Back To Full Time Narrowboat Life!

Back to boating! After finding returning from our Italy trip in our van we find that Rambler's engine is not working! We tow her to a safe spot and make the most of the time while we try to figure what we should do next! A spring clean and an engine service is due on our narrowboat home!
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👋 If you are new here, hello! We're Ben and Emily! We live on our 56 foot narrow boat as full time continuous cruisers with our cat Alan 🌟
Follow us along to see our adventures, ups, downs, mishaps and lots of boating about!

[@jamesedwardson605]

I told you two... if you keep making good video with fine audio and interesting content... you would make it in this KZbin world... Keep up the good work.. 50k sooner than you think...Well done...

[@BenandEmily]

Thank you! thats very kind of you to say 🤗

[@docostler]

Hi guys, in case no one has mentioned it, that last metal bowl full of diesel was the oil/water separator. Normally you don't take it off, you just loosen the bottom drain bolt to drain out any water it has captured. There are no 'guts' inside the bowl to replace or fix, just watch the material that comes out of the bottom drain, the water is accumulated at the bottom of the bowl so comes out first. Once the fuel is water free, quickly tighten the bolt again. There is usually very little water in these things, but it depends on the quality of the fuel you buy and tanks that are not kept full are more susceptible to condensation, which can add significant water. You mentioned 'sediment' in it. Material large enough to just fall out of the fuel in the bowl is a bit concerning. What was the condition of the fuel tanks when you bought the boat, if you know? If you consistently find this sediment it might be time to inspect the fuel tank(s). Italy was marvellous, but it's great to see you guys back on the boats. Emily: "So much maintenance!" and later "Okay, this isn't fun anymore." That's boating! Don't you just love it?

[@shopstaff2775]

Your videos just get better and better

[@susannahwhitaker994]

I love spending time with you both. You are so natural and honest, hope things turn out alright🤗

[@BenandEmily]

Thank you so much!

[@greghilton7797]

Considering that narrowboats rust from the inside, a pram cover would definitely help you with the engine bay problem and as a bonus you can fold them down to enjoy the space on the rear deck when its lovely and sunny during the summer months. When the heavens open up you will have some protection from the elements and some where to hang stuff up to dry while its raining. Win win 'ey.

[@_Simnesia_]

From this day forth, I shall call our bunny's litter tray "Bum Box". 😆 I love it. Cheers!

[@BenandEmily]

😄

[@steveelkins52]

Plastic forks are good pot deterrents, obviously handle in the pot, spiky points up. I think every local cat tells their mates when I plant stuff, and promptly dig them out and leave a calling card. A couple of forks protects them, well, mostly.

[@hughcrawford1978]

Hi Ben and Emily. The kitchen. I'm sure you normally clean the kitchen dishes before going to bed. The weather looks inviting as summer approaches. I love the laundry trolley. I always admire both of you for carrying out the engine service. Happy cruising

[@TrudiShearin-wr6wk]

You’ re getting all your bad luck done in one go. Fingers crossed this will pass and everything will get back on track.🤞🤞🤞

[@KateAshworth]

'Special carrot flaps' 🤣

[@wesandchelle]

Alan needs a pot of kitty litter on the roof. Sorry for all the engine woes. Love that your flower had its own adventure. Maybe it will start a vlog.

[@mommahil4323]

just roared out loud at Alan's new bum box on the roof!

[@BenandEmily]

😅

[@Amanda-dy4fv]

I love watching your videos and you too being young enjoy yourselfs.

[@peterrenouf-shermer5261]

Get a sump pump to keep the engine compartment

[@marj1585]

You could grow sugarsnap peas and french beans. They don't mind if the sun doesn't shine, and you can sort of tangle them around themselves to keep them compact. Re towing, could you lash Rambler alongside for longer stretches between locks, like they used to do with the butty boats in the old cargo days?

