163 - Our Last Trip on the Birmingham Canal Navigations.

In this Vlog we complete the Birmingham Canal Navigations. We leave Star City and head down the Minworth and Curdworth locks and arriver triumphantly at Fazeley Junction.
Music - "Do Not Go Gentle" by Josh Woodward. Free download: joshwoodward.com/
Our Links
Blog: www.minimallist.co.uk
Twitter: / nbminimallist
Facebook: / nbminimallist
Patreon: / minimallist
Jo wrote a short book about her travels and how she met Michael.
tinyurl.com/yaw8a7t3
FAQ's
Q. Where are Michael's T-shirts from?
A. Tee Republic; www.teepublic.com/t-shirts
Q. Why do you speed up some of the footage in your videos?
A. We don't, we film it as time-lapse footage. We do not have the battery capacity or data storage to film in real time as our cruises can last up to 7 or 8 hours. We use to the time-lapse footage to help tell the story of movement rather than showcase the scenery. We limit the amount of time-lapse shots we use in each vlog.

[@morrisminor56]

Back into the Green at last :)

[@marianillingworth4403]

Hope Michael had a successful trip. I noticed in CRTs newsletter that the BCN is due a clean up. Perhaps they are listening to you.

[@MinimalList]

Oh, I didn’t see that. That is good news!

[@mikehaldane4061]

We have just finished a week on the Coventry Canal and so it is good to see the Canals in and around Birmingham as it is within striking distance. I'm not sure, as we have a narrowboat share and so our time is restricted, that there is anything about the BNC that would warrant us going down it and into Birmingham but the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal does have a winding hole before the bottom three locks so this looks like it would be worth doing. But it is good to see what to expect if we were to do a circuit with the Fazeley Junction as the start/finish.

[@MinimalList]

If you’re going to get near it I think it’s worth making it into Birmingham proper and spending at least a night in the Gas Street Basin... it’s an interesting city and a unique place to see it from. But yeah, if you’re time-locked it might not be so easy to justify. M

[@richardclark148]

No rubbish.....nice mooring....and George can explore the tow path again....English rural spring....what a treat.

[@MinimalList]

It’s really something, spring in the UK! Only my third experience of it and it really grows on you! M

[@iansmith956]

Always love you guys videos , keep them up .

[@MinimalList]

Thank you! Will do!

[@simonuden8450]

When I see that area around Fazeley Junction, it always makes me ponder what it must have been like a couple of hundred years ago, with the canal meeting Watling Street (A5). It must have been a bustling community. It goes to show that Birmingham was nothing in Roman times, as the road goes right past it. Mind you, Telford addressed that omission by building his Holyhead Road, which leaves Watling Street at Weedon, and rejoins it at Telford passing, as it does, through the centre of Birmingham on the way. Watling Street must, however, have still been an important trunk route to make Fazeley what it is.

[@MinimalList]

It is fascinating how the fortunes have ebbed and flowed, and how Birmingham - rather like Hollywood - was really just assembled on cheap land for a new industry. M

[@bigalb1913]

Well done - what a relief to be out of the grips of Birmingham (and Walsall). Some things don't change! Just thought, you're like the boating equivalent of 'All the stations' in which Geoff and Vicki went to every railway station in the country (their channel is now a cult following). You have cruised all the BCN and I reckon you both deserve a medal for emerging in one piece! Won't be long before you complete all the waterways.

[@MinimalList]

I’d take that medal, if they made it! M

[@jimbob356]

Nice to see the smile back on your faces after leaving Brum and getting back into the countryside.

[@MinimalList]

The countryside is a very welcome change!

[@oldtimers6460]

Going through the urban jungle and getting to a green space without garbage that would soul lifting . A deer in the river would be road kill here ! Thanks for the interesting vlog and hope the journey just gets better as does the weather ,Cheers from OZ . p.s. glad Georges paw is all good again .

[@mikegershon8528]

So nice to see you two smiling again. Have a safe trip, Michael.

[@MinimalList]

Thanks! M

[@annie2950]

Well done Jo and Michael. Looking forward to your adventures in the North.

