Still living our dream. Future narrowboat plans. Hillmorton Locks drone footage. Episode 44

[@mdmcalor]

Fran, you always look so smart. Love your style.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Oh thank you!

[@MsVanorak]

I've never got home made marmalade to set like bought stuff but it''s so worth the effort because there is no saccarin/aspartame, msg or other fake stuff in it. Just tilt the toast to spread it! :D

[@FloatingOurBoat]

So true! Mine gan range from runny to super glue but always tates gorgeous

[@beverleywilliams2369]

Hi you two. Hope you enjoyed the Crick Show! Could not get to introduce ourselves . Love the captor filming on this vid. Regards Gilly Art.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

It was great to meet up with you both and Bears Aboard, so many thanks for the mention. Again some great aerial footage, which is more meaningful when you know the area. Take care in your onward travels. Alan x

[@rickjones8735]

I relax when I watch your videos. No stress, (for me), and no drama. Just a loving couple getting all out of life, together. Good for you both. Like having a good single malt.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you Rick, that's what we aim for. x

[@doncates2954]

Beautiful video, enjoyed the interaction between you and your friends. Also the drone pictures.

[@janecox4173]

Congratulations on your 4000 Well deserved x

[@martinhowe3679]

another enjoyable video thank you

[@NarrowDreams]

Lovely vlog. When we did Hillmorton in August they had one side closed to save water, needless to say, it was quite busy!

[@ronbearman4661]

Hi Looked great cruising weather good drone shots of locks look forward to next one

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you Ron

[@ChrisandShell]

Shell teared up!!!.... A great vlog as always, lots going on, which is exciting and isn’t it so nice to have the hatch and windows open again!!!... a very gracious and huge thank you for your support and the shout out..... first drinks are on us when you come up!!... xxx

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Bloody 'ell now Fran's tearing up 🙄. Our Pleasure xx

[@FrazzledPup]

@@FloatingOurBoat now you've got ME tearing up! 😂😅

[@dougzirkle5951]

Always look forward to the videos you share with us. You are both so approachable that I feel as though I’m watching two friends who are sharing their latest home movie. Bless.

[@sallyu1]

We went through the Hillmorton locks last June. It was nice to see them from the air. They've done a lot of work since last year associated with the new housing development outside Rugby, including the new bridge shown near the end of your video

[@narrowboatlane2241]

Hillmorton locks is our best memory to date of travelling we negotiated them one a lovely hazy summers evening last year.

[@sandywilkinson8165]

Yes a hinged tiller is a must! Loved the vlog and the drone footage.

[@billyhaney6696]

Another enjoyable vid. We had just got home last night we had a eight hour 500 mile drive , was tired watched your vid was a great way to unwind.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Glad to be of service x

[@susanmarsh2856]

Greetings to you both. Love the new vlogs as they come through. Have said it before but your visual work from the drone is by far the best quality out of all the vlogs I follow (lots of narrowboating, homesteading, farming). Just brilliant.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

We love homesteading and farming vlogs. what can you recommend?

[@bazza3643]

Hi Fran and Rich, great video as usual. Nice to see you making orange and grapefruit marmalade Fran, Believe or not I am the one that makes the marmalade in our house, using the citrus fruit from our garden, each year I make a batch of grapefruit and lemon marmalade, lime marmalade, and Seville orange marmalade. Total of about 24 x 470 g jars per year. I like your patience Fran for cutting the fruit into fine slithers, me, on the other hand, I put all the fruit into a blender, chunky marmalade admittedly but quicker ! For my grapefruit and lemon marmalade I use 4 large grapefruit, 2 large lemons and 3.5 litres of water, and sugar, cup for cup with the pulp. PS. 1 vote for Rich's idea for tiller "brass handle with wooden end" Regards Barry

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thanks Barry. There is nothing as nice as homemade marmalade is there.I'll have a go at lime later this year

[@guidofawkes9377]

Lovely video guys!

[@CampervanTales]

Great for you to do a shout out. We have popped over and subscribed. You are so right about appreciating what you have. We looked around the NEC and saw lots of expensive vans,but we still came away loving ours more. Could you have a bee at the end of the tiller. Would fit in with Fran's hobby. Nice lunchtime watch as we catch up with videos after a few days away.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Great idea about the bee. Glad you've suscribed to the other channel, they're great people.

[@andyb1237]

You can't move for vloggers these days. I cruised past CHG's Aslan the other day and met Jonno and Molly yesterday. Well done to you all.

[@danslotlarsen]

I love you!

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you 😊

[@sarahtyson4133]

What about a nice dill do aww lovely take good care

[@colinwilkinson3648]

Nice 😊

[@BearsAboard]

Great to meet up with you both, and with Alan. Loved the drone footage at Hillmorton Locks - impressive! Hope to meet up again soon. We'll get the first beers in next time, so Fran can't spill them :) xx

[@FloatingOurBoat]

I know what's she like? Great to see you both xx

[@9ColorZebra]

I have enjoyed your vlogs for some time now but just finished watching all of them. Great subject matter and great drone videos. Thanks.

