096 - Taking our Narrowboat on the Tidal Thames - Limehouse to Teddington

[@bigalb1913]

I did this very trip in 2006 on my narrowboat, with some friends. We had an early morning start at Limehouse to catch the tide, so didn't really encounter problems with the wash from other boats. I still remember that feeling of trepidation whilst waiting in the ship lock and then suddenly you are 'released' to enter the tidal Thames! What a feeling as you put the power on to meet the incoming tide, thinking there may be 30ft of water beneath us (instead of the usual 4ft in the canal). Incredibly, I went through most of the same emotions before and during the journey to Teddington as you did (maybe everyone does?). To this day it remains one of THE experiences of my life.

[@MinimalList]

Well I hope we managed to bring back some of the memories! It is a special trip. I wish our tides has coincided with a dawn start. It must have been magical going out as the city came to life. Jo

[@bigalb1913]

The early start that I mentioned was approx. 6.30am in the ship lock at Limehouse. I should mention - you were brave venturing forth with one other boat. I became a temporary member of the St. Pancras Cruising Club who organise trips on the tideway each year. There were 20 boats moored up to the wharf in the marina and boats left the lock in convoys of 4/5 at a time. VHS radios were only required for larger boats, at that time but we were connected to the 'team leader' by mobile phone. When we got to Teddington we were directed to the barge lock, on the left, with countless other boats - the most I've ever seen in one lock! Something else! Have a great continuous cruise on the network.

[@MinimalList]

I'm actually glad we weren't in a convoy like that, had enough trouble with the guy in front of me never communicating his intentions, and he had a pilot! M

[@MarkFurukawa]

By how fast all four of you spoke it's obvious you were all bored to tears. What a wonderful once in a lifetime experience.

[@MinimalList]

Haha, totally bored! Jo

[@MS-gr2nv]

Great Show you guys! Lorna and her cat are cool people! Poor Jo, Stop being scared all the time, you are with people that will not let anything bad happen to you!

[@MinimalList]

She's entitled to her worries ... she knows I'll protect her, but that doesn't mean the river won't beat me! M

[@2Sugarbears]

Nerves of steel Micheal, nerves of steel.

[@MinimalList]

They twang more like guitar strings than girders, but steel either way! M

[@sheilajoseph9953]

That trip on the Thames Absolutely Awsome. Loved it. 🤪❤

[@MinimalList]

That was a pretty amazing day! M

[@lornajaneadventures]

This is brilliant. Such a good edit. I love the music. It makes me want to do the trip again. Thank you again for an amazing day xx

[@iangorner]

Eagerly looking forward to your trip. As long as you're comfortable with it.

[@rwbimbie5854]

I wonder if First Timers should take the trip the other direction, so you can start calm and slowly transition to the heavier chop

[@imyourvan9917]

Hi... Lorna. Your vlog made it look a lot more scary and exciting !!

[@MinimalList]

Thanks for coming along, it was great to have you aboard!

[@MinimalList]

Agreed, Lorna got some great shots, especially of the water hitting the bow! Jo

[@courierdog1941]

It looks like you enjoyed David and Lorna's company on the journey up the Thames

[@johnhockenhull2819]

Tower Bridge - Tick. Going under that bridge is an experience not to forget. I did it too many years ago, way back into the last millennia, and it is still a vivid memory.

[@MinimalList]

Just wonderful.

[@courierdog1941]

London from the water is so different. We loved our times in London because we stayed within eye sight of the Thames the majority of the time. We love how the city has made walking along beside the river so accessible, it changes the entire perspective of the city.

[@neilevans7155]

Only seen some blogs of yours but loved it. Can now call yourselves sailors not just cruisers. Very enjoyable, other times seen it done in groups 10-15 plus. Ten years commuting across Waterloo bridge, occasional run on the South bank (wouldn't do it now), and the only target was getting on a train outer town. If you still haven't done The Wash you really need to, friends who have done it absolutely loved it.

[@MinimalList]

Funny you should say that, we have done The Wash twice one, the second time was just two days ago. The first time we did it was three years ago, it was a little rough but just wonderful to beach up on the sand bank. Here is the vlog of that trip. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4KQnYapm5aDoJY The vlog of this weeks trip should be up on friday. Cruising under Tower Bridge was one of the highlights of our Narrowboat Life, I hope we get to do it again.

