G'day mate, first time watching. I'd call that Turd tunnel. The last time I was back in England was 1977 and thought I'd seen all the shite holes but that one takes the cake. I look forward to seeing more. Cheers from Victoria Australia.
I can't believe how bad the canal is around Blackburn and through to Burnley. You would think those towns would see it as a real asset, rather than somewhere to avoid. Keep up the great videos.
If more pride was shown then no doubt these would be much nicer places to visit and spend some time. Sadly, as they are, they represent places to just get through unscathed. Such a shame. Cheers 👍
In 11 years boating, I've never seen anywhere looking as bad as that! Glad you got through, and single handed. Hope you both have a good week, new saying for you, not nice, not nice, not nice! Kevin.
Oh my word what awful conditions buy you made it through has you say some may not be so lucky thinking of you chin up pat on the back well done hugs from the oldies 🤗👍🤗👍🏅
Well, you already know my views of the Burnley stretch of canal. I agree entirely that it is unacceptable and dangerous. It has been like that for several years and nothing gets done. I have to say that you were lucky to get Josh's bow to the tunnel exit to enable you to drag it out. Thanks for another high adventure and now to relax a bit as you head to Yorkshire. ❤
Well Eliot I would have said you were in a pickle but looking at the quality of the canal water I guess you could say you were in a primordial stew😂. Definitely not a recruit picture for canal boating.
Hi Elliot & Sue. The inn on the Wharf is open (and looks beautiful inside) the owner is going to open the towpath seating area in april/may and it will be completely renewed👌 Saw Josh up at Barrowford yesterday (I'm at Foulridge tunnel) hopefully catch up in the next couple of weeks. Rick
Hi Rick - ah is it!? It still looks derelict from the canalside so will be great when it all opens up on the waterfront. Catch you soon. Enjoy Foulridge 👍
I used to volunteer for the CRT in Burnley. We spent one Sunday a month clearing rubbish from the canal side, cleaning pathways, steps, removing Hymalayan Balsam, etc. We were out in all weathers, unless it was deemed unsafe. I was hoping to get to do some more interesting jobs within the remit of CRT, but that apparently wasn't offered to volunteers. We occasionally had a service boat to get the more challenging items out of the canal. It was very disheartening to go back to an area we had cleared, to find it looked the same as before. Piles of dirty nappies, drug paraphernalia, clothes, trolleys, endless empty beer cans. Sadly, it's not just Burnley that has this problem. People just see it as a way of disposing of unwanted stuff. Out of site, out of mind etc. Houses and businesses alongside the canals just throw unwanted crap over their fence, instead of disposing of it properly. Yes, the tourist areas are focused on, but the outskirts are left. It's an asset that has been neglected, like all other assets, libraries, swimming pools, sports centres, playgrounds etc. No longer seen as important with budget cuts etc. Sad, but I think it's only going to get worse. We may end up with some parts of the canal system that become un navigable because of the lack of maintenance.
I think you’ve nailed it absolutely 100% there. In some areas the canal is seen as a major asset by the locals and in others it’s the opposite - a place to dump stuff.. Burnley is sadly the latter…
Such a shame stretches of the canal in Burnley are left in this condition. Maybe the canal is not celebrated there as much as the rest of the network is? If this is true you wouldn’t get so many volunteers either, which would explain the detritus building up as it has. There were some lovely old buildings on your journey though and the view from the Burnley mile was fantastic. Great to see you you had a lovely mooring too, stunning colours in the trees with the late afternoon sunshine. Take care guys and thanks for the vlog 👍
I suspect the canal is only really respected by a minority here which is a shame. There are places along here it would be nice to stop and see more, but in reality all you want to do is get in and out of Burnley and survive the experience. It shouldn’t be like that…
We went through Burnley a couple of weeks ago and there was no pea soup and the canal looked tidy, albeit there’s plenty in the water. When was your trip? Regards Chris n Sue - NB Forget Me Not
I think the word you are looking for isn't "Stress " it's "Anxiety " you worry and wonder whats to come and are anxious about the things unknown, so you can't sleep and you mind is racing and tossing and turning all night keeping you from sleeping is awful and I deal with that sometimes when I have doctors appointments or an important event coming up , but I felt you did an excellent job of not losing your cool and thinking through the situation and making the best of a horrible predicament and got Josh to a safe place .I am thankful for that ,I am thankful for you not getting hurt and I am thankful that Sue didn't have to experience that first hand 👍👍well done .Also I've owned several boats and I always would fear hitting something submerged and breaking a propeller and then you have real troubles ,anyway Enjoy having your Angel back on board and as I always say "Keep pushin on"💪💪💪your friend from Michigan- Kevin
Thanks Kevin 👍👍 It was a tough day for sure but ended with such a lovely mooring spot, the contrast was huge. I can say I managed it and can chalk it up into the experience and memory banks. Just glad the canals are only very rarely like this and this isn’t an everyday occurrence!
Well that was an eye opener. How disgusting was that water! It is ridiculous that any council is allowed to just leave water in their district in that state. It must be a health hazard as well as being dangerous for those less able bodied canal users. But how beautiful was the area literally a mile further on. I’m glad you got through the day ok in the end.
Thanks Mishka. The contrast between the two areas of the same town was huge! You know us, we always tell it how it is so no pretty pictures where there isn’t prettiness to see!!
Greetings both from GHM. Thanks so much for the knowledge not to go to Burnley ! ! Hope you are both well. Keep warm dry and virus free both. Safe journey travels 100 % agree with your view Elliot some aspects of boating are extremely difficult to manage and are dangerous. Burnley is a case in point. Neglected and disrespectful the residents are to the canal on its door step to enjoy. There are many other canals in the same poor state. The CRT cannot cope with the demands placed on the network it's charged with caring for.
Can’t argue with anything you say David. I do find it a little hard to swallow watching CRT staff washing their vans instead of clearing the canals but there is no doubt as an overall piece they have a monumental challenge on their hands.
Oxford marina used to be the same, i have photos of empty wine bottles, beer bottles and cans, all flaoting in amongst tonnes of debris and duckweed, including a dead cat. But that was in the 1970s, so eventually BWB as was got around to it and cleaned it up. Hopefully, where ever you are goi g to, there is an alternative route round. In the 1970s one of our dreams was to by an ex-bwb working boat with hoist and cruise the canals, scrapping all the junk we fished from the network, but we went down different ways eventually. There is a certain place, by a morrisons, where we counted over 40 shopping trollies over about 2 miles.
Hi Derek - it wasn’t pleasant that’s for sure and luckily I didn’t need to swim to the bank 🤣 It was so close though to me not being able to get off JOSH and onto the bank to pull him through (after several failed attempts)…I was NOT amused!!
Fair play Elliot, when you finally got out of the tunnel you looked like a bulldog chewing a wasp while his 'doo dahs' was stuck in an electric fence. Thoroughly displeased with the world and his lot in it. I do feel for you but just remember you ned the bad times to make the good times so great. Chin up Fella!
Hi Brad- it’s all part of boating. I said it at the end really that the thing that I find most annoying is the fact that others would have really struggled, plus I was only feet away from being stuck INSIDE that tunnel with no way out. It’s not cricket but it’s all part of the experience and fun!!
Good evening fellow Josh owners, well, what can we say about that tunnel. Probably either Corporal Jones statement "Don't Panic!" or Fraser's "We're all doomed, doomed I tell you!" Either way, one way or another, you got through it, and single handed, We're made of tough stuff us Josh owners, Good on you !. Cheers, Peter.
Hey Peter. I’ll stick with “Don’t panic!” 🤣 Thanks for the email on Explore the UK by the way. Will give you a buzz over the next few days if you don’t mind? Hope the dental pain is subsiding a little?
@@NarrowEscape1 Hi Elliott, yes of course, give me a call when you like, I saw the consultant at the hospital again this afternoon, he sent me off for a while armed with a big bag of painkilling smarties. I look forward to chatting to you on the phone. Cheers, Peter.
