Episode 14. Visiting Tooley's historic Boat Yard in Banbury on our narrowboat.

We leave Cropredy and cruise down the Oxford canal on our narrowboat and plan to spend a few days moored in Banbury and also visit Tooley's Historic Boatyard.
Join us as we navigate through locks, lift bridges and beautiful countryside.
We get our hull blacked and have new sacrificial anodes fitted while our narrow boat is in dry dock.
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[@borderreiver3288]

Tooleys boat yard is a living gem...so much history...

[@TheEulerID]

Tooley's Boat Yard was where Tom Rolt, co-founder of the IWA had his equally legendary narrow boat Cressy refitted for cruising in 1939 on the eve of WW II. He had secretly married his Angela, against the wishes of her father, and they planning to spend their new married life cruising what were then primarily working canals. Cressy remained Tom Rolt's base for WW II which he combined with war work as an engineer. The journey that Tom and Angela made through the canal network in 1939 was documented in his book Narrow Boat, published in 1944 when it became a surprise hit. In 1946, Cressy was the venue for the first meeting between Tom Rolt and Robert Aickman, when the latter, who was a writer, contacted Tom as he started a lifetime obsession with canals and waterways in general. It was that meeting that lead to the establishment of the Inland Waterways Association. The two were to fall out in 1951 and Tom Rolt and his second wife, Sonia, were expelled from the IWA due to a difference in approach. Tom's firm aim was that canals should be preserved as working waterways, and he wanted the IWA to concentrate on those which still had an industrial purpose. Robert AIckman's policy was to try and save waterways everywhere and not for their industrial use. However, Tom Rolt had sympathies for the traditional canal workers, not their use for leisure. Tom Rolt continued to cruise the canals with Cressy when he and Sonia moved to a run-down 14th century house in Gloucestershire (it had previously belonged to his grandparents, but had been lost to the family). Tom Rolt went on to work on the preservation of railways and oversaw and ran the first such example in the world in 1951 in the form of the Talyllyn railway. Eventually, shortly before his untimely death in 1974, he was reconciled with the IWA. So, that little boatyard in Banbury played a part, unwittingly, in the post-war conservation and revival of the waterways with that final fitting out of Cressy. Who knows what the state of the canals might have been had that little book, Narrow Boat, not been published. This is a map of the recreation of that route started on the 100th anniversary of Tom Rolt's trip which his book chronicled. www.ltcrolt.org.uk/centenary/canalmap.htm nbalbert.blogspot.com/2015/03/sinking-of-cressy-mystery.html

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Steve Jones wow, my biggest reply so far We bought the book Narrowboat by Tom Rolt All very interesting Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment

[@TheEulerID]

@@welldeckdiaries5610 Thanks for that. Tom Rolt wrote many other books, but it might also be worthwhile picking up a copy of his autobiography, as he had an interesting life in all sorts of areas. He was a bit of a man outside his time as he'd got the heart of a Victorian engineer and old fashioned workmanship. His widow, Sonia only died in 2015 aged 95 and was active in conservation circles until the very end.

[@debbieallen2870]

When we moored in Banbury in 2010, we were set adrift twice during the night by lads returning home from the pub, we ended up mooring on the opposite side so it couldn't happen again. First thing in the morning we were at Tooleys boat yard buying mooring chains, best thing we had brought for a long time.

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Theres some idiots out there 😩

[@eekee6034]

That romantic gift tho! 🤣 I mean, you did get to stay in a hotel; in a honeymoon suite even... *eventually!* 🤣 But I've got to admit I wouldn't be any better organized, not even a little bit. Seeing the old boatyard was realy cool! I had no idea they could drain it just by pulling the plug.

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

👍

[@maureenlowther8867]

What a lovely Valentines present a lovely hotel to stay in and you can shop.xx

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

So true!

[@michaelhibbert4393]

What a lovely valentine present....you spoil Deb.....you big softy x

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

And this year a valentines inverter 👍

[@michaelhibbert4393]

Well Deck Diaries watched that vlog yesterday.....it must be 💕 love ....what next ???

[@ralphwood9865]

Hey mark some real nifty Quarter Master skills puttng the boat into the dry dock

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

twas a tad tight🤣

[@maureenlowther8867]

Very interesting how they black the boat. Wonderful vlog as usual.

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

👍

[@livinglifeinthenorth8512]

How very special to be a part of such a historical place. Glad to see it still being used!

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Its great that it survived with all the redevelopment that has gone on around it 👍

[@barryl8857]

Tooley's boat yard. Drive in service for narrow boats. Cool.

