032 - AN AUTUMN CRUISE - WALLINGFORD TO OXFORD VIA ABINGDON ON OUR NARROWBOAT

[@FrogmanAnime]

Like the camouflage narrowboat in the outtakes. Made me double take. Then laugh.

[@courierdog1941]

There is a parallel to the canals here in Canada at least, the Railways. But it does in my estimation lack the class of the communities and facilities that were clustered along the canals. Like the Railways the canals Brought every thing into and took everything out of the communities. Now road ways have for the most part replaced a lot of that. The canals took longer to build and the community support systems were built as required by the trade on the canals grew. The history of each community along the canals is a study all in itself. Your choice of a slower life style on the Narrowboat will over time allow you to appreciate the value played by each community as you pass through, well Michaels passes through while Jo and George walk through each community. you guys are hysterical to watch. Good on you.

[@MinimalList]

It’s interesting here because the canals came first, then the rail which replaced it, then the roads that replaced many of the rails… I wonder what comes next? M

[@neilevans7155]

On the Thames in a metal tub in October, its meant to be cold. But until you've been well north with the ice and snow its not actually winter. Look on the bright side as you know if its nice you cant move for good weather cruisers. Another excellent video.

[@MinimalList]

We actually love the autumn cruises.

[@stukatie0611]

You are not the only ones feeling sick in relation to the Poonut butter, i nearly brought my lunch up, thanks for that! :)

[@MinimalList]

+Stuart Adams yeah, sorry about that. It’s George’s fault really!

[@stukatie0611]

No problem, and please tell George that i really enjoyed the rest of the vlog anyway. (as always!)

[@MinimalList]

+Stuart Adams will do! 😀

[@daviestallow]

A call of cats. A freelance of fish. A pepper of parrots. he he

[@MinimalList]

A flamboyance of flamingos! M

[@bigmort6916]

Tuna skeleton is a true natural work of art 👌🏻

[@MinimalList]

+Loving Narrowboat Yeah, it's beautiful, through I'm thinking it's nicer inside the fish. M

[@marilyns6043]

Totally wish there was a separate thumbs up scoring for the outtakes!.

[@MinimalList]

+marilyn s We did a couple of just outtake videos, and they barely got any watches! M

[@edsageseamaster3440]

How cool. I am re watching your vlogs again from the beginning as I’ve enjoyed them so much, and you have actually caught my project boat in this one. If you stop the actual footage at 2.14 exactly, when you are passing the moored boats at Benson Hire Base, mine is at the end of the row of hire cruisers with the davits at the back. Brilliant!! 😂😂. Really interesting to go right back to the start again and see what has changed and how the Production of the vlogs has changed over the years. Thank you

[@Peaslake]

Two years later... a splash of springers.

[@MinimalList]

Nice! M

[@edwardknight6486]

Great vid. my favorite couple to watch.

[@MinimalList]

+edward knight Thanks! M

[@fredvolkman754]

Here is some trivia for you re Oxford. Did you get to Broad Street I think it is called. It is usually closed to cars for quite a bit of the season. In the square there is a 3 ft x 3ft patch of cobble stones in the pavement. This marks the place where heads fell to the ground when the punishment was beheading. We moored up and disembarked at Osney Bridge, schlepped our bags across the river to the Royal Oxford Hotel 10 minutes walk where we stayed for 3 nights while we saw the town. Love Oxford.

[@MinimalList]

How grim! No we didn’t know that. Will look out for it if we ever make it back to Oxford

[@richardoakley6460]

The fusion plant is currently the warmest place in the Universe

[@MinimalList]

Is it? I thought the record was still at CERN? M

[@conquestracing2739]

That was the smuggest of smug faces Jo ;-) Classic guy's keep up the great work :-) Cheers robi (The Viewer)

[@MinimalList]

+Conquest racing 27 I have been working in my smug face for a while now! Jo

[@trevornelmes9331]

I think it should be a 'bash' (as in Bulldog Bash, an annual event that used to be held near where I live).

