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Betty on a Boat
United Kingdom
Приєднався 3 лип 2018
Hello if you're reading this! I'm Betty and I thought I'd start sharing some of my narrowboat adventures on UA-cam.
I'm originally from Wolverhampton so I grew up around canals. After dreaming of having my own narrowboat for many years I finally took the plunge and got my petite 30ft Aintree Beetle in July 2023.
I then went on a crazy 171-mile journey to bring it back to the Midlands over the space of two weeks. It was an eventful journey - I got stuck at the bottom of my first lock, fell in the canal, and I survived most of the trip without running water due to a problem with the boat.
Anyway, I'd love it if you subscribed and joined me on my travels, and maybe offered some moral support!
I'm originally from Wolverhampton so I grew up around canals. After dreaming of having my own narrowboat for many years I finally took the plunge and got my petite 30ft Aintree Beetle in July 2023.
I then went on a crazy 171-mile journey to bring it back to the Midlands over the space of two weeks. It was an eventful journey - I got stuck at the bottom of my first lock, fell in the canal, and I survived most of the trip without running water due to a problem with the boat.
Anyway, I'd love it if you subscribed and joined me on my travels, and maybe offered some moral support!
Betty on a Boat Christmas Special 🎄
Merry Christmas everyone! I thought it would be fun to film a Christmas special to round off my first year of making these videos. It's as action-packed as usual - you can see me driving at speeds of up to 4mph, being unknowingly followed by swans, and also going under several low bridges.
Thanks as ever for watching!
Thanks as ever for watching!
Переглядів: 43 193
Відео
A cosy autumn cruise on my narrowboat
Переглядів 74 тис.Місяць тому
I've been really enjoying autumn along the towpath this year - I think it's probably the most beautiful time of year to see England's canals. In this video you can see me continuing my journey along the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal. Special thanks to fellow boater Kate, who helped me get through several locks! (She watches these videos and said it was OK to film her.)
Loki the dog's first narrowboat trip
Переглядів 29 тис.2 місяці тому
For this part of my journey I was joined by my auntie and her dog Loki! Loki had never been on a narrowboat before but he was a very good boy and didn't chase after any ducks or try to jump in the canal. I've written subtitles for anyone has trouble hearing us talking in this video - just click on the button in the bottom right of the screen. (I'm thinking of investing in a wireless microphone ...
Heading towards Wolverhampton (and why I left before)
Переглядів 90 тис.3 місяці тому
As I continue my narrowboat journey along the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal, in this video you can see me going through the outskirts of Stafford. This brought back some memories from my early twenties, and I reflected a bit on why I moved away from Wolverhampton all those years ago. By the way, here's a link to a video where you can find out more about the Stafford Riverway Link: ua-c...
Someone is impersonating me on TikTok
Переглядів 21 тис.3 місяці тому
Well this is weird... I've recently found out that someone has been impersonating me on TikTok! I thought I'd post this brief video to let you all know that it isn't me. If any of you are on TikTok and are able to report the account for me I would really appreciate it. Also, if anyone has any idea why this might have happened then let me know! Here is a link to the imposter account: www.tiktok....
Taking my narrowboat to my 'home' canal
Переглядів 143 тис.4 місяці тому
After not filming a video for a while I've decided to document my journey as I head towards my 'home' canal, the Staffordshire and Worcestershire. As the months go by I'll be seeing parts of the canal I remember from my childhood, except this time I'll be seeing them from my narrowboat rather than from the towpath. I hope you enjoy watching my journey!
Bad news and a change of plan
Переглядів 49 тис.5 місяців тому
It feels very weird to be posting about something so personal on the internet but it didn't feel right to carry on making videos like normal without explaining what's been going on. As discussed in the video, here are some links where you can get information on the symptoms of prostate cancer: www.nhs.uk/conditions/prostate-cancer/symptoms/ www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/prostate-cancer/...
