LIVING ON THE EDGE - FRAN IS FURIOUS - CANAL NARROWBOAT LIFESTYLE - Episode 192

[@petemoring67]

I think You're missing the POINT here...... Canals aren't 'just' for boaters .... The Funds raised to restore! them came through 'Contributions' and Voluntary-Work from Folk who will 'never' own a boat ..... They are for people as well, who like to walk the tow-paths, looking into the water and 'Its' wildlife, often with little children who can't even SEE the canal while the banks are Soooo overgrown! ... The Nettles and Ticks aren't very welcoming either .... I'm SURE the wildlife you're worrying about will soon 'skip' to the other side of the path and enjoy a fruitful existence 'there' also!

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Hi Peter - The POINT is about 2% (£5.6M) of Canal and River Trust income comes from voluntary contributions via the public, so after 12 years of existence CRT have a way to go to increase public awareness. In the last 40 years we have lost 80% of our butterfly population nevermind the impact on birds and Insects. Canal and River Trust are forever blowing their trumpet as to how wonderfully they are environmentally caring for 2500 miles of network so this seems to be a little uncaring on their part. When did we EVER suggest that the canals were for boaters only? We are fully aware of the contributions by volunteers and the necessity for the public to have access to the system, but loss of wild flowers etc. will mean that there is no wildlife for them to look at. Thanks for watching.

[@FlashGormless]

No ones saying it's just for boaters it's for everyone, but town, city and boaters dump rubbish all up and down the canals, you have dog walkers allowing thier dogs to deficate and just leave it. Even when they pick it up they fling it into the bushes when no one looking. if you don't believe what I say take a walk in winter and see all the little packages hanging from the trees and bushes. We all have a duty to look after our waterways, those who are caught doing it should have thier licenses revocked. and fine the dog walkers responsible. Nothing worse than enjoying your day on the canals and then stepping in dog muck.

[@myhillslife27]

@@FloatingOurBoat Well said

[@rexharvey8420]

Hello Fran and Rich. My late wife, two cats and a dog were lucky enough to live on our Les Allan traditional sixty-two foot gardner 3LW engine narrowboat at the Hyde near Kinver in 1990. The moorings had just come available after the closure of Kinver Marine some years previously Tony the lock keeper and his wife lived in the Hyde Lock cottage and the garden was a delight and a lovely example of her gardening prowes. It was then a very quiet place with no facilities, apart from rubbish disposal at the Vine Lock and a water pont at the Stewpony, which meant a lengthy run down to the winding hole at Whittington or up to the junction with the Stourbridge Canal depending on which way the boat was pointing. There were about twelve of us moored there and about four of us live aboards. Our boat was very warm and comfortable, but for extended cruising we made the mistake of a traditional narrow boat, which is not very good for two cruising for long periods as one had to stand either on the tiller flat or the narrow gunwale. But we both enjoyed our years of narrow boating and twelve years in the canal industry. Love your videos and descriptions of your extensive cruiseing Floating Our Boat. Love and best wishes from Blaze my current labrador dog friend and me.

[@stephenthomason5983]

And i will say just once again.... 🎶 Shine on you crazy diamonds🎶 And know you are grandly loved 🧡

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you xxx

[@BarneyLeith]

Well done, Fran, for picking up the litter!

[@SecretSquirrelFun]

So lovely to hear that cuckoo’s voice. Thank you for sharing ❤

[@FloatingOurBoat]

It was. We have been witing for 6 years and were grinning from ear to ear

[@sanspareil3018]

I was bought up a few miles away from Kinver. In fact Kinver was the equivalent to a visit to the seaside un the 60s. A beautiful section of the canal and Kinver was, up until the 1920s, served by the Kinver Light Railway which was a tramway and ran close to the canal for most of its length. The maintenance depot was in the woodland you were in and in fact the inspection pits are still visible in the woods.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

That is really interesting, thank you

[@leanngoodall7602]