[@LinuxUser119]

I think it might be a pack of dogs regardless of any particular breed, just because dogs are pack animals, but a flash of greyhounds sounds spectacular.

[@MinimalList]

It may be technically true, but imagine a herd of two thousand Pugs running over a hill towards you, vs a herd of two thousand Mastiffs, and it seems certain they deserve different names! M

[@luanncrownover4]

Enjoyed the video...I agree with you - a beautiful stretch of river! Poor George...hope he learned his lesson. LOL Stay warm!

[@MinimalList]

+Luann Crownover I doubt he shall ever learn a lesson, though he does look sheepish now and then! M

[@bobbythompson3544]

Didn't mention the beautiful ales that us Irish visitors fell in love with!

[@MinimalList]

Us pretty-much-teetotallers have a hard time identifying them! M

[@mjallenuk]

Wow that is a tad nippy! Smashing video as always...

[@MinimalList]

+Matt Allen Thank you!

[@TokenRing1024]

"A smug of Jo's" - Priceless

[@MinimalList]

+Larry Hash I could only handle one of her smugs, not a whole group of them! M

[@raybrown2197]

A bound of springer spaniels

[@martinjames9250]

After the 'Edward the Second and the Red Hot POLKAS' connection, the topical musical link for this video is Michael Chapman with Wellington Skellington! Yes really! ----- Another great video btw. Keep on keeping on!

[@martinjames9250]

Ooooops Wellington THE Skellington..... My bad!

[@MinimalList]

+martin james That's not nearly as bad as the Red Hot Polkas! M

[@mikeormston7715]

Hi Michael & Jo, glad to see you got sorted with KZbin thanks for letting me know you had your video on KZbin, great video from an area I used to work in before I retired, Michael you know more about Oxford than I do as I only went their for meetings, as you are going onto the Oxford Canal you will have some more great video I'm sure, I will not say anything about the canal as people like to find out for themselves which is what your journey is all about also the dream, good to see you are slowing down and enjoying life again instead of having a deadline, frost in Oxfordshire well I never, but then the area is bowl type which I found it could hold the temp when hot but again when cold & fog the opposite so I would keep you eye on the weather, in Wiltshire we have had no frost as yet, well guys I still love the humour you two bounce of each other, safe travels to you both.

[@MinimalList]

+Mike Ormston it’s early days in the Oxford but so far we like it. And it is really nice to be able to slow down. Although there are some winter closures here too so we need to check on them to make sure we don’t get stuck! Jo

[@caskwith]

Oxford NHM is one of my favourite museums, beaten however by the Pitt Rivers museum that is attached to the NHM. Both of these far exceeded the more popular Ashmolean in my mind.

[@caskwith]

Oh it may have been me that recommended the Pitt Rivers, I have recommended it to anyone who will listen! lol

[@MinimalList]

+caskwith I really like the Ashmolean, but it is much more of a "standard" museum, and feels a bit dated. The Pitt Rivers was indeed an interesting fine, and if it was you that recommended it, good call! M

[@AndyB59]

I was lucky enough to see the first release of this one. I'm sure I made suitably complimentary comments at the time about scenery, filming (thanks Jo)= and the music. Anyhoo, here I am again just to check that you haven't made any sneaky alterations.........no, all as I remember, farting bulldogs, poonuts, smug Jo et al. All is well.

[@MinimalList]

+Andy Ball No, no amount of sneak. Once the copyright silliness had resolved -- Jo choose a song that was specifically put up for free use, but somehow a google flagged it as a violation automatically -- she just put it back online sans changes! M

[@ianclarke7956]

The Outtakes are great, and I look forwards to them every time. Keep up the good work the two of you. Love from Nobby, well to one of you, and not the one with the face hair.

[@MinimalList]

+Ian Clarke Aww, George can't help having a moustache!! M

[@martyrule]

Great video as always!

