We get FROZEN in on the Grand Union Canal - Episode 42

The Grand Union Canal freezes over stopping us from moving and Fran reviews our clothes washing and drying.
Our holiday cottage on the Welsh Border in Herefordshire
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The music played in our videos is all royalty free and may not be commercially available, but here is a list of the music used. Some are shown on KZbin.
NEW GUITAR TRACK - St. Francis by Josh Lippi & The Overtimers www.youtube.co....
Calling For You - Henrick Neesgaard
Floating Cellos - Merlean
Elder Kedem - 'You and Me'
Lior Seker - 'First Adventure'
Low Tree - 'Shaal Region'
Mark Tracey - 'Born Twice
Benjamin Thompson - 'Lullaby'
Feet On Water - 'Unexpected Moment'
Ziv Moran - 'Clouds'
Black Goldie - 'Perfect Muse'
Thanks for watching - love Fran and Rich

[@sianwarwick633]

I must say, as a Canadian, I would find that ice hard to resist driving through, but it could cost you in fuel and engine oil eventually. Beautiful pictures and sound of ice skipping, wonderful. Stay warm

[@BillAndersonNS]

Looking for signs of spring - in February! lol You are always the optimist

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Always!

[@paulbennett4548]

Lovely video gang, that plastic bag is a antistatic bag to protect your expensive lights. So handle with care, don't get all charged up. Electic joke.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Ha ha!

[@Jennifer62389]

Your new lights will show your wrinkles is cute. I have that problem with Zoom. But with Zoom I can prepare with control how I'm seen. I hate selfies but I check my phone camera before I go on Zoom. The scenery was beautiful, thank you.🌻

[@maybarbosa4097]

I love your woven curtains

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you. We left them on the old boat, I wonder if the new owner will like them ?

[@MrBryanfowler]

thans for a top show, us Australians living in the philippines would give anything for some of your cold weather stinking hot here for 365 days, humidity crazy levels. thank you.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Our pleasure Bryan. 😃

[@NarrowboatChef]

The frost and ice makes everything so pretty, but best enjoyed from the comfort of a nice warm boat with a cuppa! 😊

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Get out there 😀x

[@NarrowboatChef]

Okay, but only with lots of layers... our Aussie blood can’t handle too much cold!! 😉

[@colmornane5684]

@Floating our boat In Australia we call that Bloody Cold! I see crackle grass had come to visit.

[@lisapercywolf3392]

I was watching this vlog again (because I am the re-run queen), and I noticed during the film of Rich changing the bulbs out, that the interior of the boat has two different wood tones. Very lovely! She IS a pretty boat. :D

[@maybarbosa4097]

I come from the tropical island of Penang in Malaysia. Just looking at your video makes me feel cold. Lol!

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Ha Ha, better get some jumpers out, winter is coming

[@johngrubb007]

Wonderful cruising scenery. If it makes you feel better, we're in a deep freeze over here in western Canada. Some days we've hit -35c with the wind chill. Also a lot of snow almost every day we get a bit.

[@sianwarwick633]

Dude, for sure. Canada. We would locked in ice for mo ths like Shackleton. Ooh and the hull would get cold and start to shrink the rivets or seams maybe

[@adamcoolin2165]

Nice to see an all year cruiser. Liked watch the last few as I am new to narrow boat life and you came past where I am mored up

[@diannedutton6127]

I'm very picky about my light bulbs too, love a warm glow. I enjoy you two very much. Very interesting.

[@chrismears4937]

Just a tip for what to wear during the cold days that I have learnt from working outside for most of my life: Less is more. I generally have a thermal vest and thermal jacket on during the winter, particularly when moving about; sometimes just a thermal jacket. It keeps the heat closer to the skin as too many layers cannot trap sufficient heat. It seems alien but has worked for me. Recognise on the water may be different but I'll find out soon enough. Great vlogs.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Cheers Chris.It is a bit different when standing still on the back. But we get over-warm when walking. Must be our age ha, thanks for watching Fran x

[@Handidude]

I know you don't like plastic. BUT, the plastic that held the light bulb was a special anti-static plastic. It's used to protect electronic circuits. I can't think of anything else they could use in place of it.

