I have mooring pins, all narrowboaters do. However, leaping off the boat with pin and hammer, banging it in and tying to it then having to wrench it out again just a few moments later is exactly the kind of hassle that a conveniently-placed lock bollard would avoid! ;-)
@@CruisingTheCut Perhaps something like this would be useful for a temporary mooring? www.petplanet.co.uk/product.asp?dept_id=120&pf_id=66259 I see these used for boats, canopy, tents, etc.
Having to leap off the boat with any kind of pin, screw or other device and force it into the ground then having to wrench it out again just a few moments later is exactly the kind of hassle that a conveniently-placed lock bollard would avoid! ;-)
Ok I have no clue why youtube would suddenly think that I'd be interested in boat videos but apparently it knew something even I didn't, was interesting.
@Maria Olden Years ago, I read something about a narrow boat in England traveling in a tunnel in some book I like (oh, my brain broke and I don't remember the title of the book). So I got interested. I'm American but I've been an Anglophile for 30 years.
@@ethyhayes I don't own any vehicles, land or water, but there was a narrow boat going through a tunnel in England in a book I liked years ago. That's what brought me here.
"Hello, and welcome to the vlog": always a prelude to something wonderful! Thanks for these marvellous pieces David - the more so given that you do it all single-handedly: steering the boat, doing the locks, filming, editing, and above all, your ever-enlightening commentary. It's a rare delight to watch your progress along England's canals.
CruisingTheCut I'd just add that you have planted a rather disturbing seed of an idea in my partner's mind... I hold you entirely responsible, but in a good way. Best wishes, and keep them coming please.
I'll never understand why this ended up in my recommended video list, but it was an interesting glimpse into something I'd never considered doing before. Cheers.
I have cruised this tunnel 5 times, and it is always a good feeling to reach the end. The last time I went though my hat was knocked off my head. So glad it was my hat and not my head that hit the roof.
roger,,,sorry,,,i misread your post. At first reading i read,,,i have cursed this tunnel,,,,I still wonder if id have written comments in my terms!! There are more brave limeys there than i had imagined!! many regards,,,we are jealous of your adventures!!
Been through this tunnel with chas hardern boats, it's certainly fumey in there, glad i experienced the harecastle tunnel... Once done never forgotten.
I'm not sure why UA-cam sent me here, but I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. It's almost like a scene out of Jaws or some other boating-related thriller, right in the middle of the beautiful English countryside. Fantastic job.
I also don't know why UA-cam is suddenly recommending this (old) video to people so much but it's getting stratospheric views all of a sudden! Thanks for watching and I'm glad you enjoyed it. Many more on my channel too :-)
One of my fondest memories was spending an entire day cruising the Wey from Godalming, north past Guilford, on a canal boat our friends rented. My first trip to England in 1995. While working through St Catherine's Lock, watched as a Concorde flew overhead. Enjoyed your video immensely as it brought back that day.
Great title cos it really was scary; you conveyed it very well. Always glad to see a new video posted and that was one of the best. Hats off to you and Robbie, it takes courage to meet all the challenges of a single boater. Those rung ladders in locks give me the creeps.
There is a tunnel near me and it is between drayton manor and sutton. it actually seems lower than that but it is way shorter. it has also got a path aswell but the roof is really low on the path so you can’t really cycle through you have to walk. the cieling is also covered in cobwebs and spiders and it’s really dodgy aha. nice video
Did Harecastle tunnel in 1973. In those days, at weekends, there were no tunnel keepers and the rule was from dawn until 12pm go north, from 1pm to dusk go south. We entered the tunnel northbound at 6am and kept tooting the horn in case someone was chancing it southbound. Luckily not. Interesting but damp experience. Loving your vlogs. Bringing back many canal cruising memories.
En excellent video which has inspired me to give this tunnel a try. By the way, you are finding it so easy to steer because of something called "bank effect" which means as you get closer to either tunnel wall, the speed of your hull creates suction, pulling the stern in towards the wall and thus turning your bow away.
Hi I n the late 1950’s me and my friends played along the canal and the adjacent railway line (since moved through a shorter rail tunnel). Apart from scrumpy apple picking in the garden of the house close to tunnel entrance and getting chased away, further back towards Tunstall was a pig iron smelter called Goldendale close to the canal. Most of the iron was a mixture of iron ore and any reclaimed iron particularly redundant WW2 munitions. We would climb over the fence and look for 2inch mortar bombs and Mills grenades. Of course they had no fuses or explosive left in them. A visit from the police with a stern warning not to enter the site again, or I would be prosecuted. Sadly my collection was removed from our cellar.
reading about the Harecastle tunnel which opened in 1820 and is 1.5 miles long, because it has no tow path , i.e for horses to pull the boats though, the boatsmen had to 'leg' their way through the tunnel, i.e lying on top of the boat and using their feet to push against the tunnel walls.
I've just found your vlog. Wow I just love listening to you and sharing your adventures. I love your voice and your descriptions of everything you are doing and seeing. I believe I have watched 99% of your vlogs in the last 3 days. You are serious, funny, honest, and adorable too. I too love your editing and the wonderful quality of your videos. Keep them coming. And continue to have a glorious time on your beautiful boat.
