302 - The Very Deserted RIver Derwent

[@erinsmith1620]

Enjoy your channel so much. Very informative and interesting. So impressed with your love of the canals and trying to keep them alive. It's so depressing to see the amount of trash that is thrown into the beautiful waters of your country. It's a huge problem throughout the world. People are so careless about keeping the environment clean and alive. We have the same problems in the USA with litter along the roads and rivers. It's so nice to see the two of you trying to pick up any trash you can while cruising. Keep up the good work! Thank you❣ ☮❤😁 to you. Ps I just adore George❤

[@MinimalList]

Thank you! We adore George too!

[@justinehayward2553]

Superb and detailed vlog. Can't wait to see the Wash vlog and more about the eastern canal network.

[@MinimalList]

Thanks so much!

[@sephirothff7ps164]

hi there, i lived at the barrage back in 1976 my dad worked allong side dennis operating the barrage gates,i saw the best of the place , loved living there really nice village people.

[@MinimalList]

It is a lovely area! M

[@AuntieSullivan]

It's sad this canal isn't used more. I hope other boaters will see your video and make the journey up the river and canal.

[@MinimalList]

It’s worth the effort, but I will say it’s not a small bit of effort! M

[@lunarsma8446]

Thank you! gorgeous landscape. Those are some variety of swallows. Love the chattering in the background. They sound like that no matter what's going on. They're aero-dynamics are awesome. Excellent flying insect control.

[@brendamartin7280]

Love hedgehog story!!

[@FingonNZ]

It is so lovely & so quiet it does seem a pity there isn't more mooring spots but then again I suppose more mooring means more traffic. 👍

[@MinimalList]

A wee bit more traffic might be okay! M

[@navigator902]

Excellent country sounds at swing bridge #one... and the weeds are the best...funny how Mother Nature has her way with our absence. Lovely. Has that out back rural flavor... I like it.

[@MinimalList]

It is nice to see how quickly the weeds and lilies will retake everything... though they’re a right pain when you’re the first to move through them again! M

[@johnhockenhull2819]

The Pocklington Canal is on my list of towpath walks to do, as you can walk the full 9.5 miles length of the canal - not just the currently navigable part. The small introduction to the canal in this vlog has certainly raised it up my list.

[@MinimalList]

It is beautiful up there and very quiet and peaceful. I hope you get to do it soon.

[@gbzrope]

I see someone kind of beat me to it, but Duelling Banjo's would be an apt soundtrack for the Derwent. Wild Country is the best descripion. As for the moored boats - there are No Rules on the Derwent, no licence, no BSC, no Insurance required, hence the anarchic wild atmosphere there. Everyone should make the effort to go - if you don't fancy the Ouse from Goole, it is a short (ish) hop from Selby. Oh, and on that strech with the low banks we saw a huge flight of Lapwings when we were there.

[@MinimalList]

Officially there are rules, but I guess at least beyond the broken lock they’ve unofficially slipped a fair bit. M

[@chrisangove8997]

The African Queen in Yorkshire!

[@MinimalList]

Quite!

[@caahacky]

Your narration is excellent.

[@MinimalList]

Thank you so much, that is so nice to hear as it really doesn't come naturally to me.

[@ArsenPotentier]

Good one you two this a great video of the different path to take while you travel.

[@MinimalList]

Thanks! M

[@mobiusfugue2582]

Minimal List... reaching the parts other vloggers cannot reach. Loved it.

[@MinimalList]

Haha - thank you, we try!

[@vivianewing7154]

Don't have to worry about it being too hot anyway. You sure did tip toe through the lily pads.

[@MinimalList]

We physically couldn't go any faster.

[@christinegibbins6105]

Really love watching the obscure spots you get to, the chirpy birds are swallow feeding off the insects hovering over the water. Thank you both.

[@MinimalList]

Thank you so much! :-)

[@victorpearson1418]

Otter country .Also the last Burbot caught here.

[@ianofsjkartwork]

That looked like a lovely cruise on a empty river....well put together....stay safe....thanks for sharing

[@MinimalList]

Thank you, it really was!

