Good to see you showing the less salubrious parts of the canal network. At times It looked like you were travelling through a post-apocalyptic landscape, but you reached the centre of Birmingham and all is light and culture. Well done.
Love you guys... you are now (together with 'Naughty Lass' Cummings and Dave 'Cruising the Cut') my fave narrow boaters, I'll have you know. Ps.. I'm watching you at 3.45am before I got out Ubering!! Ps2 your vids just keep getting better!!
Hello again, correction to my mail yesterday, there are 32 locks between Ashton & Standedge, (roughly 20 miles). We always called it the Ashton Canal, proper name is the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. 'Google' Standedge Tunnel, very interesting information. K.
Born there, but ripped away and shunted clear across the world, Down Under. I’ve been back for a couple of visits, the last just a few weeks ago. Hubby and I visited the canal pubs near Braunston, and we have fallen in love with the narrow boats.
A lot of people are critical of the CRT and, of course, no organisation is perfect, but they have 2000+ miles of navigation to take care of and very little revenue, comparatively. You would think that Birmingham - our second city, supposedly - would get their arse in gear as well. Then again, we live in a country which knows the cost of everything and the value of very little. If it weren't for all of the volunteers, the canals would be soggy ditches! Anyhoo, rant being over - nice to see you fit and well and on the move. x
You are quite right. I think on the whole CRT do a great job. It should be up to cities to look after their own stretches of canal and towpath. After all many people flock to see the boats and they give a town Character. Birmingham are doing really well in the city for boaters and gongoozlers alike. it is just the outlying industrial areas which are a bit neglected.
I often see my local Councillor jogging along the Grand Union in Brum, and I'm happy to report that the canals through Brum have got much cleaner and tidier in recent times.
Nice to see you both again. lovely video. I was travelling South on the M5 south of Birmingham a week ago and saw a sign saying “There are 30 men working on this bridge and 341 working underneath it “ . That explains the abundant scaffolding. Regards AJ
My brother used to live in Moseley village it was a wonderful place for a few drinks 🍷 People have the wrong perception of Birmingham it’s a lovely place to visit
The best place that I have been to was the Gas Street Basin, yes it's almost town centre but the amount of restaurants in that one area is amazing, I was there in July of 2017 a fantastic time was had. I was on one of two boats that were hired for my friends and I as part of relaxation before we went on to Stratford on Avon and sang part of our list of songs.
Hi James. Thanks for the comment and for watching. We absolutely love being moored in Birmingham. Not sure you would have got much rest to prepare for your singing though!
I noticed at about 17.50 the 4 stages of transport evolution, canal over river,what looks like a railway line over the canal and a motorway over the lot. Great vlog.
NICE TO HAVE A REST....hope you have been safe in Birmingham...seems to have gotten better than what is was a few years ago when it was a dangerous place to stay...there is a lot of weed...wonder if it is caused by fertilisers etc entering the system as run-off from fields and such....rare to see a tunnel with a tow path...By overall length Birmingham city has more canals than that of Venice. The first canal of Birmingham city was dug back in 1769. It is to connect Birmingham city with Wednesbury town. Back in the 18th century, there were 174 miles of canal in Birmingham city....the canal went from a nice weedy canal to a large open sewer with all the trash in it.....
Amazing to see all the contrasts that we have in this Country of ours, Many thanks for all your hard work in the past and to come in the future. Well done as always..
I saw that a few calls came in for your next vlog,but hey you on canal time and there always family. So keep to your schedule and we still enjoy. Love your stuff.
I know this was over a year ago! I have been binge watching all of your Vlogs. I just want to say thank you to both of you for such beautiful entertainment. Also many thanks for you kind words for my home City of Birmingham. You both have given me the dream to one day become a Nomadic boatman. Many thanks - Fletch -
I absolutely love your videos, I used to play down that stretch of the cut when I was younger. Say hello to Bob for me would you please? I used work in the next office to him,and it was Bob who put me on to your channel. Take care guys.
the rivers and canal trust need to go along all of the operational canals in the uk and see which ones are to overgrown with the weeds and dredge some of the weeds out but leave some in along the opposite side to the moorings for fish to seek refuge during the hot sunny days
Hello, happy to see you again, it's a pity to see at a time so transparent water, and after seeing a sewer virtually, we have the same situation here too, with also bottles of plastic and cans, incivilities widespread
I took a similar route into Brum last month and apart from a few manky bits was pleasantly surprised by the state of the canal. It is extremely clear but very weedy near the Black Country Museum.
I recently started as a volunteer lock keeper, on the Aston Flight, so I look forward to seeing you on the Birmingham & Fazeley sometime! Meanwhile, enjoying catching up with the vlogs...
I’m so pleased that you’ve both taken a well deserved break because everyone deserves a holiday although it seems like you’ve still been very busy. The boat is looking great and you captured some interesting footage of Birmingham. I’ve read lots of negative comments on the forums but I’ve seen boat tubers going through without any issues in fact the NB Chef has been there a couple of times recently and Minimalist did extensive cruising in the area. Thanks as always for a great video.
