Narrow misses on bends | Tooting my way along the Oxford canal to Fenny Compton

[@edsworld4550]

Good to know you sound your horn. I use mine at every blind corner and bridge and it has stopped a collision quite a few times. Also it has the benefit of scaring tow path walkers which entertains me more than it should really. Regards Ed

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

I hadn't thought of the 'scare' factor- thanks. I think it's easy to think you're the only people doing this or that so it's good to hear other people being safe also.

[@AndyB59]

I love the feeling that I'm riding along with you and joining in to your chats and banter.It's all so easy going and relaxing. I LOVE the cats!

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Thanks for coming along for the cruise, that's why we do what we do.

[@victoriapenny5607]

That was a wonderful section 8.05 to 9.56 showing canal & countryside complimented with the perfect music, well done ladies! haha!

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Kind of you to say. Thanks.

[@simonhubbert1785]

Great to meet you both on the Southern Oxford yesterday...until next time...Simon & Dexter

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Lovely to meet you too. We are still jealous of your boat...

[@simonhubbert1785]

Aw thanks, once the stove gets fitted it will be proper Hygge

[@julienorton1067]

Hi the NB's 🙋🏼‍♀️. Just look at them views. You couldn't have chosen a better time to go full time cruising than now... Your skills are really better than you think. Both handling the boat and filming... I really enjoy watching your journey ⛴. Thank you And Munchie at the beginning 😍🐈💖🐶🐾

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

We 'levelled up' in narrowboating. Yay.. lol Thank you for noticing and commenting.

[@steveinbulko]

Hee hee. Just like you we too keep beeping our horn. 😜. A very kind boaty lady who lives and works in the canals of Birmingham gave us some great advice. Sound your horn when you need to then others no you are there, and maybe they might feel the need to slow down themselves. As always we loved your vlog. Xx

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Thanks.

[@pootle2768]

That was beeping brilliant! Anna you rant away. It needs saying so hopefully those people speeding will learn. You did so well driving the boat round that corner!

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Thank you Mandy.

[@Buzzardgirl13]

Anna’s boat handling skills are fantastic!!! Her swearings not bad either 🤣

[@suesmith6721]

I love the music choice! Another great vlog! Lovely seeing Munchy up close. So gorgeous! xx

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Thank you. x

[@ScaseFacetime]

How beeping brilliant 🤣. Thanks for warning us about the Oxford canal!

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

You’re welcome. Did it come in handy.

[@ramseybarber8312]

Anna the more you work the boat ,The better you will get .Also 1Beep means you are turning to starboard[right] 2 beeps to port [left] and 3 beep astern [backwards].Also the law will be in your favour if you go astern . Happy Cruising.

[@micheleoftheoaks5506]

You two are so much fun to watch.

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Thank you.

[@NarrowboatJourneys]

The Oxford canal is very shallow, very busy, but very beautiful. Many boats don't slow down at all if they think a boat is unoccupied. I just always assume two things whilst cruising. One - that there always will be another boat coming around that blind corner or bridge. And two - that they may not know what they are doing, so grit your teeth and hope for the best as this sometimes proves to be the case!

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

yes, we thought of you whilst we were here. It is beautiful that is true.

[@christinehammell6365]

There is a code for horn sounds but not everyone knows it. You're right to sound it anyway and good on the hire boat for using theirs in return. The code is in the Boaters Handbook. Happy boating folks.

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Thanks.

[@pqlover]

Good job, Anna!!

[@johnbrookes2196]

I looked up the requirements for using your horn on a narrowboat and its similar to that of sea going vessels. The use of the horn on a narrowboat may be the only way that a skipper can alert other boaters and it is important that they work - and whilst this does not form part of your Boat Safety examination, you may find that one is needed to comply with the local Navigating Authority By Law. Horn signals become. even more important when navigating around blind bends or bridge holes, As a general guide;- One short blast means: ‘I am turning to starboard (right)’; Two short blasts means: ‘I am turning to port (left)’; Three short blasts means: ‘I am stopping or going into reverse’; Four short and then one short means: ‘I am turning right round to starboard (right)’; Four short and then two short means: ‘I am turning right round to port (left)’; One long blast and two short blasts means: ‘I cannot manoeuvre’ One long continuous blast of ten seconds means ‘I am here’; and is very useful when approaching blind corners and in dense fog.

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Thanks for the research John. I don't blast for ten seconds, but I might do it a bit longer now that I know.

[@sherrionboardsunflower97]

Thanku for another brilliant vlog! I get my boat on Friday at 2:30!,

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

That is so exciting!! I hope everything goes well with it. Let us know!