Tackling the River Trent on my narrowboat
Переглядів 40 тис.5 місяців тому
In this video you can see me taking my narrowboat on part of the River Trent, in the county of Staffordshire in England. It was a really beautiful stretch of river but my heart was racing and I was glad to get off. I definitely feel safer on canals! Thanks for watching!
A sunny narrowboat cruise across a canal aqueduct
Переглядів 76 тис.6 місяців тому
In this video I took my narrowboat over a canal aqueduct which crosses the River Dove. The River Dove follows the border between the English counties of Derbyshire and Staffordshire, which means I started off in one county and ended up in another! Sorry it has taken me so long to post another video by the way. I've had a lot going on lately and I haven't had much free time to edit this together...
Befriending a swan and moving my car
Переглядів 69 тис.7 місяців тому
This video didn't turn out how I was expecting! It was meant to be all about how I move my car whenever I move my narrowboat, but then I befriended a swan. I've only recently discovered how to tell the difference between male and female swans. Males have a black bit at the base of their bill which swells and becomes larger during breeding season, so this was definitely a male swan. Anyway, than...
How I moor my narrowboat as a solo boater
Переглядів 276 тис.7 місяців тому
For this video I thought I'd respond to a question that someone asked me after watching one of my previous videos. It's all about how I moor my narrowboat, which is a bit more difficult when you're on your own. By the way, I think I pronounce "pilings" wrong in this video. I've only ever seen the word written down so I don't know how to pronounce it. Anyway, I hope people find this video useful...
Attempting to fix my narrowboat
Переглядів 38 тис.8 місяців тому
I'm sorry if this video is a bit boring! I'm definitely not a DIY expert and I wasn't going to film this but I thought I'd better explain why I can't do a narrowboat tour at the moment. I also thought it would be good to show the reality of narrowboat life. I've had quite a few comments from people saying it looks idyllic, and it can be at times, but narrowboats need a lot of maintenance and th...
How I get water on my narrowboat (and do a three-point turn)
Переглядів 46 тис.8 місяців тому
It's the third video of me on my narrowboat and I think I come across as a bit miserable in this one... I promise I'm more cheerful in real life! I needed to move my boat after being moored in the same spot for two weeks and I also needed to get water, which meant turning the boat around in the canal. As you'll see from the video it's a bit more difficult than turning a car around. Thanks again...
How I do canal locks on my narrowboat as a solo boater
Переглядів 79 тис.8 місяців тому
I've made another video! Thank you to everyone who watched the last one, left nice comments and subscribed to my channel. I didn't expect such a positive reaction but it was really nice. For this video I thought I'd show people how I do canal locks. I was quite scared and confused about locks before I got my boat. I'd been on a couple of narrowboat holidays with friends but we'd only done five ...
My first (slightly awkward) YouTube video on my narrowboat
Переглядів 108 тис.9 місяців тому
Hello, I'm Betty! I really enjoy watching other people's narrowboat videos so I thought I'd have a go at making my own. I'm quite a smiley and cheerful person in real life but I was nervous while filming this. I feel a bit of a plonker talking to a camera but hopefully I'll get better at it. #narrowboat #canal #boatlife
You seem very happy in this video, I'm very glad for you !
Loki is absolutely adorable !
Betty, you're such a gorgeous person.have a wonderful 2025.x
👍 thoroughly entertaining thank you both 🕶🦢
Another fantastic video Betty
Thank you Marie! 😀
@bettyonaboat ❤️
Well done Betty 🪚
Thanks Wayne!
Je li dozvoljeno putovati, veslati kajak višednevno po ovim kanalima? Je li se može kajakom ući u prevodnicu? Slučajno sam našao vaš kanal i zainteresirao se.. pronašao sam na hrvatskom jeziku na jednom forumu putopis nekih Hrvata koji su iznajmili uski čamac i tako putovali. Pozdrav od kajakaša iz Hrvatske! 🇭🇷🤝🇬🇧
Some people use kayaks, canoes and paddleboards on canals but they usually get out of the water when they come to locks, then get back in the water on the other side of the lock.
