#164

#canal #narrowboatlife #offgrid
In this vlog, we have to cope with very hot temperatures on our steel NARROWBOAT, so what do we do to keep our home as cool as possible? I share some of the things that have helped us recently. Also, I reveal a competition in which you can win a copy of my book :"The Nature Journal of a Narrowboater 2022." Sit back, relax and enjoy! Take care🌻🦋
To enter the competition please send your entries to :[e-mail]
Good luck!
Coffee Page:
www.buymeacoff...
Patreon Page:
/ themindfulnarrowboat
Thank you so much; it really means a lot to me!
I also sell some of my nature journal entries on Etsy at themindfulnarr...
Music: Envato Elements
Inspiring Woodwinds by Rafael Crux
Emotional Cello Piano by Praded
Documentary Emotional Cinematic by MusicDream
Strings by Gold-Tiger
You can catch me on Twitter at: @TheMindfulNB
On Instagram @themindfulnb
Or email: [e-mail]
It's always lovely to hear from you and I will get back to you

[@brewster3987]

Wow, you scored another magazine cover shot with that stunning sunset. I love the "itch and scratch" of swallows, and the "fluffle" of rabbits. I'm nowhere near creative enough to compete for the guinea fowl title, though I hope you'll have a 2024 calendar for purchase soon. And... I'm not going to make any snide remark about the gongcoozler. Nope. I'm not. Not gonna do it.

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Every time I make a "Gongoozler" joke, ( I use the word 'joke' loosely here) I chuckle to myself knowing the you'll have something to say about it, Brewster!🤭 I am very impressed that you are holding it together and just pretending that you didn't hear it.😂 Thank you so much for your lovely comment! Have a great weekend, take care🌻🦋

[@markwilliamson9140]

Hey Vanessa, how are you you wonderful person. When I watch your videos it's like going on a little trip with you. It's like being on holiday. Lovely stuff. 🙋

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

I think it's just wonderful that you feel like you're on the journey with us too! Thank you for your lovely comment. Take care🦋🌻

[@petermicklethwaite6281]

When I was in the RAF. I was stationed at RAF Sharjah in the Persian Gulf. All our vehicles had the roofs painted white. Even the cabins on the aircraft were white as well. That was in 1971.

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

That is such an interesting comment- thank you so much for taking the time to let me know. It sounds like you've had an interesting life to say the least. Have a great weekend, take care🦋🌻

[@alisongalloway1455]

In Australia, we close the curtains/ blinds on the sunny side and the actual windows to prevent the hot air from entering. I use an evaporative air cooler with ice or without it. It's low wattage as I am also off grid. You mentioned water on the roof. Just a sprinkler system that you may use in a green house. You would have to find a pump that works with it. Cafes here use a misting like system. Shade cloth mounted above the roof would be also help.

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

There is so much good advice here which I will put into practice next summer now. Thank you so much. I remember when I was in Darwin for several months in the wet season- how hot it got! Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋

[@kellyheywood503]

You make me smile with Zepha

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

🐾🐾😊🌻🦋

[@petemoring67]

Those Swallows reminded me of a Treasured memory - When back in the 50's We'd jump in our Parents bed in the morning - looking out to what seemed like 100's of Swallows lined up on the Telephone/Electric wires running past the window on the other side of the road - Preparing for that Loooong old flight back to Africa .... Don't see hardly any in the area these days ... We got just a FEW Swifts this year - But they were gone again within a week! - Something they obviously didn't like in the area this year - Maybe all the Tower-Block-Building causing Tons of DUST in the air?? You come down each morning to cars 'covered' in the stuff 😏

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Hi Pete, it's always great to read your memories! It must have been wonderful at the time to see so many swallows; sadly they, along with the house martins and swifts are in a rapid decline. Buildings, even some churches have put nets up to stop them nesting, but there is a movement to try to get all new builds to install swift bricks in them. There are other factors contributing to their downfall in numbers, so we need to do everything to encourage them to visit us and nest successfully. Thank you for your lovely comment. Have a super weekend, take care🦋🌻

[@dingnextstop]

Hi… I have an old white bedsheet that I peg either over the crotch cover or over the sleeping area of my little boat in real hot sun… it reflects the sun and makes a difference 👍🏻

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Great tip- thank you so much! Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋

[@timothycorby7659]

Lovely views of all nature, wonderful every time, God bless and thank you. xx 🎉 love seeing your poetry and artwork.

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Thank you so much, Timothy! Have a super weekend, take care🦋🌻

[@kellyheywood503]

Never seen the bend sign before I’m writing on my iPad watching you on tv is bigger

[@lorraineheywood5252]

Bowl of ice in front of your fan cools room quickly

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

I'm going to try that next heatwave 👍 Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋

[@livingwithosteoarthritis.]

I think the group guineafoul are called a kazoo. Another great video.

