Narrowboat Living Ups and Downs - Offgrid life on Britain's Canals - Episode 200

#vanlife #narrowboat #offgrid
Narrowboat Living Ups and Downs - Offgrid life on Britain's Canals - Episode 200
Getting those jobs done and climbing up Bredon Hill in a most beautiful part of England
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We are Fran and Rich and along with our furry companions, Archie and Jess, we explore the UK's canals and rivers aboard our 58ft Narrowboat named 'Laura Maisie'.
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[@ajohnson2381]

Really like your new format and intro. You should do what you want. Never too old to follow your dreams, we all know our limitations and don't need anyone telling us what we should do. Enjoy yourselves.

[@Lynette21122431]

Thank you for taking the salon on the walk and through bits of the work as well. You two clean up just as beautifully as Laura Maisie’s stove does!

[@revonda5204]

I just love watching your videos. They're just peaceful. Whether you're on the canal, whether you're taking a walk, or even cleaning your boat, it's all enjoyable. Thank you for sharing. 🤗😊

[@jamesbrashear1664]

Your new INTRO is in the words of Fran, absolutely Brillant! I love that word. It makes you feel welcome. Grab your favorite chair and sit for a spell. Alright Rich I'm ready to watch you create one of your specialty food items. Anytime you want to start, my family is ready.

[@CarolWhite-il7ki]

I made apple pie a couple of days ago,and rice pudding today, it's 5 october.was foggy this morning.but sunny this afternoon. Take care

[@FloatingOurBoat]

I need rice pudding lessons as Rich loves it but I never get it quite right

[@carolinecaiger6717]

Great vlog! Fran is the perfect hiking companion - free snacks the whole way 🤗

[@angelaaz6282]

Hi guys…lovely and scenic video…enjoy ❤🍓🫐

[@carolrayk]

When you're on top of a mountain don't you wish you could fly off it like a bird and drift down to the valley below.. What a beautiful view. Thanks for sharing.

[@Westeross]

Heartwarming video…great work on cleaning the heater👍🏻🇦🇺👍🏻

[@viewfrommylensjane]

I adore that yew tree!!! magnificent! I am the same, autumn in bad weather I sort, clear out etc.. agree, making the best of good weather is my priority

[@neildaly6787]

I love the idea of "Autumn Cleaning". It make more sense as you head into winter....We're heading into Spring down here...I feel a bit justified in putting off the big cleaning jobs until Autumn now! Ha ha! And what a lovely walk up to those stunning views. Thanks for sharing it with us. Cheers.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

It seems so much better to do t in autumn when you want your home to be cosy and tidy for winter

[@suzannehague5203]

I rihe and fan a nuotthr good blog lovely scenry all the best for now😊

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@markames3688]

Been awhile since I commented. Lovely video and I think I’m caught up. Lovely stuff all.

[@ronaldcumpsty5605]

Another amazing video and after that healthy hilltop lunch and hard work cleaning surely it was time for Rich to have his favourite beer. Thank you for taking us along.

[@Mark-ct5dh]

Hello from Colorado! Been watching seems like forever!! Mark in Colorado

[@juliedouglas2888]

Great vlog guys, well done.

[@russreed7841]

You two speak of poems, and seeing the UK through your eyes has been poetry to me. I can't thank you both enough.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

That is so lovely. 🙏

[@ShedMusicCyprus]

Hi Fran & Rich. Video 200 and no mention of this and no cake to celebrate! Rich, take a little advice from me, next time you are in town, buy a pair of knee pads because they make kneeling down a lot more comfortable for old knees like those that we have. Suns still shining here in Cyprus (28 degrees in the day) but I will soon be swapping my shorts for jeans during the evenings in the gazibo watching your videos. Keep locking, Graham

[@neilr009]

Love the videos, I find them immensely calming. I know that you don't like using chemicals but to stop mould from gaining a foothold in the shower sealant I use HG foaming mould remover. It's brilliant, before I used it I would have to remove the silicone sealant every year and re-apply, since using it the sealant has lasted five years and is still going strong. If you blocked the shower drain with kitchen roll you could maybe avoid rinsing it into the canal and then bin the used kitchen roll when you can.

[@SallyKirch]

What a lovely mooring spot with that huge patch of green grass. I’m sure the pups loved it!