[@brianrees3697]

Hi both another lovelly video, but just to be aware when you where filming from the bottom lock at 14:46 just by the boat yard, 3 weeks ago the yard moored our boat exactly where you filmed and in the space of 48 hrs someone broke in stole the wine and turned the saloon upside down so make sure youe boat is secure luckely the little damage caused in breaking in through the side hatch the boat yard repaired straight away for free apparently it is common for boats to be broken into and all they want is the booze

[@patriciap5840]

Intrigued by the homemade marmalade! I want to get back to making my own bread and homemade marmalade would be so perfect with it, so thanks for the inspiration :-) Love seeing how you are both doing and following along....a hug from BC!

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Its really not difficult and well worth the effort. Its gorgeous, give it a go x

[@sandywilkinson8165]

Oh just remembered! If you shorten the tiller you may find it too heavy to steer the boat....thinking of Fran of course!!!

[@FloatingOurBoat]

I am strong enough to steer, better a shorter tiller than being knocked off, Ha Ha

[@geoslyne1]

Loving the drone footage

[@FoxesAfloat]

Might have known you'd have ended up in the pub with the Bears...... We did on our visit to ABNB last year. 🤣🤣🤣

[@choccysprinklies6030]

Loved the drone footage... the lock looks like a narrowboat from above... this must have been filmed a few days before I used your salt n pepper and didn't believe Steve 😂😂😂...right up until you came over and I was so surprised and lost for words (very rare 😅) he's still humming your theme tune to me at every opportunity 😂😂😂... take care and hope to meet you properly one day lol 😊

[@yellownev]

Just get a hinged tiller - had one on our last boat ideal for moving around on the back.

[@silashouse1054]

Great vid and good to see you both of you enjoying your venture, I noticed two days ago how important it is to black your boat, a lot of maintenance but the price you pay for doing what you need to do is worth in life. safe journey stay focussed, john NZ

[@ournarrowboatadventure8458]

Love your drone footage, I hope there is more to come... I bought myself a DJI Spark and have been experimenting with it, best thing I’ve bought for ages! Keep the videos coming. Richie

[@APRAPR-nq2wn]

another good video , alas expecting nothing less

[@stevelong6358]

Nice one. best of luck with the d i y..

[@thenarrowboatgirl]

Great video we are literally about to upload a video of going through those locks 😂😂💞

[@raymondparr1]

hi you lovely people well you got to where my boat shell is, there is a nice big family pub there also shops. my boat shell is the grey one. did you have a look. its a bit different. have a safe journey x

[@Soulfinder-HS]

Lovely video guys, as always. Quick question, which drone are you piloting mate.

[@peterrutter7332]

Hi guys great vid your tiller is the right length its where you stand thats the problem you should be forward of the tiller in the hatch but a good idea to have a brass one.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

We both like to stand at the back with the hatch closed and the dogs safe inside. It'll only be shortened by a few inches. Thanks for watching.

[@gegwen7440]

@@FloatingOurBoat That being the case, when not then in June have the rear enclosed with sides so you will be enclosed but have the room. A door either side will allow you to enter/exit and still keep the dogs safe once moored.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

@@gegwen7440Hi. A shorter tiller solves the problem and so much cheaper. 👍

[@ianhawkins7387]

You need a beer pump handle on your tiller, if you made a mating pin on top of the tiller arm when you didn’t want the extension it would stand vertical and look cool. Ex pat from Northampton now in Michigan.

[@raymondowalden4405]

So lets get this straight,you are both very happy with all and seem to have adjusted to being 'Ferral' ? I am envious,i hope to be the same,good luck

[@daveh70gongoozler40]

Hi guys yes young man I think you should sort your till out boy removing the end so the tiller girl doesn't get a tutu stuck again and while we're on the subject of DIY what's happened to your solar panels maybe you could give them some attention all the best to you I'll keep watching

[@maobfh]

Great video (as always )! How many locks have several lanes? I don’t know that I have seen this section before, yet it’s the most popular. The canals always look so isolated from the boats, but i get the impression that there is often a market or a pub just around the back (or around a bend or behind a tree). That always surprises me. Great fun. Thanks for the ride! R

[@AndyJarman]

Mar = Sea Mal = sick Ade = help Scurvy cure for old sea dogs.

[@TheGeoffpike]

Err, regarding the tiller our kid, I reckon you should get the paint off and polish the metal to a mirror finish, with a rustic style wooden end. Oohhh that's gonna look the bogs dollocks. .xx

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Have you got a spare hour or so then. we'll supply the polish!! Rich says its a narrowboat not a bleedin' gin palace. you'll be wanting twinkly lights on it next!! Fran x

[@TheGeoffpike]

@@FloatingOurBoat Rich knows, as do my other siblings that I am the style guru of the family, and he also knows that a polished tiller with a rustic tip is a style innovation.

[@TheGeoffpike]

Twinkling lights are not , I repeat not Fran, stylish in any way

[@theveryfirst]

Question! Do you ever go on rivers? Have only ever seen you on canals.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

We have cruised rivers. The upper Thames and part of the Severn. We're planning a lot more this year.