[@andrewdixon3932]

Great to bump onto you today at midland chandlers. Was so nice of you to give up your time for a chat. Will keep watching your videos and looking forward to being able to become full time livaboards. Jo and Andy

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Hi both. It was a pleasure to meet you and we love your boat. Hope to bump into you again soon and thanks for watching, keep in touch X

[@suerowley3718]

I will add to your praise of the little washer. Thanks to you and Edna I purchased Wanda the Wonder machine and would not be without her now, you are right about the spinner, best I have ever had xx

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Let's start a twin tub fan club Fran x

[@geoslyne1]

Another excellent and informative video.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you x

[@sylviapage8572]

What a difference the frost made to the view. It’s such a beautiful section of canal, it’s just a shame about the railway and the motorway but you can’t have everything! The picture looked really clear at the start of the video it must be the winter light. Fran, I received my shawl today, I hope it wasn’t too much trouble finding a post office. It’s really beautiful the photographs just don’t do it justice. I’m over the moon, thanks.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you Sylvia. I hope the shawl is all you expected. The change in scenery was amazing. As you know every day is different on the canals. Fran x

[@greghilton7797]

Its 34C here today and watching this again makes me feel one degree cooler. Thank you

[@emmc9437]

Your home looks so♥cozy with the smoke coming out the chimney on those cold and frosty days! Home sweet home.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you Fran x

[@rickjones8735]

Fran is so adaptable. Not a complainer.

[@davieimrie2407]

Gorgeous ... u,Rich, and the scenery, Fran! Lol Thnx for another great vid, Davie xx

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thanks again Davie. X

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

I believe all the walking you do is the best part of narrowboating!

[@FloatingOurBoat]

It is a very enjoyable part - what we don't show is all the non-canal walking we do. Maybe we will add some clips in. Thanks for watching.

[@sknight1963]

About the single use plastic. First, I understand and appreciate your views. Second. Unfortunately in the case of that electronic board with the led. That is necessary. That packaging was to dissipate the ‘electro-static discharge’ or ESD. The components inside are very sensitive to static electricity until connected to a power source, because they are then grounded. That is what the gray or pink packaging is for. Cheers on the videos. Enjoying them.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Well who knew? A sound reason for plastic packaging. Thanks for watching. 👍

[@scottfw7169]

Interesting sound the boat makes going through the ice.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thanks Scott. It's so noisy when inside especially.

[@scottfw7169]

@@FloatingOurBoat Ah, makes sense, but my brain hadn't even begun to consider that! _(my health is a mess and the last several days have been a bit rough, and that affects how thoroughly I can think things through)_

[@geoffmorgan9071]

The ice will play havoc with your blacking, it will cut and damage it exposing the steel hull, I wouldn't chance it. Best wishes

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Hi Geoff - We're re-blacking in the next month ish so thought we'd take a chance and have a bit of fun. Thanks for watching, Fran x

[@doncates2954]

Thanks for the great video. Enjoy listening to you two, enjoy your English accent.

[@kennethgoodman3230]

Really enjoyed your vlog. Looked very cold but I’m sure your stove keeps you nice and warm just as mine does in my house, wouldn’t be without it. Thanks for letting us rag along.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thanks for watching Kenneth x

[@noreenboland1204]

Beautiful sky.

[@christinehammell6365]

Glad you managed through ice and the locks. It would have been a shame not to after getting all the layers of clothes on. Interesting about the laundry and your wee fire looks so cosy. Stay warm 😀

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you x

[@leedavies3629]

That looks cold out there in the morning but I bet you are as warm has toast in the boat .nice one on feeding the birds .brilliant stuff✌️

[@FloatingOurBoat]

We always fed birds when we lived on land, it's so rewarding. x

[@ournarrowboatquest4894]

Hey Fran and Rich, I have a little twin tub too and am more than happy with it. No plans to change it yet. I hang my sheets over the shower cubicle, they dry overnight then.

[@sallyu1]

It makes a change for us to see the ice and frost!

[@FloatingOurBoat]

We love it - thanks again Sally x

[@scottcopters]

Thanks Fran for answering my question! So simple. Yes we have been spoiled with a tumble dryer but have a full size washing machine on the boat so was just wondering how to dry after a spin. You answered my questions perfectly! Also note the comments about CTCut using extendable poles in a similar fashion. Our boat has these odd LEDs that you can switch on and they are white, switch off and on again quickly and they are red and the boat is like a submarine! Apparently the red uses tiny power but with our huge solar installation and 2.4kW of lithium that should not be an issue! Thanks again!! Gus

[@albertrowe3351]

Brrrrrr, chilly or what!, the boat crushing through the ice reminded me of looking at the ice breaking boat at the national boat museum at Ellesmere port, it has a rail down the middle either side of which men stood bouncing the boat up & down to break the ice, it was towed by a horse, the museum is well worth a visit with a lot to see, at least you had a nice spot to moor, take care.