[@glynnisross7974]

You have really come back home to the thick of it. However, as you are both super positive all will be well. Benny’s description of Alan squatting on a daffodil plant really made me laugh. Take care and see you next time.

[@bennyhill4228]

Benny looking pretty Dapper in that get up 👍 your music is awesome too thank you

[@BenandEmily]

Thanks! 😊

[@anniejones1839]

Alan has blossomed spending time with her grandad 😂 You might hear fish flipping on the surface

[@nickyvw_]

I think a stern cover is a good idea, you can lower it when cruising or when you want to sit outside. You can also I believe open up the sides and leave the top on so you can feel like you're outside but you're in the shade in summer or can be dry when it's raining but still wanna be outside

[@donzie13]

This is from the USA. Louisiana. You are both awesome,!

[@mavisgetsabout]

Bum box😂 love that. And that wrap sounded delicious😋.x

[@howlandowlle7953]

. I suggest putting a bum box on the roof. Make it interesting with a little greenery. . Oh. And allow me to suggest looking into a tow bar. It can be much better than ropes.

[@whispersailing3488]

Suspect diesel air lock, suggest bleed the system again. I think towing Rambler is best solution for moving! Maybe a short solid tow bar and maybe a rudder for Rambler? Disclaimer I’m a sea sailing, stick and rag type. I do like your videos!

[@lionelmarytravels6003]

The😂 wet weather has welcomed you back. it's been lovely where😂 we are for the past week or so.

[@rainieraine1192]

Orange peel in your plant pots might help curb Alan’s special prize givings!!!

[@deliawood1]

Maybe a small bilge pump would solve your rain problem.

[@margiedavies5243]

Love the videos so much. Thanks for doing them

[@ShirleyEdwards-z3t]

You can eat new reaves of hawthorn, add to salad, as a garnish or in salads

[@jackiehanning8808]

Hope things get sorted out soon ❤

[@jenesisjones6706]

You both had me literally laughing out loud many times...not just the shorthand lol! Cheers from Tasmania 🙃

[@alansmith8102]

Feel your pain with water in the engine bay. We had similar problem for years. Recently I think I worked out the problem was:... the water in the front to back channels seeping out where the cross channel slots/fits onto them (hope this makes sense). What I did as an experiment was stick some rubber draught excluder type stuff on the underside of the cross channel where it sits on the front to back channels and it seems to have worked/significantly reduced the amount of water in the engine bay even after really heavy rain over night. Maybe you have similar? Good luck

[@ivanbannon4260]

I like your humor! :)

[@Remoskateer]

Love you guys.

[@randoneur]

I have a pram hood on my cruiser stern. They're horrible ugly things, but I wouldn't be without it! I'm just waiting some quotes for a replacement, as it's getting very tired. It gives you an extra dry outdoor space, somewhere to remove muddy boots and wet clothing. It keeps you dry servicing the engine in the rain! It shades you from the sun. You can open the sides, front, rear or any combination thereof. I hang all my washing under it, and it dries rain or shine. The sides will be opened if it's windy and dry. It folds down in about 3 minutes, and goes up in roughly the same time. I love it 🙂

[@blackbob3358]

Anyone who takes a "drop of larrup" at the end of the day is fine by me. Cheers !

[@margaretwilliams3504]

Put a rubber mat on the rear deck .

[@spacespace764]

‘Carrot flaps’ and ‘Bum box’ creased me! Always an enjoyable watch! Love your channel! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧🙏🥰 🐱 🚤 🦆 🦢 🦅 💐🐝💚💚💚💜💜💜 🌞 🌧️ ☔️ ⛅️ 🌙

[@BenandEmily]

😅 Thanks so much for watching! ❤️

[@whiskymacable]

Regarding Alan's business's...better your plants than your carpet 😉

[@dancarter482]

I was suffering severe wheat withdrawal in Sri-Lanka years ago and found a German supermarket that sold those wafers. Then I found a decent hotel and just camped out in the room indulging like a fiend on the sugary delight. LOVE those _WAFERS!_