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Like walking back in time

[@biscuitbassbroom7306]

Thanks again chaps keep the vids coming 👍👍👍👍

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Thanks, will do!

[@handiman5001]

Nice to be able to tour a country from across the Ocean (Atlantic) Love your Videos -- I wouldn't worry to much about your BEER Reviews, they aren't the reason most folks watch your Channel -- I watch it because I love your adventures. Deb's fear of Drivin the boat and your Handyman Skills (which are GREAT), fear of tunnels and I thought I was the only person who managed to lose things in the drink (more than once) Keep your little videos coming, LOVE EM and HELLO from Saskatchewan Canada.

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Brent Miller glad your enjoying our journey Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment 👍

[@dst1667]

Love your videos!

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Glad you like them!

[@martinlanders]

Your both “ a tonic “ Very biannual!! 😂 hope the romance remains 💕👍👍

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

👍

[@livinglifeinthenorth8512]

Enjoy your videos! Love the rapport between you.Always smiling!🙂

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Thanks 👍

[@russozard2626]

Thumb's up folk's we love your 2 border terriers as we have one two , great volg

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Awesome! Thank you Russ👍

[@scottphillips7108]

Right nice pint... Have you ever tried the beer Becks you've got showing on the umbrella??? Now thats a right nice pint too...

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Yes, I have tried Becks, its a classic German style Pilsner larger🍺

[@scottphillips7108]

@@welldeckdiaries5610: The larger the Becks lager the better mate... [Just funnin' around.]

[@rogervanvalkenburg3361]

Loosing the tasting videos... inconceivable!!😁🍻

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

😷🍺🍺🍺😷

[@lockodonis]

Love these videos.... 👍

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

lockodonis. Thanks 👍

[@michaelhibbert4393]

Had a few days last year in Kings Lynn in my caravan at The Secret Garden

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

What did you think to my old home town 😁

[@michaelhibbert4393]

Well Deck Diaries I live in Mablethorpe so not that far away......really enjoyed Kings Lynn....people were very friendly, there’s a lot of Europeans there didn’t feel intimidated and loved exploring...Since watching all the Canal Vlogs I’ve joined Chesterfield canal trust ( my home town ) and off up there soon to do some crew training on Madeline based at the Hollingwood hub.....couple of hours drive for me either way but hey ho...I’ve retired now so no time restraints. Have a look on Chesterfield canal trust web site see what there doing.....theve set a target for 2027 to get the canal completed....the new link should be interesting.... There holding a festival 27/28 June to raise funds looking foreword to that too xx

[@kennethainley5254]

Good job. Happy 2021.

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

All the best to you too🍺

[@ThatGaijinFella]

Surprised they didn't let you stay on board whilst blacking. Some yards do. Still, must've been nice to be in a hotel for a while. Enjoyed this episode.

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Its so small and you would be locked in as its also a historic museum

[@bartsblog7705]

Ooh the boy did good 😀

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Ha Ha lots of women out there only got flowers😂

[@angelaread4462]

Hi to you two ex Kings Lynners from a Peterborian (of late). 😊 Loving your vids and the lifestyle. Thank you.

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Angela Read Thanks, glad you’re enjoying our travels👍

[@pingu0093]

I have now watched 14 episodes in a mega binge session, have throughly enjoyed each one, the pair of you kept reminding me of someone but i couldnt quite work out who, finally i got it when Debb pointed at her unhappy face in the Oliver Cromwell hotel - you guys are literally Pam and Mick Shipman from Gavin and Stacey, oh and thats a good thing :):):)

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Iwan Hiraethog I think this is the biggest compliment we have had so far Thanks 👍

[@pingu0093]

@@welldeckdiaries5610 Im glad you took it as a compliment , because everyone loves Pam and Mick , ryte nyce couple ;)

[@hw476]

Up so early Debs and looking as glam as ever. Very enjoyable. Well done to the manager for sorting out your room. Housekeeping should have reported that.

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Normally very British, and don't complain but that was one knackered mattress.

[@johnharrisprd]

Enjoyed this one @ Banbury Cross. From John and Helen Queensland Australia

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

john harris Thanks, i assume there aren’t any canals in Australia, but what about other inland navagations?

[@johnharrisprd]

Yes no canals in Australia, but we live in Whitsunday’s, we used to have a 38 ft sailing boat, and did lots of sailing around the islands, stopping at uninhabited beaches, had a wonderful time, but now in our early seventies we are ready to do what you are doing , maybe next year we will be on a narrow boat for about a month Hopefully, see ya Helen and John 🥂

[@raydellar6935]

Very interesting vlog, liked to have seen an after shot of the blacking. It looks great weather there at the moment. See ya next time.