[@fionahammond9396]

Hi Fran and Rich great video wish more people thought like you even in the house with using cleaning products good on you keep up the good work ❤xx

[@dilsie3268]

That was certainly a good walk, you both do very well on hills. Certainly a busy few hours on jobs but great photo before and after Fran, I’m a Bicarbonate/Vinegar fan too ❤

[@ShedMusicCyprus]

Hi Fran & Rich. I remember Harvington Hall because we had a school trip there over 60 years ago when I was probably 6 or 7 years old. At one of the priest holes we were told by the guide to look into the hole but not to step over the white line in front of the hole. Guess what? I stepped over the white line and there was a tremendous bang as the guide banged his stick on the floor. Scared the hell out of me - I never forgot that and to this day I don't step over white lines! Happy locking - Graham in Cyprus.

[@maryearll2135]

thank you, enjoyed this so much. Relaxing, happy video - even the cleaning!!!

[@lornaeaketts-rogers2812]

Loved this! My friend grew up I’m Woollas Hall, it was split up into apartments even then, but I believe it is mentioned in the Doomsday book. I love Brendon Hill is an absolute gem, I used to ride up onto the hill so gorgeous 💖 glad you are enjoying the area x

[@nevillemignot1681]

The earthworks on the very top of the hill look very much like Iron/Bronze age hill fort, and you are very right about all the modern stuff on the folly on the top, makes it look so ugly!! And i hope you two enjoyed your blackberry pie!! Thanks for the wonderful Vlog, and Happy Travels!! Cheers and Gold Luck from Sydney!

[@FrancesDavey-c8y]

Thank you both xx

[@elainewallace-e1o]

Thanks for sharing these wonderful views with us....I was feeling very sad and in that dark place life sometimes places us, came across your video and felt that "onward and upwards moment. Well done Fran and Rich . You're always worth a watch.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Those times hit us all sometimes. So pleased our videos helped to lift you out.

[@vebetka8333]

Great quality video. I love seeing more of England through your eyes 😊❤

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@sarkybugger5009]

Hi guys! 'Winter drawers on,' as my dear old Nan used to say. 😁 Said goodbye to Auntie Pat on Tuesday, and the wake was held in the Hatton Arms, overlooking the Hatton lock flight. The weather was foul, and there was nothing moving on the cut. All the best, to you both.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

A great place for a wake. Hope it went well❤️

[@Motormad196]

Porridge looked yummy, and Foxes Afloat honey I’m guessing by the shape of the jar? Great video, cheers!

[@nesleinf]

I just love the location "Somewhereelseshire". Absolute stunning 😀 Love from Denmark

[@chriskiwi2601]

What a great walk, brilliant views making it worthwhile. That 8 hundred year old tree was a beauty. We've had a wet winter here in New Zealand so looking forward to a warm dry summer. Cheers.

[@Debba521]

Really enjoyed today's video, thanks! Loved the walk up the hill, blackberrying as you went. Cleaning out your wood burning stove definitely looked a dirty job, but necessary. Rich's power chimney sweep was hilarious, and it worked! I have to express some mild disappointment at not seeing the blackberry pie, but thems the breaks. 😊

[@FloatingOurBoat]

You would have needed to be quick to see the pie as we ate it so quickly.

[@Jane_and_Meg]

Hi Fran and Rich, wonderful views and brilliant drone footage too! We've been out picking Blackberries too and also I made an Apple Crumble or two from a neighbour's windfall apples! We did try Dandelion tea the other day but unfortunately not the best!!😝 Anyway, it's good to see you both take care.

[@HellyAvard-xt6mz]

Thank you I loved the views from your walk just a lovely place you are in at the moment

[@lionelmarytravels6003]

Well done Fran and Richard. That was a very interesting video, but then yours usually are! A lovely hill to climb with a folly at the top. I'm not going to comment on the communication devices attached to it. Got to put them somewhere, I guess. Just up the road from where we live is an old water tower. It might still be used , but I wouldn't fancy my water out of that! But it also has many pieces of communication equipment attached to the sides and I believe that is also a listed building.

[@shirleylynch7529]

Beautiful scenery up the hill and all around. What an amazing yew tree. Loved all your chat. You both look so well. Thank you.

