Travels by Narrowboat - "Harecastle Tunnel" - S08E10
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.ย. 2024
- This is it, the big one, where I finally get to tumble down the 'rabbit hole' that is Harecastle Tunnel, on the Trent & Mersey canal - long, dark, low and mysterious, this tunnel even comes with it's own ghost !!
Before I can experience this fabled (and often feared) historic landmark, I must first climb a set of 5 locks, where I then moor for the week at Kidsgrove.
The following weekend, I'm finally all set to tackle one final lock and where shortly afterwards, I can stop for the night at the tunnel's waiting area.
Early next morning, I take the plunge and reluctantly take the lead in a convoy of two other boats.
With the tunnels southern-end doors closed I have, for the first time, no 'light' to journey towards, instead relying on the basic assumption that the tunnel 'must' eventually come to an end . . .
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Strangely, your channel has become a comforting meditation for me. In a world that seems to be burning down from war, climate crisis, pandemics and more it is so wonderful to see someone living as one should; simply, peacefully and in the moment just taking in nature and comradery one day at a time. Keep on chuggin! Cheers mate!
TWO KEVINS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE........ how lucky are we...... WATCHA! How are you Kevin? Our Sunshine on sunny days..... do hope all is good for you. Love the photos you are taking, maybe a book in the making. Kevin, you must remember to just STOP and enjoy your surroundings and the life style you are living. It took you alot of hard work and heartache to get where you are now, so, as much as we all now look forward to our Friday evenings much more in anticipation of your next video, we would not want you to overload yourself with worry about making them. We ain't going anywhere, we are happy to just wait for you to "TAKE US WITH YOU" keep smiling, keep safe and keep travelling Kevin. Flossy & Jan xx
Well, you can’t have too much of a good thing so why not.
It's a good day when a new Travels by Narrowboat hits YT!
Cheers Linda and hope you enjoy. 🙂
Whew! The combination of a narrowing dark tunnel, and no light at the end, as well as diesel fumes were really unsettling. Thankfully, you cheered us all up with tales of a headless woman. I feel much better now! 🤣
The thing I don't understand is if she's headless, how can she see where she's going? And pitch dark as well.
@@CountryHouseGent at least she cant bump her head on the low ceiling….
Best part of a headless woman- you don't have to listen to her complain.
@@CountryHouseGent She's also deceased, which probably doesn't help!🤣
Of all the narrow boaters, you are my favorite!
Take a much deserved break.
But please come back for a visit!
I enjoy the addition of still photos to the video. Good to be out of that tunnel!
Many thanks for that. Yes, it was a relief to finally do it. A bigger assault on the senses than I'd imagined.
Kevin, what a fantastic journey. It seems like a trip (through the tunnel) that every narrowboatman needs to do. Thanks for the ride!
Indeed it's an experience but very good fun...looking back 5 hours later with a beer. 🙂
I see you have your better looking Twin Brother staying with you and helping on the locks!!
Indeed Andrew, he has the looks, I have the brains (and brawn).
What an experience! I felt like I was in the tunnel. I'm not claustrophobic but getting out of the "rabbit hole" was a relief. This place is a type of Watership Downs. Thank you for continue to share the beauties and not so pretty countryside of Britain
I think for myself traveling the Harecastle Tunnel would be alright if I had someone else on the boat to talk to. Alone it might turn into a 44 min panic attack. I'm not one for small tight spaces. Kevin and Aslan, Thank you so much for sharing.
Thanks Kevin, now that I’m all relaxed, after enjoying my trip through the tunnel think I’ll meet my mates for supper, cheers, Charlie from Pennsylvania
Sounds like a fine evening Charles. Good food, good company. Have a nice one.
Thanku Country House Gent. Did a bit of narrow boating nearly 40 years ago. Just holiday. Family loved it clever engineering. Liverpool age 82 safe travels🕊️
YAY! my soul is at rest again. Kevin and Aslan are on the move. Ah that soothing chug, chug, chug.
