Comments by "" (@michaelpilling9659) on "The Mindful Narrowboat" channel.

  1. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. A wonderful video, split in haf by completely different days of changing weather. Beautifully photographed with a superb commentary. You certainly are a lady of many talents. A Very Happy Birthday. I hope you had a lovely day and that all your wishes came true. The different wildlife was fasciinating. So many specsies to look - every week I learn something new from you. To finish, how damaging the stupid things loud mouthed people say. What a shame they don't operate their brains before they open their mouths. There's enough misery in the world without people like this making it any worse.
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  2. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland Your beautiful video put the sunshine back into my life today. Unfortunatley, we had to have Tina put to sleep this afternoon. She was 14 years old and had Cusshings Disease. Our decision came after consultation with our incredible vet. What a shame you have left the Peak forest but the Macclesfield is lovely too. That walk to the postbox was terrific. And all the new life was saw was superb
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  3. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland Storms, iced in, blocked in between closed locks and a broken rail crossing - what a time you had. The birds and the snowdrops were really lovely - can't wait for Spring.
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  4. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland That was very kind and thoughtful of you. I'm sure the feelings you shared, are echoed around the entire world.
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  5. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland What an absolutley fabulous video. Disused railways, dry stone walls, beautiful scenery, exotic birds and wildlife galore. All brought to us by you and Zephyr. Superb camera work and an excellent commentary explaining everything we are looking at. Hilarious antics with your gardening. I'm sure Zephyr was only helping with the sweeping!
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  6. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. So sorry to hear about Uncle Roger. My condolences. Your narrowboat gardens look lovely. Not bad at all for someone who says they are not a gardener. Very beautiful. Well done. You mentioned the weather being very hot. It's 18.06 on 01/07/22 and the temperature is still at 34 degrees. It's been like this for the last 5 days. The blanket weed looks a real problem. At least The CRT are doing something about it. I hope it doesn't spoil your cruise. Talking of cruise, that was lovely. The canal looks so peaceful and quiet. Your video was superb. Lovely commentary and music. Thanks for taking me along. See you again soon
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  7. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland That was a most wonderful video. A lovely journey to Kidderminster. The viaduct carrying the Severn Valley Railway is incredible. 7 million bricks, built by hand without the use of all the mechanical devises available today. I was surprised by all the colours of the different trees as we cruised under them. Gorgeous bird song too. I always feel so relaxed having watched one of your incredible videos. Thank you so much for making it. See you again next Friday - stay safe please. A Very Happy Easter to you and all your family.
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  8. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland You are now entering my part of the world - Cheshire. I was born and brought up in Altrincham. Another spectacular video. Beautiful camera work and excellent commentary., The Macclesfield Canal provides the most elevated and, some would say, most beautiful part of the Cheshire Ring. It certainly offers many stunning views over the Cheshire Plain. Thanks so much for the natural history lesson. Lovely birds, very interesting insects and of course a smelly Zephyr!
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  9. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. I'm so sorry for you with the engine breakdown. I trust it's fixed by now and everything is back to normal. A beautiful cruise through an autmnal scene. The squirrel, robin heron and jumping fish stand out. The memories your journal brings back are suoerb. All the places we've been and all the different things we've seen. A gorgeous video this week. Beautifully photographed with a wonderful commentary to go with it.
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  10. Hello Vanessa - greetings from a very cold (minus 8 this morning) and snowy (28cms deep in the garden) Poland This is one of the very best narrowboat videos I've seen for a long time. Wonderful camera work, beautiful commentary and magical wildlife makes this video very special. A beautiful poem and sketch this week too. What a king gentleman to take the time to prepare the bird food himself and feed the birds in his local park, every day. Just proves that there are some kind and thoughtful people about. Thanks so much for producing this vlog. It's made my week. See you again very soon. Stay safe please
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  11. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. Clivedon House - the home of Lady Astor - the first lady seated MP in the House of Commons. I think after your escapades there, you should be given the title of The First Lady of UK Canals! That was an excellent video, full of very interesting fun facts and historical information. Thanks so much for taking me along. I learnt a lot. Things I never knew. I prove my point made in an earlier vlog - your channel is not only a fantastic travel adventure but educational too. Thank you so much
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  12. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. A lovely video. Tunnicliffes walk was superb - the avenue of trees, church and jackdaws were all beautiful. The storm looked very scary. Good job you and Zeph were not about when that tree came down!
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  13. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland How wonderful to hear the Thrush singing in full voice. I miss those sounds very much. We don't have Thrushes in Poland. They are not a native bird. From our house, 200 meters from the forest we hear the calls woodpeckers, buzzards, ravens, jays, jackdaws, magpies, owls crows, rooks and many finches which I don't know the names of. These are the ones I know - I bet there are many more I don't know. I hope you are winning your battle to get Zephyr into Little Alice. Gently gently slowly slowly. I think the idea of dog first might work. Another wonderful video. Thank you so much for making it.
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  14. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. A Very Happy Easter to all of you from all of us. A fabulous video. So much to see and remember from my youth. The Cloud is one of a few places in the UK I still miss. I have been up there more times than I can bring to mind. Did you see all the graffeti carved into the rocks? The bird life in this video was fabulous. The beautiful garden at lock number 5, The incredible Boseley flight. The journey through Congleton, with views across The Cheshire Plain - a superb cruise excellently photographed by you.
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  15. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland I've been looking forward to the continuation of the River Soar cruise. I'm not disappointed! What a fabulous video. Your beautiful photography is incredible. Fabulous shots of the canal, countryside, wildfowl, birds, and insects. The Holey Cheese Bread wasn't exactly what I expected. However if it looks good and tastes good, it must be good. Lovely to see India again. Rescuing the fishermans equipment was an experience, especially when he admitted that he'd not caught any fish but he had caught three narrowboats!. What a fascinating story about the Bell Devil. And how lovely Watermead Park was. Thanks so much for taking me along. I thougherly enjoyed myself. Stay safe please.
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  16. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. "Lets keep this poem clutter free, And put the speed to slow. For I have seen what eyes did see, One hundred years ago" Fabulous! Your best poem ever. Thank you for the most wonderful video. Your editing skills are now at expert level. Not even a glimpse of Michael, ever! Not even when you were at the helm and he was working the locks! 11 locks in two miles - the first locks for 3 months. Perhaps you should have put a seatbelt on!! I learnt something new too. Gadwall duck and all the names of all those different mosses. Thank you so much - that was superb
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  17. ,Hello Vanessa- greetings from Poland That was a brilliant video. The trip along the River Trent was a bit of a nail biter! What terrible weather you had to contend with. Congratulations to Mr. M for his steering skills - good job getting into the Chesterfild Canal. The bird life was incredible on the Trent. Like you, I've never seen so many herons egrets and cormorants all in one place, all at the same time. Thanks so much for taking me along, I wouldn't have missed it for anything. See you next week, Stay safe please
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  18. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland What a wonderfully incredible video. You certainly brought us real excitement this week - badger, fox, pheasant, squirrel and that gorgeous heron. A glass museum, railway history, shopping centre, beautiful canal architecture - WOW - so much. A really superb cruise. Your camera work and commentary was brilliant. Editing out Michael is pretty skillful too! Loved the poem at the end. It's a pleasure to be one of your patrons. See you next week. Stay safe please
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  19. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland Congratulations on reaching number 100. I'm only 35 behind you now! A wonderful video. Loved the narrow boat for homeless military vets. What a great idea This vlog had a bit of everything. I really enjoyed it. Thank you.
