193. Lift bridge hell! The Caldon canal by narrowboat from Milton to Endon. 

I get and whole heartily agree with what you mean by 'envy the people with gardens on the canal, it must be great to sit out etc'. However, in the 192 videos I've watched, I don't think I can remember seeing anybody doing just that.

Oh dear. I feel a distinct drop in the bank balance looming. The more I watch your travels, the more I 'need' to get a boat. "Just nipping down the road to get another lottery ticket dear, shouldn't be too long".

My wife and I recently completed our first 60ft narrowboat experience on the Leeds Liverpool canal, we hope that you and your other viewers find this feedback of interest: We were greeted by the owner of the boat who gave us a guided tour and stayed aboard until the first swing bridge. Alone now we headed off with a well thought out and printed plan, (with the help of the online canal planner) the first day was only 2hrs cruising to our first mooring as it was 5pm before we had collected the boat. The first night was difficult due to all the noises from both the boat and outside such as sheep bleating in the middle of the night which oddly we found very strange. I also investigated a constant water trickle noise followed by an automatic pump running which led to the stern gland, having watched your vlogs I instantly knew that the seals needed replacing as it should only be an occasional drip. I turned the grease handle and it stopped for the time being but was to annoy me for the rest of the trip. The following day we cruised for several hours and many more swing bridges. After mooring up for the night we reflected on the day and the plan, quickly realising we were both physically and mentally tired and that we had just being getting our heads down and working to the plan rather than enjoying the trip and our time together on the canal. We threw the plan away and made the decision to drastically reduce the distance we intended to travel. The rest of the trip was lovely, we saw several Kingfishers, wonderful scenery and experienced the calmness of sliding along the canal at a few miles an hour. On one particular beautiful stretch of the canal I was at the tiller, my wife at the bow, we looked at each other and without words we knew we were in a heavenly place. It was magic! One thing that bugged me about my handling of the boat is mooring up before and after the swing bridges. The bollards were very close on both sides of the bridge and I was hopeless at steering alongside them, usually ending up with the bow touching with the back sticking out too far for me to jump off with the centre line :( I'm sure we will have another trip next year

The island in the middle of the canal used to be a narrow gauge railway swing bridge. I believe the canal used to go all the way to uttoxter but now stops at froghall because the churnet valley railway was built on top of it

A lovely stretch of canal David, one i used to frequent when my grandparents used to live there. I've also done the caldon twice, I'm aiming to do it again soon. The obstruction I believe was the pivot for a swing bridge that used to carry a narrow gauge railway over it, can't remember why though! Hope you enjoyed that mooring too it's a family favourite. Keep up the good work with the vids!!!

The only disappointing thing about this video is that I am all caught up now after finding your channel a month or so ago! (and yes I have watched the Vandemonium videos as well). Found them all rather entertaining, thank you.

The ending footage of mirror calm waters reflecting the cloudy sky was simply too beautiful

Man, i love everything between "Welcome to the vlog and cheerio! You r a pro in making a movie with a very nice sounding voice over!

Now that took me back. Born and raised in Milton, spent many happy times "down the cut" as a youngster. Far away now in time and space ... 70+ years old and living in South Australia. Great videos David.

0:26 - Not willing to check, but I've been watching your vids for as long as what seems to be before the hair on both of our heads turning grey. I think mine was first; seems no problem. My wife has yet to leave.

Thank you for all the time and effort it must take to produce these very interesting and informative videos

Lovely episode to cheer up dreary Sunday morning! Pity you had a work up at the bridge. It was previously entertaining to see Jasmine's arse running all over the place!

I'm still laughing...made by aliens 3000 yrs ago. Oh boy, when I saw the sign in the middle of the canal, I was like What the Hell!?! they have roundabouts on the canal? lol Yet another steller video. Thanks David.

Its cold and snow covered in Vermont, the news is unwatchable without spiking bloodpressure to a dangerous high, so I watch your vlogs again and again.

Awesome video, as usual. Appreciate the time you take to allow us a glimpse into your life.

Hi David! Nice video and interesting! I teach verry much from you about English sistem! I see few modernisations on the canal! There are good! But there are like one flower on a big feelds! good things! Nucu

1:44 I loved the skein of geese overhead. It's a sure sound of Autumn. Cracking vlog again David. Please keep 'em coming.

The last scene was amazing. The way the clouds were reflected in the water. I could have watched it for ages.

As always very watchable, keep em coming David.

