Bridges, Locks and Bottle Kilns to the Caldon Canal - Episode 53
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 พ.ค. 2019
- We have a long days cruising on the Trent and Mersey Canal to get to the Caldon Canal and struggle to find moorings. A hero comes to the rescue to get us through the last five locks!
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Springer spaniels have an entirely different energy to other dogs.
You can see it.
I can feel it even through the screen.
Gotta love ‘em ❤
P.s I loved that the old pump out vehicle had “Pooh” bear and friends painted on the side of the tank - very apt 🤣🤣❤️
We know what you mean about spaniels, far too much energy in my opinion
Still loving your adventures, such a lovely couple, love the fact I still have loads to watch. 🚤💖 Rob the lock, what a fantastic guy. Very entertaining 😂
That's Service with a Smile. I bet the tip made his day
We hope it did. He didn't ask for anything, but his help was well worth a tip from us.
Wonderful - If I was missing England before - this Saint of the Canal is making me miss it more...
Ah sorry. Hopefully it brings back some happy memories. X
That Pump-out truck was epic!! 💚😆
I am so pleased that your journey through Stoke went well. Stoke is a place that never gets heard of other than for bad reasons. But when fine bone china is required ... Stoke is the place to get it.
We hope to do a bit more about the potteries on the way back so watch this space.
It is so nice to see a couple such as yourselves who obviously are in love. God Bless you both.
Stokies really are special and friendly people. Well at least they used to be ....
The second canal I mentioned yesterday in our "talks" right today!!!
That was great! Rob the Lock got you through those locks like F1 pit crew! What a brilliant character.
I find the industrial historical aspect quite interesting. Thank you for sharing!
Glad you enjoyed it
Your bike canal rider reminds me of a fellow on the Erie Canal in the US who rode his bike between two lift bridges. Yelling “go slow now and let me catch up!” Great blog!
That's the type of guy who deserves to live in a lock keepers cottage the way he goes.
Thats a great idea. There are so many empty cottages going to wrack and ruin. people like him should be offered one in exchange for his hard work.
A mild pea flavour. Hopefully pea and not pee. Love the fact that the pump out truck has got Winnie the Pooh (poo) on the side 😂☺️. Right enough toilet humour but I’m here all week!
tee hee - Fran always says my sense of humour hasn't developed since junior school. Just like all blokes then :) Thanks again Colin.
Chapeau, Rob the Lock
Wonderful albeit quick view of the Wagtail nest. Great stuff.
What a great guy to help you through all the Locks. Looks like a nice Marina to stop.
This one was wonderful, loved the Milk Bottle Kilns and how England preserves so much of her heritage. And that Volley Lockey was quite the charaxter, full of energy, what a nice guy. ;)
Hello from Arkansas USA. My Mother and I wanted to say how much we love and look
forward to your videos. She was born and raised in Oxford and used to help the lock
keeper at Iffley lock as a child. Keep up the good work and stay safe.
Hi Andrew, so glad you're both enjoying our videos. I hope it's bringing back some happy memories for your mother. xx
Nice to have a guy like that to help you in the locks, like your descriptions of places as you go along.
Thank you Peter
Human nature restored...bloody good bloke ...very rare...these days...😲😲
brill as usual guys ,what a great bloke wish they were more like him the world would be so much happier take care
Cant agree more. He really made a difference to our day
Lovely trip down memory lane, I lived in Stafford for a few years. Thanks for sharing these gorgeous views, had many a long country walk at Shugborough Estate 🥰also really enjoyed the journey through all those big locks, what a great helper👍🏻
Hello from Belgium, I really enjoyed all your videos, we do not have at home this kind of boat, I think it's great to live on board a narrowboat, it's a little thanks to your contributions that I travel also in England without moving from home, I envy you, and I express my sympathy
The true spirit of the canals CRT lost a great volunteer there, what a great fella! Fantastic vlog as always :)
lovely thank you hope the chips were good
On your way to the pottery's.
Oh heard about that one.
Demolishing the village.
The canals such a peaceful way to travel.
Along beautiful countryside.
Oh love the dog.
Thanks for the video
Enjoyed so much.
A💖💟💕💞💓💝💗👍👍👍👍👍👍
Crikey Rob the Lock is still going, nice guy -helped us through the same locks 5 years ago... I think he was fed up with C&RT because they made him stay in one place....and he didn't get any tips of course.