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  20. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. Right! - I accept your challenge:- "Mud on your boots now. Walking along the towpath. Life is wonderful". That do? A super video. It's lovely to be back on the cut again. The Treecreeper was a real treat. The swans, wonderfu. Thanks so muchl
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  21. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. Owl and deer. Wonderful! Things you don't see everyday. That was a lovely video. The canal in winter is not the best place to be I guess - mud, rain, snow, cold etc. But you bring sunshine into our lives with your wonderful films about nature and the things you see. Thank you so much.
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  22. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. That was twenty six and a half minutes of sheer delight. What a wonderful video - full of so many interesting things to see. Your commentary was superb, giving so much information about everything we looked at. I loved Christines' boat. A beautiful floating garden. Zephyr was at her very best this week. No ball, no walk. Come on Mum, you know the rules!
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  23. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland I'm enjoying a Saturday afternoon watching the early episodes of your channel. This vlog is marvellous. Your journey reminds me of that super book "three men in a boat". A trip down the Thames like you three. The opposite direction to you I think. Aren't the flowers and fauna beautiful. I must admit, I do miss the English countryside. A wonderful video. Thank you for making it.
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  24. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland What an absolutley wonderful video. It has everything in it I could imagine. Brilliant photography, superb commentary, useful historical facts, beautiful autumn tints and colours and incredible birds and wildlife. The Leicester Line is lovely. The cruise this week was gorgeous and very educational too. I've learnt how to make vegan apple and walnut bread/bagle. Understood what "leaf peeping" is and noticed that all the bridges you went under had a name plate attached to them. Your autumn/winter cruising plans sound very exciting, travelling around the Birmingham area. Thank you so much for taking me along with you. I hope you and Michael stay safe.
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  25. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. Mink or Otter? I don't care - they were beautiful. My favourite piece of this fantastic video? - the swan ballet. The birds that came visiting were beautiful. How lucky you are to live the life you do. How lucky I am to be able to enjoy your vlogs. Thank you Your video had everything - love, sadness, beauty, sun and shade. Marvellous!
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  26. Hello Vanessa - greetings from POland That was totally magical. "Otter Spotter" really happened. Congratulations on having one of your wishes coming ture and being able to capture the event on video. From scary moments with a broken propshaft to watching an otter at play. WOW! Fantastic video, beautifully photographed. Thank you so much
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  27. Never mind a gaggle of geese - that's a gang of geese in March. Great characters. The cruise was lovely. I spotted more grebes and the nesting swans were lovely. what a suprb video. You don't miss much do you? We, the subscriber, are very lucky to be going along with you on your travels. something new every vlog. Thanks so much
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  28. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. A bit of rain didn't dampen my spirits. I loved it! What a beautiful cruise along tranquil waters, looking at all sorts of birds. Your drawings are very lovely. You obviously are passionate about nature and the things you observe. Thank you for making such a superb video.
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  29. Good Morning Vanessa - greetings from Poland. I've certainly learnt a lot more about House Martins, thanks to your superb video. Your camera work and excellent commentary made todays journey even more enjoyable. Thank you.
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  30. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland I've reached vlog No. 70 - Northampton Arm. I loved the villages of Elton and Wadenhoe. Seeing Zephyr up on that roof, meeting a cat coming the other way was brilliant! Having passed under Lilford Bridge, your close up camera work was fabulous, especially the shots of the fungii and the squirrel. The closing shot of your manoeuvre into the lock was superb. Thanks for this lovely video. I really enjoyed it.
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  31. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. What a beautiful cruise along The Chesterfield Canal. I'm very pleased you didn't turn back becuase of the blanket weeds, and got as far as Drakeholes Tunnel. Meeting new people makes our small world go round. How nice canal users seem to be. I was very impressed with the puffball mushroom. And the marsh and bee orchids were magnificent. Thank you for making yet another wonderful video. Stay safe and see you all next week
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  32. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. What a lovely video. Made me shiver just looking at it. Super birds - redwing, teal, pied wagtail. How kind and thoughtful of you to ensure the bird feeder is well stocked. I hope the local population enjoyed your home-made effort. I certainly learnt lots about katkins. Something we see here on the edge of the forest. Again, taken for granted, but not any more thanks to you. I hope you managed to get your fuel stocks OK. Thanks again for a wondeful vlog.
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  33. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. What a beautiful video. So much peace and tranquility. So much "mindfulness". The autumnal colours are hanging on as winter starts to creep into our lives. You captured this perfectly in your superb camera work and commentary. The careful choice of music too, brought atmosphere to this fantastic vlog. You've done what you manage to do every week - cheered me up considerably. Fabulous wildlife - the birds and deer were very beautiful. And the walk to Offchurch was lovely. What a gorgeous church with so much history attached to it. Bravo to the parishoners for making the wildlife haven in the churchyard. Thank you again for this wonderful video. See you again next week and stay safe please. What's going to be painted on the other side of the boat? A Unicorn.
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  34. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland What a fantastic video. Brilliant camera work and commentary capturing the beautiful countryside, autumnal colours and natural history as we cruised in a hurry maybe, to beat the lock closurers. Your culinary skills are incredible. The crabapple jam and the never ending marrow meals, were wonderful. Yet again, your historical information proved a winner and I learnt all about Belgrave and the Wolsley Company. Back onto the canal system and a return to 4mph. Lovely Leicester Line.,Absolutely fabulous. Thank you so much for taking me along - I loved it. Stay safe please
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  35. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. I really felt for you trying to get that lock to open. At least it worked in the end. Another lovely video - thanks so much for making it. The River Trent certainly is different. So much to see. I loved your cooking stove. What a great idea! And a big bottle of water for Zephyr's use too. The daisy is coming along. You are an accomplished artist. I guess you can only do one side of the boat at time depending on which side the tow path is and in which direction you are going. Stay safe please and I look forward to seeing you again next Friday.
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  36. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. What a beautiful video, full of birds, berries and autumn tints and colours. The visit to Bugbrooke was lovely - the buzzard, barn owl and black headed gulls following the tractor making it perfect. Congratulations on getting the pram cover down in 13 minutes. I'm sure you'll get quicker with practise. Thank you again for a wonderful vlog
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  37. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland i hope there isn't any lasting damage to Alice Grace following her grounding.,Thank goodness there were people around to offer help and assistance in your time of need. Your driving skills were excellent. That was a superb video. I loved the Peewit (Lapwing) and the Oystercatchers. Thank you for saving the Damselfly from distress. I think however, it might not be a bad idea to leave the Chesterfield Canal PDQ!
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  38. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. I've caught you up - I'm bang up to date. Your back catalogue is complete. What an incredible journey. Thanks so much to you and Michael for taking me along. It was fabulous. Now on the River Trent, Beeston Lock and onto the Beeston Canal? I'm not too sure. The Attenborough Nature Reserve is a fantastic site. Half a million visitors is an amazing number. I hope Zephyr enjoyed her tram journey. Ooh! the cusion behind you on your seat at the table where you write your journal, is it The March Hare I saw? Thanks again for the most wonderful video.