Well, I for one truly enjoyed the industrial section of the canal - sort of an interesting contrast to the many miles of countryside seen on most of the other narrowboat channels. It is a shame that this canal needed some tidying up and general maintenance, but at least you made it through ok. Once again, I cannot say enough about the quality of your videos and the great camera work. Plus I really like that you both have a pleasant disposition. Believe it or not, there are quite a few vloggers who live on the canals and spend a lot of time griping about things... so stay cheerful and enjoy! 😁
Thank you Gilbert. We enjoy the industrial side of the canals as well as the piece and quiet. It is after why they were built. If we ever get to the point when we start whinging, I think it will be time to do something different. We love it all.
so was waiting for you to go shopping at the wedgewood place, cos I have been there and bought stuff and brought it all the way back home to Adelaide Australia
Happy that you had some time to enjoy just being together! I won't tell a lie, though, it was wonderful to see your faces again! Safe travels! ( too, when you mentioned the word "wedding", my heart lept, and I thought we were going to hear an "announcement" of great import regarding you two, lol! ) Again, lovely to see you!
So glad to see you back on the water even if it is weedy. Missed you both but glad to see you are both doing well and looking good, looking forward to the next vlog. Ed 40 south of Vegas XX
Lots of Flanagan & Allen (arches!), and a personnel view, "show me the road out of here!!", I don't like cities noisy dirty places but as I said " just a country bumpkins view" nice to see you out and about.
Glad to hear all's well and great pictures as usual. Boat looks very bright. BCN Main and old lines are a means to an end....far from scenic! but not as bad as Walsall area. Wifey would love to know what you grow on board, what's easiest/hardest, etc, and what some are used for. You obviously know what you are doing and would be useful for those without green fingers.
We have just done a little bit of filming on the roof garden. We wouldn't be without salad leaves. We have been eating our own spicy leaves for months now. Tumbler cherry tomatoes are also really good and our french beans are looking great this year. We are also trying courgettes in a pot, but that's a first for us so we will see.
A good Sunday morning to you both. You started my day off properly with your new vlog. I MISSED YOU! Phew, now we can be content again. Thanks for being there. Merry Ann from Minnesota
Vlog so good it was almost worth the wait. Family and down time integral to a happy life. Good to see Birmingham again. Minimal List also noted scaffolding and spicy aromas from factories. Beautiful flowers.
The last time i came up the 21 i was very fortunate, all but the last one were in my favour. I did it in just over 4 hours. As i'm single handed i was shocked when i looked at my watch. I wonder if i'll ever be that lucky again.
about time too blimin heck i'll say away for a while now thought you'd gone some where, now i'm getting my fix of you chaps been following you 2 for a while cheers...
Great to see you back , hope you enjoyed your break we all missed you ,enjoyed the video was nice to see your smiling faces again, looking forward to the next one already lol ,take care ATB Paul
So glad you are back and everything is alright !! Had a feeling you were both busy with a paint pot or something. Anyway enjoying a Sunday bite to eat with a dose of your latest vlog , great !!
Addicted to watching you lovely couple . The filming could not be more BEAUTIFUL Love the songs ,especially YOU AND ME . Would like to know where in London is Fran fromand Rich does not have a Brummie accent ... Will look out for you if ever you visit Worcester ,Diglis xx.
So good to see you two again. You have been misses. We just returned from the Cotswolds area. We visited a couple of the canals and watched as they worked the locks. I really do not remember the name of the area, but is was absolutely beautiful. We also spent a week in the Cornwall area. I think we have fallen in love with England and it’s people. This was our second vacation in England and we look forward to returning next year
Good to see you both again looking relaxed and ready, number 60 and make way the next sixty into the future, I hope. I enjoyed this one and l was amazed how the clear water went into murky water. Rich, Cricket was good but I am looking forwards all-blacks world cup, Being English I support both the teams as you perhaps gathered. Fran, is weaving more of a winter thing? Blessings Kaiora cheers for now John NZ
When we were in Coventry (I think, or it may have been London) we did see a work party of people on an away day from a local office spending the day litter collecting with CRT. They loved it as a bit of a team building exercise and it was great for the canal. Wish there was more of that, it was a great idea.
Nice to see you... To see you nice!! :) Glad your back! You need a break from all the filming and vloging now and again otherwise it just becomes monotonous. Recharging the batteries does you good, everyone needs to :) Nice sun tan on both of you Dammit! lol :)
Loving all the videos.. Kinda went and binged watched them over a few days lol, fran just wondering have you thought about cloning your herbs to sell at markets or to UK subscribers 😉cause I'm useless at growing rosemary lol the supermarket stuff just doesn't grow as well unless it's parsley basil or thyme which grow crazy when replanted an fed
The Main Line is fairly weed free. We didn’t pass many boats on the Wolverhampton locks or on the route into Birmingham. We like Birmingham but this time we found the high speed cyclists a bit of a problem. If you’re trying to moor a 20 ton boat you don’t need a cyclists doing 20mph ringing a bell about 3feet away from you.
Looks great good time's ahead good interesting honest videos keep going say it like it is London looked a bit full lot of crap in water will keep watching looks interesting good look
Hey guys! Grace took me with her in the mid nineties to see Birmingham...I loved it, and I’m sure it’s much different and even more improved since. I particularly liked the Bullring. What iteration is it now? When I was there it was all sorts of shops & small restaurants. Got me some jellied eels, I did. Even asked the ladies at the counter for some napkins, being a Yank. I didn’t think they would ever stop laughing!