[@erichh4144]

Yeaaaaah I watched this on David's channel a long time ago. His footage was great. There is so much cool stuff to see.

[@chriscross9505]

Calm, authoritative helmsmanship at the stern and a scream and gigglefest at the bow. All is well in the world. Lovely video.

[@MinimalList]

If the roles had been reversed I'm sure I'd have been screaming too! M

[@doctorpc4x4]

Enjoyed this video very much.. Watch all 3, same boat ,same river, 3 totally different videos

[@rogerbradbury7312]

So, so amazing..Well done.

[@MinimalList]

Thanks! M

[@markgoodman5781]

Absolutely fantastic.

[@MinimalList]

Thanks! M

[@derekandpauline4553]

So good to see this vlog together with David and Lorna. I saw David’s some time ago but I will now have to watch Lorna’s. Thank you for letting us join you on your trip. Would love to do it one day.

[@MinimalList]

We totally recommend the trip! Going under tower bridge was just amazing! Thanks fo watching!

[@KatelynsAdventures707]

Excellent and exciting video guys, but scary at the beginning, where the water was a bit choppy. Loved seeing London from the Thames. 💙💙

[@MinimalList]

So did we! The chop wasn’t as bad as all that, but a bit of a surprise when you first feel it under the boat! M

[@davidjanis1997]

I know this is a older video. I have been following you guys for awhile. My boat is a 28’ Bertram and boat on Long Island Sound which is connected to the Atlantic Ocean. This is located in the northeast US. I have taken spray over the fly ridge which is 16’ high and it’s like oh this is going to ruff for awhile. I realize that our boats a quite different. But I really enjoyed this video. But boating over here is usually calm in the summer. Thanks for your videos. Regards, David Janis-HARMONY(name of our boat)

[@segrove]

Now I have seen that trip twice. Once with Cruising the Cut and now with Minimal list. Thank you.

[@MinimalList]

David got to spend more time with the camera, we were too busy keeping him alive! Glad you enjoyed both versions! Watch Lorna’s as well! M

[@2Sugarbears]

"God's speed John Glenn'...That was more fun than a binge watch of the Crown.

[@MinimalList]

Glad you enjoyed it! M

[@lincolncityful1]

Great watch 👍 Tension at the start but that ebbed away..

[@MinimalList]

Thank you x

[@GenaF]

1:40 Your hair looks fantastic here, Jo. I know it's easy to tie it back out of the way but it's such a shame. I can imagine Michael loves it when it's loose too.

[@MinimalList]

Michael adamantly prefers Jo's hair however Jo decides to wear it, on the day! M

[@wsatnutter9674]

managed to watch all of it well done to you , shows balls to be honest

[@MinimalList]

Nah, just planning. Balls are optional. M

[@MrCampbell633]

watched all three back to back - so so so fantastic entertainment thks to you all

[@MinimalList]

Glad you enjoyed them all! Thanks for watching! Jo

[@sherrionboardsunflower97]

Brilliant! Thanku!

[@MinimalList]

Thanks for watching! M

[@mjallenuk]

That was absolutely worth all the effort ... well done to you both, indeed the four of you.

[@MinimalList]

Thank you! It was a relief to get to Teddington but like you say, well worth the effort! Jo

[@mjallenuk]

Bet you had fun reliving the nightmare whilst editing. I have to wonder was it worse in real life or did the camera add five pounds of fear?!?

[@MinimalList]

I got anxious all over again when I started the edit! Pretty pleased with how it came out though. Not sure how it came across but I was a good 8 out of ten on the fear meter! Jo

[@mjallenuk]

Well although I'm not completely put off the idea of having a go it certainly made it apparent that it's not a delightful cruise with G&T in hand (as may have been suggested somewhere by someone) whilst basking in the glorious sunshine. I can see exactly why George was not along for the trip... imagine if M had thrown his ball in the water....again...

[@MinimalList]

It got more relaxing the further west we went! If he had gin he didn’t share!