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  39. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. Another beautiful video. Oh should there be more people like you in this world. Your thoughts, words and deeds are full of empathy and love. I feel so much better having watched your vlogs. I'm so pleased I found you. Thank so much for helping me find mindfulness.
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  40. Hello,Vanessa - greetings from Poland. The Staffs and Worcester Canal was where I took my very first canal cruise in May 1972. We hired a boat from Anglo Welsh. I'll never forget it. Thank you for bringing back so many wonderful memories. A very beautiful video. So very well photographed with so many historical facts and information. I really loved your poem and sketch this week. A gorgeous walk in a very beautiful part of Staffordshire. See you next Friday. Stay safe please
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  41. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. "As I was going to St. Ives ..." a lovely childrens poem. A reminder for me where you were. That was yet another stunning video. The colours were beautiful. All the insects, birds and different sceneries made my day Thank you so much. Sorry about the mammoth tooth. Great key ring by the way. A bit of news from home - my wife Magda has been asked by our local authority to become "A Guardian". She has been given free cat food to feed the stray cats that roam about the area where we live. As well as 2 dogs we have 6 cats, all of whom have been adopted over the years, or have adopted us.
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  42. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland A momentous event - I've reached vlog No.50. Thouroughly enjoyed every single one. Neil the Seal - who would have thought you can see a seal in Upwell. Fantastic. He seems very happy, well fed and content with life. So much to see and so much to learn. Hawthorn Fly - a new one on me. , A wonderful video. Thank you so much for making it.
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  43. You brought back some superb memories for me. I worked for the Prudential in the mid 1970s in Leeds. My patch was Armley Morley Dewsbury and Brighouse. The Withers stands out for me. But most of all were the wonderful people.
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  44. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland You have excelled yourself again. What a fabulous video. It was gorgeous. Zephyr was either lookout, crew or guard dog. Whatever it was, she was very well behaved, The sheep and the mule were adorable. Two old boys, in their dotage, keeping each other company, side by side all the time. Loved the birds. So many - and water vole, what a character. Your poem was one of your best. Thank you so much.
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  45. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland So we say goodbye to Boston and the River Witham. I've never seen so much weed. A great description - "like cruising through mushy peas". Why is there so much weed? The Dinky Green Kitchen was spectacular. What a lovely array of delicious things to eat. And the bird life was incredible. Then catastrophe - broken engine. I'm so pleased you and Michael managed to get Alice Grace restarted and safely moored at Fiskerton Fen. What a gorgeous sunset. Fabulous light as you cruised along. A willow warbler, fly catcher and the swallow on its' nest. Brilliant photography, a superb commentary and a fantastic video. To cap it all, one of your best poems and a gaggle of geese. Thanks so much for taking me along with you. I wouldn't have missed it for the world.
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  46. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland A Very Happy Birthday. I hope you had a good one. That was peace and tranquillity at its best. what a wonderful video. Thanks so much for producing it. Lovely to see Zephyr managed to get into your little boat. Did you have an electric motor fitted? It sounded like it. The ponies and cattle were gorgeous. What a great way to managed the grass of the fen. Parenting is a skill. I think animals are very good at it, teaching their young everthing they need to know to stay safe and alive.
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  47. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. I was worried that you made the move to the water point all by yourself. The weather was bad especially the ice sheets floating on the canal. I was happy to hear Michaels voice on occaisions, so I stopped worrying. That was a lovely video. Made me feel cold though just watching it. I still think that the Ashby Canal is beautiful despite being with you in the dead of winter. The birds and insects are very resiliant. Loved the two ducks. I guess we'll see them again. Thanks again of a marvellous vlog
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  48. Hello Vanessa, Mr. M and Zephyr - greetings from Poland. What a lovelt, enjoyable video, I don't understand how anyone can harm a swan. So happy that Stocky and Gloria paired up. Were the culprits ever found? Thank you so much for saving the duck. You and Michael were very thoughtful. And thank you to the passers-by who helped too. The wild life in this vlog was spectacular. Made even better by your superb camera skills. See you again soon. Thanks for taking me along with you
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  49. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland You've just hit my jackpot! That was by miles, the best video EVER! The camera work and commentary were brilliant. Red kites at sunrise with a family of swans - peace and tranquility. The ancient artefacts brought by Farmer Jason were unbelievable. Lying below the surface of his fields for thousands of years. This part of your vlog proves a point - if you're nice to people, they are nice to you. The best part? - chinese water deer escaping your pink jacket, closely followed by a squirrel. Then a muntjac deer, stonechat, lapwings, buzzard and egret. Brilliant! Fantastic! Thank you again.
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  50. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. I loved your poem . However, describing yourself as an old lady - never!! What a beautiful video. Poor swan. I hope he/she managed to get out of the weir safely. Your escapades of moth spotting were marvellous. Improvisation at its best. This part of the Ouse is gorgeous. To think that Danes got this far up river is incredible. Thanks so much for all your hard work put into making this vlog.
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  51. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland You know, you're getting really good at this fim making job! That was a brilliant video. The remarkable bird life was fascinating to look at. So many birds, in an environment that suited them. Thank you Sir Peter Scott - famous for his wildlife and bird paintings. Never mind nil poi! You are part of the team that gets us from A to B day after day and brings us the most magnificent vlogs. Thank you so very much.
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  52. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland An absolutley breathtaking video. In content, one of your very best. What a great idea to change your fuel supply. Please let us know how it compares to the diesel you used to fuel the boat with. Linciln is very beautiful - thanks for the town and catherdral tour. Gorgeous wildlife, beautiful camera work and lovely commentery. Your poem left a little bit of sadness behind. Soon the swallows will be off to warmer climates. We will have to wait patiently for them to return in 2023.
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  53. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. What a wonderful video. Red Kites, Ducks/Ducklings, Fabulous bird song. Superb camera work - bravo. The mindful cruise was very pleasant. Extremely relaxing. Thanks so much
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  54. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland Superb video. Not just a pretty lady then? Pretty tough and strong too. Water and washing all in the same day. Well done. The birds were beautiful. Simple things on our doorstep that we tend to take for granted. Not any more thanks to you and your channel. My eyes are everywhere when we go out now. Thanks so much.
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  55. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. That was an incredible vlog, Jumping from peacock to kestrel to wind turbine to swan below it - all using the wind in a different way to their advantage. Even you, Zyphyr and Alice Grace have to contend with the wind in different ways. Something as simple as the wind, makes our world go round.. I really enjoyed this video very very much. I have little knowledge of The Fens. Following this vlog, I appreciate the area much more than I did. Your channel opens up the UK waterways and it's wildlife around them, to us. A million thanks for this
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  56. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. A wonderful video. So much to see and learn. Fascinating story about the fish bypass. Well done CRT! Loved the sand martins and learnt something about them that I didn't know. See! - your channel is not only entertainign but is educational too. As an aside - I recommend a YouTube channel called Westcountry Wanderings. Paul amongst many other things is walking the whole of The Severn Way from its source to Bristol in stages. He happens to have reached eactly where you are in the video.