That's exactly what he told us. I don't think he'll ever stop through choice
Fran x
Thank you for a most enjoyable vlog.
Over on this side of the pond, people stand at intersections with little placards that say, ‘Will work for food’. When you try and buy them some food, you get a royal cursing out! This ‘lock keeper ‘ of yours loves what he does and if someone comes along who wants to tip him, well that’s just icing on his cake. What a splendid system! Thanks you two for the vid!
We think it's a great system too. He didn't ask for any money, he was just happy to help, but it was well worth a tip to us so everybody wins.
Great video , WHAT A GUY , it probably would've taken me a week to do all those locks lol .
He was brilliant. Really helped us out at the end of a long day.
Lovely episode Rich & Fran - Thank You.
Thank you Martin, and thank you for watching and all your support.
Fran x
:smiles: Always a treat when I see boaters I follow passing through my home town :D. Welcome to Stone ... briefly tho' you may have been here :).
We did like Stone, but didn't get to try the oatcakes. Maybe next time.
Right on! What a great end to a lovely day of travel! Rob is a rock star! Good on you to tip him. Love the chat throughout, book or not, gives us history, which I love! Great going on the garden, Fran! Made me so hungry I made a salad for lunch! hahahaha Blessings to you both and the pups!
Rob made such a difference to us and really put a smile on our faces. We really love picking a few bits from the roof. Broad beans next, and more sowing just done x
@@FloatingOurBoatSo interesting, as I'm a gardener, especially vegs, in pots, as I live in a townhouse, so I'd love see tidbits again on your vlogs about you harvesting/sowing, etc...Thanks!
Nice to have all that help with the locks! I hope we find some friendly lockees when we finally get back on the cut in a couple of months.
It's not always like that, but you never know whats around the corner. Good luck x
@@FloatingOurBoat I am looking forward to it - locks, tunnels, and all.
When you see a Potter Fro Stoke on Trent, like Rob, tell him ‘tow rayte duck! ‘
Just discovered your channel and this was my first because of the Caldon canal title, I had a small cruiser on it and yes it's beautiful water to take your time on. Loved every year I was that stretch and I'm going to catch up with your other videos. I came here from Cruising The Cut. Amazing to see a chill out approach to canal life.
Thank you William and welcome to our channel
Rob came up the cheshire flight with us, great guy
If you get a gift from the dirty old town of Stoke, and it could be Wedgwood, Doulton, Beswick ..... you have had a gift indeed!
Love your volunteer locky. Could do with a few more like him. Look forward to updates on the Couldon Canal xx
Hi Mark. We're loving the Couldon even more than the Ashby at the moment. we have that locky's number now so we can book him on the way back!
Great vlog as usual R&F. We are heading that way starting from Crick up to the Macclesfield later this month. Having seen your vid am now looking forward to it.
Great video thanks,what a great bloke you meet interesting people on the canal 😁
Thanks David. We have always said that one of the things we love about the canals is the wonderful people we meet. I am thinking of keeping a journal just about these characters
Really enjoy traveling with you guys ex pat from Leicester now in Michigan , we are RV res so enjoy travel vlogs, thanks for your company for the past 25 or so min. Keep it up.
Thanks for watching Ian. Hope the videos bring back some happy memories. we watch a few RV vlogs and it looks like a great way of life. Maybe we will try it some day.
Breezing straight in to those locks as if they were 8 feet wide.. dead jealous...! Another fab vlog guys...🍷🍷
Rob made all the difference Steve. We have his number if ever you need him!
Lord Patrick Lichfield was a famous photographer...THE BOTTLES KILNS WERE NEARLY ALL LOST WHEN THEY DECIDED TO DEMOLISH THEM BUT THANKFULLY SOMEONE SAVED THE LAST FEW AS PART OF THE POTTERIES HISTORY...THE WEIRDEST JOB WAS "THE SAGGAR MAKERS BOTTOM KNOCKERS£....THAT WAS ONE SHARP TURN..WELL DONE TO THAT GUY FOR HELPING YOU WITH THE LOCKS....WAS THAT A BIRD NESTING ON THE LOCK GATE???
Hello from Burton Ohio USA. Love the history tidbits. The Caldon is a new one to me. Will be looking forward to the new videos. Thanks.
Thank you for watching from Burton Ohio! A lot of people don't seem to bother with the Caldon canal, but we are loving it.
