I really do appreciate your 'history' videos. I've not done the Foxton locks in a narrowboat, but we used to take the kids there (and to Hatton) a lot just to walk up and down the locks. At the time I didn't fully appreciate the marvel of engineering - and because I hadn't been through a staircase at that time - I totally see it a bit different now. Two staircases of 5! Amazing.
Hi Alan I'm late in posting on this current video as I was at the cottage, warm with lots of showers that made doing project anything almost impossible. I love these articles that deal with old time engineering. The Foxton flight must have been a huge construction and engineering. I assume the inclined plane was a step to improve times for boats using the locks .I've ridden the Lynton /Lynmouth railway which uses the same principle of counter balance I'd love to see the British Government invest a large sum of money on the Canal system to improve the situations facing the tens of thousands of current users. Nice vlog Alan .ake care ,happy cruising and more Jasmine too please. Cheers from damp Canada
Thanks Ralph, in the days of the incline it was an hour and a quarter to use the locks or 11 minutes to move 4 boats, two up and two down. It was would be fantastic to see it restored but it's not going to happen. Our heritage is in the hands of dedicated volunteers dotted about the country, intent on maintaining and preserving our industrial heritage, I see very little Government input although Historic England does play a part. I'm on my Summer Cruise presently, alone, so there's not much I can show of Jasmine presently. All the best, take care. I hope your weather improves.
Thanks Alan. Spent the day with my cousin Christine yesterday who has moved back to Sydney after living in Foxton for 40 years. I have her friends there on the lookout for a place for me to rent for 6 months Sept to Feb. I watch your videos and I can’t wait to get over there. Cheers!!
Hi Greg, wow that's a long time in Foxton. You're going to give up your summer and come to England for our winter, when the canals are quieter, possibly frozen and winter stoppages are in place! That's real dedication. I hope you find what you're looking for. All the best.
Have been away from the homestead so on a binge of catching up. A very interesting (re)look at Foxton. Thanks Alan, Keep up the good work. Bob (Weston super Mare)
Hi Alan it was interesting to see this video on Foxton Locks as I was there a couple of weeks ago. Great place to spend a day. By the way mood music at the end spot on. Take care
Hi Alan that was very interesting, i loved seeing all the black & white photos especially the Scarborough tramway one as thats a place we visit often. Thank you for your time and love to Jasmine. XX Janice.
Hi Janice, thanks for watching and commenting, I visited Scarborough some years back and visited both funicular railways. Best wishes to you and Andy xx
Yes, I've caught up!! That was very interesting. Nice to see how the Foxton locks worked, and beautiful cruising scenery. I was just enjoying it when it finished! 😅xx
Hi Alan, thanks for the explanation on the staircase locks and the inclined plane. I’ve visited Foxton locks as a gongoozler and very much enjoyed it. To have the inclined plane back to full working order would have been fantastic. Hopefully one day it will happen 👍 great to see some old photos of it though
Lovely video Alan as always. Very interesting scenery. It has to be hard doing all those locks you must be fit. I was tired watching you!!!! Have great week.
Hi Stephen, I'm out cruising now, won't say too much about that yet, but I laid over yesterday, the previous days had been very hot as well and it does get a bit too much for me, as you suggest. Very best wishes and take good care of yourself.
I arrived at Watford bottom lock about an hour ago and am patiently waiting at the lock landing for 8am tomorrow. Who knows, our favourite lockie might be on duty. Hope to get all the way up Watford and down Foxton flight tomorrow - maybe treat myself at the Foxton Locks Inn. A bit more than Alan usually does in one go!
@@MyNarrowboatVenture Made it safely to the Foxton Locks Inn and have just had a pleasant meal. The lockies at both Watford and Foxton were brilliant. Through Watford in 31 mins and a similar time at Foxton. I must add how much I enjoyed your vlog (must go and explore properly now). Also the ones you’ve done describing the operation at Watford were really helpful. I understood what the red paddles were for. Both locations are so well maintained e.g. lovely flower displays.
You did very well, no queues at either end then, I’m surprised you say 31 minutes, that is very quick. You certainly earned your meal at the Inn. I’m glad you enjoyed the vlog, all the best and happy and safe onward travels.
there was talk of reopening the inclined plain....have been there many times to watch the boats when living down that way...but not as busy then as now....
Just wanted to say how very good the video was and interesting about the plain do wonder if they had to give the money back that they were given, it’s a shame it can’t be restored as it would be very interesting to watch. Hope Jasmine is Ok expect she is busy with her brother at the moment.