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  57. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. That video really was magic! Nature at its best, showing us humans just how ordinary we are compared to the wild life we can see all around us every day. The criuse on the K&A was beautiful. The canal looks more like a river rather than a man-made piece of engineering that is something like 200 years old. Fabulous video. Thanks so much.
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  58. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland What a wonderful video - thank you so much for producing it. This vlog had everything - RAF air show, cooking lesson, driving lesson of how to negotiate mushy peas. Gorgeous wild life, beautiful birds, sculptures, very clever lady who can crochet and of course you and Zephyr You are an inspiration to us all. Stay safe please
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  59. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland Leicestershire at its very best. What beautiful scenery and countryside. Kegworth was lovely. The look on your face in the lock was a picture! I hope you weren't too frightened. The cruise towards Barrow upon Soar was gorgeous. A good job there's a weevil to solve every problem! Beautiful egret and cormorant. Gorgeous wildlife. At Pillings Lock Marina (named after me of course) with some weird craft passing your windows. Made me smile. Your decision to turn to wood burning will save you money. Good luck with you new venture. An absolutley fabulous video. Very enjoyable, full of new things I knew nothing about. Wonderful camera work and superb commentary. Stay safe please.
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  60. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. I loved the dolly with the brolly! Wow! - that certainly was a very long day. 13 hours in one hit. You must have been worn out at the end. A fascinating cruise in pouring rain. Zephyr, being a typical Labrador, wishing to stay out in it. Two very wet girls. I'm not a big fan of slugs. I had no idea that they dislike Cos Lettuce. Must remember that. There you go - I've learnt something new. Mind you, I learn something new every time I watch one of your fantatic videos. Thanks so much
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  61. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland A gorgeous video. The muntjac deer was beautiful. Made my day - thank you. Zephyr is back to her normal self again. She brings a smile to my face every time I see her. Thanks again for all your hard work in making this vlog ,
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  62. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. What a wonderful video. Everything coming alive. New life appearing. Makes one feel good to be alive! One thing I've noticed on the GU are the beautiful, simple bridges. The majestic sweep of the bridge makes them look very grand. The camera work on this vlog is excellent, especially the bird/nest shots. Ever playful and very happy Zephyr always puts a smile on my face. Thanks so much
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  63. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland So sorry about your leaks. David has been given the use of one of his subscribers boats for a while and is somewhere not far from you. Good job the boatyard could help and Michael could reseal the window. Your camera work and commentary this week were wonderful. The information about the Marsh Harriers and Grebes, incredible. I've never heard of a Sea Aster Bee. Did you get confirmation? The line of ducks was fantastic as was Boston Stump. The information about the floods was fascinating. A most wonderful video, full of love for nature and wildlife. Thanks so much for taking me along - it was absolutley enjoyable.
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  64. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. Off the Ashby onto the Coventry and beyond. Being a "lady of leisure" now, I guess you can go where you wish. I'm looking forward to seeing where. This was a lovely video. Full of lots of interesting facts and thoughts from you. You're right - having more is not always the best thing. Being happy with what you've got and living life the way you want to, is far more important. The poem at the end of the vlog was very enjoyable. Stay safe please
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  65. Hllo Vanessa = greetings from Poland It would be a great pity if you stopped your current way of life, living it the way you do. I've learnt so much about nature from you - in fact, something new most videos. The birds and that beautiful fox really made my day. A wonderfu; cruise superby photographed by you. I do understand that the CRT are having their goverment funding reduced by millions of pounds over the next 5 years, and that your costs bring a continuous cruiser are going to increase. Tighening your belt and working harder may be the obvious thing to do. However, increasing the cost to use the canal system whilst at the same time reducing the availability of useable waterways is rediculous.
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  66. Hello Vanessa - A Very Happy New Year to you and Michael. That was a beautiful video, very moving and jam packed with so many memories of 2023 journeying with Alice Grace. I can remember all the different sequences you showed. I can't thank you enough for bringing so much enjoyment into my life during 2023. I'm positive that 2024 is going to be just as good travelling the waterways with you. The poem you read at the end of this video was, in my opinion, the best you have ever written.
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  67. Good Morning Vanessa - greetings from Poland. This criuse on the K&A is gettring better and better. The heron was fabulous and the egret at the end of the video, fabulous - a rarity I think. You are so right when you said that the best place to see nature at its best, is from the canal. You don't often see a rabbit on a roof! This vlog was superb. Your camera skills and commentary made it even more interesting. Thank you so much for taking me along
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  68. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland That was a lovely video. My favourite bird, the robin, taking pride of place. The muntjac deer (or barking deer I recall) was beautiful. I didn't know about the fat content in ivy berries. There's my something new this time round. Thanks so much for making this vlog. The camera work was great.
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  69. I've learnt about Muscovey Ducks today. Thank you. I thouroughly enjoyed your lovely video. Spring is in the air, all be it wet and cold. Everything is waking up from its winter sleep. New everything - lambs, blossom, birds etc. Your assistant gardener is an excellent digger. What a kind thought by you to plant wild flower seeds every time you stop somewhere. Here in the village, we have two bee keepers who have encouraged their neighbours to plant packets of wild flower seeds. Most of us have done just that. Lets hope that in a few months time, there will be masses of clour with plenty of food sources for the bees. Thank you
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  70. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. The inforamtion, fun facts and historical notes about Grove Mill and Grove house were fantastic. Loved the woodpecker and Cooks walnut tree. You certainly are a lady of many talents. We can now add recipe investigater, cake maker, electrician and musician to your growing list of skills! The video was fantastic. Thank you so much for producing it.
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  71. What a wonderful song the chiff chaff has. In fact, one of the bird songs I actually recognise. These birds are very common here in Poland. The bird life in this superb video is gorgeous. So many different things to see as well. You must find it difficult to concentrate on other things. The running deer was fabulous. As were the hares. Everything busy. Thanks agian for producing another beautiful vlog
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  72. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. What an incredible video. Full of history, Black Country monuments, superb snowdroprs, delightful daffodils and gorgeous geese. I'm sure you will find a way to repay Michael for his cruel trick! Brilliant camera work, an excellent commentary and your usual attention to detail. Lovely poem and drawing. See you again very soon. Stay safe please
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  73. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland What a wonderful video - full of autumnal colours and November rain. I wholeheartedly agree - a warm fire and a pot of hot strong tea, will keep any unpleasant weather away. A lovely cruise up the Welford Arm to the wharf. Very interesting story about Mary Gilbert too. Your camera work this week was wonderful. Seeing the Fieldfares, the Buzzard and all the different fungii, was a thrill. How lucky I am to have you filming all this - you bring sunshine into my life on these dark dank November days. See you again soon - stay safe please
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  74. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. Pigs! a favourite of Winston Churchill. Dogs he said look up to us. Cats look down on us but pigs treat us as equals. I agree with him. A wonderful video. So many things to see whilst cruising along. You live a much slower life style now. Canals cannot be rushed. We all learn by our mistakes. The trick is not to make same mistake again. Best wishes. Thanks again for a gorgeous vlog
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  75. Get better soon. A week without your vlog is unthinkable!