[@MinimalList]

Us too! M

[@williamkeily6686]

So good to see you happy again.

[@MinimalList]

It’s always good to be smiling!

[@Drobium77]

you know, you both are one of the only channels which I tend to skip through the cruising parts of the video, to hear you both talking. It's wonderful to see such a lovely pair of folk , who love each other very much, and who have the same passion and goal. Please don't ever stop being you two. you are both inspirational , whether you know it or not :-)

[@MinimalList]

Thank you for such a lovely comment! We are glad you enjoy the video 😊

[@malcolmelliott1876]

Nice music.. glad to see the smiles on your faces and glint in the eyes, as you relish the move from eau de toluene to eau de bovine. Unusual (and nice) to see locks with single gates top and bottom.... made for soloists. "Don't judge us".... priceless! and "Distopian" is the best decription on the BCN, except that you did not imagine it.. unfotunately it's real !!

[@altacat9702]

Outstanding !!

[@MinimalList]

Thanks! M

[@suetaylor5186]

Automatically click like when I see your vlogs x Fazeley is lovely and it will be glorious to spend quality time with doggy. We adore our boy too x

[@MinimalList]

It’s a lovely area! George quite takes to it! M

[@virginiaschott4482]

Sounds like a perfect evening to me. Safe Travels Michael.

[@MinimalList]

Thanks! M

[@BlackCountryPiker]

What a difference a day makes hey! Lovely video guys and great to see you both awake 😂😂

[@MinimalList]

Thanks! M

[@rickf5615]

Amazing, just like I have said in the past. Just as soon as you clear the city limits and hit green you both just completely relax and unwind. No more dreary bloopers, you are having fun again! Stay away from the damn cities!!!!

[@MinimalList]

We will be sticking to to country side and small towns and villages for a while!

[@garrystacey7018]

Great video thank goodness you got out of Birmingham 👍🏻

[@MinimalList]

Thanks! M

[@Tinhare]

Thanks for taking the time to document your travels around the BCN. Some really useful information. Must be nice to be back out in the country. Wow, has it been a year since we were in Fazeley. Tempus fugit.

[@MinimalList]

Yep! Pretty much exactly a year ago! Thanks for following along!

[@jontisdall6248]

So nice to see you both in a much more buoyant and positive mood. It must be a relief to be out of that urban trash can.

[@marklunnon3769]

Birmingham is a s*** hole

[@MinimalList]

It’s not that bad... Walsall, on the other hand... M

[@MinimalList]

It’s important to remain buoyant on a boat! M

[@jontisdall6248]

@@MinimalList Methinks most likely the most important aspect of life afloat...nothing worse than getting that sinking feeling eh ?

[@MinimalList]

Exactly!

[@erichh4144]

I got tired of Birmingham watching these too. Someone from old(good) top gear maybe 15 years ago said the mascot for Birmingham was a shopping trolly in a canal and that does seem to be the case.

[@johnneal7832]

Good movie that Micheal, I enjoyed it

[@MinimalList]

It’s quite funny, even with the engineered ear worm! M

[@paulwilson7234]

Congratulations on completing the B C N 🍻

[@MinimalList]

Thanks! M

[@rogerhudson9732]

Now you can get back to lovely English countryside and feel all the better for the contrast.

[@MinimalList]

It’s quite the uplift, especially just as spring arrives! M

[@barrythompson8858]

Have a safe trip

[@MinimalList]

Thanks! M

[@ronbearman6783]

Hi guys Great to see your sparkle return now you are out of city environment george will also feel great .Enjoy your trip micheal Look forward to next vlog

[@MinimalList]

Thanks! Glad to be sparkly again! M

[@jwbuys1]

I've not done any BCN except around the Convention Centre, but I have visited Fazeley when I did the Coventry and Ashby in 2003. Fond old memories. Travel well. Look forward to the next vlog.