[@lynneevans4265]

Just love watching you two xxx

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Thank you so much.

[@FloatingIdeasonanarrowboat]

Well timed topic Anna! I had my bow pulled out yesterday by two speeding boats traveling close together (double bounce from them). Only on single pins front and back but I am carful and have never had this before. I think shallow sections are worse for this. I had only moored that day so they hadn’t had time to work loose. Worse still was on the same night at 01.10 some idiot came thorough and managed to almost empty the pound (this bit is a river mind you!) by leaving the bottom gates open but also 3 paddles on the top gates! I also found a wide beam adrift. I hadn’t a windlass on me but closed 2 sets of bottom gates as I was passing.

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Sounds like you had a terrible day! I read about getting some pins that twist into the ground and might get them to try out.

[@FloatingIdeasonanarrowboat]

I saw a very posh wide beam with them. It also had little garden solar lamp posts staked next to them! Looked great.I only hope the local doggies don’t think they are for their benefit!

[@jean405]

Your grey cat is beautiful!

[@derrickfelix503]

Just got up, and it's rain yippy. Morning all, washing in first time 3 weeks. Cheers all

[@negativelybuoyant5835]

We feel your pain its an interesting wiggly section. Can i just confirm the suction effect at the mooring spot cath and anna were at. It litteraly sucked one side of the boat down when boats passed. We love your guys rants keep em coming. And the fear when you get a beep back......95% boredom 5% sheer panick 😂 Great vid guys. Matt and jo

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Did your boat get pulled too? I'm finding Oxford Canal speedy. I need more zen. Was great catching up with you two.

[@negativelybuoyant5835]

The Narrowboat Experience no we didnt but i think we were sat on the canal bed on the towpath side so no movement....its a pritty canal and if you can make it to thrupp i dont think you will regret it 👍 Big priveledge for us to meet you both and alice and munchy and thanks for introducing us to propper coffee 😀

[@pullypoolman]

I always use my Horn on blind bends and bridges sometimes to be ignored by on coming hire boats. Emergency stops can put your bow across the canal then its full power forward to bring it back. Keep ranting Girls :)

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

True. That's why I take corners slower than straights, but so many people don't.

[@kenaverill584]

Last time we were on the South Oxford Canal, we came to a spot where the canal went under a bridge and made an immediate sharp left turn. we slowed and stopped, made a long blast on the horn and listened for a response. Nothing. We proceed under the bridge and when we were about half way through, Bang! A hire boat from College Cruisers, traveling at a pretty high speed, broad sided us very hard. They apologized and said they "heard the horn but didn't know what it meant." It would seem that they were not given proper instruction.

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

That sounds like the same bridge / corner that we went around in the video. Lucky for us the hire boater beeped back to let us know they were there so we stopped. I think that the hire companies have so much information that they give the hirers that they probably don’t remember any of it! I hope your boat was ok!

[@slimi1969]

In theory ; One short blast means: ‘I am turning to starboard (right)’; Two short blasts means: ‘I am turning to port (left)’; Three short blasts means: ‘I am stopping or going into reverse’; Four short and then one short means: ‘I am turning right round to starboard (right)’; Four short and then two short means: ‘I am turning right round to port (left)’; One long blast and two short blasts means: ‘I cannot manoeuvre’ One long continuous blast of ten seconds means ‘Warning I am here’ five short toots means your drunk :)

[@ccjohncc1]

I'm convinced the cat is enjoying narrowboating.

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

They both are.

[@Myworldrightnow]

Lovelt cheery music:)

[@ncplantdoctor]

We saw Munchy and I noticed that a passing boat was named Alice. And we saw the Aus taking her half of the canal right down the middle. Otherwise, what a beautiful day it was and a beautiful place to be.

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Alice the speeding hire boat!!

[@ncplantdoctor]

Canals are supposed to be relaxing and they were in a hurry to get relaxed.

[@urbanimage]

I tend to beep for a little bit longer. From what I've read it seems to be one long blast = I am here. I'm quite envious now as I've never had anyone beep back 8--)

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

I've started to the same. Thanks for the advice.

[@geoffupton]

ooo our hostesses have been given a speed camera 😜 lol lovely vid speeding rants are cool, keep venting em! lol new louder beeper needed! at least your clever enough to beep on blind corners!

[@theyellow8834]

I was driving Haversham at like 1200 RPM past moored boats 2 metres apart and I got "Could you go any faster?". OM goodness if I went too slow, I wouldn't have the ability to steer.