The first time I went through Harecastle, I was so worried I would break down (it was a new boat so there was no reason it should) but I was stressing about it anyway. My boat was fine, but the boat in front who had been winding me up, broke down and we had to tie the stern of their bat to mine and I pushed them through! An experience not to be repeated!
I love the little bit of music at the end of each video... I am becoming very addicted to these David... Now we just have to get canals in Australia and we are set....
I see what dedication and skill you must develop to cruise the cut and manage the tunnels and bridges and locks, and moorings. The tunnels are scary. Aqua ducts really terrifying, some of them but I love watching you do it all. The countryside is beyond words.
I've never really been into canal boat videos, but this one was very enjoyable. It popped up in my reccomended section which is fairly mainstream, so I reckon lots more people are going to find the video. Just out of interest, have you ever done Five Rise in Yorkshire. They're the nearest canal landmark to me
From the sound of the engine to the moment you exited the tunnel i was trying to keep my balance on the side of the armchair :) Thank you so very much for what i consider the best channel on UA-cam.
we took a boat trough on our holidays one time and i loved the bit where they closed the doors and turned on the fan. as we were the first boat through we could see the whole tunnel fog up as the fans kicked in. interesting experience. we didn't have a light like yours on that boat so we didn't see the arches that clearly but i am still itching to take a boat the other way as well just to see if it is just as scary the other way round.
I'm glad you managed to survive 'Scarecastle'! Personally, I found it much less stressful than Braunston with two-way traffic and a kink in the middle. I actually quite enjoyed it. The tunnel keepers didn't check my horn..... just as well as I don't have one 😬. Being slightly pedantic, the canal passing over the Poole aqueduct and exiting left after the tunnel at Hardings Wood Jct. is in fact still the Trent and Mersey canal. The Macclesfield canal actually joins end-to-end at Hall Green stop lock shortly after the aqueduct. I also single-handed down Heartbreak Hill and failed to notice CRT's mooring bollard shortfalls on the non-towpath side.... maybe the locks that were in my favour all fell on the towpath side..... or maybe I had a G&T and you forgot to do so....?
I knew someone would pick me up on the Macclesfield not actually starting there; slight artistic licence to compress the information into a quicker form!
This is the first video of yours that I saw, I still love coming back and watching it every so often. Not sure why your channel got put into my recommendations but I am really glad it did.
We went through Scarecastle on a hired Freeman 22 mk1 narrowbeam in 1967. It had the remnants of a towpath with bits of scaffold tube sticking out! Those were the days !!
So - once there was a towpath right through, before collapsing occurred ? Bad luck to the first one through post any further central sinking of the u/g construction.
Marvellous. I love Harecastle, always an interesting experience. That high section of locks caught me out when I cruised that section single handed too. On one occasion a cross wind pinned my boat to one side of the canal near enough where you had that nice view. No amount of pushing the front end off hard worked, the wind just blew the bow back hard against the canal side by the time I reached the stern. In the end I found a large tree branch, pushed the bow out, used the branch to keep it out towards the middle by wedging it between the hull and the bank then powered the boat away from the tow path. I was pleased with my ingenuity!
Ah, this reminds me of my boating, I was a single hander too most of the time so your concerns are very familiar. I've traded steel and water for brick and mortar but I still really enjoyed my time on the cut and this brought back the memories ... and fears. Good UA-cam recommendation!
I don't know if you noticed but for each (most) time (s) the roof drops down suddenly it goes back up either slowly or suddenly - you see sudden drops in the north-south direction too. So the roof does not get as low as you think it does. It's a good idea to have a torch on your roof facing forward (so you can see the front corners of your cabin) and also to have the lights on inside your boat. These lights make it easier to keep it in the middle of the tunnel. Keeping the concentration is the key thing though. Looks as if you did well with it anyway, this is one of the worst tunnels on the system so no need to worry about any others from now on!
Yes, I always have a floodlight with me at the back, pointing up and forwards in every tunnel. I've never found the "lights on inside" to make any difference.
I'm sorry to ask such a dumb question but being from the USA these narrow boats are completely new to me. My question: It seems that MOST of the canals and locks and tunnels are set up for narrow boats of @ 7'-0" wide right? Okay then, why are there so many wide body canal boats at 11'-0"" wide. How do they navigate the locks etc? Or do they? Are they stuck in designated areas only? What a shame if so. The extra room is great but loss of mobility wouldn't seem worth it. Am I missing something? Sorry I just know the answer. It's all so darn interesting and England is so very beautiful. I'll never be able to travel to see it in person so watching these videos from you Narrow boaters is a real joy to me. Thanks again. Cape Cod , Ma
The canals in the Midlands are all narrow however those in the north and south of England are wide. Wide boats are therefore "stuck" in the top or bottom of the country but within those areas there are substantial amounts of canal to navigate. See www.aqualinemarine.co.uk/where-to-cruise/
I hadn't realised that a wide beam would be stuck as such. If you use the Wash, you can almost get from one to the other, apart from a narrow section just West of Northampton or an *unrestored section between Bedford & Milton Keynes. *unbuilt
I enjoy your episodes so much, it's better than Netflix. That last tunnel was claustrophobic for me! I look forward to your next episode. You are a joy to listen to. Best wishes with all your travels from a fan in Maine.
