154 - Beaten by Ice and Frustrated with the CRT

We are still trying to het above the Wolverhampton flight before it closes for scheduled winter works. In the last vlog we managed to fix our transmission cable and almost reach the bottom of the flight. Today we have to climb 21 locks of the Wolverhamton flight to reach the moorings at the top lock. There is a problem though. A big problem. the lock and the pounds between them are frozen solid and we are stopped in our tracks.
Our video about our issues on the Droitwich canal. • 147 - The Droitwich De...
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"DO NOT GO GENTLE" by Josh Woodward. Free download: joshwoodward.com/
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FAQ's
Q. Where are Michael's T-shirts from?
A. Tee Republic; www.teepublic....
Q. Why do you speed up some of the footage in your videos?
A. We don't, we film it as time-lapse footage. We do not have the battery capacity or data storage to film in real time as our cruises can last up to 7 or 8 hours. We use to the time-lapse footage to help tell the story of movement rather than showcase the scenery. We limit the amount of time-lapse shots we use in each vlog.

[@courierdog1941]

It is really good to see the two of you work through the closures work vs the web notifications. Plus how you work with the CRT to sort out on the Work Site vs the Office staff and the Public Notifications. Good on You. Cheers

[@MinimalList]

Thanks

[@courierdog1941]

At the end of the day I appreciate how you are content with life on the Canals, and this is by far the more important thing than any man made difficulty

[@320ifq]

Next time leave a kettle, mugs, milk and enough tea bags to last a fortnight at the stoppage. Only when the work men have exhausted the supply of tea will work commence. Easy and stress free solution.

[@MOLYN867]

Keep calm and persevere on. Enjoy your journey.

[@MinimalList]

We will persevere!

[@petertuffley7475]

This video vividly brings back memories of my early boyhood in Wolverhampton, not long after World War 2, when my dad took me for long walks along canal towpaths. Back then the canals were pretty derelict and disused, with many sunken barges lying half visible in the water. It's wonderful to see how the canals have been transformed and to see so many nattowboats plying on them.

[@MinimalList]

It’s wonderful to be able to ply them! Sad to think they were ever in such a state! M

[@beowolff]

I never thought watching a narrow-boat channel, that'd I'd see so much drama...more fun to watch than live through I'm betting, but keep up the great work. Thanks and very entertaining!

[@MinimalList]

We have recovered now but it wasn’t a fun few days that for sure. Without the ice and broken transmission cable it would have just been annoying. But yeah, we thought we had signed up for a quiet life!

[@marianillingworth4403]

COMMUNICATION is key especially in these situations unfortunately it is never straight forward. Hopefully everyone learns from this and you have made life easier for all of us. Fingers crossed for your onward journey.

[@MinimalList]

And we can’t fault the communicate from the people on the emergency line or the woman who emailed us. I just wish they dates and locations of the stoppages had been communicated more accurately in the first place!

[@markbulla1851]

Well, the frost makes a beautiful picture! Sorry about the ice! I'm so relieved that you made it past the closure...

[@MinimalList]

It was a beautiful morning!

[@luanncrownover4]

Oh my word!!! They need a new system of alerting boaters to stoppages. There appears to be no rhyme or reason to their madness! Glad you made it though.

[@MinimalList]

They certainly do need to do a better job next year. It can’t be only is having issues!

[@progwolf12]

You said it Michael, you're still cruising when there is always a package of winter closures, I share your frustrations though. The important thing is... are you still enjoying yourselves? Take care.

[@MinimalList]

We don’t mind cruising around the closures, we totally understand they have to happen. We just don’t understand why it is so hard to communicate accurately about when and where they are happening.

[@robduncumb7636]

During your on bench chat I loved George's body language ☺

[@MinimalList]

He is such a patient puppy!

[@clintharwood9692]

George could sense the tension/anxiety in both his people and was trying to give comfort when he got up nose to nose with Jo.

[@stevemusgrave2000]

I don't hold that, the NHS is a shining example of managerial performance, but, so pleased that the nurses, doctors, consultants, reception, pharmacy etc, do have a common goal. Appointment set, bed allocated, treatment administered, operation done, recoup in bed, out. I dread to think what the CRT would do, if left to their own devices. Say's on my clipboard, "Left leg off, on the 3rd, them in the office don't know what's going on, we brought it forward". Yeah, but the surgeon, down for the 3rd, is a renal consultant, do we cross our fingers that at least he checks before opening up!!! Well done you two in the face of adversity, you conquered all before you.

