heavy compared to the Trent & Mersey singles. More than 3 tonnes compared to just over 1.5 tonnes.
Our last trip - during the London 'Half Term' holiday - was the Caen Hill flight because we had seen it in May on a day visit and "just had to 'do' it." Fabulous experience, but as I said, Foxhangers - Bradford - on - Avon - Bath - Bradford - Caen Hill - Devizes - Caen Hill - Foxhangers is a pretty frantic week, especially given it was a busy week and the sheer number of moored boats.
"Floating Our Boat" said something quite amusing as they were about to do the Devizes - Caen Hill - Foxhangers section. "A couple of boats coming up, so Caen Hill might be set for us." That made me smile. Going down the flight is slower than going up, everything being equal. Even though a boat comes up a couple of locks before you, the chambers will nearly all be empty by the time you get there! The drone cam showed this!
The 'Volly Locky's,' as Cruising the Cut calls them, are great and our thanks to them for helping us throughout our trip, but we made the mistake of looking 'too competent' when going down the flight. The Locky on the Quad Bike cast a glance at us and said he'd be back in an hour and a half. We were already down to about 34 or 33 - going at (I calculated) 6 or 7 locks an hour and, of course, had to wait about half an hour or so at 29 for him to unlock it!
It was a lovely, bright day when we came down, but the wind was really, really fierce and absolutely 'on the nose' all the way. It meant the boat would veer off either side, if a sniff of wind got on either beam. If you had to pull in to the lock landing (left side) for an ascending boat, then getting the nose out to enter the next lock down was a nightmare. Reversing almost back into the previous lock and then a clumsy, thumping, high throttle turn to get the nose round in to wind again. And don't even think about letting it pay off the other way, into those tempting looking pounds!
I know the 'real boaters' don't like hire boaters much and we have often seen why, but some of us are quite experienced, considerate and careful. We have done a lot of fairly challenging narrow boating and we've never broken anything, got in anyone's way or dumped all the boats in a pound onto the mud. Someone did at lock 17 on our way to Bath and we don't think it was a hire boater. (The CRT were very quick to come and re-fill the pound.) At the same time, we have been on the wrong end of 'real boaters' arrogance a few times, to the point of very, very near collision or creating total chaos above and below 'The Star' lock at Stone.
We are looking at Blisworth Tunnel and the Foxton Flight or the Anderton Boat Lift and the Museum at Ellesmere Port. Thanks for reminding us of the fun of 'doing' Caen Hill locks.
I know im asking randomly but does anyone know a tool to get back into an Instagram account??
I somehow lost the password. I love any tricks you can offer me
@Christian Roberto instablaster :)
@Kristian Guillermo thanks so much for your reply. I found the site through google and Im waiting for the hacking stuff now.
Takes quite some time so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
Hi just started following you guys so playing catch up love your vlogs Thank you so much for sharing your journey
Thank you so much for joining us and welcome aboard. We hope you enjoy catching up and watching our past adventures
Good evening. We've only just been introduced to your channel and now realise that we nearly bumped into you.. we were coming out of Bath/Bradford on Avon (around 16-17/9) and you were approaching. From memory, you were just entering under a bridge at the start of a bend and we were coming the other way. Luckily I was concentrating and was able to slam into reverse to slow and then ducked into a little lay by so that you could pass. You commented "very nice steering sir.." which made my day. I recall your smile, which is very engaging. Thanks, we're reliving memories of our holiday.
yes I remember you well. Well done with remebering us and thanks for watching - Rich and Fran x
Something made with your hands has a bit of your sole in it. Makes it so much more special. Really enjoy your talks and trips. Also the music is wonderful.
Meg Callea thank you for that. I may use that in my Etsy description if you don't mind. That is what 'Saori' weaving is all about. Thank you for watching
Fran x
You guys have got a lot of fun stuff to say. I suggest you consider showing cruising footage while you discuss you other plans and comments. It would give us our canal fix while still getting to hear what you have to say. Cheers.
I can't think of a better reason to end the vlog, than "we have books to read"....📚😊
Aerial view of that lock flight where each lock has its own reservoir was perfect thing to illustrate the situation.
Wow drone footage amazing done only been up once the flight At devices enjoyed it thanks again
The drone footage is excellent. Your comments about narrowboat life have given us more food for thought. Thanks.
Drone is a nice addition, great video as always.
Looks quite a transformation since the start of the blogs, both nice and tanned and looking younger.
Wow, thank you x
Love your loom creations❤️
Thank you so much
I like the drone footage Rich. Well done!!!