I could live in one of those rock cottages. Composting toilet, bluetti charged by solar and water from the canal water point. Absolutely doable.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Absolutely x

[@barbarataylor1535]

Always a pleasure to be part of your adventures. Thank you so much for your positiveness.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you ❤️

[@wendyluvsbooks6537]

What a beautiful area and those houses in the cave were beautiful thank you for showing us ….. and I am with you Fran with people leaving rubbish everywhere I don’t know why people can’t use a bin or take it back home with them ….. love your videos ❤

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thanks so much

[@wendyluvsbooks6537]

Forgot to say Rich that little bird was soooo cute ! How nice of you to rescue him ❤

[@kerry5586]

I have spent years picking up litter and once found a bottle with multiple dead shrews in. It looked as though one had gone in and couldn't find a way out and the rest of the family had gone in to try and help - the bottle was on a slant with the top facing upwards. It was so sad. If you have never read two books: Hovel in the Hills and Garden in the Hills by Elizabeth West I would highly recommend them for not just natural living but also the interaction with the wildlife including voles and shrews.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you so much Kerry, I am off to look these up x

[@kerry5586]

@@FloatingOurBoat She also has a book called Kitchen in the Hills where she shares recipes using the wild food and the food they grew.

[@johnhartley3596]

There’s nothing wrong about being an old hippy. Thanks for sharing …from the US.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

😊

[@colinskehan]

Another really relaxing episode ... ignore any negatives keep on bringing your experiences to life for all us landlubbers ! ( and your opinions too ) and keep up the story telling ,and your adventures as its refreshing and enjoyable

[@elizabethmondulick8209]

Great video. What an interesting place. So glad that you were able to return that baby bird to its parents.

[@ruthmichigander]

Wow such gorgeous views! Thank you Rich and Fran for the trek and views! Love the rock dwellings!

[@bethlowell7336]

Thanks for such an uplifting vlog. You both look very happy and your lifestyle is an inspiration to many. Stay healthy. Cheers.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you

[@ianmason8713]

I spent so many Sundays, as a kid, walking up and down Kinver edge, with my Mom and Dad. That is about half a century ago now.

[@pamelazahn4816]

Thank you for this one today, possibly my favorite! I LOVE those cottages along the canal!

[@Jennifer62389]

You two are such a pleasure to watch and listen to.❤❤

[@paulturner7837]

Love you guys, thanks very much for the vlog. Beautiful area you’re in currently

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you Paul xx

[@howardeastman-uk]

I really enjoyed this episode Fran & Rich. Thank you for sharing and have a wonderful week!

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you, and you x

[@maryearll2135]

Thanks for the sweet rescue, nicely done. And loved hearing the cuckoo. Interesting stone/rock houses. Enjoy the exercise and meditation. need to begin that, thanks for the push!!

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Good luck

[@JackNance22]

Excellent post, thanks for sharing your travels, it's always a pleasure:)

[@FloatingOurBoat]

It is our pleasure too. Thank you

[@lynmoore8355]

Great Vvlog guys and wow what a lovely part of the canals, and the villages looks so lovely and peaceful....

[@FloatingOurBoat]

It is a really unique area with all the sandstone, we love it there

[@Jane_and_Meg]

Hi Fran and Rich, what beautiful countryside plus those cottages looked wonderful! I fully agrre with you about wild flowers along the towpath we need to protect our wildlife! Interesting what you were saying about meditation, my partner was into that years ago and I know it can be very beneficial - he certainly found so esp when he had a stressful job! Anyway, thanks for another really interesting video, I'm trying to keep one video behind you so I always have an episode to look forward to! Take care. 🙂 👍

[@jaynecopland]

From one old hippie to two cool “old” hippies. You need to try to get to Crested Butte CO for the wild flowers, Fran! You’d be in absolute heaven. I live about 4 hours from there. We skied there this winter and it was amazing scenery (and skiing) but I have a friend who lives there part time. He calls it “Paradise”. We just took an early summer trip to see the beginnings of the wild flowers and it was mind blowing. I learned more about the flowers we saw than I thought it was possible to know! There is a Festival that happens in July each year to celebrate the wild flowers. The hiking is tough but totally 100% worth it! You guys look so happy these days! Yay!

