Vlog 50: Golden Oldies
Every year sees the rally of historic working boats at and outside Braunston marina on the Grand Union Canal. I went along to get some footage and talk to the people who make it what it is.
Continue readingStories about boats and waterways
Every year sees the rally of historic working boats at and outside Braunston marina on the Grand Union Canal. I went along to get some footage and talk to the people who make it what it is.
Continue readingI’d spent several days idling away my time quite pleasantly at Kingswood Junction at Lapworth but now wanted to go and visit family for a bit so needed a better place to leave the boat. So I went down the Hatton lock flight to Warwick and moored in the Saltisford Arm, run by the Saltisford Canal Trust. Lovely spot albeit a bit noisy from the traffic nearby.
Continue readingAfter a few days paused at the mooring in Shirley, Birmingham, I moved on down the Stratford upon Avon canal, through the Lapworth lock flight and turned at the Lapworth Link onto the Grand Union canal. During the journey there was sunshine, wildlife spottings, draw bridge dilemmas and a squashed horn. This video explains all.
Continue readingWe interrupt our scheduled broadcast to bring you a quick Vlog from the Crick Show 2016, the annual inland waterways extravaganza held at Crick Marina in Northamptonshire.
Continue readingThis was supposed to be the video from the Crick Show, so as to keep the show video timely. However, since I’ve been ill and off visiting family, the Crick video is only 1/3 complete, so have this one instead. It’s the next part of my travels after doing all those locks in the last one.
Continue readingFinally the big day is here: a massive 27 locks await my pleasure on the way from Curdworth into the middle of Birmingham. It was a warm, sunny day and a lot of effort – I ached for several days afterwards – but it was rather satisfying. The route goes down the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal, up the Aston and Farmers Bridge lock flights into the centre of the city.
Continue readingThe first of three long days begins in this video as I head south from Fazeley towards Birmingham and the many, many locks I will have to go through to ascend to its giddy height. In this video, I move to Curdworth which is just outside the Birmingham suburbs.
Continue readingA busy day in this one: 8 miles, some locks, a water refill, a loo emptying and a near-miss round a sharp bend. But all’s well that ended well. Except for the results of an irresponsible dog owner.
Continue readingA brief diversion from the usual videos of my route around the canals today, as – due to popular demand – I hereby present a video which attempts to demonstrate how I go through locks on my own. Various people have asked how you do it but please note I certainly don’t claim to be an expert – I’ve only been properly boating for a few weeks – so this is just my knowledge of it to date.
Continue readingAfter a day moored just outside Nuneaton, I’m moving a little way north up the Coventry Canal, through Polesworth and up to Atherstone. I’ll try to get to a spot between locks 9 and 10 as I’ve been told it’s a lovely place to spend a while. Some beautiful scenery on the way and some lovely weather too!
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