[@farmgirl2cr]

So enjoyed watching your travels. You two are comical. Countryside is gorgeous. Thank you for taking me along...grin. Take care and be safe.

[@MinimalList]

Thanks for coming along for the ride! M

[@robsin2810]

What a glorious canal,

[@MinimalList]

Its really wonderful.

[@JCDiamond]

It seems really lovely.

[@MinimalList]

The scenery and peace and quiet were wonderful.

[@JISJ1964]

There is that KZbin-channel: Least Used Stations (which by the way last year was Berney Arms), if there was a channel Least used Locks these ones would have been on top there.

[@MinimalList]

Hmm, maybe we should start that one. M

[@darrannewman7113]

I was the lone angler just below loftsome bridge, nice to see you in the flesh, happy cruising.

[@MinimalList]

Lovely to say hello. You made our day!

[@warrenslade6975]

Great to see you guys on the pock, my Yorkshire home town of some 40 years ago love to see your adventures

[@MinimalList]

Just a shame you can't get all the way to Pocklington on the canal at the moment.

[@navigator902]

You two always get me chuckling.... canal, river conundrum. Lovely weather, water ways of fascinating history, thank you Jo...flora and fauna are beauty on this river.Poor Georgie, he's board.

[@MinimalList]

Don’t worry, George found some entertainment soon after! M

[@Yorkshiremadmick]

The Percy Family The Duke & Dutchess of Northumberland still live in a Castle, in Alnwick in Northumberland. Way back there was no Yorkshire. It was all Northumbria. The Percy’s owning huge parts. Still own parts in Sheffield. Fabulous cruise. Loved it 👍🏻

[@MinimalList]

Yeah! Quite a fascinating history!

[@andrewlongcake6446]

Had a few pints in the Percy Arms in Otterburn

[@Yorkshiremadmick]

Nice Pub. 👍🏻 The Percy Family’s influences spread far and wide, even to London.

[@jasonbrant6394]

I think it's remoteness and comparatively difficult access will insure it remains a very under used canal unfortunately I think it could so easily slip back into deriliction . We recently travelled the leeds Liverpool from Skipton to wigan and the weed problems we encountered were quite severe forcing us to stop upto 6 times a day . Looks a great spot just hope the weeds don't ruin the experience.

[@MinimalList]

Still, I hope more people visit. Those that like to get away from the crowds would love it.

[@BarneyLeith]

Fascinating trip up the Derwent and the beginning of the Pocklington. I'mm looking forward to the next bit of the journey!

[@MinimalList]

Thank you!

[@granvillew12]

You're doing good, keep them open and operating, once they go, they go forever.

[@MinimalList]

That’s why we try and get to the end of them all! M

[@jennbroc4660]

Love your videos, good information along the way. Sad about the weather take care.

[@MinimalList]

Thanks 👍

[@tommorrison4189]

Drax, I built that, well a bit of it.

[@MinimalList]

Oh wow!

[@RetroRatz]

Lovely and relaxing video. You certainly have found the corner of the network with no people! Enjoy the peace 🖖

[@MinimalList]

We do like finding empty canals in July!

[@rogerbond7811]

Thanks for bringing back memories of a couple of trips to Yorkshire. There used to be a wonderful chippy at Stamford Bridge and we also enjoyed a visit to Burnby hall where people visited with children to feed carp in the lake. This was all over thirty years ago. Thanks again.

[@MinimalList]

Our pleasure! Thanks for watching!

[@margaretwilliamson9659]

Oh my what a lovely canal despite the weeds etc. How quiet. The canal less traveled.

[@MinimalList]

Yeah, When we see scenes of queues of boaters at locks in summer we are grateful that there are these quieter canals to visit too.

[@nesleinf]

I may be a coward, but I would never have entered a canal with so much growth. I've just looked at it on Google Earth and from there it does not look navigable at all 😊 I'm exited to see how far you will get 👍 Love from Denmark...

[@MinimalList]

We make it further than you’d think! M

[@stupat3]

Love your videos,I started watching some months ago,and decided to go back to the beginning,and am now up to No-109, after your travels through Birmingham.