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Thank you for emailing this over too. Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋

[@jezabellum]

What a lovely cruise! And I loved the attention to the little details that are so often missed, it's a shame how the small beauties are so often overlooked because they make the bigger beauties even more glorious. As for the guineas, we had them growing up so I will default to my mother's description of her noisy little flock..she called them a Racket of Guineas.

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Your mother's description is wonderful!😃 Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Have a super weekend, take care🦋🌻

[@jennyfulcher8035]

Those were some narrow locks that Alice Grace had to squeeeezze through but your navigational skills did the trick! Too bad that the old Memorial Shakespeare Theatre burned down. Your ways to cope with the heat sound similar to what I've done in my apartment--Blinds, darkened rooms, fans, etc.--It makes a difference, as does mooring under trees for Alice. My apartment manager is throwing a last day of summer ice cream party in our downstairs courtyard for all of the tenants--Can't wait! I love your name "the itch and scratch of swallows" that were perched on the telegraph wires. Jenny 🌻🐞🐦🍦🍧🍨☔🌧

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

How lovely to be having a summer ice cream party!😍 That sounds delicious. 😋 Thank you so much for your lovely comment, Jenny. Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋

[@jennyfulcher8035]

@@themindfulnarrowboat It was a fun ice cream social. I got to meet my apartment neighbors. Have a great weekend!

[@kellyheywood503]

We are hoping to meet you all one day you famous vloggers keeping our dream

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

It would be great to meet you too. Thank you for your lovely comment. Take care🌻🦋

[@j.r.b.5464]

Hi Vanessa. Newer viewer, remote US-based gongoozler, one-day UK narrowboat captain/owner, and frequent hot-weather backpacker and camper here. You question about heat mitigation is one near and dear to my heart. I organize trips for a Sonoma, California astronomy and adventuring club. Once or twice per year the group does camping trips, generally to remote, arid, low-population regions to camp, hike, visit archaeological sites and observe with telescopes. These trips are usually in spring and summer (as we want longer nights, shorter days for the astronomy) and feature daytime temperatures in the 90-105F range and overnight temperatures in the 65-90F range. One coping mechanism some of us use to reduce the temperature inside our tents is a material developed for the artisan agriculture market called "Aluminet". It is an aluminized, porous fabric that comes in different light transmission ratings used to shade vegetable beds from intense sun. We simply drape it over our tents. It reduces internal temperatures by about 15F and often makes the difference between having a nap and not. You should be able to do similar with your boat - though I would use strong rare earth magnets to hold the panels in place on your steel hull in wind (we stake the sheets through perimeter grommets into the ground around our tents - not possible on the water). Amazon UK links below for Aluminet material and for uber-strong magnets: www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=aluminet+material&crid=1CTWTJFH4Q1XH&sprefix=aluminet+material%2Caps%2C316&ref=nb_sb_noss www.amazon.co.uk/JAKAGO-Permanent-Powerful-Neodymium-Magnetic/dp/B0989VFKLH/ref=sr_1_9?crid=24N3J69BSB4HF&keywords=neodymium%2Bmagnet&qid=1695605268&sprefix=neodi%2Caps%2C338&sr=8-9&th=1

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

What excellent advice, thank you so much for all of this really useful information! Have a super week, take care🦋🌻

[@chrishobbs58]

Hello again, loved this video! Stratford is definitely on my "go there" list. And once again, I learn something new from your video...I've never heard or seen "Fire Thorn" before. Amazing stuff. Really emjoyed the sunsets as well. Thanks again, and best wishes as always!

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Fire thorn is such a pretty berry isn't it and so appropriately named too! Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Have a great weekend, take care🌻🦋

[@annwagner5779]

Here in the American South during the summer, I say there are two countries - Sun and shade. As you say, it makes such a difference! 🌞 🌳

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

It really does make a difference doesn’t it? Thank you for watching. Take care 🌻🦋

[@dnewnova]

A really COOL video flowers and plants are so nice, out in the desert here its hard to stay cool but i usually have a cross draft by leaving opposing windows and doors open

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

😂 Nice one!👍 Wow, you must be an expert at how to keep cool living in the desert. Thank you for your lovely comment. Have a super, cool weekend, take care🌻🦋

[@dnewnova]

not an expert but l learnt after being out here for 9 years how to get cool and also how to stay warm i forgot to mention the paper mulch bricks last 15-20 minutes on the wood stove re if i add some twigs or tree bark

[@dianathompson8794]

A screech of guinea fowl 😊

[@christineprice5463]

Lighter colored cars are cooler so a lighter colored roof makes sense. Great video as usual. Thanks for the beautiful sunset.❤

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

I think as temperatures are set to increase that it might be wise to repaint the roof white. Thank you for your lovely comment, Christine. Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋

[@christineprice5463]

@@themindfulnarrowboat And you also.