In hindsight you should have kept it at full speed through the Burnley tunnel, but it also sounds like you were navigating over land mines on the exit. CRT needs to get on all that debri and sludge. I would recommend, since narrowboating is becoming scarily more popular, that all boaters get together and start a volunteer program to get more people involved in cleaning up their local areas of the canal. I also heard fees are going up on some other random channel, but that can be expected these days. Thanks for the vid guys!
Hi there - as you can imagine I have replayed that scenario in my head a few times. We hit the debris at speed but as soon as it got to the prop I selected neutral. I suspect if I carried on at throttle then the garbage could have done some very real damage to the prop and I could have had a broken boat as well as being stuck in the tunnel. We’ll never know but it instinctively feels like I probably selected the correct option. At least myself, and JOSH, survived the incident 👍
lots of CRT vans at Rosegrove before you entered the tunnel,surely they must know about the weed and crap in the tunnel,They must get it cleared if they know,but think they just ignore it,Send them your vlog or put it on thier Web Page,
Well done for getting it through that 💩 & it needs reporting to the crt . As you said what would happen is some less able bodied boaters got stuck There 😢
It could have been a real problem Andy for some others. I was lucky and could (eventually) sort it with just a tweaked back to show for it (and a slightly grumpy mood for the next 20 minutes 🤣). It was reported to the CRT as an urgent item to tackle but was still there over 24 hours later (I rode my foldable bike back and checked!! Anyway, hey ho.
I can't believe that people care so little about where they live. I would hold the CRT responsible for cleaning that tunnel and the Burnley Mile stretch of all that rubbish. First thing i also would have done after fishing that trike out, would be to wash my hands, as its most likely highly toxic. Wwll done to you for staying so calm.
I suspect the CRT have a right job on trying to keep the canal clean…it isn’t boaters causing all this mess so I bet they wished the canal didn’t go through the centre of Burnley. Look how clean it was at Hapton, and also at Reedley when I stopped…couldn’t have been more different. Sadly though the sorts of people who are susceptible to this sort of behaviour are probably influenced by others so they see other people doing it and they do it too. Hey ho - chalked up to experience!!
@@NarrowEscape1yeah it's alot of ton bags of rubbish just been getting tipped of bridges and back streets, I had 2 big bags wrapped round my prop one 500m later another, I went to tell the manager at office it was disgusting and not like this every where
Been through there several years ago, no change and you don't want to Moor there. State of the canals was a major reason I sold up, CRT are quick to take your money though!
I am afraid crap in the canals is getting more the norm these days, got a sari wrapped around the prop in Wolverhampton, took half an hour and a sharp knife to get off in disgusting water.
It’s not cricket is it Frank! You can accept that some stuff blows in there in high winds but most of the stuff you see has been deliberately dumped. The state of society these days 🙄
We did wonder why you hadn’t mentioned it Kev. It happened a week or two ago and the canal forums lit up like a Christmas tree. Doesn’t look great from what we’ve seen. You won’t be kayaking through that for sure!
@NarrowEscape1 I hadn't got around to it sadly lol. Also forgotten. Yer no trips on the kayak unless I do a bit of climbing and cutting my way through over the top. Been an issue for years they just keep shoring it up I've said it before it's all gonna go one day.... All the best Kev
On a better note 📝 my wife Katie has just been collected from hospital by her loving husband me 😆 She's got her morphine still in pain the plate they put in her wrist isn't coming out so just needs to heal now and over next few weeks bit of physio and maybe month or do get her doing short trips on the cut in the kayak see how it goes. I'm so hlad to have her home the did look rough and in pain ladt nights visit to hospital... hlad its mostly all over now. Anyway I will have that mud slide removed by the time you visit again... Spade and bucket 🪣 is all the tools I need.. Kev the Brinklow kayaker
@@Kev_the-Brinklow-Kayaker We’re glad she’s back home and doing OK Kev. It’s never nice being apart when you are so used to each others company. Get well soon Katie!!
As a Burnley resident who often walks the two path in the Rosegrove area, may I apologise for the mess through our town, some people treat the canal as a dump. C R T need to remove the rubbish.
Hey Neil - this isn’t for you to apologise for!!! The residents who do this sort of thing should be ashamed though. Have you seen our new channel - Explore the UK? Well, we have a video coming out possibly this Friday or if not next week focussing on an area in Preston and that makes the Burnley rubbish seem tame! As a local you know that the CRT complex at Rosegrove is a stones throw from here and it shouldn’t ever be left to get like this.
I am a CRT volunteer and have been on the towpath task force clearing just that stretch of canal through Burnley. We fish all manner of junk out the water as well as bottles, cans etc from the towpath. It is really disheartening when we leave a stretch of canal clear and then return a week or two later to find it in the same state again. Big things which we can't get out with nets, grappling hooks and brute force, we report to CRT so they can get there with equipment to remove heavy objects. It is sad that so many people just seem to have fun dropping shopping trolleys off bridges etc but we DO try to keep the waterway clear. I live on a boat myself (currently on the lovely Reedley marina until we set off on our travels) and agree that the canals can be beautiful, or treacherous due to the anti-social element of society. Please don't blame CRT - there is a LOT of work for them to do and they can't be everywhere at once.
Hi Trish- it’s Elliott & Sue here replying from our other channel because we can’t find your other message on the Narrow Escape feed right now for some reason. We wanted to make the point that it’s the top quality individuals like yourself and Neil Curson that keep the waterways going - without you guys giving up your time for free the CRT would be in deep doo doo!! Your efforts are very much appreciated and it’s clear the scale of the challenge you face operating in Burnley is a bit of a mountain! It’s clear some of the locals just don’t know how to behave…painting the Forth Road Bridge comes to mind. Without you guys though we’d be going nowhere. We do think though that this is a known issue to the CRT and patrolling , even if that’s a quick look each morning by one of the operatives who work out of Rosegrove Services would make a massive difference. Ultimately the problem might by the CRTs but it’s the councils residents that are creating it. CRT to calculate the cost of cleaning the canal properly and more regularly and the council to pick up the tab?? Would make a lot of sense…
Great video with some wonderful vocabulary that I'm going to have to check in a dictionary see if it exists lmho. 😅 Yer the rubbish is horrendous 😑 such a pity ruins a nice stretch of canal. Trike wasn't a keeper then? Josh looking good moored up picture 4k eh UHD 😉 nice. Hope Sue managed to find uou in the dark. Stay safe all the best. Kev the Brinklow kayaker... P.s my wife KT hopfully going in to get her broken wrist fixed fingers crossed eh. 😅
Sorry to hear about Katie’s wrist. Rollerblading did you say it was? You can’t do that if over the age of 16 because it’s guaranteed to end in pain!!! That trike stank Kev - absolutely stank. It’s still there though if you fancy it? 🤣🤣 I can’t even remember what I say in the videos half the time because we just turn the camera on and film but suspect 25% of it isn’t broadcastable 🤣🤣
@NarrowEscape1 yer katie in this morning for her wrist operation. She's bit worried gonna be a plate in her wrist but means quicker recovery. Yer a stinking trike isn't good. See ya Kev
@@Kev_the-Brinklow-Kayaker Ah my mum had played a couple of years back. Did both of her wrists at the same time 😬😱 Bl00dy typical. At least she’ll get a scar! Wear them with pride!! Good luck Katie 😍😍
@NarrowEscape1 roller skating with my daughter in a proper roller scale place she came off the ring and little girl came flying towards her so katie tried to get out the way banged her wrist on seating bench. Yer a scar but she will hate it. Lot of pain at moment but she is in to have op now thank god. Glad not both wrist I'd be wiping her ass Kev
It’s not cricket is it? Hopefully they got it sorted fairly quickly afterwards though? I do think they need to consider having a more permanent rubbish boat on that stretch that can be quickly deployed, or even better routinely deployed to patrol and clean ot up before it needs an emergency look at?!
