Tag: braunston

Vlog 414: Attack of the killer geese

Posted on October 10, 2026October 10, 2026 by David Johns

I took my narrowboat into the countryside for a quiet night bobbing about on the waterways but a huge flock of noisy geese thought I needed waking up..!

Vlog 411: There and back again

Posted on September 10, 2026 by David Johns

After the summer canal carnage shown in vlog 410, here’s my return journey when things got even busier! But can you guess how many boats will have gone past me in just over two hours?

Vlog 410: School’s Out

Posted on August 30, 2026August 30, 2026 by David Johns

In the midst of the school holidays, in summer, in a heatwave, at a weekend, just how busy do the British canals get? Let’s find out as I take a two hour trip to Braunston on my tiny narrowboat, Gentian.

Real-time canal cruise, Wigram’s Turn to Braunston

Posted on April 19, 2026April 19, 2026 by David Johns

This is a real-time recording from the bow camera of my narrowboat as it travelled from Wigram’s Turn to Braunston. There is deliberately no commentary, just the natural sound recorded at the time.

Vlog 395: Braunston Pickle

Posted on April 10, 2026April 10, 2026 by David Johns

On a random day in mid-March, the sun decided to shine so as I was aboard the boat, I decided to give it a run up the canal, the first time it had been anywhere since last year. You know, what with the winter being all cold and wet and miserable and all that.

Vlog 384B: Homeward Bound

Posted on December 17, 2025December 17, 2025 by David Johns

On a sunny day in July, I embarked upon the final leg of my marathon journey from Lincoln to the East Midlands, bringing narrowboat Gentian to its permanent mooring “home” (from which I will now undertake weekend cruises). It was another glorious day, and busy on the canals too as we headed towards summer holiday season. Yes, this was filmed mid-July!

How to navigate canal tunnels safely

Posted on January 23, 2024February 23, 2024 by David Johns

As the canal builders became more confident and experienced, they faced geographical obstructions such as hills that would have taken many, many locks to overcome. Instead, they used dynamite and

Vlog 315: You Can Make Me Coal Again

Posted on November 3, 2023February 24, 2024 by David Johns

The Narrowboat Trust operates a motor boat and butty pair, taking them to events around the country to promote how the canals were once used. You too can have a go as they’re keen to hear from anyone who would like to learn or just support their endeavours.