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  76. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. That was a very different video. It was lovely. Thanks so much for making it. Gorgeous Scilly Isles. We went from Penzance ferry in 1986. Came back via the overnight sleeper to London Paddington, then back home to Leeds where we were living at the time. I loved your narrowboat tour. Thank you for showing me your home. The cruise was beautiful. Very interesting lift bridge.
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  77. Hello Vanessa - greeting from Poland So sorry you've not been well. I hope you feel alot better now. "Nearly 50" - I don't believe you for a moment! A beautiful cruise along the River Trent. Beautiful countryside along the banks and no weeds in the river. That lock leaked a bit. 15 feet rise ! Spectacular and picturesque scenery as you entered the River Soar. No weeds again! The story about the fox being chased up the chimney was interesting. What a shame you couldn't find any foxes of your own. A Kingfisher and Egyptian Geese instead. The poem at the end of this absolutley brilliant video was wonderful. Gorgeous camera work and commentary and thanks to Zephyr for the onland entertainment. Stay safe please,
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  78. My wife is the expert on fungii. She's Polish. We pick mushrooms in October/November and either dry them or pickle them. I've no idea of their names but they taste good. You're right - I am lucky. But there again, we're all lucky to have what we have.
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  79. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. So, the division of labour was decided. You supplied the muscle and Zypher was Foreman (sorry, Foredog) Hard work going through the flight. Your are right - the CRT volunteers do need medals. Their help and assistance is invaluable. Gorgeous scenery again with so much wildlfie and nature to look at, you hardly had time to work the locks. The cruise at the end of the vlog was great. Buzzard, Alpacas and Heron to name but a few of natures wonders to look at and admire. One last thing, your talent for writing poetry has not gone unnoticed. A skill I wish I had. Thanks so much for yet another beautiful video
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  80. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. Congratulations on the wonderful bowdeck garden and the roof allotment. You've reminded me of The Good Life, this time afloat. A fantastic video, thanks so much for posting it. The cruise from Beeston down onto the River Trent was very exciting especially with Lockie Neil's help and attention. Your camera work and commentary was brilliant. So much to see and learn about. Stay safe please and I'll see you in a weeks time.
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  81. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland This video has a real WOW! factor. Water Vole, Caterpillar Tent, Lizard Orchid, Grass Snake - the list goes on. Things I have never seen before. See! - your channel is educational, full of exciting things and very people friendly. Thanks so much.
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  82. Good Morning Vanessa - greetings from Poland Super video. What a lot in this one to look at. I loved the ducks, especially the beautiful Mandarin and Shovler Ducks. How kind and thoughtful of you to feed the swans and ducks with their special food. I hope the swan with angel wing is OK. I have no idea how to get Zephyr into the rowing boat. She likes being in the boat on land but not on the water. I guess it's the movement that disturbs her. Lovely cruise. Thank you
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  83. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. That was beautiful! So peaceful and tranquil. Serene and picturesque. Thank you so much for producing this vlog. Whether or not it was intentional, your channel had made me think very hard about the everyday things I see in my life that I have taken for granted. My house is less than 200 meters from a huge forest. It's there - I see it evrytime I go outside. Now, because of your videos and commentary, I really appreciate it so much. Thank you for that. You are inspirational.
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  84. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland WOW! - that was fabulous. So much to see and delight in. Why no boats? I have absolutley no idea. Real hidden gems. So many autumn colours and that beautiful heron and red deer. Brilliantly photographed by you with a wonderful commentary too
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  85. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. I think one of Zeyphrs parents was a vacuum cleaner! What a noise! Brilliant video. Lots of different emotions happening all at the same time me thinks. Sorry about the broken window. Good idea but unfortunatley bad result. A new window? How nice for you to have both your children with you. I'm looking forward to seeing the end result of your artistic talents. And what about your back? Nothing serious I hope. Loads to see too. Love the mums and babies swimming down the canal. The roar of custom-bulit motorbikes is not something you see or hear every day. Enjoy your cups of coffee! Thanks again for being you.
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  86. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. A new skill - forager! Superb. Waste not, want not. Our forebears used to do it. All we need to do is relearn their skills. Herte in Poland, Magda and I forage mushrooms from the forest in the autumn. We also pick winberries and Borowka (pronounced bor-ooph-ker) which are like winberries but red!. Superb video despite getting jammed in the corner. Thank goodness for passers by who came to your aid. Thanks again.
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  87. Your videos are addictive, inspirational and educational. It's impossible to stop watching them. I feel part of the Mindful Narrowboat family now
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  88. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. That's the first 15 vlogs watched. I loved every one of them. This video was superb, especially the walk up that hill. Great views from the top. The cruise was so relaxing made even better by the very suitable music you played. Thank you again
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  89. Greetings from a very cold and snowy Poland, Vanessa What a wonderful video this week. Beautifully photgraphed with a superb commentary to go with it. A real delight to see your winter wonderland - nearly as cold as where I am in Poland. The star of this video has to be the golden Eye duck. I've seen one before. Yet again you have have this knack of always finding the unexpected week after week. I really hope you've managed to solve the problem with the engine and that at last everything is back to normal.
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  90. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland The bird feeders proved to be a great success to the tit poulation. Glad to see the robin got a little peck before the monster woodpecker arrived., Another lovely video. Thanks so much. Snow on snow. If you like snow, you should come here in the winter. 20cms to 30cms is quite common between the middle of November and the middle of March.
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  91. Hello Vanessa- -greetings from Poland The headline of this vlog encapsulates what we have seen in this superb video. Every day things we don't pay much attention to, to the really peculiar, to the right bizarre. Terrapins that wave at passers by, fish eating bread floating on the surface of the canal and total starngers wanting to be part of the action. Brilliant photography and commentary, made everything we saw far more interesting. Thank you so much. One of your very best as far as content is concerned.
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  92. Hello Vanessa - greetigs from Poland. You have excelled yourself! Absolutley brilliant video. There were shots in this vlog that had more birds and bird calls than Slimbridge! You have a real skill in finding things for us to see that many of your subscribers I guess have never seen before. Plants animals and insects that we've never even heard of. You have brought sunshine into my life - thank you so very much.
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  93. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Piland. Fantastic! - my highlight?- the Robin (my middle name) landing on your hand to take food. That was a wonderful journey. The scenery, camera work and your commentary made the trip even better. Sounds like a school trip? No way! The poem at the end was beautiful, the art work bringing the wrods to life. Thanks so much for bringing sunshine into my life. Stay safe please
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  94. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland A wonderful video on what I think is the canal systems most picturesque waterway. I loved your excitment on seeing and filming the dipper - very infectious. You had me sitting on the edge of my seat in anticipation of seeing it. Now you have arrived at Bugsworth Basin, I recommend you try Kirianna Cafe ,It's fabulouis. I'm so sorry that I haven't chatted with you over the past few weeks, but I've been in hospital again. This time to have a partial nephrectomy to remove a 9cm cancerous tumour from my left kidney, and half the kidney with it,. Luckily the cancer hasn't spread. I'm back home now, recuperating slowly. Your video has brought so much enjoyment to me and has made me feel a lot better. Thank you.
