Cruising Plans Changed By Damaged Locks & A Visit To Middleport Pottery | Quest Vlog #95

With less than a month before we’re due to head back into our winter marina, we decide to head north - that is, until we find out that a lock we would need to pass through has been damaged and won’t be fixed for a while! With the second lockdown also coming into effect, we turn around and head back towards the marina, tasting some delicious oatcakes from the B’oatcake Boat on the way, and stopping to visit the Middleport Potteries.
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[@toomanyhobbies2011]

Lived next to a 13 acre pond for several years. Counted up to 300 geese at one time and had no problems with them, their honking really got to be a relaxing thing after working all day inside. Wonderful place to moor up for the Winter!

[@dwc123fitlady]

Great pottery tour! Thanks for stopping to show us around.

[@NarrowboatChef]

Glad you liked it!

[@great-grandmakirk8828]

How’s my happiest couple doing? I’m really enjoying watching you as you get to travel on the canal. Sorry your plans were blown😩😩. Keep smiling and enjoy yourselves.🥰😷😷👍🏻❤️ Pixel is such a good girl , she didn’t even chase the ducks. At least the geese didn’t fly over your boat and poop on you both.😂😂😂

[@NarrowboatChef]

Hahaha, yes, very good point... glad we didn’t end up with a poop shower... 😅🤢

[@NathanElcoate]

Beautiful. I would love to explore those old abandoned warehouses along those canals.

[@davidsedlickas8222]

Winter has arrived To be in a marina for the the winter with the facilities available must be preferable to mooring canal bankside So sad to see the empty deralict decaying canal side buildings through Stoke on Trent as we did once when passing through Keep safe dry and virus free

[@melanieronbrooks80]

I just ordered my copy of your cookbook. So excited to be able to have your recipes available at my fingertips. Also to cook up some wonderful things with my grandchildren.

[@NarrowboatChef]

Thank you! 😍🥰

[@ralphwood9865]

Thanks for helping pass this Covid year ,lochs instead of lockdowns and some very nice and practical cooking tips and recopies .So have a great winter be safe and keep warm ,your cold weather cook book sounds interesting .Living in an area where there is an abundance of sea food my specialty is Chowders of various kinds and sea food i n general. Cheers for now from Canada

[@NarrowboatChef]

Thanks, glad the videos helped pass the time!

[@fredmahar5431]

Great vlog ,thank you !.....really enjoyed the pottery tour....knew it was going to be ££££ ...lol

[@margaretbedwell58]

I have been missing your channel so I looked back to see if I was still subscribed. I was but the little bel wasn't showing "all" so I fixed that. hope I'll will be fine in the future. In the meantime I will watch the backlogs. Thanks for sharing this trip, enjoyed the pottery but I sure couldn't afford to shop there either. I do love your very well behaved little dog. She is a sweetheart. Y'all stay well and have a Blessed day.

[@NarrowboatChef]

Thanks! Hope you enjoy the older videos! 😊

[@goetzliedtke]

Chain hoist was the word you were looking for.

[@maryannebrown2385]

Oh my goodness. I have a great weakness for blue and white pottery! Seeing that through the screen was torture. Lucky thing I wasn’t there as I probably would have walked out with a whole new set of dishes.

[@NarrowboatChef]

Hahaha, there were some lovely pieces!

[@pamelasmith9784]

Lovely to see you guys always cheer me up that's the beauty of boat life just c hange your plans 👍💖

[@NarrowboatChef]

Yep! 😁

[@tasim1]

Hello, say hi to our favourite boat dog. Soooo cute 🐾🐾🐾🐾

[@NarrowboatChef]

Hey you two!! 😊❤️

[@Orxenhorf]

Naughty, naughty. You didn't mention you had a famous canine neighbor when you were near the oat cake boat. Oh, and the humans that keep him supplied with tennis balls and new places to walk.