[@MinimalList]

Haha! Interesting thought!

[@suetaylor5186]

How did you meet? You all make me smile xxx Adore George xxx

[@MinimalList]

We met in Vietnam in 2013 when we were both on trips round the world. We answer that question in a bit more detail in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3i1fmd5e9yApKc and I wrote a very short book about my trip and how we met which you can find here Away From the Gray www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01GZHT3SQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_UzIGCb4ZHA312

[@MinimalList]

By the way the book is free for the next 48 hours!

[@rickf5615]

Glad to see you finally made it. I can just picture Michael stepping in to to "smooth things over". "Stop or I will slam dunk you in the canal!" LOL. I have noticed that Michael, who always complained about the cold, is now getting acclimated to it. Shirt sleeves on an icy canal.

[@MinimalList]

Not sure how he would achieve that from the boat at the bottom of the lock. It actually warmed up considerably on the second day, add to that the stress of the situation and the work involved in going up 17 locks and you warm up quite quickly.

[@rickf5615]

@@MinimalList I was surfing the web and came across a canal video you guys may or may not have seen. It is an interesting one about a trap door in the bottom of the canal. Not just the story, they drain the canal for clean up and open the door. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYvIiZZ-ac2gqrs

[@ianmason8713]

Despite the frustrations you made it through, so hurray.

[@MinimalList]

Yep! M

[@andrewdolinskiatcarpathian]

Perseverance is rewarded 👍😀

[@MinimalList]

In this case it was! 😃

[@andrewriley1664]

Meccano bridge right near the start! Happy memories...

[@algernon9324]

Hi guys, on the subject of a place to black your boat, Stone in Staffordshire is a lovely place to stop for a few days with a couple of great boat yards and good train links. On CRT, I do feel it is a no win for them, people criticise them for leaky locks and broken gear but don’t like the stoppages. Once the stoppages stop and season starts the real issue is the traffic at locks and moorings! Thanks for sharing your wonderful adventure though!

[@MinimalList]

Thanks for the tip. We will check them out. We have no problem with any winter stoppage. We just want accurate information on when and where they are happening so we can plan out route around them.

[@algernon9324]

@Never Mind so you want to privatise the CRT?

[@MinimalList]

To be fair they didn’t spend two million on a name change, they spent most of two million on signage that was going to cost them whether the name changed or not. The actual logo costs were a fraction of that and from what we’ve heard far lower than a for-profit business would spend on the same. M

[@anthonybelcher8569]

Awesome video

[@MinimalList]

Thanks! M

[@AndyCutright]

Perseverance is such a fitting name for y'all's boat :) You were unlikely to have to be the QA guinea pigs for the alerts system ...

[@johnhockenhull2819]

My experience of the CRT, unfortunately, is like Jo said the people on the ground do not communicate well with the people in the office and vice versa.

[@MinimalList]

It's hit and miss. its a tough job but it can be frustrating for boaters at times.

[@christinehammell6365]

Well done folks. Perseverance wins through. So annoying though. Women get less respect from the canal operatives here too. They often ask to speak to the skipper when I have been in charge of our charter boat. Go Jo 😉

[@MinimalList]

Grr, how irritating! I hope you have a suitable response ready!

[@charleskitson4903]

m, I was waiting on a Russian Bane to chime in. Hope the both of you stay warm. Here it"s in the 70's and 80's. Hope some of this heads your way. Thanks for the brain giggles and "yea George.

[@MinimalList]

Sorry to disappoint on the Bane front! It’s been pretty warm this week although I think that is coming to an end tomorrow!

[@leedavis5958]

Hi to the both of you. I'll Let you know when the marple Lock flight is open lol. Have a good time on the cheshire ring .

[@MinimalList]

Haha, not holding our breath that that will be any time soon!

[@ramseybarber8312]

Hi Micheal and Jo Imagine moving through all that ice on a glass fibre boat you would be well shredded.