[@simon-nb-Betsyray]

Good evening Vanessa so nice to see u back on the canals again. How you have the patients to find these little insects amazes me u must have a second sense, ive hardly seen any catterpillars this year and as for the Scarlet Pimpernel flower l throught it was just folktale. We seek it here we seek it there with it being so small by wonder they couldnt find it, but what a lovely flower and after all these years l thought it was a french aristocrat lol😂. Watching u on Alice Grace is making me jealous has im home bound at the moment last week l had a episode were l lost my memory, l was admitted to hospital for tests and are still waiting for further mri scan so in the meantime been advised not to drive😞. Im feeling a lot better and nearly my old self but my doctor wants to know what caused it. Hope u have a wonderful weekend 🦢🦆🐛🐜🐞🍁🍂🐝🏄‍♂️

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Oh my goodness, Simon; that all sounds so scary. Was it after the heatwave- do you think it could have been severe dehydration? Something else that India's boyfriend told me recently about the iPhone 12 worried me as well, as I have just got one and that is, in France they have told all that have got them to send them back as they omit a wave which is considered unsafe there- her boyfriend is French which is how he knew. We don't seem to have a problem with it here in the UK, but I will only use mine on speaker phone now. This is probably all useless information for you but I really hope that they can find out what caused your memory loss. I am so pleased that you are feeling more like your old self though. Take care🌻🦋

[@colinpearce7079]

Hi Vanessa,my wife & I love your videos,so relaxing & informative,atb Colin & Liz,❤

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Hi Colin and Liz, I am so pleased that you like the vlogs- thank you so much! Have a super week, take care🦋🌻

[@Oswaldfiveo]

One way to cool the boat would be to place a bowl of ice in front of a fan. It acts like an air conditioner! A lot like having that fan on the stove pipe for heat. ❤

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

That is a very good idea! Next hot day, I'll try that. Thank you so much for watching. Take care 🦋🌻

[@lostisleminstrel]

Heat is a vexing problem but you are doing well solving the issues. Loved the various insects you photographed.

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Staying cool on a narrowboat can be so difficult, but I am getting better at finding new ways to do it. Take care🌻🦋

[@oldmanhuppiedos]

Hello Vanessa, When the weather is nice, people go to the water to enjoy themselves. Well, September is certainly a very warm period. You are good at driving your narrowboat, people enjoy you. What wonderful sunsets they are. Autumn, scents and colors, another beautiful vlog from you. Hans

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Thank you so much, Hans for your lovely comment. Have a super weekend, take care🦋🌻

[@vanessascola4708]

Lucky you to have such heat. Yes I see what you mean. So difficult to change seasons. Stratford upon Avon is amazing. I am not surprised it is busy. Something about the place attracts people to the water. It was a very narrow lock. You are very a skilled navigator, Vanessa.

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Thank you for your lovely comment, Vanessa. Try looking for the different elements of the seasons; for example the change in the hedgerows and the migratory birds as the seasons alter. Take vitamin D if the weather is very dark and sunless for a while as this helps with managing the lack of sunlight. I find the clear, bright but cold autumn and winter days quite beautiful as long as I am well wrapped up and have a warm boat to return to with a hot soup to drink. On the dark days, finding a woodland and looking for mushrooms to photograph is always a mood lifter too. Thank you for your lovely comment. Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋

[@butchbinion1560]

Thanks, amazing. 👊🏼✌🏻

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Thank you so much that is so kind of you. Take care 🌻🦋

[@katienorthenmore1892]

hello, thank you, i remember that sunset it was so hot that weekend, we were in Slimbridge and wanted to walk up the canal, but was too hot for the dog and us so went into the lovely cafe instead . great to see all the nature that you find ,wonderful, keeping everthing going and working in the boat, an inspiration. bless you .

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Hi Katie, thank you so much for your lovely comment. The cafe sounds like it was a good idea; hopefully you'll get to go back to Slimbridge now that it's cooler. Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋

[@donnadeskin658]

I know the contest is over, but love love to follow along with you in your awesome travels. I too love to doodle, sketch what I see. You are so talented. Gossiping Guinias was my first impression of the bend, lol. Safe travels

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Great word for the guinea fowl!Thank you for watching, Donna. Take care 🦋🌻

[@PaulB-justme]

Just watching this video, and you were saying about all the creatures in the ivy. We are nowhere near the canal system (until they reinstate the Swindon canal!) but we have lots of ivy in the hedge alongside our house. In September I noticed that we had bees digging little holes in the flower beds in the front garden. I had never heard of bees doing this, so I looked online - and found that they were Ivy Bees! They are a fairly new arrival in this country, and they look out for the ivy, as it is one of the last plants in bloon in the UK! I have spent many a happy time watching them flying to and from their little holes - and they must help to keep my garden aerated too! 😊

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

You are so lucky to have ivy bees! Aren’t they beautiful too? Ivy is such an important plant and will keep the birds so well fed over winter. Thank you for your lovely comment. Take care🦋🌻

[@sheilajoseph9953]

Beautiful sunset, lovely cruise.💚

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Thank you so much, Sheila! Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋

[@david_keating]

Beautiful scenery and beautiful light from the sunset Vanessa. Thanks for sharing. 🙏😊

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Hi David, sunset light is magical isn't it? Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Have a super weekend, take care🦋🌻

[@tessapetters3936]

Amazing sunsets . I often wondwewd how people on boats keep their dogs cool. we had a narrowboat for years, but never had such high temperatures . We had a very elderly border terrier, she made 19 and still came boating .