@@bettyonaboat Hvala na brzom odgovoru. 👍 A je li dozvoljeno prespavati u šatoru sa strane kanala, naložiti vatru? Ja kad sam plovio rijekama kajak bi bio natovaren s puno stvari i bilo bi nezgodno sve to prenositi. Upravo ću se pretplatiti na Vaš kanal. Veoma mi je zanimljivo.🙂👍
Your new wireless mic works great! I can hear you clearly all the way up to 2000 RPM. Your videos also help me. I lost my wife last Christmas. And I ruminate just like you. Merry Christmas!
I’m sorry to hear about your wife. 😔
I have to ask, can younger Betty ever imagine, in the future, using the phrase 'diesel bug'? :)
the canal did go into stafford as you said they built like a dam where the river sow met the river penk and reached it by a lock and aqueduct i think,, the army blew it up i think in the war for training purposes be nice to see it return
Oh I didn’t know it had been blown up!!
@@bettyonaboat yeah the sort of lock at the end of the sow they blew up,, the ends were still there,,, used to swim there in the summer and try not to get nibbled by pike! it just kept the river level artificially high
Why do you open both gates if only boat in there... just do 1 gate be alot easier hun x
Hi Betty you videos are brilliant. I lived on a boat 3 years on the Stratford on Avon canal, an 2 years on the Trent and Mersey. What length of boat do you have?.
My boat is 30ft!
Thank's Betty. I've had a couple of 26ft boats. The boats I have lived aboard were 57 ft. Due to illness I had to move back to land. Couldn't live without a boat though so bought a 26ft. Great life , enjoy.
Hi ive just watched all your videos and found them very interesting and relaxing im a fan of robbie cumming and now yours hope to see more videos from you soon
Thank you Gary - I hope you enjoy my future videos too! 🙂
Very useful thank you Betty ⛴
You’re welcome! 🙂
Thanks for making these videos Betty they really cheer me up 👍
Thank you, that’s really nice to know! ☺️
Love your videos Betty You are amazing
Thank you Marie, and thank you for watching! 😀
they always fly off lol
Hi Betty, I've only just come across your videos and I find them very informative and you show me what I need to know about boating that I didn't know. I think you're amazing Betty, please keep posting your amazing video's. Thanks x
Thank you Marie! I love hearing from other women who are interested in boating! x
Just gifted you a Ko-fi,or whatever there called 🤣❤️
Thank you Luke, that’s very kind of you! 😀
Hi there, new sub here. I am loving your videos and I think your boat is super cute 🥰. I expect I will binge watch some more tonight and was wandering if you have done a ‘tour’ video of the inside/layout of your boat. If so, please could you tell me what it’s called so I can watch it. Thank you and have a wonderful 2025. x
Hi Sarah, I’m glad you’re enjoying the videos! 😊 I haven’t done a tour yet but I intend to film one soon! x
@@bettyonaboatThank you Betty, I will look forward to that. I have spotted your lovely kettle and colourful cushions. I get so much joy watching your videos, keep doing you! xx
What a great channel, really enjoy the videos reminds me of being on the norfolk broads as a kid. Pleased you had a nice christmas, looking forward to the next video. Pleased so many generous people have donated to a new fender.
Yes it’s very kind of everyone!
“Ahoy” Snow outside, coffee to hand, dog snoozing on my lap, sofa slouching next to a roaring stove and watching Narrowboat vlogs, whilst on flood alert (again haha) and stranded on my mooring by reversed locks. Cool vlog. Thankyou for sharing info on your low cost recording setup, very interesting. I’m hoping to journal some of my 2025. Wishing you safe travels and fun journeys Betty.
Ahoy! I’m glad you enjoyed seeing my filming setup. You should give filming a try. 🙂
Hi Betty, thank you for all your videos, I enjoy them so much! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and New Years!
Thank you Sophie! It’s really nice to know you enjoy my videos. 🙂 I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and New Years too!