[@MinimalList]

Quite likely, yeah. M

[@ivandavies1388]

Ellesmere drydock also has the advantage of being quite photogenic as it is nearly 200 years old!

[@MinimalList]

Thank for the tip!

[@Tnapvrvideo]

I don't have a map so I don't know where you are within the canal system or in England for that matter. Is there an area within the entire canal system that does not ice over from December through the end of February? And, for winter storage during the December through the end of February time period, can you dry dock at a marina for several months where you would pay them to haul your boat out of the water by some means and store your boat on land within their marina parking area or acreage? Thanks!!!

[@MinimalList]

Most of the wider canals, and those like the with a Llangollen that have a current, will not ice over except in the very worst winters. Narrow canals, and any that simply get less travel are more likely to freeze over, but it depends a lot on the winter as well. This one has been quite wet but relatively warm, for instance, and we’ve seen only a very small amount of ice. As for the winter options, yes several of the marinas we’ve passed will be willing to pull your boat out and put it on hard standing, if that’s what you’d like. Marinas also tend not to ice over, just too many boats bobbing around, so lots of people just move the boat in and stay onboard over winter. M

[@jamesc264]

You mentioned that the ice had damaged the blacking on your boat. As a prospective narrowboater I know you are supposed to get your boat blacked every couple of years, normal wear and tear over time, but interested to know how much direct damage travelling through the ice did to the blacking

[@MinimalList]

We’ll let you know when we pull the boat out of the water! 😬

[@malcolmelliott1876]

Do you think there is a market for Sacrificial Bow Protectors ? - moulded fibreglass cover for the bow section waterline +/- a foot... let that take brunt of the ice bashing. If you start selling them then I want 10% :-)

[@MinimalList]

I think there is such a devise already!

[@christopherpeterson1400]

Incompetence is run rampant , + no one is perfect , construction progress is priority... notices, updates, and modifications , varification, or review is second thought .. dont let it get you down.

[@MinimalList]

Didn’t get us down, just slowed us down. M

[@jamessd7677]

Hey guys, that morning looked frigging cold, about a month old this vid I guess. Here I am in the London area this late February morning and the temp is expected to rise to the late teens ( celsius ) here today, what a difference a day makes!!!

[@MinimalList]

This was filmed on the 3rd and 4th Feb! It’s crazy warm right now!

[@jamessd7677]

@@MinimalList Yeah, enjoy the fine unseasonable weather while it lasts, I think its going to turn colder here again before we hit spring true and proper, thanks guys.

[@HighDesertWanderer]

When you're looking at the interactive map, the "2" with the circle around it that you're clicking on to see the stoppage information - the "2" means that there are 2 records there. You were only looking at one record. The "2" in the interactive map says clearly that there are 2 notices. Next time you see a "2" or a "3" click through to see the second and third, etc. notice. Hope this bit if info helps!

[@MinimalList]

Yeah, we noticed that after we had made the mistake, but if you watch our screen cast you will notice that we do click on the closer twice, once at each end and the same notice opens both times!

[@HighDesertWanderer]

@@MinimalList I looked up that map. Most GIS programmers will add a "next record" link to the infotab when you have multiple pins selected. Unfortunately, the CRT's programmer did not, (fail!) so you're stuck with zooming in to try to find the other pins to see what they're about. Basically, just poor UI programming.

[@MinimalList]

Its a very poorly written UI, and basically untenable on mobile at all. Zoom extents are nuts, and yeah you click a pin that has two and it might zoom to show both, but unless you zoom in and scroll along the entire length you won’t necessarily click the correct point to see the alternate notice... it’s like one is higher in Z than the other, so you pretty much always see just one set of dates where there are overlapping notices. Plus your experience varies considerably from browser to browser and platform to platform! Grr! M

[@GenaF]

No video 153? 🤔 that's very strange. What happened?

[@robertgeorge8166]

Another good vlog & great you managed to get through lock flight. I would have thought the CRT could assign the login credentials for live updates on webby to their supervisors or managers easily? or even a simple blog page where comments could be left attached to a closure notification by anybody. this would help address some of the confusion.

[@MinimalList]

It really shouldn’t be that hard should it!

[@philipaspinall8218]

Spot on Square peg.

