Oh my word, 120 years old. I used to own a 40-foot twin engine (12-feet wide) old wood power boat (not sail) that was built in 1939 here in the USA by a Scotsman (Scot Matthews). I was a member of the international classic yacht association for 19 years (all old wood power boats) but the oldest boat was probably around 1910 or so. Your "Lilith" is older! Gives me shivvers. 🙂 Wow, elm or green-heart for the bottom. My boat (Pied Piper) was (still is) fine-grain Mahogany, which you pretty much can't find today. Her original hull is still good at 83 years old. Oh my word. If I lived near Portland Basin, I'd be there! Thank you Chris, keep on!! Thanks for the link to the boat website, I'll be sending them some money. So "Hazel" never had an engine? Holy cow, 28 pounds/day for individual people who are paying? Can't the English parliament/government afford more than that? Do they not care about history? Ok, I'll calm down now. Or not. Yes, when you raft the two boats together, the boat being "towed" needs to have its stern forward of the stern of the boat that has steering capability ... and that's exactly what the folks in your video did. They are so cool! Julie is the best. Ok, maybe Chris too. Oh wait, no, you are the best Heidi. No doubt. 🙂
Think it's a really nice jesture what Chris is doing for the NHS & care home workers, giving them something back . Well done, we need more Chris's in this world . Ps . you did a good job interviewing him and getting the word out .have a Rum......lass .
Enjoyed that, i volunteer with Vale of Llangollen canal boat Trust. We take disabled people out over the Frontysc...whatever , aqueduct from Trevor. This has given me some ideas. Come and see us next time your up the Llangollen. Agree with all the comments here, you can now do entertaing, factual as well as brilliant, funny, innuendo filled vlogs. Am hoping BBC 4 see these and give you a series. You have proved with this, you have a natural flair for this type of presentation.
Aww thanks so much Norman, that’s sounds like a lovely project 😃😃 the problem is with me doing these type of videos is I don’t have a fancy camera or microphone, it’s just all done with my phone and gopro so I can’t get good quality sound. When I was putting this together I wished I had a proper microphone so the talking was louder. So I’m saving up now and that will be my next purchase 🏴☠️
Hi Heidi ,what a great and very interesting blog about the olde goldies the dedication by the guys who have restored them ,to take the NHS for a trip down the river,and the people down on there luck or health problems,till next time take care keep safe, John 🎄🎅🏻🔥🤷♀️💐💐💐
Thanks John, yes they work so hard volunteering their time to keep the heritage alive ❤️ and use them for these great projects - thanks so much for watching and your lovely comment ❤️🏴☠️
What a fantastic narrowboat vlogger you are Heidi! I can't believe I've benign watched 31 episodes tonight. Looking forward to catching up tomorrow night! Your Kentucky fan!
Top vlog Hiedi , amazing that they have survived all these years if I win the lottery I will definitely get all of those boats restored to all the glory fingers crossed 😉
I’m knackered. This was just the ticket. I think I need one of those cruises for my mental health . Got another long working day tomorrow. This retiring thing isn’t very restful. Oh well, the sun is shining and it’s warm though that means the fire danger is growing. I’ve still got mud everywhere. If I lived close enough I’d be want to help with rebuilding those boats. Looks fascinating.
Thank you lovely video. And what a great man Chris is, many years ago in my hire boat days he let me stay over night in the security of the basin with a Shire cruses boat. To this day I still remember how kind he was to us.
What a Fantastic video ! I love the stories of the old boats and seeing them in action is such a treat. You did a great job interviewing, your questions were great and gave really good information about the charity. I’ve been busy watching videos, I’m in love with the idea of the narrow boats but physically I wouldn’t be able to do the work. It seems so romantic. I’ve got a built out camper van and am a part time nomad in the South Western US. Mainly Arizona and Southern California areas. We have lots of what’s called BLM land, it’s owned by the government and is free or mostly free camping. So I’m so happy I found your channel and am a little bit in love with you too ❤. You adorable and have such a great outlook on life. It’s always a joy to see what shenanigans you and your mates are up to.
Aww thanks so much for watching ❤️ you are living your best life as a part time nomad with your camper van … I’ve recently got myself one and absolutely adore it 😃😃 life is for living 😃🏴☠️
I just wish that I was closer (like on the same continent!!!) I’d help out with admin or whatever’s needed. I really hope that they get some help and/or donations from people this video - good on you Heidi. Good on you Chris and everyone volunteering at the wooden canal boat society/charity. Cheers, Eve 🙂🐿🌈❤️
This was a wonderful vlog among so many wonderful vlogs. I have shared it. I didn’t know of this charity and will certainly volunteer when i get back to blighty. Thanks for this 😊
Heidi when you think that when these Canal Boats and the Thames sailing Barges were built to last 20 yrs before Major work they are doing well. That was a Cracking Vlog I think I'll Watch it again ,With a Couple of Cans of Guinness Cheers.