[@scottfw7169]

Got curious and went and looked at Google Maps; good grief that canal has some twisted spaghetti noodle turns between Fenny Compton and Marston Doles! Hey, Fenny Marina by the railway tracks, fun to watch trains, I like trains but I'd still complain if they woke me up at night!

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Yes, so many twists. But, I have to admit it is quite gorgeous.

[@wilhelmdenninghaus421]

Hi, your boat's horn sounds like the one of an old VW-beetle. I wonder if Herbie is coming around. ;-)

[@thumpergman]

Sounds like you could use a camera on the bow with a moniter at the back to see around corners

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

that's exactly what we need.

[@NarrowboatPotteries]

I hope you make it to the Shroppie and the Llangollen, there are some ‘heart stopping’ narrow sections :) It is worth it though.

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Oh No! Don't tell me that.

[@NarrowboatPotteries]

It's not too bad. We use two way radios on the bad bits. We have a good video of the Pendeford Narrows on the Staffs & Worcester, strictly one way traffic :)

[@neilbullen26]

Thanks Anna ! Must check my text before I send it ....( passion vs pass on ) ......Maybe the South Oxford could be appreciated in October - less boats. Have fun !

[@borderreiver3288]

HOW STRANGE TO SEE A BOAT LANDLOCKED IN THE FIELD BUT IN WATER....WONDER IF AT SOMETIME THEY DUG A SHORT CANAL TO MOOR THE BOAT THERE THEN BACK FILLED IT....OBVIOUSLY NOT DOING ANY CRUISING SO USING IT AS A LAND-LOCKED HOME TAX FREE ETC.....NAPTON LOCKS WAS ONE OF MY FAVOURITE WALKING PLACES WITH THE DOGS WHEN I LIVED NEAR THERE...LOVE THE OLD WINDMILL ON THE HILL.....

[@brendancorrigan5038]

The person who speeds in a boat was usually the "bully" at school and now the "bully" at work.

[@MalcOfLincoln]

Morning girls. I'm sure someone has told you, but when reversing a NB, never stand at the side of the tiller. In reverse the rudder can be pushed sideways, and if you're at the side of the tiller it can knock you overboard. As to wind. When you are on an empty stretch and it is a little windy, take the boat out and have a practise. Lastly speeding. Only issue we have is with the occasional 'gin palace' coming past on the long straight between Chapel Hill and Boston at 25mph when we are moored on the bank (grin).

[@dhamma58]

I keep hoping for more (over)(through) or under the hedge...

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

We are so lazy, but we will try and go through the hedge soon. lol

[@dhamma58]

that would be wonderful, I do love seeing the English countryside, along with the 4-hoofed monsters that inhabit it....

[@lakelady57]

what a hoot :)

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

lol

[@MichaelsMustang]

You film your journeys already so a bow camera would be an asset for two reasons, footage from that perspective as well as footage to a screen on tight canals. David has encountered similar issues so you are not alone. When these were built the horse was ahead of the boat so they had eyes way ahead of the front of the boat. There will always be people who speed and do dangerous things in life so we often have to guarded our own safety because of them. 👩‍🦳👩‍🦰😺😽

[@sherrionboardsunflower97]

Wow! Just realised you’ve gone up to 6,000 subscribers!!!!

[@terrykunst3883]

When in doubt, beep. Sounds like good life advice :).

[@rebeccasteers93]

At start of video I was thinking do you go guys beep as was always told too.... but like you never heard anyone else beep!

[@andyb1237]

How's the water level? It's getting low on the Coventry and the North Oxford. Are you heading for the Thames? There will be plenty of water but also some speeders, sometimes in the middle of the night!

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

It is not bad before Banbury- you can't go fast- neither should you. It's funny to see the boats trying to pick up some speed in shallow water not realising the suction affect. lol

[@yank-tc8bz]

I think I would have a drone to fly ahead on blind corners.

[@chrismears4937]

Always good to have a good whinge. I was only discussing the boat horn with someone last week. I wonder what the effect of a fog horn would be? At least it would be heard and people would know who it is coming after a while! Debrett is etiquette for good behaviour. Is there a canal version? Having good etiquette makes everyone's life so much more pleasant. I'm with you making your point.

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

there is a code for when to blow your horn. But when Kath and I were talking we decided that before any blind corner is a good idea.

[@annedwards9002]

You can never have too many beeps.lol.xx

[@jayoneill1533]

As a Californian, I have never been on (or even actually seen) a narrow boat so this may be a dumb question but the tiller appears to be about a foot too long. It seems like the helmsperson is constantly getting jammed in the back by the damn thing. That said, Annamarie has become quite proficient at handling the boat.

