407. Narrowboat Journey - "Locks Away" - Part Two

[@spencer1591]

As one of the Canadians, it was a pleasure meeting you Alan. We enjoyed our time on the canal and special thanks to all the friendly and helpful boaters, such as yourself, that we met.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi Spencer and Elise, many thanks again for your help with the locks, I hope you enjoyed seeing yourselves in the vlog. I’m glad you made it to Cosgrove and am pleased you had a great time. Are you tempted to make another visit? All the best to you, cheers Alan

[@spencer1591]

@@MyNarrowboatVenture It's great to see us in the video and that we can show our friends and family how the canals and running the locks were. We ended up turning around at the Northampton Arm Junction for a more relaxing journey. A week certainly wasn't enough and we're already talking about the other canal attractions such as the Falkirk Wheel and which system has the most pubs along the way. If only we weren't so far away!

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

@@spencer1591 I am pleased about that. I thought when you passed me a few days later, that you'd said you had made it to Cosgrove, I must have misunderstood. The Falkirk Wheel is on my list, as for where the most pubs are, I'll leave you to research that. Cheers

[@rajjy1976]

This is guy is like your favourite uncle ☺️ I’d share my packet of Bourbon biscuits with him over some tea.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

That’s very kind of you to say, thanks🤠👍.

[@creaghant]

Another marvellous vlog Alan - thank you for taking us along 👍

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thank you, very kind of you to say🤠

[@bobx2387]

Greetings from Somerset...... We are viewing on 26/09/24 so a bit to catch up on! Helen has had her Hip replaced so we look forward to being more active. It was end of August so she is doing well so far.... I am now promoted to chief carer but original number 1 (who slept all day on a chair and only woke to eat Felix).. was sacked!. You cannot trust cats!! Love the Mug. Bob and Helen.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi Bob and Helen, greetings. I'm pleased to hear all is well with the hip replacement. I've been publishing our Lancaster cruise, which Sally arranged for my 70th birthday, we had a fabulous time. Enjoy the catching up, all the best, Alan and Sally.

[@StevesRepairs]

Thanks Alan, for taking us along on this lovely cruise with good company through the locks, I've got some of that cheese but I've not tried it yet so it may be for tomorrow's lunch. Take care and all the best. Stevie

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi Stevie, I hope you enjoy the cheese with your lunch, I’ve no doubt you will. Thanks as usual for watching, all the best, keep safe.

[@johnwigglesworth7961]

The boat Cheviot you shared with was the hire boat we had for a weekend 8 years ago. We enjoyed it so much I came home and bought one. Had it ever since and spend as much time as possible on it.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi John, that’s interesting to know and exactly how it should be done. I hired in contemplation of buying a boat, had a great time, which affirmed my decision to purchase. I hope you enjoy many more years of happy boating.

[@gingermolinero8386]

Thank you for a very nice cruise, love when we join for sandwich and tea just like real neighbors. Please say hi to Sally and pets to Reggie

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Glad you enjoyed it Ginger, I’m with Sally and Reggie,so have passed on your message. All the best.

[@castingshadows282]

As always Alan, an excellent vlog yet again. Talking about being Comfortably Numb. Roger Waters has hosted several great debates on Doubled-down News if you are interested in watching. A brilliant song writer, and singer, and a very clever man. And only 80 years old. 🖖👍

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thank you so much for your appreciation. I’ve not heard of that news channel but will take a look. Some years ago I watched The Wall at the O2 arena. All the best🤠

[@castingshadows282]

@@MyNarrowboatVenture I attended the Hyde Park London 2005 Live 8 concert. A time when it was thought they would get back together. I do hope you enjoy watching my suggested article. It would be appreciated if you do.

[@dougie60892]

Good video Alan, always handy to share the lock duties, hope your weather gets dryer and hotter, take care.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thank you so much Dougie, the weather does improve, thanks. All the best, have a good weekend.

[@hughcarson6837]

Well done Alan, another great cruise.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thank you so much Hugh👍

[@christopherbutler7588]

Nice you had some help Through the locks. Have a nice weekend 😊

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thank you Christopher, you too have a great weekend 🤠

[@stevehoare6378]

Evening Alan, how lovely to see the Buckby locks again. I honestly can't remember ever seeing volunteers on the Buckby flight so you were very lucky. Thoroughly enjoyed watching and looking forward to seeing what you do next...🍷🍷

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Evening Steve. I saw some volunteers there last year. A fellow moorer/volunteer has said he’s going to work Buckby Bottom Lock on Saturdays. People buy a boat from Whilton, turn left and then ponder how to work a lock! Glad you enjoyed watching, all the best 🥂

[@mickclark427]

Hello Alan mick from Hull another lovely episode hope you are very well and I will look forward to your next episode 😊😊😊

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi Mick, good to hear from you, thanks for watching, I’m fine thanks and hope you are. All the best🤠

[@bobt3374]

Hi Alan. That was an enjoyable trip to watch but i was not up & down the ladder so have a good rest. Take care & keep safe.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi Bob, Buckby Locks are hard work and even with help, they seemed heavy going. Have a great weekend and take care.