That was bloody brilliant! I’d never heard of the Wooden Canal Boat charity, and, I guess, neither had a whole bunch of other folk. Hopefully you’ve just given them a nice , big boost with this. I shall share it to make even more people aware. Keep ‘em coming 👍
Thanks so much Sheila 😃 it is a fabulous charity and does great work within the community in addition to saving these old boats which are part of our history 😃🏴☠️
Catching up with your videos from the beginning (still!!!) and really enjoying them all, but really loved this, hearing about the history and why the butty is called a butty. Excellent video, Chris and the team are fab. Thankyou
I bought a boat off Chris a few years ago, it was called Norwood... 36ft metal narrow boat it was old and falling to bits, it wss donated to the charity by the wife of the guy who owned it as hed sadly passed away... I spent all year doing it up inside and out made it into a lovely boat, chris never changed, nice to see hazel still going...random fact for ya the bost yard at portland basin is were David platt off coronation street crashed is car into canal, it was a story line on coronation street a few years ago and the footage is available on youtube
Oh wow, that fab that people donate old boats to them 😃 I don’t watch soaps, so haven’t seen that haha but I bet millions have and it would have been a great fun fact to mention when I did it, thanks for the info 😃🏴☠️
Hello Heidi - greetings from Poland That was a wonderful video giving an insight into the Wooden Canal Boat Society. A brilliant organisation putting life back into old wooden narrowboats. A lovely historical story about the boats and so much information about the Society. Thanks so much for highlighting the WCBS.
What a lovely documentary. A wistful glimpse of history living still, and big-hearted people keeping it alive for us to enjoy. Thank you for making this beautifully filmed piece, good enough for local TV. Thank you also for introducing us to lovely, warm people and your natural presenting craft. A real treat.
Goodness me, I knew Chris when he was involved with the Boat Museum in Ellesmere Port, that'd be back in the 1980's probably. The black and white still shot is the dry dock we built there by the Toll House. I remember he told my dad about a project boat that we should buy and do up. It was near Runcorn. We went to look at it, it was on the bottom and had been for many years with only the top two inches of the roof above the water 🤣
How lovely to see a whole other dimension to canal life and boating. What a great service Chris and the volunteers are doing what a great thing to shine a light on. Thank you Heidi.
I literally binge-watched every one of your episodes including this one episode 31, and I have to tell you girl you're doing it right outstanding work, thank you Heidi looking forward to the next episode😎💯👍👍
So much to learn! I adore the canal community (from afar). Those old wooden boats are amazing. I will share this with my 93 y/o father who as a young man served in the Merchant Marines aboard a wooded boat. He talks about that boat often. Thanks Heidi. I really enjoyed this, and all your Vlogs!
@@TheNarrowboatPirate Thank YOU!!!!!. I was disappointed by you missing some Double entendres though. Have you had complaints from Mary Whitehouse? (That shows my age, you'll probably have to google her). I mean, both me and Aaron were filmed pushing our shafts into the muddy bottom, how could you miss that opportunity?!!!!!
Aww thanks so much Jenny and Dave, I don’t have a good camera, microphones or anything but as long as it gave Chris and the wonderful wooden canal boat association some recognition for the amazing work they do, that’s all that counts 😃😃🏴☠️
Ay up me duck, very interesting video on those traditionally built wooden narrow boats. I live very close to the Cromford canal, in fact it runs past the end of my garden, unfortunately it is no longer navigable at this point. Just next to one of the old locks there is a small channel leading off the canal and into a small wharf. Here there used to be the remnants of an old wooden built narrow boat. It had almost rotted away but you could still make out the keel and some of the wooden ribs. It was only about 20 foot long and has young children we used to play on the remains of this boat, this all took place in the early 1970’s. It is only recently that I found out what this boat was used for. I was chatting to one of the ‘Friends of the Cromford Canal’ members and he told me the boat was actually an icebreaker that was used on the canal to cut a channel in the ice to help keep all the commercial boat’s operating during the winter. I had a walk over to the wharf today and there is hardly any sign of the boat at all, it has almost completely rotted away and nature has reclaimed almost all of the wharf basin. I found it strange that it has taken me over 50 years to find out what this boat actually did.
Brilliant !!! Loved this!! Absolutely beautiful old girls. Heidi this is by far one of your best yet! Thanks for another glimpse in canal history. 🏴☠️👍
Aww thanks so much Perry, it’s not normally my thing doing documentary type things as I don’t have any proper camera equipment, microphones or anything so I’m more a wing it, chat and vlog my daily life type thing 😂 .. but this charity do so many wonderful things for the community as well as keeping our heritage alive with these old girls, and as Chris was desperate for some volunteers I thought it would be nice if they got to show all the fabulous work they do and hopefully get some volunteers from it 😃🏴☠️
great utube vid, i do wish the wooden boats was closer to derby i would love to help them out and they would help me in my strugle of my mentleheath. keep on boating narrow boat pirate hope u have a great crimbo.