[@MinimalList]

Thanks so much, so nice to hear you are enjoying them.

[@ericbodell2064]

Hi Michael and Joe, love your vlogs. I run 2 volunteer operated a d owned FM Radio stations in the Tararua Manawatu. This area has a lot of University and Tertiary institutions. I have been trailering your Vlogs. You may have more followers. Regards Eric Bodell (Station Manager) QSM

[@chrismccartney8668]

Water looks very clean good fish stocks i imagine

[@MinimalList]

Definitely a lot of fish in there! M

[@rboot1621]

It is really worth winding at the Bielby Arm and reverse a little way to Coates lock. You will be completely on your own and not have to use ropes to moor up! - From there it is well worth walking into Pocklington itself - a quiet market town. And along the way you'll see what work there is still left to do on the three derelict locks to fill the gap to the already restored top lock and canal head.

[@MinimalList]

Hmm, kind of wish we’d done that... the canal beyond the head of navigation really didn’t look navigable, especially after I grounded out immediately going into the arm. M

[@prestoncrewnarrowboaters8619]

the Derwent was actually navigable right up to a village further up the river from Malton, due to monks many years ago. Its a shame about the remaining river not being accessible to boats above the lock at Sutton bridge, its very pretty up there. Its not far from one of my sons homes .hope you enjoy the cruise up the Ouse, if you want a quiet mooring there there is a point just on a bend on Clifton short reach

[@MinimalList]

Yeah, its really frustrating that nothing has been done to fix Sutton lock in the last four years!

[@RichardBriggsLeanSoftware]

I just spent two weeks on the Pock, it was so beautiful, amazingly I didn't see one other boat on the move, apart from a Canadian canoe. The first stretch to Hagg bridge was shallow and some blanket weed, but still it was about manageable. After Gardman lock it was easy going. The wildlife was super, there was a barn owl nesting in an old tree near me at Bielby where I stayed afew nights in wonder of the remoteness and beauty. Waiting at Barmby barage this evening, cruising to Goole tomorrow, and I'm about to see if you have video of that section :) Is there a good map that shows the silver propeller locations?, I'm wondering if I might start picking them up x

[@narrowboatersatlarge]

Our plans to follow you up the Pocklington this summer have been scuppered by the Vazon sliding railway bridge at Keadby being out of action just at the wrong time :( Ah well, such is canal life and we are off to explore the Fossdyke and Witham instead. Glad you made it and its so interesting to see it.

[@MinimalList]

Ooh, bad timing, but enjoy the Fossdyke! I’m sure the Pocklington will still be here! M

[@tango6nf477]

Hi both, I have only just discovered you and subscribed, I really envy you! The weed growth on the Pocklington brings back memories of childhood fishing with Dad on the Trent and Mersey back in the 60's. Those were the days after the cessation of commercial canal carrying and before the massive boom in leisure and residential boating. The water was crystal clear and like here full of aquatic plant life because the silt in the canal was never disturbed and lay on the bottom. Sadly the massive increase in traffic means that the water is permanently muddy and this has killed off most of the plant life through lack of light. Its the price we have to pay however if we want to keep the canals open. I dont own a boat but I do canoe the canals and your lovely video has shown me some great secluded and very pretty places to go in future, thanks guys.

[@MinimalList]

Glad to bring back some happy memories. We were on the T&M last summer and it was so busy, its nice to spent time on the quieter waterways too. Thanks for watching!

[@ralphwood9865]

Hmmmmm looks a bit damp but very peaceful .I thought at one point not long before the lock that you were heading up the proverbial without a paddle.Take care, good cruising

[@MinimalList]

Technically we were heading up without a paddle! M

[@kisarader]

awsome as always you two are wonderful

[@MinimalList]

Thank you so much!

[@mancsphil]

Another great Vlog really strange going down the Derwent with no other traffic but you did see a few swans 🦢

[@MinimalList]

We really love having the navigation to ourselves.

[@garym518]

The Pocklington canal looks great. I had a chuckle as you said about the wonky bridge a heavy truck went over it!😳

[@MinimalList]

Haha, it really didn't look safe!