[@FloatingOurBoat]

I had to look this up and it sounds lovely, but such a long way away for us. Im glad you enjoyed the hike and it definitely sounds worthwhile

[@russellball4053]

What a peaceful enchanting area!🧘

[@FloatingOurBoat]

It was

[@sadieals]

Thumbs up for meditating. Really does make a difference( and not just for going to sleep) 🙏

[@Santafefrank]

Thanks, Fran & and Rich, for the video 😊

[@kevroodenman3283]

Its bad to find 0:05 litter in beautiful places or anywhere once after picking 0:05 up the next day a humming bird said thank you and good morning keep your chi flowing Fran

[@brianmessenger]

Good on you Fran for picking up the rubbish, but I agree, I don’t understand why people do it.

[@shirleylynch7529]

Brilliant video. Idyllic cruise. And the cave homes are amazing. Never even heard of them. Some people will never care for the environment which is so sad. But many like you Fran do and lift rubbish. You are doing a wonderful job. Thank you for all your info. Take care.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

It seems that litter attracts litter so we always hope that clearing up wlil maybe make the next litterbug think twice

[@linfrisenfelds1195]

Thank you for sharing this video with us, take care both cuddles to your fur babies. X❤😊😊😊

[@dorothydotson7154]

What a lovely area that is.

[@ralphwood5875]

At Last a Cuckoo singing away and foxgloves galore.Fran and rich you've taken me back to my native Devon and as a bonus Medlars too ,reminiscent of Cotehele house near Calstock on the river Tamar, youve really taken me back home . Thanks Fran and Rich .Greetings from Canada on our day

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Glad to bring back some happy memories Ralph x

[@barbaralamson7450]

I have missed the two of you. I moved and had no wifi. You two always make me happy. Thank you, 😊

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Aah, hope the move went well x

[@sianwarwick633]

Lots of different video bits here. I feel like as an camper for a few years a little while ago, i know yourforest glade with the rubbish in it - good spot for yoga for sure. Too bad no bins, but as you say, the trees are a crop rather than permanent. Think the strimmed path a bit over-eager. Beautiful orchards near Kinver Edge - how cold in winter, but a house is a house. Thanks for showing us your happy trails and saving the little Robin

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it.

[@Setinmywaysalways]

Birdsong is so good for inner Peace.

[@karenchapman6334]

Wonderful video, so informative & interesting and as usual greatly appreciated. Thank you xx

[@dmaria-gf6pn]

I meditate and have for many yrs, and it's the best thing I have done in yrs. It is so peaceful when you grasp it. We are all connected and share the same space. We can bring peace to this world, everything is energy, we change it for the better. Thanks you pair, great video. xx

[@FloatingOurBoat]

We are so glad we discovered meditating. It took a while to find what works best for each of us, but has given us a new way of looking at life

[@greywanderer5935]

Loathe litterers, especially in the countryside.

[@fionahammond9396]

Hi Rich and Fran wow what a brilliant video the views and those beautiful foxgloves great to see so many all together beautiful, great scenery love listening to the birds really lovely cottages thanks for a fantastic video see you on the next one ❤xx

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it

[@hazels27]

Thank you for the very interesting video. Watching it was very calming!

[@jackiehanning8808]

Very informative video Thankyou ❤

[@shaunbarton-collins1180]

Well done Fran for your consistant efforts as a litter picker, you got me doing it now when we are out on the canals....