Oh that's impressive Doug, eating jellied eels. I'm a Londoner and they are one of the only things I think I can't eat! We didn't get as far as the Bullring, but maybe on our way back through Birmingham in the next week. We'll let you know.
So glad to see you both up & about boating! Glad you took time off for family fun! Interesting, yes, folks don't usually say good things abt narrowboating in Birmingham, so glad you found great things to share! Say, Fran, can you give me the name of the co. that produced your foldable loom? My sister is starting it as a hobby. Blessings! Q
Hello QiaJenai and thank you for your commen.t My loom is a Saori loom which is a unique kind of loom with a lovely story behind it. if you look up saoriglobal.com you can follow links to registered Saori studios near you. They can be sent out to you flat packed, but it is a good idea to go to a studio to collect it and be shown how it works if possible. Fran x
We are racing as fast as we can to catch up on your videos after Kevin from Travels by Narrowboat put us on to your vlog. Of course we have to watch them in order from the beginning, which brings me to my question. Thus far, Fran, you have never addressed how you keep your bob so adorable. I’ve had the same cut in the past and I know they need regular maintenance (cutting and blow drying) to look good even when wind blown. How are you managing that with no car and (probably) no access to your regular hair stylist. Is Rich skilled at haircuts???
Thank you so much. I used to find a hairdresser wherever we were, but had a few bad cuts so during lockdown I let Rich cut my hair and have never looked back!
Fran - I'm a ways behind - probably won't catch you up for a few weeks - I have a request - could you or Rich call out the flowers you video - perhaps Rich could add them in his editing (easy for me to say!) :) Your Vlog keeps me sane as a fire roars in the Everglades...
Brum must have changed over the past few years as at one time it was the place to avoid as boaters would have bricks thrown at them and damaged to to boats.....glad it is now safer to moor up there.....many factories have closed down so no pollution being released into the cut or river.....
"You know us, we don't like towns." Followed by "So good, we're having to go back for a couple of days." Birmingham couldn't ask for a better review! Truthfully. Anyone who is a "townie" can give a positive review of a town, but getting a positive review from a "countrie" is 100% better! And, you two ARE allowed to have your own life, luvies. Just post a quick Twitter tweet saying "we're ok, but busy" and that will be enough so we don't worry about you.
No need to make excuses. You've been on a three week bender. It happens... ;o) Nice Eels T-shirt, Rich. Great band. Was that brother Bob waiting for you at the end of the video? All the best.
Hi Roger, not forgetting Sabbath. You may know that I'm a Brummy and my uncle, Mike Pinder, was a founding member of The Moody Blues! I still love all those old bands and remember all the gigs I've seen at The Odeon in New St., Rich.
@@FloatingOurBoat .. If at Lapworth then that used to be just right for Sabbath... but moved in last couple of years. The Winwood brothers were also from Moody Blues Spag Junc area... I was in Edgar Broughton territory... your uncle should know where that was. Gas street canalside area is so much better than it used to be in the 70s. but getting to is is still as "industial" and tiresome, especially if the water levels are down as very shallow.
@@FloatingOurBoat That M6 & M5 concrete is nearly as old as me... amazed it's still standing better than i can! There, and around Aston are amazing with 2 levels of canal, 1 rail and 2 or 3 road .... should be tidied up and made into industrial architecture heritage parks, like Manchester Media City areas.
Hi there, welcome back, great to see you back on the screen. If I may, I would like to make a suggestion for your trip up North, head for Middlewich and the Cheshire Ring through Macclesfield, Marple on the Peak Forest Canal and into Portland Basin in Ashton-Under-Lyne. There you will find Portland Basin Museum, great visit. When you come out of Peak Forest Canal, turn right towards Stalybridge onto the Ashton Canal, this will take you through The Standedge Tunnel and on to Huddersfield and Leeds, where you will turn left onto the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, Rochdale Canal and into Manchester. From there you can get almost anywhere else in UK. I am from Ashton-Ubder-Lyne originally, (I have lived in Canada since '79, having moved here at age 27.)I am planning to visit UK later this year for 3 weeks, so if you need a hand with the locks, give me a shout and what dates you will roughly be there in Ashton. I think there is something like 24 locks from Ashton to the Western Portal of Standedge Tunnel. If you don't know the area, I am an excellent tour guide, having played and cycled the canals within a 30 mile radius of Ashton back in the '60's. Fell in a few times as well. Lol. Hope to hear back from you both. Take care & stay safe. Hope you got your tunnel headlight fixed, Standedge is 3 miles long and can be legged.. lol. Ken.
Hi Kenneth, thanks for your message. We hope the videos are bringing back happy memories of England for you.That is pretty much the journey we think we may make, but we have absolutely no time scale at the moment. Please keep watching our journey and you will be able to see where we are nearer the time of your visit. x
@@FloatingOurBoat - Many thanks for the reply. The closer you get to the Peak Forest and beyond, the greater the memories get. Either no. 2 or no. 3 lock up from Ashton on the Huddersfield Canal was full and derelict in the '60's., as kids we would dare each other to jump from one side wall to the other, yes, I fell in on one of my jumps. Mum wasn't too happy. Lol. Maybe I'll get yo show you the lock, NOT the jump. Lol. Stay safe. K.