Fantastic Kevin! I remember as a teenager in the late seventies watching a documentary on the TV at school and a part of it showed the presenter and crew walking the narrowboat through a tunnel. If memory serves correctly they were all laying on their backs on the roof of the boat pushing with their feet.
Later I got my home built go cart ( three planks of wood and four pram wheels) and tried to do the same against a brick wall, my God it was so painful on the ankles and gave me very painful shin splints and that was only 10 yards in old money!
Eee ba gum men were men back in the old days!
Eee ba gum - is that an old Flintstones pop song ? Oh sorry, that was “Eep Opp Ork ah ah” (means I love you)
I think it was Blue Peter,I remember seeing it lol
Wow, I was on the edge of my seat thru that tunnel. Good job there!
It's so claustrophobic! Ergh! Likely it's like most other things - once you're doing it, it's not so bad, but the very thought of going into there for that far makes my skin crawl!
Yes indeed but it was one of those moments where I didn't realise the severity of what I was doing until it was way too late. You can't exactly turn round. 😆
Did enjoy that. Not getting involved with the red water controversy ...all the best...Chris 🇨🇦
Sometimes we watch "Travels By Narrowboat," following along with Google Map Satellite Globe View. Your canal adventures have prompted our curiosity and interest. Trying to find Aslan's exact Google Map canal location can be challenging at times, but well worth it for the added perspective and expanded views. For special places, I zoom in to '2D or 3D Street View' and take in the sights and a personal tour of a town, the countryside, Aslan's moorings, lock locations and unique bridges. Thanks so much Kevin.
Love the idea of how you use 3D Street view to venture around interesting hot spots. Might give it a go myself. Thanks for the idea Bill👍.
@@castingshadows282 Thank you for your reply. Very enjoyable exploring UK's unique countryside and architecture. So much different from what we have in the U.S.
@@billpadgett6585 No worries Bill. 👍
Did you find Kidderminster 1/4 mile from Harecastle ? 😄🤣🤣
I did it a few years ago. Exciting and a bit scary at the same time. A great experience.
Life is so much better when the weather is on your side. Great Vlog Kevin as usual. Now if only I had won 184 million squid... Life would be a merry go round. 🙃
Congratulations are in order! 44 minutes! Yikes! Very, very cool! Thank you!
Brilliant! The headless woman in the tunnel tale was hilarious! I wouldn’t want to bump into her though 😱😊
Best thing to do in that situation is stay quiet. She won't see or hear you. 😁
Thanks for another excellent video Kevin. Just watched it with a nice cuppa 😊
Excellent Vlog Kevin…
You made that ghostly tunnel seem very pleasant..
Love your calm work..Take care and cruise safely .. Black Pepper .. 😃😃
Love this episode Kevin , it was where a was born and grew up around Kidsgrove, even though you said Kidderminster twice 😂, I spent many hours watching the boats go through the tunnel and when older sat at the red bull pub watching them through the locks , one thing i do miss been on the Isle of Man, keep it up Kevin and Aslan
Yeah I'm not sure where Kidsgrove kept coming from but the good intentions were there. 😆
@@CountryHouseGent haha we have them moments, oh and from local knowledge, the orange water is just natural iron ore seepage into the the water system, if you walk from kidsgrove along the old loop line ( railway line) all the streams and drainage pond along that line are stained with iron ore.
Twin Kevin's. One is smart and the other is handsome. What a team.
Ah but which is which? 🤔 🤭 🙂
I love seeing the "occasional old building" on your trips. Thanks for including them, as well as some of the sights around this famous tunnel, including the plaques. Odd that they waited 199 years, 11 months plus, but couldn't wait three more weeks to hold the reenactment on the 200th anniversary....
So colorful. What a lovely Spring. Fun camera work. Captivating. Guilty pleasure. What a joy.