Thank you so much Patricia, they wouldn't have been allowed to keep any money that wasn't spent and a great deal was spent on the works that were done there. Jasmine is fine but her brother is very poorly, she's working today.
All the locks are of similar depth. I couldn’t say, it would never really happen, as if the volunteers aren’t available to assist, more often than not, other boaters are. Cheers
Hi Alan from North Carolina. I very much enjoy your TH-cam channel. I have a question after seeing the bronze horse statue in this video. How many miles could one horse pull a narrowboat in a day and was one horse enough? Cheers!
Greetings Dale, thanks for your appreciation. One horse would be sufficient and would have been treasured, so would be well cared for, fed and watered, no horse means no job. The horse was lead by the bargee on the towpath but what was the walking pace? 2 mph maybe. It couldn't go through tunnels. How many hours would they walk for, I don't know but it would not have been far. Sorry I can't be of more help. Cheers
Hi Alan, what’s the order of service once you arrive at Foxton locks do you book in and who do you book in with be it up or down the flight. Or do you phone ahead?
Hi Nick. As soon as you arrive, go and find any volunteer, they are linked by walkie/talkie. One volunteer has the book and is in charge of the running order. Your boat name will be recorded in the book and you'll be advised how long you have to wait. The lockies could be anywhere on the flight, their refuge is at the top but the onus is on you to find them, not the other way round, as some boaters seem to think. You can strike lucky and be straight in, like I was recently at Watford, or you may have to wait, there's no way of knowing and you can't ring ahead. Each day is different. If boats are against you, you could have a long wait. It takes 45 minutes to pass through once started. Hope that helps.
@@MyNarrowboatVenture I think I was in luck then as when brought my last boat down to be sold at Crick. I moored on the landing at the top lock as no one was about and it was a late summers Eve, we just went down in the morning when the volunteers opened up. A few years ago now talking 2013. 👍🏼 thanks for the info appreciate it.
Lovely video Alan. It left me with two questions. Some of the locks had single gates, some double. Given the locks were the same width, why? Second question, are most (old) locks listed?
Thanks Jon. The upper gate on a single lock is usually a single gate with the lower gates being a pair and remember these are twice the depth. So there are weight considerations and the water pressure on the gates to consider. I really can't say but I would expect all interconnecting flights to be listed and many I expect will form part of conservation areas.
Really enjoyable watching. The spider walking across the camera lens brought a chuckle. The bronze horse looks superb. Thank you. Cheers.
That’s so kind of you to say Jane, thank you.
Thank you very much, once again for a brilliant vlog🙏✝️🙏
That’s very kind of you to say James, thank you 😀
Morning Alan...what a fascinating video. It’s amazing isn’t it, what a rich history the canals have. Many thanks..🍷🍷
Glad you enjoyed it Steve, the incline must have been a fantastic sight to see working. Cheers
AND YET AGAIN ANOTHER INTERESTING AND INFORMATIVE VIDEO VERY WELL DELIVERED IN YOUR OWN UNIQUE STYLE MANY THANKS ALAN 👍😁👍🍺🍻🍺
Glad you enjoyed it Glenn, thanks for your appreciation.
Hi Alan, that was lovely cruising with just the right kind of music, soothing. Hope your well. 💜🙋♀️
Thanks Katelyn, I’m fine thanks, hope you are. Glad you liked the music 💙
Man, I love your newsie, great colors and looks good on you. I too am catching up but enjoying all. Cheers.
Thank you so much Charles, good of you to say👍
Interesting to see the pictures of the old Incline.
Thanks Philip, it would have been great to see it in action in the old days.
Thanks Alan. As always a great Vlog. Music acceptable.
Many thanks Cliff. Cheers
THANK YOU ALAN. REGARDS R.
My pleasure Richard.
HOLA ALAN GUSTO
SALUDARTE 💖 ME ALEGRÓ QUÉ CONTINÚES TU AVENTURA 🤩
HERMOSO FIN DE SEMANA 👌
Muchas gracias, ha sido el día más caluroso del año y llegué a unos 37 grados C en el barco. Todo lo mejor, cuídate.
I really do appreciate your 'history' videos. I've not done the Foxton locks in a narrowboat, but we used to take the kids there (and to Hatton) a lot just to walk up and down the locks. At the time I didn't fully appreciate the marvel of engineering - and because I hadn't been through a staircase at that time - I totally see it a bit different now. Two staircases of 5! Amazing.
Hi Justine, Foxton is the longest staircase flight in the country, it is a marvel of engineering! Thanks for your comment.