Lovely vlog, so calm and relaxing. Nice to be able to please yourselves where you go. Glad you are enjoying yourselves.🚤💖
I came back from abroad, determined to live in a canal boat. I paid my teenage son £50 quid a week to search for a boat. Six months later he's found nothing! Now I'm too old to cruise on my own so you vlogs are compulsive. Thank you - lovely people.
You two are just adorable & hillarious...such a pleasure to watch!...I'm playing catch up & your ch is just wonderful. I'm all the way in Lexington, Kentucky. Usa. Getting to see all this through your eyes is really such a neat thing!! I don't blame u for taking the adventure, I'd be right there w u!!! 😁😁Cheers!!!!haha
Thank you so much. Happy that you love what we do xx
Hi guys. Thanks for another great vlog. I am currently resting up after having meniscus repair on Saturday and your latest episode provided a welcome relief from the boredom. Just think, as you float by looking out at those multi million pound houses in Bath, that you have found the secret of a blissful life. Happy cruising. Looking forward to your next vlog. Until then I’m going to watch ep24 again. Take care guys 👍
Good luck with the knee Andy. Thank goodness Rich's seems so much better at the moment. We'll try to keep the videos coming for you to keep you busy while you recover. You are so right about the houses. I wonder how many people there are as happy as we are?
Fran x
Fran & Rich, I just had to come back and watch this particular video again, I am really impressed with the drone footage. This aspect really adds in letting the viewers have a different perspective. To see the complexity of the locks and the reservoirs for each was amazing. Thanks so much.
Thank you, best Caen flight video. I was wanting someone to do one like that, no other youtubers doing the K&N. And the drone footage, brilliant. Cant wait to see more, if you can hover over the lock going through. It's a DJI, they can. Maybe something got bumped. And I'm glad to see the pound is not low, plenty of water.
I enjoy your videos the drone is good too
I so enjoy listening to you both about your narrowboat life. I am selling my house (in Australia) and heading to the UK in about 8 weeks with the plan to buy a boat . Iv hired a boat for a couple of weeks in January to experience winter on a boat but all the time I’ll be looking at as many boats as possible . Can’t wait. Cheers Cathy
As an Australian too, would be very interested in your journey because its my plan to do this in 5 years time, but I only have English grand parents so Visas will be an issue for me
Wow that's such a big journey! We were in Australia a couple of years ago and absolutely loved it. Good luck with your adventure. Let us know how you get on in January. Thank you for watching
Fran x
Amazing looking at the ascending flight of locks and associated pounds. Drone footage gives an added dimension to blog.
Do you ever say hi to the cows and/or ducks? Just wondering. Love seeing them wandering around and drinking from the canal. This was grand fun AND I wasn't even there!
We always say hello and feed the ducks and swans cornflakes or oats from the boat
@@FloatingOurBoat Never met a swan. Are they nice?
It's always a treat to see your videos pop up! I love aerial footage so really looking forward to more drone shots and loved the last clip with the misty golden autumn morning, just beautiful x
So glad you had gotten the drone in time for the Caen Hill locks! Stunning!
I helped my friend take his boat thru those Locks a couple of years ago (we're both from the Merseyside Region but he purchased the Boat from a Marina near there) - there was a very welcoming Pub quite near the top as I recall.
Great Upload, thanx. My bones ached a little just watching this! it was a blisteringly hot and busy day at the time :D
Great, Ariel photography drone footage certainly adds to the atmosphere of your vlog. Hope it’s got “ return to home feature” and you don’t loose it. The music is so enjoyable and you both look really well, relaxed and healthy. Great lifestyle change! Not to mention less stress.
Thank you David. It is a great lifestyle change. Life shouldn't be about stress but it seems that so many people live like that. Such a shame.
Fran x
Fabulous. Best videos! I always look forward to your next!!
Just thanks for being so positive and straight forward. I love your attitude...
Loving the videos. Caen Hill brings back fond memories of my holiday of 3 years ago - fantastic footage! You don't need to justify spending 4 days in Bath :)
Great chat. Really glad it's working out for you both.
The leaves here are just starting to turn, too.
All the best for your first winter season.
Can't wait for all the autumn colours and cosy nights
Fran x
That's very kind of you to offer, Fran, but won't Rich mind? ;o)
Amazing views of the locks filmed by the drone! Great videos. Thank you!
I'm another person who has binged on these vlogs to catch right up to date (written February 2021!) and I am delighted for you both so far. The fact that you are so totally enjoying your new way of life is refreshing, and I love that your matter of fact way of dealing with the trials and tribulations when they occur - which isn't often - is so positive. I'm looking forward to watching the next however many vlogs!