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

19 years old for a dog is incredible-she must have been made of strong stuff! 😍 Another thing we do to keep Zephyr cool is take her for frequent dips in the river or canal which we are moored on. She loves the water so it is easy encouraging her to swim. She also has her own fan which is positioned to blow the air along the floor. Thank you so your lovely comment. Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋

[@stevemendenhall6284]

Thanks for another Friday voyage. Fist off did you ever figure out what was causing the boat to bounce up and down in the lock? I really do love your close up videos of the small ants and caterpillars I have a bunch of ivy in my backyard but I have never seen flowers grow on it. Maybe it’s a different strain of it over here. Enjoyed your tips for keeping cool what I use in my golf cart is a spray bottle with a little fan on top of it. See you next Friday have a great week ahead Steve

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Hi Steve, I didn't find out why that lock did that wave thing? We did it like all the other locks and they were perfectly fine. It was strange how the gate swing open after we had already opened the paddle at the other end too? How does your spray bottle and fan work? Is that something that you can buy? Thank you for your lovely comment. Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋

[@bobnmarewilcox4855]

Good old Alice and leafage. Brilliant. This idea might be a bit troublesome on a narrow boat with limited space. A fan blowing across a pan of water with a light fabric supported by a frame so that the fabric wicks water upward into the breeze created by the fan. I hope you find this idea cool enough to try. Have a peaceful everyday.

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

That is such a super idea and one that can be done on a smaller scale for a narrow boat. I’ll try it next heatwave.👍 Thank you so much. Have a great weekend 🌻🦋

[@michaelpilling531]

Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. What a fabulous video. I'm spoilt this evening. Narrowboat Life Unlocked have just put their latest vlog up and it follows exactly the same journey as you! The light at sunset was stunning. What brilliant colours boyhood in the sky and in the fauna along side the canal. Beautifully photographed. Congratulations.

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Thank you so much, Michael! How funny that we have put out the same journey in the same week😃 I am so pleased you enjoyed the vlog. Have a great weekend, take care🌻🦋

[@garyp8471]

Another grand vid, great how you caught the Ants in the ivy, we have some scarlet pimpernel in the garden didn't know it was known as a weather barometer, we never to old to learn, think you'll soon be looking at tips to keep warm nights are coming in and the Autumn mornings are here, again thank you for showing us round where we won't get to. All the best Gary n Irene

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Hi Gary and Irene, it has suddenly got quite chilly here in the evening, so you are right about tips to keep warm. Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Have a super week, take care🌻🦋

[@vanellusvanellus2076]

The best way to keep cold or warm, is isolation. For example with soil and plant grass and flower on the roof. And it looks good as well! 😊

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

I would love to cover my whole boat roof in creepers and climbers! Thank you so much for your great 👍 idea. Have a wonderful weekend, take care🌻🦋

[@BeachcomberNZ]

What a blimmin racket of guinea fowls that was!😉 P.S. Your journal segments are really something special!🙂

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

It really was, wasn't it? 😂😱 Thank you so much for your kindness about my journal too.Thank you so much for watching. Take care 🦋🌻

[@willduckworth5535]

Great photography as usual. I would call them a raucous of guineafowls.

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Thank you so much for your kind comment and for your great word. Enjoy the rest of your week, take care🌻🦋

[@TrogART]

Did you manage to go to the 'Dirty Duck' it's a great pub behind the theatre, its were all the thespians go, some really cool photos of all the famous over all the years in there, its quirky and cool. One of the coolest things I remember from Stratford is having a walk on the opposite bank from the theatre and there is some ruins and they were doing an open air production of 'Romeo and Juliet' it was so cool, especially the fight scenes taking place in amongst all the watching people, it was so atmospheric in the waining light.

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Wow, that all sounds like such a wonderful experience!🤩 I didn't spot the 'Dirty Duck' so I shall have to go back one day and visit it. Thank you for your lovely comment. Have a great weekend, take care🌻🦋

[@suedale1865]

Wow the sunset is like fire opals so beautiful Loving the botanical flower art work 💕

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Thank you so much, Sue! I love your simile for the sunset 'fire opals' how beautiful😍 Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋

[@otter736]

A canvas of color !!