Excellent, he was there when we went that way a couple of months ago.if going back that way, Stone is a good stop over, m&s food right by the cut and a few pubs. Lovely trip your going on , enjoy.
Excellent as always !! Greetings from South Africa and see you next year when we buy our narrow boat!
Thank you so much. That's a big move from South Africa to our canals. Good luck x
Wonderful vlog, as usual, and thanks again for the ride, much enjoyed.
Such beautiful music 🎶
Glad you like it
Lovely video as always. I really enjoy following your journeys x
Thank you Rita x
Great blog laughed along with you thru the 5 locks great guy earned his tip. Great for you to do that for him and then a great looking mooring for the night. Fran your sandwich looked yummy see you next blog Ed 40 south vegas
Great vlog... loved those bottle kilns... you should've kidnapped Rob to do all your locks haha 😂
I think he would willingly come along if we had asked him. He gives people his phone number in case they need him and we will book him again on the way back.
Great vid as always, really enjoy you sharing you adventures every week. It refreshing to see all the really good people you meet. Be looking for your next vid, have a great week.
Thank you Billy. so much news focusses on the bad things and bad people, but there are so many good and interesting folk around.
@ 15.55, what a name for a company! love it.
Yeah, Rob the lock is a real character. I got him on the way down, obviously going the other way. Just as gun ho, with the paddles, but fantastic, when your a solo. He was telling me, that before he packed in with CRT, he also did some boaters laundry for them, so they could collect it on their return journey the following week, and sometimes their shopping. He'll of a guy. And as you say, part of the joys of boating, is meeting up with folk like him. Noticed you took the chimney down eventually ha ha!. BTW, momma swan was turning her eggs round when I passed, I think there were 4 of them, didn't realise how big they'd be, bless her. Dad was very protective of her around the nest, gave me a 'right' display of flapping wings.....look, but don't touch!....Nice one guys, enjoy the Calden.
Hi Steve, we have Robs number all ready for the journey back and he did offer to get shopping etc for us. A real good guy. The babies hatched just the day before we arrived apparently and dad is still so protective. He stands alert looking around all the time mum and babes are on the nest, and doesn't relax if she goes wandering. It's lovely to see.
@@FloatingOurBoat That's great about the babies hatching. I must of seen another swan and her mate then, because there were definitely 3 if not 4 eggs being turned.
Excellent video, loved every minute of it,Them bottle kilns look great, he sounds a right character and what a great help, Take care ATB Paul
As always a great video, so interesting for me as I have travelled in that area by boat too. I love the industrial areas just as you do, well done and thank you, enjoy.
Thanks Sandy. The industrial canals are so interesting, but we are always glad to be back in the countryside again after a few days
My wife and I very much enjoyed the Caldon Canal, sadly only got a far as Denford due to the Hazelhurst locks were closed last year due to the drought of all things! Still love your videos which are enriched with life and happiness. Very much pleased to be one of your Patreons
Thank you so much for being a Patron. It really makes so much difference to us and will enable us to carry on making the videos and hopefully keep improving the quality.
We are really hoping to get right to the end of the Caldon canal and get through the tunnel. It is supposed to be really beautiful at the end. but not sure if we will fit yet!
Thank you again for your support.
Yet another great vlog. Yellow vest man was a dynamo . I'm glad he met such appreciative people as yourselves. Keep away from the tree's in the storm Rich.
Nice veggie garden Fran. Which pot will you lay fallow this year. Heh,Heh!
the countryside is spectacular there! "she'll have to wait til Xmas" - good one Rich
The countryside is fantastic, maybe partly because it's spring and everything looks great. He didn't say which Christmas though, did he?
Fran x
We were on the Caldon a few years ago. There was a great open mike night in the pub over the railway in the middle of nowhere. They served free chips and sticky chicken at the end of the night . Brilliant. As always as hire boaters we did it in 5 days. Grateful for the extra you show that we miss 😉
Thanks Christine. I'm not sure which pub you mean, but we will definitely keep a look out. Free chips is always a good thing.
Fran x
@@FloatingOurBoat I think it's the Black Lion at Consall Forge, Wetley Rocks www.blacklionpub.co.uk
Steam trains pass the door. 😉
Yeah, it’s a bit isolated, they used to deliver the beer by canal as there was no public road access.
Really enjoyed this trip! Thanks! From your "living vicariously through you" fan! Hope you really enjoy the next miles!