[@markattardo]

Wow so many scenes reminded me of the smaller rivers I used to kayak on. Like you, was hard wrapping my head around a narrowboat in such a tiny, remote looking river packed with vegetation. VERY cool cruise!

[@MinimalList]

Sometimes we think it would be quite useful to have a kayak strapped to the roof! Thanks for watching,

[@Garethness]

On the off chance you dunno it, openstreetmap can often show paths/towpaths which aren’t shown in other maps or even water points locations more precisely.

[@MinimalList]

Yep! 👍🏻

[@malcolmelliott1876]

Wild hedgepigs, whilst cute, have LOTS of fleas.... best keep George well away. Good luck with your intrepid battle through the upper reaches of the Orinoco. The chirpy coots under the swing bridge are warning you of the trolls that live there.... nowt more dangerous than a swinging troll! If I had a pound for every time I had heard "I'm not everybody, I'm your wife!!" ... :-)

[@dilly3464]

Was so nice seeing a glimpse of bubwith , a place I knew so well... I look forward to seeing more familiar places in York and Ripon... Don't forget the Hornblower!

[@MinimalList]

Sadly we actually found out tonight (videos are a bit behind, as usual) that the Ripon Horn has been silenced by Covid, at least in the town square. Apparently the horns get blown every night at home and an announcement is made on Facebook that the watch has been set. Would have loved to have seen it. M

[@dilly3464]

@@MinimalList I'm so sorry you missed it, it's a fantastic sight, I went to uni in Ripon many moons ago and before a night out, we headed to the square to watch and officially start us off!

[@MinimalList]

Yeah, I was quite sad to see we missed it. I didn’t really know about it till I saw the inscription on the obelisk, then saw some explanation that the tradition was still ongoing in the cathedral... we went up there hopeful, since apparently they continued the tradition through multiple wars and plagues and the Blitz, but apparently this pandemic was too much. Crazy to think that more than a thousand years of tradition gets broken by this. M

[@dilly3464]

@@MinimalList It will sound again... Be gone the battle of the Pandemic, be gone!!!

[@brodie2711]

Wow. The country has the village of the dammed look about it. Good Vlog guys. Keep them coming.

[@TheEulerID]

Or Midwich, in the county of Winshire, as John Wyndham named and placed it.

[@davidhancox6946]

Looks wonderful, If you hear bango's you need to leave!

[@MinimalList]

Always, always, always run at the twang of a banjo. Important life lesson. M

[@MarkJT1000]

Well you got further down the Pocklington than I though you would judging by the images on Google maps, it appears impassable in places. Good luck with the next stretch. Really peaceful there though by the looks of it. Nice to see the shots of Breighton where my ancestors farmed. Apparently my 8x great grandfather operated the Breighton ferry during the late 1600s.

[@MinimalList]

I envy being able to see a place that’s connected to your family that far back... as far as I can tell my 8X great grandfather was most likely stealing chickens somewhere between Minsk and Yakutsk. M

[@MarkJT1000]

@@MinimalList Stealing chickens 😂 My lot moved on to Naburn by the 1700s where you're heading next.

[@maobfh]

Nice. Have been watching Maximal Velocity and realized that I missed this one when I Sat down to watch today's video. And I have actually been concerned that these videos were falling back. 🙄 I am getting older by the second. Don't take it personally when Michael calls you George. Husband has called me a few names by mistake. My kids just laugh and correct me with the correct moniker. Mom did the same. My grandmother had 9 kids, of which my mother was the oldest. She would call out the female names in chronological order. As there was only one grandchild before me and the males were not lumped with the females, I only had to wait through 10 names to reach mine but my younger cousins had to wait through 30+. It is simply a quick that we all run into eventually. I haven't heard, yet, what names you have mistakenly called Michael. Because you know you have! And A$$h0!e doesn't count. Great video! Quite a mix of cows. Do they actually butcher Guernsey 's for meat?!? That's just....okay, shutting up now. What do I know? Nothing and I rarely eat beef.

[@MinimalList]

I don’t take it personally at all but I absolutely take the opportunity to tease him about it!