[@MinimalList]

Much of the BCN is actually worth a visit... all of it, not quite so much. M

[@ChileExpatFamily]

Sounds like an adventure. Good luck on your trip. Good to see you are having a good experience. Jim

[@MinimalList]

Every experience is a good one, in sufficient hindsight! M

[@ChileExpatFamily]

@@MinimalList Love your channel and God bless. Jim

[@grahamBearman1]

Now you have a dirty great grin on my face!

[@jamessd7677]

So you're finally leaving that goddam awful place, ( Birmingham isn't one of my favorites ), good for you guys. Wonder where you're off to next, north I suppose, looking forwards to your further adventures, thanks again.

[@MinimalList]

North and West... time for me to actually set foot in Wales! M

[@jamesfagan8474]

Nice video guys

[@MinimalList]

Thanks! M

[@ianmason8713]

Although your trips on the BCN bought back memories of my first interests in the canals, I am looking forward to your return to more rural canals. After hundreds of hours of walking the BCN, during my teenage years, a nice man at the British Waterways office, in Wolverhampton, told me which buses to catch to get to the nice canals. After that I never walked the BCN again. It is a feather in your cap to say that you have done them but the alternatives are so much more enjoyable.

[@MinimalList]

Yeah, I’d say there’s not a lot of cause to return to them, but we wanted to see the whole thing, Walsall and all. M

[@DrifterNomad]

Greetings !! just a quick note to say, Jo I really enjoyed your book, it took me a wile to get through it because I didnt want it to end, but alas all good things ...... Keep on Boatin !!! Drifter in Florida

[@MinimalList]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it! 😊

[@vvmmuu]

Great video as always. Two friends 12,000 miles away. ALL the best Ps. Just realised, I'm glad friends has an "r" !!

[@MinimalList]

We’re also pretty fiendish! M

[@EnglishVeteran]

Hi. Passed you 3 about 2 hours ago 28/03/19 just before swing bridge. Beautiful spot great weather. On way to deliver boat in Shropshire. I did look for George but no signs! All the best.

[@MinimalList]

What a shame we missed you! We loved Fradley, we even stayed an extra day!

[@DaveHenry-mort8088]

\o/ No more Birmingham \o/ Now go north and seek the Leeds & Liverpool canal and much joy will be had by all :-D

[@MinimalList]

We are on our way!

[@viviennebrooks3055]

Im being set down with my three dogs so Colin can get to a wedding end of May! Your a spanner mum now and the thought of kennelling ect gets so difficult. Heading up to Brum shortly, leaving on April, 1 st this years ccing,. Not looking forward to Birmingham really i love the countryside more than cities. Have a good flight , a good wedding and then back to Jo and George! Jo, the joy of all the bed is a real plus point! X

[@MinimalList]

She’s regretting the loss of the full bed since my return, though George did a good job taking up most of the room I freed up! M

[@llessibm]

Well done on completing the BCN, that's no mean feat and a big tick off the list of to do's.

[@MinimalList]

Thanks! Got a bit drudgy near the end, but overall a worthwhile grind! M

[@mickbroadbent6750]

gotta love you twos lol i did that to my wife shed kill me lol ,,,,,,,Michael hope your gonna record some of your travels

[@MinimalList]

There will be some highlights... it’s less a tourist trip than a sprint to and from a wedding, but I did shoot some. M

[@iangorner]

This past few videos I have noticed much more garbage in the canal. Such a shame and completely avoidable. Spring has finally made an appearance in these parts, my motorcycle club is gearing up fora few runs soon. We expect a lot of ice off the coast this year maybe a few bergs? Camera at the ready. My oldest is getting married this year so I have a happy occasion to fly to as well. Thanks for the great vids....kept me going through the long cold days.

[@MinimalList]

Can’t imagine a much more incredible sight than an iceberg from the back of a motorcycle. Except maybe an iceberg from the back of a kayak. M

[@jennymorgan1587]

Loving your adventures, we won’t judge you for going to bed and watching Breaking Bad - great show!

