Category: Other Canal Topics

Vlog 291A: The Rum Wench

Posted on March 5, 2023February 24, 2024 by David Johns

I spent a day aboard The Pirate Boat with Captain Heidi; this is part 1 of two videos where we tour her boat and chat about her life afloat.

‘Live’ broadcast at Boat Life Live

Posted on February 21, 2023February 24, 2024 by David Johns

A replay of my live broadcast from “Boat Life Live” at the NEC.

Vlog 289: Gunwales & Roses

Posted on February 6, 2023February 24, 2024 by David Johns

Paintings of roses and castles are about as traditional on the canals of Britain as it’s possible to be – but why? Why roses? And castles? And how do you paint them? I went to see a artist and historian Kay Andrews on her boat as as well as Penny Arscott, Manager of Foxton Locks Museum to find out.

Vlog 288: Supermodel

Posted on January 27, 2023February 24, 2024 by David Johns

Here is an actual – albeit scale model – railway line and even a canal within the hold of a narrowboat on the canal.

Vlog 287: Muddy Waters

Posted on January 17, 2023February 24, 2024 by David Johns

If you’ve ever felt your canal boat scrape on the bottom of the canal and wish more dredging was done by the Canal & River Trust, here’s an explainer of how dredging is done, why it’s so expensive and why they can’t do more of it.

Vlog 286: Click and Collect

Posted on January 7, 2023February 24, 2024 by David Johns

For single-handed canal boaters, shimmying up and down lock ladders or trying to get through swing bridges can be a huge nuisance. How much easier it would be if you could steer your boat with remote control! That’s exactly what Gill Gregory can do aboard “Desiderata” so I went to see the system in action.

Vlog 284: Santa, Baby

Posted on November 25, 2022February 24, 2024 by David Johns

A guide to some of the very many gifts you can buy from narrowboaters, hand-made or designed on their narrowboats on the canals of the UK.

Vlog 282: Lord of the Flies

Posted on November 6, 2022February 24, 2024 by David Johns

Following on from the last video, about wooden narrowboats, which are quite rare on the canals, here’s another wooden narrowboat which is even rarer – a “fly boat”, the parcels service of the canal network.

Vlog 281: The Self-Preservation Society

Posted on October 26, 2022February 24, 2024 by David Johns

The Wooden Canal Boat Society in Ashton-under-Lyne is a wonderful group of enthusiasts who not only renovate and bring new life to decaying ancient wooden narrowboats but also provide valuable services to the local community. And, curiously, the boats have been restoring the volunteers as well.

Vlog 280: The Blue Bird of Happiness

Posted on October 13, 2022February 24, 2024 by David Johns

A few weeks ago I went past the well-known historic narrowboat “Dover” on the Grand Union Canal but its looks belie its actual interior so I went back for a proper snoop around.

Canal Life