[@garycapson6713]

Another nice canal adventure. Yes it needs to be used more and enjoy the quiet country side. How about a home made rain cover for the front camera ! I think you are right Jo., the brick structures are historic and could be kept up. Makes for more interesting scenery and history. I enjoy the running commentary about the things you encounter along the way. Stay safe you"3".

[@TheBoatingAdventure]

Aw so many derelict cruisers such a shame. A very interesting area. Take care you three. Cheers Alan x

[@MinimalList]

Yeah, they need a little love for sure!

[@SeanMcPhersonSenior]

I wonder where the sheep at the 8 minute mark go with their bright red small boat? And I have to admit, I was 'awwww' ing when I saw George with his ball at the 15:50 mark just looking forlornly at the passing reeds and distinct lack of accessible towpath. Very neat to have not only your own river for a trip but also your own canal! Stay safe and I hope you get great cruising conditions (or at least passable weeds). Thanks again for sharing this for us!

[@MinimalList]

Yeah, it was a really wonderful cruise and so nice to have it all to ourselves. Dont worry George got to chase his ball when we mored up. And now I have visions of the sheep sailing off in the little red boat.

[@citrail-worshipgod4340]

I moor my boat on the Derwent, don't go telling everyone how beautiful and quiet it is up here, they'll all want to come :-D

[@MinimalList]

Shhh! M

[@slowboatthroughbritain]

Quite the explorers. Well done. I hope George's flea treatment is up to date. Hedgehogs are notorious carriers of them.

[@MinimalList]

Thank you. It is!

[@chrisdraper1265]

Really interesting vlog guys, I originally come from Hull but now live in Brisbane, seen a lot of that area from the road and walking, but the waterways give a whole different perspective, hoping to do what you're doing in a couple of years time, fingers crossed.

[@MinimalList]

Thank you. I hope you get afloat some day soon!

[@andrewlongcake6446]

myself and my buddy will be doing kexby to pocklington along the Derwent and the canal by canoe this week end.

[@MinimalList]

Amazing - Have fun!

[@tiger175]

I hope when you get to the end of navigable water at Melbourne or Bielby arm (for turning) you are able to go up to the Canal Head near Pocklington by some other means! Restoration has been carried out on some of the remaining locks but Canal Head and the town are lovely places to visit.

[@MinimalList]

Sadly not. We are avoiding public transport at the moment and it was a little to far to walk. It’s a shame we didn’t get to see it!

[@stephenlittle7534]

Have you found Doc. Livingstone I presume ?. Not yet. I see.😃. Or The African Queen.😃. Did George get to play with his ball that night?🐶

[@MinimalList]

Of course George got to play! :-)

[@willsgetoff1157]

It took me a while to work out how you could be on the Derwent and in Yorkshire. Being a native of Derbyshire the river Derwent is a river that runs exclusively through Derbyshire, so how could you be on it and in Yorkshire? It turns out there are 4 river Derwents all in England!

[@MinimalList]

Didn't know that! Thanks! (Although I also wouldn't have been surprised if we had got the county wrong - haha)

[@TheEulerID]

There are some magnificent cattle on that reach, but it does appear appear to be a river where GRP boats come to spend their last, sad, days.

[@MinimalList]

I tend to hope it is just an result of lockdown.

[@ozwzrd]

You went up the Derwent. When you go back down the river will you have underwent?🤪

[@MinimalList]

Quite possibly!

[@CM-kl9qh]

The angry birds sound like barn swallows. Finish this branch and you'll really have earned a Vibranium Propeller. Or at least a platinum.

[@johnneal7832]

I thought there was something wrong with the lens looking at that bridge, or I was going boss eyed lol

[@MinimalList]

Yeah, I can see why!

[@ericgoodall8408]

The percy family were kind of wardens of the north, think of them as similar to the kennedys or bushes in the states but 600 years earlier just to give you an idea michael, i am assuming your american with your accent. Sir Henry Percy was nicknamed Hotspur by the scots as a tribute to his speed in advance and readiness to attack, i have no idea if this guys fame has anything to do with why the london soccer team is called Tottenham Hotspur. Always enjoy you guys vlog and look forward to your next one.