Thank you Andy. Were do glad you are enjoying working your way through our story. This life isn't without its problems, but then no is any way if life. Our way of coping is just to deal with each thing one at a time. At least on a boat, most things are under our control. X
Great video. It's great to have lots of lights but something to keep in mind to stretch your battery is to use 12v (or 5v USB if you have it handy) wherever you can. Running 240v means having to run your inverter, and every inverter has losses that will add up and shorten the usable time on the battery. This is especially important if you are trying to go full solar while on a longer mooring.
Amazing locks.
Wonderful stuff with the drone. Brilliant scene over the locks. One of your best. Good cruising to you.
After every trip we went on in our RV (aka Caravan) and returned to our house, I would clean out closets and drawers. We just did not need all we had even at the house. Very freeing to rid ourselves of clutter, isn’t it! Then when we chose to downsize RVs I was amazed how much we could throw out from the larger RV without missing things in it! 😃
It is a great feeling to get rid of stuff. I always used to feel it with my children when they were small and we used to stay in a tiny farm cottage which had just enough dishes saucepans etc and was very basic and we would go home to a house full of stuff that hardly ever got used and just used to be in the way. I love this life now.
Emma is really jealous of your drone. Great view of the Caen Hill locks ❤️❤️❤️
Oh dear, sorry about that. If we meet you on the way back she can have a go with Rich😊
Fran x
Drone views were amazing! Look forward to seeing more!
Great Drone footage and another great vlog thanks.
Another great insight into your lives.
I have a DJI Spark and find it great fun. One piece of advice, calibrate your compass before each flight, takes seconds and can save ££££’s if you lose it.
Shame you don’t find the boat big enough, you weren’t to know.
Once again, thanks. AJ
Brilliant guys well done 👏👏👏😁👍
Looking forward to seeing your Etsy shop! Your creations look beautiful. Good luck and enjoy the reading!
Thank you so much. Im working hard to get the Etsy shop going but we have been so busy in Bath. Hopefully it will be up and running really soon. thank you for watching
Fran x
Wonderful...thanks for sharing. Love the brief tunes, really adds to your adventures. I'll motor on vicariously through you guys. Love from Vancouver Island. Canada.
It maybe obvious to many, but what's the purpose of winding at the locks?
I understand it controls the raising and lowering of the water...but how does it actually work? I haven/t seen all your vids yet, so perhaps the answers are there?
Hey Fran & Rich, you both have me "Locked" in to your channel
Greg Pittman ha ha ! Thank you for watching
Fran x
I love your honesty, the fireside chat with complete openness is extremely helpful for those teetering on the brink of a life changing decision. I'll be at the tiller for the first time in a few days albeit just for the day as I take my next step, encouraged not by the romance but by subjective and honest opinion - thank you .. and p.s. autumn is here, forget the calendar, everything on my allotment has now moved on from summer and the compost heap is getting bigger
Oh growing compost heaps and the smell of bonfires defitiley means autumn. Good luck at the tiller
Fran x
Hi Guys
I live in Bristol and I'm looking for a narrowboat (still) and can't wait to move away, Your car would definitely go missing here so it's a good choice not to come, love your vlogs keep up the good work,
Cheers
Chris
It's a shame we didn't get there, but something had to give. Can't be done with rushing any more
Fran x
Great video guys. We’re selling our house in France and moving onto our narrowboat that we bought a few months ago. We will be full time cruisers also. Your attitudes mirror ours to a tee so we hope we bump into you sometime...Best regards!
Good luck with your boat. where will you start your journey?
Fran
We will be setting out of Harefield Marina just north of Uxbridge on the Grand Union Canal. We hopefully heading towards Aylesbury, we will be spending a couple of weeks in October on our boat before we return to France to sell our house.
great drone footage Rich . love all your vids .thanks.
Enjoyed this video, thank you!
Great video. We move onto our narrowboat as liveaboards in April. Can't wait. Used to go to school in Bath. Lovely city.
Just watched your vlog and lovely to see life’s good for you both. Where has the Summer gone eh!!!...Myself and Fi and Georgie are currently on The Leicester arm near Leicester. Heading up onto the River Soar. Loving the vlogs and keep em coming. xx
Lovely part of the world.
Hello you two. Loving the drone footage, absolutely brilliant! Hope you enjoyed Brighton, my home town xx
👍 lovely to watch your vlogs and catch up on your news. Shame you can’t send the drone to check on the car 😂
Marie Schofield ha ha! Good idea 😊
Great to see the drone footage, the last time we did this flight, drones hadn't been invented, mind you video cameras hadn't been invented either, let alone go-pros, but a really good way to see the perspectives.
