Author: David Johns

Vlog 338: Tixall the Boxes

Posted on July 10, 2024August 4, 2024 by David Johns

I visit a rather splendid canal narrowboat which has just been bought after sitting in a marina for three years. It’s new owner, Matthew, is a specialist and enthusiast in the systems on board.

Vlog 337: Wet T-Shirt

Posted on June 30, 2024August 5, 2024 by David Johns

Having brought the boat out of water for refurbishment, it first needed a really good shower to get some of the long-standing muck off. It’s still a bit mucky in places but it was a good start.

Vlog 336: If you build it…

Posted on June 20, 2024August 5, 2024 by David Johns

Formed in 1969, the Grantham Canal Society is undertaking the huge task of restoring a 33-mile canal dating from the Industrial Revolution, over 200 years ago. I went up to see how they’re getting along.

Vlog 335: Nimble Boating

Posted on June 10, 2024August 5, 2024 by David Johns

There are some aspects of the boat’s refurbishment that simply can’t be achieved (or are difficult to do) while it’s in the water so in this video I took the boat from its mooring at Stourport a little way down the river to a wharf where it’s been hauled out so that I can work on it on dry land.

Vlog 334: Happy Trails

Posted on May 29, 2024August 5, 2024 by David Johns

The annual IWA Trailboat Festival 2024 was held on the Ashby Canal at Moira in Leicestershire, a gathering of compact, lightweight canal boats that can be towed on a trailer behind a suitable car or van. These included Wilderness Beavers, Sea Otters and even a Caraboat!

Vlog 333: The Write Stuff

Posted on May 20, 2024August 5, 2024 by David Johns

Two things: a) after at least two years, I have finally finished by book all about the canals, and 2) an update on the Twiggy refurbishment.

Vlog 332: Charging Ahead

Posted on May 10, 2024August 5, 2024 by David Johns

The first (possibly to-be-annual) Electrika event for people to get together and discuss electric propulsion on canal boats and narrowboats was held last weekend; I went along and this is my document of the proceedings.

Vlog 331: Hull’s Angel

Posted on April 30, 2024August 5, 2024 by David Johns

This time, I’m looking at the question of what do you do if you want a custom-designed boat to live on but don’t have the budget to buy a new-build?

Vlog 330: Going Dutch

Posted on April 20, 2024 by David Johns

Although I’ve been past several Dutch barges on the canals and rivers in my time, I’d never done a video about what they’re like until now. And this is a very nice one indeed…

Vlog 329: Carpet Diem

Posted on April 10, 2024April 10, 2024 by David Johns

As part of the ongoing refurbishment of my cabin cruiser “Twiggy”, I have ripped the carpet out of the front cabin, as you will see in this video. You can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs, as they say.