[@MinimalList]

Really interesting. Thanks for commenting!

[@alexlawrence293]

Just being curious, but are the Derwent and Pocklington covered under the normal C & RT licence ( i.e, no additional fees ). Didn't even realise that the Pocklington canal existed.

[@Lottiesat]

Derwent is EA water... Can buy a short-stay licence for doing that stretch. The Pocklington canal is under CRT jurisdiction and covered by your CRT licence. The liveaboard people moored in the Melbourne arm basin are all very friendly and will more than make any visitors welcome. The Pocklington is a lovely quiet canal to visit... Just the sounds of nature and not a lot of walkers or cyclists about. When we visited, we didn't bother tying up at night. Just kind of parked up in the water lilies and turned in for the night. No one on the Pocklington when we went (about 4 years ago).

[@MinimalList]

You can buy a licence for the Derwent from the Lock Keeper at Barmby Barrage and the Pocklington is looked after but the CRT.

[@MinimalList]

I love the fact that we had the Pocklington all to ourselves but at the same time I wish more people would visit. We struggled to moor as the reeds were so thick by the towpath and we needed to get George on and off to do his business. A wonderfully friendly welcome in Melbourne basin too.

[@grahamwestgate1192]

Now that's got to be the antithesis of the Llangollen canal, so quite and peaceful!! Can't believe the amount of reeds and lilys in the canal, I'm surprised you're not being attacked by mad conservationists, trying to stop you using it!? We have two hedge hogs living in our garden, and our dog has learnt not to try to eat them! He just ends up with a nose with blood coming out of several holes!!

[@MinimalList]

Didn’t see any mad conservationists, but they may have been tracking hedgehogs! M

[@chazzyb8660]

4:05 How do 'cows' manage to look so elegant - even when they are doing what George does so well? 7:00 Yeah, the Percys are clever like that. Just biding their time. "Can we please have a shed-load of (European) money to do up our neglected garden in the middle of nowhere? It's in a very deprived area", and the best way to help the region would be to give the richest people in the place a lot of extra cash, 'cos of course it will trickle down. And of course they gave them the money. And it is a lovely garden. Perhaps that's what they could do with the Castle you just went past, too? Winter is coming… 11:05 Michael mops his brow, "There was no need to be worried, good wife of mine". 12:52 It does have an air of "the path less traveled", perhaps the CRT should give you a "Boldly going" award? 13:55 Mind you that first lock looks in very good nick? ----- I only wish I could fund you for the Mississippi leg Michael, it would be worth it just to see Jo's face - every morning! "And you say their are alligators, Michael? George, perhaps leave your ball this time…" And the tow-paths might be a bit tricky! "Jo is on the other bank, it's only a mile over there…"

[@rogerwhittle2078]

Selby? Of course! Now I recall what has been bugging me since Goole! "From Selby to Goole, From St Erth to St Ives, They've all passed out of our lives, On the slow train....." I'm pretty certain you are both too young to pick up the reference, so google 'Flanders and Swan - The slow train.' Flanders and Swan were song writer/singers specialising in amusing, (witty) and mildly satirical songs. Slow Train was a bitter, sweet recollection of those lovely (little used) stations that (mostly) disappeared in the sixties after Beeching. I don't think they ever wrote anything about canals and the steady demise thereof when they were popular, but some of their well known songs were; The Omnibus Song; The English are Best!; The Gas Man Cometh and, puzzlingly; The Law of Thermodynamics! Interesting vlog, though I venture to suggest George is not impressed?

[@MinimalList]

I’ll look them up! And no, George is never impressed, really. Except when Daddy understands that George wants the ball thrown. M

[@billabongoneill]

If you come across an hedgehog during daytime there's a good chance that there's something wrong with it....please have a look at hedgehog street.

[@MinimalList]

Seemed quite healthy, moving with purpose (except when George came near), and it was quite early in the morning... found a site that said it might have been a pregnant female or a new mother foraging. Hopefully it wasn’t in trouble. M

[@rboot1621]

Just thought..... We are 58foot and had no problem on the Pocklington so don't let the guide books put you off if you are more than 56'6"!