Now now Heidi all this emphasis on age has got to stop ,they are just inconsequential numbers as anyone as mature as me will tell ya !!! Joking aside this was a very interesting vlog and obviously a topic which is close to your heart ,you truly are a girl of the waterways,they'll tell tales of you when we are all just memories ...that rum swigging wench who roamed the canals ,a friend of everyone who needed a helping hand ,always cheerful and ready with a tune on her Squeeze box a smile on her lips and an incredible big heart that's Heidi the one everyone loves. Take care darling I'll tend to the fridge and look into preserving the wooden boats too ....what else can I do with a name like mine and my maritime background.Cheers hun take care be as good as you can luvz ya XXX
Awww Ralph, such a lovely comment ❤️ you do have a wonderful way with words 😃 I thought it would be good to do something a little different and hopefully this amazing charity gets some recognition for the work it does both to the community and by keeping these lovely old boats alive and working 😃🏴☠️
Not long come across your vlog and in the short time I've been watching it it's become my 100% favourite narrow boat vlog on RU-vid. Plenty of life and laughs, brilliant, have a great Christmas and looking forward to more stuff in the new year.
I really enjoy this vlog, I'm saving up to buy a narrowboat next year, and I do love the traditional looking narrowboats and I would love to own a old working boat. Keep the great vlogs coming. My Bullie Princess Poppy and me, Wish you and pudding a happy Christmas.
I live up there in that there London and would find it hard to volunteer but I will put it about on social media. Good and important Vlog this week, good on ya Heidi. All the best. Love Stephen
Lovely old boats....Lileth would have been built just after my forefathers came off the canals (early 1900's) after 50 odd years, our family had 2 working boats and a barge i believe.
@@TheNarrowboatPirate They certainly are part of the countries heritage and deserve to be looked after...All being well in a couple of years I will put the family name back on the cut with my own boat....I never realised that you (Heidi) had history with Northwich rowing club, thought I recognise you from somewhere....I live in Northwich and also have family at Middlewich 😀
That was bloody brilliant, Heidi. I’d never heard of the Wooden Canal Boat charity, and, I guess, lots of other folk hadn’t either. I’ve shared it to spread the word - you never know, some one might see it and donate, volunteer or even book a trip. Keep them coming 🤩
What another fantastic video, beautiful old boats, cannae beat the old ones 😃, well done Heidi for highlighting this, great cause 💕 and really interesting x
There is nothing on earth as the smell and look of and old wooden boat.. these Folks who are committed to keep them repaired and running are to be commended. ⚓️⚓️⚓️😊🇺🇸
Thanks for a great video it's great to see and hear of people caring for old wooden vessels and to see them being used to help others too! Keep up the good job on the presentation . Cheers Andy
Thanks Tars, I’m only using my phone and a go pro, I don’t have any fancy gear but I’m saving for a proper microphone for the future 😂 them boats are part of our history and Chris and the charity do amazing work 😃 have a fab Christmas 🎅🏻🎄😃🏴☠️
Aww thanks so much for your kind words 😃 I just hope it enables this fantastic charity to get some recognition and a few extra volunteers for the wonderful work it does 😃🏴☠️
That was awesome. If only those dear ol boats could talk. Absolutely beautiful. The did look bit wider than narrow boats of today. Best wishes. Trevor x
Thanks for watching, yes they did feel wider but when playing on them I did noticed the gunwhales were much smaller than on my boat … i had to walk down the gunwhales on my tip toes 😂
I always look forward to your weekly upload there’s always something different and this one was certainly different. Great work absolutely loved it lots of respect for the people who run and are involved in such an unusual charity!!!
What an awesome idea.. wellbeing boats! I can tell those old wood boats are cherished. I'm an old thing myself so I like old things anyway. Another great video Heidi, keep them coming.
Great video very informative, All the years I have been on the canals I wasn’t aware of the charity Will make a date to go down and have look Very nice to see the old boat. 👍👍
Brilliant vlog, blog, or however or whatever you call it!. Something different and still just as informative and entertaining. I wish I was geographically closer, I'll be in there "Oh Arr" more inspiration for me to head north and get on the Cut. Much Love xx
@@TheNarrowboatPirate Well it turns out to be a great pet-name for my dogs then, as they're always heeling by my side or right behind me, whether tethered or not, lol. (Sheepdogs)
Ey up, that was VERY informative and interesting Heidi. Your Narrowboat Pirate vids are my Number 1 "must see" vids of the week. I won't tell you what my others are!! Question - we saw how the Butty Boat got stopped for turning around but how does it get stopped or slowed down in normal practice? Chuck out the anchor? Use some old knickers as a sea-anchor? Anyway, some $$$ coming your way for that one!
Thanks Mike 😃 They stop them by gently slowly down a long time before they need to and then just like all boats, they steer very slowly towards the bank, jump off and use the rope
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