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Thank you so much. Have a super week, take care🌻🦋

[@TheJessierb]

What fun today and a contest as well! I really loved a fluffle of rabbits. Those Guinea fowls looked like they had a lot to discuss. Might inspire me for the contest :) Thanks again for a lovely, refreshing end to the week. Have a great weekend and hope you can stay cool. xxx

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Hi Wendy, I like the 'fluffle' of rabbits too and apparently that is an actual word for them! Good luck with the competition. Have a super weekend, take care🦋🌻

[@Margaret_J]

So glad you enjoyed Stratford So many times my daughter and I used to get the cheap £10 tickets many many years ago and sit way way up in the gods in the theatre watching the plays and also experienced a totally magical version of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe there and the river basin is real fun! Happy memories hope you keep your own good memories too from there Cannot believe how clear those ants are in the video totally amazing! Enjoy your September travels 🦋🌼

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Hi Margaret, I bet The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe was amazing to see in that theatre! Wow!🤩 Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Have a great weekend, take care🌻🦋

[@lorrainerichardson3280]

Cool floors make a big difference in the heat with bare feet. Sunsets and sunrise beaming across the sky often show Mother Nature's artistry skills at their best. Thanks again and well done working the lock with an audience, I think I would totally mess it up lol. Take care. =-)

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Hi Lorraine, thank you so much for your lovely comment. To be honest, I normally mess the locks up in front of an audience too, but I think we just got lucky this time. Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋

[@StevesRepairs]

Thanks Vanessa for taking us along on a beautiful trip through Stratford Upon Avon, the sunset was lovely. The wildlife that you capture is amazing and very interesting to watch. I did name a single Guinea Fowl that lived on an allotment plot next to a small lake where I used to go fishing and whenever it saw me it made a lot of noise (I think your Mic' was turned down when you filmed the flock of them), I called it "Noisy little beep-beep bird", lol. I hope that you have a wonderful week. Take care and all the best. Stevie

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

‘Noisy little beep beep bird!’😂😂 poor things…they are so noisy though aren’t they! Thank you for your lovely comment. Have a super week, take care🦋🌻

[@williamplank8035]

I think it should be a Raucous of Guinea Fowl because of all their noise.

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Thank you so much for entering, great name, please can you make sure it gets to my email though as I will sit and go through them all this week. Have a super weekend, take care.🌻🦋

[@chrisabbott7458]

Wow I am so inspired by your amazing shots of all those insects.You have got the patience of Job to wait for them and photo them before they fly or scamper off.My probably jaundiced view of gongoozlers is that they are really very jealous of us owning, sharing or hiring boats.I love the way Zephyr responds to you she is so bright;licking her lips when you mention treats.Glad you loved the Avon as much as I do.

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Hi Chris, I really love the Avon and some of the moorings were just spectacular! I find insect watching and waiting such a relaxing thing to do, but then I am a bit weird😂 Thank you for your lovely comment. Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋

[@chrisabbott7458]

You're not weird, just mega patient and hyper observant.

[@TheBrianDykes]

Lovely video!

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Thank you so much, Brian! Have a super weekend, take care🦋🌻

[@jackmullett9198]

Lovely sunset. When you get near Wootton Wawen, visit the Saxon church. 😎

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Thank you so much for this tip! Have a super week, take care🌻🦋

[@josephpotterf9459]

Thanks , you have a very nice vlog going here reminding us to stop and pay attention to the treasures around us . Beautiful art as the maker is.Georgia USA an anonymous coffee on me.Thanks again

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Thank you so much for your lovely comment, Joseph and for your kindness in buying me a coffee? Do you not want me to add your name to my thank you page on next week's vlog? Have a great weekend, take care🦋🌻

[@josephpotterf9459]

It's ok i didn't read the twitter line correctly and am not on twitter . Thanks for the reply.@@themindfulnarrowboat

[@nicholasroberts6954]

Love your videos. As an ex- camper, would swear by the use overarching, pitched elevation, fly-sheet for keeping summer temperatures down, and keeping warm on chilly nights (Layer insulation effect) and for keeping heavy rain and winds off (Barrier effect). Worked well in Finistere where the weather can change every 20 minutes and can be quite rough on occasions I used to use a cheapo poly tarp . . still got it 20 years later.

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

What wonderful advice! I had no idea there were all these effects for fly-sheets- brilliant!🤞🤩 Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Have a super rest of the week, take care🌻🦋

[@cherylskiles8524]

Guinea fowl: Cacophony of callers!

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Great word! Thank you so much, take care🦋🌻

[@user-xn5wg6bf9m]

A GOBBY….of Guinea fowl of course!!😄

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

👍 Great word! Thank you for watching. Happy New Year! Take care🥳🦋🌻

[@annjarvis9300]

Awww lovely vlog Vanessa hope all are well tc now theoldies 👍🤗👍🤗

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Thank you so much Ann! I hope you are all looking after yourselves. Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

Good video thanks lee

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Thank you so much for watching, Lee! Have a great weekend, take care🦋🌻

[@LockStoppageSandwich]

It has never crossed my mind as to how folk cope with things such as high heat on a boat. Another FANATASTIC vlog 😍

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

High heat is the biggest problem to deal with in my opinion. Heating a boat in the cold is easy if you have fuel but cooling it down is very hard indeed. Thank you for your lovely comment. Take care🦋🌻

[@AndrewBroadbent-dr8wb]

Very peaceful sunset. Lovely vlog again. Glad you managed to keep cool in the heat. Thank you.

