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- Опубліковано 26 жов 2023
- There are some canals on the UK system that boaters just don't go down, but I am curious to find out why, so I spent two days cruising along the abandoned waterways. Was I safe? Did I find out why they are unused? Sit back, relax and enjoy! Take care🌻🦋
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It's always lovely to hear from you and I will get back to you
You have become my new favourite narrow boating channel. You are a pleasure to accompany on your journeys and your talents are awe-inspiring. Beautiful!
What an honour- thank you so much!😊 I am so pleased that you are enjoying the vlogs as I really enjoy making them. Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋
Sell yourself to the TV companies as a British naturalist. Your talents are unending and amazing.
That is so kind of you, Raymond, but there is so much that I don't know. Thank you for your lovely comment.Have a super rest of the weekend, take care🦋🌻
Every journey starts with a single step and nothing worthy of being created is ever created perfect first time, so walk before running.
I agree. No-one else out there holds a bar on her. Absolute perfection.
You need to start one-person production company and meet with commissioning editors. Put together a show-reel of some of your best videos. I worked as a volunteer for a couple of arts members organisations in Britain. I would start there.
@sianwarwick633 what wonderful support you show in your comments. Something we all should strive to do more of😊
Well played you, for tackling it in the first place. A couple of other boaters, who you'll know, along with yourself, care about these unused "thoroughfares" . The money conscious local authorities just want to "wash their hands" of 'em.
It will be a very sad day if these canals become unnaviagable, so if we can use them and celebrate their strengths then hopefully they will be protected more. Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋
The canals of Birmingham and surrounding area as well worth exploration. Yes there are challenges with rubbish on the prop, but it is so worth the surprise of finding such wonderful nature in such an unexpected place. Of all the vlogs that are produced by canal lovers and enthusiasts there are few who attain the heights that you do. In my eyes you are right up there with Robbie Cumming for making superb programmes for us to enjoy. Few do it as well as you do. Thank you.
Simone, thank you so much for your kind words about my vlogs; I really appreciate them and to be considered alongside Robbie is a massive compliment 😊 The canals here have been full of adventure and like you say surprising finds with beautiful nature; I am loving every minute of it! Have a super rest of the weekend, take care🦋🌻
That was a lovely video; great to see the lesser travelled waterways and thanks ever so much for putting another item on my already burgeoning bucket list. As an ex commercial fisherman with a bit of boat experience, I have to make one comment. Please don't try to clear an obstruction from the prop area while under way. If that carpet, which was caught on your rudder or something else, had fouled the prop while you were trying to clear it, things could have got nasty very quickly. That boat hook could have taken off at great speed and anything could have happened. Always take it out of gear, or better, stop the engine before clearing a fouled prop / rudder. On another note, spent a while running a pub in Chadwick End near Knowle many years ago; very nice part of the world. Smashing vlog / subscribed. (...and don't worry, I'm not an armchair admiral who is going to be dishing out unwanted advice on every vlog...promise :)
I am always grateful for any useful advice- so thank you so much for offering me that and I am glad that nothing went wrong this time. Thank you so much for your lovely comment and for subscribing- welcome aboard! Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋
Does the name 'Hortense House' mean anything to you?
No; afraid not.@@astronomenov99
I have come across water points in and around Birmingham before that appear not to be working. At the bottom of the stanchion there is either a small door or an opening where there is a shout off valve. A pair of mole grips or pliers to open it then the tap will work. I always close the valve again afterwards,
Blimey, Trev- that all sounds a bit complicated! 😳 Thank you so much for your advice though👍 and for watching. I hope you are well? Have a super weekend, take care🦋🌻
I found out about the water points when I got stuck in Birmingham for 7 weeks a couple of years ago, due to lock closures. I did go up most of the Tame Valley canal util I ran out of water. Not the boat the canal. You have a great weekend too. @@themindfulnarrowboat
Thanks again. Thanks for taking the road less traveled. Great to see restoration in progress. Have a great weekend.
It is an absolute pleasure to take the road less travelled. Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Have a super weekend, take care🦋🌻
Lovely vlog, autumnal colours and fabulous views along abandoned canals that we might never see!👍
Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋
Vanessa. you are keeping me sane as i am going through difficult times ,. Plus the music you choose is so good. thanks so much.
I am so sorry to hear that you are going through difficult times. Sending you happiness and mindfulness. Take care🌻🦋
What an interesting adventure. In places, almost like having the world to yourself for awhile. It's always beautiful to me to see how, with or without us, nature carries on regardless; without fanfare or any need of our attention. That was such a beautiful and serene journey. Cars on the M5 in such a hurry to motor on by, while you gracefully cruise through picturesque landscapes. I wonder if they even know they're there. I really liked this episode!
Hi Mark, I don't think the vehicles did notice us as like you say, they all were so busy getting somewhere. It was very exciting travelling alongside them for a while though. Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋
What an utterly beautiful slice of beauty, peace, and calm. Thank you 🙏🏼 ❤️🇨🇦
🤗 You are so kind, Jan! Thank you for your another lovely comment. Take care🌻🦋
That was a very autumn video. Ha!