I don't know how you did it. MRI machines give me panic attacks, and just barely made it thru this vid. Between the diesel fumes and that inches away from my head, would have lost it. You're my hero💕👍
An interesting vlog indeed, Just a side note: I notice that you are adding more detail and history to points of interest along the way; this makes the vlogs even more interesting. Keep up the good work :)
Wow! I was amazed at how small that tunnel got, and when you said the whole thing took half an hour I couldn't believe it! What an experience - thank you for sharing it with us!
Brought my first boat last october from northwich move down to stoke thought it never steered a boat in my life before but when i got though it i wanted to turn around and do it again it was the best part of the trip
Great video as usual, thank you. Seeing heartbreak hill brought back memories of a holiday many years ago. Check out the 'strapping post' on the single upstream lock gates, slip a short loop over the post on the gate as you slowly go into the lock and the boat will both close the gate and come to a halt. Saves a little bit of work.
Dude. You are in fact becoming an intrepid rock-star of all narrow-boat/canal challenges. (and I know from the titles that you go on the Thames in future videos.)
Holy mother of Bob!! I was having a mild panic attack just watching you. Good thing you were multitasking to much to be preoccupied with how scary that was. There's the journalist spirit! Well done you.🙋🙌👏
Another excellent addition to the vlog! The combination of your voice and editing make these videos really relaxing and enjoyable. Kudos for you for making it through the tunnel unscathed. The gentleman who died in May of 2014 was Michael Holgate. Apparently he had just retired, bought a narrowboat, and was planning to spend his retirement cruising with his wife. I am pleased that you take safety seriously. As always, thank you for sharing.
Been through this tunnel a couple of times back in the early 80's. We used to always do canal holidays as part of our Church youth club. A true story that came from friends that boated with us is that the tunnel is well haunted. They were on a family holiday and went through the tunnel. Their 3 year old daughter saw a man painting white lines on the walls. She told her mum but there was obviously nobody there. When they came out the other end they asked the tunnel keeper about the incident. He smiled and said. Yes it is usually the children that spot the ghost in there. Love this channel. Just wish I could afford a boat. Keep up the great work. Regards Colin
I was unaware of the beautiful canal system of the UK until I happened across this video! In the last couple of days I've watched dozens of your vlogs, all the while becoming increasingly enchanted with the idea of spending some time roaming the canals. Cheers from the decidedly canal-less American southwest!
Interesting tunnel? Bloody hell; that was like driving into a wet coffin! Don't know how you managed the boat through. Too creepy for me; but great video of a near death experience!
I couldn't believe it kept getting lower and lower! It felt claustrophobic on video. You were very brave! Thanks for another brilliant vlog. Get excited when I see there's a new one to watch. Currently rewatching all of them.
I just discovered this entertaining VLOG, which you shot before I became a fan. After you completed the tunnel adventure, plus shopping, plus laundry, I am a tiny bit disappointed that you didn't reward yourself with a cheese sandwich lunch while your boat was moored.
Acetylene miner’s light would be very period, dontcha think? I am impressed with your preparation for the dark journey. Quite a rite of passage for which you should be quite chuffed with yourself.
What a wonderful introduction to a world completely alien to me. As an ocean sailor this is absolutely breathtaking. Keep up the great work and the narrowboat moving ;-)
Hi David, you are our hero. My daughter and I are claustrophobic and watch this video with trepidation. My daughter has just said again that she would not make it through. Hubby is a truck driver as I have told you before, going through tunnels in the semi are not a problem so he is quite impressed that you take your narrow boat through. I am most impressed with your acknowledged nervousness about going through Scarecastle. You are making a vlog which you could edit out your uncertainty. BUT you go through anyway. Courage at its highest. I will give the Aussie vernacular to express your maturity and disregard for the perceive lack of manliness that expressing doubt could have viewers mumbling under their breath. As we always told our son growing up in circumstances where peer pressure could have you behaving stupidly : ( pardon my terminology here ), you have proved that you do not have to show how big your dick is to behave with confidence in your self esteem. Thanks for your display of real manliness. Cheers
I share your concern about the tunnel David, I'm not a fan of enclosed tight spaces myself. England is just beautiful when the sun does shine! Thanks for taking us on this trip. Your camera work and different angle shots through the tunnel were great! Gary /Perth Australia
I went through this tunnel way back in 2001 I was on a black prince boating holiday round the Four Counties ring it certainly is low i ended up steering on my knees at one point
Love your vlog! I did experience a bit of panic in the tunnel and found myself holding my breath and ducking my head down - LOL! Thank you so much for the work you put into these vlogs to share with all of us. I look forward to checking UA-cam everyday for a new video :-) The very best to you!
Amazing... Experience Seems i was also going in this tunnel with u. Can't say.. Wonderful buildings and tunnels lovely places of Uk... We r watching through u.. Don't know how did you came on my wall nd now i m addicted ur's vlog.