[@benjuliebenjulie7414]

Fun to watch, thanks

[@MinimalList]

Glad you liked it! M

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

SOOOO brilliant. So impressed. Well done.

[@MinimalList]

Aww, thank you! Jo

[@petersimpson8727]

Wow. Well done Michael. Jo's, Lorna's and David's input all appreciated. A real treat to "do it" with you. This may be inappropriate, but, Jo, first half of VLOG, Phwoorrr!

[@peterpearce2011]

Great well done, love watching it gives you a completely different view of London.

[@MinimalList]

Best view we’ve found of the city! M

[@nickduffy8482]

That was a beautiful journey and the weather really cooperated, thanks so much and well done.

[@MinimalList]

Thanks! Yeah we really got lucky on the weather! M

[@iangorner]

In one fell trip you have become the Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman of the narrow boat world "Highway to the Danger Zone" is still playing in my head. You are steely eyed boater people. What spectacular views! What a great video. Sailing under Tower Bridge...amazing. Thanks so much.

[@MinimalList]

Haha! Maybe we should have used that as the sound track! Thanks for watching! Jo

[@iangorner]

@@MinimalList Memo to George: pilot helmets, with visors and little boom mikes would complete the look. Can you imagine the look on the gongoozlers faces!

[@MinimalList]

Just as long as I get a cool call sign! M

[@iangorner]

@@MinimalList Roger that Paw Daddy.

[@MinimalList]

A little cooler than that, maybe. M

[@ricksimmons5745]

Great vlog! Excellent choice of the music to add to the drama.

[@MinimalList]

Thanks! Jo’s got good taste! M

[@narrowboatclips4116]

No better way to see Central London. So pleased you enjoyed the trip. It was a great reminder of a wonderful experience.

[@MinimalList]

Thank you!

[@Crewsy]

I am so glad to see that the Millennium Foot Bridge was rebuilt after the Dementors destroyed it. 😉 Seeing the bridges from the water gives you a whole new perspective of their beauty.

[@MinimalList]

It’s a pretty amazing way to see them. Glad we weren’t under it during the Dementors though! M

[@TheByard]

Well done you two, yes it can get very exciting on the Thames getting out of Limehouse and getting in can be worse, while coming up river a large sack got wrapped around one of my props which made steering very difficult, I did a 360 to stem the tide and then slipped in. Seen hundreds of narrow boat making that journey and even crossing the English Channel, I always gave them a wide berth. I have a couple of points to raise: 1, Make sure all debris is cleared away so water outlets and pumps do not get clogged. 2. Your diesel and tanks are clean and fit new diesel filters. The choppy water will stir up the diesel tanks and any DIESEL BUG will get stirred up and block the filters, stop the engines and !!!!!!! I talk with experience as my boat Lazy Days had spent many years on the upper Thames, condensation had formed in the partly filled fuel tank, a growth had formed between the water and fuel, this gets stirred up and the soup will not pass through the filters, Result panic!!!!!!!! Now to watch Vlogs of your trip on up the Thames, to bring back even more memories, Thanks and safe boating.

[@MinimalList]

Yes, as you'll see from the follow up video I changed boats fuel filters, and did quite a lot of other prep. It's not a hard business, just preparation and forethought. M

[@themetalgardener4960]

Great video :) You do well with mixing the experience, information, and with some fun and laughs in your videos in general but this one really hit the mark. I'm going to jump ahead with where I am at with Cruising the Cut and Lorne Jane so watch their view of your trip together.

[@MinimalList]

Enjoy their takes on the trip as well! M

[@pixiholly]

That's a whole new and fascinating perspective on the Thames. And not a petal was ruffled in your garden despite the fact it looked mighty scary at the start with the water coming over. Absolutely brilliant.

[@MinimalList]

Yeah, not sure how the garden stayed up! M

[@johansoderberg9579]

So nice, emotional vlog! It's so nice to see you four together - I noted I obviously like you very much!

[@MinimalList]

Glad you do! M

[@westcoastphoto4255]

Your top video. Music selection was great. The two Thames videos were well worth the time spent watching.