Thanks for sharing. Stay safe, have fun and most of all, keep smiling. ♥️
Thank you so much- we'll definitely keep smiling and I hope you will too. Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋
Thank you so much! We'll definitely keep smiling and I hope you will too. Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋
amazing to see the house and to post off journal with in site amazing canal shame about no water sadly think more water points will be lost due to cutback by crt
I was so excited to look at Edith's old house where she wrote that diary- it was just brilliant to be there. I think if more people use that stretch of water, then hopefully those water points would be fixed, but the one at the top of Perry Bar flight was a lovely service station and everything was so clean. Thank you for your comment- have a super weekend, take care🦋🌻
the ending was enough to bring tears beauty and tranquility hopefully those canals can stay peaceful Thank you
I hope they keep the canals open and peaceful too. Thank you for your lovely comment.Have a super rest of the weekend, take care🦋🌻
Hi Vanessa--The canal looked so lovely with its Autumn foliage and Hunter's Moon. How wonderful to visit Edith Holden's home, and to post your 2022 Nature Journals within easy walking distance. The Abandoned Canal with its two serviceless points was filled with lush green, deer and herons, and I hope it will remain open , as it would be a shame if it were shut down completely. The delicate Bonnet's mushrooms gracing the weathered wooden lock gate would make a beautiful painting. Jenny 🦌🍁🍂🦉🪶
Hi Jenny, thank you so much for such a lovely comment- that is so kind of you. The mushrooms in the lock gate would make a beautiful painting wouldn't it? I loved being able to film them from the underside as you don't often get to see the gills clearly. Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋
How lovely all the autumn colours are you were very close to us Hallandale bridge is closed at the moment the CRT doing some work Worley and Essington canal we are only three miles from pelasll in between Walsall and Cannock nice you were in our area my two sisters and I walked many miles down the toe paths with our dad and the dog kim collie coated Alsatian our little legs nearly dropped off but we had great fun tc now the oldies 🌟👍🤗👍🤗
@@themindfulnarrowboat You too Vanessa!
So pleased that you found peace on the canal ways. Lovely shaggy heron with a striped head, and so many rich brown, red and gold reeds and plants along the way. Ok, the water points leave a bit to be desired, but you got round that to even more peaceful mooring. And you saw Edith Holden's house. A wonderful cruise😊
Hi Sian, it really was a wonderful adventure the whole thing! Thank you so much for your lovely comment.Have a super rest of the weekend, take care🦋🌻
I was a little late getting around to this one but I wanted to say a lot of what you did reminded me of myself. It was the deer you drew at the end and the crow you gave treats to. Those have become my favorite wild animals to try and care for alas my crows have all gone and same with the deer as I now have a lot of squirrels in my back yard trying to find what treats they would like maybe nuts? Thanks for another great Friday voyage on the Alice Grace. I have to say the part of the cut you were on was really beautiful. The fact that you mailed your journals in front of the home where the lady who inspired you once lived was cool and the picture of the moon was really great have a nice week see you next Friday Steve
Hi Steve, thank you so much for your lovely comment. Squirrels like nuts- hazel and acorn particularly, but the other day, I watched a squirrel happily munching its way around a crab apple. Have a super Sunday and rest of the week ahead, take care🦋🌻
Wow, a very different sort of journey today, but it has its own peculiar charm. Thanks for taking us along! Your tomato soup made me hungry, don't suppose you'd share the recipe? And I confess to being slightly miffed on behalf of the two gongcoozlers at 9:22 who were snubbed 😉🤣
Hi Brewster, it was a very different journey wasn't it? I feel terrible about the poor gongcoozlers- fancy missing them out! With my soups, I change the recipe every time but it was: tomatoes, a pepper, soaked red lentils- a handful to thicken the soup, stock cube, a squeeze of tomato puree, paprika, black pepper, turmeric and chilli flakes. I mash everything with a potato masher half way through heating and then simmer, simmer, simmer- yum! Thank you for your lovely comment. Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋
The musical accompaniment was so atmospheric PERFECT Autumn tints relay the seasons of mists & mellow fruitfulness.
Vanessa another triumphant vlog of magic 💕
Thank you so much, Sue! I am so pleased that you found it autumny 🍁🍂🥮 Have a super week, take care🦋🌻
Hi Vanessa,
Another fun, but also special vlog.
England has many beautiful buildings.
An abandoned canal is a challenge, especially if you cannot take in water.
But nature cannot be slowed down and is present everywhere, unfortunately humans dump their waste.
Another nice vlog.
Thank you so much for your lovely comment. I think with some litter picking and water tap fixing it could be one of the best spots on the system!Have a super rest of the weekend, take care🦋🌻
It’s wonderful seeing these parts of the canal which are abandoned, but beautiful. Thank you for your exploration and filming.
That is so kind of you, Pauline! Thank you. Have a super rest of the week, take care🦋🌻
Oh isn’t that lovely. I think I spoke to you about the TV series a short while ago and you said that you had earlier on, discovered Edith’s work. It was only when you gave me the correct title of the TV series that I was able to find some of the episodes which are on UA-cam. What a wonderful diary she made and so similar to your work too ❤xx
Her diary is just so beautiful! Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Have a super weekend, take care🦋🌻
I was concerned you may get a tangled prop in the unused canals and you did.