11:36 I love it when the water is that still and reflects the sky perfectly

I cannot explain it... but i find this channel so entertaining. U make me want to live on a boat.

You're the David Attenborough of the canals lol

Have to admire a man who works so hard to get rid of a bit of poop and to fetch a fresh drink of water. Thanks. Always enjoy.

Oh, first video of the day and you have ticked over to 100k subs! CONGRATULATIONS!!

Ah, my word of the day..."frisson" -- gives me a little shiver just thinking about it! Thanks and as always, lovely video.

"Narrowboat in fields" is a way to get away from the house, a man cave if you like, without the trouble of locks or the cost of a cruising licence. Just a thought! Stephen

Hi, David! Your "I like to imagine there's an unexploded World War II mine down there somewhere" quip cracked me up! Thanks for the chuckle and for another great video! Cheers!

And there was me thinking Birmingham had the only ‘roundabout’ on the system. I’m learning all the time! Great vlog, thanks as always...

This was a deceptively tranquil look at canal life. Peaceful yet methinks there is more work involved on even a laidback day than many realize. Thanks for taking us with you.

Right past my house! Brilliant

After the 2018 lock there was a 2002 and a 1974 lock :O now I have to watch for more lock years on all of your uploads

Glad to see another vid - I've been binge watching your entire vlogs over the past 3-4 weeks and after 192 found myself wondering what the heck I was going to do with my spare time!

A WWll mine David! 😮💣🤣. I think those funny bridges got to you 🤣😉💜. Have a nice weekend 😊

Another great video David thank you so much. My wife and I got our cruising the cut coffee mugs yesterday.

You are the most cheerful grumbler.

Another brilliant video. Love them.

I love these videos, so relaxing.

Looks like you are heading into some very pretty scenery. Hope you found the supplies you were after....thanks for the excellent vlog, really enjoyed tagging along, cheers.

A late Sunday afternoon, a glass of chilled white wine, and Cruising the Cut. Bliss! :)

Thank you David for another adventure. Beautiful!

Good work with the locks. Thanks for sharing.

Hi David Recently discovered your vintage engine vlogs and found them extremely interesting. I am hoping to get a boat next year with an engine room and boatmans cabin so will be lookin* forward to hopefully more in the series. Well done Norm.

Love your comments and filming, handling and all the rest, singlehanded 🇩🇰😉👍

Miss you! X

This channel makes me want to holiday in the uk on a canal boat . It seems truely relaxing

I really like watching your travels, it is Intresting to see the locks and bridges. Lot of history in the water ways. Thank you for your efforts of showing this experiance.

Very informative and interesting, you do an awesome job narrating the blog.

Hello, that was so relaxing to watch. So peaceful and calm. . I really enjoyed it. Thank you very much.

Thanks for sharing David

Fancy you mentioning Staffordshire. Was on the phone with my mum a couple of hours ago and she mentioned she would like to find out where in the UK her paternal grandmother had been born. Did a search on Ancestry.com and found she was born in Dudley, Staffordshire in 1882. Must be part of the appeal of the British canals for me. Lovely video as always, David. Cheers!

Ohhhhhh, now I love those cute little boats. That is the kind of boat I would want to hire during a visit to the UK, as that would be an amazing experience as the full sized narrowboats seem a little daunting to me. Staying on the lovely scenic canals, and visiting all the little villages along the way would suit us perfectly.

Another great vlog! Thank you.

I absolutely love these videos, scenery incredible, and narration is superb... Been watching for some time, interestingly enough I had to press the subscribe button again, which I thought it strange as I subscribed some time ago...

Another relaxing video , cheers

Those canal gardens are fantastic! It's where you could find me if they were mine. A fine mooring for your soul. Another well made vlog, sir, thank you.

Great little vlog. Us land bound foke wondered how you operate lift bridges etc single handed. Well explained. 👍😉

as always David I enjoyed this one as well.

As wonderful as always

Lovely. I know you have gotten tired of repeating (almost) the same thing. However, I get (almost) as much enjoyment watching your old videos as the first time I saw them. Thank you.

Manual lift bridges are very difficult to operate sungle handed. Your method works - bravo. Again, a very interesting video - thank you David

Very nice trip along the canal. Thanks for describing the locks in turn. They are quite varied in condition

as always intersting, enjoyable.