[@MinimalList]

We didn't! Thanks for the reassurance! In all honestly the Pocklington locks were more roomy than the Huddersfield ones so its all good!

[@GoingPlacesWithGundry]

What a beautiful and scenic route that looks. Bet it makes you feel like you're the only humans on earth when you take routes like that. Great video!

[@MinimalList]

Yeah, we feel very lucky to be doing this.

[@marianillingworth4403]

Couldn’t believe all the weed although I shouldn’t be surprised because of lockdown.

[@MinimalList]

Yeah, I think the Pocklington is often bad in summer but this year, like everywhere it’s much worse

[@brentwilliams3855]

I've done sound recording for my entire business life (40ish years). Now you've gone and done it...from this day forward, my "dead cats" will be known as "hedgehogs".

[@MinimalList]

Who wants to talk into a dead cat anyway!

[@brentwilliams3855]

Minimal List...the answer to this would be “Dog People, mostly”

[@brentwilliams3855]

Also, along that line, Max says to tell George “hi”. You can find Max on Instagram @maxxmaxlbd

[@djsoulUK]

Two boats a year! What does that lock keeper do for the rest of the year??

[@MinimalList]

Two boats so far this year. Not two boats a year. No boats were allowed through during lock down so that explains why it has been so quiet. I’m sure they job involves a lot more than just opening the lock!

[@johnfenton3699]

Slightly unpleasant thought - cygnet mortality must be appallingly high. In the last few videos, we have seen adult swans with clutches of 6 or 7 cygnets in tow, more in at least one case, yet swan numbers don't appear to be exploding. I don't know offhand how long a swan pair will live but, if they only breed for 5 years, on the numbers we have seen, that should be something of the order of 30 to 35 cygnets. Any more than 2 would mean an increase in the overall swan population. Now, I appreciate that the same could be said of Mallard ducklings, but they are more obviously attractive to foxes - a handy mouthful in fact. A cygnet, on the other hand, would seem a bit large for most of the UK predators, which leaves me wondering what on earth happens to them?

[@776281]

Google has changed my You tube name (set up G mail) Been watching and commenting for a long time now.

[@MinimalList]

Didn’t know the KZbin username was that tied to Gmail, but glad you’re still watching! M

[@10p6]

All this talk is making me hungry for Hedgehog flavored Crisps.

[@waza987]

I don’t remember Hedgehog flavoured crisps, but now I am really curious what they taste like.

[@MinimalList]

Those sound, well, bizarre. M

[@olivethrush7450]

@@waza987 Guess what? They taste like Hedgehog.

[@10p6]

@@MinimalList It was a flavor back in the day (like early 80's.) but the commercials did say no Hedgehogs were harmed in the making of them. They were pretty good with a prickly aftertaste.

[@fannyschmeler223]

Without a doubt the best crisp ever made .

[@MartinJames389]

A red deer round there? Really? Are you sure it wasn't a sika or muntjac deer. My guess would be a sika deer. Hares are always exciting, but you don't see one often. Derbyshire seems to be where they are most numerous.

[@arthurloddo3688]

you need to apply for Yorkshire citizenship. You trick all the boxes

[@MinimalList]

I do have a copy of the Yorkshire Passport! M

[@chrisharris6461]

Wouldn't it help if you had a canopy on back when it rains you always seem to get wet

[@MinimalList]

It would indeed!

[@chrisharris6461]

@@MinimalList hope your able to get one

[@MinimalList]

They’re a little more common with cruiser sterns than semi-trad sterns like ours, which tend to get a Tonneau cover fitted instead (good for keeping water out, but you can’t cruise with it on), so we’d have to get a custom retrofit, and they’re REALLY expensive... so we’ll probably just keep getting wet! M

[@chrisharris6461]

@@MinimalList that's too bad

[@UglyFireMedic]

Very pretty scenery! With the state of that canal, one would think it had been deserted. Also, congratulations for having the newest Mars rover named after your boat! 😁

[@MinimalList]

Thank you very much! Yeah, the volunteers work really hard to look after the canal but it could do with a bit more love.