Maybe a dredging boat should go take a look at these area's and clean them up so they could be used again by many Narrow boats.
You were brave and we all appreciate the lovely footage you filmed for our benefit.
Don't be pulling heavy wet carpets out of the canal Vanessa , let Hubby do it.
Thanks for a lovely Vlog.
Hi Paul, they are trialling a very clever way of trapping the silt so they hopefully won't need to dredge. The long, cylindrical nets that they were putting in along the edge, are not only going to be reed beds but also silt traps too apparently. Thank you for your thoughtful comment. Have a super week, take care🦋🌻
Never seen that behaviour from a her on before. Autumn colours really beginning to show. Very peaceful as usual. Thank you.
I don't think the heron was used to seeing a boat on that stretch and was intrigued about how the fish behaved when we stirred up the water. Thank you for your lovely comment. Have a super weekend, take care🦋🌻
my guess is that because the boat was parting the blanket of duck weed he was going to where he could look down into the water.
A pot of tea , a packet of biscuits and your video perfect for a cold rainy afternoon thank you for another excellent video 😊🎉
A pot of tea and a packet of biscuits is the perfect answer to everything, I find! Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋
WOW! what a journey, Following on Google maps kept me occupied for an hour, filling in gaps and hunting for the trail of bread crumbs that you left behind . Thank you for sharing...............
Hi Paul, I wish that I could have included even more of the journey but the vlog would have been so long; I can imagine how tricky it was to follow on Google Maps🤭 I am so pleased that you enjoyed it. Have a super weekend, take care🦋🌻
What a fabulous vlog as always. How nice for you to be able to post your journals while being in sight of Edith Holden’s beautiful house. What gorgeous autumn colours and nature amongst the derelict buildings along the deserted canal. I would imagine it was quite a spooky place to moor. I wonder what came first the lack of facilities or lack of boaters! There are lots of other canals that are short of water in the summer that still gets lots of boats. How brilliant it was to eventually find some water facilities that worked. The heron must have thought it was strange to see a boat so wanted to keep an eye on you! Zephyr has the best life. I really enjoyed this vlog. Thank you Vanessa. X
Hi Shirley, that is a good question about the facilities but I think if boaters were using them, then they would have mentioned the lack of water along the way to CRT; the Perry Bar services were immaculate though. I think the heron was surprised like you say and delighted to discover that a boat helps wake up the fish for it. Thank you for your lovely comment. Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋
I love watching all your vlogs i find them very calming and the scenery is stunning, the wild life and your drawing and poetry and the end is a delight. Today i watched and i believe this was the most enjoyable vlog, the scenery and the chimney bridge was amazing. Thank you for a lovely coffee break while watching xx
It is so lovely to know that you enjoyed the vlog and found it relaxing- thank you so much for commenting! Have a super rest of the weekend, take care🦋🌻
There is another narrowboater who has done parts of the little used canals you traveled as part of something called the "Silver Propeller Challenge". He did say that these canals should be used because if they aren't you will lose them.
Another wonderful video! I don't have regular cable TV, as it's nothing but garbage so i do a lot of streaming. Your videos are at the top of my list that i enjoy. Stay true to your heart and your passions. Stay safe in your travels!!
I think you are referring to Will; he is brilliant as he makes sure that all of the canals and rivers get explored. Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Have a super week, take care🌻🦋
Wow, that was a great trip, so quiet, im surprised its not full of constant moorers.
It was such an adventure and one of the best trips we have ever done on our boat as it was full of the unknown. Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Have a super weekend, take care🦋🌻
Hello again! loved this vlog, you definitely are the adventurous type. Taking the road less travelled, or in this case, the canal. You're right to say the scenery was beautiful...it was. Enjoyed the visit to Gowan Bank as well. Please enjoy the coffee, and say hello to your newest patron! I posted this in one of your older vlogs, but don't feel it necessary to reply to my comments on your old vlogs. From now on, I'll just be liking and leaving a ❤for you. Easier for me, easier for you. Best wishes, as always!
That is so kind of you, Chris to become a Patron and buy me a coffee- thank you so much- I really appreciate it! I'm glad you enjoyed the vlog too. Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋
Such a lovely video Vanessa and a beautiful canal . Those red deer hinds were very regal and you were so fortunate to see them. I hope the heron had some luck 😊 xxx
Oh the deer hinds were just so spectacular and regal is the best word for them! Apparently, there is a herd of 50 here and one stag, but I only saw the two. Thank you for your lovely comment, Lydia- have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋
What another great Vlog, I loved seeing my old parish church. Reminded me of my childhood, growing up in Olton. We use to fish for stickle backs and take them home to our pond, much to my mom’s annoyance. Me and my sister love your journeys and experiences, you are such a talented artist. Good luck on your journeys and stay safe. 🤗
I am so pleased that you got to see the place where you grew up. Fishing for sticklebacks was something that I loved doing as a child too. Thank you for your kind comments; have a super weekend, take care🦋🌻
I've run out of superlatives! thanks again for the beauty, peace, interesting tidbits, novelty and the deep connection with the natural world. Go well and happy journeys onward! xxx
What a kind and lovely comment, Wendy- thank you so much! Have a super rest of the weekend, take care🌻🦋
I just love your canal journeys. So peaceful. Never hurried. At one with nature. Beautiful. I guess the reason few people travel that canal is due to the lack of facilities, as you discovered. I always stay until the end, because I like seeing you open your journal and begin drawing. Not only that, but such lovely words to describe the scene. You have become my favourite boating video maker.