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Thank you so much, Andrew! It was such a peaceful cruise that evening; I’m so pleased you enjoyed watching. Have a super weekend, take care🦋🌻

[@COM70]

Magnificent.❤

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Thank you so much 😊 Take care🌻🦋

[@scarlettifluff]

A nod of guinea fowls! I had to have a go even tho' Im too late!

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Great word! Thank you so much for taking the time to enter. Have a super rest of the week. Take care 🦋🌻

[@jamescook8897]

Obviously the competition is done but the answer is flock or rasp ❤

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Great words, James- the winner was Barry who said Quidanbob! Thank you for still thinking of one though. Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋

[@vanessascola4708]

I don't like ivy as it takes over too much but the flowers have such a sweet fragrance for wildlife.

[@christurner4994]

I live in Crete and we’ve had one of the hottest summers I’ve seen. Delays to all the migrating birds. Last night a small flock of European Bee Eaters and of course lots of swallows divebombing me and the dog !

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Oh my goodness- what a beautiful dive bombing that must have been! Thank you so much for your comment. Take care🌻🦋

[@johnd7904]

Keep going Vanessa!

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Hi John! Thank you so much for the encouragement. Have a super week, take care🦋🌻

[@buffplums]

Lovely as ever watching your channel Vanessa xx

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Thank you so much. Have a super week, take care🌻🦋

[@G0RXA]

Hello Vanessa. Lovely video again and welcome back to the canal network. I bet it seems strange being back on those narrow canals after the wide open rivers. Good tips re the heat although now we’ll all be looking to keep warm. Have a fun week.

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Hi Nigel, yes it has suddenly become about trying to keep warm hasn't it!🤭 Thank you for your lovely comment. It is so good to be back on the canals. Have a super week, take care🌻🦋

[@mark2781]

A cacophony!! 😊 💚

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Great answer but sadly the competition is over. I announced the winner in last week’s vlog. Thank you for your comment, take care🦋🌻

[@AaronCarterHD13]

Its like Narrowboating video through the eyes of an artist. your camera work and eye for natural beauty is absolutely stunning.

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

That is so kind of you- thank you so much; I really appreciate it!☺️ Have a super rest of the weekend and week ahead, take care🌻🦋

[@mattgoodchild8215]

A clucking of guinnefowl….. Yet again another fantastic video the close up vids on the ivy where exceptional thank you 🌸🌹💐🍄🌞🍻👍🏼

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Thank you so much, Matt! I was so excited when I discovered the ants in the ivy flowers which accidentally appeared as I was zooming into the flowers. Thank you for emailing your competition entry too. Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋

[@glennclarke9787]

What a really lovely vlog, outstanding photography, 👏 xx🎉

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Thank you so much 😊 That was is so kind of you. Have a super week, take care🦋🌻

[@glennclarke9787]

Vanessa ,Thank you so much for your personal reply .a lot of narrowboaters don't seem to bother, they just put a like. You are so homely. Take care 🙂 xx

[@jamesfrankie]

Lovely vlog. An Itch and Scratch of Swallows lol.

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Thank you so much of your lovely comment and the appreciation of 'an itch and a scratch!' Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋

[@chrisevans263]

If I let them, my bees will collect loads of nectar from ivy. The problem is, it goes very hard as it is high in glucose. That means the bees can starve over winter if it freezes as the bees need unfrozen water to dilute ivy honey before they can consume it. I try to feed the bees just before the ivy flowers so they don't have the room to store too much of it. The bouncing in the lock is due to opening the paddle gates too quickly. If your boat fills the lock so there's not a lot of water, and you open the sluices too quickly, you get a shock wave that travels from end to end in the lock. Its why the big gate opens as well as the wave sucks the gate back. I used to work on a 'panamax' ship going through the panama canal and they used to have to be very careful in controlling the water flow into the lock. (Panamax ships were designed to be the largest ships to fit in a panama lock). We used to sluice sea water over the accommodation on the ship when travelling through the tropics to cool it down, we would crack open the fire hydrants. Enjoyed the vlog, stay safe and cool.