Thank you so much Lisa, so glad you're enjoying our trips x
Wow! That birds song was incredible at the end. 😁
The bird song has been amazing this year and we have noticed so many different birds as we go further north. we're almost turning into twitchers now!
I won two tickets for Crick via Towpath Talk, so we might see you there. 'ear Rich don't you ever fancy a nice big fat pork chop to go with Frans salad, I know I would...!
Give us a shout if you see us Gaz. Pork chops are definitely part of a previous life now x
Moved to Scotland from the Potteries 10 years ago, there is a craft outlet, museum and tour in 1 of the bottle kilns. Rich ask them about The Sagger Makers Bottom Knocker, very interesting. Great video as always xx
Great video. Love the ‘hunny truck’ !!
Thanks Alan. I didn't get the joke about Pooh until we watched the footage.
Fran x
another great vlog would love to meet up when you get to the Lancaster canal
That sound great. Keep in touch when we get nearer. x
Nice man
I'm with Rich on the beetroot. Ugh.
I think that yellow wagtail was probably a grey wagtail. They have a lot of yellow on them. ;o)
All the best to you both.
I keep sneaking little bits of beetroot into salads in case he changes his mind one day. Beetroot sandwiches with salt and pepper....the best thing ever.
Yes, they were grey wagtails. we only found out afterwards by reading up on them. We are learning so much
Fran x
@@FloatingOurBoat Marmite and crispy lettuce is my favourite sarnie. Delicious, if you like Marmite...
Great vlog as always. May be a through the hedge vlog on the potteries
Excellent video...I chuckled at your "one man whirlwind". What a neat thing for him to do. I smiled through most of the video and that's remarkable. Thanks, Rich and Fran, for a pleasant trip. Merry Ann from Minnesota
Every time I see the word Minnesota I think of Garrison Keillor. Love his writings. Rich. X
Great vlog. Hi from Duluth Georgia USA
Thanks for watching all the way from Georgia Norman x
Another good one guys 👍😁👏👏👏
Wow -- good on Rob the Locks, how great to have the help.
God I wish I could demolish the local village, I detest my neighbours - a fabulous solution LOL
Hi Kate - we laughed out loud at this. That's why we live on a boat :)
Bless you and your videos are awesome
Another interesting vlog. I hope Rob is there when we pass through Stoke in July.
It sounds like he is there a lot, so good luck. x
He’s a character all right, did he give you his business card as he takes away washing and gets it washed and dried for you ! Welcome to the Caldon canal, it gets better and better, I really hope you fit through the tunnel.
We're loving it so far and keeping fingers crossed for the tunnel.
Great video guys.... I hope if I go that way one day Rob will be there to help me!!!!!
We have his number if you need him !
@@FloatingOurBoat I'll remember that for the future.
its nice to have people in the world like that rob, thats what makes the world go round... and he is doing no harm. just helping people. nice block.
did your brother get a boat yet rick also you still thinking about a new one as well. keep up the good work. xx hope to see you both soon
Hi Ray. Rob put a smile on both our faces that day, what a good thing. Brother Bob has found a boat and hopes to be on board mid June. More coming up on that in a future video!! We are happy with our boat at the moment, she is looking lovely and we cant wait to start getting the outside looking good.
Rob is a Lock Star
Great little vid chaps.
Thank you Mark x
Where was Bob when we were going up the Bosley flight!?!?!.... awesome as always... 👌😊👍
I did this route (or some of it) at the end of March beginning April (my Mum and Dad have a share boat moored at Great Haywood). Really interesting area history-wise. If you're going back through Stone, I can recommend the Swan Inn. Lovely pub, good beers, the fires were roaring when I was there and they welcome doggies xx
Could have done with Rob the Lock when I did this!!! 😀
Am holidaying on hotel nb Takara in this area later in yr ... also jst watched all the narrowbat chef vlogs, on ur recommendation, and they were here too ...is like a personal canal travel show for me
Thnx Fran and Rich, Davie xx
Hi Davie. Really hope you enjoy your trip on Takara. This is possibly our favourite canal yet, so you should be in for a good trip. I think there will be at least one more video about it from us, so look out!!
@@FloatingOurBoat thank you very much, for your kindness, ... was wondering where on the cut you are expecting to be in late Aug/ early September, Regards, Davie x
Really not sure that far ahead, but definitely heading up north.