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Unfortunately i overslept and didn’t get to Tooleys until 7am and they had already flooded the dock ready for me to take her out

[@johnduncan4610]

no canals here but the videos great they are like i was doing it with you thanks and hope to see many more

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

john duncan . Welcome aboard 👍

[@johnaboardviolet237]

Hi from Perth Western Australia , I do enjoy your videos. Mid April I will be on The Leeds and Liverpool canal on Violet the narrow boat that I have bought. Am sure that I will enjoy cruising as much as you do. John

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

John Wass Wow, are you going to be living aboard? Or is this boat for holidays? Good luck with everything M&D

[@johnaboardviolet237]

@@welldeckdiaries5610 I will be living aboard and continuous cruising once I sort myself out. Am a single 69 (today ) year old Yorkshire born man that has been living in Australia since 1967 when I emigrated with my parents and siblings. The boat is currently moored at Silsden

[@barbarastevens3053]

Just seeing your happy faces sets me up for the day

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Thanks

[@lynneevans4265]

That’s me up to date with all your vlogs. Had a great time binge watching them all. Must say Iv really enjoyed them all. Debs face at the state of that mattress, 😡. Happy boating to the both of you 🍻

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Lynne Evans You should have heard what she said when she saw the mattress 😂 So glad you enjoyed the vids Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment M&D

[@susanjgordon6318]

Great vlog, lovely to see Banbury as we have many happy memories from when we lived there! Cheers from us 3 in Thailand 😊

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Susan Jane Gordon Only just seen your comment, we did enjoy Banbury, its got a very homely feel to it👍

[@sylviapage8572]

That’s my second question answered! You have a bow thruster tube so I assume you do have a bow thruster. Banbury looked interesting and that was lucky to get booked in for blacking at such short notice. I’m up to date with my viewing now so looking forward to the next instalment. Thanks for taking us on your journey.

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Sylvia Page yes we have a bow thruster, only use it as a last resort the fuse blew on it 2 weeks ago and haven’t really missed it

[@mikegriffin4657]

Another good vid, we have had some good weekend breaks in the Dukes Head Kings Lynn, but now switched to Prem Inn on outskirts. Tooleys good, I dropped a chimney in the cut near where you moored in the Town, a small crowd gathered and cheered as I retrieved it with a magnet

[@TheChrysler56]

Hello you two. Glad to see you’re keeping the local economy going. Thanks for the history lesson on Banbury. Bet you’re feeling better now she’s been blacked too. 👍

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Always glad to put a little back into the local economy. Peace of mind now she's been blacked and she seems to glide through the water better, but I'm sure that's just a placebo effect😂 Thanks for watching👍

[@TheChrysler56]

Well Deck Diaries.....I’ve seen a couple of video Vlogs of other narrowboaters that have had theirs done and one of them mentioned that they had crustaceans growing i.e. muscle etc. Once the boats been power washed they were convinced their boat glided through the water. Must save on fuel costs too thinking about it. At least yours has been done and hopefully be good for another 2/3 years. 👍

[@TrevsTravelsByNarrowboat]

Very nice video Mark & Debs.

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

thanks Trev, how's the house sale going?

[@TrevsTravelsByNarrowboat]

A little slow. I am taking a week off in a weeks time to get everything finished up getting it ready to sale. hope to list it last week of April

[@kathroscoe8614]

Very interesting in the dry dock

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

They do an open day on Saturdays so the public can go and have a look in the forge, the workshop and the dry dock, well worth a visit if you get the chance

[@ACgaillard]

Hello from Oregon. Love your vlogs. You're a beautiful couple. I love when you get the giggles. Question, do they not black the bottom of the boat as well?

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Not normally although you can request it at an additional cost. The thinking behind it is, that the base plate is 10mm thick steel and oxygen levels are lower at that point thus reducing oxidation (rust) and any blacking applied would be scrapped off in the shallow waters, the canals on average are 2.5ft to 3.5ft deep at the edges and 3.5ft to 4.5ft in the middle although there are some section that are deeper

[@ACgaillard]

@@welldeckdiaries5610 thanks for explaining. Makes sense. Hope you're having a great day.

[@jeremykamel9655]

So far I’m enjoying your vlogs. One suggestion. Work on the sound volume. I’m not sure if you can make adjustments while editing but it something to consider. It seems that when you sit down in your boat for the discussions it gets VERY quiet. So we have turn volume up to hear. Then when you switch to content portions the volume goes back up. At which point your ears drums get blown out and you have to turn the volume back down. Cheers and keep the vlog going

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

I am aware the earlier vids had issues, glad to say its much improved now 👍

[@nw24153ns]

No black eyes, well done!