[@MinimalList]

Thank you! 😊

[@loki666100]

No judgment here. That is exactly what we use to do, get into bed and watch breaking bad. We watched it in 6 weeks give or take. You both look a lot happier then you did in the last vlog. Hi George 👋

[@MinimalList]

It’s a great show, too bad we only got to season 5 before I left on my trip! Such a cliffhanger for Jo! M

[@ynys_mon6928]

Hmm... I’ve been doing some family history research and have found a connection with canals (maybe). My grandfather was from Lichfield, in Staffordshire, but his mother’s family seems to have migrated from Worcestershire to Staffordshire through several generations, starting from the 18th century. I have ancestors from Lapworth, Kinver, Brewood, Minworth, Curdworth etc. When I first tracked down the family to Worcestershire I was surprised that people were so ‘mobile’ in those times. I’m now thinking that the development of the canal network gave people opportunity and the means to move. So maybe it wasn’t just about the movement of goods, but also people. Isn’t social history fascinating.

[@MinimalList]

It is fascinating. The Industrial Revolution, generally, caused a quite significant movement of people from farms to the new industrial towns that more or less sprang up overnight, generally around canals... so even if the canals didn’t contribute directly to their movements they almost certainly did indirectly. M

[@peterrice9800]

I think you left the BCN at Salford Junction. When I was trade boating in the 1960s I am sure that the Birmingham and Fazeley was not part of the BCN. Used to enjoy stopping overnight at the Dog and Doublet Pub on the Curdworth flight dont expect it is still there now. Another enjoyable Flog have a safe journey Mike and enjoy the wedding. Enjoy your time with George Jo.

[@MinimalList]

Hmm, we did a lot o research when making our map and were told that the the Birmingham and Fazeley canal to Fazeley Junction was still part of the BCN. You could be right though. It certainly feels very different.

[@steveibbotson1214]

BOO!!!!

[@MinimalList]

EEK! M

[@steveibbotson1214]

@@MinimalList LOL

[@noreenboland1204]

Lovely Fazeley, enjoy Tamworth Castle Park , great for walking George.You have Lidl Also Asda Sainsbury Morrison's.Great Market Tuesday and Sat for fresh veg.Country Market on Fri morning loads of scummy cakes.

[@MinimalList]

It’s a nice area. Jo enjoyed quite a bit of that while I was away, though George kept her a bit close to the boat at times. M

[@noreenboland1204]

@@MinimalList I should have remembered the time delay in your vids

[@FlashGormless]

Breaking Bad! good choice lol :) good to see you relaxed out of birmingham.

[@MinimalList]

Thanks! And yeah, amazing show! M

[@algernon9324]

Navigating the entire canal system of Birmingham in winter is an amazing achievement. What next - Venice?

[@MinimalList]

Heh, the Llangollen and the north first! I’ll do Venice if Jo lets me take her to the Mediterranean! M

[@elegantinfusions]

Thought canal life was supposed to be chilled and relaxing

[@MinimalList]

It usually is... all depends on where you have to be and when! M

[@brianrees3697]

Enjoyed the journey you done a great job. I know it was not your intesion but its shown me one good reason not to do that trip enjoy your long journey

[@MinimalList]

Well, maybe not all of it... we really enjoyed quite a lot of the BCN, just not some of the more Wallsall-y bits. M

[@narrowboatview9071]

Hi guys. Love your videos. Could you please give me an idea of percentage of total inland system you have traveled so far. It must be over 50% by now? Many thanks.

[@MinimalList]

Hi there! It’s a bit hard to estimate, but we think we’ve now done around 50%... still a long way to go! M

[@kevinwhiteland904]

Hi I’m Kevin I have been following you both for ages we’ll ever since the first lock down can you let me know were you are for this next lock down I hope you are near shops and amenities for ease good luck stay safe regards Kevin.

