177 - A Narrowboat Trip to visit a 'Secret' Nuclear Bunker

In this vlog we travel from Audlem to Hack Green, a stop so Michael can visit the Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker. We also manage to do some painting on the boat. The next day we head further up the Shropshire Union Canal to Nantwich where we have tea with Anna and Kath from the Narrowboat Experience.
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FAQ's
Q. Where are Michael's T-shirts from?
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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.

[@terryjacksonberry4742]

Would liked to have heard more about your meeting up with Kath and Anna. They did a video on the nuclear bunker also. Lovely spot to moor.

[@pixiholly]

Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker used to show the Duck and Cover film in the section at the entrance. It is, as you say, a mightily odd place, but one that's definitely worth exploring. The decades of extinct civil service furniture takes we former civil servants back to the days when we finally achieved the giddy height of a chair with arms.

[@MinimalList]

It’s a fascinating place... but those stuffed rodents, especially the one dead of radiation poisoning, and the screaming mannequin with the face burned off were plenty odd! M

[@pixiholly]

@@MinimalList Totally agree, and the radiation map of the city I live in has spooked me for years.

[@annie2950]

OMG went to the Bunker yesterday. It was just great. Great vlog. Thanks.

[@MinimalList]

Glad you enjoyed the weirdness! M

[@hesterbeard]

UK version of duck and cover was protect and survive

[@davidbutler4363]

Well done,enjoyed it 😁👍👏👏👏

[@MinimalList]

Thanks! M

[@david39348]

I would liked to have seen more on the Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker. The Ladies on the Narrow boat Experience did a video, I would liked to see more of your experience.

[@MinimalList]

You saw most of it I could really shoot... unfortunately the lighting in there is terrible for the iPhones we use, and inside the bunker itself I couldn’t record anything with audio because of the echos. Fascinating place to visit, but without much nicer cameras and ideally some lights not the best place to shoot a video! M

[@iandonachie9549]

Thanks.. made several wide smiles and a few laughs... interesting commentary on whats is in the location and history plus like the bloopers at the end.... only just found your vlog I been following a couple of others.... (cruising the cut etc) So from an expat in Asia waiting to come home again, think a boat is a good choice.

[@MinimalList]

A boat is a great way of life. It’s not for everyone but it really suits us, we like to move and see different things. Hope you get to try it one day. Good luck and thanks for watching.

[@vvmmuu]

I feel so happy for you. I lived five years in England and saw a lot of it, places my friends took me to or told me about, and of course the obvious ones as well. BUT I never found Audlem or places like it on the canal, and looking on G. Earth it looks beautiful. ALL the best.

[@MinimalList]

We are certainly very lucky to be seeing all these places! Thanks for following along!

[@9ColorZebra]

Thanks for the video on the Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker. I was hoping you would show it and you did.

[@MinimalList]

Had to, once I saw the nuclear mice! M

[@MrRoyboy55]

some take the High boat , some take the low boat , and some take the slow Boat the slow boat group takes the time to talk about the journey -- thanks for bringing us along -- are we there yet ??

[@MinimalList]

We prefer the slow boat! M

[@MrRoyboy55]

@@MinimalList I tried to get my boss to allow , me to teleCommute from a narrow boat - but usa business i need to contact are closed after 5 pm - yes i teleCommute in usa -- so close - but no prize

[@MinimalList]

Still trying to figure out remote work myself... many of the companies I’d work with are in Montreal, Australia, Vancouver ... time zones are a real problem. M

[@MrRoyboy55]

@@MinimalList How did you accomplish the whole visa vs residency topic - if its to complicated to get into , no worries ,, i think a year and half is longest for a visa - for me at least - but i could still own a narrow boat - Escape the rat race -could manage and service (www.etrr.co.uk/) and i could vacation on a visa - they would lease it out when i do not use - is the best option i have found so far , yes had a plan but cannot take a year off work - my boss had a frown face on that topic

[@MinimalList]

Well because I’m married to a Brit I’m on an immigration visa, on track for what’s called Leave to Remain (equivalent to Permanent Residency) and eventually citizenship. So I’m on a rather different situation to most Americans on the waterways. We’ve met quite a few people who get a six month visa every year, buy a boat, and keep it in a marina over the winter. Another option is a share boat where you buy partial ownership in a boat in exchange for certain periods of access to it based on the number of shares. Those schemes (a word that doesn’t have the negative connotation here that it tends to in the States) are obviously a bit more legally complex and take some arranging, but might be a workable fit for overseas owners. Of course Brexit throws it all into a bit of uncertainty, as everything immigration and visa related could change in a rapid and uncontrolled manner pretty soon. M

[@ianofsjkartwork]

Lovely part of the world...Thanks for sharing

[@MinimalList]

Thanks for watching! M

[@sallyu1]

We're taking note of your mooring spots ready for July when we go that way.