@@NarrowEscape1 They’ll only do something like that if pushed. If you can send them the evidence and show how awful and difficult it was for you - and would be for less able boaters - then I think that would work. X
I really do think councils should take more responsability for thier section of canals, it's usually thier residents dumping stuff into it? It shouldn't be left to volunteers and the CRT to clear thier rubbish. Great vog :)
It's not the boaters or the councils or CRT. It's the crap people that live nearby that are to blame. The rubbish that gets dumped in canals is amazing.
We’ve heard a few people recommend Rose Grove. The only issue I suppose is that there are so few spaces you would want to more in Burnley that if you get to RG and it’s full (which it was for another boater I spoke to that day) then you’re stuck with a decision about where you CAN go 😬😬
Can’t argue with that. The sorts of stuff that is making into the canal is astonishing. The last time we passed through Burnley I counted 4 shopping trolleys just after Gannow Tunnel, and those are just the ones we could see ABOVE the water surface!!! Shocking behaviour!
👍 indeed and I’m pleased to say it’s now clear (I’ve been back to check 🤣). It just shouldn’t get like that in the first place and the CRT compound is just around the corner. Sadly a proportion of the locals will behave like this but it’s not a one-off so is a known problem!!
Yuck what a mess 🤢🤮. It's very rare to actually see the CRT out on the canal in East Lancashire, so it's no wonder the canal gets in such a state. It even takes forever for any leaks to be repaired. I guess it's all due to lack of funds or manpower or both. The East Lancs section of the canal though has been dirty and disgusting for as long as I can remember.....and I'm now 70! You only have to look on the streets etc, to see that many parts of England have a real problem with litter louts, and the canal is another receptacle in which to dump rubbish. It's a wonder that there is any wildlife on or in the canal at all.
Hey Elliott, What an adventure you had at Burnley, well done getting through it. I have often wondered if there is a cage that could go around the prop to protect it from debris like tricycles and wood? If not something that could be thought about and designed. Personal question, what work does Sue do that takes her away from Josh? What was your occupation prior to boat life? Regards, Mark Alberta, Canada
Hi Mark Yeah, it was quite the day!! The cage idea is an interesting one. I suspect the issue is weed would collect on the forward portion of the cage, blocking it and stopping water over the prop. At that point you’re goosed. I don’t know, just guessing. On the last question I’ll ping you an email from our Explore the UK account at some point and tell you. Cheers 👍
Good morning Elliott, Good thought about the weed getting caught. I just keep thinking about how much damage could be caused from something like a shopping cart, or bicycle or tricycle or even a mattress. May you never hit one. Safe cruising and sunny days ahead. Mark Alberta, Canada@@NarrowEscape1
I don't know why it is, but some of the time on this video I can hear what you are saying really clearly, but at other times I just can't make anything out as the speech is so muffled. As I mentioned once before, it's as though the microphone is buried under several layers of clothing. Anyway, thanks for showing us the state of the canal in Burnley - no words necessary for that. I hope your back didn't get too damaged.
I’ve had a listen back Willi and I can only hear two parts where the sound is muffled, but given I’d just gone through the tunnel and all that **** it was all I could do to sort of mumble at the camera. I considered just turning it off after the tunnel but chose to crack on. Perhaps I should have cut me out and just banged some music over it but not sure what would have been appropriate to play?? 🤣 👍
@@NarrowEscape1 Hi Elliott, just for the record, the sections where I'm struggling to hear what you are saying are as follows (nothing to do with your tunnel ordeal): 4:46-5:02, 5:18-6:02, 6:30-6:58, 8:15-8:20, 12:48-12:57, 13:34-13:45, 14:37-14:49, 15:10-5:13, 18:17-18:22 and 20:27-20:31 (all timings give or take a second or two). It seems to me that the treble frequencies are being attenuated somehow. I am watching on a 66 inch telly with a good bass response so when the treble goes from the speech, it gets lost amongst the bass noise. Strangely, sometimes when you start talking, the first few words are audible and then the rest gets progressively worse. No idea why. You are crystal clear at the other times.
@MrWillijohncoote Thanks for taking the time to check that and give those times!!! I watched the episode back today to check given the comment but it sounds just fine here apart from a couple of sections post tunnel, but I was aware of mumbling then because I was ****** annoyed 🤣 I think the issue is you have too good a TV/sound set up 🤣 Listen to it on an old laptop like mine and it’s mint 👍 Seriously though I do appreciate you taking the time to list those out so I’m going in to check this evening 😎
@@NarrowEscape1 Hello again. I wonder if it is because you have a highly directional microphone and that you are turning your head away from it on the hard to hear bits. They are often the parts where you are filming something at the side of the boat. so if the microphone is pointing directly towards the rudder, it might not be picking up your voice as well if it is directed over the side of the boat. I watch dozens of other vlogs on my telly and yours is the only one where I get this problem. Anyway, thanks for checking.
Wow - I bet Halifax has changed quite a bit in 70 years. I had to travel into there for some work a few years ago - parts of it have been taken over by what looks like gang culture - felt almost lawless in certain ‘districts’
Nice video except that Tunnel Exit, poor you you must have been Stressed not being able to move and all on your own as well with no one else around. Just one thing I did find it a bit difficult to make out your words at times because the volume was a little low owing to the engine. But I did enjoy it 😋
That canal could be a real asset to Burnley if they just looked after it a bit, it's a shame to see it in such a state. When I first visited it a few years ago it wasn't much different and I assumed that whole section of canal was disconnected from the network and had fallen into disrepair.
Quite agree it could be a real asset but not on days when it looks like this. If people appreciated it more and behaved like better citizens that could be the start of a great turnaround!
@@NarrowEscape1 I don't live in Burnley but not far away and tbh it seems like this every time I've visited. It is in a very deprived area and is frequented by addicts who aren't going to take on the challenge of cleaning it up, that comes down to the authorities and they would if they had an interest in bringing in visitors to see their "wonder of the canal system", which is worth seeing but not if it'll break your engine and you get hassled for spare change. How much would it cost to send a cleaning crew up there once every few weeks? probably next to nothing. It's just wilful neglect.
@dnel83 It’s such a shame that the hard work of the volunteers who try and clean the canal up is so quickly undone by those who have no respect, care or appreciation for what they have. By all accounts Burnley was a once proud town but it would appear too many of the current inhabitants have no idea what that would even mean!!! 😡😡
Hi there. If you’re looking to take a boating holiday don’t worry - the bits you would holiday on are very much different to this!! The CRT (Canal and River Trust) are a government funded charity responsible for maintaining the vast majority of the waterways (but not all). They are chronically under funded really but they do tend to look after the pretty bits tourists see! Hope that helps?
It was reported yeah. Feels like they need a ‘rubbish boat’ permanently moored near there to clear it because it’s clearly an issue even if it’s only in isolated areas. 👍
Burnley has always been the worst bit of the L&L; we had 7 years full-time on our boat and went through on a number of occasions. They have reduced staff numbers so much by using voluntary staff that things like this fall through the cracks unless people hound them and emphasise the H&S aspects of the problem. @@NarrowEscape1
Hi Elliott , the condition of the canal through Burnley is disgusting. The CRT or the city or whomever is responsible should be ashamed. Just as an aside the audio (voice clarity) was very muffled at times. Not up to your usual good standard, otherwise enjoyed your vlog. Thanks
Hi Margaux- no-one should be proud of the canal when it’s in this state. It might be the CRTs issue but this isn’t boater behaviours doing this, it’s the local inhabitants so the route of the issue lies with the council. Of course getting two ‘public’ bodies to agree on anything… The sound issue was just after the tunnel and before the Burnley mile was it?