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  95. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. "And every day something different" - a quote from your commenatry at the end of this fantastic video. That's the wonderful thing about your channel. Every time you put a video onto it, there is always something different to see. This journey had everythying - brilliant steering skills, dreadful judgement of corners, different canals and junctions, gongozzlers, rain, sunshine, cold, wildlife and pure unadulturated nature. Brilliant!! Thanks so much - I loved it
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  96. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. What a beautiful video. Your close-up photographs and camera work are wonderful. Seems a long journey to me, Grand Union, North Oxford and Covemtry Canals. i hope you enjoy it. Take your time. The Northampton Flight - 17 locks over 4.75 miles? Hard work I guess Good luck with your hazel tree. I hope germination takes place. Turning to dogs, my friend Paul from Narrowboat Life Unlocked is a fabulous artist and accomplished magician. If you have thought about a picture of Zephyr for prosterity, please have a look at his site. He does commissions from photographs. Last but not least, the jay at the end of the vlog was beautiful. Thank you again so much for making this gorgeous video.
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  97. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. A really superb video. A bit scary at times but Alice Grace came to the rescue. A fantastic adventure this week. From nail biting to huge smilea via kindness to others and nature at its best, This video had everything. Loved the steam train very much and what gorgeous pottery. Stay safe please
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  98. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. It is a priviege to be one of your Patrons. Your vlogs bring so much into my life. I really look forward to my Saturday mornings, being able to spend time just with you. You are quite right - we must take more time time to just notice things and, the more we look, the more we see and find. This was a brilliant video. Full of discovery, wonder and awe. Made even better by your incredible camera work, commentary and information on what we are looking at and where we are. The snippets of cruises gone by on Alice Grace and pages from your Journals were wonderful, bringing back many many happy memories. thank you so much for just being you. Lots of love, see you again very soon and stay safe please.
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  99. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. I'm too late for the competition, but my favourite bird here in Poland is the Bocian (pronounced Botchan) - the Stork and favourite animal, is the Dzik (proniunced Jeek) - Wild Boar. The Herons were brilliant - I've never seen a heronry before. The woodpecker drumming is superb. Ours are Green and by the way, no Grey Squirrels - they are all Red. When out this morning, Tina my dog and I saw our first Moose of the season. No camera with me - sorry. Thank you for a lovely video. The cruise was very relaxing too.
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  100. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. So sorry you didn't manage to find the dragonfly you were looking for. On a positive note, I'm glad that Alice Grace manged to get herself extracted from her predicament in the lock, unscathed. I really enjoyed this video. So much to see. So much learnt too. Thanks again
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  101. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. Your very own island - how exciting! Great to explore I bet. What a pity there wasn't any treasure. The cruise down The Thames was beautiful. Hambledon looked a wonderful place to while away a few hours. This video was lovely especially the coromants. So far from the sea too. Thanks again for taking me along with you.
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  102. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. WOW! - that was exciting. I've never seen that much water in a canal before. The cruise to get some water was nail biting, but you got there in the end. Well done you and Zephyr on getting the boat to the repairers in one piece, all on your own. Beautiful birds - especially the magpie and the buzzard. Superb photography skills despite the awful weather. Your commenatry and expalnations about what we were looking at was great.
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  103. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland That was lovely. How nice to see Neil the Seal again. Clever how he got himself out of the water and up onto the bank. The whooper swan was a treat. I can't recall seeing one before. As for Jimmy Cricket - I honestly didn't know there were crickets in the UK. See - another educational video. Thanks so much for producing it.
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  104. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland A lovely video full of 2020 memories. Taking a break between lessons, gives me an opportunity to thank you for all your hard work you've put into producing these high quality vlogs. I feel part of your channel family now and look forward to seeing what happened in 2021. Were you trying out your row boat on the River Colne or in the sea? I hope you're not considering going into competition with the ferry to Brightlingsea!
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  105. he Aquatic Warbler (Acrocephalus paludicola) is the rarest, and only globally threatened, passerine bird (IUCN status “vulnerable”), found in mainland Europe, with a very small world population of only 13,500-21,000 pairs. Once widespread and numerous on fen mires and wet meadows, this habitat specialist has disappeared from most of its former key range in northern Germany and Poland due to habitat loss and degradation.
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  106. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Nowe Slupno in Poland What a wonderful video. Beautifully filmed with your excellent commentary. So much industrial archiology and many bridges and tunnels to wonder at. Considering these waterways and their infrastructures were built in the early 1880s, it's remarkable that they still survive for us all to see. Again, I was amazed at all the different birds and mammals that call this part of Birmingham home. Parakeets - who would have thought they live here! absolutley fabulous cruise. Thanks so much. See you again soon. Stay safe please
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  107. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland We don't have very many Starlings here in this part of Poland. So seeing a flock that big would be an impossibility. A wonderful video. The nature walk was superb. Wetlands at their best. The little church was interesting. I wonder if it used very much these days? Thanks so much.
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  108. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. What a shame the Middle Level Adventure has had to finish. A fabulous journey - thanks so much for taking me along. A summer of new waterways, new places, new people and new nature. Great shame about the weather as you rejoined the River Nene. There is nothing worse than a long-faced Labrador who is wet and miserable. Still, she could have gone below! Another wonderful video. Thanks so much for making it.
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  109. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. Spring - the bringer of new life and regeneration. What a fabulous video. You captured the season down to a "T" Willington Power Station - if you would like to find out more, I suggest you take a look a my freind Ants YouTube channel called Trekking Exploration. Go into Playlist, Abandoned Exploration. Item number 1 will give you chapter and verse about the site plus some incredible drone footage. Loved Chris and Alfie. I wonder if the same reaction would have taken place if you lived on land? I doubt it very much I'm a firm believer that you are as young as you feel. As long as you feel fit and well enough to do something, then do it. Your body will tell you when it's time to stop. I'm 74 and live my life to the full. I'm not giving up yet! Sorry about the dandelion honey. If at first you don't succeed, try try again. Thanks so much - brilliant vlog
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  110. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. I've been meaning to ask this question for ages. Now I think is the right time. Where on earth do you get so much knowledge from, to enable you describe everything we see? I'm sure it's not just from the internet. A brilliant video. Superb camera work, especially the end sequence shot at dusk. Thank you so much.
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  111. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. Thank you so much for making this wonderful video. In my humble oinion, one of your very best vlogs, ever! Full of nostalgia, memories and excitement. A fabulous journey using canal and railways. Superb camera work, brilliant commentary and plenty of birds and nature shots. Thank you again. See you next week. Stay safe please,
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  112. Hello Vanessa - greetings from a very spring like POland What a beautiful video. Superb camera work and commentary. You used the word miracle at the end of this weeks video. It certainly is a miracle to see how the seaons change and colour begins to come back into our lives in March. So many gorgeous animals and birds really makes life worth living. I love the Leek Branch very much and look forward to visiting other canals in Staffordshire, Cheshire and Shropshire on our travels.
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  113. Hello Vanessa - New Year Greetings from Poland. An astounding video, showing just how fantastic, in certain light, the countryside is. Your commentary was so lovely, expressing your passion for nature. Brilliant camera work with your infectious laughter bringing a constant smile to my face. The Hatton Flight looked hard work but rewarding once you got to the top. A beautiful cruise. What a shame the house has been demolished. That's progress so we are told. Thanks so much for a gorgeous video. See you again soon, Stay safe please.