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Wow, I had no idea about ivy nectar freezing the honey in the hives over winter; is that only manmade hives? Otherwise, I am wondering about honey bees in the wild and how they will survive and why they haven't evolved to know not to collect from the ivy if that happens? This is so fascinating and I am going to do some more reading about it now- thank you so much! Have a super weekend, take care🦋🌻

[@chrisevans263]

@@themindfulnarrowboat Hi Vanessa, Honey is either set or runny depending on the different sugars in the nectar. Generally, if it is high in Glucose it will set, so Oil Seed Rape and Ivy which are very high in Glucose will set rock hard - we call it spoon bender honey. Honey from Lime (my favourite) and fruit trees is high in Fructose so will more likely be runny. Wild colonies will be collecting over the whole year so will have a range. Bee Keepers on the other hand will want to rob the bees of some of their honey so for the autumn crop should be careful what they take. Bees are OK with a set honey provided they have 'wet' water to dilute it. If the winter is cold and the water is frozen they can starve. By the way, do you know what honey contains Sucrose? It is normally unlawful to sell honey containing Sucrose because it often means the bees are making the honey from feed rather than nectar. There is only one plant in the UK containing Sucrose - that is Borage. It has an exemption for sucrose content. Have a great week end - Chris

[@obiblooze5902]

Lovely vlog again, thank you. A giggle of guinea fowl, as it sounds like they're laughing 😅

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Thank you so much for your lovely comment and for emailing your great suggestion. Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋

[@anthonygiglio9860]

Fantastic Video I Enjoyed It 😊

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

I am so pleased that you enjoyed it- thank you so much! Have a super rest of the week, take care🌻🦋

[@GaryCSchade]

Keeping Cool...in the hot Southern States of the USA it's common to paint the School Bus roofs White to protect the children from heat stroke. Further in the Desert Southwest it's common to have Misters 🚿 showering the communal outside gathering areas with a fine water spray to cool down the ambient temperature..properly executed it can reduce the air temperature by 15°F

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

These sound like excellent measures. How do you get around the problem of using the water Misters during drought? Thank you so much for your comment. Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋

[@josephvictor9141]

Put the fans on floor to move cool air up from the floor.

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

👍Great tip- thank you so much! Have a super week, take care🌻🦋

[@rexharvey8420]

Hello Vanessa, thinking off keeping your boat cool.Thinking back thirty odd years to living on our narrow boat. I painted the roof a light cream, which did naturally reflect heat. I had a spare low voltage water pump (Galton was 24volt) and with a suitable lead and suction hose, I had it connected to a cheap Gardena (still available) water sprinkler kit (six sprayers, small hose and connections) and I set it up so it used canal water to spray over the roof during the heat of the day and it worked very well! Stay safe. Blaze and me. A gaggle of Guinea Fowl could be called 'A Burglar Alarm of Guinea Fowl', they are remarkably good at keeping a watchful eye!

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

I am going to set up a water pump just like you've described next summer! Thank you so much for this tip. Take care🌻🦋

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

I am going to set up a water pump just like you've described in the summer. Thank you so much for this tip- take care🦋🌻

[@kellyheywood503]

Aww I’d love to win your book

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Send me your answer via email, Kelly and you never know, you might win! Thank you for your lovely comment. Take care🌻🦋

[@paulmclaine6413]

Loved the miniature flowers Vanessa. You are really a Girl of Nature Vanessa and I love your interest in plant life insects and wildlife. Wish I'd met a Girl like you but alas. Keep making your beautiful videos.

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Thank you for your lovely comment. I am so pleased that you enjoy the videos. Have a super rest of the week, take care🌻🦋

[@heyitsme6083]

Absolutely amazing I've been so busy. Just starting to catch up on your vlogs. I'm really enjoying it. Forgive for asking have you had your you managed to get your diary published yet

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Hi there, thank you for catching up! If you watch this until the end of the vlog, you'll see there is a competition where you can win a copy of my 2023 diary. Have a super weekend, take care🦋🌻

[@katharinebrain3276]

Such a beautiful video. Thank you.

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Thank you so much for such a kind comment. Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋

[@shirleygreaves9650]

You’ve excelled yourself again Vanessa. You manage to find nature even in the most simple places. I adored the scarlet pimpernel and speedwell plants, nature even put complimentary colours together just as an artist does. The caterpillars and the amazing footage of the ants on the ivy plants was exemplary. The sunset was stunning, I’ll definitely be taking part in the competition. Gorgeous journaling, fabulous vlog, Zephyr was her usual full of life self. Take care you 3. xxxxx

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Hi Shirley, what you say is so true about the way flowers in nature organise themselves in complimentary colours. Seeing both the scarlet pimpernel and speedwell together in the dry, cracked, field made me think about the strength of those that overcome difficult times; I was really moved by them, but then I am a bit of an emotional soul!🤗 Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Have a super weekend, take care🦋🌻

[@Kev_the-Brinklow-Kayaker]

A guinea fowl are so noisy my dad used to have them years ago. An Alarm of guinea fowl. You've travelled the walk I've done many times with my family did you pass the locks with the bridge walkways with a gap in the centre for the ropes the horses were pulling the canal boats to pass through. So much to see on the path and some fruit trees too bet you seen those. The bridge you found it tight in it very narrow and the bridge after that has a great bit of history the horses swapped from one bank to the other. Some lovely locks down there one has strawberry 🍓 growing sometimes catch the right month lol. Hope you enjoyed it. Have lots of fun and put some loctite on those prop bolts. 😅 Kev the Brinklow kayaker