If I'm not mistaken We Boat owners all have to pay a Licence Fee to use these Canals each year. Mine is now £421.85 just for the Medway River. A lot of the Actual Work is done by Volunteers, so where do all these Fee's taken get spent ?😮
It depends what you mean by actual work? Maintaining the networks assets isn't limited to clearing rubbish out of the canals. Looking after the 2000miles of canals reservoirs bridges tunnels and other structures costs significantly each year. Volunteers are a great asset but large engineering projects are needed to keep the network operating safely.
I would think that when a Waterway is so full of mess that it blocks Navigation of a flat bottomed 60 foot Narrow Boat & risks said boat being stranded in a Tunnel, out of sight of any helpful passing soul, it may come under the Cheaper, Quicker & Important To Do List. Don't You ?
@@johnsampey344 Why would you be stranded in a tunnel? When the canals were operating the barges were moved by being towed by a horse, hence the name tow path beside the canal. A horse couldn't go through a tunnel so they were unhitched and led to the other side, the boatmen would walk the barge through. Once through the horse would be re- hitched to the barge for them to continue their journey.
That is indeed how tunnels were done back in the day but on this particular day there was absolutely no chance of legging poor JOSH through all that garbage!!!
The council will say the CRT are responsible and the CRT will (rightly) say it’s the councils inhabitants doing this. Either way the boaters in the middle get the raw deal…
Does Burnlyhave a tourist board? They need to see this! Maybe if the scouts do Bob a job week they could take this on as a challenge! Get the local media on the case and raise the profile both of canal life as well as scouting.... a big plus for volunteering too... What do locals think of all that on their doorstep as a welcome to their town? No pride? So sad to see canal soup so thick!
I suspect the locals split into three very distinct camps: 1) the locals who have lived there all their lives and remember Burnley from its once glorious industrial past and wish it wasn’t the place it is today (smallest population) 2) the people who have also lived here all their lives but don’t give a flying ****. They will be responsible for 50% of the **** in the canal. 3) the incoming population (Burnley has cheap house prices and has had a population increase accordingly). This is where the other 50% of the **** will be coming from. Either way it’s a shame and the contrast between here, and nearby Blackburn in terms of canal condition seems to have widened. Instilling some Pride, standards and education would go a long way here but glad we aren’t tasked with monumental mountain to climb…
Burnley, "Proud of its heritage!", NOT!, A great advert for the town, really says, "Come and visit Burnley", not really, not likely to darken its borders for several years now.
It’s a shame. As you say, it’s hardly a welcoming advert for inwards tourism/investment. You can see the volunteers trying to keep it under control but some of the low quality locals overwhelm their efforts.
The sites along the cruise weren't always scenic (& often shocking as you said) but interesting to see the reality. I was wondering about those brick buildings with the bricked up windows. Do they use them for anything or are they just derelict? I did have trouble hearing/understanding what you were saying (it was off and on).
Hi Susan To be honest Josh still have stuff around his prop at that point and was struggling a bit but I just wanted away from there. Took me about 20 minutes after the tunnel to even speak so I was probably mumbling a bit, plus a noisier than usual engine. Probably should have just turned the camera off 🤣
What happened in the tunnel is a symptom of a much wider issue isn't it? Its a combination of the usage of disposable items such as plastic bags and bottles, food wrappers, etc. (the list goes on) and the biggest problem i.e. People. Its not limited to canals of course but what is the solution? Anyone got good ideas, if we don't find one then things will only get worse.
You’re absolutely right, it’s not an isolated thing that ‘just happens’, this is clearly how a portion of society behaves and thinks is normal and acceptable. How do you fix it though?? We have a few ideas that would help but none are shareable 🤣🤣
The smell Alison of that toy cart thing I fished out was horrific!!! Luckily I had an updated tetanus last year when I carved my arm open on rusty wire 🤣🤣
This is what doesn't happen when we pay our fishing licence's, the syndicate who control a particular stretch of water doesnt bother to keep it clean! Also the people who manage the waterways are a disgrace!
Bloody bad traveling through there its. Crts problem its not just this year its years worth of build up i highly doubt they dregde that bit. Ive passed through there and i was so angry. I had an outboard mptor aswel at that tunel was bad
I suspect they don’t want to dredge it for the fear of what they might find 😱😱 It was horrific wasn’t it? You expect some rubbish (because you know it’s Burnley) but it should never be allowed to get like this. It’s so close to the CRT offices it should be a task for someone each morning to just nip to the usual spots and check the navigation is actually ‘navigable’…. Hope you didn’t have too much of nightmare journey!
I you are driving a car on the road and your car is damaged due to poorly maintained roads you can lodge a claim against the local council. Is there a way to do this for damage due to poorly maintained canals? I know one canal boat owner ended up having to make a claim against CRT when a lock keeper on a big powered lock damaged their boat by operating the gate before the boat was fully into the lock.
Yeah, we heard about that situation and it was probably quite difficult for the CRT to do anything other than hold their hands up because they had an operative there. As for damage caused when no-one is around, we're not sure and really don't want to have to test that theory out if we can avoid it!
@@andrewhaines3259 Last time it happened to me I threatened them with legal action - they paid up. It was not in my home council area so I was not concerned about them looking for ways to get back at me.
There are some lovely Northern towns and some gorgeous villages. Just a few isolated places that let’s the side down! The vast, vast majority of the northern counties is very nice.
Love how Lucy the goose knew you! 8-)
🤣 she’s a sweetheart. You could see her for a second to fix her eyes on me and then squawk squawk!!!
G'day mate, first time watching. I'd call that Turd tunnel. The last time I was back in England was 1977 and thought I'd seen all the shite holes but that one takes the cake. I look forward to seeing more. Cheers from Victoria Australia.
Hi there Darren, all the way from Australia hey?! It’s great to have you onboard and yes, it wasn’t great on that day!
I can't believe how bad the canal is around Blackburn and through to Burnley. You would think those towns would see it as a real asset, rather than somewhere to avoid. Keep up the great videos.
If more pride was shown then no doubt these would be much nicer places to visit and spend some time. Sadly, as they are, they represent places to just get through unscathed. Such a shame.
Cheers 👍
In 11 years boating, I've never seen anywhere looking as bad as that! Glad you got through, and single handed. Hope you both have a good week, new saying for you, not nice, not nice, not nice! Kevin.
It really wasn’t great Kevin. It’s not cricket is it?!!
You had us holding our breath going through that tunnel. You deserve a medal x
Thanks Chris. I made it!!!
Oh my word what awful conditions buy you made it through has you say some may not be so lucky thinking of you chin up pat on the back well done hugs from the oldies 🤗👍🤗👍🏅
Thanks you two - all part of the experience and another ‘thing’ chalked up!! 👍
Well, you already know my views of the Burnley stretch of canal. I agree entirely that it is unacceptable and dangerous.
It has been like that for several years and nothing gets done.
I have to say that you were lucky to get Josh's bow to the tunnel exit to enable you to drag it out.
Thanks for another high adventure and now to relax a bit as you head to Yorkshire. ❤
I suspect it’s a bit like the Forth Road bridge but whatever the solution it is not acceptable getting stuck on a tunnel.
God own and all that…🤣😍👍
Well Eliot I would have said you were in a pickle but looking at the quality of the canal water I guess you could say you were in a primordial stew😂. Definitely not a recruit picture for canal boating.
🤣🤣🤣
Yeah, we aren’t doing anything for the tourist board but this is real life boating for ya!
Hi Elliot & Sue. The inn on the Wharf is open (and looks beautiful inside) the owner is going to open the towpath seating area in april/may and it will be completely renewed👌
Saw Josh up at Barrowford yesterday (I'm at Foulridge tunnel) hopefully catch up in the next couple of weeks.
Rick
Hi Rick - ah is it!? It still looks derelict from the canalside so will be great when it all opens up on the waterfront.
