Tom Trevethick's boat yard, the oldest in Nottingham, first opened for business just as the canal was completed in 1796. A point of interest is that somewhere in Tom's family tree is one Richard Trevethick, the Cornish engineer, pioneer builder of high-pressure steam engines and 'father of the locomotive'. (Courtesy of The Lenton Listener' Issue 13 July - August 1981). Nice to hear the chimes of Little John after you passed through the first lock, lovely video again, 👍
The no swimming sign towards the end amused me. I have several times been there, whitewater rafting. After one session, which officially ended as the place was closing for the day. Our guide asked us if we would like a little extra fun. I think most of us said yes before being told what it was. Some thinking it would be another whitewater trip down the course. He walked us to about half way down the course. Pointed to a large rock formation, accessible from the side, and said watch. He then via a small ( tiny really) walkway, made his way round the rock formation. He then jumped into the maelstrom and disappeared. After what seemed like an eternity. He emerged about 30 to 40 meters down the course. After climbing out he rejoined us and asked if we wanted to try it. He explained that when you jump in you will be sucked to the bottom, bounce off a few submerged rocks and sent back up further down. Just like he had shown us. Most of us wanted to try it. So with his instructions ringing in our ears, "jump in, tuck into a ball, and enjoy the ride" We did. Several times. I would just like to mention we were all in wetsuits, buoyance aids and hard hats.
i so enjoy seeing all the old buildings and the countryside. Here in the US many of the old cities are left empty with many business moved out to the highways , so walking from shop to shop is a thing of the past, I guess because i am old, i like to see old. That boat with what looked like grass was neat. I will never get to your part of the world, but it is so appreciative that I am privileged though your videos to see a small part of it., thanks much.
Thanks for sharing a bit of your great adventure on the Trent. Definitely want to visit the UK again and continue our travels on your inland waterways.
"Surely, Surely, no one looks at that water and thinks I will just go for a dip?" I was chased by the warden, after my third swim down it......................... :) Over the inlet gate, and all the way down past the "Daleks".
As an expat living in London for quite a few years I discovered that to smile at people was seen as a sign of insecurity and weakness. That didn't stop me though because in my upbringing doing otherwise would be considered rude. 🙂
I'm really getting into your vlogs, David, I truly get a calming feeling a watching them. I'm a 64 year old 'landlubber' from northeastern Ontario, Canada...Thanks, sir!
I'm based in the southern Caribbean for the winter season and I just wanted to mention how much I love your voice. Please read Wind in the Willows to us for Christmas and I'll be your lifelong friend 🎖
David, you are the gold standard of narrowboat vlogs. The only improvement that I could suggest is to add a sidekick. And we all know how much you love having someone open your locks. It just makes perfect sense. And another thing...Why do you (and other narrow boaters that I watch) not use thermal mugs? The good ones keep your drink piping hot and you can sip on it all day long without having to stop for a reheat.
Preston canal ends at Lenton Bar just before Trevithics boatyard. There was a chain across here to halt boats & collect fees. Meanwhile Nottingham canal continued northwards along what is now merely a drain called River Leen, climbing up through Woolaton before meeting the very bottom of the Cromford canal at Langley Mill, at Great Northern Basin. Lock down to the left & you're on the head of Erewash Canal. Incidentally Woolaton is the site of the very first railway in the world, built to bring coal from bell pits at Strelly to Woolaton Hall.
Yes, everyone likes to ignore how we spell Wollaton, though we do indeed pronounce it as Woolertun. I grew up with the abandoned and derelict stinking rat infested Nottingham canal as my playground and loved every minute of it.
Please don't ever stop making these beautiful videos and uploading them to You Tube. I watch your videos in hi-res on my wide 55" screen TV... what a show.... absolutely beautiful and, together with your impeccable commentary, your videos are a joy to watch. Thank you !
Having just watched Episode 64, I must say that to embark on your journey with the complete dvd collections of Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis with so little space to spare, bespeaks a rare and civilised person indeed.
So I've been binge watching this channel for the past few days and as an American who lives nowhere near any of our very few usable canals, I want nothing more than to live on a narrow boat! I don't think it's a viable plan to retire to England and buy a narrow boat. The cost of living might be cheaper if I stay put! Since this channel has inspired my longing for adventure, I'm looking at options that are more doable and closer to home. But I'll keep watching and dreaming of canal cruising!