[@BarneyLeith]

"In summertime on Bredon..." (A. E. Housman). Love this new style vlog!

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you Barney x

[@eamo106]

Hello from Texas and I had to congratulate you on your 200th post ! I had my Canal surge from the originator (John) , you and Captain Gary Philips thereafter.. then I had other channels and groups to follow. You two were the innovators.. whilst many just posted the canals, you got off your boats and VISITED the area around the moorings. You were the FIRST to do that ! You are again the FIRST I have seen you get a small Camper to go wider to see all of Britain. What can I say - INNOVATORS and LEADERS ! Happy 200th ! Still subscribed !

[@gailalbers1430]

Actually 😂 Ben & Emily got a small camper too !

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Ha ha, never thought of ourselves as innovators! We just do and show what is important to us. Glad you like it x

[@eamo106]

@@gailalbers1430 Indeed but Ben and Emily are not Canal Royalty !

[@Dyfhi]

Very much enjoyed Rick and Fran. Chandeliers help tomato’s grow bigger 😂. A tip for brasses, wet and dry (auto sand paper) fine grade to remove weathered brass, cardboard with Autosol removes the fine wet and dry scratches then Autosol with good quality yellow duster and finger will bring it up nice, once you get the hang of it will reduce the Brass rub time, also the stubborn marks and the pain in the butt situation trying to Brasso them away goes. A tip from my 2 x tour on QCS (Queens colour squadron RAF Regiment) A Barn owl face in the back of your stove so it looks like to me. Have a good weekend folks…Excuse me for mentioning my military stuff, it’s where the tip came from and I used and so did all the lads…

[@onedaymoreaboard]

What a fab vlog! A little bit of everything in there. Poppy loved watching as always ❤

[@FloatingOurBoat]

@@onedaymoreaboard Poppy our No. 1 fan x

[@katemiller8113]

Beautifully captured…love your posts…this time, though - that darling bee 🐝

[@FloatingOurBoat]

I know 😍

[@glennclarke9787]

Great vlog Guys. You both are very energetic walking that distance.amazing job done on Laura May.😃 Stay safe 😊xxx

[@ChrisP-qs1ys]

Lovely vlog

[@ruthmichigander]

Wow the views! Thanks Fran and Rich for sharing more history and beauty with us. By the way Fran the other day when I was in the store they already had all their Christmas decor out. Crazy!

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Soul destroying

[@sianwarwick633]

Lovely countryside, looks so relaxing - like your style. The yew tree is in good shape. A crumble is always a good idea, and your breakfast is a great tribute to your friends

[@deballen6147]

Hey guys, fantastic scenery . Thank you for sharing. Both of you will look like blackberries soon 😂😂😂

[@VioletsVisions]

Lovely video! Thank you for sharing your beautiful journeys. ❤️

[@Lulu5771]

So happy to see you both. Beautiful hike, the scenery is stunning ❤ Glad you’re cracking on with the fall/winter chores and getting ready for cooler weather. The stove looks great and I know it will be so cozy with it all lit up from a lovely fire ❤

[@FloatingOurBoat]

It is a lovely feeling when we have a clean fire, a stack of wood and a cosy boat

[@janl8683]

Top tip I was given for cleaning the glass on my log burner was to use a piece of damp kitchen roll and some ash from the grate. It gets rid of soot and residue with little effort and no scratches. I don't know if it would have worked on the grate or the oven...lol maybe I will try it on my oven....but it definitely works on the glass 😅❤

[@vickimiller6991]

Love your videos. Thank you for bringing me along.

[@barbaralamson7450]

I absolutely loved the walk. Mostly, i loved seeing your happy faces. I love you use baking soda and vinegar. I use it as well. Brilliant for cleaning and clearing a drain. Thank you, see you next time.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

I have used it for years even on land and it tackles nearly all jobs

[@christopherbutler7588]

Thanks Rick and Fran great video 😊have a lovely weekend 😊

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thanks, you too!