Hi Betty,just come across your channel,you fill me with inspiration and hope that one day I will get a little boat too.Looking forward to watching some more.Glad it's helping you and others too.x
Hi Beki! Boating isn’t always idyllic (especially when things go wrong) but it’s nice to know I’ve inspired you a bit! It would be great to see more women on the canals. 😀
You have a very calming energy. As an ex squaddie with anxiety, cptsd and chronic pain, the vibe I get from you resonates very strongly. I hope you have a brilliant 2025... Thank you 🎉
Thank you and I hope you have a brilliant 2025 too!
Thanks
Thank you, that’s really kind of you!
@bettyonaboat Put it towards the fender repair 👍
Disarmingly charming, as ever, Betty. Never change 😍 Happy New Year.
❤
Hello Betty Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, I've just got around to watching your Christmas video and thoroughly enjoyed it your new microphone works fine and you're videos on your iphone are very clear, i to would like to thank you you as you help more people than you will ever know and that includes me so thank you from the bottom of my heart both me keith and my lancashire eeler dog Pebbles X
Thank you Keith, and a special hello to Pebbles!
Thank you Betty for your videos really appreciate them. Hope all is going well with your father, ask him to watch on UA-cam a Doctor John Campbell it may help. Good luck 👍
Good call with regards to replacing the damaged subfloor. Superb job Betty👍
It was a pain but definitely worth doing!
Great video. What length is your boat? Happy new year
She’s 30ft! Happy new year to you too!
Lovely ……….one of the very best narrowboating peeps on YT 👍
Thank you, that’s nice of you to say. 🙂
Hello Betty, so nice to see you back again. As always it's a wholesome and feel good video delivered in your very natural style, it's totally relaxing to watch and I hope you continue to post regularly. It's interesting to see your boating journey and have a look around another part of the country. For the record your new mic sounds fine , I was however fairly used to you leaning in to do your speaking part and found that quite charming 🙂
I’m glad you enjoyed the video! 🙂 I thought the mic sounded a bit muffled so I’ll probably go back to just using my phone unless it’s really windy!
Buon anno e un saluto da Novara, Isabella e Vittorio
Happy New Year to you too! 🙂
You share which resonates with people.
Thanks Darryl!
Happy New Year Betty. You are a beautiful soul and your films very calming, thank you.
Its a good thing you are young, agile and strong to be able to do all that lock work and drive the boat !! Well done !!
Happy New Year Betty x
Happy New Year!
@bettyonaboat you are so lovely I had to stop watching you 😂 otherwise I was going to get all loved up, spend my days dreaming and fall out a tree I hope you are keeping warm.( Luckily I've got piles of wood for my off grid cabin) I will occasionally check in and I hope you smash the subscriber numbers this year and you have great success . .
Happy new year Betty I hope you have a wonderful year 🥂🍾x
Happy new year to you too!
Happy New Year from Mexico. I enjoy your videos.
Happy New Year from England!
Hi Betty, just been watching about the Bridgewater canal collapse from a few days ago, i really hope you wernt caught up in it all, as i find your channel entertaining and informative. Happier new year to you and your family.
I’m not near there now thankfully but I feel really sorry for everyone affected. It’s going to be a massive job to repair it!
@ that’s good to hear. Yes it’s going to a massive pain financially for all involved too.
Love your videos Betty , so calming ❤️
Thank you! ☺️
Let think a minute about your comment about everyone looking at you making you feel uncomfortable….6000 people have been watching you via ur camera. What’s the difference.
Just a little note, I like your videos plus you are very Gorgeous.
Hi, just one question... do you get spiders in your boat?
Yes but I don’t mind spiders!
It’s beautiful but how do you find the winter?
I like the winter because the canals are quieter, although it gets dark earlier, which is a shame.
Hi Betty, could you give us a little bit of technical information on your boat, size, draft, motor etc. On your next video please?
She’s a 30ft Aintree Beetle with a Beta engine, but I’ll try to explain more when I do a boat tour!
Happy New Year Betty on a boat😊
Happy New Year to you too!