Once again here I am watching your awesome channel..... however, I am now sat on my own boat 🙂🙂🙂..... however this has gave me even more admiration for you, as I took my boat for a spin for the first time ever...... where are the brakes when you need them!!! 🧐 keep up the amazing work, pleasure to watch yourself as always.
Ha, sounds like an exciting first trip out. The secret is to go slower than you think you should, and come off the gas way way before tight bits, sharp bends, or moored boats. Enjoy 🙂
@@CountryHouseGent thanks for the tips Kev man 👍
There must be Iron in them their hills what with the red water. Thanks, Kev. Very enjoyable
There sure is Stephen. As far as I know, it seeps from mines that neighbour the tunnels.
Just wonderful what a top video thank you 😊
I see your twin joined you in this video. Nice to see the teamwork.
Yes, he has his uses now and again. :)
A day off! Ooh you are a hard task master, but you carried on anyway. Great adventure, I have been all the way down the comments column ticking likes on the best. Quite a haul and very enjoyable, thanks for taking us with you. Cheers.
Beautiful and fun stuff!
Eight o’clock!! 😄😄
Great video!
👍👍👍👊😎
Thank's Kevin, I always look forward to these on a friday!! A pleasant relief from serious jockin' on radio 2!
I kniw what you mean Andrew. Jeremy Vine and Ken Bruce were what drove me away from R2. 😁
@@CountryHouseGent Jeremy Vine is an odd man
Great vlog Kevin and glad you had a little rest we all need one at times tc now Ann n David👍🌺
Cracking title! Skies from a bygone era as well! 👍
The more I watch your videos, the more I want to come see your country. I am not sure if you are just showing the nice bits or, it really is that nice. Thank you for sharing, all the same.
I always enjoy my virtual journeys though canal tunnels, thanks for that. The town is called Kidsgrove, Kidderminster (about 12:00) is down in Worcestershire.
Yep
Thanks Kevin for that great adventure through the "Scarecastle Tunnel" one of the best episodes ever. and the beautiful countryside run up to it..Great video, 😎
Hi Kevin 👋 just us 2saying hi 👋 thanks again great video update think one of your best 👍👍 den and sue 👍👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🚌🚌🚌
Most enjoyable and entertaining installment. It just gets better. What a journey through that tunnel. pure entertainment. All good. Thanks for brightening up my Friday evening after a week at work. Regards, Sean.
13:22 "there is a little..." Oh, you mean "a Lidl" 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Thanks for another great video Kevin! Just one point…..a couple of times you said you were just outside Kidderminster. In fact you were nowhere near Kidderminster, you were just outside Kidsgrove! 👍😊
Yep 😁 I blame senility.
Kidsgrove. Kidderminster. Same thing, ha!
I know this section of canal quite well having been through here with hired narrowboats on three different occasions. The Harecastle is quite the feat of engineering! Greetings from Connecticut, USA, where our only canals are now paved walking/bike paths.
Well they both begin with 'Kid' 😁 I blame senility.
Your story of the ghost was good when I happened to glance at the date, Friday 13th 😳😳🤣🤣
Another great vlog... Lots of interesting stuff. . Thanks
Hi Kevin, It was nice to see you in Barlaston recently, and I can report we made it through Harecastle without having to remove our top box, just, with about 5 inches to spare. Have to say I loved the tunnel it was an experience. Loving your videos. Take care.
Ray
Hello Ray. Yes lovely to have a chat with you. Good news about the headroom. Yes my impression afterwards was that it was all very good fun. Just stay in the middle and remember to duck. Safe travels. 🙂
Holy Guacamole! Kevin! That had me on the edge of my chair. Mind you, I'm not one for tight, dark, enclosed spaces. Just glad it was you and not me. Thoroughly enjoyed this vid. Time for a cold one. Cheers :-D
Gosh that tunnel is spooky with how low it gets. The rear facing shots give a great perspective, especially with the tailing boat's light.
Thanks. That was incredible! Bonnie is AZ
That water. Half expected Augustus Gloop to be splashing about in that.