Beautiful country scenery as always. I really believe that I've watched enough of your videos that I hear the song that your Lister sings in my sleep ... not that that's a bad thing, mind you. :)

Well that looked like a lot of hard work for one man on his own , but you did very well 👍🏻😎👍🏻

Nice vlog David from the narrowness from when you set of to the wide open water you stopped at the geese are a sign of winter is coming ❄️😀😀👍

All in all looked like a very pleasant day. Cheers 🍻

@ 11.20, it's the centre mount for a long dismantled swing bridge.

Thanks for another fabulous video. Your efforts are greatly appreciated. You are appreciated. Cheerio. 🙂🐿🌈❤️

Loving those scenes.

Enjoyed your conversation regarding guests

Another fine trip with one of RU-vids better story tellers.

Good to see you getting some more exercise, David!

As always DAVID. Great vlog. Will be over in the UK April next year.

The canals seem quite idyllic. I’d love to cruise the canals and experience the canal-side social life in the local pubs, parks, restaurants, and villages. Probably we should head your way, and book a trip on a hire boat. Thanks for taking us along.

I love it when you put the engine into 5th gear & roar into the locks at top speed David !! No wonder you need a button fender on the bow. Ha ha !! 😎😃😄

you sir, are guilty of me being in a position to hire a narrowboat and do a cruising with the missus next summer. splendid work as allways .......

Please show some of the little villages you stop at for supplies. Would love to do a canal boat trip.

I think if I ever get a Canal Boat, i'm going to get a bow thruster, auxiliary electric prop, and design a simple remote so the boat can follow me up and down locks, and under annoying bridges.

Sorry for the exit of your 1st Mate and friend but this was a great video! Very enjoyable cruise.

Those cows were playing cricket until all you narrow boat people arrived. Nice vlog David Cheers

I just saw your narrowboat videos are now on Amazon Prime - congrats!

mighty athletic jumping onto the boat after the manual lift bridge -- you're ready for the Olympics!

Good cup of tea and amazing video you earned a sub :)

Despite the narrowness of the canal, it went through some lovely countryside. 👍

Brilliant thanks 😁👍👏👏👏

yay, new video.

Чудесно! Фантастично! Благодарю Вас!

Good vlog, good recce, especially the self filling lock and those lift bridges. Pity Jasmine was unable to extend her hols.

Just before "Long standing viewers.." there is a house with a ramp down, here two boats have been built over the years. Lovely you met Emma and mum Fiona in the last episode: I support Emma. I think they are wintering at Braunston.

Nice cruise👍

My wife are I are avid watchers of your channel and we were hoping that "the damson" would stay on as your new crew mate!

Thanks for that glad you explained how to do a non automatic lift bridge, I haven't done one yet and was wondering how I would get on with one on my own. Take care.

I love watching your videos it’s nice and relaxing. I had a book that my granda had typed up when he and a few friends would go sailing up the Caledonian canal around 1930s it was a small yacht with a petrol-paraffin engine my granda was the machanic on the yacht as he worked for macrea and dick in Inverness fixing cars. Every summer they would go away for 2 weeks sailing around up to Oban etc it was lovely to read I returned the book to my aunt who gave it to her kids

I would so love to have a bike out there and ride the pathways along the canal. That would be so much fun.

Hi mate, just been watching your video of the London trip you did very informative and very enjoyable to watch, very envious of your lifestyle, hope you don't take this as an insult but your presenting style reminds me of Henry Cole as I am a bike enthusiast I have watched all his motorcycle TV programs, well done and keep em coming and if your back up in the Burton on Trent area of canals any time soon give us a shout and I'll buy you a beer.

Engine lock and Hazlehurst no 2 used to have fantastic airvents alongside the chamber throwing a great geyser. Covered up now but back in the day I would catch crew...

10:25 Q.: "What is it with narrowboats in fields?" A.: "No mooring fees or navigation licences to pay."

So at 10:10 you mention on running up the engine. That brings up a good question. How do you do engine run-ups to clear the carbon build up as you are at idle most of the time? When doing ocean crossing in trawler yachts and running at low engine power to save fuel, we run at 7-8 knots on our 76' yacht. Then every two to three days the engine manufactures want to run full power for 30-60 mins to clean out any carbon deposits and load the engines down. That wide open throttle setting with twin 13L diesels gets us up to a warp speed of 11.5 knots. With about 14,000 L of diesel on board fuel management is needed and we have to also run the smallest of the generators (have three onboard 9, 21, 32 KW) to keep the load at about 80-90% to keep carbon build up lower.

Narrowboats on fields, that is how they grow them, kinda like Pumpkins. LOL

I suppose it is the briefness of these videos that makes them special-but I wish they were longer. Any way, thanks for using frisson!