[@MinimalList]

Thanks for giving them that time! M

[@brendancorrigan5038]

Great trip, fair play to Jo for overcoming the nerves, you are the true hero of the vlog, (although I don't think Michael would have let anything happen to you).

[@MinimalList]

I felt like we were all in safe hands with Michael. I did consider getting the train to Teddington but I knew I would regret it! Thanks for watching. Jo

[@heathernorris539]

WOW, think I’m with Jo with the nerves but what a fantastic trip you had. Well done!

[@MinimalList]

I was nervous for the whole month leading up to the trip! What a relief to had done it though, I’m very happy we did. Thanks for watching! Jo

[@patriciap5840]

I feel like i was watching Lord of the Rings! Well done (Collective) Frodo!! LOVED this...all the best from BC Canada xxx

[@MinimalList]

Haha, thank you! Jo

[@robgreene1776]

i've just finished viewing David's (Cruising The Cut), and will also view Lorna's after yours....Thank you for sharing ! Cheers !

[@MinimalList]

Thanks for watching all three! M

[@robgreene1776]

'Twas and IS my distinct pleasure, i assure you !

[@veronikabartram2092]

My heart was in my mouth 😃 but thanks for showing us

[@MinimalList]

Mine too! Even watching the footage back makes me anxious and I know we survived! Thanks for watching! Jo

[@klausbrechmann2241]

Awesome.

[@MinimalList]

Thank you! Jo

[@davieimrie2407]

Was looking forward to this, and rightly so; superb viewing! I have Cruising The Cut, and London Boat Girl, queued straight after this ... huge thnx for sharing, Davie xx

[@MinimalList]

Thank you! I love that we have their vlogs to remember the day too! Jo

[@stephenfraser2641]

Well done guys! You are an inspiration.

[@MinimalList]

Aww shucks! M

[@andrewdolinskiatcarpathian]

So entertaining, so informative, so inspirational. Well done to you and your crew for navigating the tidal Thames safely. Michael has found a new vocation, a River Thames pilot.

[@MinimalList]

It's a good fallback career!! Thanks for watching! M

[@mikestirewalt5193]

Very interesting in every way! Rare to see London from meandering down the Thames and thanks for naming the bridges. Music choice is so excellent! Just perfect for travelling. Thanks for displaying a map showing how the canals fit together. I'm only halfway through so I've yet to see how you're going to get back across the river to your normal cruising areas. I don't see any canals to cruise on the south side of the Thames so I know you'll need to cross somehow. Enjoyed the commentary. I'd humbly suggest that you get a camera like CruisingTheCut uses. Colors, clarity of detail, light control are all very much better with his camera, whatever it is. Sony something I think . . . . Thanks for the entertainment and geography lesson and sights of the famous architecture of your legendary city!

[@MinimalList]

Thanks! He does have a nice camera. Something like that is rather a bit outside our price range at the moment though! M

[@rcor8645]

Most enjoyable vlog we have ever seen. Like seeing your family all together and havjng a good time.

[@MinimalList]

Wow, such high praise! Thank you 😊 Jo

[@nbflyingfox4672]

Great vlog and a great river experience on the Thames and also a learning curve as well

[@MinimalList]

More like a learning meander! M

[@luanncrownover4]

Oh my word!!! I had sweaty palms just watching...but well done you! I really enjoyed the beautiful scenery and your thoughts on this navigation. Excellent footage!

[@MinimalList]

Thank you, I was quite please with how it came out considering the erratic camera work! Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching. Jo

[@christinehammell6365]

Loved your trip on the Tidal Thames, then your vlog episode 005 popped up ... quite an interesting contrast. Thanks, as ever, for sharing.

[@MinimalList]

Aww, back on the sleepy River Wey, I might have to watch that one now! Thanks for watching! Jo

[@virginiaschott4482]

Thank you that was fabulous! It was like taking the circle line of london from my couch. I've put off watching David's vlog until yours came out, next stop London Boat girl and Cruzing the Cut! Jo your hair is lovely! I would kill for those curls.

[@MinimalList]

Thank you for watching. We loved David’s and Lorna’s vlogs too, great being able to see the same journey from three different perspective. The curls are nice, unfortunately they are usually more frizzy than curly! Jo

[@monicalifornia_]

Just found you from watching Cruising The Cut. How fun and adventurous you are. Looking forward to catching up on your videos.