[@MinimalList]

+Marty Rule thank you! 😊

[@dulciebarnes6228]

A fart of greyhounds is appropriate too (we have two of them)!!! Are you coming up to the Midlands? We'll have to look out for you when boating or gongoozling!

[@MinimalList]

+Dulcie Barnes we're coming, eventually, to everywhere! Moving up the Oxford towards Rugby area now, a wee bit slowish due to some stoppages, but slowly! M

[@dereknicholson4831]

My compass must be off. I thought you were on the Thames heading towards London! Time to backtrack and see where I got mixed up!

[@dereknicholson4831]

My compass must be off. I thought you were on the Thames heading towards London! Time to backtrack and see where I got mixed up!

[@MinimalList]

+Derek Nicholson Nope, off the K&A at Reading and indeed on to the Thames, but we went t'other way! M

[@ukulelalienation]

lovely tune. PS It's tee shirt weather here in Cornwall :)

[@MinimalList]

+Benjamin Ranyard Lucky! It's bloody freezing up here! M

[@bigmort6916]

To save freezing on the back get yourself a water bottle and pop it into your jacket or those little hand warmers you can buy 👍🏻 love the poonutbutter comment that’s the best ever I lolled so much 😂😂😂😭🙏

[@MinimalList]

+Loving Narrowboat the hand warmers are a good idea, but the water bottle would eventually freeze along with my corpse!! M

[@TheSAexpat]

Wallingford & Benson, my old stamping ground. I"ll be starting a cruise next week so hope we'll cross paths. Still haven't got the doggy life jacket yet.

[@MinimalList]

+Michael and Max what a beautiful old stomping ground! Really lovely scenery. There are a few stoppages in this section this month so we are just planning our route. Look forward to saying hi! Jo

[@crashbox7130]

Abingdon - The spiritual home of the MG sports car.

[@MinimalList]

Didn’t know that!

[@FrazzledPup]

Just now seeing this one for some reason. Enjoyed the view with feet up, pajamas on and a nice homemade turkey lunch. Come on, Thanksgiving! If your hangman's hill is not well-hung, and "size doesn't matter", does a bear shit in the woods? *Shrug* 😎

[@MinimalList]

+Lee Bruner we had to set the video to private as there was an issue with the music. Think a lot of people have missed it too. I have no idea! 😂

[@FrazzledPup]

Minimal List Ah, good. Made me wonder what else I missed. I think the bear probably does shit in the woods, but plays music just loud enough so that passerbys aren't offended by any "natural noises". Polite beasties.

[@jaqui0806]

Anybody else notice that George is now "The Dog" :-)

[@MinimalList]

+River Song Only when he's "the naughty". M

[@helenmacgregor259]

Hi! I've just watched this vlog (we're going through them in order, so will catch up with you soonish) and I was concerned by how cold you seem to be (Jo - hope I've got your name right - it's been a long week and I'm very tired - at any rate; Michael seems to be fine!) . So here are some tips from someone who has spent most of her life working/being outside in the north of Scotland! As well as lots of time spent on narrowboats - although not our own - yet! Ski salopettes (?sp) or ski trousers - they are brilliant. Add some thermal long johns (silk ones are good - you can get them from Silk Threads or Patra) and make sure, if it's salopettes, that you can fit your thermals and shirt and a thick jumper inside them so that you don't freeze when you need to visit the loo! (Taking your coat off is one thing; having to remove a jumper as well is too much!) Lidl and Aldi quite often have ski trousers (which are better from the point of view of going to the loo) and salopettes; and also charity shops quite often have them. Salopettes have the advantage of keeping your chest and the small of your back warm - which can make a big difference. Add some good thick socks - preferably hand-knitted (I can send you instructions for some if you can already knit but don't knit socks) inside boots that are big enough to accommodate them, as well as your feet (this is important! You really don't want your toes/feet getting squashed, even slightly.) I hope you have already discovered all (or some) of this, but if not, I hope it helps. If you've any questions about keeping warm, feel free to ask; and if you need some hand-knitted socks instructions, let me know. Hopefully, we'll get to meet you both on the cut in the not-too-distant future! Stay warm...