I don’t know if there was more than oil in the sludge in that filthy section of the canal, but I did notice that you were under the road then. Too bad they don’t put some type of catchment up there to drain in a more controlled way to avoid polluting the canal and all the greenery down there. In the states there are sections of roads kept clean by local businesses, groups, school groups, scouts and families. They get a sign that says they are keeping it up. Garden Club sections are always (well, mostly? Not seen a bad one yet) lovely. If I was a business in Birmingham, especially a takeaway, I would take as much of the canal as I could manage and clean it up, keep it clean and plant nice greenery, trees, flowers and even art. And I would plant a continuation of the same theme around my business or on my sign or window boxes and...or...plus....and maybe. Making something lovely and changing the reputation of a place is better marketing than any advertisement. And as a canal boater, I would stop and do business with a place like that who cares about the community and another ‘by association ‘ trick of the mind, it their section is clean and pretty then I bet the restaurant is too. There are lots of win/wins that could and should be exploited. Competitions of the loveliest/funniest/most original sections. Consultation with garden clubs, sponsorships, hmmm......if I were closer I would be meeting with the CRT and putting it together. Maybe I could get sponsorships from the airlines to take me back and forth and even a sponsorship from a Home Health Company to nurse husband while I am away. Hmm.... now 20 quid says someone will race me to it (wink). That would be a real shame.
Hi Rebecca, good luck with your scheme. This does happen here with some of our roundabouts and they are often made to look really pretty. I dont know if anyone has thought of approaching businesses to look after a stretch of canal. I have seen a few lock gardens maintained by local groups but that is all.It sounds like a good idea as long as we can avoid too many big company adverts coming in.
Floating Our Boat - no advertising is allowed by businesses large or small. Signs are made by the highway department acknowledging the business maintaining that section of the highway. The CRT would do the same. The signs here are about 18” wide and simply state ....This section of highway is maintained by David’s Bridal or by Viceroy Tandoori or whatever for the highway beautification project or something like that. Smaller than a stop sign and the business name is slightly larger than the other letters. Just big enough to be read but not so big to obscure the view.
Since a nipper I've called it Berminam, sorry we don't towk reet in Stoke. Have to say I think the Stoke on Trent experience was superior ? Clean yer act up Berminam
You would think with all the vlogers showing the rubbishy the the canal trusts or who ever would get the message to clean do something. But that's politics I guess.
Frans is so cute with short hair! Liked this video, as usual. I simply love seeing Rich and Fran, they're so likable, funny. Perfect together.
Thank you so much!!
Good to see you showing the less salubrious parts of the canal network. At times It looked like you were travelling through
a post-apocalyptic landscape, but you reached the centre of Birmingham and all is light and culture. Well done.
I always sing in tunnels! We enjoyed Birmingham by canal in 2017 and 2016.
Please, please, more of Birmingham.
We hope to film some more on our way back through. Maybe a dedicated Birmingham episode.
Love you guys... you are now (together with 'Naughty Lass' Cummings and Dave 'Cruising the Cut') my fave narrow boaters, I'll have you know. Ps.. I'm watching you at 3.45am before I got out Ubering!! Ps2 your vids just keep getting better!!
Hello again, correction to my mail yesterday, there are 32 locks between Ashton & Standedge, (roughly 20 miles). We always called it the Ashton Canal, proper name is the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. 'Google' Standedge Tunnel, very interesting information. K.
Thank you
Love Birmingham. lovely to see you back
As a born and bred Brummie i love it when i see people visiting my home town.
My home town too David. More to come. Rich.
Born there, but ripped away and shunted clear across the world, Down Under. I’ve been back for a couple of visits, the last just a few weeks ago. Hubby and I visited the canal pubs near Braunston, and we have fallen in love with the narrow boats.
Lovely to hear someone finally big up Birmingham.Great city loads to see and do.
We did that route last year and were amazed by and agreed about the scaffolding and thought that was where the real money was in Brum.
A lot of people are critical of the CRT and, of course, no organisation is perfect, but they have 2000+ miles of navigation to take care of and very little revenue, comparatively. You would think that Birmingham - our second city, supposedly - would get their arse in gear as well.
Then again, we live in a country which knows the cost of everything and the value of very little. If it weren't for all of the volunteers, the canals would be soggy ditches!
Anyhoo, rant being over - nice to see you fit and well and on the move. x
You are quite right. I think on the whole CRT do a great job. It should be up to cities to look after their own stretches of canal and towpath. After all many people flock to see the boats and they give a town Character. Birmingham are doing really well in the city for boaters and gongoozlers alike. it is just the outlying industrial areas which are a bit neglected.
@@FloatingOurBoat I doubt if many Counsellors are aware their cities have a canal...
I often see my local Councillor jogging along the Grand Union in Brum, and I'm happy to report that the canals through Brum have got much cleaner and tidier in recent times.
Nice to see you both again. lovely video. I was travelling South on the M5 south of Birmingham a week ago and saw a sign saying “There are 30 men working on this bridge and 341 working underneath it “ . That explains the abundant scaffolding. Regards AJ
Oh, we didn't see a single person working. Maybe all having a break to watch narrowboat vlogs!!
My brother used to live in Moseley village it was a wonderful place for a few drinks 🍷 People have the wrong perception of Birmingham it’s a lovely place to visit
The best place that I have been to was the Gas Street Basin, yes it's almost town centre but the amount of restaurants in that one area is amazing, I was there in July of 2017 a fantastic time was had. I was on one of two boats that were hired for my friends and I as part of relaxation before we went on to Stratford on Avon and sang part of our list of songs.