[@johnswimcat]

Nice videos you do. Interesting, friendly and well filmed, thank you. Useful point in the comments about ice and blacking

[@APRAPR-nq2wn]

just yesterday I was wondering what Rich and Fran were up to lol

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Always just living life. X

[@jimhesson1699]

Beautiful scenery. But no thanks. Way too much snow. If ropes freeze, I'm happy to stay inside.

[@ramseybarber8312]

Hi Rich and Fran you should change the name of boat to Widow Twanky after doing all this washing Cheers.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Ha ha - I actually did a couple of loads yesterday, I'm such a modern man :)

[@nelsonp2093]

Hi I really enjoy your videos, please keep posting.

[@mickbroadbent6750]

gorgeous scenery well jealous lol ,,,,,don't damage your blacking going through that ice

[@Mark-ct5dh]

Loved the great camera work! The frosty scenery was lovely! Perhaps some double sided tape to hold the lights in place would be a good idea?

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Cheers Mark.

[@peterhilton6415]

Great to see you at the marina and what a coincidence after our last meeting in July. Big difference in weather too. I'm sure we'll catch up sometime. Peter (Moriarty)

[@ChrisandShell]

We are looking forward to warmer days, just so we don’t have to dry and clean the dogs after every walk!!!.... everywhere looks so beautiful on a frosty morning though... especially if the fire stays in!!!... 😊👍

[@RenaissanceEarCandy]

If you have your lights switched on for 6 hours a day, say from when it gets dark until you go to bed, 50,000 hrs would last 22 years. (Also, I enjoyed the Fast Show reference. My dad and I can't get past anything that's vaguely dark in colour without a conversation somewhere along the lines of "What colour would you say that shirt is? Dark grey? no. Midnight blue? no. Black? BLACK!")

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Oh Johnny No!!! Rich loves the fast show.

[@pjmaynes8747]

Thank you so much! I'm pretty much restricted to home.. Your travels let me dream.

[@billyhaney6696]

Another enjoyable vid. A good time to make a pot of hardy soup, put more coals on the fire, kick back enjoy a good book.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

You understand us quite well!

[@itsalljustanillusion9620]

Converted my kitchen halogen spots to LED spots. The expensive ones were those that would run on 12v AC or 12v DC. I converted the transformers to DC and bought the cheaper DC LED fittings. The AC/DC ones actually started flickering with the DC transformers and eventually I replaced them all with the cheaper (about 1/4 of the price) DC ones. Don't know if its relevant, but thought I'd pipe up in case it manages to save you (or others) some money. Love the vids, keep em coming.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thanks. We'll look into this. Fran x

[@annie2950]

Hi Fran and Rich great vlog. Xx

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thanks again Annie xx

[@scottfw7169]

And speaking of sounds, both cats perked up and looked at the computer when the fire door squeaked!

[@alanjackson4646]

Crumbs, that looked cold. Keep that stove banked up. Regards AJ

[@FloatingOurBoat]

All warm and cosy here AJ

[@viviennebrooks3055]

Cruised once ice breaking, had to get the boatback to the hire company. Looks cold!

[@workingboat]

1963 was the worst year for ice on the canals, the working families could not deliver their cargoes which in turn was the final knife through the heart of moving freight in that manner. The familes left their boats to live life in houses and it was the beginning of the downfall of the cut. Luckily that all changed to where we are to this day.....

[@bobjerome5390]

hi i got one washer like you i can tell you it walks and it's not quiet kingstar made some great for small washing job.s

[@lisapercywolf3392]

Another great vlog. You likely HAVE been wearing winter clothes for 4 months as January alone was 4 months long - at least it was here in Indiana! By the way, 50,000 hours on those bulbs works out to 2083 days, or nearly 6 years - if you were to run them 24 hrs. per day, every day (sorry, I took the arithmetic as a challenge, lol). You two will probably have moved on to a new boat by then. I suggest keeping the dull, white bulbs in a drawer somewhere, change them back out, and take the new bulbs to the new boat. It seems the new bulbs are going to out-live many of us! Again, warm wishes. :-D

[@FloatingOurBoat]

That's a lovely comment Lisa. Thank you. We have worked out that we will be well over 100 by the time those bulbs expire. What a thought. And roll on spring!!