If he likes iron oxide, I'm sure he'll love it.
Yep. I had sweaty palms and heart palpitations just WATCHING you go through that tunnel!!
It's nice to see the numbers increasing exponentially with each new episode, well earned!
Ah Kevin, I have just rediscovered what my soul requires. Your beautiful videos.
Hi Kevin and great cruise plus I enjoyed the Harecastle Tunnel experience. The weather looked pleasant as well. Cheers Keith.
Loving the snapshots. :)
Fantastic vlog as always Kevin, so many of us now will eagerly await the next one!
Kev, I'm sure I would have nightmares, after being in that collapsing tunnel ! Glad you made it safely.
I liked the way the tree in the opening shot 😄 one half blew in the wind while the other half remained still 😂👍 wonderful thank you for sharing.
My wife and I are on this stretch of the canal later this year ( holiday booked )
Thank you 👍😂
Hello Gary amd Mrs Gary. Have a fabulous trip. I'm certain you'll love it. Oh and remember to pack some extra boxes of Weetabix for the locks. 😁
Awesome, nice job Kevin. Hello from Pensacola, Florida.
Great video, especially in the tunnel. Did it as a child many moons ago, it was a great adventure, my mother regaled us with the story of the ghost 😂
Always a bright spot in my day!!
Jolly good show Kevin!!👍👍
Thanks Kevin for that great adventure through the "Scarecastle Tunnel" and the lovely countryside run up to it. Take care and all the best. Stevie
Kevin - your vlogs as interesting and enjoyable as usual. I did think for a moment that you'd had the old Petter McLaren tuned up when you suddenly went from Kidsgrove to Kidderminster. 😆
Well she can actually spin a surprising turn of speed. 🤣
I really enjoyed your descriptive journey through the tunnel! Thank you for sharing
Great to hear that Helly, thank you.
After a day of issues and confusion, I can sit and watch you go through the Harecastle tunnel while listening to Aslan's engine. After an IPA and the adventure, I'm well again. Now, if only I had a pork pie. Thanks Kevin. 😆
Enjoyed this episode while having my lunch at work. Was a very pleasant way to spend the time. I'm not a fan of dark, closed in spaces, so that tunnel would have been really difficult for me. Glad to see you had help from yourself doing the locks. I'm sure it helps the task go faster... 🤣
Hope you have a great weekend!
I am never busy these days, but always make sure I am really not busy and can watch your vlog all the way though undistracted. Great to be able to enjoy the travels along with you and see so much of the canals.
Can honestly say this is the best thing I've watched for years I'm totally hooked thank you Kevin and Aslan keep on chugging 😊
Great to hear that John, cheers. 🙂
One of your best vlogs yet, Kev. Very informative and interesting mate.
🙏 thank you
That was one scary tunnel Kevin! Rather you than me. However, you did have some rather pretty moorings beforehand and I loved the stone seats on the tow path. Looking forward to your next video. Cheers, Connie.
I found that after a couple of years bouncing from one narrow tunnel side to the other I was able to find a “sweet speed” which created a bow wave which kept the bow in the centre of the tunnel, making steering far less stressful and the rubbing strake less scuffed. Capt John.
I have finally watched all your episodes! Harecastle tunnel was something else and if I wasn't claustrophobic, I am now! Very dramatic and I glad you were guiding Aslan and all went well. Oh yes, and the headless woman jeepers creepers! Thanks, Kevin I always enjoy Travel by Narrowboat. Bon Voyage!
That must be one heck of an experience. Safe journeys! Cheers
Beautiful scenery of countryside and breath taking photos. So relaxing. Thanks
Around 1978-80 I lived in Okinawa Japan as I was US Navy stationed at Torii Tation (an army base), and we had a small cafe there named The Red Bull. We called it the Dead Bull...
What an adventure that tunnel…. Thanks for sharing!