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Brilliant, thank you

[@DavidBriggsAdventures]

I might have a reason for the carved out spot at 1:31 , The name sounded familiar so I went back through my Culinary history notes. There was a public house that happened to be along the canal route and they served the Boatmen as the area was a bit posh in those days. It "might", I stress might have been a room set aside for the working class to gather and drink. Note the rough bench seating along the perimeter of the room. With tables, the room is the appropriate dimensions for a pub room of the time. Great video as always. Much love from Oregon USA

[@FloatingOurBoat]

It did look like a room where people would gather so maybe you are right

[@sarabaldeschwieler7763]

I love Eckhard Tolle’s book, The Power of Now. I have the audio book version so it’s actually him reading. I must have listened to the whole thing 5 or 6 times.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

That's brilliant. I have read it all, but now always have it nearby to dip into

[@cfladyread3494]

What beautiful country. Enjoy the time spent on journeys with you.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you

[@mikeembe1261]

I “ attempt “ to avoid any News and “ Social Media “ channels / broadcasts , this I find helps my meditation wonderfully. I simply sit with gentle sounds of a nature CD, or just plain silence. Peace & calm to you both mb ☯🙏

[@suzannehughes8697]

Hi Fran and Rich, lovely video, beautiful place, all those foxgloves together were stunning, meddlars are a very old fruit, could have been a very old village site, very pretty place, enjoyed this very much, xx

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you. We have seen so many foxgloves in the wild this year, they are beautiful

[@johnbenefield922]

Thank you both a nice way to start my day best wishes from Aotearoa NZ.

[@food4thort]

Splash the cash on that little lock cottage and enjoy the best of both worlds - as the mood takes you!

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Wouldn't that be lovely

[@markas842]

I loved this video 😊 particularly your discussion on meditation. I’m almost through ‘A New Earth’ by Eckhart Tolle and completely agree with Fran, his writing is essential reading for everyone. Thanks both for brightening our collective days 👍

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Ooh thank you, that is a new one for my book list. I have only read 'The power of now'

[@markas842]

@@FloatingOurBoat hope you enjoy it when you get too it :-)

[@suzannehague5203]

I rich and fan a buteful round there I enjoy seeing them old house it must have been a hard life all the best for now 😊

[@FloatingOurBoat]

I think it was a hard life, but so simple and the houses actually felt very cosy inside

[@rexharvey8420]

Hi Rich and Fran great video as usual, which brings back very happy memories of Kinver and the Staffs and Worcs Canal. In the early nineties my wife, I, two cats and a dog lived on our Les Allan built Gardner 3LW engined trad narrow boat Galton at the Hyde near Kinver, when Tony the last BWB Lock keeper lived in the lock cottage. It was a lovely quiet place then, very rural and unspoiled and there were about fifteen boats on the moorings, which had just been re-established after about ten years neglect. There were no facilities then, and one had to go to Whittington for water and then wind and return to our mooring every three weeks or so. We did have a guy with an old working boat who sold fuel, gas, wood and coal who made regular runs along the cut. The choice of a traditional boat was not the best choice for a nomad live aboard, as the tiller flat and boatmans cabin layout really made cruising rather a solitry and somewhat uncomfortable passtime! However, our boat was a beauty and attracted a lot of interest, and it was a very warm and confortable home for about a year and a half. Looking back we should have gone for a semi-trad like your current boat, but we had decided not to go for the nomadic life, and we both went into the canal liesure industry and I ended up building and fitting out narrow boats for a local premier builder for ten years, after my wife and I ran a hire fleet in the heart of Birmingham where we lived on Galton. Great times on the then very different and quieter canal system! Stay safe and well all of you, thanks for your posts.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

What a wonderful experience

[@Santafefrank]

Thanks for the video you two 😊

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Our pleasure!