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Thank you for the compliment. We have a long tiller- we had it made that way. When we first go the boat it was tiny and it made for exhausting days. the longer tiller means you can do tiny corrections. You only really need to pull the tiller when encountering a situation that is unusual or when you have to get yourself out of a tricky situation. It is an old method of steering and it is lovely.

[@Catherine.C]

Now that you're sailors, the salty language goes with the territory. Incidentally, since I began watching I've wondered if when the cameras turn off, do you both revert to sounding like the Slaters? Kath ~ Kat Makes sense!

[@mikenicholls4861]

Beep beep beep beep yeah! Just look how your driving skills will have come on thanks to the south oxford👍

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

That's what we have been saying also.

[@Nemo_Point]

I didn't think "The Narrowboat Experience" travelled in an Aintree Beetle / Beatle boat? Ah! forgot - they are constant cruisers now, not Day Trippers!

[@timpaszkiewicz7169]

What you need is a deeper sounding horn. Let them know your the king ,( or queen) of the canal.

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

I'm going to beep longer beeps now, I think that will at least sound like I mean business. lol

[@maxboonkittypoison]

hahahaha like road runner Beeb Beeb

[@jonnyjones5201]

Maybe time to think of taking off that 12v Mini Cooper horn off maybe wire up a set of air horns 😆

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Too funny. I call it the Mini Cooper horn now.

[@MattBrunton1965]

I've no idea why, but on that part of the Oxford they seem to have built the bridges mostly on blind bends! I hope they haven't put you off the Oxford generally, because it's a really pretty, rural canal. The single locks *hug* you. Having said that, if you're heading right down to the bottom of the canal (i.e. Oxford), be sure to arrive with plenty of time because there are not many places to moor due to liveaboard mooring and Agenda 21 restrictions.

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Thanks for the tips Matt. We saw Midnight Rambler the other day! We aren't put off the rest of the Oxford. Its really rather pretty! Not sure we will make it to Oxford but we'll see...

[@CheckFred]

"What happens if someone BEEPS Back??" .......... Fiiiiiiiight!!! ;-)

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Happened again the other day but it was the other boat that beeped first. I got enough warning to slow down and reverse to help slow, but not enough time to beep back. It was really good practise.

[@CheckFred]

The Narrowboat Experience you need to get a good Ol' Claxon horn .... they'd know you were coming THEN!! :-)

[@urbanimage]

I think the traditional response is left-hand down a bit and bang on the brakes.

[@neilbullen26]

You two really are a riot ! Make me laugh lots......Anna , shouldn't boats always passion the on the right of each other ; starboard to starboard ?

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Yes that's the rule. However in this case because my reverse to stop pulled my stern to the middle and my bow to the left- as did his but in the other direction- we were both is a perfect spot to pass as we did. There is no use fighting the boat or water. In this case we signalled to each other that we would pass differently and then we did so. Being clear, slow and logical is important when boating.

[@ticklishhoneybee9754]

I wonder if the secrets of the mysterious field boat will ever be discovered.

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Us too! I didn't film it too much as I thought it was a bit of an invasion of it's privacy. lol

[@AnthonyChew]

5:35 Yeah really, how did THAT boat got in there, and if it ever going to return to the canal.

[@petercalthorpe7966]

Great video you need a bigger beeper .😂😂😂😂

[@davidharris6581]

Maybe Kath should just do all the driving. And I mean that in the nicest most helpful sort of way.

[@RoniBWN]

The boat at 5:34 How the boat get in there?

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

We suspect after the last ice age.

[@RoniBWN]

@@TheNarrowboatExperience ahaha... but how did the boat end up inside the hole river? I bet everyone scratching their head.. lol..

[@ccjohncc1]

Curious to know if you see raptors much?

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

it is very Jurassic.

[@colinstobbart599]

I thought it was the POMs that whinged not us Aussies!

[@myjavadogs]

you need a drone to scope out certain bends.........

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

I would love a drone full stop.

[@AnthonyChew]

You keep beepin'g .. and at some point someone's gonna beep back haha!

[@davidbell2056]

Great bleeping video 👍

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Great bleeping watching ;)

[@scottfw7169]

Wind? Save petrol and lash a kite to the bow! ;D

[@elspethawake4541]

If you put your garbage bag on the bow then a boat speeding by might rock your boat enough to knock it off, then you wouldn't need to find a garbage dumpster site.

[@miteor]

“Tooting” while navigating, that’s an expensive habit...

[@wsatnutter9674]

good to see you both Kath looks like you have caught the sun as for speedy boaters shoot them lol

[@suetaylor5186]

Have either of you ever fallen in?