[@ianofsjkartwork]

That enjoyable & interesting vlog......that pottery place looked like a great vist..........stay safe........thanks for sharing

[@grahamlewis6062]

Thanks for the viewing at pottery. Like so many factories that were once buzzing with a hive of industry, sad to see them silent, but looked like great souvenirs! Shame they are all out our price range too ! If pixel anything like our old dog, she’ll miss the activity of moving about. Let’s all hope for a better year next year. We only managed 6 weeks on the boat. 👍💐🍰🍰

[@NarrowboatChef]

Yes, really hoping next year will be a better year for cruising! 🤞

[@MrVinnyh]

enjoyed the vlog, Canada Geese are not native to the uk, introduce as over sized garden pond birds and for the shooting parties, for food (Have been told differently, don't taste good}. I'm surprised you didn't suggest Pixor as image with N/B Chef as new range to the potteries collection range ! 😊 enjoyed the Vlog

[@NarrowboatChef]

Hahaha, they would have been best sellers with Pixel as their model!

[@janetellinger5728]

Looks enjoyable luv the blue dishes

[@nicholassimpson5004]

was worryed were you was not had no vlogs for month but great vlog like everyone said good dog reminds me off my old dog she would not hurt a file why don't you carry crusing in winter like most boat as you must spend two thousand on staying were you are now ya lock down i do under stand but winter no just don't see the point you could have got that cup if you was not in there lol cheaper to keep going and doing repairs on boat as its two week moarings and still have change out off two grand for next book stay safe my friends

[@NarrowboatChef]

Yep, sorry, we were extremely busy finalising the cookbook, so vlogs got put on the back burner for a little while. We prefer to stay in a marina over winter, cruising in the cold isn’t our cup of tea!

[@johnallen148]

Great video guys the cake look beautiful I hope you get wear you are going what with the no water in the canal it messed up so many narrow boaters trips to get wear they going for winter ,witch marine are you stopping for the winter,anyway till next time take care keep safe in this second lockdown, John 🥂❤️🎅🏻🎅🏻🎄🎄🌹

[@NarrowboatChef]

Thanks John, we managed to get to our marina with no issues! We’re staying in Aston Marina this winter.

[@willar1338]

Lots of ads in this one! But I stuck with it until the end. Enjoyed the vlog.

[@NarrowboatChef]

Oh no... I forgot that KZbin has changed the way they do the ads on videos... 😑 I’m going to see if I can fix that now... thanks for sticking through it and watching the video!

[@acmramon]

Weird when you say bye at the end, in that moment those geese flew away😄😄 it was their bye i think

[@NarrowboatChef]

We totally choreographed it... 😜

[@pfalzgraf7527]

Locked down for winter in the marina. I hope you have a good time and stay healthy! Looking forward to watching - whatever you post :)

[@NarrowboatChef]

Thanks!

[@TheRealSmithFamily]

A gantry crane I believe is what you saw. Do you have any plans to update/fixup anything specific this offseason? We bought 9 gallons of paint and are on our 4th room in our house. Then on to the basement walls. 😌

[@NarrowboatChef]

Haha, yay painting! 😂 We’re hoping that we will be able to update our bathroom early next year, depending on funds.

[@ynys_mon6928]

Thanks for the post. Great to hear from the both of you again (and Pixel of course). Can I look forward to some more cooking vlogs over the week when winter?

[@NarrowboatChef]

Hopefully yes! We have a few planned! 😊

[@chuggingalong]

Shame things didn't go to plan but at least there were oatcakes 😊 we'd love to try them. Did they have fillings? If so which ones did you go for?

[@NarrowboatChef]

Hey guys! 👋 Yes, oatcakes fix everything! 😋 We had one with bacon and sausage and one with baked beans and cheese! Yum...

[@annerimler]

Pixel's got the hots for that husky! Looking forward to seeing what comes next.

[@NarrowboatChef]

Lol, she loves every dog she sees! 😂😅

[@beachsandy8392]

Glad to see you guys are doing well Probably a good idea to go into the marina early with the winter stoppages and The Covid lockdown you could get trapped someplace you didn’t won’t to be And it could take you a while to get back to where you wonted to stop for the winter

[@NarrowboatChef]

Yes, that was our thinking as well!

[@wsatnutter9674]

lovely

[@trevorsurplice1582]

just to wish you a merry xmas and a happy new year

[@NarrowboatChef]

Merry Christmas to you too!