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  114. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. I think the canal system is a poorer place without characters like Ernie. Life was hard, but as Ernie said, he was fair. I thought your magnet fishing was very exciting. Fancy catching 4p. WOW! I hope you found plenty of yellow things, but remember, all that glistens isn't gold. However, natures golds are well worth searching for, in my opinion. The cruise to the pump out was very relaxing. Thanks for taking me along
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  115. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland What a wonderfully interesting video. Full of facts, information and new knowledge. We collect woodland/forest mushrooms during October. They're dried or pickled and eaten through the winter months especially at Chrismas time in soups. Fantastric shots of geese - the best burglar alarms ever invented. I liked the bird on your roof. I wonder what it wanted? Thanks again.
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  116. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland What a fabulous videos. So many things to se - so good and some not so good. A lovely cruise up to the lock full of weed that looked like a body floating in the water. On to the swollen river - a bit scary for a while. The siskins were beautiful. The steam train wonderful and the pub, brilliant. Take a rest with Nanny before you venture back through the torrent. Superb camera work and commentary. Lovely to see Zephyr was completely unphased by the adventure.
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  117. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. How lovely to meet the green parakeets. I remeber seeing them for the first time in the early 1970s at Esher Rugby Club. They were quite distracting! The video was superb. The Plughole however, quite terrifying. Despite the downpour, the deer were gorgeous and I'm so happy you got the cakes back to the boat, undamaged. Your poetry is lovely. Ever considered putting pen to paper and getting your drawings, memories and poems published in one book? It will be a winner for sure.
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  118. Credit where credit is due. Your channel is superb
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  119. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. Good to see that repairs to the engine have started. I hope Phil performs his magic and the job is completed successfully. What ba lovely walk along the canal and dissued railway line. The station cafe and ajoining transport museum were superb.. Zephyr certainly enjoyed her sausage biscuit and cream delight! Beautiful flowers and birds - wonderful camera work and commentary. Last but not least, congratulations on moving the boat across the canal to the boatyard. Good job, well done.
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  120. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. I'm no expert, but I think you did a grand job getting Alice Grace through the Buckby Flight. Zeyphr looked impressed too. Beautiful camera work and phortographs of birds, flowers, mushrooms and insects galore. A beautiful video. Thanks so much
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  121. Hello Vanessa, Michael and Zephyr - greetings from Poland A really wonderful video. Looking back over your journey through 2022, brought back so many fantastic memories. Vanessa - you've have become a brilliant film maker, story teller, naturalist and friend over this year. I'm looking forward to travelling with you and supporting your channel in 2023. A Very Happy Prosperous and Healthy 2023 to the three of you. Lots of love.
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  122. Hello Vanessa- greetings from Poland. Even in winter, isn't the Ashby Canal lovely? This is the 4th time I've been on this canal, via 4 different channels I follow. Your video is very special because it shows nature in it's raw state. Your camera work and commentary bring everything to life and the information on what we are looking at, is superb. Thanks so much for doing all the your hard work so that we can enjoy your journey.
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  123. You are the 4th. The other three are Narrowboat Life unlocked with Paul and Anthony, Foxes Afloat with Colin and shaun and Cruising The Cut with David.
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  124. Me too!
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  125. Hello Vanessa - greetings from a slightly snowy Poland. Yes! - we are currently having our first snow fall of winter 23/24. It;s 17/11/23 and 20;19. A wonderful video. Nice walk along the towpath too. Nice to leave the boat for a change. Amazing bridges with their rope burn marks, The calside scenery is very beautiful. Made even better by your superb camera work and very educational commentary. Wherever you live, however you live, you have to pay. The main thing is that you and Michael are living the way you want to.
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  126. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland A lovely return cruise in sweltering heat. Gorgeous views across the countryside. Brilliant acrobatics from the tern. Good job you didn't moor Alice Grace where you suggested. If you had, I don't think Alice Grace would be any more. A wonderful video with one of your best poems.
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  127. Hello Vanessa - greetings from a very cold and snowy Poland An exciting cruise this week, all be it stuck between two lock closures. Beautifully photographed with a superb commentary too. The bird life was incredible, especially the acrobatic geese and that beautiful buzzard. From your description of weather to come, I recommend you batten down your hatches and close all snow and watertight doors! Stay warm and safe please.
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  128. Me too!
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  129. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland 3 different canals, loads of locks, beautiful wildlife, a fox and nature and a tunnel with 3 boats to negotiate and a bat to see. WOW! What a brilliant video. So much to see and do. I was amazed to learn about the eel! How on earth did it get there? You camera work was superb. Beautiful photography with Zyphr to assist you. Thanks so much for taking me along - I loved it. See you again soon. Stay safe please
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  130. English Conversation lessons with Janek and Zofia went very well thanks. Aged 15 (with Aspergers) and 13 respectively. Still fascinated with the story about the eel. I'm guessing it's an escapee or somebody dumped it.
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  131. Hello Vanessa - greeting from Poland. I've found out that there isn't any form of butterfly count in Poland. BUT, there has been a beaver count last year which was published in March 2022 - 36,019 in total! A fabulous video. Beautiful scenery to count your butterflies in. What a shame there weren't many more specises. The frog hopper was fascinating. Never heard of it - now I have. How lovely to see Zephyr behaving like a hooligan again. No ill effects from her leg wound. Thanks so much
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  132. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. Video No. 26 - That was a beautiful video. Thank you so much for making it. I loved the pies and Christmas Tree. You're very clever. Bulborne was fantastic. The egret and the robin were wonderful. Thank you for the tranquil cruise to the water point. Now you're filled up, where to next I wonder?
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  133. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. The secretive Kingfisher and the explosion on the waters surface as the Cormorant took off were my favourite bits in this superb video. Thank ytou so much for the brilliant camera work. Congratulations too, to Michael for his expert helmsmanship skills in negotiating the turn from the Thames onto the Wey. The cruise was very peaceful - much different from the harrowing experiences of weathering the storm. I hope you got the loo pumped out before catastrophy happened!
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  134. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland An exciting video,. Scary storm and even more scary tree that might fall on Alice Grace. All on your own too. I felt for you. I hope AG enjoyed her Christmas at Barby Moorings and that the Family had a great time at Mersea. I loved the Starling Wars. Those filths of birds always remind me of gansters. Stunning filming Vanessa. Thank you
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  135. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland That was lovely! The ant hills at Croxley Common were amazing. Wow! - The facts and figures you supplied were incredible. The cruise from Rickmansworth to the pumpout point was gorgeous. The autumn colours were qite superb. Thank you so much
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  136. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. Butterflies and creepy crawlies. Lovely! Without them, our eco system would come to a grinding halt. They are a necessity and should be treated with care. The cruise was gorgeous. You have a very clever narrowboat. It appears to steer itself! Do you have a steersman and if you do, do we ever see him? A wonderful video, drawing of a butterfly and poem. Thank you so much
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  137. Alice Grace is a magic boat! Thanks for the info
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  138. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. Oh dear! A few mishaps during this vlog. A christening in the river, unable to close the carriage door and digging up an unripe artichoke. Never mind - worse things happen at sea, so they say. I do hope you managed to recover your bank card from the depths The trip on the ex. L&NWR was pretty good. Better to be pulled by a steam engine than a class 14 diesel though. A lovely video. Thank you so much for making it.