[@sandihandi7831]

How interesting. I've never heard of those cave/rock houses. I can't believe someone as late as the 1960's living in those conditions. I guess I like my creature comforts. I'm imagining cold, damp and spiders. Here in the US, I wouldn't trust them because of earthquakes. Do you have earthquakes in the UK? Don't believe I've heard. I agree Fran. Someone butchered those flowers and landscape. Obviously they had a too wide mower and just chopped their way through. Thanks for sharing. Beautiful video. Take care.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Apparently the rock houses stay the same medium temperature all year and were very cosy with the fires lit! We don't really have earthquakes, just the very occasional mild tremor

[@brockshields9336]

64°F ! ! ! I'll trade you! N. E. Oklahoma is experiencing mid 90s with the humidity gives a RealFeal of 110+.

[@JuliaHopewell]

This video (and the music) is even better than the last one:). Such beautiful footage. The litter problem is such a frustrating and dangerous issue for everyone; especially the wildlife. We returned to Tassie on the 11th June, so the weather prepared us for our winter before we left! I thought "No Mow May" was a wonderful idea - and the countryside (even the roads) looked quite beautiful. So sad to see the wild flowers (and everything they attract) cut down like that. As you pointed out, it is not just for boaters that you are concerned. If everyone took an extra bag with them when they go walking, we could make a big difference. Good to see you both looking so well.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Yes, our weather hasn't been spectacular so far, your winter will probably be warmer

[@westaussiejeff1547]

Fabulous Vlog - Thanks!

[@lorrainerichardson3280]

For meditating I watch a candle in my mind and just concentrate on it attempting to block everything else out. I love no mow, I have areas that I don't mow but I do deadhead dandelions before they seed. Take care =-)

[@FloatingOurBoat]

The candle idea sounds interesting x

[@Riddlestar01]

So many drinks cans in the plastic bag. Here in Germany you get 25 cents back on each can. I think I should spend my next holiday in Kinver to collect lots of cans.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

We could be rich if that was the case here

[@christopherforster6555]

Lovely video loved the cuckoo which I haven't heard for at least 10 years happy meditation.

[@veronicashipley9123]

Well done Fran for picking up the litter ☺. If we all did a little bit the world would be a better place, And it starts in our own back yards and homes. Cool and the kaftan, love and peace man ✌☮ 🐾🌻🐝🌹🐞🦋 xx

[@FloatingOurBoat]

😊

[@michaelmartin9659]

Nice to see you back in kinver again, I remember when you came down just after buying your first boat and having a cratchcover made and fitted

[@FloatingOurBoat]

We love it there and spent much longer exploring this time

[@janecox4173]

lovely vlog...thankyou x

[@shinylittlepeople]

Absolutely stunning footage.... and great cameral work... love your tidbits of knowledge along your travels too!

[@dietmarfranz6032]

Thank you very much for your videos, they touch us. Greetings from burgundy from the dutch barge "Zambezi". Ute and Dietmar - germans who live on the river.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

A dutch barge in Burgundy sounds wonderful 😍

[@dietmarfranz6032]

@@FloatingOurBoat Oh yes, mostly. It´s just life.

[@gaynorpattle]

💚Lovely hippies💚

[@davelee-00]

Seeing your video reminded us that we wanted to visit Kinver Edge, so off we went today (Tuesday) We should have checked, because it doesn't open until Thursday, DOH! 😄 Still, nice dog walk in the woods. We'll be back.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Oh No, such a shame. I hope you didn't travel far x

[@followtheboat]

Thank you for this fascinating episode. I had no knowledge of the Kinver Edge troglodytes! When will you post another podcast, I love them? Keep on rockin' in the free world! 🎶🎸 Liz 🙏🎧

[@FloatingOurBoat]

I had not heard of them either although I think Rich had as he was brought up fairly nearby. We hope to do another podcast very soon

[@evelynsutton4411]

l really loved the stunning photography at the beginning, all so vibrantly green, then came the horrible chopped down towpath, such a shame. Lovely walk, and those cave dwellings, magic. Thankyou.