I'd love to see you and Guy Martin ( famous truck mechanic and motorcycle racer from Grimsby ) discuss tea 🍵. He is a "cuppa tea" addict and I reckon he would love to see your boat. You can't beat a proper tea stained mug and spoon. Adds flavour!
i spent a day on the dudley canal at Bumble Hole and it was the most polite place ive ever been in my life. Must of had 30+ people say hello and good morning to me
(No, I don't believe you swear.) This is so soothing for my jaded nerves. Just what the Dr. ordered, but not that screeching of the winding of the gates. This urbanization was a nice change of scenery.
a very different video, showing us the other side of town and the bland scenes of some places. Thanks a bunch, it was educational for sure, and i kept watching out for your unforeseen surprise of white water as you rounded a turn and dropped over a 30ft waterfall!! Thanks that it didnt happpen!! Regards again for a great video. im beginning to think of you as a distant friend who works very very hard to film and edit with many hours invested, to show us all, the narrow boat experience. Im glad you have a narrow boat, the wide ones just dont seem to have the same character. Take care, bill in alabama here
I think if I tried that knee-boarding I would likely bypass the "holding on for dear life" phase and go straight to the splashing and cursing part. It saves time that way. And always fun to see more of those hand-crafted Canada Geese. :)
As you leave Beeston towards Nottingham, Boots as in Boots the chemist have they’re huge manufacturing complex alongside the canal to your left. At 5’13’ you catch a glimpse of Nottingham castle high on its bluff of rock and at 7’ 0” you hear the council house clock in the market square chiming.
David, I can only DREAM of narrow boat living, dream of for many years now, But being from the states, it would never be anything but a dream, Thank you for doing these vlogs it gives me a great pleasure watching them
You beat me to it. I live about a quarter of a mile away from the Holme Pierrepont water sports centre. It used to be the National Water Sports Centre but was downgraded in the lead up to 2012 olympics (too far from London😏). Shame to see Meadow Lane lock in such a neglected state.
I walk that section of towpath from Trevethick's to Carrington Street bridge every day on my way to work. Quite a few of the live-aboards near Castle Marina give a cheery hello to regular passers by on the towpath. I'll always give a cheery reply!!
Thank you David, for a trip down memory lane, or should I say memory canal. I was born and bred in Nottingham, 1943 to 1987, when I moved to Sussex. Have travelled many times around your mooring area at Holme lock, as I used to be a park Ranger/water Bailiff at the National Water Sports centre, 1976/77/78. As usual, loved the video. Cheers.
Best VLOG yet. The sound quality is much improved. Enoyed the 'water swooshing' and 'water rushing' and 'engine noise' and bird sounds and wind thru trees. Please keep up the good work.
Cheers. The sound quality is exactly the same though (!) it’s just that in wide open water on a very, very windy day, the water made a lot more splashing noises as I went along.
@@CruisingTheCut Yep listened on headphones for the first time and got the full stereo treatment - church bells, geese flying over plus the water FX of course. Good work there sir.
David; This is the first upload of yours since I purchased my new television. You, your boat and your adventures are much more beautiful in 4K than 1080p.
Surely, surely nobody will get in a barrel and let themselves go over a waterfall.. Oh. Okay, Surely, Surely nobody will jump out of a helicopter with no parachute onto steep snow covered mountainside.. Oh Surely, surely nobody will jump into the oceon with no diving gear holding on to a heavy object to see how deep they can go? Oh Sereing that water. Surely surely someone will want to swim in that! Thank you for an enjoyable video, as the Netherlands has another lockdown (sort of).
No funny, punny comments today, just a heartfelt thank you for being such a bright spot in so many lives. You are doing good in this world by simply being you. Keep it up, mate.
I agree, Having been born in the countryside I find City dwellers are not as sociable as with villages but it's not always the case where I live they generally are quite friendly apart from a few. Where I used to live many years ago if you said hello they look at you funny like you lost a few marbles. 😄
I am lazy now. I uysed to cycle alot. And I find it always so refreshing whenm I get to certain rural areas (not all mind you) where ppl say hello as if they know you XD.
Another excellent video. Always a pleasure to watch. As an aside, Lady Bay Bridge was originally built by the Midland Railway to access Nottingham (Midland) station from the Melton Mowbray line. After the railway closed in 1968, part of the route was retained for use as Old Dalby Test Track (now formally known as the Rail Innovation and Development Centre Melton), which terminates just short of the former Edwalton Station. Lady Bay Bridge, meanwhile, became a road bridge to relieve pressure on Trent Bridge, but the work wasn't completed until 1979.
Thanks David, your vlogs are an always welcome start to the day. Because the past few days have been stressful here at home I was particularly glad to see your bright, friendly face this morning.
Ok. That was fun adventure! I'm amazed at the scenery, locks, cities, etc. Glad you got to end watching the rafting. Moring and entertainment, nice!😁👍🍁😂
Thanks for posting all your vlogs , I've no real intention to get a boat or anything like that but i just enjoy RU-vid and i find your delivery on the vlogs quite witty and dry . And your videos are nice and relaxing. So once again thanks for your vlog. 👍👍
Great video as usual Sir........Thank you for sharing this other point of view of your world. It reminds me of a trip a fews years ago on Amtrack in California. Such a different perspective from the back side of big cities.......Thanks for providing an enjoyable viewing experience without hawking products and political rhetoric. Such a refreshing RU-vid experience.
I read the title in a rush and thought you were going to take your narrow boat Whitewater rafting. I also smile every time I hear you mention a winding hole, because until I started watching your blog, I always pronounce it like, “winding a watch.” That’s at least one thing that I have learned from watching.
