259 - All tapped out on the Aire and Calder

[@christinegibbins6105]

Found that very interesting, and Jo's history snippets too, lovely to you both well rested after all the mad dashes. Take care, thank you

[@MinimalList]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching.

[@SeanMcPhersonSenior]

I'd been watching water levels and various reports and hoping you all wouldn't see an overtopping! Very glad those top 3" of berm stayed in place :)

[@MinimalList]

Yeah, we have been very lucky in the locations we chose to wait out the storms.

[@brendagrom5117]

Hi there, came home from work today and had a lovely surprise, your map had arrived! I was so happy to receive it and thank you for putting it together. We hope to cruise in our retirement and journey over from Canada with our inspiration due in a large part to your 259, and growing, videos. Chug on!

[@MinimalList]

So happy it arrived safely. Good luck with the retirement planning.

[@djhrecordhound4391]

Time-lapse footage is great, especially when interspersing lots of Jo's footage and voiceovers. The old history buff, broadcast student, and ADHD in me appreciates your hard work.

[@MinimalList]

Thank you. That is really nice of you to say!

[@starwater9828]

What I get from your vlogs, that I don't get so much from others, is a sense that there are struggles when canal boating. It's not all easy sailing and Wind in the Willows.

[@MinimalList]

It's not always easy. We just try to give an honest account of our travels with out pretending it is all sunshine and light or be overly dramatic about difficulties to get more views. It's just a record of our journey.

[@starwater9828]

@@MinimalList Well, keep it up please. 😎 ⚓️

[@starwater9828]

... And thanks!

[@alipuk]

Nice to see you are looking more relaxed after "the trip"! The 3 week break has done you the world of good. As always looking forward to the next instalment

[@MinimalList]

Thank you. New vlog coming soon!

[@derbuckeyetribe9789]

Thumbs up! Hope all is well. George video bombing the Vlog at the end was a cute touch. LOL

[@MinimalList]

He is a scene stealer for sure.

[@itsmuha9629]

Любви вам и согласия!

[@scottfw7169]

Short trip to do laundry is always better than a long trip to do laundry! :D And speakinf og having to go somewhere to do laundry, after all these years I just now finally had an idea how to make laundry baskets easier to carry when my messy health is causing problems with my hands - got some 1/4 inch diameter rope, looped it through side holes in plastic laundry basket, around the bottoom, then back up through side holes in other side; did that a both ends of basket; then tie rope ends together to make "picnic basket" style handles. When my hands are stiff and weak, the rope handles can just be looped over my arm. It also gets around where one side handle on both baskets has broken from my carrying basket one handed up steps to apartment. Earlier I had printed a picture of one of those canalside and/or quayside warehouses with the crane beam in wall above doors and said to the apartment manager, "Hey, can we do this?" She just looked at me with an expression I still haven't been able to decipher here years later. So I figured that means I'm on my own to figure out what to do.

[@yacrafter]

Well done handling the boat. Hope you had a good rest.

[@MinimalList]

Thank you. We are!

[@brianhoult6011]

the out takes at the end are great, proves your human .. thanks

[@jmac2031]

Love watching your travels, very envious. Appreciate all your work in making it all available.

[@MinimalList]

Thank you. We feel very grateful to be living this narrowboat life. Thanks for watching!

[@willsgetoff1157]

Not the most scenic of areas to be sure, nice to see George in the background not pooping lol!

[@MinimalList]

Haha. Poor George has such a reputation

[@debbiea6782]

So happy you two were able to rest for several weeks. I bet it felt amazing, and what a great spot you found! Love your vids, thank you for sharing your adventures!

[@MinimalList]

It was nice to stop. To be honest, we have taken it fairly easy all winter. Thanks for following along.

[@thrift154]

What amazed me was the metal edging all along the navigation. That must have taken years to hammer down into place.

[@davidbrown7769]

Great vlog. Love the outtakes at the end and George waiting patiently.

[@MinimalList]

Thank you. He is a good pooch!

[@fritters56]

Hoping to make it to lake Michigan this spring to watch the fresh water whales mate....

[@MinimalList]

Wow, that sounds amazing

[@annie2950]

Glad to see you both looking so rested. Xx

[@MinimalList]

Thank you! We are even more rested now!