[@AlfieBarlow_]

Lovely vlog guys 😊

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you 😊

[@ilovebillyjoel]

Nothing wrong with been hippies. It’s one of the reasons I follow you. I meditate too and get really wound up with people dropping litter.grewt video as always ❤💚🌱👍😊 thank you for mentioning the Merlin app in your previous videos I love using it to see which birds are in our area

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you. The Merlin app has been so good for us. We can now identify so many more birds

[@malcolmfoster2937]

A truly beautiful stretch of canal, very picturesque. I walk up and down that canal towpath, and Kinver Edge itself, fairly often, and always enjoy it, in any season. The rock houses are fascinating too, and well worth a visit. There are some nice circular walks off the canal too. It's a pity I didn't know you were around, I would have come and said hello 🙂

[@FloatingOurBoat]

What a wonderful area to live. You are very lucky. Sorry we missed you, maybe next time

[@moxiebyproxy]

When in doubt, sit by the fire!

[@brodie2711]

Thank you guys very enjoyable. I have tried meditation but sadly I've got one of those minds that makes it hard to block out the world around me but when I do try and along with some breathing exercises it helps prevent the panic attacks. All the best. Stephen

[@FloatingOurBoat]

It took me a long time to begin to slow my head down, but I am getting there with practice. F x

[@LoisDavidsonArt]

Really enjoyable video, well done for stepping in and litter picking, we shouldn't have to but as you say, we have to start somewhere. Fab to hear about the benefits of meditation and that Rich is sleeping better, as a long term insomniac, I have recently been practicing a meditation of sorts which really helps to quieten the night time noise that often used to keep me awake and exhausted in the morning!

[@FloatingOurBoat]

So glad to hear the meditation is working a bit for you too. Insomnia is horrible and when you wake and see the clock at 2 am the brain just goes into terror mode. Keep practicing. x

[@derrickworthington7351]

My wife and I bought our Narrowboat in 2003. We lived on it for 15 years until illness meant we had to move off the water. In the beginning it was idyllic but by 2010 we noticed a change in attitudes. Gone was the friendly hallo, need any help from other boaters and also the maintenance of the canals and locks deteriorated. At one time the canals had a lengthsman. Each one responsible for his or her section of canal, water level, problems with locks, cutting the grass and weeds from the bank edge etc. All that changed, not for the better. Viewing vblogs of the current state of the canals I feel sorry for the way the canals and user s are treated. 12:22

[@FloatingOurBoat]

It is a shame the lengthsmen are no longer. We have often said it would be great to love in one of the little lock-keepers cottages and look after a stretch of canal

[@marilynpease8782]

All your videos are visually stunning ❤❤❤

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you so much 😀

[@hughcarson6837]

Interesting vlog

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

good vid cranking it on cut thanks the share ing of the boat live you do thanks lee

[@ronaldcumpsty5605]

Hey Fran, stop looking at Rich when talking about ancient artifacts. He is still a great looking Man and you a lovely Lady. Love everything you show to us. What happened to keep Britain Tidy, sorry to say it is happening here in Canada too, plastic bottles, cans etc just dumped.

[@sianwarwick633]

Yes and glass is a fire hazard in a dry forest litter. Good pickup Fran.

[@myhillslife27]

Yes Rich I have meditated for a long time and taught it. Yes you will find it helps sleep and trains the mind to be still. Also if you can do for 21 days straight you have created a habit and you will seek it and to do it as you have built neuro pathways in that time. ENJOY! needed now more than ever by us all xo xo

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you x

[@oldfart6318]

Medlars make a unique and wonderful jelly.

[@shaunbarton-collins1180]

Meditation! Most of us call that an afternoon nap :))

[@FloatingOurBoat]

😂😂😂

[@MarkBinning]

Fran is really furious, I wouldn't want to get caught dropping litter by her 😅

[@FloatingOurBoat]

No you wouldn't, I would throw it right back 😂

[@727xer]

It makes perfect sense, if you're in the know.... I bushhog the back pasture every year, even tho I haven't harvested it in a decade. If you don't bushes, vines & prickly's will take root. They are neer impossible to get rid off after that, other than burning them out.