Catch you soon. Enjoy Foulridge 👍
Your face said it all when you got out of the swamp😂😂😂 on the bright side you have a lovely mooring for the night
Swamp…that’s a good way to put it Mic 👍
I used to volunteer for the CRT in Burnley. We spent one Sunday a month clearing rubbish from the canal side, cleaning pathways, steps, removing Hymalayan Balsam, etc. We were out in all weathers, unless it was deemed unsafe. I was hoping to get to do some more interesting jobs within the remit of CRT, but that apparently wasn't offered to volunteers. We occasionally had a service boat to get the more challenging items out of the canal. It was very disheartening to go back to an area we had cleared, to find it looked the same as before. Piles of dirty nappies, drug paraphernalia, clothes, trolleys, endless empty beer cans. Sadly, it's not just Burnley that has this problem. People just see it as a way of disposing of unwanted stuff. Out of site, out of mind etc. Houses and businesses alongside the canals just throw unwanted crap over their fence, instead of disposing of it properly. Yes, the tourist areas are focused on, but the outskirts are left. It's an asset that has been neglected, like all other assets, libraries, swimming pools, sports centres, playgrounds etc. No longer seen as important with budget cuts etc. Sad, but I think it's only going to get worse. We may end up with some parts of the canal system that become un navigable because of the lack of maintenance.
I think you’ve nailed it absolutely 100% there. In some areas the canal is seen as a major asset by the locals and in others it’s the opposite - a place to dump stuff.. Burnley is sadly the latter…
Thanks for the vlog guys! . Also sad to see that sunken canalboat....
You’re most welcome!
It was a really horrible sight to see 😢😢
Omg that looked terrible you did a great job getting though that rubbish hope your back is OK take care buddy
Thanks David
best part of your video is when you go to Burnley your voice sends me to sleep….
Such a shame stretches of the canal in Burnley are left in this condition. Maybe the canal is not celebrated there as much as the rest of the network is? If this is true you wouldn’t get so many volunteers either, which would explain the detritus building up as it has. There were some lovely old buildings on your journey though and the view from the Burnley mile was fantastic. Great to see you you had a lovely mooring too, stunning colours in the trees with the late afternoon sunshine. Take care guys and thanks for the vlog 👍
I suspect the canal is only really respected by a minority here which is a shame. There are places along here it would be nice to stop and see more, but in reality all you want to do is get in and out of Burnley and survive the experience. It shouldn’t be like that…
We went through Burnley a couple of weeks ago and there was no pea soup and the canal looked tidy, albeit there’s plenty in the water. When was your trip? Regards Chris n Sue - NB Forget Me Not
What a great boat name Chris!
We went through before you and have been back since to check the condition. Looking much better now isn’t it!!!
👍
Well done. Keep on cruising.
Thanks Peter!
I think the word you are looking for isn't "Stress " it's "Anxiety " you worry and wonder whats to come and are anxious about the things unknown, so you can't sleep and you mind is racing and tossing and turning all night keeping you from sleeping is awful and I deal with that sometimes when I have doctors appointments or an important event coming up , but I felt you did an excellent job of not losing your cool and thinking through the situation and making the best of a horrible predicament and got Josh to a safe place .I am thankful for that ,I am thankful for you not getting hurt and I am thankful that Sue didn't have to experience that first hand 👍👍well done .Also I've owned several boats and I always would fear hitting something submerged and breaking a propeller and then you have real troubles ,anyway Enjoy having your Angel back on board and as I always say "Keep pushin on"💪💪💪your friend from Michigan- Kevin
Thanks Kevin 👍👍
It was a tough day for sure but ended with such a lovely mooring spot, the contrast was huge.
I can say I managed it and can chalk it up into the experience and memory banks. Just glad the canals are only very rarely like this and this isn’t an everyday occurrence!
Well that was an eye opener. How disgusting was that water! It is ridiculous that any council is allowed to just leave water in their district in that state. It must be a health hazard as well as being dangerous for those less able bodied canal users. But how beautiful was the area literally a mile further on. I’m glad you got through the day ok in the end.
Thanks Mishka. The contrast between the two areas of the same town was huge!
You know us, we always tell it how it is so no pretty pictures where there isn’t prettiness to see!!
Greetings both from GHM.
Thanks so much for the knowledge not to go to Burnley ! !
Hope you are both well.
Keep warm dry and virus free both.
Safe journey travels
100 % agree with your view Elliot some aspects of boating are extremely difficult to manage and are dangerous.
Burnley is a case in point.
Neglected and disrespectful the residents are to the canal on its door step to enjoy.
There are many other canals in the same poor state.
The CRT cannot cope with the demands placed on the network it's charged with caring for.
Can’t argue with anything you say David.
I do find it a little hard to swallow watching CRT staff washing their vans instead of clearing the canals but there is no doubt as an overall piece they have a monumental challenge on their hands.
I will look out for the latest video, subscribed.
Good man 👍
Oxford marina used to be the same, i have photos of empty wine bottles, beer bottles and cans, all flaoting in amongst tonnes of debris and duckweed, including a dead cat. But that was in the 1970s, so eventually BWB as was got around to it and cleaned it up. Hopefully, where ever you are goi g to, there is an alternative route round. In the 1970s one of our dreams was to by an ex-bwb working boat with hoist and cruise the canals, scrapping all the junk we fished from the network, but we went down different ways eventually. There is a certain place, by a morrisons, where we counted over 40 shopping trollies over about 2 miles.
Oh my word!!!!! 40 trolleys in 2 miles ish?!!!
That’s horrific. At least BWB got around to it eventually but that’s horrible.
Oooo, I'll have the Finsley Gate beef burger and a cheese savoury jacket salad!
Sounds like a good choice to us 👍👍
17:58 .The Oder coming of that stagnant canal waterway must have been woeful.
Thankfully i don't have *Smellavision*
🇮🇪🇪🇺
Hi Derek - it wasn’t pleasant that’s for sure and luckily I didn’t need to swim to the bank 🤣
It was so close though to me not being able to get off JOSH and onto the bank to pull him through (after several failed attempts)…I was NOT amused!!
The bird of prey is the Kestral and the only Uk bird that can do this. Thank you for the lovely vlog.
There you go you see! Our lovely watchers coming with knowledge 😍 You learn something new every day, thanks Tessa 👍
Fair play Elliot, when you finally got out of the tunnel you looked like a bulldog chewing a wasp while his 'doo dahs' was stuck in an electric fence. Thoroughly displeased with the world and his lot in it.
I do feel for you but just remember you ned the bad times to make the good times so great. Chin up Fella!
Hi Brad- it’s all part of boating. I said it at the end really that the thing that I find most annoying is the fact that others would have really struggled, plus I was only feet away from being stuck INSIDE that tunnel with no way out. It’s not cricket but it’s all part of the experience and fun!!
Good evening fellow Josh owners, well, what can we say about that tunnel. Probably either Corporal Jones statement "Don't Panic!" or Fraser's "We're all doomed, doomed I tell you!" Either way, one way or another, you got through it, and single handed, We're made of tough stuff us Josh owners, Good on you !. Cheers, Peter.
Hey Peter.
I’ll stick with “Don’t panic!” 🤣
Thanks for the email on Explore the UK by the way. Will give you a buzz over the next few days if you don’t mind?
Hope the dental pain is subsiding a little?
@@NarrowEscape1 Hi Elliott, yes of course, give me a call when you like, I saw the consultant at the hospital again this afternoon, he sent me off for a while armed with a big bag of painkilling smarties. I look forward to chatting to you on the phone. Cheers, Peter.
In hindsight you should have kept it at full speed through the Burnley tunnel, but it also sounds like you were navigating over land mines on the exit. CRT needs to get on all that debri and sludge. I would recommend, since narrowboating is becoming scarily more popular, that all boaters get together and start a volunteer program to get more people involved in cleaning up their local areas of the canal. I also heard fees are going up on some other random channel, but that can be expected these days. Thanks for the vid guys!