Hi James. Thanks for the comment and for watching. We absolutely love being moored in Birmingham. Not sure you would have got much rest to prepare for your singing though!
I noticed at about 17.50 the 4 stages of transport evolution, canal over river,what looks like a railway line over the canal and a motorway over the lot. Great vlog.
Glad you are back, we all need a break from time to time, even if we are doing something we love. Missed your smiling faces xx
Thank you Sue x
NICE TO HAVE A REST....hope you have been safe in Birmingham...seems to have gotten better than what is was a few years ago when it was a dangerous place to stay...there is a lot of weed...wonder if it is caused by fertilisers etc entering the system as run-off from fields and such....rare to see a tunnel with a tow path...By overall length Birmingham city has more canals than that of Venice. The first canal of Birmingham city was dug back in 1769. It is to connect Birmingham city with Wednesbury town. Back in the 18th century, there were 174 miles of canal in Birmingham city....the canal went from a nice weedy canal to a large open sewer with all the trash in it.....
Amazing to see all the contrasts that we have in this Country of ours, Many thanks for all your hard work in the past and to come in the future. Well done as always..
It's one of the reasons we love this way of life. No two days and no two moorings the same.
Glad you enjoyed Birmingham . I live about 5 miles away in Tipton in the Black Country. Always love a day in Birmingham
I saw that a few calls came in for your next vlog,but hey you on canal time and there always family. So keep to your schedule and we still enjoy. Love your stuff.
Thank you James. We enjoyed the break, but are glad to be back now x
So glad your back.... You where truly missed....
I know this was over a year ago! I have been binge watching all of your Vlogs. I just want to say thank you to both of you for such beautiful entertainment. Also many thanks for you kind words for my home City of Birmingham. You both have given me the dream to one day become a Nomadic boatman. Many thanks - Fletch -
Thank you so much! We both really enjoyed Birmingham, especially Rich, being a Brummie. Glad you enjoyed it x
I absolutely love your videos, I used to play down that stretch of the cut when I was younger. Say hello to Bob for me would you please? I used work in the next office to him,and it was Bob who put me on to your channel. Take care guys.
the rivers and canal trust need to go along all of the operational canals in the uk and see which ones are to overgrown with the weeds and dredge some of the weeds out but leave some in along the opposite side to the moorings for fish to seek refuge during the hot sunny days
Pleased to see your happy faces back again..look forward to seeing you on a regular basis again. Best wishes from Alberta Canada
Glad to have you back guys! I wish all canals were that clear...... xxx
Phew, and there was me thinking you forgotten us all. Nice to see you to see you nice, as you know who would say.
Its lovely to be back Gaz and hear from so many familiar names. x
Hello, happy to see you again, it's a pity to see at a time so transparent water, and after seeing a sewer virtually, we have the same situation here too, with also bottles of plastic and cans, incivilities widespread
YOU BOTH LOOK VERY WELL WITH YOUR TANS AND ALSO LIKE YOUR VLOGS KEEP THEM UP
I took a similar route into Brum last month and apart from a few manky bits was pleasantly surprised by the state of the canal. It is extremely clear but very weedy near the Black Country Museum.
Glad your back. Hope you are much rested.
Well lovely to see both your smiling faces again. Been missing ya both.. x
Thank you Ray
Thanks for the "fix", we can stop shaking now.
I recently started as a volunteer lock keeper, on the Aston Flight, so I look forward to seeing you on the Birmingham & Fazeley sometime!
Meanwhile, enjoying catching up with the vlogs...
Nice one Dave. We shall look forward to coming back to Brum.
great to see yous back ,,,, don't leave us again or else lol
I’m so pleased that you’ve both taken a well deserved break because everyone deserves a holiday although it seems like you’ve still been very busy. The boat is looking great and you captured some interesting footage of Birmingham. I’ve read lots of negative comments on the forums but I’ve seen boat tubers going through without any issues in fact the NB Chef has been there a couple of times recently and Minimalist did extensive cruising in the area. Thanks as always for a great video.
Well, I for one truly enjoyed the industrial section of the canal - sort of an interesting contrast to the many miles of countryside seen on most of the other narrowboat channels. It is a shame that this canal needed some tidying up and general maintenance, but at least you made it through ok. Once again, I cannot say enough about the quality of your videos and the great camera work. Plus I really like that you both have a pleasant disposition. Believe it or not, there are quite a few vloggers who live on the canals and spend a lot of time griping about things... so stay cheerful and enjoy! 😁
Thank you Gilbert. We enjoy the industrial side of the canals as well as the piece and quiet. It is after why they were built. If we ever get to the point when we start whinging, I think it will be time to do something different. We love it all.
so was waiting for you to go shopping at the wedgewood place, cos I have been there and bought stuff and brought it all the way back home to Adelaide Australia
Happy that you had some time to enjoy just being together! I won't tell a lie, though, it was wonderful to see your faces again! Safe travels! ( too, when you mentioned the word "wedding", my heart lept, and I thought we were going to hear an "announcement" of great import regarding you two, lol! ) Again, lovely to see you!
We are working on that one Lisa. Keep watching!!