[@cablackburn9295]

Cat Litter Box -> Mog Bog

[@AllanKervin-f8j]

Wild sailing have a episode we're he dismantle 1 of the motors if ur stuck fixing it

[@gerrywalsh5766]

Hey Ben, I had a shifting issue with the motor on my pontoon boat years ago. The shift lever/cable system is held in the control panel and on the engine with clamps. The cable clamps on my engine came a little loose and when I tried shifting into gear the cable moved but didn't move the lever on the engine. When I had the panel lever in Neutral and the engine was in Neutral...I tightened the cable clamps good and tight on the engine. It worked beautifully after that. Check the simple things like that first before piling up a bunch of Quid for a new motor. I hope this helps you out.

[@richardkaberry8790]

Think that bird was a chiffchaff. 😊

[@shirleygreaves9650]

I found courgettes really easy to grow last year, you two seem to eat them a lot so might be a good crop for you. When mine grew I was picking them for about 2 months and cooking meals with them at least 3 times weekly. I hope your engine problems are sorting soon. Take care. xxx

[@bennyhill4228]

Emily may the 4th be with you, the plants Strikes back 🤓😆

[@maxiemills6982]

Even though I enjoyed the trip to Italy and even with all the engine problems, it's nice to see you back on the canals. Welcome home.

[@bennyhill4228]

Welcome back

[@arnoldimber8578]

You have an electric bike, and on today's content you took the laundry by walking when they make a few things that you can put on the bike to make your life a little bit easier they make a hitch you can put under the seat so you can put a foldable cart on the back and going to do laundry or getting groceries or dumping the trash you can do all that stuff with the bike, im making a hitch for my segway stand up scooter and im using what families use that take the kids along on the bike ride and some of those are even waterproof in case it starts to rain, see ya next week!🙃

[@wncmartin]

You guys are great. Love the simplistic warmth of your videos. Keep up the great work!

[@gwood19841]

Car door protector strip around the edges of the deck boards may reduce water and help stop dirt getting into the drainage channels to help them drain better. Obvs get it thick enough to fill the gap. Bonus reduction in engine noise too 🙂

[@Nofear25]

Carrot 🥕 flaps 😂😂😂😂 ❤❤

[@racebanning6390]

Alan... The Cat of Few words 😂🤣Droppin special prizes in Mums Garden Lolol! Glad the maintenance went well, bit of a Grease jockey there Benny.... I know the feeling. Safe and happy travels..🙏🙏🙏🔧🔧🛠️🛠️

[@jameswallace7709]

Further to my last advice. That sounds like the control box isnt pushing outboard in to gear properly. Try doing it 'manually' at the cable end in tandem with the control box. This will tell you if jts engine side or the control box / cables. Ref your inboard, next time when you do the fuel filters run it for a good 15-20 mins to purge any air out. You've probably got air in the fuel still. Need to crack the injector lines at the injector ends and turn engine over until fuel appears then nip back up.

[@Basaljet]

Sounds about right

[@christinedelfino5322]

Awwww things will get better, Happy Cinco de Mayo, I’ll have a couple of shots of tequila for ya… 🎉You two are brilliant.❤❤

[@Jacqueline-es5yb]

I like Benny's hair longer like that it really suits him.

[@bennyhill4228]

Emily sat on the Bow 👍 you guys are always awesome 😘

[@natachaparsons631]

Hi Emily, You could try growing tomatoes again, French beans in a large tub and potatoes in a sack or deep grow bag or tub but needs lots of drainage. Good luck, from Tasha. ❤

[@JL1308]

Oh Alan….😮😂

[@Roy66Nott]

Orange peel works to keep cats off of your plants.😊

[@BenandEmily]

Thanks for the tip! 🤗

[@_Tiamat_.]

💜💙💚 Oh Allan is so cute.