Dear sir, I think a "meerpen" (dutch) might suffice your needs to vasten your boat to the side of the canal. It's a steel spike with a ring. Intended to put in an angle into the ground away from the water, after which you can tie a rope to it. I don't know and can't find the english word for it. But a google search will show the right images.
I have mooring pins, all narrowboaters do. However, leaping off the boat with pin and hammer, banging it in and tying to it then having to wrench it out again just a few moments later is exactly the kind of hassle that a conveniently-placed lock bollard would avoid! ;-)
Still going through all your vlogs, and I really find watching them at the end of a busy week very relaxing. Sitting back after a very hard week with a G&T. This tunnel is fascinating and I can’t help but think of how hard it was to build back in the day. Thanks for posting.
Well done David, Going through the Tunnel.It is a feat of engineering....We lost a fender going through.We both thought we would never 'See The Light At The End Of The Tunnel'! Keep the Vlogs coming David they always make my day.
I've lived in Kidsgrove all my life and traveled on the cut many times, approaching the Harecastle tunnel on both sides but have never entered it. Thank you for filming your journey through the tunnel, I was with you every step of the way and can definitely say without a shadow of a doubt that I wont be entering that tunnel ever.
Noooooooo the boggart might appear. This urban legend is believed by almost everyone in Kidsgrove and many sightings of her have spread throughout the town. englishlocalhistory.wordpress.com/staffordshire-history/the-kidsgrove-boggart/
i thought watching this would be a tad easier than doing it in real life but nope it's still as claustrophobic as it's ever been, i've been through more times than i can remember when i was a child and still to this day i have to go inside the boat when in the tunnel #shudder
![Taking it up the TUNNEL | Harecastle by NARROWBOAT [Ep 135]](/img/n.gif)
Great video, found it Interesting but couldn't work out why you didn't just tap stakes in the ground
I have mooring pins, all narrowboaters do. However, leaping off the boat with pin and hammer, banging it in and tying to it then having to wrench it out again just a few moments later is exactly the kind of hassle that a conveniently-placed lock bollard would avoid! ;-)
@@CruisingTheCut Yes fair point. I did get caught out a few times myself but then I did only have a 23ft sports cruiser.
Good video!
@@CruisingTheCut Perhaps something like this would be useful for a temporary mooring?
www.petplanet.co.uk/product.asp?dept_id=120&pf_id=66259
I see these used for boats, canopy, tents, etc.
Having to leap off the boat with any kind of pin, screw or other device and force it into the ground then having to wrench it out again just a few moments later is exactly the kind of hassle that a conveniently-placed lock bollard would avoid! ;-)
@@CruisingTheCut Point taken. Indeed, too much ' screwing' around. ☺ Great vlog by the way.
Ok I have no clue why youtube would suddenly think that I'd be interested in boat videos but apparently it knew something even I didn't, was interesting.
:-)
Same! I've never searched for anything like this but it came on randomly and now I've watched loads 🤣
This happened to me. The algorithm gave me canal boats even though I was scared of water 😂 few years later, I'm obsessed, trying to buy my own boat!
@Maria Olden
Years ago, I read something about a narrow boat in England traveling in a tunnel in some book I like (oh, my brain broke and I don't remember the title of the book). So I got interested. I'm American but I've been an Anglophile for 30 years.
@@ethyhayes I don't own any vehicles, land or water, but there was a narrow boat going through a tunnel in England in a book I liked years ago. That's what brought me here.
"Hello, and welcome to the vlog": always a prelude to something wonderful! Thanks for these marvellous pieces David - the more so given that you do it all single-handedly: steering the boat, doing the locks, filming, editing, and above all, your ever-enlightening commentary. It's a rare delight to watch your progress along England's canals.
Thank you. When you phrase it like that, it is quite remarkable ;-)
CruisingTheCut I'd just add that you have planted a rather disturbing seed of an idea in my partner's mind...
I hold you entirely responsible, but in a good way. Best wishes, and keep them coming please.
Uh-oh...
This might be the most British video I've ever watched.
whys that
I'll never understand why this ended up in my recommended video list, but it was an interesting glimpse into something I'd never considered doing before. Cheers.
UA-cam can be odd like that sometimes! Glad you enjoyed it.
That tunnel scares the beans out of me, you are braver than i am. I would avoid it like the plague.
I agree! The real thing would scare the beans out of me. The video doesn't scare me, though.
I have cruised this tunnel 5 times, and it is always a good feeling to reach the end. The last time I went though my hat was knocked off my head. So glad it was my hat and not my head that hit the roof.
roger,,,sorry,,,i misread your post. At first reading i read,,,i have cursed this tunnel,,,,I still wonder if id have written comments in my terms!! There are more brave limeys there than i had imagined!! many regards,,,we are jealous of your adventures!!
UA-cam, I don't know how I got here or what made me click this video but I'm onto you.
Thank god I'm not alone
Whew! I felt like I was going through that tunnel with you, my heart was pounding.
Man... I just found this video and for some reason it's really relaxing
Been through this tunnel with chas hardern boats, it's certainly fumey in there, glad i experienced the harecastle tunnel... Once done never forgotten.