[@philthelock2668]

Alan, the Buckby Locks are almost certainly are least favourite - heavy to use and the close proximity to the infernal M1 Motorway. Enjoyed watching your descent though. Best wishes.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Many thanks for your comment Phil. The locks are definitely hard going but the M1 doesn’t bother me. All the best.

[@jamesfoley6555]

Happy Birthday Alan🙏✝️🙏🇨🇦 Thank you🎉🎂🎊

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thank you James, very kind, it was a little while ago now 🤠. All the best to you and yours.

[@alanjackson4646]

Lovely mate, thank you. Regards AJ

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thanks for watching Alan, cheers👍

[@aBoatTime-uw9br]

Great Video As Always Alan. Take Care

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

That’s very kind of you to say, all the best.

[@neilmurfet3392]

Good to still be onboard with you Alan. All the best, Tricia and Neil......

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thank you so much, best wishes to you both, have a great weekend.

[@MalcolmHarvey-i1x]

fantastic Alan

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thank you Malcolm

[@sallyu1]

We did the Buckby flight last Sunday and it was very hard going. I'm pleased that you said that it was notoriously difficult, that made me feel better. It took 4 people to open the bottom lock gate. The water seemed to be over flowing at both ends of the lock. We shared the flight with a boat called Verano, a lovely couple but we were also helped by onlookers. A very interesting vlog for us. Did you feel like you should have stayed loyal to sharing the locks with the hire boaters? It's a difficult dilema.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

The problem with the bottom lock is that water from lock 12 when being emptied, flows straight into it, as there is no bywash to the side. This happened when I went through, it’s just a question of being patient and waiting for the lock to empty then the gates will open. If there’s no boat in lock 12 the problem shouldn’t arise. It does happen when sharing locks that your lock partner can change. It is awkward but I didn’t feel bad about it, as they did catch up with me, so I was able to explain. They have seen the vlog and commented, so all is well. If you look through the comments, you will find it.

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

good vid on cranking it on the cut alan keep up the good vlogs thanks lee

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Many thanks Lee, hope all well, take care.

[@kenneyflynn4951]

Would a set of binoculars help looking ahead at locks Alan, as indeed many other uses for checking out your surroundings. Be handy to keep just inside cabin door.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi Kenney, I don't actually use binoculars, I prefer a monocular, which I keep on deck, I have shown me using it in some vlogs. When steering the boat though, needing to take my cap/hat off to use it, and wearing glasses it's not a quick fix. Mainly used when stopped some distance away from an incident, when I have time to focus and see what's going on ahead. Cheers

[@paulturner7837]

Hi Alan, very enjoyable vlog. At the first lock there were 3 volunteers, is it normal for them to stay on one lock and not follow you down the flight? It was good that you had the company of the Canadians on their narrowboat holiday to help things along. Did you feel a little guilty when you had to later join the boater ahead of you 😂 I know I would have. Not that anyone done anything wrong of course, just the way it goes. Have a great week, looking forward to seeing the next leg of your journey

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Glad you enjoyed it Paul. One volunteer and two trainees at first lock. Volunteers do move sometimes between close locks but these are spread out, so nothing to be gained just time to be lost. It’s rare to have lockies on the Buckby flight. It does happen when sharing locks that your lock partner can change. It is awkward but I didn't feel bad about it, as they did catch up with me, so I was able to explain. They have seen the vlog and commented, so all is well. If you look through the comments, you will find their comments. All the best, cheers Alan

[@KevDYAD]

Good to know you bought your boat from Whilton, I'm currently buying from there too.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

I found them very helpful, my boat had been purchased by them, and they made sure all recommendations of my surveyor were carried out. Hope all goes well with your purchase.

[@philipjones9458]

I presume the Canadian lady was referring to Chugabug on the tv documentary. Watching from Chester Sunday 30th England getting beat with 8 minutes left to play. Best wishes to yourself and Sally.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi Philip. I thought she might have been talking about Robbie! At least we won the game. All the best, take care, Alan and Sally.