I am so pleased that you are enjoying the vlogs. They are an absolute pleasure to make. Take care 🌻🦋
Fantastic,what a journey.You are encouraging me to consider Birmingham again.I had to traverse the second city this year and it is amazing with very few boats about once you are away from the centre.Your photography gets better with every vlog.
Hi Chris, it was such an adventure, but more is yet to come as we have a bit of a major problem on our hands in next week's vlog! Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Have a super rest of the weekend, take care🦋🌻
Hey Vanessa😊! Now that winter is approaching I thought that I would share this with you. No obligation required. I feed the birds in my back yard (garden) and I've been putting out a lot of peanuts in shells. Mostly Blue Jays devour them, with the occasional tufted titmouse. Most days at 2:00 in the afternoon, I place a pile of about 25 or 30 unsalted roasted peanuts in the shell on a small table under my chocolate mimosa tree and I sit back and wait for the show. It's so fun. In only a short amount of time there are 4 or 5 pairs of blue jays that show up one after the other. They pick their peanut and fly off with it and are soon back for more.
I have a lot of other birds in my yard but this is quite a show. It only takes about half an hour from start to finish.
Anyway, the reason I'm telling this is that I had some curiosity about the species and I found a very entertaining bird channel on youtube. Yes, they are North American birds, but you may find it interesting. Just search for Lesley the Bird Nerd on UA-cam sometime when you are in need of entertainment. Cheers.
Hi John, it must be amazing to have Blue Jays in your garden- they are such beautiful birds, but we don't have them here. I watched Lesley the Bird Nerd with the episode all about the Blue Jays and the peanuts- what incredibly intelligent birds they are! Thank you so much for recommending this channel and well done for feeding your birds too. Have a super rest of the weekend, take care🌻🦋
Love the small streets and beautiful homes. The older architecture is so appealing to me. Makes me realize being born in the "new world" (Canada) just how new we really are and that perhaps I was born on the wrong continent? Cheers and Thanks for sharing your ventures.
Ah but you have spectacular wildlife! 🤩 Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Have a super week, take care🌻🦋
A different feel for this part of your journey, really atmospheric in places. Very enjoyable.👍 GH and Wiggie!
Hello, Gerry! I hope you are both well? The tomato plant that you gave me is producing tomatoes in October- amazing! Thank you so much for giving it to me. I am so pleased that you enjoyed the vlog. Have a super weekend, take care🦋🌻
Nature at its best, once again thankyou for sharing with us. All the best Gary n Irene
Hi Gary and Irene- it certainly was nature at its best- this time of year is just fabulous to cruise in. Take care both of you and have a super weekend🌻🦋
Vanessa you belong on a show. Your quality is so amazing. You show such beauty with your videos. You capture everything a person could want to see. I can even see the craters on the moon! I just ordered your November 2022 book on Etsy to help support you. I just want to hold it and see the beauty you’ve worked so hard on. Thanks for making me smile.
That is so kind of you- thank you so much! I hope you will like your book. Take care 🦋🌻
Where did our lady learn her photo and cinematography skills?
Inquiring minds and all that...
Thank you for taking us on the canals less travelled. Such a pretty canal too. Sigh.
It really was a pretty canal- thank you so much for your lovely comment. Have a super rest of the weekend, take care🌻🦋
Thanks Vanessa for taking us along on this beautiful cruise through a quite isolated waterway which is very surprising as it is a lovely place to cruise through and looked like a peaceful place to stay. As always your journal was magical. Have a great weekend and week to come. Take care and all the best. Stevie
Hi Stevie, it really is quiet here and it has been such an exciting trip to get here too. Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋
Again, another wonderful vlog. Strange about those defunct water points, rather thoughtless and off-putting on a canal - these abandoned canals are lovely.
Hi Robin, I think if more boats used that stretch of canal, then the water taps would get fixed, but the services at the top of Perry Bar Locks were amazing and so clean too. Thank you for watching and commenting, take care🌻🦋
Magical as always.
Thank you so much! 😊 Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋
This episode is why I follow your channel, Vanessa 💖 From faraway Australia, your camera takes me to a place I'd be happy to travel to ☺☺
I am so pleased that you follow the channel- thank you so much for your kind comment. Have a super Sunday and week ahead, take care🦋🌻
another lovely video, thank you! those canals look really nice, its a shame no one uses them, hopefully when people see this video they might start going up them again! 🙂
The canals are beautiful in parts and then very neglected in other parts; I am really enjoying exploring it all though. Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Have a super weekend, take care🦋🌻
lovely video. The old canal buildings you pointed out near Brum are stunning. I often cycle the sections you travelled in your video and It's not often you see a narrowboat.