[@robinreed6057]

I think it's referred to as "organised chaos". I arrived back in the UK last year with the intention of buying a boat and doing as you do. However after three unpleasant interactions with CRT employees, I have been having second thoughts. I admire your fortitude.

[@malcolmelliott1876]

@Robin Reed I am intending to do the same after 22 years away from UK so would be interested to hear of your experiences

[@MinimalList]

To be honest this was the only bad experience with any CRT employee. Everyone else has been super helpful and friendly. It’s a shame to hear you have had so many bad experiences!

[@Krieghandt]

Well, if you order a new boat, add an ice breaker bow. If you can get the boat on top of the ice, the weight will break the ice. Or that Norweign hauler you keep looking at should do the job :)

[@MinimalList]

I’ll take the hauler! M

[@richardclark148]

So the man arguing with Jo back tracked when M walked up....can't imagine why. Anyway you made it but winter cruising seems to be full of problems ...perhaps a winter mooring somewhere nice and near a Lidl and a launderet would be less exhausting and considerably less stressful in January and February

[@MinimalList]

Wouldn’t be a problem at all if we had accurate information on stoppages. Like we said we are quite happy to plan our route around them.

[@Krieghandt]

a stress less trip would be a soon forgotten trip. Only adventures that you struggle at become memories.

[@johngrubb007]

For your blacking, you should talk to the people at Rhinohide. One of David's videos (Cruising the Cut) was at a trade show and Rhinohide was there and apparently they are going to be doing a narrowboat. I know that stuff is super tough and I've been curious why people aren't using it for boatblacking for a while. I guess they are finally doing it now. Maybe talk to David as he may have more information.

[@melina001a]

LOL Micheal is a big guy, kind of intimidating if you dont know him. Micheal: "I'll shake you by the hand, I'll shake your hand anytime I like because it will be on my mantelpiece in a box" LOL

[@rwbimbie5854]

Thing is, this isnt about pointing fingers or Winning an argument, but to draw attention to a Notice procedure that causes problems... so that procedure could be fixed to not cause more problems for others in the future. Ways to improve to reduce potential problems. There are no Badguys, just the notice system has display problems that MASK notices, so the CRT procedures using that system should change a wee bit to avoid that problem

[@MinimalList]

System errors and bad decisions! On the plus side ‘most’ of the interactions we have with crt staff are excellent. Can’t let one bad experience cloud the rest. On the plus side they have said they will be reviewing how they communicate winter stoppages in the future and that is all we can ask for!

[@jamesjetty625]

Jo one thing to remember when dealin with thirst types of guys it is best to 1 lower you speed of talking and go a octave or two lower! This seems to have a good effect on guys that think women are to be brushed off

[@MinimalList]

I’m not sure I can do the octave lower thing. Such a shame that in this day and age that is even necessary! Yes

[@jamesjetty625]

@@MinimalList then talk slower and quieter its all about throwing them off by not falling into there trap

[@sherryrogers-byrd6499]

Jo I have been watching the video from number one whin you don't like something or do not wish to do something your voice changes to some men and women it can sound cold or pushy my dad had trouble with the voice change have fun be blessed

[@bobbod8069]

Ice! Been there, done that, lost my hull blacking!

[@MinimalList]

We wouldn’t have done it if it hadn’t been for the closure! Blooming annoying!

[@christopherlussenden3021]

You should send this narrative to "Narrowboat World", they would welcome it with open arms!

[@MinimalList]

Really? All we want is accurate communication!

[@christopherlussenden3021]

What's with the "Really?" I am sure Narrowboat World would agree with your sentiment, in fact they campaign for it! Hence my attempt at a slightly humorous comment

[@MinimalList]

I think, through our emails and this video we have already made our point. The CRT have acknowledged them and advised that they are looking to make improvements. The only reason I could see for using other outlets to make our point is if the CRT were not listening but that is not the case here.

[@GaryCaptainPhillips]

If you're heading up towards us (Chester) on the Shroppie let us know x

[@MinimalList]

Our plan is back over to Wolverhampton then up to the Llangollen, and then probably on to Chester... so eventually, we’ll be there! Maybe start waving at us on comments when the videos reach Wales! M

[@ronbearman6783]

Hi There is a saying to many cooks spoil the broth say no more Look forward to next one

[@MinimalList]

Next vlog incoming on Sunday!