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

Yep. A lot of the newly-converted Environmental Warriors tend to be a bit like Evangelicals who've "Found the Lord!" But no doubt they'd be singing a different tune when the blackberries are clawing at their knickers as they try to scrabble through an overgrown canal. That's not to say that their hearts are not in the right place. Cleaning up after today's ever present yobbos shows that!

[@FloatingOurBoat]

It is just a matter of common sense and better timing. Don't mow/strim when the flowers and wildlife are in their prime, leave it until the autumn!

[@FloatingOurBoat]

I don't think we said don't keep the canals passable nor did we say never cut it back but as the Canal and River Trust are claiming to be providing 2500 miles of green corridor for nature they could time their strimming regime a little better and be a little more discerning

[@727xer]

Ok people 🙄 stop and think for a moment.... How many miles or kilometers do they have to mow??? If I'm not mistaken it's somewhere in the range of 2,500 - 3,000. You think they're going to do that in a weeks time 😒 You want to help out the flora, then step up and volunteer to the trim brigade

[@BillyBluebottle]

Thanks for litter picking.

[@Deb_Downes]

A campaign of “pack out what you pack in”, is needed. How hard can it be for them take rubbish away, given they obviously took it in?

[@aBoatTime-uw9br]

Beautiful Video

[@patrickstarnes2355]

Imagine the life that needs no meditation 8 hrs of blissful sleep. How life should be.😊

[@mandyofmarymac]

Old hippie here. I really enjoyed this video. To me every plant is precious and should be preserved. If I had those gorgeous digitalis growing in my yard, I'd be the happiest hippy around. And the fab. pink color, wow! We have a stunted yellow variety here and there, but nothing like the beautiful waves you enjoy. I agree that the wanton mowing of everything along the canal side is evil (my term, not yours). And those rock homes are fascinating to see. Thanks for taking us along. xx

[@FloatingOurBoat]

We absolutely agree with you x

[@garylcampbell9964]

nice video.

[@sambateman8097]

Meditation is a lifelong practice. There are any number of ways to do it. I find that I meditate when I'm doing a monotonous job. Or by sitting still and doing purposeful breathing at the same time. When we control our minds we can be at peace no matter what is going on around us.

[@Dyfhi]

Nice 1 folks…

[@marionjohansson4235]

Serendipity! I just bookmarked that last Friday!❤lovely vlog!

[@pilpelet100]

Thanks for a very interesting video. Good to hear the cuckoo!! It's sad, though, to see all that strimming having been done. Isn't there anyone at the CRT that you could speak to and explain the importance of keeping wild flowers?

[@FloatingOurBoat]

We have asked for the head of the environmental section of CRT to contact us, but no reply so far. We are working on it though

[@jacquelineryde7339]

I don’t get the cutting down of wild flowers or the rubbish in the woods (just why would you want to do either). I have got my yogi bare mat and using my cruiser stern to do my yoga, stretches and balance. Let’s see how winter goes 😂

[@FloatingOurBoat]

It is ok on the boat until someone else moves when you are trying to balance 😂😂😂

[@SLOWLYdoesit1]

I am a committed no mower gardener (except twice a year in accordance with wild meadow management). I have been no dig and no mow for a couple of decades and the wildlife just loves it. Yellow rattle: is parasitic and feeds off the grass. I cannot get it to grow- does not like London clay.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

It is amazing what a difference it makes. Having both been gardeners in the past, we would garden very differently these days.

[@robertmeadows7508]

I learned many years ago that the only positive thing , (apart from not discarding it), we can do about litter is pick it up. Litter picking in our village is a community thing & has been done for many years ! I was gathering some on many occasions when passing cars just chucked more out their windows , made my blood boil ! Well done Fran !

[@FloatingOurBoat]

That is so infuriating. We saw a car discard litter once, we stopped to pick it up, caught them up at the lights and through it back through their sunroof 😁