I'm not sure why UA-cam sent me here, but I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. It's almost like a scene out of Jaws or some other boating-related thriller, right in the middle of the beautiful English countryside. Fantastic job.
I also don't know why UA-cam is suddenly recommending this (old) video to people so much but it's getting stratospheric views all of a sudden! Thanks for watching and I'm glad you enjoyed it. Many more on my channel too :-)
David, Even though I am a dedicated sail boater, I am fascinated by long boats cruising the cut. What a grand life.
Cheers, glad you like it. Not longboats though - narrowboats.
Sorry you are correct.... but you must admit they are long also
“I’ve checked the weed hatch”
You know what? This whole cruising doesn’t seem that bad after all...
youtube recommended this video for me and in 10 seconds i knew i would enjoy this. subbed
Thank you!
One of my fondest memories was spending an entire day cruising the Wey from Godalming, north past Guilford, on a canal boat our friends rented. My first trip to England in 1995. While working through St Catherine's Lock, watched as a Concorde flew overhead. Enjoyed your video immensely as it brought back that day.
Great title cos it really was scary; you conveyed it very well. Always glad to see a new video posted and that was one of the best. Hats off to you and Robbie, it takes courage to meet all the challenges of a single boater. Those rung ladders in locks give me the creeps.
They really can be quite slippery!
There is a tunnel near me and it is between drayton manor and sutton. it actually seems lower than that but it is way shorter. it has also got a path aswell but the roof is really low on the path so you can’t really cycle through you have to walk. the cieling is also covered in cobwebs and spiders and it’s really dodgy aha. nice video
Did Harecastle tunnel in 1973. In those days, at weekends, there were no tunnel keepers and the rule was from dawn until 12pm go north, from 1pm to dusk go south. We entered the tunnel northbound at 6am and kept tooting the horn in case someone was chancing it southbound. Luckily not.
Interesting but damp experience. Loving your vlogs. Bringing back many canal cruising memories.
I found myself actually ducking down as I watched! Great video.
Lol
I'm really impressed at you driving AND filming through the Harecastle! Well done!
I was quite impressed with myself too ;-)
En excellent video which has inspired me to give this tunnel a try.
By the way, you are finding it so easy to steer because of something called "bank effect" which means as you get closer to either tunnel wall, the speed of your hull creates suction, pulling the stern in towards the wall and thus turning your bow away.
Sounds like bernouli's principle to me though with a weird change in name lol.
Hi
I n the late 1950’s me and my friends played along the canal and the adjacent railway line (since moved through a shorter rail tunnel). Apart from scrumpy apple picking in the garden of the house close to tunnel entrance and getting chased away, further back towards Tunstall was a pig iron smelter called Goldendale close to the canal. Most of the iron was a mixture of iron ore and any reclaimed iron particularly redundant WW2 munitions. We would climb over the fence and look for 2inch mortar bombs and Mills grenades. Of course they had no fuses or explosive left in them. A visit from the police with a stern warning not to enter the site again, or I would be prosecuted. Sadly my collection was removed from our cellar.
Hahaha, that's a great story!
reading about the Harecastle tunnel which opened in 1820 and is 1.5 miles long, because it has no tow path , i.e for horses to pull the boats though, the boatsmen had to 'leg' their way through the tunnel, i.e lying on top of the boat and using their feet to push against the tunnel walls.
I recall John Noakes having a go for Blue Peter.
I've just found your vlog. Wow I just love listening to you and sharing your adventures. I love your voice and your descriptions of everything you are doing and seeing. I believe I have watched 99% of your vlogs in the last 3 days. You are serious, funny, honest, and adorable too. I too love your editing and the wonderful quality of your videos. Keep them coming. And continue to have a glorious time on your beautiful boat.
Thank you Darlene, what lovely things to say; I really appreciate it. Cheers!
The first time I went through Harecastle, I was so worried I would break down (it was a new boat so there was no reason it should) but I was stressing about it anyway. My boat was fine, but the boat in front who had been winding me up, broke down and we had to tie the stern of their bat to mine and I pushed them through! An experience not to be repeated!
Oh my word!!! That sounds awful!!
I love the little bit of music at the end of each video... I am becoming very addicted to these David... Now we just have to get canals in Australia and we are set....
Start digging...
I see what dedication and skill you must develop to cruise the cut and manage the tunnels and bridges and locks, and moorings. The tunnels are scary. Aqua ducts really terrifying, some of them but I love watching you do it all. The countryside is beyond words.
A really exciting vlog today! Thank you for taking us with you.
Thank you for coming along!
I've never really been into canal boat videos, but this one was very enjoyable. It popped up in my reccomended section which is fairly mainstream, so I reckon lots more people are going to find the video.
Just out of interest, have you ever done Five Rise in Yorkshire. They're the nearest canal landmark to me
I have not been up that way yet.
From the sound of the engine to the moment you exited the tunnel i was trying to keep my balance on the side of the armchair :) Thank you so very much for what i consider the best channel on UA-cam.
Wow, thank you! Much appreciated.
just found this channel, weirdly relaxing. keep it up!