[@MinimalList]

Thanks and welcome! Hope you enjoy! M

[@totallysimulated944]

Simply awesome guys great fun to watch.😅

[@MinimalList]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it! Jo

[@malcolmelliott1876]

Eagerly anticipated and worth the wait. Well done!!

[@MinimalList]

Thank you, I was worried it might not live up to expectations! Thanks for watching! Jo

[@mrpatrickwilson1]

Brilliant vlog once again.

[@MinimalList]

Thank you! 😊

[@ASCIITerminal]

I was really looking forward to this vlog, and it didn't disappoint. What a fantastic experience!

[@MinimalList]

Phew! I was worried we had build it up too much! Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching. Jo

[@ASCIITerminal]

Not at all! It was great.

[@narrowboatmum165]

What an amazing experience. So brave of you all x

[@MinimalList]

Thank you! Was good fun! And some terror! M

[@Tinhare]

That was pretty awesome. Thanks guys.

[@MinimalList]

Thank you! When are you doing it?

[@Tinhare]

Should be mid summer next year. Tina, having watched your video is now OK with it. We'll be going the other way.

[@63Eco]

What a memorable adventure! I envy you. Thanks for sharing this with us. It was thoroughly enjoyable to watch and I'm positive I would have loved doing that, myself. It's odd that I currently live in the center of the U.S and I feel that I know everyone on all of these narrowboat channels. I always enjoy the "cross-over" videos that feature people from other boats and channels. Yet another great installment!

[@MinimalList]

Glad you enjoyed it, even with being a long way from any canals! M

[@billryder1286]

Great vlog guy's. Been following your journey for a while now. keep them coming I look forward to new ones. Micheal I thought you may be slightly mad this vlog confirms my suspicions stay safe.

[@MinimalList]

Only slightly. And it's a well thought out, very sane kind of mad. M

[@2Sugarbears]

Saw all three vlogs. Wonderful having the different perspectives.

[@steveseiler8782]

really enjoy it top vlog of the week cheers

[@MinimalList]

Thanks! M

[@adamshaw1032]

I bet that used some gas!! Brilliant camera work!! Keep up the good work guys all the best

[@MinimalList]

A bit of diesel, definitely! Thanks! M

[@StuartBtn]

Amazing vid, thank you sooo much for sharing

[@MinimalList]

Thanks for watching! M

[@tiggerspal100]

Many years ago I had a 26 ft sailing cruiser on the Bristol channel followed by a 40 ft narrowboat. I would definatly felt safer in the sailing cruiser (mast down) than the narrowboat. Well done.

[@davidbell2056]

Wow great video scary and fun well done 👍

[@MinimalList]

Thank you! I did find it pretty scary! Michael not so much! Jo

[@ontheroadwithjohn]

great job and great video. I really enjoyed this one. As you went through London I could relate to where you were as I could see things from when I was there on holidays a few years ago. I like London to. As a tourist you see places with a different eye then locals.

[@MinimalList]

Definitely... it's a bit odd doing it on a boat because you're moving slow enough to not really feel like a tourist, but also not really a local. M

[@nigelmacey7445]

Brilliant and well done

[@MinimalList]

Thank you 😊

[@WeaverBird64]

Amazing journey! I don't think I would be brave enough to do that but I bet it was awesome .

[@MinimalList]

I wasn’t brace enough! Michael made me! 😉 And I’m glad he did, but don’t tell him that! Jo

[@stephenhogarth8058]

Brilliant video definitely a good adventure Mike

[@MinimalList]

Too much of adventure for my liking. I thought this narrowboat life was going to be chilled out! Thanks for watching! Jo

[@rogermatth]

Fantastic episode ! Best wishes from Canada 😭🍁

[@MinimalList]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it! Jo

[@courierdog1941]

The Cruiser RMS Belfast (Colony Class) my father sailed on the HMCS Quebec (formally HMS Uganda) just walking up and down the Thames brought back so much history we studied in school. As Lorna says London by water is a totally different view of the city. From a historical point as you have come to realize on the canals you see more history, and the more interesting and perhaps relevant history as the entire Industrial Revolution was based upon the canals, later the railways.