Nice vid
Wow, what a man? He’ll be fit. I wonder if that lock’s a beast if you do it yourself! It’s always a risk when you let someone else do the locks. We had help the last time we went through one of the Hilmorten locks. They were boaters coming the opposite way in a hurry and wanted us to get through quick . We were happy enough to let them do it after a long day. They opened the paddles so quick our little boat lurched forward and hit the gates. I thought I was going over the back and threw myself forward with such force the wooden handle on the tiller came off in my hand. My heart was pounding in my chest the whole way up the lock. Having said that, it’s always nice to get help at the locks. Thanks for another great video. I think it’s time Tim and Pru moved over to let you two lead the way on TV. Your videos are far more interesting and you are more entertaining. I wonder who I can speak to to make that happen! 😁
Aah thanks for another lovely comment Sylvia. We did think Rob opened the paddles a little quick, but he had warned us it would be rough so we were prepared and no real damage was done. I think maybe it really is a very fierce lock. He was a great help though and apparently will also do shopping and get laundry done for boaters.
Great vlog again. The town of Stone that you passed through is of course the home of Terry Darlington, author of classic books of his narrowboat journeys that he and his wife made in the early 2004-09 years... " Narrow dog to Wigan Pier " Narrow dog to Indian River " "Narrow dog to Carcassonne "...excellent reading which I'm sure you would enjoy if you have not already come across them.. His local was the pub by the locks in Stone, The Star, I think, which I called in years ago when moored up just below. Unfortunately Terry and his whippet Jim were not in that day. Bon voyage.
Wow, thanks for that Phil. We didn't realise that. We will have to pop in The Star on the way back.
A very enjoyable watch. Interesting 'lockie', you were very 'luckie'. I came up through Braunston double locks a few days ago. Did the first two solo, then paired up with a boat for the third lock, who then abandoned me to go to the pub by the lock! Next three locks I did solo, as not many boats around. Cheers. Take care x
Yes, we were luckie, but we all know it doesn't always work like that does it? Sounds like you could have done with him at Braunston. Safe travels x
When you get back to Etruria (the junction of the Trent and Cauldon) take a wander down the road to The Holy Inadequate 😉🍺
Thanks for the tip. We will try!
Hiya Guys, Give my regards to the director, production staff, camera and sound crew. In other words another great production Rich and Fran, I am wishing the months buy to be in the same place anywhere on the canals of the UK. Will your beans need canes? Cos there some low bridges!
Oh, thank you so much. When are you getting a boat then? The beans are dwarf beans, so no canes needed, but even so we will have to watch them on low bridges. It may be hard work sometimes but worth it to have a little fresh veg!
I loved it
Regards
Stewart William
Thank you Stewart William x
Great stuff. I did that stretch last year but missed out on the Rob treatment sadly. The Caldon was lovely but a bit shallow in places.
Thanks Andy. We are finding the Caldon a bit shallow, but loving it so far.
congrats on arriving in my home area
makes a change to hear people saying good things about the canal entrance to the potteries
as you said there is allot of history to delve into
enjoy you'r trip
if you get the chance sample our oatcakes
{:-) PAV a stokie
Excellent Vlog that bloke what a gods send I hope I meet him when I come through there in June, Rich what was the name of the river that the dogs had a splash in the one with that lovely old bridge spanning it, I would like to wet a line in there when I pass.
Hi Kevin. It's the river Trent near Shugborough Hall Little Haywood.
Great vlog, done all of those canal bits myself (Shugborough is a lovely mooring point) but never met the lock dynamo! If you are next through Stone, walk a little up the hill out of the market square and find the Royal Exchange www.titanicbrewery.co.uk/our-pubs/the-royal-exchange/
(I'm nothing to do with the brewery or the pub by the way - was recommended by a local at a Stone lock quite a few years back). Well worth it :) They do beer festivals and a great beer & cheese tasting platter!
I remember 'the beast' and that difficult turn at Etruria quite well.
Happy cruising, and i'll subscribe :)
At 12.47, I’m certain I saw Brian Clough walking on the River Trent
Jonno went in there i think and you can make your own pot,you should make your own pot lol Enjoy your chips
This prompted a question; do you ever tip lock keepers? 🤔
Hi Marty, it is not usually the done thing here, maybe it should be x
The boat she likes Looks like a hearse
Thank you.