[@courierdog1941]

With Michael's height and build I am very sure the CRT individual was more accommodating.

[@MinimalList]

I don’t want my height and build to sway things, but I’ll admit it usually does. M

[@oldtimers6460]

If they had been volunteers I bet the situ may have been easier to deal with , Petty bureaucrats tend to just do the job eventually . Well all the best and cheers from Oz .

[@MinimalList]

Honestly this is the first time in two years that we have had a bad interaction with a crt employee! Trouble is it’s too easy to forget the good and just remember the bad.

[@honorharrington4546]

Where was my click-bait title? "Escape from Wolverhampton!" "Heavy Ice, Will She Sink?" Keep warm and if you get iced in, make it someplace beautiful with lots of food.

[@MinimalList]

Can we commission you to pick our titles from now on. I’m rubbish at picking them and Michael is even worse!

[@honorharrington4546]

@@MinimalList Honestly one of the things I enjoy about your channel is that you Don't hype thing up. It's real in a way that Reality Shows never will be.

[@MinimalList]

We try not to, unfortunately a good title can double your views so I understand why it is tempting!

[@christopherlussenden3021]

Ha, you should commission Cruising The Cut to do it for you!

[@MinimalList]

Cruising the Cut is king of the pun! I’m not sure we can afford him!

[@richardlejour2748]

Boat blacking I used the bridgewater boat clubs dry dock back in 2012 lovely people very reasonable prices club members get priority on bookings so if your think it’s off any use book early.ps it’s DIY Safe cruising

[@MinimalList]

Thanks for the tip!

[@ofb1583]

For much of the time you related frustration watch it again & look at George.He was leaving his normal alpha male & female vent, very stressful, bad mummy & daddy. lol 😊

[@firehorse66]

Book in at Stafford Boat Club for yar blacking, great bunch of people & well equipped. Highly recommended, speak to John.

[@MinimalList]

Thanks for the tip!

[@firehorse66]

Minimal List plenty of field space for George to run around.

[@MinimalList]

Well that is a big bonus!

[@776281]

Dobre vecher. Don't forget to roll your rrrs. The rest on the Russian I know cannot be posted on You Tube.

[@MinimalList]

Same problem here, though I think that might just be a problem of Russian... I’ve never encountered a language with more swear words! M

[@lv_woodturner3899]

As I listened to the incredible lack of communication between the CRT organization, it made me think of the Keystone Cops for some reason....... This would be a Comedy of Errors - if only it was funny. You should ask the CRT folks on the phone if they ever use the web site interface. Dave.

[@MinimalList]

I’ve tried that tactic... they’ll look at it on their Windows desktop and it works fine, but try it on an iOS device and it goes screwy as can be. M

[@lv_woodturner3899]

Sounds like the CRT needs someone to try its web site on the various platforms and operating systems. This is a common problem that either the companies or the developers do not try the software on sufficient platforms. Dave.

[@MinimalList]

Coming from development, that’s a hard problem... there’s an ENORMOUS number of combinations of platform + browser, especially when you realize that at any one time there’s between 5 and 10 versions of the underlying OS and the browser itself in the wild. Throwing more manpower at it doesn’t help as much as you’d think. M

[@thryduulf]

and then you get bugs that only occur in very specific circumstances, such as one I encountered that manifested only when the caption of a link to a pdf document contained the string "page " (including the trailing space) followed by something other than (a) a positive integer a number that matched a page number in the PDF document being linked to, or (b) a line break. That one took some tracking down, especially as it caused everything on the same line of the document as the picture (typically a whole paragraph if the link was contained in an inline reference) to behave as if it didn't exist!

[@MinimalList]

Ahh, capital F Fun! I’ve chased a few nutty ones like that over the years. M

[@martinhigson7926]

Wolverhampton Flight is not a place I’d like to be stuck - we were quite intimidated when we went through - the youff on the weed, not nice. However, I guess the little preciouses would be hiding out somewhere warmer in this weather

[@MinimalList]

We found Wolverhampton quite pleasant, other places on the BCN not so much! You could be right about the weather though!