[@sylviapage8572]

Thanks for another great video and also for the update on the narrowboat chronicles channel. It’s really spooky because I was literally wondering today how long it had been it had been since they posted a video. I can’t understand why their channel was removed but I’ll definitely subscribe to their new channel so thanks for that. I love the drone footage especially when it’s areas I’ve cruised because you give such a different perspective. I agree with your thoughts on changing your boat. Apart from the logistics and the cost, especially if you use a broker, the prices really seem to have gone up in the last year. We’ve viewed a few second hand boats and it seems you have to spend about £60k to £70k to get a decent 57 to 60 foot boat. Unless you’re desperate for more space I’d stick with what you’ve got. Thanks as always.

[@gaylecroissant7444]

I love your weaving. I'm envious when I see your scarves or catch a glimpse of your curtains. You may have covered this already, but do you have a website for purchasing items?

[@francesmccarty1544]

Hi Gail. My weaving is for sale on Etsy, I have included the link here. There are wallhangings and framed weaving on there now but only one scarf at the moment. More in the pipeline so keep looking. Fran x www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ConstanzeCreations?ref=search_shop_redirect

[@tothemoonandbackbrettsharo934]

Hi rich and Fran. We have done that stretch in a hire boat from armada in rugby a couple of times and it is a nice place. Daft question but why have you got a jar of corks next to your pasta. Cheers brett

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Good question x

[@tothemoonandbackbrettsharo934]

@@FloatingOurBoat you will need to make up a good story about them

[@alanjackson4646]

Great drone shots. I have been experimenting with ‘tripod’ mode’ recently and it really does slow down movement and make ‘spark’ easy to control and fly when filming. I could taste the marmalade, I salivated when Fran peeled the grapefruit. I agree about your boat, now you have had it a while and done maintenance and repairs you know where you are. It is sometimes better the ‘devil you know’ and you may end up buying someone else’s problems. Does the £260 include taking you out and putting you back in the water ? Enjoyed No 44 very much, thank you. Regards AJ

[@FloatingOurBoat]

We hope the £240 includes everything. Thats what we've been told. We're loving our boat just now, no plans to change her just yet.

[@canuckpeoplerule]

I was thinking about an indestructible product that we use in North America as truck box liners and is now used on govt buildings because in bomb blasts it actually keeps the building together. So since canal boats travel at such slow speeds I don’t think the fact that it’s not perfectly smooth will be a big problem. You can also do it yourself very easily. I would bet that if you guys coated the hull with it that it would last a decade. In my truck box I held loads of gravel and scrap steel with sharp edges and after years of abuse it hasn’t worn 1 bit. The brand name and best known version is called Line-x and it’s just an incredible product. They say it’s also environmentally friendly as well. Their website is linex.com Check it out because it might be a great option for your hull. Oh ya it also helps with impacts and leaking. Hope it helps.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thanks for the info Fran x

[@barriewar]

I would be careful making the tiler shorter as you may find handling the boat a lot harder and it will be a lot of work to turn down the existing tiler to the inside dia of the extension you want to fit.Last year I extended our tiler and it made the boat so much easer to handle especially for my wife. We have a similar setup to you and find we stand inside the back doors. Platypus Melbourne should be out on the cut in a couple of months for what may be our last year of cruising.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

We both like to stand at the back with the hatch closed and the dogs safe inside. It'll only be shortened by a few inches. Thanks for watching.

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Did the marmalade turn out ok?

[@workingboat]

Wow episode 44, time goes fast but its been a pleasure watching you cruise the Cut. While your Narra is out of the water is she gonna get her name ?, great soundtrack as per. Another year to enjoy life, great innit....forgot to ask did the marmalade set well ? . .

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Hello Gaz. Yep we hope to be renaming when she's out of the water. Life is great innit. Lol. Thanks again for watching, Fran xx

[@midsomermikey]

Another good Episode Thanks. The tiller is that long to enable one person to stand in the hatchway with the doors closed for the most protection from the elements, But dangerous for you can see why you need to change it. What drone have you got ?

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thanks for watching John. It's a DJI Spark.

[@annie2950]

Great vlog Guys love the cork jar we have one those☺. So nice of you to support another channel. Such a nice thing to do. Will subscribe.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thanks Annie. I think we will need a bigger jar quite soon!!

[@johncarr1793]

Don't shorten tiller bar fit a hinged one in brass, now about these invitations, should l send your 20 quid back Or hang on to it for another time. The steerer should stand just inside the rear doors when under way so you don't get knocked of the stern by any underwater obstruction

[@davidbutler4363]

👍😁👏👏👏

[@MartyLJ57]

My heart breaks a bit every time I see a field lost to a subdivision and homes that our way too dear for the shabby workmanship.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

You're working your way through the videos Marty 👍

[@MartyLJ57]

Yes, I can't afford to travel so I'm a video traveler.

[@christinehammell6365]

As far as your boats concerned....What is it they say ? " better the devil you know " . 🙄