[@marianillingworth4403]

Very informative as usual.

[@jillski4000]

Dreary days. Glad to see that you're up and running again. Keep smiling.

[@MinimalList]

Without the grey days you wouldn’t notice the sunny ones.

[@fdsfpvquadventures1141]

Looked like a perfect spot for you and George! Ball chasing space and nearby baked goods, it had it all bar that pesky tap.

[@MinimalList]

It was a good spot, but probably time to move on anyway.

[@MartinJames389]

Cas is a great place!

[@MinimalList]

We liked it.

[@cherylburton3430]

Our boat was built at Harkers boat yard back in 2004.

[@MinimalList]

It looked like an interesting place.

[@stephenlittle7534]

I am so glad you guys got some rest. You certainly looked a lot better. But my that was a bleak trip. Not one that I would have liked to do.

[@MinimalList]

The rest was good but it was also good to get moving again.

[@richardbradley1598]

Some info regarding Kellingley Colliery, known as 'the Big K' the site was vast covering many, many acres with two huge and towering enclosed winding towers visible for miles. It would take two full hours to go from pit top to the coal face, with men riding on narrow gauge railways through the many miles of tunnels. Accidents were frequent as you can imagine, and each shift gaffer would have a leather satchel with vials of morphine ready to administer straight into a muscle before attempting the two hour trip back to the surface. I had the privilege of surveying the whole site months before it closed and watched as one of the last shifts ended. Standing at the pit head waiting for the lift to rise from the depths I watched as the doors opened and dozens and dozens of men burst forth, all panda eyed, wearing shorts with mucky knees, carrying big flasks earlier filled with iced water. They all ran past me and I couldn't understand why the rush, why were they running and jostling for position? So later on I asked one of them, 'Not enough showers for everyone' he said. Spending ten hours in those conditions, all that dust, no toilets, you made sure you looked where you were sitting before you ate your sandwiches. I think I'd be running for a shower too.

[@MinimalList]

Never really imagined the special hell that must be a coalface with a bunch of sweaty men with nowhere designated to pee. Ugh! M

[@janetj471]

I have been thinking of you and hoping that you have done well with the bad storms that 🇬🇧 has had recently.

[@MinimalList]

Thank you. We have managed to avoid the worst of them

[@ianofsjkartwork]

Great watch....well explained.....thanks for sharing

[@MinimalList]

Thank you! Thanks for watching.

[@scottfw7169]

That blue and cream widebeam at 10:38 was a pretty nice looking boat. Wonder how many months of my Social Security Disability it would take to cover the price of its pretty brass window frames? :D And prior to that, the overcast gloom sure enhanced the desolate feel of the location.

[@danensis]

You're getting on towards my home ground now

[@MinimalList]

We are loving Yorkshire!

[@Tinhare]

That's a great mooring at Ferry Bridge been there a few times. That first bit you cruised around Nottingly is bleak even on a sunny day so you didn't miss much. Glad you managed to have a decent rest even if it was forced upon you.

[@MinimalList]

We were very happy there. So quiet, no boats passing and hardly walkers. Some lively peace and quiet for a few weeks was wonderful.

[@morrislouiseeagle7161]

❤️👏👏😁Xx sending love and regards to all of you x

[@MinimalList]

Thank you!

[@frglee]

A new coalfield was discovered about 50 years ago under the Selby area, and as there was likely to be subsidence as a result of mining, proactive action was taken to divert the main East Coast Railway to the west of Selby, a distance of nearly 14 miles, and that line opened in 1983. Coal extraction started in the early 1980s and was used to supply the power stations locally. The coalfield was finally shut down in 2004 after becoming uneconomic. The power stations do not use coal any more, several have been shut and some now use gas and biomass to generate electricity instead. Mine of information, me, eh?

[@MinimalList]

Fascinating, thank you! We’ve seen trains carrying biomass to the Drax power station... though I still can’t get over it being named for the baddy from Moonraker! M

[@yellownev]

It’s going to look a bit weird when you are cruising in the middle of winter and everywhere is out getting sun tans ! Hope you are safe with all the water about ( seems a daft comment to a couple who live on a boat ! )

[@loki666100]

We live by junction 9 of the M3 and you get used to the cars. As well it is junction 9 so most of the time it is closed because there has been yet another crash.