[@MinimalList]

You will love it, it is such a beautiful section of canal!

[@frankchampion2181]

What people fail to realise is we send the little lady off with a lump of steel to open and close a couple of tons of lock gate, while we try to control the dog, and put the kettle on, because if we suggested they make the coffee while we did the lock they'd probably hit us.

[@MinimalList]

Probably. M

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

thanks for stopping for tea. Loved catching up with you x

[@MinimalList]

Will have to do it again soon! Plus Cataan! M

[@DaveHenry-mort8088]

Hack Green, A truly remarkable thing... ;-)

[@MinimalList]

Well yeah, definitely needs a remark! M

[@oldtimers6460]

thanks gang ,great camo paint on the boat , i'm shore George approved as overseer of operations . Great country side and again locks that dropped a metre or so , I guess for two flows , one water and the other cash . Well cheers from Oz looking forward to next vlog .

[@MinimalList]

Thanks! And yes George did approve! M

[@suetaylor5186]

Really enjoy your vlogs xxx you are now friends x Our boy George sends licky kisses to your George! Woof

[@MinimalList]

Thanks for watching! George says wood back!

[@BillMSmith]

The apocalyptic bunker thing always makes me wonder what made people think survival was possible or even desirable after an all out nuclear war. Further proof of my theory of human irrationality. On a more pleasant note, the shropy does look lovely. I am curious about the changes in water color from place to place. Is it the local silt/runoff situation? Anyway, thanks for another thoroughly enjoyable video.

[@MinimalList]

It’s the source of the water and just how much farmland and/or metropolitan areas it passes through. And yeah the nuclear bunkers were always strange to me, especially the backyard concrete and tin blast shelters people were encouraged to build by less than scrupulous builders and salesmen throughout the States... even in places hundreds of miles from any potential target. Thousands spent on a useless box, and the next winter or two would get you anyway. Strange form of comfort. M

[@mickbroadbent6750]

well done sweety for helping the damsel in distress lololol,,,,,, you know I love you guys always entertaining take care

[@MinimalList]

Thanks! Jo’s pretty good at swooping in in shining armor! M

[@ste2577]

Not sure if your doing this in real time, but to fore warn you.....when you get to ellesmere port, it's a bit of a ......dump 😂, the boat museums good though! Loads of vintage narrow boats 👌, keep up the great work

[@MinimalList]

No, we are about the month behind with the edits and have also taken a detour down the Llangollen and Montgomery! Thanks for the tip, we had head that there is a dredger in the museum that our boat was named after so we quite fancy a trip to see it!

[@malcolmelliott1876]

@@MinimalList I expect you are planning on doing the Shippy to Weston Marsh... or do you intend another estuary trip?

[@MinimalList]

Depends on what I can convince Jo to let me do! Looking around it’s doable, albeit with a fair bit of prep and bureaucracy! M

[@malcolmelliott1876]

​@@MinimalList Everythng is "doable" ... provided one obtains the required spousal permissions... after that even British bureaucracy pales into insignificance... remember that if you do the Mersey then you'll have to do Ribble link before the transpennine slog... might be too much salt water for this year !!

[@MinimalList]

There’s also a lot of routes and circles that need to be completed first... every time I look at the map I despair of figuring out a sensible route that isn’t 90% backtracking! M

[@davecook3138]

Don't forget that undercoat is not water/weather proof, so get that top coat on or the rust will be back pdq :-) Where does your music come from, please?

[@MinimalList]

We got the enamel on as soon as weather permitted! 👍🏻

[@jamessd7677]

Wales next George, you're going to like it I know.

[@MinimalList]

Spoiler... George has now been to Wales and he did love it!

[@inlinefourtr]

Hack Green, sounds the perfect place to do a bodge paint job.

[@MinimalList]

Hmm, you may have a point there.

[@davidrobertthomas1515]

I can imagine a Bond movie with 007 escaping the clutches of the Soviets occupying Hack Green Nuclear Bunker. James Bond escapes by narrowboat and is relentlessly chased down the Shropie. Maybe now you won't feel quite so bad about spending 10 pounds on the admission fee. Best wishes.

[@MinimalList]

Heh... no doubt it’d involve the skeet shooting club, a jet pack, and a woman with a highly improbable name! M

[@stevemusgrave2000]

I'm sure your both doing the outro on purpose, or Jo has been exposed to Michael's code speak too long. As ever, a wonderful vlog. So easy to fall in love with the 'Shroppie'.

[@MinimalList]

Oh no! I think it must be catching! The Shroppie really is lovely isn’t it!

[@thecapturban]

You bout to bring out Mike's inner Okie! I don't think they wanna see Mike's inner Okie🤣🤢

[@MinimalList]

I’ve done everything possible to hide my inner Okie deep! M

[@markbulla1851]

I was concerned when I saw the boat leaving lock 15 without anyone at the tiller! I had to run the video back and check it again. I assume that you were acting as a tow horse... Have a great day!