[@Red-ns9ny]

Good luck with the batteries ❤ thanks for the great view as always. Alan 😂 she really has put weight on 😮 your dad tut tut 😂

[@marjoriejohnson6535]

I noticed also....

[@Jessalove777]

Your plant had a side quest 😂

[@annanadiajohnson6590]

Hello Ben & Emily, shame you couldn't pass through Verona on your way back to the UK. I would have loved to meet you and gone out for a meal. Great to follow your vlogs, I enjoy watching your adventures. Take care Annaxx

[@davidbell4755]

Dearest daughter...loved the spanner relay. Now it's my turn to head to the sun ! And some carrott flaps !! Besos, Papá.

[@johandemondt8028]

Yes eating outside is amazing. It's of your food tastes much better

[@bennyhill4228]

Nice to see rambler up and going again, i did have a bit of a wine last vid lol, Lol Alan stop fertilizing the plant pots 😻😆

[@DMyatt]

So happy to see Alan, please make a video titled A day in the life of Alan

[@bindatek8801]

For the aft deck - Why not get some tent poles, one vertical at the extreme aft, one short one on a base well forward of your entrance door and one HORIZONTAL joining the verticals. Then throw a tarp over with eyelets and guy ropes to tie down. That would keep the aft deck dry. Just use the forward entrance during the covered period or really go for it and put door in the cover. Ideal for rainy periods or for when you leave your boat parked!!

[@damianbutterworth2434]

I`ve still got a spare alternator for you bigger boat kicking about if you pass Saxilby. I`ve reconditioned it with new bearings and brushes. It`s my hobby so I don`t want anything for it.

[@damianbutterworth2434]

@@daveide6396 Yes. It`s an old Ford Sierra type. I spotted it on an old vid they did. You can get brand new ones on EBay for £50 but if they are stuck I have one. A mate with a boat at Grimsby has had 3 done up by me until he realised he had wired them wrong. lol. Sure they are about 50 amps. You can get others that fit with much higher amps.

[@marilynteresespencer4365]

Hi both, love seeing your ups and downs. You are so calm and clever to fix things. Try sprinkling cayenne pepper/paprika powder in your plant pots to deter Alan. Have to replace it after heavy rain. Why not put a pot on the roof just for her after? Stay safe, you are brill.xx Pru.

[@merielangharad977]

Alans pants.... fantastic!!!! 💙

[@StevenRidpath]

Having cats for well over 30yrs now, we also have found some of them do like using the pots! So, the trick we have found is to use Holly leaves, Bramble sticks, Hawthorn sticks even rose bush sticks anything with thorns which stops them from digging. Then to stop them from blowing away, fruit cage netting as tights/stockings have a too close weave. This stops them in their tracks!!

[@joannebedford2695]

At least summer is on it's way

[@BenandEmily]

We're looking forward to it! 😊

[@scottlomas5509]

Have you good week guys 😊

[@sparsh415]

Some ideas for plants= Coriander and Rosemary in the Kitchen all year round and you can buy established plants in the supermarkets for £1. Cut and come again lettuce(bulletproof, costs pennies and gives you a fresh supply of salad on your doorstep), Chives(mix in with salad or Cheeeese!!!) Try some little dwarf French Marigolds which are easy to grow from seed and give you an abundance of beautiful Summer colour if you dont get many slugs. Why dont you try setting up a "bum pot" on the roof if Alan wants to leave her prizes there, lol

[@t-n-tew7468]

As soon as you asked what should I grow I thought tomatoes - slicing and cherry tomatoes. Then peppers - some mild and some hot.

[@AnthonyCarter-g2o]

It’s always nice when your plants come home.Our farm dog is no better,200 acres to take a cr.. and uses the yard where we sit and have a cuppa🥴

[@BenandEmily]

oh no! 😅 Pets ey! x

[@natashab2304]

Wonderful - all the Alan toilet humour had me giggling out loud!

[@desgilroy1357]

Loving the POV spanner work Ben.