[@MinimalList]

Thanks for all the tips. Salopettes are a good idea. I might even have some still in my mums loft! I don’t get to cold when I am walking or operating the locks but as soon as i stop I can get really cold. Hopefully spring is on the way now, will keep this in mind for next year. Thank so much for taking the time to think of me. It is much appreciated. Jo

[@AdrianJeens]

I could be wrong but is it a pack of dogs? thanks for the vlog.

[@MinimalList]

+adrianuwant3 Generally, yes, but when it's a pack of a certain kind of dog, you need a new name. M

[@darrenslater1913]

6:41. AHHHHH yes. smug mode.

[@MinimalList]

+darren slater oh, it's not just at 6:41, she usually edits out the smugs and the eyerolls! M

[@darrenslater1913]

she who controls the edits. controls the UNIVERSE

[@MinimalList]

+darren slater Well, except to the wee bit controlled by the guy who steers the BOAT!! M

[@darrenslater1913]

would it remiss of me to point out that you are mostly king of that castle whilst swmbo walks off with the dog?

[@timothycole9232]

I live in Abingdon

[@marknblastderbyshireminer7000]

Have you had a chance to review your new Lithium Batteries performance along with your solar panels?

[@MinimalList]

+Mark White We're very happy with them and intending to do a video about them very soon. We've had to rush to get all the way off the K&A and now to Oxford; now we've got some stoppages to get past, and then on to some follow up and DIY vids again! So stay tuned! M

[@marknblastderbyshireminer7000]

Minimal List Thanks for update. Look forward to your review I am hoping this will help me when I buy my own boat next yeat

[@MinimalList]

+Mark White Short version: DEFINITELY happy with the Lithiums, they made a world of difference, right off the bat. The solar panels we are also happy with, but we've been cruising so much that we haven't had a chance to meaningfully check the tilting gains, or just how much they contribute to our overall power picture... we need a few days off with no running engine, however we've been surprised just how much we get out of them even on overcast days and flat. Definitely more coming soon! M

[@user-xw6wj2qh5n]

It's the Oxford end of the Oxford video

[@oceana9294]

How about a Splash of Spaniels?

[@MinimalList]

Very appropriate

[@Rachael-Victora-from-Bywater]

Good Video, as ever. Could I suggest a bounce of spaniel's?

[@MinimalList]

+Spirit Dancer Hmm, a Bounce of Spaniels. I rather like that. M

[@frozenoem1]

And for a question out of left field, is Michael a UPer, Upper Peninsula of Michigan - something in his accent.

[@MinimalList]

+John Caron Nope, been to Michigan just the once (Detroit, for of all things a meeting at Fiat Chrysler). It may be the remnants of Toronto! M

[@Pedelorean]

Great video guys. I'll have to pop to that Joint European Taurus nuclear fusion place to pick up a proper Mr Fusion unit for my Delorean 😀 Sorry if you've been asked this dozens of times already, but will you be cruising over the entire winter period except where there are stoppages / closures? Well done for cruising in the cold. The scenery hopefully made it worth it 😀

[@MinimalList]

+PEDeLorean They sound the same when spoken aloud, but when you go to look up directions on Google it'll help to know it's a Torus (donut-shaped thing) not a Taurus (mythical sky-bull). Still, the Mr. Fusion should help with getting the DeLorean up to 88mph!! And yes, the plan is to keep cruising, working around the stoppages where possible. Not sure we'll do it that way twice, but seems the best way for this winter! So far it's been lovely, and so low traffic! M

[@776281]

Might have been a bit cold.

[@MinimalList]

Wee bit! M

[@jean405]

Smug faced Jo, that made me laugh, and what was the dog eating? Time to get thermal underwear out, and keep warm! Will you be showing more of Oxford?