Welcome along!
we took a boat trough on our holidays one time and i loved the bit where they closed the doors and turned on the fan. as we were the first boat through we could see the whole tunnel fog up as the fans kicked in. interesting experience. we didn't have a light like yours on that boat so we didn't see the arches that clearly but i am still itching to take a boat the other way as well just to see if it is just as scary the other way round.
Never blinked once I'd bet. More thrills than a rollercoaster!
I'm glad you managed to survive 'Scarecastle'! Personally, I found it much less stressful than Braunston with two-way traffic and a kink in the middle. I actually quite enjoyed it. The tunnel keepers didn't check my horn..... just as well as I don't have one 😬.
Being slightly pedantic, the canal passing over the Poole aqueduct and exiting left after the tunnel at Hardings Wood Jct. is in fact still the Trent and Mersey canal. The Macclesfield canal actually joins end-to-end at Hall Green stop lock shortly after the aqueduct.
I also single-handed down Heartbreak Hill and failed to notice CRT's mooring bollard shortfalls on the non-towpath side.... maybe the locks that were in my favour all fell on the towpath side..... or maybe I had a G&T and you forgot to do so....?
I knew someone would pick me up on the Macclesfield not actually starting there; slight artistic licence to compress the information into a quicker form!
CruisingTheCut I suspected so.
This is the worst MRI scan of all time.
Hats off to Cruising the cut.
I hate the MRI. I had panic attacks about it.
This is the first video of yours that I saw, I still love coming back and watching it every so often. Not sure why your channel got put into my recommendations but I am really glad it did.
That low ceilinged tunnel reminded me of an MRI scan I'd taken a few months back. It stretched endlessly and I almost freaked out.
I fervently agree about the MRI. I've had MRI scans and I hated them. But this is just a video, so I don't find it scary.
We went through Scarecastle on a hired Freeman 22 mk1 narrowbeam in 1967. It had the remnants of a towpath with bits of scaffold tube sticking out! Those were the days !!
So - once there was a towpath right through, before collapsing occurred ?
Bad luck to the first one through post any further central sinking of the u/g construction.
I really enjoyed the tunnel, thank you for your beautiful videos
Marvellous. I love Harecastle, always an interesting experience. That high section of locks caught me out when I cruised that section single handed too. On one occasion a cross wind pinned my boat to one side of the canal near enough where you had that nice view. No amount of pushing the front end off hard worked, the wind just blew the bow back hard against the canal side by the time I reached the stern. In the end I found a large tree branch, pushed the bow out, used the branch to keep it out towards the middle by wedging it between the hull and the bank then powered the boat away from the tow path. I was pleased with my ingenuity!
The wind can be a right nuisance!
Brings back memories, used to be the Tunnel Keeper
That was scary. I am claustrophobic and was panicking for you even though you seemed calm and in control! Fantastic vlog - thank you
I was oddly calm, perhaps distracted by filming!
Ah, this reminds me of my boating, I was a single hander too most of the time so your concerns are very familiar. I've traded steel and water for brick and mortar but I still really enjoyed my time on the cut and this brought back the memories ... and fears.
Good UA-cam recommendation!
I don't know if you noticed but for each (most) time (s) the roof drops down suddenly it goes back up either slowly or suddenly - you see sudden drops in the north-south direction too. So the roof does not get as low as you think it does. It's a good idea to have a torch on your roof facing forward (so you can see the front corners of your cabin) and also to have the lights on inside your boat. These lights make it easier to keep it in the middle of the tunnel. Keeping the concentration is the key thing though. Looks as if you did well with it anyway, this is one of the worst tunnels on the system so no need to worry about any others from now on!
Yes, I always have a floodlight with me at the back, pointing up and forwards in every tunnel. I've never found the "lights on inside" to make any difference.
I'm sorry to ask such a dumb question but being from the USA these narrow boats are completely new to me.
My question:
It seems that MOST of the canals and locks and tunnels are set up for narrow boats of @ 7'-0" wide right? Okay then, why are there so many wide body canal boats at 11'-0"" wide. How do they navigate the locks etc? Or do they? Are they stuck in designated areas only?
What a shame if so. The extra room is great but loss of mobility wouldn't seem worth it. Am I missing something? Sorry I just know the answer. It's all so darn interesting and England is so very beautiful. I'll never be able to travel to see it in person so watching these videos from you Narrow boaters is a real joy to me. Thanks again.
Cape Cod , Ma
The canals in the Midlands are all narrow however those in the north and south of England are wide. Wide boats are therefore "stuck" in the top or bottom of the country but within those areas there are substantial amounts of canal to navigate. See www.aqualinemarine.co.uk/where-to-cruise/
I hadn't realised that a wide beam would be stuck as such. If you use the Wash, you can almost get from one to the other, apart from a narrow section just West of Northampton or an *unrestored section between Bedford & Milton Keynes.
*unbuilt
I live close to the tunnel but never been throw it, thanks for that experience
Very well shot video. As a pilot, I’m impressed at how well you steered the vessel through. Great job!
I enjoy your episodes so much, it's better than Netflix. That last tunnel was claustrophobic for me! I look forward to your next episode. You are a joy to listen to. Best wishes with all your travels from a fan in Maine.
Cheers Pamela, much appreciated.