At first thought, it seemed ridiculous. After a few moments, I began to see the advantages of having Astro-turf on the roof. It will certainly add sound insulation, and weather insulation, keep very good footing while traversing the roof, and allow one to lay out on those rare sunny days without burning the flesh on hot painted steel. I suppose extra care is needed to keep it from melting near the chimney. However, a massive amount of anti-rust measures would have to be taken, to keep the soggy "grass" from rotting the boat roof. I do wonder how top heavy the boat is after a good rain soaks the turf?
Great to join you on another cruise David. Strange the Trent tour boat flying the Union Flag upside down, perhaps they are showing distress at the lack of custom due to the pandemic.
I got this back from the culprits - Well spotted! It was replaced by a junior member of the crew who obviously wasn't in the Boy Scouts! Now sorted 😇 Regards
As a man of the countryside I've grown used to saying hello to folk I pass in the street or elsewhere. Since moving to the city it's rare to even say hello to people to already know in the street because you're often walking with your head down and not paying attention
Indeed, the more rural the location in the UK, the more people greet each other. I guess there are too many people to do this to in towns and cities - you'd never stop.
We live on a channel of a lake here in Texas and we love sitting out on our porch watching inattentive boaters run aground despite signage warning of the sandbars. There is a boat launch across from us, too, and watching people launch and recover their boats is called “boat ramp follies.” Yes, I’ve been one of the objects of some giggles. It ain’t always pretty.
Thank you. Lovely video. I enjoyed looking at Google Maps while you mentioned locations to see where you were. BTW - You have a very soothing voice and a rather pleasant face, coupled with your narration makes for very nice videos. Also the humor is great.
Surely, you’d have made more rapid progress if you took the first right at the end. Sad to see such a weir-ed end for Charlie the mop, though I think he may have gone a little overboard to get your attention.
When I Google Richard Trevithick I do get an image of him and a synopsis of his life. Being Cornish his surname would be pronounced Tra-Vethick. Richard Trevithick was a British inventor and mining engineer from Cornwall, England, UK. The son of a mining captain, and born in the mining heartland of Cornwall. I am sure I am not the only one who very much enjoys your historical references in these vlogs. I always follow them up with a Google and Wikipedia search. Thanks and, Cheers.
Your tea spoon has a perfect patina. You are very lucky in that regard. My good half insists on washing mine thus requiring that I start all over conditioning a clean spoon. And she wonders why I drink so much coffee. Take care and thank you David.
I'm from a small Dutch town so I grew up saying hello to just about everybody all the time, not doing so was seen as rude. I now live in Chicago...The other day a lady thanked me for saying hello. Funny thing is most people here seem to want to say something but seem hesitant to do so. Thanks for yet another great vlog David.
It's great seeing all my local waterways. Where Beeston Canal becomes Nottingham Canal is at Lenton near Abbey Road, it's called the Lenton chain because they used to put a chain across where the two canals met preventing you from crossing until you paid a toll.
So here’s my question. I see tons of boats moored and in marinas and relatively few actually on the canals. It would appear that a lot of people buy a narrow boat, use it a few times and then more or less park it somewhere which is sad. However the same can be said for sail and power boats. Billions of dollars invested and then rarely used.👍✌️😊🙏🏼
There are a large number of leisure boaters who own a boat but don't live on it. A lot of these people prefer to keep them in a marina for security and convenience and use them a bit like a holiday home taking them out for a weekend or week away here and there. There are of course liveaboards who prefer to stay in a marina, especially over the winter months where it's more convenient to not have to move every 14 days in the freezing cold and have all the facilities you need so close. I do feel though if you have a boat and keep it in a marina, never taking it out, that is a great shame!
We had a power cruiser in Kemah Texas. The nearby Clear Lake (a very muddy lake) by NASA had an enormous collections of boats, most of which never moved. As I neared retirement I sold the house and moved onto the boat, ready for a quick getaway. Ended up living on it three years and going for plenty of trips. The Sunday afternoon past time sometimes was to get a beer and watch people crashing into each other on the nearby bridge over the channel; average about one an hour.
Hmm ... some of us believe this is a good thing! Can you imagine if even half the moored boats took to the canals? Utter chaos. In the holiday seasons there's plenty of hireboats about anyway. So less is very definitely more ... canal for them as do venture out in continuous cruiser mode.
As always, entertaining and relaxing. "The current global situation..." is a great description. After the American Civil War, Southerners referred to it as "the past unpleasantness."
That was very nice! After suffering an hour of hungry males throwing testosterone at each other and wrestling with myself over whether mixing exlax with mustard was playing fair, the boys to men were sorted and quiet and I needed something pleasant for some attitude readjustment. As is usual, your video arrived on my screen just in the knick of time and my mood is remarkably improved. I thank you and if the boys knew just how close they came to a three day flush, they would be thanking you too. What a lovely video! Putting a putting green on a curved roof would make for some fantastic entertainment! You could create a Putt-Putt Course right on the roof for hours of entertainment. Just put half an inch of waterproof lining under the plastic grass to cut out some divets. What fun!