[@MinimalList]

+jean405 Time to BUY thermal underwear!! George was eating things he very much should not have. We will show some of Oxford, as I got out to do a wee bit more touristing. M

[@crashbox7130]

You missed the Oxford Electric Bell - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxford_Electric_Bell

[@MinimalList]

Damned! Wish I'd heard of it at the time! M

[@fredfish8918]

Well as usual I enjoyed your video. But whenever you think its too cold for you. Just Google Winnipeg weather.And you will know what I deal with. I am sure you will feel warmer because of it :P

[@MinimalList]

+Fred Fish ok, googled it. Fair enough, it is actually pretty warm here! Jo

[@kingsboy48]

that's why from Ottawa we call it Winterpeg :-)

[@dereknicholson4831]

From here too (Montreal). Winterpeg is the only place I've been where, when renting a car, the rental agent said "Here are the keys, your contract and your extension cord for the block heater. Make sure you use it.". And don't forget 'Alberia'. :)

[@carlthor91]

Thompson, -27 C this morning, I am looking at a wonderful time on the river in envy.

[@MinimalList]

+Derek Nicholson Thing is I know some people from up Yellowknife way who seem to consider mid-winter Winnipeg to be balmy and humid.

[@colingibson8018]

Hi guys . I love the poonut butter, that's hilarious, as I might have mentioned before I have three​ small dogs the middle one is Jack who is a shitzu emphasis on the shit. he has this infuriating habit of finding poo in the backyard. So I asked the vet what I could do to stop him. She recommended that I add various food's to there diet to make there droppings taste foul . Yes I know how do I know if it's working. etcetera. Well if he stops eating it it works. Well he's still doing it . Ah not working I here you say actually yes it is he's stopped eating the other twos dropping and has found that the other creatures that walk through the garden at night there's is more palatable. Well I would rather he eat there's as I know what they have eaten rather than not knowing . So the little shit goes out on his last outing before bed and gets a little snack. . It doesn't matter what you do he's still going to do it . must be something from his past before I got him. Anyway catching up slowly but Shirley Opps and don't call me Shirley.

[@MinimalList]

Luckily George doesn't really tuck into his own... at least not on a regular basis. But everyone and everything else's, you betcha! Now, if I could only feed every Canada Goose in England something George doesn't find delicious! M

[@colingibson8018]

Minimal List Hey Mike ,well I am lucky here in Stillwater. the pond that we walk around each day has at this time of year about four dozen plus Canada goose. it's like watching a ww2 bomber stream coming in . And you would think Jack would have a field day but no he won't touch it yeaa!!!!!! in fact he rearly touches anything around the pond . It's just in the garden .So with what I have seen around here I can't dare miss his pills each month.

[@MinimalList]

Lucky! George has learned to harass them to get more! M

[@wilelowman]

16:38 ha ha ha ha ha

[@MinimalList]

+wilelowman That was an odd boat! M

[@miketipping1583]

Why can't you move onto the Canal and stay in Oxford a bit longer?

[@MinimalList]

+Mike Tipping we have heard from a number of people that that section of the is really busy with permanent moorings so we just pushed up to Dukes Cut! Maybe we will make it back one day to finish the touristing! Jo

[@anthonybelcher8569]

Hi guys,question,I am curious to know,do the both of you and George,keep a journal,,,,log,, of all the delightful places that you have visited, While cruising along the canal system,on your amazing historical adventures,

[@MinimalList]

No, we don’t have a journal, just the vlog. Jo

[@djprophetinterview]

What do you both think of all the "Sky Pollution" you are seeing???

[@MinimalList]

+djprophetinterview The clouds and fog? From what I understand they're pretty normal for the UK. M

[@djprophetinterview]

I was referring to the Chemtrails.