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

I am proud and a little superstitious to say no neither of us have.

[@TheTishh]

Beep Beep!

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Beep.

[@Kath1320]

6:50 🐑 👀

[@madcapjourneys9014]

Hi still enjoying your blogs but we think your experiences on the oxford canal are further evidence of why you need to head north to Yorkshire

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

True. That's another vote for Yorkshire.

[@dreamjourney8508]

Rants = good. Keeping it in = baaaaaaaaaaaad.

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Thanks, I never like to get too negative, I realise that the life we live is a dream. However, sometimes you need a good rant!

[@MrBblhed]

If you are going to be keeping rubbish on the bow make sure you have a good animal proof bin for it. Just how do you tell your speed on the boat, no one has ever shown a speedometer in a narrowboat video I have seen? You could be the first to reveal this to me.

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Thank you for the tip about bins. No I 've never seen a speedometer on a narrowboat but there is the RPMs and you use the throttle to manage speed.

[@MrBblhed]

The Narrowboat Experience I figured you use the throttle to manage speed, but how to you know how fast you are going, do you just kind of judge it based on how fast you pass an object, or you use your wake or something?

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

We just monitor the wake and make sure there are no breaking waves on the bank!

[@MrBblhed]

The Narrowboat Experience Cool, so you do just kind of guess at it.

[@miketipping1583]

This is what you get for ignoring my advice and going to Oxford rather than Warwick!

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

So sorry. We have paid heavily.

[@robertbannon9167]

Fast girls on slow boats.

[@BrassLock]

"The Naughty Narrow Boat Channel" regularly posts videos of people speeding and behaving badly on the canals (as you possibly already know). I've commented on that channel stating that changing people's behaviour will only happen if you show the boat's name, the helmsperson and the date/time stamp. But I never got a reply or discussion going on that topic. I suspect the British laws of libel or gossip, or whatever prevent the person's behaviour and identity from being revealed in a KZbin Vlog, so the badly behaved person will sail on happily in their ignorance to the disomfort of other canal users.

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

It's a tricky situation isn't it. I know the Naughty channel well and I suspect some of the wanting to be anonymous comes from the thought of reprisals for exposing bad behaviour. We feel similarly because we have this channel and because we get recognised, what we don't want is to call someone out on their speeding and them somehow encounter 'pay back'. So that's why I say it's a tricky situation. CRT need to step up and work out a strategy- not just boaters with cameras.

[@BrassLock]

+The Narrowboat Experience : Yes I can imagine that reprisals in this day and age are a very real possibility. Perhaps CTC's April Fools "News Program's" ideas of 15 months ago should be implemented after all 😅

[@JonMadsen70]

:)

[@FloatingIdeasonanarrowboat]

That has got to be the daftest thing I have ever seen. Why go to the immense trouble to dig a pond for your boat so it can sit and rust.Unless it was done by cut and cover so they drove the boat in or they need the rocking to sleep at night.:-)1 out of 10 people should swap for a motorbike.

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Some people were telling us about the floods the other day so maybe it washed into the field during some flooding and they decided to keep it there. No more issues with speeding boats for them!!

[@FloatingIdeasonanarrowboat]

Didn’t Noah have that problem?

[@dalerex7904]

You need a louder horn !!

[@jamesjetty625]

Less beans will help you to not be tooting so much!!! Probably the bank where you were

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Kath predicted one or two comments about 'tooting' and you are the first. Congratulations. lol

[@jamesjetty625]

The Narrowboat Experience it’s always good to be the first to pop a fart joke!

[@rbagrizzly]

OMG what a horrible sounding horn you have! LOL

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

All the better to beep you with my dear.

[@tonyp011]

you 2 should go on the Norfolk broads and see all the idiots on there with all their speeding, speeding isn't the word for it you have to watch your cups of teas as they will end up all over you and when you confront them over the speeding they get confrontational towards you and say your wrong when they know they are the ones that are wrong and in the wrong although there are river police and broads authority boats about its finding them thats the problem and you have to write down the names of the boats speeding in order to give them to the authorities when you come across them so that they can go looking for them but you might as well say go hunting for them because thats what it really is because of the different rivers and those you have reported could be anywhere

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Oh NO!

[@mortglickman3217]

beep...

[@dugsey8490]

can not understand your obsession with your horn. been on south oxford many many times, just needed it on a few bridges.

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

I can’t understand your obsession with your horn I’m in the south oxford and I only need it for a few bridges.

[@ccjohncc1]

dugsey can not see the obsession?? It's just people talking about it. Or did I miss something?