[@CarolWhite-il7ki]

Your a lovely couple, thankyou

[@ruaidhrikathygill8833]

Very enjoyable video. Love when you do your walks and hikes. Thank you for sharing. 😊🤗 Kathy

[@vebetka8333]

You're such a lovely couple.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you so much xx

[@LornaT460]

Love your vlog. ❤

[@layalabi1667]

What a lovely village!!! Thank you!!!❤

[@Frank-wb8ll]

Thanks for the video 😀

[@arthurraymond6239]

Excellent content 🤔😎

[@deeheart9988]

Great video 🎉

[@hughcarson6837]

Well done , great vlog.

[@marionjohansson4235]

It has been the most wonderful summer for the indigenous plant life. Lots of fruit and now the shrooms begin, and they are bountiful. My son and I collected 4 and a half kilos a couple of weeks back. I think you call them penny buns. He collects wild weeds and herbs to make teas and salves and tinctures. He became interested after my husband died. Enjoy your lives.

[@ldirk58601]

That view was stunning! Music was great, stove looks brand new, all is well.

[@julie011267]

Loved this video once again xxx

[@gabrielecox365]

750 ml bottle of wine need about 600 to 800 grapes. The number of grapes depends on grape variety used. Loved the vlog ❤

[@predo46]

Pickwick papers for your Christmas Dickens..? If u have not read it yet, thoroughly recommend. Keep up the good work..👍

[@rogermorris6957]

Yet another fantastic vlog, keep up the great work ❤

[@nesleinf]

You are just soooo gooood! 🙂

[@martinmarsters8581]

Thanks ❤

[@marianneeckertjensen4723]

Wonderful views! And who likes cleaning ovens and fireplaces..? 🤩

[@ronaldmcinnes7840]

enjoyed visit to Bredon, used to stay at the Royal Oak Inn whilst working at Ashchurch few years ago,lovely vlog as always.

[@debsie9769]

Fran and Rich how do you manage to keep the motor home near where you are on the canal? I enjoy your vlogs. X

[@FloatingOurBoat]

It is in a secure storage lock up. Rich takes a train to collect it when we need it

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

great see you put vlog out on channel cranking it on the cut keep up the great vlogs nice place you are at thanks lee

[@BarneyLeith]

Have just returned from the best part of two weeks helping rescue our friends' narrowboat from Todmorden on the Rochdale Canal, over the Pennines, via Manchester, the Ashton Canal, Peak Forest, Macclesfield, and back to the Midlands via the Trent & Mersey. The Rochdale & the Ashton were both very difficult, lacking water in many pounds. But the Macclesfield and the T & M were fine, with some very beautiful stretches. The rain was relentless for some days, but the sun returned!

[@FloatingOurBoat]

What a great friend you are. That is a mammoth journey. Hope you had fun

[@brianstewart3457]

Another great vlog from you two. Did you not take Jess & Archie with you on the walk? Typically you need around 1.5Kg of fruit to make a gallon of wine (6 bottles) and almost a similar quantity of sugar). Elderberry wine is really nice, a full bodied red, but that's a lot of little berries and no stalks alowed (fork helps). Not easy making wine on board as it's difficult to settle with the boat moving Good job decoking the flue, reminds me to do ours.

[@SallyKirch]

What a lovely mooring spot with that huge patch of green grass. I’m sure the pups loved it! Was the climb up the hill too much for Jess and Archie? Great views! Thank you.

[@gaynorpattle]

Hi Guys...have you tried using damp newspaper and ash as an abrasive to clean your woodburner glass...works a treat ! OH for a chandelier, anywhere! 😍

[@Elle-kr8od]

Ah that bee looked fat and happy. I'm not sure if that was a rosa rugosa, which is common in the coastal areas of southern New England. The roses also covered the median strip of an old divided highway. We kids called them "cast iron roses" believing they could stop errant cars from crossing the median. And perhaps they could :)

[@FloatingOurBoat]

It certainly is Rosa rugosa. The hedgerows here are full of them

[@viewfrommylensjane]

HOLA! Love the new intro' Welcome to Percy, name is from? mmm I would be protesting that, the defacing a heritage location. God forbid you or I did anything like that... Grapeyard HAHA..

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you. We don’t really know where the name came from. It just came out of the blue

[@viewfrommylensjane]

@@FloatingOurBoat its perfect

[@lynmoore8355]

so great Vvlog guys... but Fran......... how the heck do I get the old blackberries out of the bottle, to make new blackberry Gin.?...

