Tag: Gentian

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.

Vlog 409: London? Aye.

Posted on August 20, 2026August 20, 2026 by David Johns

I was invited to spend a day aboard the narrowboat of my friend Hannah Bodsworth, who moors on the River Lee in east London. Then in return, I invited her to spend the day with me cruising the countryside canals.

The video's host, David, is staring at the camera lens while he steers his narrowboat away from a bridge. The video is titled Juggernautical.

Vlog 406: Juggernautical

Posted on July 24, 2026July 24, 2026 by David Johns

This is part 2 of my return journey up the south Oxford canal from Cropredy marina to Napton. You can see part one using the link below. During this trip, I was unintentionally uncouth at a bridge-hole, a failing I have documented and lamented in this video.

Vlog 405: 404? Not Found

Posted on July 12, 2026 by David Johns

At the end of June, my mooring contract with Aquavista expired and the renewal was more than I wanted to pay, so I had to move the boat! This video is part 1 of 2 of me heading firstly back whence I came, up towards Napton.

Vlog 402: Crop Top

Posted on June 21, 2026June 21, 2026 by David Johns

Part 3 of my trip to Cropredy from Wigrams Turn down the south Oxford canal, here I descend the Claydon lock flight with much assistance from lock volunteers, do a further three locks myself and arrive at Cropredy just as it starts raining.

Vlog 401: Resistance is Futile

Posted on June 10, 2026 by David Johns

Welcome along to day 2 of my three-day trip from Wigram’s Turn marina down to Cropredy marina on the south Oxford canal. In which I mainly cruise long some lovely open countryside although I do spot some possible intergalactic visitors along the way.

Vlog 400: Power Nap

Posted on May 30, 2026 by David Johns

I’m taking narrowboat Gentian from Wigram’s Turn marina down the South Oxford canal to Cropredy marina. There are lock flights at either end of the trip, beautiful cruising in between, and a lot of new spring life on the canals.

Vlog 398: Immersion Therapy

Posted on May 10, 2026 by David Johns

This is day 2 of my ‘weekend’ (actually a Wednesday and Thursday) aboard my little narrowboat on the South Oxford canal at Napton, just bobbing about having an escape from the world. I also tried to work out why the electric immersion heater doesn’t work but gave up!

Vlog 397: Nap Time

Posted on May 1, 2026May 1, 2026 by David Johns

With the weather being bright blue skies and sunshine, I took to the narrowboat for a couple of days to just chill and enjoy being on the water. Come and enjoy it with me in this video.

Canal Life