Hi there - as you can imagine I have replayed that scenario in my head a few times. We hit the debris at speed but as soon as it got to the prop I selected neutral. I suspect if I carried on at throttle then the garbage could have done some very real damage to the prop and I could have had a broken boat as well as being stuck in the tunnel.
We’ll never know but it instinctively feels like I probably selected the correct option. At least myself, and JOSH, survived the incident 👍
lots of CRT vans at Rosegrove before you entered the tunnel,surely they must know about the weed and crap in the tunnel,They must get it cleared if they know,but think they just ignore it,Send them your vlog or put it on thier Web Page,
I’d love to have a timeline camera set up at Gannow and the other bit near the park. Would be interesting to see what happens over time?
Well done for getting it through that 💩 & it needs reporting to the crt .
As you said what would happen is some less able bodied boaters got stuck There 😢
It could have been a real problem Andy for some others. I was lucky and could (eventually) sort it with just a tweaked back to show for it (and a slightly grumpy mood for the next 20 minutes 🤣).
It was reported to the CRT as an urgent item to tackle but was still there over 24 hours later (I rode my foldable bike back and checked!!
Anyway, hey ho.
Nice 1 Elliot…
Thanks! 👍
Very enjoyable shame about the muck glad you got though it x
Thanks Lorraine 👍
I can't believe that people care so little about where they live. I would hold the CRT responsible for cleaning that tunnel and the Burnley Mile stretch of all that rubbish. First thing i also would have done after fishing that trike out, would be to wash my hands, as its most likely highly toxic. Wwll done to you for staying so calm.
I suspect the CRT have a right job on trying to keep the canal clean…it isn’t boaters causing all this mess so I bet they wished the canal didn’t go through the centre of Burnley. Look how clean it was at Hapton, and also at Reedley when I stopped…couldn’t have been more different.
Sadly though the sorts of people who are susceptible to this sort of behaviour are probably influenced by others so they see other people doing it and they do it too.
Hey ho - chalked up to experience!!
@@NarrowEscape1yeah it's alot of ton bags of rubbish just been getting tipped of bridges and back streets, I had 2 big bags wrapped round my prop one 500m later another, I went to tell the manager at office it was disgusting and not like this every where
I would suggest opening up the hatch and have a look at all of the fins on the prop. That sounded bad!
We think we are OK but it wasn’t the nicest sound that’s for sure!!
Been through there several years ago, no change and you don't want to Moor there.
State of the canals was a major reason I sold up, CRT are quick to take your money though!
We wouldn’t be happy to moor in the centre. It just shouldn’t be like that should it?
I am afraid crap in the canals is getting more the norm these days, got a sari wrapped around the prop in Wolverhampton, took half an hour and a sharp knife to get off in disgusting water.
It’s not cricket is it Frank! You can accept that some stuff blows in there in high winds but most of the stuff you see has been deliberately dumped.
The state of society these days 🙄
Brinklow has a closure canal blocked... see the CRT email has a picture. Looks bad might go take a look friday..
Kev the Brinklow kayaker
We did wonder why you hadn’t mentioned it Kev. It happened a week or two ago and the canal forums lit up like a Christmas tree.
Doesn’t look great from what we’ve seen. You won’t be kayaking through that for sure!
@NarrowEscape1 I hadn't got around to it sadly lol. Also forgotten.
Yer no trips on the kayak unless I do a bit of climbing and cutting my way through over the top.
Been an issue for years they just keep shoring it up I've said it before it's all gonna go one day....
All the best
Kev
On a better note 📝 my wife Katie has just been collected from hospital by her loving husband me 😆
She's got her morphine still in pain the plate they put in her wrist isn't coming out so just needs to heal now and over next few weeks bit of physio and maybe month or do get her doing short trips on the cut in the kayak see how it goes.
I'm so hlad to have her home the did look rough and in pain ladt nights visit to hospital... hlad its mostly all over now.
Anyway I will have that mud slide removed by the time you visit again...
Spade and bucket 🪣 is all the tools I need..
Kev the Brinklow kayaker
@@Kev_the-Brinklow-Kayaker We’re glad she’s back home and doing OK Kev. It’s never nice being apart when you are so used to each others company. Get well soon Katie!!
As a Burnley resident who often walks the two path in the Rosegrove area, may I apologise for the mess through our town, some people treat the canal as a dump. C R T need to remove the rubbish.
Hey Neil - this isn’t for you to apologise for!!!
The residents who do this sort of thing should be ashamed though.
Have you seen our new channel - Explore the UK? Well, we have a video coming out possibly this Friday or if not next week focussing on an area in Preston and that makes the Burnley rubbish seem tame!
As a local you know that the CRT complex at Rosegrove is a stones throw from here and it shouldn’t ever be left to get like this.
I am a CRT volunteer and have been on the towpath task force clearing just that stretch of canal through Burnley. We fish all manner of junk out the water as well as bottles, cans etc from the towpath. It is really disheartening when we leave a stretch of canal clear and then return a week or two later to find it in the same state again. Big things which we can't get out with nets, grappling hooks and brute force, we report to CRT so they can get there with equipment to remove heavy objects. It is sad that so many people just seem to have fun dropping shopping trolleys off bridges etc but we DO try to keep the waterway clear. I live on a boat myself (currently on the lovely Reedley marina until we set off on our travels) and agree that the canals can be beautiful, or treacherous due to the anti-social element of society. Please don't blame CRT - there is a LOT of work for them to do and they can't be everywhere at once.
Hi Trish- it’s Elliott & Sue here replying from our other channel because we can’t find your other message on the Narrow Escape feed right now for some reason.
We wanted to make the point that it’s the top quality individuals like yourself and Neil Curson that keep the waterways going - without you guys giving up your time for free the CRT would be in deep doo doo!!
Your efforts are very much appreciated and it’s clear the scale of the challenge you face operating in Burnley is a bit of a mountain! It’s clear some of the locals just don’t know how to behave…painting the Forth Road Bridge comes to mind. Without you guys though we’d be going nowhere.
We do think though that this is a known issue to the CRT and patrolling , even if that’s a quick look each morning by one of the operatives who work out of Rosegrove Services would make a massive difference.
Ultimately the problem might by the CRTs but it’s the councils residents that are creating it.
CRT to calculate the cost of cleaning the canal properly and more regularly and the council to pick up the tab?? Would make a lot of sense…
I did enjoy the Vlog btw
Thanks Chris!! 👍
Great video with some wonderful vocabulary that I'm going to have to check in a dictionary see if it exists lmho. 😅
Yer the rubbish is horrendous 😑 such a pity ruins a nice stretch of canal.
Trike wasn't a keeper then?
Josh looking good moored up picture 4k eh UHD 😉 nice.
Hope Sue managed to find uou in the dark.
Stay safe all the best.
Kev the Brinklow kayaker...
P.s my wife KT hopfully going in to get her broken wrist fixed fingers crossed eh.
😅
Sorry to hear about Katie’s wrist. Rollerblading did you say it was? You can’t do that if over the age of 16 because it’s guaranteed to end in pain!!!
That trike stank Kev - absolutely stank. It’s still there though if you fancy it? 🤣🤣
I can’t even remember what I say in the videos half the time because we just turn the camera on and film but suspect 25% of it isn’t broadcastable 🤣🤣
@NarrowEscape1 yer katie in this morning for her wrist operation.
She's bit worried gonna be a plate in her wrist but means quicker recovery.
Yer a stinking trike isn't good.
See ya
Kev
@@Kev_the-Brinklow-Kayaker Ah my mum had played a couple of years back. Did both of her wrists at the same time 😬😱 Bl00dy typical.
At least she’ll get a scar! Wear them with pride!!
Good luck Katie 😍😍
@NarrowEscape1 roller skating with my daughter in a proper roller scale place she came off the ring and little girl came flying towards her so katie tried to get out the way banged her wrist on seating bench. Yer a scar but she will hate it.
Lot of pain at moment but she is in to have op now thank god.
