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.
On a sunny day at the Anderton Boat Lift, I was delighted to have the opportunity to chat with Katherine Hutchinson who operates the steam-powered narrowboat Emily Anne.
A few weeks ago, I had the great pleasure of spending a day aboard the fuel boat and butty of “Jules Fuels” on the Grand Union canal. The day started – early! – with loading of supplies and then off we went to deliver to customers south of Milton Keynes.
As I continue along the Trent & Mersey canal on my narrowboat, I need to get some coal – the early April evenings are still a bit chilly sometimes – as well as kindling, a new Calor gas cylinder and most vitally of all, do a load of laundry. So I stop at Barton Turns marina for those essentials as well as popping into PC World in Burton-on-Trent for a portable hard disc to offload loads of old vlogs onto; my poor old laptop is filling up!
We’re right into the middle of winter now and unlike last year, this time it’s quite cold with overnight temperatures in the Midlands (where I’m moored) dropping as low as -7C. So although I’ve talked about my stove and the radiator system before, this is a dedicated video on the subject of narrowboat heating including various types of stove, diesel-fired radiators and insulation. Plus – there’s a very special guest apppearance from Mads and Jökull from Sail Life!
After a viewer request I hereby present a (rather long, sorry) video of how I set and light the Villager Puffin stove on my canal boat. I do two examples, one of lighting it from cold and the other of rekindling it from dying embers.
With temperatures currently plummeting in the UK and at least a fortnight’s cold snap predicted with sub zero temperatures coming, it’s time to have a look at the main source of heating on my narrowboat, the Villager Puffin stove.