[@prestoncrewnarrowboaters8619]

Hi you two,the bit you passed near Knottingley was a deep coal mine now shut

[@martinwray7001]

Good spot at 10 mins. You're right, that's Eggborough power station. Hope you enjoyed our flat and murky land. I live near Selby.

[@MinimalList]

It was certainly rather grey when we passed. But did I pronounce it right?

[@steveibbotson1214]

@@MinimalList yes

[@martinwray7001]

@@MinimalList yes. A+

[@CardiganBear]

That looks like the dreaded Giant Hogweed at 09:04.

[@MinimalList]

There's a few of them about, so probably. M

[@coldspring624]

I have been looking for the right canal boat to stow away on for the remainder of the winter . It is cool here in northern Michigan so if you do not object I am along for the ride

[@MinimalList]

Welcome aboard

[@johnallen148]

Great video guys interesting I enjoyed it very much

[@MinimalList]

Thank you. That’s so nice to hear

[@TheBoatingAdventure]

Hi guys not the most scenic of areas at the moment especially on a grey day like that. I like that music I've used that one myself a while back on a vlog. I get my engine back from RCR on Thursday so providing the Trent goes down quickly I can get out and do some serious cruising and filming. Hope you are all ok take care you there. Alan.

[@MinimalList]

Fingers crossed for you!

[@eyeswideopen627]

Hi gang. Thank you again, great stuff. I have question most from vlog before. I looked up a ratchet windless. Is this something that could make Jo,s life a little easier? Do you know anyone who has actually tried it. Ads ( lol look good) money not growing on trees. I'm in a far off land all I know about locks is they go well with bagels. Take care

[@danensis]

Emma (Narrowboat Girl) uses one, and has done a review on her channel.

[@eyeswideopen627]

@@danensis thank you my friend. I will look for that.

[@paulashton5990]

THe ;atest "Tiller {ep[le" vlog discusses a variety of windlasses, including a couple of rachet types.

[@eyeswideopen627]

@@paulashton5990 thank you Paul I'll check that out also.

[@Leonard_Smith]

So following on from my theory posted on a previous video, I would like to propose that given his number of attempts Michael was not hungry during the filming of the closing credits...

[@MinimalList]

We’ll have to test the theory!

[@MarkJT1000]

Sods law eh? After months of rushing around the first section of canal where you can finally take your time and enjoy the surroundings turns out to be one of the most desolate and derelict parts on the network.

[@MinimalList]

True. On the other hand we have had some very convenient moorings this winter and we have been out of the way of most of the storms

[@simonkelley7073]

For the first half of the video, the surroundings didn't look familiar at all, despite having boated down there. Then you got to the lock and I recognised it as somewhere we over-nighted, but below the lock, which gets you a bit further from the motorway and much less noise. I couldn't tell you what comes next either, until Thorne and the Vazon railway bridge. Maybe that part of the network just isn't very memorable.

[@MinimalList]

It was an interesting cruise. As for what comes next... more flat landscapes

[@garym518]

It looks like you are doing the reverse of the journey we did last year which we talked about when we met you in Stoke..We are the ones who had picked up our boat from Black Prince. And we discussed going through the Standidge tunnel with our new paint. We got through with only the minor of scratches. Your right that area is a bit bleak but interesting . Regards Gary and Lynn.

[@MinimalList]

Glad you made it with just a few scratches, I took off more than a little paint in there! M

[@anneclarke9700]

Why didn't you go through the lock? The mooring at the other side are really nice.

[@MinimalList]

Yes. But we were tired and it was dusk so we wouldn’t have got to enjoy the mooring. Plus we were planning to leave first thing

[@grumkulltharaka4283]

That barge with no windows is up for sale

[@maggiekavanagh2801]

I have to ask, what is a Tom Pudding? I have an image of puddings being flung out of that chute! As for that metal boat, you managed to stumble across Boris's secret hiding place, that is where he holes up when the going gets tough...

[@danensis]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Pudding

[@MinimalList]

This might help too! en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Pudding

[@maggiekavanagh2801]

@@danensis Thank you.

[@maggiekavanagh2801]

Yep, that helped.