What a wonderful cycle that must be! Everyone that we met along the way there also said that they haven't seen a narrowboat there for a long, long time. I loved it there. Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋
Wow. What a delightful episode. Loved every minute of it. To me, the most stunning footage was the way the red deer emerged on the paper. And all the tame/confident herons were a bonus with the crow as a close second.
Thank you so much for your lovely comment! When the red deer emerged, I gasped at how beautiful they looked in the misty light. Have a super weekend, take care🦋🌻
The canal still looks like it could be really nice just a shame to see it so derelict. Unfortunately with the lack of funding I can see more of the network going this way. More people should be incouraged to use this canals to keep them navigable
The more of us that use the canals, the better, Paul- you are very right there. Thank you so much for watching and commenting. Have a super week, take care🌻🦋
Fabulous camera shots! The moon, wow !!!!! X
Thank you so much, Andrea- I'm looking forward to the full Hunter's moon this evening. Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋
Oh, don't you just love that heron and the autumn colours! And the moon - wow! What a beautiful journey on "the canal less travelled" 🙂 Enjoy your journeying
The heron was so unbelievably tame and curious- I think it was delighted to have a boat to fish near as we must have churned up the water for it. Thank you for your lovely comment. Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋
Great video Vanessa. Another fascinating adventure around the little used backwaters .
Thank you so much, Nigel! Have a super rest of the weekend, take care🦋🌻
@@themindfulnarrowboat ……& to you too Vanessa. Looking forward to the next part of the adventure!
good vid on channel cranking it thanks lee
Thank you so much, Lee! Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋
A very special vlog. I didn't know canals like that existed. Well done.
Nor did I until, we cruised there! It was amazing to see. Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Have a super rest of the weekend, take care🦋🌻
Spectacular! Hope other boaters start to use it now. Because they might also get their own personal heron too! Splendid vlog, Vanessa!
It really was like having our own personal heron! Thank you so much for your lovely comment, Deb! Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋
As a child in the lare 50s I remember horse drawn working boats on the canal at Walsall😎👍
It must have been amazing to watch the horses pull the boats along the towpath. Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Have a super week, take care🌻🦋
I watch UA-cam more than conventional TV these days. The amazing skills of creators like you astound me. So, truly beautiful, calm & life enhancing.❤️
What a kind comment- thank you so much, Mick; I really appreciate it. Have a super rest of the week, take care🌻🦋
Hi Vanessa another beautiful video, so pretty it’s a shame it’s being left to do its own thing. Great to see a new area, have great week 😊
It was a really exciting journey and I hope that more boats start using the canals there. Thank you for your lovely comment. Have a super weekend, take care🦋🌻
What a absolutely brilliant vlog tonight so interesting and full of amazing scenery where countryside meets town, beautiful autumn colours and the wildlife wondering what u were doing invading their Solitude. l was expecting the the heron to say all right in a Brummie accent as it followed u along the tow path, l know they can't talk but it's my funny sense of humour 😂 . But what a shame these canals aren't used as much l saw another UA-cam Narrowboater say the same a few months ago, maybe it's because its isolated with the lack of other boats that put people off but u surely did this stretch of canal justice. Have a great weekend and thanks again ❤🐕🦒🦒🍁🍂🚜⛔️🦺🕌
Hi Simon, it's funny that you said that about the heron as the Brummies have got to be the friendliest people along the system, so of course the Brummie herons have to be too! It is such a shame that these canals aren't being used as they will become heavily silted and neglected. I am having an amazing time here. Thank you for your lovely comment. Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋
I love your poems and adore your illustrations. And red deer did top the bill this time.
But I can't help but think that your great friend the Heron deserves a portrait. After all he did keep you company on the expedition
You are very right. I put the heron on the page with the poem so it was included. Thank you for your lovely comment. Happy New Year! 🥳🌻🦋
@@themindfulnarrowboat that's amazing. He was such a friendly soul.
Especially the fact he wouldn't see boats very often. Happy new year 🦩
Closest emoji I can find to a Heron haha
Brave girl thank's for taking us on this journey loved it 👍
I am so pleased that you enjoyed it. Have a super week. Take care 🌻🦋
So happy to see you here. I live near the Perry locks, and sometimes go jogging down the canal and under spaghetti junction. You were near some nice parks, especially Sutton park, I wish I could have showed you around or something.