Glad not both wrist I'd be wiping her ass
Kev
What a disgusting load of muck you had to travel through, Elliott!
I hope you sent your vlog to the CRT and made a formal complaint!
It’s not cricket is it?
Hopefully they got it sorted fairly quickly afterwards though?
I do think they need to consider having a more permanent rubbish boat on that stretch that can be quickly deployed, or even better routinely deployed to patrol and clean ot up before it needs an emergency look at?!
@@NarrowEscape1 They’ll only do something like that if pushed. If you can send them the evidence and show how awful and difficult it was for you - and would be for less able boaters - then I think that would work. X
I really do think councils should take more responsability for thier section of canals, it's usually thier residents dumping stuff into it? It shouldn't be left to volunteers and the CRT to clear thier rubbish. Great vog :)
Can’t argue with that Flash - it’s not boaters causing this is it?!!!!
I've moored overnight at Rosegrove its gated, so safe and quiet.,
It's not the boaters or the councils or CRT. It's the crap people that live nearby that are to blame. The rubbish that gets dumped in canals is amazing.
We’ve heard a few people recommend Rose Grove. The only issue I suppose is that there are so few spaces you would want to more in Burnley that if you get to RG and it’s full (which it was for another boater I spoke to that day) then you’re stuck with a decision about where you CAN go 😬😬
Can’t argue with that. The sorts of stuff that is making into the canal is astonishing. The last time we passed through Burnley I counted 4 shopping trolleys just after Gannow Tunnel, and those are just the ones we could see ABOVE the water surface!!! Shocking behaviour!
I hope your reported the mess in the tunnel to the CRT and have them clean it out.
👍 indeed and I’m pleased to say it’s now clear (I’ve been back to check 🤣).
It just shouldn’t get like that in the first place and the CRT compound is just around the corner.
Sadly a proportion of the locals will behave like this but it’s not a one-off so is a known problem!!
Yuck what a mess 🤢🤮. It's very rare to actually see the CRT out on the canal in East Lancashire, so it's no wonder the canal gets in such a state. It even takes forever for any leaks to be repaired. I guess it's all due to lack of funds or manpower or both. The East Lancs section of the canal though has been dirty and disgusting for as long as I can remember.....and I'm now 70! You only have to look on the streets etc, to see that many parts of England have a real problem with litter louts, and the canal is another receptacle in which to dump rubbish. It's a wonder that there is any wildlife on or in the canal at all.
Hey Elliott,
What an adventure you had at Burnley, well done getting through it. I have often wondered if there is a cage that could go around the prop to protect it from debris like tricycles and wood? If not something that could be thought about and designed.
Personal question, what work does Sue do that takes her away from Josh? What was your occupation prior to boat life?
Regards,
Mark
Alberta, Canada
Hi Mark
Yeah, it was quite the day!!
The cage idea is an interesting one. I suspect the issue is weed would collect on the forward portion of the cage, blocking it and stopping water over the prop. At that point you’re goosed. I don’t know, just guessing.
On the last question I’ll ping you an email from our Explore the UK account at some point and tell you.
Cheers 👍
Good morning Elliott,
Good thought about the weed getting caught. I just keep thinking about how much damage could be caused from something like a shopping cart, or bicycle or tricycle or even a mattress. May you never hit one.
Safe cruising and sunny days ahead.
Mark
Alberta, Canada@@NarrowEscape1
I don't know why it is, but some of the time on this video I can hear what you are saying really clearly, but at other times I just can't make anything out as the speech is so muffled. As I mentioned once before, it's as though the microphone is buried under several layers of clothing. Anyway, thanks for showing us the state of the canal in Burnley - no words necessary for that. I hope your back didn't get too damaged.
I’ve had a listen back Willi and I can only hear two parts where the sound is muffled, but given I’d just gone through the tunnel and all that **** it was all I could do to sort of mumble at the camera. I considered just turning it off after the tunnel but chose to crack on.
Perhaps I should have cut me out and just banged some music over it but not sure what would have been appropriate to play?? 🤣
👍
@@NarrowEscape1 Hi Elliott, just for the record, the sections where I'm struggling to hear what you are saying are as follows (nothing to do with your tunnel ordeal): 4:46-5:02, 5:18-6:02, 6:30-6:58, 8:15-8:20, 12:48-12:57, 13:34-13:45, 14:37-14:49, 15:10-5:13, 18:17-18:22 and 20:27-20:31 (all timings give or take a second or two). It seems to me that the treble frequencies are being attenuated somehow. I am watching on a 66 inch telly with a good bass response so when the treble goes from the speech, it gets lost amongst the bass noise. Strangely, sometimes when you start talking, the first few words are audible and then the rest gets progressively worse. No idea why. You are crystal clear at the other times.
@MrWillijohncoote Thanks for taking the time to check that and give those times!!!
I watched the episode back today to check given the comment but it sounds just fine here apart from a couple of sections post tunnel, but I was aware of mumbling then because I was ****** annoyed 🤣
I think the issue is you have too good a TV/sound set up 🤣 Listen to it on an old laptop like mine and it’s mint 👍
Seriously though I do appreciate you taking the time to list those out so I’m going in to check this evening 😎
@@NarrowEscape1 Hello again. I wonder if it is because you have a highly directional microphone and that you are turning your head away from it on the hard to hear bits. They are often the parts where you are filming something at the side of the boat. so if the microphone is pointing directly towards the rudder, it might not be picking up your voice as well if it is directed over the side of the boat. I watch dozens of other vlogs on my telly and yours is the only one where I get this problem. Anyway, thanks for checking.
Yes
The one in halifax was the same mind you that was 70 years ago jeezy peeps i must be old to. lol
Wow - I bet Halifax has changed quite a bit in 70 years. I had to travel into there for some work a few years ago - parts of it have been taken over by what looks like gang culture - felt almost lawless in certain ‘districts’
Nice video except that Tunnel Exit, poor you you must have been Stressed not being able to move and all on your own as well with no one else around.
Just one thing I did find it a bit difficult to make out your words at times because the volume was a little low owing to the engine.
But I did enjoy it 😋
Thanks Andrew - what a day!!!
That canal could be a real asset to Burnley if they just looked after it a bit, it's a shame to see it in such a state. When I first visited it a few years ago it wasn't much different and I assumed that whole section of canal was disconnected from the network and had fallen into disrepair.
Quite agree it could be a real asset but not on days when it looks like this. If people appreciated it more and behaved like better citizens that could be the start of a great turnaround!
@@NarrowEscape1 I don't live in Burnley but not far away and tbh it seems like this every time I've visited. It is in a very deprived area and is frequented by addicts who aren't going to take on the challenge of cleaning it up, that comes down to the authorities and they would if they had an interest in bringing in visitors to see their "wonder of the canal system", which is worth seeing but not if it'll break your engine and you get hassled for spare change. How much would it cost to send a cleaning crew up there once every few weeks? probably next to nothing. It's just wilful neglect.
@dnel83 It’s such a shame that the hard work of the volunteers who try and clean the canal up is so quickly undone by those who have no respect, care or appreciation for what they have. By all accounts Burnley was a once proud town but it would appear too many of the current inhabitants have no idea what that would even mean!!! 😡😡
You need to get your sound sorted out - apart from that I enjoyed it.
Thanks
You should have spare boxes of glow worms when you enter a tunnel then we can all see what is going on.
🤣🤣 and a small JCB
Pigeons. The people in New York City used to call them flying rats. That was back in the late 1970's. Don't know if they call them that nowadays.
🤣🤣
We quite like them, the wood pigeons anyway but you wouldn’t want to live next to them for sure!!!
What a contrast…ugly, ugly, ugly then nice, nice, nice! Enjoyed!
It was indeed Carol. The contrast was stark wasn’t it?!!!
What did the C.R.T. say about the obstruction?
That they’d look into it and get it sorted. It’s the only thing they can say I suppose.