[@SuitandTieDipandChewGuy]

👍

[@MinimalList]

👍😬

[@flashpoint8909]

Keep safe guys these floods are scary stuff

[@MinimalList]

Thanks. We have managed to avoid the worst of the storms so far

[@robertmowrey2009]

We were having a repeating nightmare of rain down here at the bottom end of the gulf stream, but it has lapsed, so maybe it will lapse on yall's end and give a reprieve.

[@Garethness]

When you find a discrepancy on the crt map, is there a way to kick them to update it? And if there is, how long does it take to be updated after notifying them?

[@MinimalList]

Yes, there is a form you can fill in. I submitted one back in November... the map still hasn't been updated. form.jotformeu.com/53132988179366

[@neiljones3154]

I was told, by a woman who was born and grew up there, that the name Goole is Anglo.Saxon for sewer. She seemed to think that summed up the place.

[@MinimalList]

I look forward to going there then. 😬

[@rogerwhittle2078]

So, you've come back through the time warp and you are with us on the 1st of March? Great, now we can browse your vlog without mental whiplash! You're right, most of what you passed was of the "history that is missed for the jobs, but not sorry its gone" variety? That hill in the distance looke about the size of Pen-y-ghent! And it was made of ASH from the power station or slurry from the mine? You are too modest filming that turn. I should like to have seen the whole 180 degrees, because it looked like a perfect, displacement boat, reverse turn in its own length. I remember having to practice that on my RYA Level 4 Powerboat, decades ago. And, as an aside, just how long did it take to fill your water tank?

[@MinimalList]

Still not through the time warp, quite a few videos to catch up on I’m afraid. As for the water tank, from empty it’s about an hour and twenty to fill, at normal tap pressures. M

[@MarkRimmell]

Regarding the out of date information on the CRT map. I think what's needed is a Wiki map that boaters can edit. Is there such a thing already? I've never found one. I guess the CRT should be keeping their map up to date, or preferably maintain the water points. However I am reminded of cruising with my parents 40 years ago, no mobile phone, no internet, and only old photocopied maps with hand written notes on. I don't know how we managed.... Sometimes we didn't.

[@MinimalList]

There is one, its called Open Canal Plan. We use it along side the CRT one.

[@mjallenuk]

Not sure why Zoe Sugg snuck into the Aire & Calder playlist ??

[@MinimalList]

Me either, but she has gone now.

[@mjallenuk]

@@MinimalList I'll try to miss her but I make no promises...

[@gillywild]

Engine is very smokey in this episode. Either excess diesel or oil. Are you guys aware?

[@ChrisJames1973]

Is the boat handling effected much when the water tanks are empty?

[@MinimalList]

No, not really... the nose is a bit higher and you can sort of feel it in tighter turns, but it’s only just noticeable... doesn’t change much overall. M

[@ChrisJames1973]

Minimal List Nose ? Oh you mean bow 😂😂

[@776281]

Brain is not working yet, so no meaningful comment this morning. Take care, now Storm Jorge is on the way too.

[@MinimalList]

Thank you! George is ready for Jorge.

[@elspethawake4541]

Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink. Those industrial areas aren't very pretty, but industry is the reason for the canals, so I suppose they have to be respected at least.

[@MinimalList]

Very true!

[@altacat9702]

: )

[@MinimalList]

👍

[@rickdearmont9950]

Ok help. At 5:13 you say “for barges and dom pudding” (at least that is what the captions say), what the heck is that??

[@ms.chuckfu1088]

Tom Pudding coal tub boats.

[@jimdickerson3465]

You Tube video abut Tom Puddings..kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2qnZ6qChM-Zr8U

[@MinimalList]

This might help! en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Pudding

[@jimdickerson3465]

You guys make my day, many thanks. Here's a short film about those 'Tom Puddings'. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2qnZ6qChM-Zr8U

[@billyb37]

Pretty depressing looking part of the canal !!

[@MinimalList]

Yes, It wasn't the nicest although I don't think the weather helped.

[@t.fahrmann9757]

why not ask for water at the marina or just some houses along the canal?🤔 i certainly would have give you that for free 😉😃😀😁😂🤣

[@MinimalList]

We probably could have asked at the marina. Not sure I would go bothering people at home though