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Hi Kev, thank you so much for such a great comment with lots of good travel and boaty tips- I really appreciate it. The narrow bridges are coming up in Friday's vlog. Which lock had the strawberries as the mild weather might mean there are still some to be found? Have a super rest of the week, take care🌻🦋

[@Kev_the-Brinklow-Kayaker]

@@themindfulnarrowboat first lock you filmed at by the drains on the left. You passed them lol. Bad luck.. Kev

[@kellyheywood503]

Do you make two copies so that you have a complete set ? How about over weight but happy confused chicken / turkeys I sure would love that chance to win 😊 make me very happy

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

In the video, I was packaging two orders of the same book, but I hope to have my next book out in February. Have you emailed your answer, Kelly? Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋

[@jackyteague6509]

Thank you Vanessa for another great podcast!! I learn so much about nature watching you. 😀

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

I am so pleased that you are enjoying the vlogs- thank you so much. Have a super week, take care🌻🦋

[@vanessascola4708]

Guinea fowl in a flurry. So good to see you today. Stay well. x

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

They were weren't they!😃 Take care🦋🌻

[@WDTRH]

I'd say that was more of a ruckas over a confusion lol 😂

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

😂 You're so right! Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Take care🌻🦋

[@barryjubber175]

I would call it a quidanbob 0f Guinee fowl. Enjoy your vlog in Cape Town, South Africa.

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Brilliant! What a clever entry! Thank you for emailing it across. Have a super weekend, take care🦋🌻

[@ctownsend4600]

A herd!

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Good words, but unfortunately the competition is over now. Thank you for watching. Take care🦋🌻

[@steveward60]

I would have said a giddy of G/foul I'm a a bit late but just discovered your blogs Born in Wolverhampton so know a lot of these canals but for last 19 years live in Valencia Spain

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Thank you for taking the time to give me your suggestion though. How amazing to be living in Spain; I thought Wolverhampton was a brilliant place to visit on my boat. Have a super week, take care🦋🌻

[@craigsiddall5817]

A great way to keep the heat out is to cover the windows with black mesh. We use it down here in NZ and on 2 identical boats there would be approx 10 to 14 degrees difference. We usually dome it on the outside and i have driven the launch with them on , easy to see through

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

That is a massive difference in temperature! I'll have to try and get some for the boat for when we have another heatwave. Thank you for your comment. Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋

[@paulbauswellsr3296]

Guinea fowl in a group, I would call the best intruder alarm known to man.....or woman. I know it is probably too late for a free copy of your book. But when these birds are disturbed, their sounds will wake the dead.

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Very true! They make wonderful guard dogs don't they? Sadly, the competition is over, but thank you anyway. Have a super week, take care🌻🦋

[@carolegarland8050]

Hi Vanessa: how about a FEAST of guinea fowl, since they are delicious.

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

👍 A great word! Thank you for watching. Have a super rest of the week. Take care 🌻🦋

[@AT-py5dy]

Wonderful video! It looks like you had a little theatrical performance yourself in Stratford, when going through that lock with such a large audience in attendance. 😅

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

It was all a bit theatrical wasn't it!😂 Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋

[@sandrasimmons1553]

Supposed to several countries in Africa

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

This is so well thought out! Thank you👍🌻🦋

[@johnburgess5534]

Try a cacophony of Guinea fowl.

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Thank you so much, John.🤩 Please can you email it across too as I am going through the competition entries this evening? Have a super week, take care🌻🦋

[@SuperDavensuziyoutub]

Great sunsets.👌 But what is it about all of the canal boat vloggers that think we need to see EVERY little process in making a brew (tea + coffee😂) and putting biccies/ food onto plates? Is it to fill in time?

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Hi there, thank you so much for your lovely comment.I always make a cup of tea before doing my journal and I used to film it each week and then I stopped filming the tea bit and went straight into the journal, but several people asked me why I didn't show me making a tea anymore as they really found it relaxing to watch. It isn't to fill time, it's more like a soft way into watching me draw in my book. Have a super week, take care🌻🦋

[@SuperDavensuziyoutub]

@@themindfulnarrowboat Really? Wow! People actually find it relaxing /entertaining watching someone else brew up? There's truly "nowt as queer as folk" eh?😂😂

[@duncangreenwood7614]

Guinea fowl? Confused? Me I'd call them a bunch? As for the ivy flowers lovely last supper for honey bees in spring the honey is translucent and runny in autumn its much thicker and has more sugar crystals from the ivy that's how and when you know it was harvested 😊

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

It sounds like you are a beekeeper? Thank you for your lovely comment. Have a super week, take care 🌻🦋

[@dremein]

If geese the guinea fowl would be a gaggle but maybe a better name would be a chuckle (he! he!)

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Thank you so much for your answer- please make sure you’ve emailed it to me so that I don’t miss it. Have a super week, take care🌻