[@MinimalList]

Nothing quite like seeing history from right beside (or in some cases beneath) it! M

[@MinimalList]

Nothing quite like seeing history from right beside (or in some cases beneath) it! M

[@ThisNarrowboatAdventure]

you guys are soo brave! ive always been too sceard and gone out at lime house!

[@MinimalList]

It was quite the adventure and I’m glad we did it. Not sure I’d do it again but I’m sure Michael would. If you do your research and trust your boat there is no reason not to!

[@jinacker]

Congratulations, Michael and Jo, job well done, although I did miss seeing George, but understand why he couldn't make the trip. What an excellent video, well edited, thank you Jo, this is one of your best videos to date.

[@MinimalList]

Aw thank you 😊 we missed George too and were glad to have him back aboard in Teddington! Jo

[@anthonybelcher8569]

Awesome video guys

[@spark-gy5pf]

Great Video you two.

[@MinimalList]

Thank you 😊

[@lakelady57]

That was amazing and a great way to see such iconic London vistas. I was as excited as your whole crew. Thanks for sharing and all three vlogs at the same time is a treat :)

[@MinimalList]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed them all. I think we all agreed that the sights all wizzed passed so fast, far too quick to take them all in but absolutely wonderful! Jo

[@DesmondsDonders]

Playing catch up after our longer Donder :-)

[@ladygardener100]

Knowing that the boat in front has a pilot is helpful

[@MinimalList]

It was, although there was a moment before we left when I thought, why on earth do we not have a pilot! Haha! Jo

[@bethevoice-gen1rev225]

I love multicast blockbusters ........

[@Transportia]

Enjoyed this enormously (as well as the other two versions of this trip by Cruising the Cut and London Boat Girl). Personally a bit put off by the embedded comments, though, as they're visually distracting and you can be heard quite clearly. I know it's a style thing. Others may like it.

[@MinimalList]

It's also a relative hearing thing; I for one couldn't hear us in most of those shots -- my ears aren't great in vocal registers -- and was really glad for the titles. But I do appreciate they can be distracting. M

[@vvmmuu]

WOW! Well done! I saw Narrowboat Adventure go from Brentford to Teddington and I thought you were doing the same but you started much closer to France! Like a duck pond at Brentford compared to your start. I understand why Jo was excited now. ALL the best

[@MinimalList]

Haha, yes! Much close to France and much less duck pond! Thanks for watching! Jo

[@andyb1237]

Looks like you had a perfect day for it and a great crew. I don't think I'll be doing it in my boat anytime soon.

[@MinimalList]

Haha, I don’t blame you! We were really lucky with the weather and the crew were great too! Jo

[@FlashGormless]

Well done you two! It was worth the wait, I'd of abandoned ship soon as you turned onto the Thames haha! :)

[@MinimalList]

I wanted to abandon ship but the water didn’t look that inviting! Thanks for watching. Jo

[@robduncumb7636]

As I said when I met you..thank you for the time and effort you put into your blogs.....and your recap/round up....both bubbling with excitement.... Jo please don't worry, although Michael has plans for BIG water the man's buzz word is preparation. So you, Perci and George have nothing to worry about.....he loves you all but in which order? ☺ X

[@MinimalList]

Haha, I have a feeling that George is at the top of that list! Thanks for such lovely words. Jo

[@jennymorgan1587]

Great video and what a great experience, but yes, the initial choppy part of the journey would have been somewhat un-nerving. Good on you both for giving it a go.

[@MinimalList]

Thank you. Unnerving to say the least! I knew we would regret it if we didn’t do it! Thanks for watching. Jo

[@DriftwoodBoatBlog]

Wow guys, best vlog yet, well done you. I really want to do that trip, bet the adrenalin was pumping through your veins! We have taken Driftwood through Paris and a few other interesting places. But London City is on our radar now, think we'll be looking for you to be our pilot! Harry & Marion

[@MinimalList]

I'd LOVE to take Persey through Paris, that'd be a dream. And yeah give us a shout when you get her to London! M

[@blueskyredkite]

As a solo sailor (mast and sails, on the sea), though I enjoy all your vlogs, I find your reaction to tidal sailing very funny. You should try sea sailing, just to get some perspective on boat stability.