It was a great set of locks to do and the people that we met there were so friendly. The stadium looked amazing from the water too. Have a super weekend, take care🦋🌻
Always very interesting videos you do Vanessa. Very informative and useful. 👍
I am so pleased that you are enjoying them, Mark- take care🌻🦋
Hey. I’ve just discovered your channel. Fabulous video footage and informative commentary. Your art work is superb. Looking forward to catching up on your previous and future adventures. 👏👏☺️
Hi Scott- thank you so much for discovering my channel- welcome!👋 I am so pleased that you enjoyed this vlog. Have a super rest of the week- take care🦋🌻
Thanks Vanessa for an unusual canal it does need more boats than the few you saw just to keep it open it would be a shame if it closed. down maybe the city folks in that part of England have forgot about the peace and quiet that is so close around them and that is a shame, Even the Heron was surprised to see you or even knew what a boat was coming so close to check it out. Ed 40 S of Vegas XXX
Hi Ed, the heron was very surprised to see a boat wasn't it? It really made me laugh at how curious it was too! Thank you for your lovely comment. Have a super weekend, take care🦋🌻
Gorgeous colours in the trees, especially the bright red one half way through the video. Lovely bridges. 😊
I love looking at the colours of the different trees in the winter light along the canal; it can be breathtaking in the right light with the water reflecting. Thank you so much for your lovely comment, Barbara. Have a super rest of the week, take care🦋🌻
Maybe the canals are thought to be too shallow? Whatever you are so right, it's beautiful there apart from rogue carpets (sigh). Thank you for the journey this week. =-)
Hi Lorraine, it was shallow and in some places there was a lot of litter, but no more than I have seen on some other canals and the Cannock Extension Canal was so clean and just beautiful. Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋
As a kid aged 15, I worked on the edge of that Tysley bridge (mattress factory) BUT SADLY in the eve I would associate with friends in the Small Heath part of the canal (next to Ackers) and sadly throw stones at boats, that was the summer of 1993, BUT I did fix life up and returned to education / university to become a teacher.
It’s the first time watching your vids & was intrigued due to my past connections with the canals & saw this one, sorry again if those boats were you reading this.
That is very honest of you. We all did things when we were young that were wrong, so don't beat yourself up about it. It sounds like you have dedicated your life now to educating others which is amazing!Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Take care🦋🌻
I purchased a copy of Vanessa's journal and just received it. It's beautiful! High quality printing on quality paper. Well worth it. If any of your fans want to get the feeling of being connected to you and your vlogs, they just need to buy a copy. Holding it in hand while watching you write in it on your vlog is almost like being there with you, enjoying the adventure. I highly recommend it!
What a kind and thoughtful comment- thank you so much, Mark. I am so pleased that you like the journal. Have a super rest of the week, take care🙏🌻🦋😊
I'm an Australian and find it strange that, Venice the world over is famous for it's canals. Venice has 22 miles of canals.
The city you are in Birmingham has 100 miles of navigable canals...
The UK has thousands of miles. We traveled to the UK and had two weeks on a narrow boat. We would like to go back and do it again.
I hope you get to come over and do some more cruising! Thank you for your lovely comment- take care 🦋🌻
Water is magic---especially in a narrow boat!!!! The area you are in is magical!!! Enjoy!!! Love your bird sketches---you have a natural talent!!!!!
I think the waterways are magical too! Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Have a super rest of the week, take care🌻🦋
the brum canals look beautiful. cruising the cut did some of them on a slo-mo boat race a few weeks ago. i would go there. it's just too enticing!
It is a wonderful place! Cruising the Cut is great isn't he?Have a super rest of the weekend, take care🦋🌻
This one had a different feel to it Vanessa and was quite enjoyable to be sure, even down to the fine music selections. I absolutely loved the two ducks at 3:10, their colors shining so brightly. The whole video had a tranquil quality about it and you surely did take the canal less travelled. It does seem to me, everything I've seen on narrowboat channels in and around Birmingham is always quite beautiful, so many little quaint places. I wish you Zeph and Mr, M safe travels this week and may your joy be full.
Hi Michael, thank you so much for your lovely comment. I am so pleased you enjoyed it as it was so different from my other vlogs as we did so much cruising. It was such an exciting trip though. Have a super rest of the weekend, take care🦋🌻
It was a beautiful film tonight. You packed so much in, it was a work of art!You were moored next to me at Lowsonford a couple of weeks ago and I am amazed at how far you have travelled since then. Why don’t people go to those canals? A mixture of fear of wrong’uns, as Robbie calls them, and cherry picking the best routes. Same thing happens in rock climbing with routes. You would enjoy the 1960’s children’s programme The Flower of Gloster, and I really encourage you to watch it if you want to see what the canals were like in BirminghM in 1967. It shows how improved they are now. I think you have done a lot to persuade boaters to visit these parts of the network that really could be lost to navigation once again. Well done!
Thank you so much for such a lovely comment. Across the journey, there was so much footage that I had to edit a lot of it out, but I am so pleased that you enjoyed it. Lowsonford was such a super mooring and so secure as I went a way for a week and left the boat there with no problems at all; were you behind or in front of us? I will look up The Flower of Gloster as it sounds right up my street. Have a super weekend and happy cruising! Take care🦋🌻
Lowsonford was a perfect mooring, peaceful and very pretty with a super pub on the other side. Beautiful countryside with trees and squirrels. I was in front of you going towards Kingswood; I’m now near Henley in Arden. I’m sorry that you were away because I would have loved to meet you and Zephyr and bought a diary.
The Flower of Gloster is on UA-cam by the way. The channel in Major Dolby’s Cat. 13 episodes of half an hour each. They take a narrowboat from Llangollen to London and have all sorts of adventures.Most of the dialogue is adlibbed so it is very natural.