So glad to see you back on the water even if it is weedy. Missed you both but glad to see you are both doing well and looking good, looking forward to the next vlog. Ed 40 south of Vegas XX
Lots of Flanagan & Allen (arches!), and a personnel view, "show me the road out of here!!", I don't like cities noisy dirty places but as I said " just a country bumpkins view" nice to see you out and about.
Great to see you two...nothing beats being out in the countryside :)
Glad to hear all's well and great pictures as usual. Boat looks very bright. BCN Main and old lines are a means to an end....far from scenic! but not as bad as Walsall area.
Wifey would love to know what you grow on board, what's easiest/hardest, etc, and what some are used for. You obviously know what you are doing and would be useful for those without green fingers.
We have just done a little bit of filming on the roof garden. We wouldn't be without salad leaves. We have been eating our own spicy leaves for months now. Tumbler cherry tomatoes are also really good and our french beans are looking great this year. We are also trying courgettes in a pot, but that's a first for us so we will see.
GREAT TO SEE YOU BACK, we missed you guys. It's good you could take some time off, we were worried maybe one of you were sick. Great vid as always.
We really are fine and now we are refreshed and ready to go
Wooten wawen beautiful part of the country 👍🏻 your looking well guys well done. 👌🏻
A good Sunday morning to you both. You started my day off properly with your new vlog. I MISSED YOU! Phew, now we can be content again. Thanks for being there. Merry Ann from Minnesota
Thank you Merry Ann
Lovely to see you both out and about again. Looking forward to following your exploits once again x
Brilliant guys,well done.wellcome back😁👍👏👏👏
Nice to see you two well and smiling!
Thank you again for a lovely vlog your both so chipper and embracing of the canal life....love it. all the best from Mark & Jean in Cayman Islands.
Another great video. Great to see you back and both enjoying life to the max... you were missed from Dubai too...;)
I love doing some of the urban canals. They can have great facilities.
Vlog so good it was almost worth the wait. Family and down time integral to a happy life. Good to see Birmingham again. Minimal List also noted scaffolding and spicy aromas from factories. Beautiful flowers.
The last time i came up the 21 i was very fortunate, all but the last one were in my favour. I did it in just over 4 hours. As i'm single handed i was shocked when i looked at my watch. I wonder if i'll ever be that lucky again.
That's amazing. I think we'll hire you when we next go there
about time too blimin heck i'll say away for a while now thought you'd gone some where, now i'm getting my fix of you chaps been following you 2 for a while cheers...
Great to see you back was worried you had sunk when boat went back in water
Nice to have you back 👍 Cheers 🍻
Welcome back. Nice to see you.....
Great to see you back , hope you enjoyed your break we all missed you ,enjoyed the video was nice to see your smiling faces again, looking forward to the next one already lol ,take care ATB Paul
So glad you are back and everything is alright !! Had a feeling you were both busy with a paint pot or something. Anyway enjoying a Sunday bite to eat with a dose of your latest vlog , great !!
We went in and saw all the fish in Gas Street Basin which was lovely
Addicted to watching you lovely couple .
The filming could not be more BEAUTIFUL
Love the songs ,especially YOU AND ME .
Would like to know where in London is Fran fromand Rich does not have a Brummie accent ...
Will look out for you if ever you visit Worcester ,Diglis xx.
So good to see you two again. You have been misses. We just returned from the Cotswolds area. We visited a couple of the canals and watched as they worked the locks. I really do not remember the name of the area, but is was absolutely beautiful. We also spent a week in the Cornwall area. I think we have fallen in love with England and it’s people. This was our second vacation in England and we look forward to returning next year
I'm not suprised you have fallen in love with our country. The Cotswolds and Cornwall are both so beautiful.
Good to see you both again looking relaxed and ready, number 60 and make way the next sixty into the future, I hope. I enjoyed this one and l was amazed how the clear water went into murky water. Rich, Cricket was good but I am looking forwards all-blacks world cup, Being English I support both the teams as you perhaps gathered. Fran, is weaving more of a winter thing? Blessings Kaiora cheers for now John NZ
Great video, Rich and Fran. Robert NZ
would,nt it be good to get crt to send a cleaning boat around and raise the feel good factor of this wonderful navigation...good to have you back.
When we were in Coventry (I think, or it may have been London) we did see a work party of people on an away day from a local office spending the day litter collecting with CRT. They loved it as a bit of a team building exercise and it was great for the canal. Wish there was more of that, it was a great idea.
@ 14.25, that's our home for the weekend when we do "the BCN clean up". part of it was a stable.
When is the BCN clean up, or is it an ongoing thing?
@@FloatingOurBoat usually the last weekend in march.
I have sure missed you
Nice to see you... To see you nice!! :) Glad your back! You need a break from all the filming and vloging now and again otherwise it just becomes monotonous. Recharging the batteries does you good, everyone needs to :) Nice sun tan on both of you Dammit! lol :)
Thanks Steven, we're glad to be back x
Great to see you back again. Have you got a squeaky tiller?
Yes, I think we did have at this time
Well done
Loving all the videos.. Kinda went and binged watched them over a few days lol, fran just wondering have you thought about cloning your herbs to sell at markets or to UK subscribers 😉cause I'm useless at growing rosemary lol the supermarket stuff just doesn't grow as well unless it's parsley basil or thyme which grow crazy when replanted an fed
they are doing bridge repairs and your traveling faster than the cars above!