[@sallyhodgkinson4920]

Grow tomatoes, onions, herbs and beans.( beans esp freeze well).

[@garlanp2]

Hi Guys, I've been a fan since the start and admire your tenacity in the face of the awful side of living on a boat. By the way, the Irish for Rose is "Rois", pronounced Row-shhh; "Roisin" pronounce Row-sheen, is the Irish for Little Rose. The Irish for Black is "Dubh" pronounced dove (Dubh Linn is the Irish for Blackpool, which was anglicized to Dublin). Therefore your boat, named "Roisin Dubh", is Little Black Rose, pronounced Row-sheen Dove. Long may she float.

[@kathleencooke3201]

Love the bum box 😹 I call the litter box the sh!t shed

[@ghostpepperrides4805]

Sorry to hear of more engine problems. Things will get better.

[@pilpelet100]

Could it be that Alan's new habit of leaving prizes in your plants is her way of punishing you for going away and leaving her? 🥰🥰 I hope that she gets out of this habit soon!!

[@desmondsouthwell3529]

When your problem with Rambler started, I was contradicted when I said it seemed more like the gearbox than the engine. I will say now that I reckon it is not a great problem, because I don't think it is anything to do with damaged gears, but just needs an adjustment to the linkages connecting the control lever to the shaft that goes into the gearbox. Failing that, Ben, you may have to open the gearbox and have a look at the selector which moves the forward and reverse gears. I hope I'm correct, as it could save you a bit of money. Regards to both of you, and Alan. Des.

[@yourhealingartist111]

Use peppermint essential oil or black pepper for Alan and your plant pots. Cats hate it! But you'll need to apply it often

[@Esther-rehtsE]

You seem to have a natural talent for succulents and tomatoes, keep up with that I think❤❤❤Alan rather goes to the bum box I guess🤣🤣🤣

[@theseriousprepper4372]

Hello. Just a heads up. I’m over in the states, and when I watch KZbin on my television set or computer some KZbinrs have a little heart with a $ in it for a thank you?. Anyway, it generates revenue. Just a heads up maybe you guys might want to take a look at that as an option too, Provides an option to push that button every once in a while And a more tangible way to show appreciation randomly than a note on a KZbin video. Stay safe and be well.

[@RandallSchwed]

What the Water Rat said to the Mole: “Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing-absolutely nothing-half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.”😉

[@clintromine802]

Take some old terracotta pots break them up & line the topsoil in your pots with the shards

[@trevorpoxon401]

Well done guys on reaching 36K subscribers xxx❤❤

[@LaurenceHarding-vs2ps]

that little lever iscalled a lift pump .

[@chriswest5906]

How about giving kitty it's own tray on the roof that you could simple use a shovel to cut out a square of turf from near the hedges and place that cut out piece it Kitty's tray, then after a few days place the used cut out turf back where you cut it out from near the hedges and replace it with a new fresh piece. Free and fresh 😅

[@jimprescott8423]

A bilge pump would be a useful addition to the engine bay,

[@michaelweavers8482]

Bilge Pump in the engine bay would spew oily water into the canal.

[@rikkiharcourt3868]

I do admire you both, getting rained on, wrestling engines, oil and mucky stuff and the delights of Allan’s toilet training. You are both the real thing. I would slink away, fill a hot water bottle and hibernate. Gold stars to both.

[@BenandEmily]

Awww hehehe, thanks so much ❤

[@strunch]

#10 spanner is cool but #13 is my favorite.

[@mishkawp8200]

Oh dear, Alan obviously loves your garden Emily!! She’s beautiful but clearly stubborn!!

[@BenandEmily]

she is! 😸

[@jodie5238]

❤

[@Daytona2]

Perhaps just put a tarp on the deck floor ? Your van was having a nice rest 😊 I was thinking that you need sharpened sticks in the flower pots like they used to stick in the ground on medieval battlefields 😂

[@Rachellovescheese]

Carrot flaps & Alan doing the do in your plant pots 😂 love it