As a tourist wanting to do a canal boat holiday can I ask who is responsible for keeping the canals clean and presentable to tourism?
Hi there. If you’re looking to take a boating holiday don’t worry - the bits you would holiday on are very much different to this!!
The CRT (Canal and River Trust) are a government funded charity responsible for maintaining the vast majority of the waterways (but not all). They are chronically under funded really but they do tend to look after the pretty bits tourists see!
Hope that helps?
It used to be British Waterways. They had a big yard at the top of Finsley Gate.
I have to ask if you reported this to CRT!
It was reported yeah. Feels like they need a ‘rubbish boat’ permanently moored near there to clear it because it’s clearly an issue even if it’s only in isolated areas.
👍
Burnley has always been the worst bit of the L&L; we had 7 years full-time on our boat and went through on a number of occasions. They have reduced staff numbers so much by using voluntary staff that things like this fall through the cracks unless people hound them and emphasise the H&S aspects of the problem.
@@NarrowEscape1
Ring up Inland Waterways and tell them about the problems, maybe [or not] they will send some workers out to clean it up.
Oh wouldn’t that we wonderful if it worked that way. Maybe one day it might 👍
Hi Elliott , the condition of the canal through Burnley is disgusting. The CRT or the city or whomever is responsible should be ashamed. Just as an aside the audio (voice clarity) was very muffled at times. Not up to your usual good standard, otherwise enjoyed your vlog. Thanks
Hi Margaux- no-one should be proud of the canal when it’s in this state.
It might be the CRTs issue but this isn’t boater behaviours doing this, it’s the local inhabitants so the route of the issue lies with the council.
Of course getting two ‘public’ bodies to agree on anything…
The sound issue was just after the tunnel and before the Burnley mile was it?
If I'm not mistaken We Boat owners all have to pay a Licence Fee to use these Canals each year. Mine is now £421.85 just for the Medway River. A lot of the Actual Work is done by Volunteers, so where do all
these Fee's taken get spent ?😮
It depends what you mean by actual work? Maintaining the networks assets isn't limited to clearing rubbish out of the canals. Looking after the 2000miles of canals reservoirs bridges tunnels and other structures costs significantly each year. Volunteers are a great asset but large engineering projects are needed to keep the network operating safely.
I would think that when a Waterway is so full of mess that it blocks Navigation of a flat bottomed 60 foot Narrow Boat & risks said boat being stranded in a Tunnel, out of sight of any helpful passing soul, it may come under the Cheaper, Quicker & Important To Do List.
Don't You ?
That is a very good way to put it John 👍
@@johnsampey344 Why would you be stranded in a tunnel? When the canals were operating the barges were moved by being towed by a horse, hence the name tow path beside the canal. A horse couldn't go through a tunnel so they were unhitched and led to the other side, the boatmen would walk the barge through. Once through the horse would be re- hitched to the barge for them to continue their journey.
That is indeed how tunnels were done back in the day but on this particular day there was absolutely no chance of legging poor JOSH through all that garbage!!!
Council should get fine letting it getvin this state
The council will say the CRT are responsible and the CRT will (rightly) say it’s the councils inhabitants doing this.
Either way the boaters in the middle get the raw deal…
Does Burnlyhave a tourist board? They need to see this! Maybe if the scouts do Bob a job week they could take this on as a challenge! Get the local media on the case and raise the profile both of canal life as well as scouting.... a big plus for volunteering too...
What do locals think of all that on their doorstep as a welcome to their town? No pride?
So sad to see canal soup so thick!
I suspect the locals split into three very distinct camps:
1) the locals who have lived there all their lives and remember Burnley from its once glorious industrial past and wish it wasn’t the place it is today (smallest population)
2) the people who have also lived here all their lives but don’t give a flying ****. They will be responsible for 50% of the **** in the canal.
3) the incoming population (Burnley has cheap house prices and has had a population increase accordingly). This is where the other 50% of the **** will be coming from.
Either way it’s a shame and the contrast between here, and nearby Blackburn in terms of canal condition seems to have widened.
Instilling some Pride, standards and education would go a long way here but glad we aren’t tasked with monumental mountain to climb…
Burnley, "Proud of its heritage!", NOT!, A great advert for the town, really says, "Come and visit Burnley", not really, not likely to darken its borders for several years now.
It’s a shame. As you say, it’s hardly a welcoming advert for inwards tourism/investment. You can see the volunteers trying to keep it under control but some of the low quality locals overwhelm their efforts.
you won’t be missed
The sites along the cruise weren't always scenic (& often shocking as you said) but interesting to see the reality. I was wondering about those brick buildings with the bricked up windows. Do they use them for anything or are they just derelict? I did have trouble hearing/understanding what you were saying (it was off and on).
Hi Susan
To be honest Josh still have stuff around his prop at that point and was struggling a bit but I just wanted away from there. Took me about 20 minutes after the tunnel to even speak so I was probably mumbling a bit, plus a noisier than usual engine.
Probably should have just turned the camera off 🤣
What happened in the tunnel is a symptom of a much wider issue isn't it? Its a combination of the usage of disposable items such as plastic bags and bottles, food wrappers, etc. (the list goes on) and the biggest problem i.e. People.
Its not limited to canals of course but what is the solution? Anyone got good ideas, if we don't find one then things will only get worse.
You’re absolutely right, it’s not an isolated thing that ‘just happens’, this is clearly how a portion of society behaves and thinks is normal and acceptable.
How do you fix it though?? We have a few ideas that would help but none are shareable 🤣🤣
CRT wants to increase the cost of licenses! That canal is a health hazard. You may need a tetanus shot after that!
The smell Alison of that toy cart thing I fished out was horrific!!!
Luckily I had an updated tetanus last year when I carved my arm open on rusty wire 🤣🤣
A fully grown man on a scooter is the most cringe thing ever!
🤣🤣🤣👍
This is what doesn't happen when we pay our fishing licence's, the syndicate who control a particular stretch of water doesnt bother to keep it clean! Also the people who manage the waterways are a disgrace!
It wasn’t the CRTs finest hour that is for sure!!!
Bloody bad traveling through there its. Crts problem its not just this year its years worth of build up i highly doubt they dregde that bit. Ive passed through there and i was so angry. I had an outboard mptor aswel at that tunel was bad
I suspect they don’t want to dredge it for the fear of what they might find 😱😱
It was horrific wasn’t it? You expect some rubbish (because you know it’s Burnley) but it should never be allowed to get like this. It’s so close to the CRT offices it should be a task for someone each morning to just nip to the usual spots and check the navigation is actually ‘navigable’….
Hope you didn’t have too much of nightmare journey!
I you are driving a car on the road and your car is damaged due to poorly maintained roads you can lodge a claim against the local council. Is there a way to do this for damage due to poorly maintained canals? I know one canal boat owner ended up having to make a claim against CRT when a lock keeper on a big powered lock damaged their boat by operating the gate before the boat was fully into the lock.
Yeah, we heard about that situation and it was probably quite difficult for the CRT to do anything other than hold their hands up because they had an operative there. As for damage caused when no-one is around, we're not sure and really don't want to have to test that theory out if we can avoid it!
Not any more unfortunately. Most, if not all councils, won't take responsibility for damage caused by poor road conditions.
@@andrewhaines3259 Last time it happened to me I threatened them with legal action - they paid up. It was not in my home council area so I was not concerned about them looking for ways to get back at me.
Sorry but when you point the camera down you can't see a thing!
How do you mean Mike?
Burnley is the pits
Sadly it is the ugliest of towns in the most beautiful of settings. Like most of the old northern towns
There are some nice bits (but also some really poor bits). Sadly the poor bits are pretty unpleasant.
There are some lovely Northern towns and some gorgeous villages. Just a few isolated places that let’s the side down! The vast, vast majority of the northern counties is very nice.
so what’s so great where you live
Who is your question aimed at?