It always makes us smile when we go past crawling cars in traffic jams.We always give them a wave, but I'm not sure they appreciate it.
The Main Line is fairly weed free. We didn’t pass many boats on the Wolverhampton locks or on the route into Birmingham. We like Birmingham but this time we found the high speed cyclists a bit of a problem. If you’re trying to moor a 20 ton boat you don’t need a cyclists doing 20mph ringing a bell about 3feet away from you.
Done the same birmingham last year weeds bad every were got stuck a few time. scaffolding was up last year same place
Looks great good time's ahead good interesting honest videos keep going say it like it is London looked a bit full lot of crap in water will keep watching looks interesting good look
Hey guys! Grace took me with her in the mid nineties to see Birmingham...I loved it, and I’m sure it’s much different and even more improved since. I particularly liked the Bullring. What iteration is it now? When I was there it was all sorts of shops & small restaurants. Got me some jellied eels, I did. Even asked the ladies at the counter for some napkins, being a Yank. I didn’t think they would ever stop laughing!
Oh that's impressive Doug, eating jellied eels. I'm a Londoner and they are one of the only things I think I can't eat! We didn't get as far as the Bullring, but maybe on our way back through Birmingham in the next week. We'll let you know.
I look forward, as always, to your next vlog!
So glad to see you both up & about boating! Glad you took time off for family fun! Interesting, yes, folks don't usually say good things abt narrowboating in Birmingham, so glad you found great things to share! Say, Fran, can you give me the name of the co. that produced your foldable loom? My sister is starting it as a hobby. Blessings! Q
Hello QiaJenai and thank you for your commen.t My loom is a Saori loom which is a unique kind of loom with a lovely story behind it. if you look up saoriglobal.com you can follow links to registered Saori studios near you. They can be sent out to you flat packed, but it is a good idea to go to a studio to collect it and be shown how it works if possible.
Fran x
@@FloatingOurBoatThanks Fran! I now recall that's what you said, but I couldn't find the video where you previously mentioned it. Q
@@FloatingOurBoatThanks Fran! I now recall that's what you said, but I couldn't find the video where you previously mentioned it. Q
@@FloatingOurBoatThanks Fran! I now recall that's what you said, but I couldn't find the video where you previously mentioned it. Q
Hi ive subscribed to ur channel
And looked at previous vlogs x
Hi Sam, welcome to our channel and thanks for watching
About time.😁
We are racing as fast as we can to catch up on your videos after Kevin from Travels by Narrowboat put us on to your vlog. Of course we have to watch them in order from the beginning, which brings me to my question. Thus far, Fran, you have never addressed how you keep your bob so adorable. I’ve had the same cut in the past and I know they need regular maintenance (cutting and blow drying) to look good even when wind blown. How are you managing that with no car and (probably) no access to your regular hair stylist. Is Rich skilled at haircuts???
Thank you so much. I used to find a hairdresser wherever we were, but had a few bad cuts so during lockdown I let Rich cut my hair and have never looked back!
@@FloatingOurBoat That is a LOT of trust! Great job! Thanks
Fran - I'm a ways behind - probably won't catch you up for a few weeks - I have a request - could you or Rich call out the flowers you video - perhaps Rich could add them in his editing (easy for me to say!) :) Your Vlog keeps me sane as a fire roars in the Everglades...
I will try to do a few little flower walks. Thanks for the suggestion
Brum must have changed over the past few years as at one time it was the place to avoid as boaters would have bricks thrown at them and damaged to to boats.....glad it is now safer to moor up there.....many factories have closed down so no pollution being released into the cut or river.....
It can still be a bit difficult on the outskirts, but lovely in the centre
"You know us, we don't like towns." Followed by "So good,
we're having to go back for a couple of days." Birmingham couldn't ask for a better review! Truthfully. Anyone who is a "townie" can give a positive review of a town, but getting a positive review from a "countrie" is 100% better!
And, you two ARE allowed to have your own life, luvies. Just
post a quick Twitter tweet saying "we're ok, but busy" and that will be enough so we don't worry about you.
Thank you so much. x
No need to make excuses. You've been on a three week bender. It happens... ;o)
Nice Eels T-shirt, Rich. Great band.
Was that brother Bob waiting for you at the end of the video?
All the best.
Was thinking the same but didn't want to say it. He's a big fella
No comment about the bender, but yes, it was brother Bob at the end
so you are going to a classical concert, I thought you would go and see one of the local bands like Slade, Elo, moody blues etc
Hi Roger, not forgetting Sabbath. You may know that I'm a Brummy and my uncle, Mike Pinder, was a founding member of The Moody Blues! I still love all those old bands and remember all the gigs I've seen at The Odeon in New St., Rich.
@@FloatingOurBoat .. If at Lapworth then that used to be just right for Sabbath... but moved in last couple of years. The Winwood brothers were also from Moody Blues Spag Junc area... I was in Edgar Broughton territory... your uncle should know where that was.
Gas street canalside area is so much better than it used to be in the 70s. but getting to is is still as "industial" and tiresome, especially if the water levels are down as very shallow.
just what was with all the scaffolding under the M5 ?
We're not sure, just repairs to the concrete we think.