[@robinsmith8918]

Thankyou

[@henrywilliam8506]

Another great vlog! Fran, how dare you call yourself an English woman and call the fruit blackberries, they're brambles!!! 😎

[@FloatingOurBoat]

😁

[@mungmungie]

You're lucky to have soft fruit. On the opposite side of the planet, climate change has taken a break, and we're back to temperate coastal rainforest. For the past few years, there have been hot temperatures and lots of grapes and plums, but this year we're actually enjoying a lot of fresh kale, chard, and arugula. October is a magical time--in the old language.Wynterfylleth or "winter is coming." Trees are turning colour and the crows, with their nice sleek shiny new feathers, follow us down the street, asking for handouts. And yes, it's time for cleaning.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Ooh, love fresh kale and chard. We always grew them in our garden

[@MissingLink-hb9ov]

Oh my, Fran is looking Svelte in Jeans today. I was just looking for the videos of your friends, I don't remember their names but she had breast cancer and came out good on the other side, I can't find them on here. :(

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you so much x. I think you mean Debbie and Mark from Well Deck Diaries. They don’t seem to put videos out any more

[@MissingLink-hb9ov]

@@FloatingOurBoat yes, thank you, unable find them..

[@davidbaber5445]

Not a bad life boys and girls 😊

[@leslielutz6140]

Go back and look inside your stove again. There is a face staring back at you !

[@sunnybnk]

Regarding the folly / comms tower. From a distance you can hardly see the comms gear. I'd rather see the folly standing on its own rather than with a steel comms tower in the vicinity. The folly will also need to be maintained and I would imagine that is part of the deal in having the comms gear on it. 🤔

[@edwardhoughton2565]

Xx

[@sadieals]

Call me morbid if you like, but i have always liked to read the epitaphs on the old gravestones. One in particular goes: Remember me as you pass by. As you are now, so once was i. As i am now , so you must be. So, prepare for death and follow me. When researching where it came from, someone had added. To follow you i'm not content. Until i know which way you went! Great video.

[@viewfrommylensjane]

I am not on a narrowboat & am the same and use vinegar. Now I can not handle the fumes from those chemical cleaners

[@FloatingOurBoat]

We agree. We hate the smell of cleaning chemicals now

[@viewfrommylensjane]

@@FloatingOurBoat I find its cleaner really 🙂

[@terenceseymour-tf8rptassie725]

Do you make Blackberry Cider?

[@FloatingOurBoat]

No, we don’t make any drinks now, we enjoy eating the berries too much

[@terenceseymour-tf8rptassie725]

Happy 6th Anniversary . I think I have been watching you soon after you started the channel, certainly since 2020 and a couple of years prior on the smart TV unsubscribed

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Wow, thank you so much xx

[@ladygardener100]

I am getting forecasts of snow, not sure if that's really Fake News

[@patrickstarnes2355]

All the pee and poo from the cows and sheep in the fields also gets washed down into the canal, so how does that all work 🤔

[@Chris-td4yd]

@@patrickstarnes2355 Obviously the canal is full of cow & sheep poon Dr Watson

[@patrickstarnes2355]

@@Chris-td4yd so should Fran be worried about adding a little cleaning fluid? I think not.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Well, two wrongs don’t make a right. The farm wash off is a big, big problem, but no need for us to add the the pollution with unnecessary chemicals

[@ladygardener100]

I can never understand why fishermen spend all that money on tackle when they throw the poor things back anyway.

[@Chris-td4yd]

I eat the fish I catch 👍 & Narrow Boats piss me off ……. Smug ⚓️Rs

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Oh dear, maybe you should be watching a fishing channel instead.There is room for fishermen and narrow boats if everyone is respectful.

[@dalebadman6700]

are you guys getting less inspired with canal life now that you have Percy?

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Definitely not. We have always enjoyed walking off the towpath. We have always said it is not about the boat but about our way of life.

[@aethellstan]

sorry but a crumble trumps a pie any day of the week. apple and blackberry is a blinding pud.

[@colinevans39]

Church leaders owned the tower ? bt got it mmmmm sad god bless the money 💰

[@clickbaiterhater]

Excuse my ignorance, but what is the "C" word? 🤔

[@user-rx7nv8td4z]

Christmas.