[@MinimalList]

We are in the staffs and worcs got a pretty good mooring. Thanks for asking

[@patmcdonald8241]

So Wesley and Buttercup, which was worse, the fire swamp, pits of despair or Birmingham....... Please tell us there will be a vlog on Michael's great travel adventure to India. Hope all goes well. Fair locks and clear skies

[@MinimalList]

Birmingham... in both the fire swamps and the pit of despair there was hope! ;-) I couldn’t shoot much in India and Nepal, but there will be some highlights. M

[@patmcdonald8241]

It is good to see that your Birmingham trials and tribulations did not affect you wit.......Let's hope there are no Humper dinks along your path this boating season. Fair locks and clear skies@@MinimalList

[@Kitfoxmk1]

Very nice music, out of curiosity do you tie George up when you are in a lock, does he mind being inside the boat in the lock? I ask because we are bringing our Cocker Spaniel pup to the boat next week for the first time.

[@MinimalList]

He is pretty good by locks and doesn’t really need to be tied up most of the time. I usually tie him for peace of mind in case I get distracted. He is really chilled out about it and will patently wait till we are ready to move on. He doesn’t like being on the boat in locks. If he is at the stern he will jump and whine and is very distracting. If we lock him inside he finds that stressful.

[@MrRoyboy55]

just need to comment on the India historic Water wells ,, called stepWells ,, there are many , if you can work in a visit to one ,, it has my vote ,,, google search Hampi Stepped Well is very Escher like , with water conservation becoming a topic , these ancient literal temples need honable mention , constructed in 1498 with steps down to reach the water table

[@MinimalList]

We have visited quite a few step wells in India. There is one in Abhaneri in Rajasthan that I saw in 2013 and the in Dada Hari Step well in Ahmedabad that we saw in 2017. There were others but I can’t remember them off hand. They are probably detailed in our blog. www.minimallist.co.uk/2017/02/this-is-india.html?m=0 or in my old blog jcsrtw.blogspot.com/search/label/India?m=0 We both love travelling in India, maybe we will make it to Hampi one day.

[@JohnBCN]

Congratulations on finishing the BCN. Dystopian Utopia - yes, that’s the BCN. Since Birmingham (and Wolverhampton) are higher than everywhere else you need to remember that the clogged lock gates are nature’s way of keeping the rubbish our of the country canals. Tick the BCN, like the Curdsworth, and subscribe to cleaner waters. ✔️👍[SUBSCRIBE].

[@MinimalList]

That’s a good point! The price we pay for not flooding the whole system with trash! We’ve actually enjoyed the BCN, though we seem to have saved the worst for last! M

[@1trackmind_]

Love your vlogs. Glad to see you both out of the city. Safe travels Michael. As an Air Force brat who has spent time in Altus, I can sympathize with your fear of flying. I wonder how many of us with parents that were in the AF hated flying in later life?

[@MinimalList]

Heh, probably most of us. My dad certainly went out of his way to convince me that if it weren’t for him every plane in the sky would crash! M

[@antipodeanadventures8423]

Are you guys going to be around Birmingham in a couple of weeks? We're finally hiring a boat to see if we like it! Any suggestions?

[@MinimalList]

Unfortunately not! We are heading North away from Birmingham. You will have a great time whichever way you go! Our only advise would be to avoid Walsall!

[@antipodeanadventures8423]

@@MinimalList shall do! Thanks!

[@chrisnicholls4182]

Hi So where next

[@MinimalList]

Generally towards the Llangollen is our plan! M

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Booooo 😳 Burst me bleeding eardrum, had my earbuds in on full volume

[@MinimalList]

Oops! Sorry, I probably should have put a warning up shouldn’t I! 😬

[@rwbimbie5854]

Do George and Molly (Jono) get along? I would have figured it wouldnt be that hard to get another narrowboat-youtuber to throw tennis balls to George for a week holiday

[@MinimalList]

Molly certain gets along with George! But Jono’s too busy with Victron and Cruising’s on to the van! ;-) M

[@geraldflatt825]

Awww yes the sweet smell of manure.

[@MinimalList]

Haha! Exactly!

[@rwbimbie5854]

Curdworth. Good thing it wasnt settled by Germans... Curdburg?

[@MinimalList]

Or Americans. Who’d want to live in Curdtown? M

[@malcolmelliott1876]

Curdworth is twinned with Wheymouth in Dorset I beleive.... or is it Cheddar?

[@MinimalList]

Heh... I’d hope it’s Cheddar. M