Great cruise…. Lots going on and a Scary tunnel too…. I’d be hiding down below💜carry on, sir
Cool effect on that intro! I thought you had the help of a passerby. Then I looked a little closer.😂
Hi Kevin! The Harecastle really is a rabbit hole! Amazing bit of engineering that. Beautiful locations, as usual. Very nice, indeed! I will be checking out Trev's channel. Looks like he could do with a few subscribers.
Excellent video, good one!!👍
Love Harecastle tunnel...
WOW cool tunnel. Great job getting thru. Enjoyed
The most exciting episode since you dropped your Jalfrezi in the cut. Excellent - thanks CHG.
Involuntarily ducked at the first low point. Better you than claustrophobic me in that tunnel. Good on ya!
Hello Kev, another great Vlog, thank you for putting the time in, so appreciated. We look forward to visiting this tunnel ❤️❤️
A little nerve wracking in that tunnel.
Hi Kev, I may not have been through the Harecastle tunnel but I have been through the Netherton tunnel on the Stourbridge to Tipton line. The light at the end of the tunnel was the size of my little finger nail and it had been raining beforehand so plenty of cold drips from the ventilation shafts😂😂 it was certainly an experience that I will remember
But you can laugh about it now, Elizabeth? 🙂
@@CountryHouseGent and I would love to do it all over again one day, Stourbridge 16, Wolverhampton 21 and moor up in the Black country museum too😊
Great video as always.
The canal by the tunnel reminds me of Heinz cream of tomato soup😊
Cloning yourself to do the locks is very clever. No wonder you made good progress 😅
Thanks again for your time and effort in producing such lovely videos. 👍
Thanks Kevin yet another very interesting vlog
Hey, Kev...through the miracle that is TH-cam, I once again find myself sitting at my home office desk in the Philadelphia (USA) suburbs, spending a wonderful 1/2 hour eating my lunch while watching you guide "Aslan" through the lovely English countryside. May the Petter-McLaren live forever. I do have a question. Does the C&RT (or anyone else) ever dredge the canals? I frequently see your prop stir up clouds of silt.
CRT is funded like we fund wildlife in America. Through license sales and donations. Most of the funding goes to lock replacement and services. Dredging does happen, but it's a limited operation that frequently takes a second seat to the weed boats. I'm an American with a family history on the cut. The volunteer spirit of Americans wants to pitch in from all the trades and "Git 'r done" Brits have a slightly slower pace of work on canals. The management ethic is a subject of frequently heated debate depending on who you ask. I frequently want to pack up my tools for a working vacation. ;)
Sounds like the perfect tiffin. We really appreciate the scenery Kevin films and chooses to share with us; very enjoyable.
yeah I want them dug 30 feet deep so as to cool the water more for a more healthy biosphere.
@@DavidBriggsAdventures VERY informative. Thanks!
@@billpadgett6585 I actually know what "tiffin" means! You could say I'm "chuffed" about it. :)
WoW ! Just had a flashback
Great video Kevin , thanks for sharing 👍
I knew it wasn't THAT scary - honest !
Glad it's over though !
Lovely scenic journey !
I'm so laid back now, I'm horizontal !
It's all downhill from here !
Stay safe see you on the next one !
Stu xx
Enjoy your day off!
Nice one Kev . Me and my late wife travelled through Harecastle in a 19 foot Dawncraft dandy in 1988 . I got the strange feeling that we were going downhill through the tunnell , Very strange .
Hello Steve. Forgive me but when you say late wife, you don't mean the lovely lady I met with you down at Watford Locks/Crick? Hoping not.
@@CountryHouseGent I think you must be mistaking me with someone else Kevin . we have never met .
Oh sorry Steve, could've sworn it was yourself. Many apologies.
Double your Kevin's, double your fun! Meant to comment on that great technique last time. 44 minutes in that "Rabbit" castle tube would have been nerve-wracking for me. Boating underground in the dark in a 200 year old tunnel...Yikes! WELL DONE. Time for a well deserved pint! Regards Casey from Michigan
Good stuff thank you 👍