Hi Alan I'm late in posting on this current video as I was at the cottage, warm with lots of showers that made doing project anything almost impossible. I love these articles that deal with old time engineering. The Foxton flight must have been a huge construction and engineering. I assume the inclined plane was a step to improve times for boats using the locks .I've ridden the Lynton /Lynmouth railway which uses the same principle of counter balance I'd love to see the British Government invest a large sum of money on the Canal system to improve the situations facing the tens of thousands of current users.
Nice vlog Alan .ake care ,happy cruising and more Jasmine too please.
Cheers from damp Canada
Thanks Ralph, in the days of the incline it was an hour and a quarter to use the locks or 11 minutes to move 4 boats, two up and two down. It was would be fantastic to see it restored but it's not going to happen. Our heritage is in the hands of dedicated volunteers dotted about the country, intent on maintaining and preserving our industrial heritage, I see very little Government input although Historic England does play a part. I'm on my Summer Cruise presently, alone, so there's not much I can show of Jasmine presently. All the best, take care. I hope your weather improves.
Thanks Alan. Spent the day with my cousin Christine yesterday who has moved back to Sydney after living in Foxton for 40 years. I have her friends there on the lookout for a place for me to rent for 6 months Sept to Feb. I watch your videos and I can’t wait to get over there. Cheers!!
Hi Greg, wow that's a long time in Foxton. You're going to give up your summer and come to England for our winter, when the canals are quieter, possibly frozen and winter stoppages are in place! That's real dedication. I hope you find what you're looking for. All the best.
what a wonderful crews and love the history as for the incline don't think that will happen
Thank you Grant, the reinstatement of the incline has been quashed, so it is most unlikely.
Have been away from the homestead so on a binge of catching up. A very interesting (re)look at Foxton. Thanks Alan, Keep up the good work. Bob (Weston super Mare)
That’s very kind of you to say Bob, thanks very much.
Thanks Alan for a wonderful cruise and thanks for all the historical information. Take care and all the best. Stevie
Many thanks Stevie, I’m glad you enjoyed watching, all the best.
Hi Alan it was interesting to see this video on Foxton Locks as I was there a couple of weeks ago. Great place to spend a day. By the way mood music at the end spot on. Take care
Glad you enjoyed watching and liked the end music. All the best
Hi Alan running late , love the vlog
Hi Kat, thanks for letting me know.
Beautiful video 💯💯. Love the pictures of incline and talking about it 🤩🤩🤩
Thank you very much, glad you enjoyed it, and thank you for commenting.
Hi Alan.
Really enjoyed watching this one!!
Appreciate your time spent researching and sharing.
Thanks Tim 🇨🇦👍🏻.
That's very kind of you both, thank you so much.
Well done Alan, interesting vlog
Very kind of you to say Hugh, thank you.
Hi Alan. We call our dog "Incline" - he's a slow pup.
Hi Geoff, if he's lazy, I would have called him "Recline"
Hi Alan that was very interesting, i loved seeing all the black & white photos especially the Scarborough tramway one as thats a place we visit often. Thank you for your time and love to Jasmine. XX
Janice.
Hi Janice, thanks for watching and commenting, I visited Scarborough some years back and visited both funicular railways. Best wishes to you and Andy xx
Yes, I've caught up!! That was very interesting. Nice to see how the Foxton locks worked, and beautiful cruising scenery. I was just enjoying it when it finished! 😅xx
Well done, Foxton is a great bit of engineering, it would have been marvellous to see the incline in action xx
That was an excellent view of the locks Alan well done.🍺
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it 👍
Hi Alan, thanks for the explanation on the staircase locks and the inclined plane. I’ve visited Foxton locks as a gongoozler and very much enjoyed it. To have the inclined plane back to full working order would have been fantastic. Hopefully one day it will happen 👍 great to see some old photos of it though
Many thanks Paul for your appreciaition, it doesn't look as though it ever will happen now, such a shame.
@@MyNarrowboatVenture if I win enough on the lottery 😂
Lovely video Alan as always. Very interesting scenery. It has to be hard doing all those locks you must be fit. I was tired watching you!!!! Have great week.
Thank you Sandy, I wasn't working the locks, the volunteers were doing it for me. Enjoy your weekend.
Very nice Alan. You know me I always like cruising videos. I hope the short heatwave wasn't too much for you 👍
All the best and of course Bye for now.
Hi Stephen, I'm out cruising now, won't say too much about that yet, but I laid over yesterday, the previous days had been very hot as well and it does get a bit too much for me, as you suggest. Very best wishes and take good care of yourself.