[@pkluske]

Thoroughly enjoyable vlog. Banbury is an interesting place to be and the blacking interesting too. I’m sorry but I had a lot of trouble with the sound and barely heard you, especially inside the boat. I’m using my tablet but I had trouble on my laptop computer also. Keep up the great blogs and I love seeing the dogs running around.

[@jamesfagan8474]

Great video guys

[@BurninWires]

I think I know who is behind the camera in certain shots ! 🤔🤔😉😂😂😂

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Richard Godfrey 😂

[@sarahbryant5504]

Hi, loving your vlogs - Banbury looks lovely.

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

It was Sarah, we will pass though again at some point so will cover some more places of interest👍

[@lewisgardner1660]

I would have thought debs would have been up by 6.30 every day to get the fire going walk the dogs and get breakfast ready by 8am when the master rises?

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Lewis Gardener Ha Ha, like your style, I’ll pass on your suggestions 👍

[@peterclarke1962]

Nice video but on Blacking as your boat was sat on the deck, does the bottom of the boat get blacked. I have been involved with the fabrication of a narrow boat & the bottom was 10mm thick with 6mm side's. I was a fabricator Welder for 54 years.

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

No, but I know some other yards who crane them out will black the base plate at an additional cost, Steve Hudson built his boats with a 15mm base plate, but as you say its generally 10mm

[@paulturner7837]

Hi Mark and Deb,I’m watching your vlogs from the start so sorry about commenting on an old vlog. I don’t know if you know the answer but I was wondering if anyone working at the yard is a descendant of the original Toolleys?

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

I don't think so

[@paulturner7837]

@@welldeckdiaries5610 That’s a shame, thanks for replying 😊

[@davidbutler4363]

😁👍👏👏👏

[@robton007]

Still flicking through.....how long does a blacking last?...is it a special paint?

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Its a bitumen type of paint and will last about 3 years

[@Aindriuh]

How do they black the bottom if it is just resting on the dock base?

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

its not blacked

[@nesleinf]

I noticed the boat stood on the belly in the dry dock. Is it not supposed to be blackened on the bottom - and if yes - how did they do it?

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Bent Flemming Nielsen The general consensus is you don’t have the bottom blacked, its 10mm thick steel, and because the canals are so shallow in places you would rub the blacking off in no time at all as you scrape along the bottom. There are other who say it should be done, obviously at an extra cost. Wouldn’t be able to have this done in Tooleys as the dry dock is shallow. You either need a deep dock or lifted out onto hard standing where it is raised on sleepers Thanks for watching 👍

[@foreversingle1975]

Does the underneath of the boat not get blacked?

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Some boat yards do it if you are lifted out and placed on blocks

[@marcrobinson2560]

hi guys hope you both well ? enjoyed yet another of your vlogs but please can I ask you about the blacking of your boat how do they do the bottom I can see how they would do sides and how ofter dose this need to be done and is it expensive I only ask as looking in to or should I say thinking of buy a narrowboat to do has you have done mark with c xx p.s hope you don't mind me asking

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

The blacking is done every 2 to 3 years and cost aprox £700, this is the cost of the dry dock or craning out of the water and blacking. the bottom isn't usually done as the base plate is a thicker material 10 to 15mm and the blacking would soon get scrapped off as the canals are so shallow

[@marcrobinson2560]

thanks for taking time to explain that @@welldeckdiaries5610

[@vadmal5210]

I'm a little bit worried about this pint testing. How many pints do you test when you lose your filming? Are you sure youv'e really made the filming?

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

ha ha , I only have 2 normally if I'm filming

[@MartyLJ57]

Do they blacken the very bottom as well?

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Not normally

[@AndyCutright]

Where better than Tooley's to get a narrowboat blacked? 241 years!

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Its amazing that its still there, nestled amongst the new shopping centre

[@yvonnejackson3451]

It's no wonder they gave you the room with the tatty mattress if you hadn't had a bath for 4 months! hehehe

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Ha Ha, I haven't had one since 🤣

[@bobbutcher7725]

I'm right up to date with your latest release and now tracking back over older vlogs. Now then, drinking a craft beer from a Kings Lynn glass, is that allowed!? I'm a bit twitchy and won't put anything in an Adnam's glass that aint an Adnams. Is that anal? Anyhow, is that Lynn glass from a particular brewery?

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

🤣😂 each to their own

[@johnaboardviolet237]

I see that you replied to my previous post but unfortunately I can not see your reply