[@shirleylynch7529]

Brilliant vlog as usual. The geese were amazing. Pixel is so cute. Enjoy your winter mooring. Thank you

[@NarrowboatChef]

Thanks! 😊

[@jasethehoo]

I walk those canals on my daily nature walks while live streaming on periscope everyday nice to see them on your vlog hope to see you one day and give you a wave and say hi keep up the good work excellent channel

[@NarrowboatChef]

That’s cool! Might see you out and about one day!

[@katewhitaker9709]

We have a share boat based at Aston Marina. It’s a lovely marina.

[@NarrowboatChef]

It is!

[@nathanisip]

Really enjoyed seeing your short but satisfying cruise this year! Wishing you both the best over the winter hols. Bit of a silly question: Thought the electricity came with the marina mooring instead of needing to be topped up. How long does a card last you?

[@NarrowboatChef]

Thanks! £20 of electricity usually lasts us just over a month. Some marinas include it in their mooring fees, some don’t. 😊

[@stephaniewilson3955]

Am I the only one who sees all those Canada Geese and thinks 'traditional Xmas dinner'?

[@seanfitzpatrick1690]

So love your channel xxx

[@NarrowboatChef]

Thank you! xx

[@desertrose2059]

I just ADORE your precious doggy! (I like the two of you two mind you, but that Pixel is special :-) Thanks for a great video!

[@NarrowboatChef]

Hahaha, yeah, she’s adorable and definitely the star! 😂

[@Tandan.]

very nice vlog

[@trevorford8332]

Looking at that pancake or whatever it is, it's making me hungry!! A nice plate of fish and chips would do. Yum.

[@NarrowboatChef]

Haha, it’s an oatcake, a delicacy of the Staffordshire area of the UK

[@trevorford8332]

@@NarrowboatChef 🙂

[@christinegibbins6105]

Thank you both, stay safe and take care.

[@tedsemonis7905]

Well at lease you weren't on the other side of the lock that is closed. Winterize the boat and fix, clean and reorganize things. Make up some free standing shelves for storage items. Long walks with pixel, and as far as the geese -- christmas dinner.

[@pennywebb867]

Geese...Christmas dinner. 😂🤣😂❤❤❤

[@NarrowboatChef]

Haha, now there’s a good idea for a cooking vlog... 😂🤣

[@amirshake1108]

Interesting!

[@TheYancydog]

Sad but you can give your lock arm and leg muscles a rest until next spring. You're so professional now that you don't even scare the geese coming in. Thanks for the tour of the potteries. Hadn't stopped there before.

[@NarrowboatChef]

Haha, yes because our muscles got SUCH a workout with ALL the cruising we did this year...! 😜😂 The pottery was a nice little detour

[@TheYancydog]

@@NarrowboatChef Well, there's always painting muscles. Haven't used them in a while.🤪 I get my apron tomorrow 🥳

[@pennywebb867]

@@TheYancydog they have aprons?!? Gonna check that out. I need a new one what with all the lockdown cooking.

[@TheYancydog]

@@pennywebb867 Ryan did the logo. Black background and white. Redbubble: Narrowboat Chef

[@NarrowboatChef]

You’ll have to let us know if the apron is any good - we haven’t gotten any test merchandise yet...

[@goetzliedtke]

Careful how you tie your electric cord in knots My Oma used to swear that if you tie your electric cord into knots, the electricity could get stopped, back up, and break out into a fire. Of course, gas lights were the norm when she was a child. Perhaps she confused gas with electricity.

[@18robsmith]

Pixel demonstrates the mystery of the disappearing oat cake :-)

[@890zg]

it's great to see you ... thanks for sharing ... take care and keep safe Goran

[@johnhockenhull2819]

It sounds like those Canada Geese followed you down from Westport Lake.

[@jackirichards8789]

Shame the pottery was so overpriced! Love Pixal! X

[@gillchatfield3231]

On the oatcake question. It's bizarre to see them folded like that. They really should be rolled with the filling inside. They're basically an oatmeal mix with yeast, cooked on a bakestone. Never homemade, always from an 'oatcake shop'. In the days when the majority of the population lived in terraced houses there would be one every few streets, just the front room of a house, as the fish and chip shops were. Always best when fresh from the shop. I was sent to get ours for Sunday breakfast, and had one with bacon, one with butter. Mmmm

[@SteveNail]

Cant beat a stokie oatcake. My favourite is sausage, cheese, mushroom and brown sauce mmmm

[@davieimrie2407]

Great to see u guys Was looking for ur cookbooks jst last night ... think there are two? Could only find the ebook lockdown cookbook ... which i'm getting, thnx! Stay safe Davie X

[@NarrowboatChef]

Hi Davie, there is just the one at the moment, the new one should be out in just a few days! 😊

[@davieimrie2407]

@@NarrowboatChef ah, thnk u ... hence my confusion X

[@jmccracken491]

Pixel is so cute. Where did you buy her Life Jacket I need one for Gus. I really enjoy your Vologs a lot. I live in US State of West Virginia.

