20. Watford Locks Gate Replacement Works (Part One)

[@johnakaoldguy3158]

All kidding aside, I lived in England for a few years in the 70’s as US military. I was then and still amazed today of the engineering that went into this endless canal system. Now that I am much older, it would be nice to travel these canals with a whole different perspective on life today.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi John. It’s good to hear from you. I think most people are amazed at the engineering that went into the canals 200+ years ago and the fact they’re still operating the same way today. If you get the chance, live your dream. Cheers

[@CruisingTheCut]

I really liked that shot down the open, empty flight. Thanks for the mention and link too!

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

A good opportunity for a different view. Always pleased to mention you.

[@christinehunter9867]

Hi Alan. Rain stopped play 🙄🙄 Look forward to the next one. Take care 😊👍

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi Christine, glad you enjoyed it, there are three videos in this series. All the best Alan

[@borderreiver90]

Nice to see repairs going on....

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

This was a couple of years ago but there will be more Winter Works this year.

[@MrIdleknight]

I went through the locks late last year. Had a good natter with the lockies when there and they explained some of the work done, but nice to see it in a video.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

I'm just producing a video looking at the repair work at Foxton Staircase Locks, which will be published shortly. Cheers

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Hi Alan, thanks for pointing us in your direction we've enjoyed watching your videos in one sitting. Water tank refurb very informative . Thanks again -Fran and Rich.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

I’m glad it was of some use. 7 days was the recommended drying time for the water tank treatment. Cheers. Alan

[@AnthonyChew]

Thank you so much for this video - a very rare, detail look into lock replacement works and great narration. I guess they are rarely filmed because winter is coming and people no longer wish to do any filming outside unless it's an assignment. And thanks for mentioning Cruising The Cut as well because David's coverage of lock making was equally thorough (very!) and I watched it with equal enthusiasm as I would a documentary, as I did this vlog of yours as well.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thank you very much Anthony I’m glad you enjoyed the video. I will do my best to keep you updated but I’m not always available to visit the Locks.

[@ctiley2212]

Never, ever complain about rain, just be very grateful you get it, there's nothing worse than drought and no useful rain.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

ctiley2212 Quite agree, I was commenting though not complaining. Not so good when people get flooded out of their homes!

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi. I can see you’ve replied but can’t open and read it all. 2m of rain is an incredible amount. In England there have been many flash floods over the years which have caused total devastation. I was thinking of the floods in Somerset in 2014 where one village was under 1m of water for 3 months.

[@ctiley2212]

@@MyNarrowboatVenture I'll try again, Not criticising, just commenting. We had floods here in Townsville, Queensland, Australia during January this year, 2000 mm of rain in 10 days, (some thought that a little excessive!) and yes people were flooded out of their homes, BUT they were people who were either conned by the real estate people or builders or were too silly to have not done their research when they purchased, because their homes were all built on flood plains. I cannot work out why you would do such things (there are rumours of back-handers between developers and the conservative local authority of the time) as build or buy on a flood plain. I think they are very lucky to have been covered by their insurance (those that had it - there were some that didn't and expect the public purse to fix their home!!!). We, up until then had had 7 years of no monsoon or productive rain and that had done far more damage than the floods did. Farmers committing suicide and the such. Drought is worse (in my humble opinion) than flood - at least you can usually get away from a flood, drought is not so easy.

[@elizabethannferrario423]

Oh yes we travel to London from chesterfield so we travel through the dales from offerton Stockport by car , and yes we always look across to the canels and when I go by train ., but being close to Manchester we saw the locks drained and fish stunned to be relocated . And I do believe they never lost any fish !

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

That's good to hear, it's clever how they do it. Cheers

[@Riddlestar01]

I hope you will continue to tell us how the work on the locks is progressing. Thanks for the informativ vlogs.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

I intend to visit occasionally to follow progress and will report further as the opportunity arises. Thanks for watching.

[@davidsedlickas8222]

More M1 now than canal very sadly. Good idea to vlog these works. Lets hope rain happens when they have finished to refill. Nice to see your work again.

[@AZC1949]

Very good video. Here in the US, locks are huge, constructed of concrete and steel, and not nearly as intriguing as the system in the UK. I am looking forward to the updates.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Many thanks. We have large locks on our rivers and ship canals but those on the canal network are rather quirky given their size and varying ways of operation.

[@TheChrysler56]

Nice to see the canal improvement work. Could buy a nice new narrowboat for the price of a pair of lock gates.

[@Hawkinsian]

4:16 Nice little shot!

[@ramseybarber8312]

Hi Alan Interesting vlog . I must say that being CRT Wallah is not a job I would like to do in the winter stoppages with the cold etc .

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thanks Ramsey. I think you’ll find they have plenty of rest breaks, it’s not all slog and cold.

[@philipcull8297]

I wonder if the CART will take this opportunity to clear silt and debris out of the locks and pounds.....

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

I’m sure they’ll have to remove debris. In the upper pound there are lots of fenders and small tyres used as such, which have come off boats going through the locks. Fenders should always be up given the narrow width of locks. As to silt, we’ll have to wait and see.

[@davidsedlickas8222]

Silver Fox narrow boat filmed at lock gate factory.

[@elizabethannferrario423]

Hi just relax when your speaking , forgive me but coming across as being stiff , I can see your personality coming but actually stilted ! Very sorry but I am very interested! Yes the fish will be fine once recovered then they can be real eased . How great to watch I am intresting as I am scared of deep water it’s reassuring for me , my gosh how shallow are the pond levels , , you have done a great job thank you ,

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi Liz, welcome aboard. Thanks for your comment, I hope you'll find time to look at some of my later cruising videos, particularly my cruise last year to the Ashby Canal, which has 12 episodes, as you'll see I come across more relaxed. It's not easy when one starts to make videos, especially when you're talking on a factual subject, in the open and trying to remember all the details. Sometimes the reflection on the camera is so bad I can't even see if I'm in the film! Your support and kind words are much appreciated. All the best Alan

[@johnakaoldguy3158]

Electro-fishing? 🤔🤔😳😳 ouch.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi John. Look out for this Saturday’s video. You’ll see electro fishing in the Marina plus a whole lot more. Cheers 👍