Great video guys, thank u, Davie xx
I initially couldn’t understand why there was all those locks on a flat waterway and then you showed the view from the bottom. I was wondering if those locks are all post electricity era because how else would they work without gravity doing the work? By the way I love your laidback videos and getting to hear the sounds of nature. Plus you guys are pretty funny. I really wish I was able to live there in a canal boat. I’d want a boat that could cross the channel though so you could travel around European mainland canals too. Anyway I hope you keep making these videos and at 30mins because anything less is just a teaser, beauty never gets tiring! Thank you guys for making them.
Have you set up your Etsy page for selling your scarves? I love your weaving. As I was typing you said Etsy is coming soon. Great to see a another video...more please...more often!. I agree with Megan, great music.
Thank you for your lovely comments. I feel a bit nervous about setting up Etsy for some reason 😏. I have sold a few bits privately and am now just trying to take some good photos. I have promised myself that I'll have etsy running next week. It will be call 'Constanze Creations'
Fran x
@@francesmccarty1544 Thank you for letting me know. I'll look for it. Don't be nervous. Your weaving is gorgeous. From what I've seen, you have a great eye for color.
Hi Fran and Rich, Years ago Bikes on towpaths were not allowed, and if you did the nails from the Horses Hooves
Would sort you out.The Horses then had to be reshod every two weeks orso due to the mileage they did.
now, horses are often not allowed. How things change!
I love how eco friendly your post are!!
Thank you Bruce. We are trying our best x
Love your vlogs, really funny and informative. I saw you with Robbie Cummings so thought id have a quick look, 5 videos later and i think i may be addicted. Keep up the great work and maybe we will meet on the Cut one day....
Loving the low profile solar panels 😂
Great vlog. My home town is Bradford on Avon. Enjoy you trip
I like the new toy, really awesome
Well you guys have inspired me to join the Chesterfield canal trust.....have a look at their web site x
That's great Michaek. I just had a look at there site and tbey are such an actuve group. It us thanks to people like you that so many of these canals are open x
Great drone shots. Make sure you two don’t over exert yourself now lol
Ha ha! We're working on it!
Fran x
Lovely to watch you holding hands.........however Richy that shirt is wicked......is it part of a new vlog theme perhaps?
Great vlog as usual
Have a chat with youtuber
Just Steve
A good truck vlogger that is just about to sit his drone flight exam either last week or this week which would mean he can then take on drone work etc
Obviously subject to usual regulation etc
But more and more Narrowboat ers will be taking their drone flight exams lol
fantastic feet of engineering those locks impressive
They certainly are
Oh Goodness!
Can't wait to do Caen Hill flight next year (2021) if we can. 💕
Its a great experience
Great vlog , your not on your own with cyclist , I have wheels, I have to pedal ,I slow down for walkers , I have a bell and try to be courteous , the north wales cycle path where we have a holiday lodge is terrible with them and dangerous , tour de wales comes to mind with 80% of them so rude , so fast , anyway keep up the good work 👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧
.....still LOVING your vlogs.....had a short stoppage over Christmas, but now back to two or three blogs each evening! How do we find you on "etsy" and have you had any trouble from others during your time on the canal?
My etsy page is Constanze Creations. There is not much there as I sold out on the build up to christmas, but I am back weaving again now. The link is below. We have only had trouble trice with childrenthrowing things at the boat in Manchester and Birmingham suburbs, Really not bad in two years of travelling. Hope that helps.
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ConstanzeCreations?ref=ss_profile
"Climbing up on Salisbury Hill..."
Spot on that man, a good song, Rich, please, enjoy singing it..... to yourself perhaps, but enjoy lol
Happy New spark
Great drone footage and fab viewing folks, but what’s with the Smurf music 😁.
Great video 😊 am looking at boats. Will rich now be droning on 😂
Thanks Fran for your kind words I’ll try (not too tech savvy) to let you know how I get on .I’m doing this solo so may take me much much longer to get my head everything.
Love you guys. Totally agree with the rude cyclist. I think that
southwest people in general. I should know I live here. If you want to store your car on my drive your more than welcome. 😁
Thats so kind of you Paul. Hopefully it will soon be gone but thanks for the offer and thank you for watching
Fran x
No need to make any decisions now no need for wasted worry. In a few years you will know. Cheers
I can't agree more. My parents spent their lives planning for and worrying about the future, then forgot to live their lives. We have learnt from others and are living life now! Thank you for watching
Fran x
You could always get a Renault twizzy which is probably light enough to park it on the Narrowboat lol
numberplate guy ha ha!
Hi guys does your radio work in the boat, or do you need to place it anywhere special?