[@bethevoice-thelifeofsteve6354]

Should last about 5.7 years if left on permanently :) De humidifier may be for the winter drying of clothes ? May be worth buying some ice skates for those frozen winter canals ....:)

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

We was at Norton junction just over a week ago then got frozen in a Braunston, now on the move again although the wind halted us today

[@FloatingOurBoat]

You must have been really close to us. Where are you now?

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Floating Our Boat, ladder bridge 129 on the Oxford just before fenny compton

[@FloatingOurBoat]

@@welldeckdiaries5610 Aah we've passed like narrowboats in the night. We will have to meet up some other time Fran xx

[@Kevin-rh5li]

I hope to meet you both on the cut sometime soon.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

I'm sure we will. Are you at Langley Mill? Fran x

[@Kevin-rh5li]

Hi Fran no i am currently in Germany my boat is moored at Saville town Wharf on the river Calder, i will be starting to continuous cruise from May and cant wait.

[@CampervanTales]

Did Rich have tights on as well?! Spring is coming, the lighter evenings are really starting now. Another lovely coffee break, thankyou both.

[@francesmccarty1544]

Campervan Tales behave yourselves boys!!

[@CampervanTales]

@@francesmccarty1544 we had this image of him at the rudder in bobble hat and tights 😃

[@stevedavis68]

I think you will find Richy is strictly a 10 denier hold ups kinda guy👍🏼😉

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi Fran and Rich. Thanks for another great vlog. I'm interested to know whether you found the Buckby lock gates hard going, as they have that reputation. I also bought my LEDs from Whilton and the Boat! Catch up soon.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

We did half each at Buckby locks and yes, they were quite hard butcwere quite good at this now !

[@andythompson9146]

good job there were no grp cruisersmoored up as you past breaking the ice....

[@katerh3198]

I much prefer warm white lights too. Those blue white lights remind me of tacky Japanese illuminations

[@FloatingOurBoat]

It's so cozier in here now when we're reading. Thanks for watching x

[@ukexpatpennsylvania7304]

Hi Fran: Did you see David on CTCut He uses tension poles to hang his laundry, seems he has many uses for tension poles. LOLOL!

[@FloatingOurBoat]

I bet he does! Ha ha!

[@carolhames4066]

The problem with the ice is it cuts through the hull blacking and rips it open

[@davidcox8961]

Ha... you call that frozen in ? Have you seen the ice breakers on the Chicago river ? Have you tried to freeze dry your clothes yet ? It might not be cold enough but it works I am told. I've been snowbound going on a week. Stay warm and have fun you guys.

[@AndyJarman]

50,000 hours at five hours a day is about 27 years. Best get saving up for replacements.

[@TheGeoffpike]

Think you should do a map reference as to where you are Bro innit? Good vid tho our kid. X

[@philipaspinall8218]

In 1963 the whole system closed down , and I’m old enough to remember it!

[@peterwilding4012]

the ice will take off your blacking

[@cooper68ns]

Rich airing his clean landry......

[@brianrees3697]

Lovely video again ice breaking looks fun but as someone has already said it rips your blacking off

[@FloatingOurBoat]

We thought as we intend to re-black in the next month or two we'd not worry too much. Thanks Brian.

[@shaunsart]

After 7:40 most ladies have passed out and missed the rest of the video then

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Ha ha. My work here is done 😀

[@muckshifter]

the Titanic succumbed to ice ;-))

[@sarahcraddock5859]

Hi, stunning scenery in this vid. Is the stove and back boiler the only heating you have onboard, and how has it coped with the cold and frosty mornings? I've seen boats for sale with gas fired central heating and diesel fired but just wondered what is most effective (I'm always feeling cold!) versus cost efficient xx

[@FloatingOurBoat]

I guess it's up to the individual. We only have the stove and radiators fed from the back boiler. That has been fine for us. We keep the fire alight on the coldest nights, other wise we find the stove and boat are still warm in the morning and lighting the fire takes no time. Bread in the oven first thing also helps! Fran x

[@patrickeh696]

Glow ball warming!