I arrived at Watford bottom lock about an hour ago and am patiently waiting at the lock landing for 8am tomorrow. Who knows, our favourite lockie might be on duty. Hope to get all the way up Watford and down Foxton flight tomorrow - maybe treat myself at the Foxton Locks Inn. A bit more than Alan usually does in one go!
Wow that is keen Keith but I'm not on duty tomorrow. You'll have earned your treat if you get down Foxton tomorrow, good luck with that.
@@MyNarrowboatVenture Made it safely to the Foxton Locks Inn and have just had a pleasant meal. The lockies at both Watford and Foxton were brilliant. Through Watford in 31 mins and a similar time at Foxton. I must add how much I enjoyed your vlog (must go and explore properly now). Also the ones you’ve done describing the operation at Watford were really helpful. I understood what the red paddles were for. Both locations are so well maintained e.g. lovely flower displays.
You did very well, no queues at either end then, I’m surprised you say 31 minutes, that is very quick. You certainly earned your meal at the Inn. I’m glad you enjoyed the vlog, all the best and happy and safe onward travels.
good vid on cut keep up the good vid on cut thanks lee
Thanks Lee, all the best👍
there was talk of reopening the inclined plain....have been there many times to watch the boats when living down that way...but not as busy then as now....
That would have been fantastic but that hope seems to have 'died a death'.
I've got a picture of Foxton Locks hanging on my wall , Painted by and signed by Jane Wagner
I don’t know the name, it must be good to be on your wall.
Just wanted to say how very good the video was and interesting about the plain do wonder if they had to give the money back that they were given, it’s a shame it can’t be restored as it would be very interesting to watch.
Hope Jasmine is Ok expect she is busy with her brother at the moment.
Thank you so much Patricia, they wouldn't have been allowed to keep any money that wasn't spent and a great deal was spent on the works that were done there. Jasmine is fine but her brother is very poorly, she's working today.
Alan, I think if the inclined plane were completed it would be as popular as the Falkirk Wheel.
I’m sure it would be Bill and what a fantastic sight it would be.
That first lock was very deep Alan, how long would it take you single handed without the volunteers I wonder, all the best 👍
All the locks are of similar depth. I couldn’t say, it would never really happen, as if the volunteers aren’t available to assist, more often than not, other boaters are. Cheers
@@MyNarrowboatVenture 👍
Hi Alan from North Carolina. I very much enjoy your TH-cam channel. I have a question after seeing the bronze horse statue in this video. How many miles could one horse pull a narrowboat in a day and was one horse enough? Cheers!
Greetings Dale, thanks for your appreciation. One horse would be sufficient and would have been treasured, so would be well cared for, fed and watered, no horse means no job. The horse was lead by the bargee on the towpath but what was the walking pace? 2 mph maybe. It couldn't go through tunnels. How many hours would they walk for, I don't know but it would not have been far. Sorry I can't be of more help. Cheers
Hi Alan, what’s the order of service once you arrive at Foxton locks do you book in and who do you book in with be it up or down the flight. Or do you phone ahead?
Hi Nick. As soon as you arrive, go and find any volunteer, they are linked by walkie/talkie. One volunteer has the book and is in charge of the running order. Your boat name will be recorded in the book and you'll be advised how long you have to wait. The lockies could be anywhere on the flight, their refuge is at the top but the onus is on you to find them, not the other way round, as some boaters seem to think. You can strike lucky and be straight in, like I was recently at Watford, or you may have to wait, there's no way of knowing and you can't ring ahead. Each day is different. If boats are against you, you could have a long wait. It takes 45 minutes to pass through once started. Hope that helps.
@@MyNarrowboatVenture I think I was in luck then as when brought my last boat down to be sold at Crick. I moored on the landing at the top lock as no one was about and it was a late summers Eve, we just went down in the morning when the volunteers opened up. A few years ago now talking 2013. 👍🏼 thanks for the info appreciate it.
@@nickevans1698 I've done that at Watford in the past. If there are boats top and bottom, then the book holder has to decide up or down first!
Lovely video Alan. It left me with two questions. Some of the locks had single gates, some double. Given the locks were the same width, why? Second question, are most (old) locks listed?
Thanks Jon. The upper gate on a single lock is usually a single gate with the lower gates being a pair and remember these are twice the depth. So there are weight considerations and the water pressure on the gates to consider. I really can't say but I would expect all interconnecting flights to be listed and many I expect will form part of conservation areas.
I'm trying to think of something funny and spider and boat related..... but I can't. 🕷️🕸️♥️
That's alright then, as neither can I, cheers.
Where's Jasmine?
This was filmed before I knew Jasmine!