Your reply has made my day!! Thank you so much.
:-)
I don't know how you did it. MRI machines give me panic attacks, and just barely made it thru this vid. Between the diesel fumes and that inches away from my head, would have lost it.
You're my hero💕👍
This video can give you a panic attack, it's like being buried alive. Cruising the cut has some serious guts.
@@NEOGEO1966 the video doesn't scare me but the MRI did. I've had several MRIs for my brain, and it never gets any easier.
My word is right! I could feel the tension in the tunnel. Great job!
Thank you :-)
An interesting vlog indeed, Just a side note: I notice that you are adding more detail and history to points of interest along the way; this makes the vlogs even more interesting. Keep up the good work :)
Wow! I was amazed at how small that tunnel got, and when you said the whole thing took half an hour I couldn't believe it! What an experience - thank you for sharing it with us!
35 mins all-in; yes, we didn't hang about!
I would absolutely love a chance to go through that tunnel! That looks terrifying and exciting at the same time!
Brought my first boat last october from northwich move down to stoke thought it never steered a boat in my life before but when i got though it i wanted to turn around and do it again it was the best part of the trip
Great video as usual, thank you. Seeing heartbreak hill brought back memories of a holiday many years ago. Check out the 'strapping post' on the single upstream lock gates, slip a short loop over the post on the gate as you slowly go into the lock and the boat will both close the gate and come to a halt. Saves a little bit of work.
Good tip, cheers
Dude. You are in fact becoming an intrepid rock-star of all narrow-boat/canal challenges. (and I know from the titles that you go on the Thames in future videos.)
also! AQUEDUUUUCT!
One of your best videos since I started following you.
Wow! That's one heck of a tunnel. Feels like I was just on a roller coaster or in a haunted spook house, and that's just as a viewer! OoO
Holy mother of Bob!! I was having a mild panic attack just watching you. Good thing you were multitasking to much to be preoccupied with how scary that was. There's the journalist spirit! Well done you.🙋🙌👏
The sacrifices I make for your viewing pleasure... ;-)
My goodness I find myself ducking to help you get through that tunnel.
Another excellent addition to the vlog! The combination of your voice and editing make these videos really relaxing and enjoyable. Kudos for you for making it through the tunnel unscathed. The gentleman who died in May of 2014 was Michael Holgate. Apparently he had just retired, bought a narrowboat, and was planning to spend his retirement cruising with his wife. I am pleased that you take safety seriously. As always, thank you for sharing.
Very sad indeed, poor chap.
Thanks for such a interesting upload. Seriously tight squeeze though the middle of the tunnel 😮. Definitely worth a subscribe 👍🏾
Phew! That video nearly brought on a panic attack! Well done David and thanks for making it so atmospheric with your commentary!
Oops, sorry about the panic! Glad you liked it.
I kept understanding "Scarecastle Tunnel" and just accepted it.
Scarecastle Tunnel is alot more fitting than Harecastle
Lived in Kidsgrove and walked past the tunnel for over a decade. I finally got to see inside of it. Thank you.
Same story here, I don't know what I expected from it, definitely meets the haunted vibe though.
Been through this tunnel a couple of times back in the early 80's. We used to always do canal holidays as part of our Church youth club. A true story that came from friends that boated with us is that the tunnel is well haunted. They were on a family holiday and went through the tunnel. Their 3 year old daughter saw a man painting white lines on the walls. She told her mum but there was obviously nobody there. When they came out the other end they asked the tunnel keeper about the incident. He smiled and said. Yes it is usually the children that spot the ghost in there. Love this channel. Just wish I could afford a boat. Keep up the great work. Regards Colin
No idea why youtube is recommending this stuff to me, but it's unexpectedly enthralling! Great stuff, you have a very good presentation style.
Ha, yes UA-cam is odd like that. "Unexpectedly Enthralling" - I may have to put that on the t-shirts ;-)
I was unaware of the beautiful canal system of the UK until I happened across this video! In the last couple of days I've watched dozens of your vlogs, all the while becoming increasingly enchanted with the idea of spending some time roaming the canals. Cheers from the decidedly canal-less American southwest!
Ditto to everything you said for me.
Your videos have me so intrigued with narrow boating!!!
Interesting tunnel? Bloody hell; that was like driving into a wet coffin! Don't know how you managed the boat through. Too creepy for me; but great video of a near death experience!
I couldn't believe it kept getting lower and lower! It felt claustrophobic on video. You were very brave! Thanks for another brilliant vlog. Get excited when I see there's a new one to watch. Currently rewatching all of them.
Thanks Sue. I *was* very brave, wasn't I? ;-)
That tunnel was insane!!
I just discovered this entertaining VLOG, which you shot before I became a fan. After you completed the tunnel adventure, plus shopping, plus laundry, I am a tiny bit disappointed that you didn't reward yourself with a cheese sandwich lunch while your boat was moored.
Acetylene miner’s light would be very period, dontcha think? I am impressed with your preparation for the dark journey. Quite a rite of passage for which you should be quite chuffed with yourself.