[@NarrowboatChef]

We just bought it off Amazon, it’s been great.

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

good update on the cut keep posting updates up

[@MrDWilcut]

That must be your sharp Fork!

[@NarrowboatChef]

😂

[@hamshackleton]

Pixel wants to go for a walk!

[@elegantinfusions]

Surprised you didn’t go in stern first, as you electric hook up is aft.

[@tedsemonis7905]

things happen 👀💥💥💥🍗🍗

[@NarrowboatChef]

It’s actually easier for us to be front first as we store our coal in the well deck as well as fill up the water tank from the tap there - if we are in with stern first, we’d have to lug the 25kg bags all the way along the jetty to store them and our hose doesn’t quite stretch that far for filling up the water tank!! 😅 The power cable is at least something that we do once and then leave for several months!

[@Deb_Downes]

I’m just wondering of you could explain what the oatcakes are? They look like some sort of pancake?? Lovely video, cheers Deb :)

[@NarrowboatChef]

Hi Deb, they are similar to a savoury pancake, they are a specialty of the Staffordshire area.

[@greghilton7797]

Very reasonable prices on the Oatcake Boat. Greg's Take note! Does this mean Ryan's nickname is Ron from now on and we can say more, Ron. Cheers

[@richardfinney5081]

Lynn here on Hubby's phone mines playing up 😏, I'm just going to subscribe 😊, please bring me up to date a bit 😊🤔, might I ask are you originally from Canada?, Would you send me links to your early videos ?, How long have you been boating ? Wooo there's loads more questions, but I'll let you go now , Wooooo before I go , How old are you ?, Sorry I'm so nosey 😊🤔😂😂, Take Care xx

[@Renovator26]

Nice to be “home” with power to spare, a good wifi signal, and all mod cons! I love the way Pixel stands ready to “help” out with lunch. What is it about dogs - just get the can opener out and they’re instantly your best friend for life. BTW - does Pixel ever get to romp with the other dogs? She’s shown most on an extendable leash I notice. Your tour of the pottery was impressive but I would go ape and probably rack up £350 without blinking. Those prices - wow. £21 for a single mug. With this pandemic and all the economic insecurity (except for wealthy Australian narrowboat chefs! lol) I can’t see a lot of £21 mugs flying off the shelves. So - it’s time to stop wandering and getting down to work I gather. No long commutes though and Pixel gets several walkies a day I suspect. Love your blogs. In case we miss each other - Merry Christmas guys. John, Ontario, Canada

[@NarrowboatChef]

Thanks John! Yes, it’s nice to be back in the marina. Pixel does occasionally play with other dogs that are in the marina and loves it!

[@valeriebaxter2354]

I ordered your cook book last week and wondered how long delivery will be?

[@NarrowboatChef]

Hi Valerie, you must have ordered our Lockdown cookbook - it’s a digital downloadable PDF, but occasionally the email with the download link goes missing. If this is the case, let me know and I’ll send you a new link!

[@valeriebaxter2354]

@@NarrowboatChef Put it in the basket paid via paypal but received nothing since.

[@loft306]

Ha ha yeah puttering seems about right

[@usmcforever7630]

Middleport Pottery is a beautiful historic place. I wonder how old it is. Does it go back to the Industrial Revolution? Greetings from the US

[@NarrowboatChef]

According to their website, they’ve been producing pottery for 130 years

[@ynys_mon6928]

On UK TV for the past few years there’s been a fascinating series called The Great Pottery Throw Down. A bit like Great British Bake Off but a competition between amateur potters. It’s filmed at the Middleport site. Really fascinating to see the skill that goes into making pottery.

[@ionawhitney8035]

What is the amperage on your marina hookup?