Thanks and really enjoying the vlogs (bought my washing nuts)
Thanks for another goodun. Really enjoyed the drone views. Is the drone a DJI Spark? That's what we are thinking of getting.
Fran, my dear wife is asking how you dry clothes. We have a washing machine on our boat which we move into in April but no boat tubers seem to show drying clothes other than visits to the laundromat in towns or marinas. Thanks!!
Hi Scott(?) Watch our episode no.42 to be available sometime next week, thanks again for watching x
Floating Our Boat Hi and thanks. I watch every episode and some more than once. Looking forward to episode 42. (The name is Gus) we will be on the River Medway which is sort of cut off from the rest of the canal system. I motored from Limehouse down the Thames and round the corner and up the Medway
hey another fantastic upload from you both please do you have any info on the drone as I'm interested in getting one keep safe and keep the videos coming Clive in Nottingham .
Hi Clive we use a DJI Spark, store.dji.com/shop/spark-series?from=menu_products it's great fun. Thanks for watching.
Lovely video,lovely couple. To the miserable sod who disliked the vlog ? kiss it"
Thank you so much John. couldn't have put it better!
Fran
Rich & Fran, Nice chat. Would love to get my better half to cast off the lines and live upon the cut. Have you met any yankee folks living aboard full time? If so put me in touch. All the best and stay safe and well. Courtenay Barber, Falmouth MA
Hi Courtney.nwe have so many American guests and have met a few on holiday boats. There was also one couple who have s boat here and come every summer then go back to the States in the winter.
Fran, did you knit your blue cardigan? it's beautiful, and I was wondering if there was a pattern name I might be able to look up :-) ... Really loved your vlog, you are such a lovely couple! Nice drone footage, Rich! :-)
thank you so much for your lovely comments and thank you for watching. I'm afraid I didn't knit the blue cardigan. Like most of my clothes it came from a charity shop 😀.
Fran x
Thank you so much, Fran, for your kind reply! I think I can figure out the pattern by studying it on your video :-) hugs from BC, Canada xx
I notice that narrow boats do not appear to have screens on the doors or windows. I may be particularly sensitive given the huge number or mosquitos in my backyard at present, but are there not flies, mosquitos, and other bugs to contend with in GB.
Thanks for watching Steve. When we started out I was particularly worried about the mozzies as I am very reactive but in fact they haven't been a problem. Avon skin so soft works a treat at keeping them all at bay, it is even used by the army apparently. We are plagued with spiders at the moment but they seem friendly enough!
Fran x
Where's the drone gone, at this point he knew he messed up & should have taken out the extra cover for accidental damage 😂😂😂
After two weeks on the broads finally catching up.
What's the purpose of the floating boom across the entrance to each side pound?
I believe that the pounds aren't adequate depth to maneuver in. There may be shallow places as water ebbs and flows.
I think you are right Charles. Not navigable, just a supply of water. Thank you both for watching and commenting.
Fran x
Frances McCarty yes I wondered it there were there to deter the occasional idiot boater who fancied a mid flight mooring! Then I thought perhaps they are more like floating oil booms, to prevent any spilled diesel etc going into the pounds which seem to have become a bit of a haven for wildlife. With all those boat movements in a confined space I guess the water quality here is not always brilliant.
Good morning
Thank you for taking the time to make the videos, are you missing Norfolk at all?
We live near Braintree Essex and are soon starting out hunt for a boat, just weekends and holidays to start with, we only have work commitments three days a week so long weekends should be good. Do you have any advice to give like what's the best maps, easiest canals to start on, places not to start on and so on? How long had you wanted to go on the canals before you did it? Had you been on before you got your boat? We got a hire boat in a couple of weeks, we should be heading up past rugby all being well.
Hi Lewis , we going on a short break from Gayton on the g u ,2nd week in Oct, I'm trying to find ideas about pubs and such.the g u looks pretty. There is a canal museum at Stoke bruerne , (if you are going that way ).
Also love watching the u tube videos and Fran and Rich on floating our boat is exceptional and very informative, with music , only wish I could compose !
Good morning Rachel
Yes we watch loads of you tube videos about canals, I have wanted to have a narrow boat for years, I remember years ago walking the tow path down in Dan Browns area. Have you been on before?
A long time ago, with my family ,went around Birmingham , and more than a decade ago, we went Norfolk broads, . Is Dan Brown , something interesting ? Is that Wales area ? That's beautiful too.
Lol I meant is that Dan Brown from 'sort of interesting '
60 turn Paddle gear? Is there a way to get a socket setup for a cordless drill to spin that shaft?
Ha ha! Great idea but I'm trying to keep the bingo wings at bay
Fran x