Oh my goodness, I am binge watching this now! It's brilliant. Thank you so much for recommending it.👍🌻🦋@@Bicyclehub
Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland
WOW! - that was fabulous. So much to see and delight in. Why no boats? I have absolutley no idea. Real hidden gems. So many autumn colours and that beautiful heron and red deer. Brilliantly photographed by you with a wonderful commentary too
Hi Michael, thank you so much for such a kind comment. It was a spectacular 2 1/2 days cruising and full of the unknown but what a place the Cannock Extension Canal is! Have a super weekend, take care🦋🌻
Perhaps more folk will take these seemingly abandoned waterways now that you have "opened" the way.
I really hope they don't become forgotten. Thank you so much for watching. Take care 🦋🌻
Hello Mindful Narrowboater. I have just watched vlog 168; 'Journey to an Abandoned Canal'. This brought to mind The Secret Garden by Francis Hodgson Burnett; it was if you had discovered a hidden canal. You are a brave spirit, I hope other narrowboaters will now follow suit. Pete Glyde
It is an incredible part of the system to visit and I hope more boats will cruise that way. Thank you for your comment. Take care🦋🌻
Thank you for taking me back to my roots . I regularly cruised those canals . The curly Wyrley . Hope you make it to the shropie sometime.
It's a great place to cruise- when we first started cruising we were on the beautiful Shroppie, but we'll be back one day. Thank you for your lovely comment. Have a super weekend, take care🦋🌻
It's a great place to cruise. When we first started cruising, we did the Shroppie and loved it- we'll be. back one day. Thank you for your lovely comment. Have a super weekend, take care🦋🌻
Found you by chance. I was born in that area, 60 years ago, changed alot. Now live in Worcestershire. Loving your video and art work 😊🌹
I am so pleased that chance brought you to the channel! Welcome aboard. Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Have a super week, take care🌻🦋
Lovely! Your adventures with Zephyr, who I have spoken of before in a post after your trip on the River Severn. I love your work, you are a sympathetic artist, writer and obviously a well read nature lover. Your cruise on the BCN brings back great memories of my time around the BCN in the early nineties, when we lived on Galton our traditional Gardner engined narrow boat built by the Allens of Oldbury, who I worked for before my late wife and I worked for Brummagem Boats and lived on Galton at their base at Sherbourne Street Wharf, a very different place then from now! We then moored and lived on Galton at the Hyde near Kinver, on the beautiful Staffs and Worcs Canal and I worked as a boat builder and interior fitter for David Baugh of Black Country Narrow Boats at Stourton for ten years. Many years on, I am with my current Labrador dog Blaze who I love to bits, and like my previous Labby Bentle, who was with me ten magic years who should have been called Hoover just like Blaze, God they are delightful, but greedy dogs in white River in South Africa. Both you and Zephyr stay safe and well. Take care love Blaze and me xxx.
Thank you so much for such a lovely and heartfelt message. You must certainly know your way around a boat being a boat builder. Kinver is one of my favourite places to moor. Have a super rest of the week, give Blaze a hug from me. Take care🌻🦋🐾🐾
Vanessa, Blaze would love to meet Zephyr, he is a neutered pedigree Lab aged six. Yes, Kinver is lovely and I had nine great years in the area. we lived in lovely Shropshire (after boating) The boat building was a vocation I loved it! You are a kindred spirit, with your love of nature and it was something I cherished being so close to and part of when narrow boating. Stay safe and well, Blaze sends his love Take care. Rex xxx@@themindfulnarrowboat
Nice to see another side to the canals. Hope youre keeping well vanessa. 🙂
It is a very exciting stretch to explore. Thank you so much for your lovely comment- I am very well thank you and I hope you are keeping well too. Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋
@@themindfulnarrowboat chugging through life, you know how it is? 😌
I hope they don't become forgotten either, not like the ones here, some are totally impassable because they are owned privately, uncared for or have had bridges too low to pass under them built. It makes me so sad that where i live these beautiful canals are not utilised more, the local councils are missing a real treat for tourism!
Found your cancel today and I'm in love with it, have subbed and look forward to your 2024 journeys x
You are so right about tourism and the canals; they really are missing an opportunity there with the disused ones. Thank you for your lovely comment and for the sub too. Happy New Year! 🥳🦋🌻
Big fan of big caring government who tax wealth, redistribute it for the benefit of everyone via fair taxation.
I like your boat 🛥 and all the nice places you can go 🎉🎉🎉🎉💙🩵💙🩵💙💜💙💜💜💙🩵💜💫💫💫💫💫
I’m so pleased that you like the boat! Take care🦋🌻
just one word beautiful... thanks for taking me there xx
That is such a kind comment- thank you so much! Have a super rest of the week, take care🦋🌻
I wonder who she was catherine de barnes. That was quite a journey and birmingam such a diverse city. Thanks for those shots of narure. Take care😊
I'm not sure who she was but the locals call the place Catney, I think and the boaters called it Kate? Thank you for your lovely comment. Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋
Just watched this one,how lovely.Absolutely loving your channel and the endings are magic.Many thanks William in Australia.