[@martinhigson7926]

Minimal List just goes to show how experiences are so varied eh? We have been around the BCN a number of times and Wolverhampton Flight was the only place of concern. Even the gents knocking back super strength cider at Farmers Bridge Locks early on a Sunday morning (10am) were pleasantly and unthreateningly chatty. I guess it’s more a question of age. The only other place we had issues was chugging through Rugeley where the local scroats decided to lob bricks and other assorted debris at us. Oh for a non-lethal weapon of retribution 😂😂😇

[@MinimalList]

Paint gun... I’ve always been a fan of “dye their scrotums yellow and send em packing”. M

[@grahamBearman1]

WOW! First and last lesson, you will never get reasonable answers from a clipboard!

[@MinimalList]

Heh. True that. M

[@mickbroadbent6750]

chin up guys it will get better

[@MinimalList]

If you are talking about the CRTs communication about winter stoppages I hope you are right!

[@vivianewing7154]

With computers it should be quick to post updates and further closures easily in this day and age.

[@DaveHenry-mort8088]

Can I ask that next time you need to do a vlog where you're in a rush to get somewhere that you use Yakety Sax over the time-lapse footage ;-) Glad you made it, back to canal time now?

[@MinimalList]

You can ask...

[@jimkrahn7079]

Was it really a clipboard or had the leader just lost one of his blinkers, 😂

[@sylviapage8572]

It irritates me just listening to this. It’s not complicated they just need to be organised! Surely they have a programme manager overseeing these works. If they don’t they should have! I worked for a Transport for London until I retired in 2017 and they manage to keep tract of very complex works and communicate closures via their journey planner tool. The technology exists the CRT just need to get their act together. From your last few vlogs the winter closures and upgrades look like chaos. I wonder how much money is wasted due to poor planning and management. There’s no way people in head office should be out of the loop with work on the ground. It’s an operational environment, they have to communicate with each other effectively. There might be more boats moving if these issues were sorted. Plus it’s an annual licence! Anyway thanks for another interesting series of videos.

[@MinimalList]

We don’t blame them, it’s a complex job and they have way, way less funding than TfL while also covering far more physically territory and crossing multiple political boundaries with conflicting needs and priorities. It’s a nutty, hard job... which is why I’m so big on them automating every little part of it. M

[@sylviapage8572]

Minimal List Not sure I agree with all you say, TfL is incredibly complex. I worked for Royal Mail before I went to TfL and thought going from national to central would mean it was easier but I was wrong! Anyway regardless of that, I still strongly believe that organisation, control and effective comms deliver better service to customers and saves money. In addition, you don’t need lots of people or money, just the right people, processes and tools. All ways lovely to talk to you. Hopefully it will get easier for you as you progress.

[@MinimalList]

Oh I’m not saying the job of TfL isn’t complex, just that it isn’t spread out across dozens of jurisdictional boundaries across everything from high urban to extreme rural locations. The remit of TfL is much more constrained and homogenous. Still enormously complicated, but also enormously well funded in comparison. M

[@mortglickman3217]

CRT : Here comes those Minimal List trouble makers

[@MinimalList]

What do you mean?

[@mortglickman3217]

@@MinimalList CRT are mean people

[@MinimalList]

Not from our experience, they’re just a wee bit uncoordinated. M

[@philradnor7701]

Just imagine the days of working canal boats with no internet, radio, tv for information, and only word of mouth info passed between boats re stoppages.

[@malcolmelliott1876]

But in those days people had patience and mutual respect.

[@MinimalList]

Just imagine the days of the internet when you could update your customers with accurate real time information.... wait...

[@malcolmelliott1876]

opencanalmap.uk/2019/01/21/open-canal-map-ordnance-survey-version/ or the Android version for phone. However the data still comes from the same source... so, as they say in IT, garbage in, garbage out... I do like the way their sat view underlay fades in as you zoom in.

[@malcolmelliott1876]

You have made the misguided assumption that logical thought and consideration for users have been employed in the operational decisions of those in middle management. As for effective interactive software... clients usually demand delivery of software way before it's been properly evaluated and tested, choosing instead to rely on irate users of same to do their beta testing for them. And NEVER make the mistake of talking to the person holding a clipboard. Clipboards were solely designed for people who don’t qualify for a braid lined cap but who wish to still look important. :-)

[@greenpedal370]

So cynical but so true.