[@MinimalList]

I've done a bit of sailing, albeit in more coastal waters, so I do have some small sense of what you mean... but do try going out on tidal waters on what is effectively a milk carton some day. The flat bottom, very shallow depth, and high center of gravity make it a very, very different ride. The closest thing we've got to a keel is in fact the rudder, which only descends about 2 feet below the surface, and a stiff wind can send you skidding sideways, much less a wave. M

[@garydye4270]

What an adrenaline-packed episode, and with the perfect 'atmospheric' soundtrack. And a great travelog/documentary about a part of the city rarely seen this way. Enjoyed the identification of all the bridges too, putting it into perspective even more. This, along with Lorna's and David's, are top shelf 'must-see' videos. I'm sure I won't be the only one repeat-watching this brilliant YT trio. Thanks for the journey.

[@MinimalList]

Thank you for such lovely words. Glad you enjoyed it. Thought some people would enjoy seeing the bridge names, I must admit I didn’t know what many of them were called. Thanks for watching. Jo

[@michaeldea6599]

It's so great to see how excited you still were the NEXT day! Great trip, and as Mike said, the Iconic skyline and riverbank of central London were amazing. When you lined up on Tower Bridge...Wow. Was thinking while you were pushing up the river all the Giants of Commerce, Navigation, History, Exploration and Naval exploit that took the same route (different London of course) . I wonder if you felt any of those echoes?

[@MinimalList]

Oh definitely. The whole way up I was thinking of Samuel Pepys and his various diary entries that reference boats across the Thames. It's an incredibly storied waterway, and I'm so glad we got to do it! M

[@LeeB48]

I think a protest of some sort is in order. Shameful that the Towers Bridge was not raised for your passage. Even though the height of your boat did not require raising, it should have been raised out of respect for such an august crew and boat! Just brilliant!! :))

[@MinimalList]

Haha! Yes, stop the traffic, Narrowboat Minimal List coming through! Jo

[@MorseB]

Yes! Go to Belgium!!

[@MinimalList]

Bruges or Bust!! M

[@mattcherry276]

Brilliant vlog. Thank you! So if the Wash and Belgium are off then this was presumably a warm up for a trip down the Severn Estuary! I've crewed the boat that I did the Severn on as far as Limehouse but its owner and his wife took it on up the Thames from there. I think he's just repeated the trip last month actually. I so have to do it at some point though having seen your experience!

[@MinimalList]

I still want to do the Severn (and the Wash, if not Belgium), but it takes work to convince Jo! We'll see! M

[@steveblake4825]

Great video. The luxury yacht you saw is called the ‘Aviva’ owned by Joe Lewis, also the owner of Tottenham Hotspur FC

[@MinimalList]

Ahh, good to know, though having seen his taste in boats I have some serious questions about the size of whatever he's compensating for. M

[@ChrisJames1973]

Great idea to put the names of the bridges up as you went under them. I said I’d never do it again but I’ve done it 3 times now and I hate it every time, only to St Katherine’s though

[@MinimalList]

Yes, I thought some people would find the bridge names interesting. I must confess I would probably do it again if pushed. You say only to St. Katherine’s but that is the worse bit! Jo

[@tasticillumi]

In the light of Michael's comment about taking the boat across the Channel to Belgium; you may or may not know of a book titled, Narrow Dog to Carcasonne which tells the story of a couple and their dog venturing from England to the Mediterranean through France in their narrowboat. Vlog 196 - Arriving in Barcelona Harbour, maybe...

[@MinimalList]

Hah! Must read that, just ordered a copy off Amazon! If they did it, maybe I can convince Jo! M

[@tasticillumi]

Enjoy the read. Of course, the most exciting bit of the story is crossing the Channel. I found the story as they travelled through France a bit repetitive, eat, drink, lock, repeat!

[@MinimalList]

Eat, drink, and avoid the Ferry. Boat life. M

[@Transportia]

You can probably convince her to meet up with you on the other side. With George. Having crossed otherwise.:)