[@mjallenuk]

I think I hurt something ... lmao

[@MinimalList]

+djprophetinterview Ahh... well, as a long time science geek and polymath, whose father also happened to teach me WAY too much about airplanes, aerodynamics, and high altitude physics, I call them contrails.

[@dereknicholson4831]

Chemtrails are only seen over the 'Grassy Knoll'. :)

[@normanboyes4983]

Really enjoying your films.👍 How cold does it have to get before you do the unmanly thing and wear gloves - particularly when you are stuck handling the tiller?

[@MinimalList]

+Norman Boyes I wear gloves quite often, but I'd wear them a heck of a lot more if they were actually the right size. They're just a half size too small (still the largest that brand makes), and can be quite uncomfortable after a long while. My ears are actually the biggest problem, the hands at least can often go in my jacket pockets, which are lovely and warm. M

[@normanboyes4983]

Minimal List For the gloves- try motorcycling gloves- for the cranium fins this might suit you - www.furhatworld.com/rabbit-full-fur-russian-ushanka-hat-gray-p-194.html

[@MinimalList]

+Norman Boyes Good Lord, that poor bunny!! Yeah, motorcycle gloves would work, good point! And they'd give me a reason to put a Suzuki on the boat, somehow! M

[@normanboyes4983]

Minimal List just spotted these - cheap enough to be worth a punt or a narrow boat👍 www.aldi.co.uk/crane-padded-motorcycle-gloves/p/073995141979600

[@MinimalList]

+Norman Boyes I shall check them out. Crane doesn't in general fit me, and it looks like their largest size is an XL (I tend to be a 3XL), but I do like the motorcycle glove idea! Cheers. M

[@greggobleman270]

Perhaps a bit longer video and more of the canal scenes while cruising, please. And where was George? We saw almost nothing of him in this one. Brushing his teeth would have made for good entertainment. LOL

[@MinimalList]

+Greg Gobleman Bit hard to include as much of him in these long cruising day ones, but he'll show up more soon! We're building him up to the tooth brushing, he's just allowing me to touch his teeth regularly now. Which is kinda ick. But soon! M

[@lv_woodturner3899]

I had not heard of Pooh sticks either, so I just had to look it up. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poohsticks I love a fart of bulldogs. Almost onomatopoeia, since they are supposed to fart a lot. LOL In a couple of months my area in Eastern PA may be dipping down to close to 0 - as in F, now that will feel cold. Dave.

[@MinimalList]

+LV_Woodturner I hadn't heard of Poohsticks either, but like Conkers it seems to be a standard childhood game. Though, unlike Conkers, it seems there's minimal risk of injury! That does sound terribly cold! Brr. M

[@marknblastderbyshireminer7000]

Quite common for dogs to do poo nut butter. Only problem is that in a few days you will suddenly recall this when he jumps on your lap and gives you a big wet kiss (: (: (:

[@MinimalList]

+Mark White Some people get actual and multiple days!!!!??? M

[@jpaulrice]

I just can't let this pass. For Georges' Christmas dinner, can I recommend Roasted Duck with Poonutbutter glaze.

[@MinimalList]

+John Rice no more poonutbutter ever!

[@petemoring67]

OH Dear ..... What are you going to do 'if' we ever get a proper cold winter like we used to get in the UK? And isn't that a Canadian accent?? ..... (Surely it gets 'really bitter' over there :-)

[@MinimalList]

+Pete Moring We'll figure out a way around the winter, it just might involve less cruising and more wood deliveries. Burning coal in our wee little stove isn't yet cutting it! And yes, there's some Canadian in there, but I've spent the last decade mainly in California and SE Asia! M

[@normforshew]

a "s#*t tooth" of Spaniels, possibly?

[@MinimalList]

+Norman Forshew Hmmm... accurate for ours, but the rest we've seen have been better behaved around the poonutbutter! M

[@paulashton5990]

talking of the pretentiousness of Oxford, they even have their own bloody comma.

[@MinimalList]

+Paul Ashton True, that. M