@@FloatingOurBoat That M6 & M5 concrete is nearly as old as me... amazed it's still standing better than i can! There, and around Aston are amazing with 2 levels of canal, 1 rail and 2 or 3 road .... should be tidied up and made into industrial architecture heritage parks, like Manchester Media City areas.
Come on! A warning was transmitted earlier they heard you coming! Cheers
Hi there, welcome back, great to see you back on the screen. If I may, I would like to make a suggestion for your trip up North, head for Middlewich and the Cheshire Ring through Macclesfield, Marple on the Peak Forest Canal and into Portland Basin in Ashton-Under-Lyne. There you will find Portland Basin Museum, great visit. When you come out of Peak Forest Canal, turn right towards Stalybridge onto the Ashton Canal, this will take you through The Standedge Tunnel and on to Huddersfield and Leeds, where you will turn left onto the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, Rochdale Canal and into Manchester. From there you can get almost anywhere else in UK. I am from Ashton-Ubder-Lyne originally, (I have lived in Canada since '79, having moved here at age 27.)I am planning to visit UK later this year for 3 weeks, so if you need a hand with the locks, give me a shout and what dates you will roughly be there in Ashton. I think there is something like 24 locks from Ashton to the Western Portal of Standedge Tunnel. If you don't know the area, I am an excellent tour guide, having played and cycled the canals within a 30 mile radius of Ashton back in the '60's. Fell in a few times as well. Lol. Hope to hear back from you both. Take care & stay safe. Hope you got your tunnel headlight fixed, Standedge is 3 miles long and can be legged.. lol. Ken.
Hi Kenneth, thanks for your message. We hope the videos are bringing back happy memories of England for you.That is pretty much the journey we think we may make, but we have absolutely no time scale at the moment. Please keep watching our journey and you will be able to see where we are nearer the time of your visit. x
@@FloatingOurBoat - Many thanks for the reply. The closer you get to the Peak Forest and beyond, the greater the memories get. Either no. 2 or no. 3 lock up from Ashton on the Huddersfield Canal was full and derelict in the '60's., as kids we would dare each other to jump from one side wall to the other, yes, I fell in on one of my jumps. Mum wasn't too happy. Lol. Maybe I'll get yo show you the lock, NOT the jump. Lol. Stay safe. K.
harecastle tunnel it is then look forward to that vid {:-) PAV
They were doing repairs to the concrete as is was corroding badly at a cost of 17 million plus.....
Your brothers daughter....umm isn’t that your niece ☺️. So glad you’re back
Pedant😃. It's my brother Bob's daughter as opposed to my sister's daughter. Thought I'd just mention as he's been part of the vlogs so often. 👍
I don’t know if there was more than oil in the sludge in that filthy section of the canal, but I did notice that you were under the road then. Too bad they don’t put some type of catchment up there to drain in a more controlled way to avoid polluting the canal and all the greenery down there.
In the states there are sections of roads kept clean by local businesses, groups, school groups, scouts and families. They get a sign that says they are keeping it up. Garden Club sections are always (well, mostly? Not seen a bad one yet) lovely. If I was a business in Birmingham, especially a takeaway, I would take as much of the canal as I could manage and clean it up, keep it clean and plant nice greenery, trees, flowers and even art. And I would plant a continuation of the same theme around my business or on my sign or window boxes and...or...plus....and maybe. Making something lovely and changing the reputation of a place is better marketing than any advertisement. And as a canal boater, I would stop and do business with a place like that who cares about the community and another ‘by association ‘ trick of the mind, it their section is clean and pretty then I bet the restaurant is too. There are lots of win/wins that could and should be exploited. Competitions of the loveliest/funniest/most original sections. Consultation with garden clubs, sponsorships, hmmm......if I were closer I would be meeting with the CRT and putting it together. Maybe I could get sponsorships from the airlines to take me back and forth and even a sponsorship from a Home Health Company to nurse husband while I am away. Hmm.... now 20 quid says someone will race me to it (wink). That would be a real shame.
Hi Rebecca, good luck with your scheme. This does happen here with some of our roundabouts and they are often made to look really pretty. I dont know if anyone has thought of approaching businesses to look after a stretch of canal. I have seen a few lock gardens maintained by local groups but that is all.It sounds like a good idea as long as we can avoid too many big company adverts coming in.
Floating Our Boat - no advertising is allowed by businesses large or small. Signs are made by the highway department acknowledging the business maintaining that section of the highway. The CRT would do the same. The signs here are about 18” wide and simply state ....This section of highway is maintained by David’s Bridal or by Viceroy Tandoori or whatever for the highway beautification project or something like that. Smaller than a stop sign and the business name is slightly larger than the other letters. Just big enough to be read but not so big to obscure the view.
Since a nipper I've called it Berminam, sorry we don't towk reet in Stoke. Have to say I think the Stoke on Trent experience was superior ? Clean yer act up Berminam
So far, we have loved all the big towns and cities.
cosmopolitan? you should be a politician!
: )
You would think with all the vlogers showing the rubbishy the the canal trusts or who ever would get the message to clean do something. But that's politics I guess.
They do fairly well considering their limited funding. Its a shame people have to leave so much litter in the first place.
I would have turned around. What a dump
It really wasn't a dump. Just one stretch of congested canal, but the old buildings and the centre of Birmingham was really interesting.