What a wonderful introduction to a world completely alien to me. As an ocean sailor this is absolutely breathtaking. Keep up the great work and the narrowboat moving ;-)
Thank you, glad you enjoy the 3mph world of narrowboating!
checked the weed hatch, where all the weed is kept
Hi David, you are our hero. My daughter and I are claustrophobic and watch this video with trepidation. My daughter has just said again that she would not make it through. Hubby is a truck driver as I have told you before, going through tunnels in the semi are not a problem so he is quite impressed that you take your narrow boat through. I am most impressed with your acknowledged nervousness about going through Scarecastle. You are making a vlog which you could edit out your uncertainty. BUT you go through anyway. Courage at its highest. I will give the Aussie vernacular to express your maturity and disregard for the perceive lack of manliness that expressing doubt could have viewers mumbling under their breath. As we always told our son growing up in circumstances where peer pressure could have you behaving stupidly : ( pardon my terminology here ), you have proved that you do not have to show how big your dick is to behave with confidence in your self esteem. Thanks for your display of real manliness. Cheers
I kept ducking watching this loved it
It was ducking nerve-wracking!
.....not sure I could go through that tunnel!!! WOW !!! What a busy day - but fun and certainly beautiful
Wearing Life Jackets, on a Boat...what an absolutely super idea.
SEAN HAHN oooook... nice to know buddy
Its a canal not a motorway or river or sea.. most don't on broads.. I did but felt like a right beginner with other boats bigger passing without
Wonderful video. I learnt so much about the canals I always travel along
A beautifull place you have there..
I will lovely to live there
I share your concern about the tunnel David, I'm not a fan of enclosed tight spaces myself. England is just beautiful when the sun does shine! Thanks for taking us on this trip. Your camera work and different angle shots through the tunnel were great! Gary /Perth Australia
Cheers Gary; I bet the sun's shining in Perth eh?
I went through this tunnel way back in 2001 I was on a black prince boating holiday round the Four Counties ring it certainly is low i ended up steering on my knees at one point
Love your vlog! I did experience a bit of panic in the tunnel and found myself holding my breath and ducking my head down - LOL! Thank you so much for the work you put into these vlogs to share with all of us. I look forward to checking UA-cam everyday for a new video :-) The very best to you!
Thank you; very pleased you enjoy them.
Unattended locks, that was quite unexpected and good video
that was one cool tunnel!! great job going thru.
Ta
Amazing... Experience
Seems i was also going in this tunnel with u. Can't say.. Wonderful buildings and tunnels lovely places of Uk... We r watching through u.. Don't know how did you came on my wall nd now i m addicted ur's vlog.
That tunnel...I’m not claustrophobic but I was panicking a bit when you got to the lowest point.
HOLY CRAP tunnel vision. Awesome video David.
Haha, thank you Tom :-)
Dear sir,
I think a "meerpen" (dutch) might suffice your needs to vasten your boat to the side of the canal.
It's a steel spike with a ring. Intended to put in an angle into the ground away from the water, after which you can tie a rope to it. I don't know and can't find the english word for it. But a google search will show the right images.
This: www.jonesboatchandlery.co.uk/mooring-pins-stakes-spikes/
I have mooring pins, all narrowboaters do. However, leaping off the boat with pin and hammer, banging it in and tying to it then having to wrench it out again just a few moments later is exactly the kind of hassle that a conveniently-placed lock bollard would avoid! ;-)
Still going through all your vlogs, and I really find watching them at the end of a busy week very relaxing. Sitting back after a very hard week with a G&T. This tunnel is fascinating and I can’t help but think of how hard it was to build back in the day. Thanks for posting.
8:28 you caught us having lunch on our boat trip!
Well done David, Going through the Tunnel.It is a feat of engineering....We lost a fender going through.We both thought we would never 'See The Light At The End Of The Tunnel'! Keep the Vlogs coming David they always make my day.
Thanks Sarah; how annoying for you to lose that fender; hope it didn't damage anything when it ripped off. Cheers
Yikes, your reathers were fustled a wee bit concerning solo pilot discrimination. Perhaps a support group is needed. All together now...big hug!
I've lived in Kidsgrove all my life and traveled on the cut many times, approaching the Harecastle tunnel on both sides but have never entered it. Thank you for filming your journey through the tunnel, I was with you every step of the way and can definitely say without a shadow of a doubt that I wont be entering that tunnel ever.
Haha, thank you. C'mon, you've got to do it if you live there!
Noooooooo the boggart might appear. This urban legend is believed by almost everyone in Kidsgrove and many sightings of her have spread throughout the town. englishlocalhistory.wordpress.com/staffordshire-history/the-kidsgrove-boggart/
i thought watching this would be a tad easier than doing it in real life but nope it's still as claustrophobic as it's ever been, i've been through more times than i can remember when i was a child and still to this day i have to go inside the boat when in the tunnel #shudder
Feel claustrophobic just watching you go through that tunnel. I'd have to humbly cower out and get someone to take it through for me :)
I’ve been through that tunnel when I was on a narrow boat holiday
How can anybody dislike your VLOGS. Very well made& edited. Keep up the good work
Thank you. I have an active group of "vlog dislikers" I think!
It's because Mr C sounds slightly Russian when he pronounces V-LOG.