[@martinhigson7926]

However, ‘‘tis true to say this affects private enterprises as well as government and charities! so nothing special for the CRT lol

[@malcolmelliott1876]

Too true.. in fact IMHO CRT is one of the better performers

[@MinimalList]

They are... I’ve encountered so much worse. Doesn’t save much frustration in the moment, but the CRT is hundreds of thousands of times more on the ball than, as a for instance, the California DMV. And that makes an infinite amount of sense before the Indian Post Office. Which itself is eclipsed in the extremity of stupid by any given Turkish police station. Sigh. M

[@Krieghandt]

@@MinimalList CA DMV has gotten so bad, you have to make an appointment online, before going to stand in line. Good luck if you don't have internet access.

[@ivandavies1388]

Ellesmere Drydock! Dammed autocorrect!

[@thelastengineer2315]

Your vessel is aptly named.

[@MinimalList]

This is not lost on us!

[@benkoppenol]

Now you know why it takes 3 years to brexit.

[@MinimalList]

Oh I’ve got other theories on why that’s probably still going to be a thing in three more. M

[@normanboyes4983]

The truth is UK PLC has lost the ability to do anything well at all. There is just an abundance of mediocre performance that is seen by most employees as ‘situation normal’ and managers are incapable of addressing that. Don’t ask me how I know. Still this video spans an amazing weather event - enjoying the sun now eh?😂

[@MinimalList]

Very much enjoying the sun, yes! M

[@SchererProductionServices]

The GROSS INCOMPETENCE of the CRT is unbelievable!!! Not to mention sexist. The guy got defensive with you and ignored you until Michael stepped in. They are also lax in dating the website...I follow the map online to see where you (and other narrowboaters) are and frequently see notices that are MONTHS old and never updated.

[@MinimalList]

Yeah, the updates can be pretty bad... that particular screw-up was our worst, overall the CRT is pretty good, and we try to give them a lot of slack for a very complicated and hard job, but every once and awhile someone blows a lot of good will. And yeah, the fact that my “voice of authority” could get some immediate change of attitude was terribly infuriating... Jo shouldn’t have to put up with that, and other women shouldn’t have to have a me along with them to get heard. M

[@MatthewHuntley1961]

Why is that statue mooning you?

[@MinimalList]

Ahh.... watch the next vlog to find out. We should have really noticed that there was a ‘bum’ in the background when we were filming!

[@MatthewHuntley1961]

@@MinimalList I could not resist commenting when I saw that. I will eagerly await the next flog.

[@johnwigglesworth7961]

Goodbye blacking

[@MinimalList]

Yup!

[@trevorsurplice1582]

sorry joe but when the crt man saw michels hand in HIS face then saw this this larger than life american grizzley bear in his face he had no opption to eat humble pie. If not he knew he would be made into ...pony stew.

[@MinimalList]

Says a lot about his character doesn’t it!

[@billoxiiboy]

The infuriating bumbling of bureaucracy; the inevitable failings of a socialist democracy...I was both empathetic and over it at the same time; as I'm thoroughly sure you were too....My sympathy is genuine, and I think I can say we have all been in a similar situation at some time or another dealing with a local council. So moving on, did I hear you say next Year??? So you will be still around? Not wanting to sound flippant... but those words said more than anything?

[@MinimalList]

We’ll be around till we run out of canal, hopefully! M

[@wildlyoptimistic1352]

You should rename this “Walking The Cut” it seems like Jo spends a lot of time walking George on the tow path.

[@MinimalList]

Haha, George and I do walk a lot! I blame the pooch, he is much happier walking on the towpath than riding on the boat!

[@rwbimbie5854]

@@MinimalList Odd that George doesnt like riding on the boat, most dogs LOVE going for a car ride with their head out the window

[@veronikabartram2092]

RWBimbie George is a springer spaniel, they don't do sitting 😃

[@MinimalList]

George loves the car, he is totally chilled out in the car but he gets very anxious on the boat. I guess all dogs are different

[@MinimalList]

This is very true!

[@FloatingOurBoat]

You guys just need to slow it down :) x

[@MinimalList]

Just had ten days on the same mooring if that helps? :)