[@amirshake1108]

Do you guy’s pay for slip and utilities separately?, in MDR (Marina del Rey) we pay for slip and utilities are included, just wondering

[@NarrowboatChef]

Hi Amir, we pay for moorings which includes water, use of the shower/toilet facilities, etc, but we have to pay for electricity.

[@barbarataylor1535]

Please explain what is an oatcake to this American, Thanx, love your blogs!

[@NarrowboatChef]

It’s essentially like a savoury pancake made from oats instead of flour!

[@WingingItBoatingonaBudget]

Since buying our first boat I think the ONLY thing that we don't like about 'life aboard' is the noise geese make!

[@NarrowboatChef]

Right?! Noisy blighters... 😂

[@WingingItBoatingonaBudget]

@@NarrowboatChef we have ONE rule for life aboard a boat... NEVER EVER EVER feed the geese - I'd never harm them but I'd never do ANYTHING to encourage them to come within 200metres of the boat! 🤣🤣🤣

[@NarrowboatChef]

@@WingingItBoatingonaBudget Hahahaha, good rule to have!! Definitely agree with that one! 😂

[@WingingItBoatingonaBudget]

@@NarrowboatChef it does also have a PT2 to the rule - don't feed the swans either or they come tapping on the boat for food from sunrise to sunset (no so bad if CCing as they don't follow you round the country!).

[@millomweb]

Over £20 for a mug ??? Hey - that's not as bad as you think because you get two for the price of one. You get one you can drink your tea out of and the other mug is the person that bought it ;)

[@NarrowboatChef]

😂🤣😂

[@pennywebb867]

1st...very impressive Pixel! She didn't run after the geese, even when the other dog scattered them. She is starting to rival Molly, Juno's lab. 2nd...i know why you married Ryan. It was his laugh, right? 3rd, good to see you guys again. Loving your cookbook. You both are looking good. Stay safe and well. Use that hand sanitizer...you know both silver foxes got covid! 😘🤪😘

[@NarrowboatChef]

Haha, yes, his laugh was part of it, he’s a huge sweetie! 🥰 Glad you’re enjoying the cookbook!

[@pennywebb867]

For the life of me I can't find it anywhere on your site. Any hints?

[@NarrowboatChef]

Here you go! narrowboatchef.com/shop/

[@fooku5508]

Will your weekly vlog become an every three weeks vlog instead?

[@NarrowboatChef]

Eh, hopefully not!

[@martinheslip376]

How long do the electric cards last at the marina.....stay safe.....

[@NarrowboatChef]

Depends. For us, usually a £20 card will last us just over a month.

[@posspet]

@@NarrowboatChef . Are you light or heavy users of the electricity?

[@NarrowboatChef]

I’d say probably in between. We know of another boater who uses double the amount we use as they keep their hot water immersion system running 24/7. We’ve got our gaming laptops that we use fairly regularly as well as iPads and such for work.

[@johnekins4408]

“And hope it doesn’t pelt down with rain” missing rain free Australia already?

[@NarrowboatChef]

Some days, yes!! 😂🤣

[@borderreiver3288]

DO YOU KNOW WHAT A SAGAR MAKERS BOTTOM KNOCKER IS...Fr too expensive pottery...for the price of one mug you could buy a whole dinner set which is just as good....

[@mattsandilands6380]

Now that I have a boat everyone keeps saying that I should get a dog, I always say but I don’t want a dog and then I see Pixel.

[@NarrowboatChef]

Haha, she is adorable enough to change a person’s mind! 😁

[@dereknevill]

Roast goose ?

[@NarrowboatChef]

A definite possibility... 😑😜

[@rexgeorg7324]

noce bit of cursing guys

[@NarrowboatChef]

Thanks!

[@thepubliceye]

New viewer, do you work as a chef? Ok I watched some back videos, I guess you just like to eat and let your wife do the most work.

[@NarrowboatChef]

Yes we both used to be chefs, no longer work in the industry though

[@ynys_mon6928]

I think H3N2 that you got a very polite response to an offensive comment. Just shows what a lovely couple they are. If you are a new viewer perhaps you should view a few more of their vlogs before commenting.

[@pennywebb867]

Actually, Ryan does most of the cooking. And I agree with ynys_mon's reply.