[@MinimalList]

Got it in one! Michael stayed on the lock side as he dropped the water so had to pull the boat out!

[@elund408]

a 16 year old playing smoke on water on the bass for hours on end. boats like cars, the ones that are used have paint with touch up. Im sure NB Perseverance looks wonderful with the new paint.

[@MinimalList]

Every paint chip is a trophy of an adventure!

[@davieimrie2407]

Great video, as always, thnx M & J n G Am going to b visiting Audlem (again) early Sept. for narrowboat share show/ RNLI festival at Overwater Marina, staying in Nantwich; ... another favourite town on River Weaver /Shroppie canal Davie x

[@MinimalList]

Thanks! Audlem’s a lovely place, would be a great place for a festival! M

[@joyeyoder4783]

New paint scheme... blue with red polka dots. Then you wouldn't get your boat mixed up with ANYONE else's. lol

[@MinimalList]

We stood out like a sore thumb!

[@1ytcommenter]

why do narrowboats not travel on the left side of their water road as the cars do on theirs in britan?

[@MinimalList]

An extension of very long-standing international shipping and navigation norms... also personally I think it’s cause the canal people were the only sensible ones! ;-) M

[@richardclark148]

Lovely canal the land around is very flat....public service advice in the early 60s ..in case of nuclear war fill the bath with water..throw a carpet over the table and get underneath it......even as an 11 year old I could see this was ridiculous.....and I think most everyone else felt the same.having gone through the blitz.

[@MinimalList]

Can only imagine what they thought the carpet might do... strange days. M

[@776281]

What does George think of Alice and Munchie.

[@MinimalList]

A little scared and a little indifferent. We however loved Alice and Munchie!

[@marshallbaldwin395]

Turbo says don't lose the ball George your house moves its gone forever he knows as his house moves to and more than one is gone forever I see the coal pile is down to one bag I have to keep reminding my self that your 2 to 3 weeks behind me although its raining now ad a couple of foot of snow on the pass this last week normally we would have sunshine and 70s and low 80s f for temps You Jo and George have a good day THE GRUMPY BUS

[@MinimalList]

The coal pile’s a bit of a lie, we moved three bags into the engine bay, and stored a bit more under the dinette. Thankfully George has gotten pretty philosophical about losing his balls, once he’s had a bit of time to process. M

[@rwbimbie5854]

Nuclear Bunker sells german grenades but not Bakery Treats?

[@MinimalList]

Makes no sense! 🤷‍♀️

[@diblingtonvale6499]

Get used to 'love', 'pet', 'our lass' and 'our kid' etc as you move north. Not meant to be patronising, it's just the way we talk ;)

[@MinimalList]

It becomes patronising when followed with an obviously patronising and condescending statement.

[@theotherstevesteve]

@@MinimalList The condescension is no doubt rather rude but unconnected to the use of the word "love" when up North; I was recently called love by a Yorkshire bus driver and we both had beards a bird could nest in!

[@MinimalList]

I understand what you are saying but in this case it was definitely amplified by the use of the term!

[@320ifq]

Half of the canal themed KZbin vlog participants have been to this bunker. I think the "secret" status may have to be down graded. Only joking ....... Great vid

[@MinimalList]

I think it was probably down graded a while before is boat tubers cape along! Haha! Thank you!

[@navigator100group2]

A train to Crewe would have been quicker and cheaper!

[@MinimalList]

Not to the movie theatre!

[@371508129]

Visiting a Cold War bunker on May Day. Does anyone else notice the irony?

[@MinimalList]

Heh... didn’t even know what day it was until I saw Jo’s edit, but yeah! M

[@TheGazLab]

Do you watch camera conspiracies/vegetable police by chance Michael? :-)))

[@MinimalList]

Neither one, hadn’t heard of them until a moment ago I’m afraid... might take a look! M

[@TheGazLab]

Minimal List well he is a funny chap, but when you said I think we’re done here, I wondered :-).. you guys have fun . Gaz

[@craigy_baby]

If I bump into you Jo I'm going to call you 'babe' !!

[@MinimalList]

Good luck with that!

[@altacat9702]

: )

[@MinimalList]

:D

[@virginiaschott4482]

LOL Sweetie will get you an earful from my mother, I just handle them with a glare. Jo, those men have no idea that your a world traveler and could teach them a thing or two about the world.

[@MinimalList]

I shouldn’t let it bother me... but sometimes it really does!

[@virginiaschott4482]

@@MinimalList That victorian male thinking they look at us and see helpless little girls. Because they can't handle the independent Women we are. Their issue not yours!

[@MinimalList]

Very true! Thanks for the words of wisdom!