[@stuartdixon6667]

just started watching your channrl think it great you have to get up to gods country Yorkshire

[@myhillslife27]

I go buy motto I live 98% NO plastic 2% not possible as yet. Until there change its not possible. Plastic on your milk carton & wrap on bulb is your 2%👍♻️😁 for now

[@FloatingOurBoat]

All we can do is our best. Well done to you

[@myhillslife27]

@@FloatingOurBoat agree 100%

[@CampervanTales]

Sorry but I could t resist checking. 5.708 calendar years

[@francesmccarty1544]

Campervan Tales. Ah but that is with them on 24 hrs per day. Assuming an average use or 2.4 hrs per day, that gives us 57.08 years. I will be 113 by then so I'm laughing 😀😀. Thanks for doing the maths, I couldn't sleep in the wind last night and actually layer awake trying to calculate it in my head! Fran xx

[@CampervanTales]

@@francesmccarty1544 I thunk you will be ok then. Happy cruising ⚓

[@sherrionboardsunflower97]

Hi fran, where did you get your brilliant little drying rail? What a fab idea!

[@sarahbryant5504]

Hi Fran & Rich, Another great vlog, hubby and I are now avid watchers. Can I ask how long it took you from making the decision to become liveaboards to actually achieving it? Rich mentioned in a previous video about all the 'ephemeral junk' we accumulate when living on land - how long did it take you to downsize enough to move onto your narrowboat?

[@stevecooney1361]

Do you ever get away from the hum drum of road traffic and rail traffic on the canal system you have been and which was your favourite place?

[@FloatingOurBoat]

The roads and rail lines have followed the canals but, yes, we do find plenty of peace and quiet away from them. Favourite places...... That's difficult. For me, I think it was the Oxford canal or maybe going towards Lechlade on the Thames, but we still have so much to explore. Fran

[@stevecooney1361]

@@FloatingOurBoat look forward to you vlogs.

[@gregphillips24]

Greg here.Been binge watching got to episode 40 then no 41 got 42.Difficult sometimes to know what episode I'm watching.Could you not make the episode number the very first thing on your heading.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Hi Greg. Thanks for watching. We want the video title to be the searchable thing, we're advised to put the episode number after the description to have more chance of being seen in searches. Thanks for watching.

[@davidbutler4363]

😁👍👏👏👏

[@TrevsTravelsByNarrowboat]

It might be quite a long time ago since I came up the Long Buckby flight, but I am pretty sure The New Inn is at the top of the flight, right by the top lock. How did you manage to go past without stopping, or did you walk back to it from your mooring?

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Hi Trev, now you might be surprised at this but we actually pass by more pubs than we visit but as we had friends over last weekend we did indeed pop in The New Inn for a couple :) I've subscribed to your channel and very much look forward to seeing how you progress. Most vloggers wait until they're aboard before vlogging but I think it far more interesting to see the 'journey' from the start. Best of luck - Rich

[@TrevsTravelsByNarrowboat]

@@FloatingOurBoat Thank you Rich & Fran. I do know the area you are on very well, we use to moor at the Britannia Inn just outside Northampton. Up the Northampton arm and either down to Stoke Bruerne or up to Braunston were regular long weekend trips.

[@ebujvt65]

What kind of washing machine do you have.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

We have a small portable twin tub which uses minimal water and power and i love it, The only thing it doesnt cope with is heavy bed linen. You can see it on this episode kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKO0mYV9osp1gsU

[@ebujvt65]

@@FloatingOurBoat what is the brand name. I saw you talking about it on this vlog. We live in a rv and think it might do for us. Thank you so much for taking time to answer. Really like the personal parts. Fixing up, cooking, eating, visiting, crafting, etc. Thank you again, glad you are back. U.S.A.

[@grahamBearman1]

Wrincles, hahaha, did Rich try his weight on the ice Fran?

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Hi Graham - No he decided that hot tea inside would be more inviting x

[@grahamBearman1]

@@FloatingOurBoat Good one Fran, my go to is green tea!

[@anthonycrook-rumsey6189]

that ice rips your blacking off i dont move when icy now

[@lewisgardner1660]

Is it both of you with tights under your trousers?

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Oh the secret's out - thanks for watching x

[@theotherstevesteve]

I always trust bedazzled. All the cheap eBay ones have failed; it's a false economy. And many of the bedazzled ones are specifically "hardened" to cope with the variable voltages of boat electrics.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

We are very impressed with the ones we've bought. Thanks Steve.

[@theotherstevesteve]

@@FloatingOurBoat and I think that single use plastic bag is an anti static bag to protect the ic's on the led controller.

[@W_Europe]

Is your boat available for hire?

[@scott3133]

Nice to see your plastic free ! No hope these days

[@FloatingOurBoat]

It is so hard but we are doing our best. Update coming soon!

[@ronbearman4661]

May be cold but scenery great ,more of the same please you deserve very hot chocolate drink

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thanks Ron - we really enjoy winter cruising x