Thank you so much, William- that is so kind of you! Take care 🦋🌻
I love your poetic style and your illustrations.
Thank you so much- that is so kind of you! Take care 🦋🌻
Great video, very interesting. I live fairly close to the old Glamorganshire canal in Cardiff. It is no longer navigable but a short section still flows through a local nature reserve that is a haven for wildlife, I spend many hours there with my camera.
It sounds like a beautiful spot to live near- I bet you have taken some amazing photos!Have a super rest of the weekend, take care🦋🌻
It sounds like a beautiful place to live near. I bet you have taken some amazing photos?Have a super rest of the weekend, take care🦋🌻
Thank you for having me along on this interesting journey. I found it a very relaxing trip.
Seeing these wonderful canals makes me think of the hard physical work put in by the navigators ('navvies') who built them. Even with modern digging machines this would be a big task, but all they had was shovels and barrows. An amazing achievement.
It certainly was an amazing achievement which I still marvel at as I travel the system, particularly in very deep cuttings!Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Have a super rest of the week, take care🌻🦋
So nice to watch you again. Do you grow mint on your fender? Looks really healthy. You are brave Vanessa. Sounds like a long cruise you have ahead of you. I really hope you got your water. You are really always so cheerful and clearly love your life on Alice Grace.
We got our water in the end, so don't worry- that is so kind of you. I don't have mint on the back fender- it's a plant called water hog hound I think? I love the way that it is changing colour too.Have a super rest of the weekend, take care🦋🌻
Another great vlog. thoroughly enjoyed the ride.
Thank you so much, Barry! Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋
This is your first video that I have come across and I must I am so glad I did, thank you.
Thank you so much for finding my channel- that is so kind of you! Have a super week, take care🦋🌻
Edith Holden was one of the Holden family of Holdens paints fame. It’s ironic that she wrote those nature journals whilst her family business was filling paint with lead. However lead in paint improved the flow and performance of paint and made it last a long time. Most paints now are water-based and are rubbish. I’m sure Edith Holden didn’t know the science of paint and was a lovely person. Holdens paints had a big factory and depot in Bordesley Green, Birmingham.
That is so interesting- I had no idea about that. It might explain why Edith suffered with dizzy spells in her later life- possible lead poisoning? Thank you so much for this insight. Take care🌻🦋
Just an after thought it would be lovely to go back in time to see how the work c.r.t was doing turned out x
It would wouldn't it! Take care👍🦋🌻
Wow, what a great journey. So lovely to go where other humans don't, and fantastic that the crt is looking after the wildlife. It's amazing that the locks still work if they're not used very often. Thanks for sharing with us x
The locks were so smooth and easy to get through- I was so surprised too. Thank you for your lovely comment. Have a super weekend, take care🦋🌻
I live in Texas USA and I would buy one of your books or one of our journals.!!!
That is so kind of you- thank you so much! Take care 🦋🌻
I’m watching this from a rather wet and stormy France. You travelled through what would have been Shakespeare’s Forest of Arden, which reached into present Birmingham. Amazing shots going through the city, a nice green corridor, you could believe you are still in the country.😊
Oh Jack, I hope you are ok? I've heard that the storm is going to be really strong where you are. Stay safe. Take care🌻🦋
You’re braver than me cruising in that area… it seems Nature is doing its best to stay positive but the man made areas have been vandalised and virtually abandoned, what a sad sight. Considering how industrialised and active Birmingham canals must have been it’s such a shame to see so much neglect. Thanks again for sharing
The Cannock Extension Canal is absolutely beautiful and the people here are lovely. There were parts along the way that just needed a bit of a clean up and then, they too would be equally as beautiful. Thank you so much for your comment. Have a super weekend, take care🦋🌻
That was amazing. You must have felt like you were exploring up the Amazon. So lovely to have a big slice of land all to yourself with no human disturbance. Very special indeed. You now know more than most inhabitants of our land. That heron was a star!
@@themindfulnarrowboat like you I much prefer to find a mooring in the countryside where possible, to wake each morning with nature and the morning bird song is an absolute privilege. I’m looking forward to digging out my bird feeders which I place in hedges or small trees opposite my galley window so I can watch Mr Robin “own the area” and try to chase off the Tit families 😄
dingnextstop get yourself up there next season it's fantastic on the Wyrley and Essington, Rushall and Tame Valley canals. the Walsall is a bit mucky but go slowly and its OK I have never felt unsafe on the BCN ( I lived in Smethwick for a couple of years and have boated and walked nearly all of it)
@@kevbaker153 I follow another boating couple on UA-cam who cruised through Leicester last year and in one area which had small blocks of flats either side of the canal was shouted at saying “keep moving you’re not welcome here”, plus the canal was “black” and they picked up a small carpet on their prop. Needless to say they said they’d never return there…
Just come across your channel and I think your absolutely delightful 😊 Thankyou for making a beautiful peice of tv 😊
That is so kind of you. Thank you so much for watching. Take care 🌻🦋