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  139. You have excelled yourself with this video. It was brilliant. What a magical place the Wendover Arm is. Full of surprises round every bend. We live in a very small world. In my past life I worked for an international insurance company and one of the clients I used to visit was Heygate Flour Mill on this Arm. Was it still working when you went pass? The plaque was an extremely kind thought. There for all to see and something to be proud of. The cruise and walk around the reservoir - fantastic. Thanks so much for taking me along
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  140. Absolutley no mushrooms in our local forest this year. Magda thinks it's because we had a very dry June and July. In Auguat the spores should germinate but becuase of no rain, nothing has grown. Deforestation hasn't helped either.
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  141. Hello Vanessa - greetings from a very cold and snowy Poland. What a fantastic video. I really hope your voice has been heard about HVO. Many thanks to Phil for all his hard work in fixing and rebuilding your engine. I hope you now can run your boat safely. You still found a smile and laugh despite all the adversities. A lovely cruise, great test drive (super polite to those fishermen). It just proves that if you are nice to people they are usually nice to you.
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  142. Hello Vanessa - greetings from a very cold and snowy Poland. A wonderful video - yet again, I've learnt some new things. I loved the visit to Cadburys. I bet the smell was gorgeous. What a kind and thoughtful employer he was. Mind you, there's no pub! Wonderful wildlife this week especially the kingfisher and the jay. Your poem was lovely. I was surprised about the ice. Will it damage the boat? See you again very soon. Stay safe please
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  143. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland You've excelled yourself this week. Nature wise, one of your best videos yet. "A Fox at Foxton" was absolutely stunning, The starlings, kingfisher, heron and insects were all beautifully filmed with a wonderful commentary to go with it. A gorgeous cruise towards Foxton Locks, admiring the autumnal golds reds and browns as we went by. The journey through Saddington Tunnel was very exciting. Gorgeous colours inside were photographed expertly. Congratulations - superb vlog. "One spot for one week" - really makes sense to me. Stay safe please
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  144. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. These videos of yours are getting better and better as I go through them. That was an early. start. I hope you didn't wake up too many boaters. They say the early bird catches the worm. Getting to your destination was obviously important to you. Ducks etc. - so many. I've never heard of a cayuga duck. New one on me, As for the goose - absolutley no idea. Sorry. The cruise from Teddington to Brentford was very relaxing thank you. Can't wait for the next one.
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  145. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland One of your most interesting videos - The Foxton Locks. You brought the history of this fascinating place to life. Superb camera work with a wonderful commentary explaining everything we were looking at. A great meeting place for people and dogs. No wonder you enjoyed the flight so much - loads of people to talk to! The autumal colours were magnificent. The wild life, unbelievable - especially the Kestrel, Wren and 5 Herons, who were in a field all together in one place. Zephyr was incredible. Showing you how to take her stick through a gate, knowing it didn't fit. Last but no least, was your beautiful poem and the chance to look through your journal, bringing back so many wonderful memories of cruises and videos gone by. Thanks so much - a fabulous video. Love to you both. Stay safe please and I'll see you again soon.
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  146. You now have a new Patreon!
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  147. I'm feeling a lot better thanks. Recovery period is longer than I thought but recent tests have shown that my rightkidney is working a lot better than it used to. However, drinking between 3 and 4 litres of water every 24 hours is hard
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  148. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland I'm an early bird, going to bed quite early too. I find the early morning quiet and peaceful - an easy time to get things done before the rush begins. A wonderful video this week. Full of of lots of things to see. I must admit, time spent with you is precious to me. Your channel is so relaxing. Beautifully photographed, superb commentary and of course lovely Zephyr.
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  149. Thanks Vanessa, I'm feeling a lot better. Healing slowly but I'm getting there.
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  150. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. News from here first. We had a visit from a family of wild boar during the night. Today is bio bag collection day - I think the pigs knew! Ripped up bags everywhere. Luckily not ours - not put out until I took the dogs out at 7am. Another superb video. Thanks so much. The cruise was very pleasant. Question - Alice Grace shows Heywood as her base. Is there a story here?
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  151. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. Going to Coventry Basin and on the way, passing underneath that most beautiful Wings Over Water bridge. Under the M6, through the wonderfully lit Heath Cresent Tunnel and past the beautiful paintings on the wall at the side of the canal. A lovely basin right in the middle of the city. I loved Lady Herberts Garden and your photography and commentary were marvellous. To cap it all, you exceeded yourself with that gorgeous poem about Coventry Basin. A fantastic video - Bravo!!
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  152. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. I've heard skylarks many times, but I've never seen one take off and land before. That was fabulous! What a wonderful video. The area around Kimber and Cookley is beautiful. You showed everything superbly in this vlog. I hope the bump with the narrow boat didn't cause any damage. And congatulations on your "three point turns" in the winding holes. See you again next week. Stay safe please
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  153. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. Another milestone - vlog number 30. They're getting better and better, Thanks so much for all the hard work you put into making them. I hope you enjoyed your Christmas by the way. It's uncanny. We keep bumping into places we both know. I spent my late teens and early twenties living in Thorpe Bay, near Southend on Sea. I know Mersea very well. What a coincidence. I love your Stowaway boat, Little Alice. I hope you and Zephyr have hours of fun in her. Fabulous video. Loved every minute of it.
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  154. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland We have an abundance of sloes and pick them the at the end of September, beginning of October. Here's our own recipe that we use: - Pick over your sloes to remove any stems and put them in the freezer overnight. Find a clean, airtight jar. You’ll need something that comfortably holds 1.5 litres. Pop the frozen sloes into the jar. Add the sugar. Pour in your gin. Keep your jar in a dark place, but for the first week or so, bring it out and turn the jar over a few times before replacing it. Once all the sugar has dissolved, leave it in the dark for as long as you can bear, three months at the very least is a rule in our house. We enjoy this at Wigila (pronounced Vee-geel-ya). Polanda version of Christmas Eve celebrations I loved this video. Full of everything that makes you feel good to be alive. Thanks so much for all the work you put into producing all your videos,
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  155. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland What a spectacular video. We were spoilt this week. A Birds of Prey Delight! Gorgeous Red Kites giving us an aerobatic display and the Peregrin Falcons living on the church spire, looking down on the passers by. Brilliant photography! A very beautiful 5 mile cruise to Market Harborough, through very pretty countryside full of autumnal colurs, ducks and a kingfishers. Thanks so much - that was wonderful. Stay safe please.
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  156. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. What a wonderful peaceful and tranquil video. Isn't it strange how we take for granted all the little things in our nature world, but without them, our eco system would collapse. How positive you are. Thank you so much for being you.
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  157. I've seen an otter only once in my life - a sea otter in Scotland, I can't remember ever seeing a water shrew.
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  158. Good Morning Vanessa - greetings from Poland. I found your channel quite by accident - what luck! this video about the Red Kite was lovely. The countryside, subline and the music wonderful. I'm hooked - I'm going to start at the beginning and work my way through all your back catalogue. Thank you so much. You've made my day
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  159. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland An elephant on the muddy towpath. That has to be a first. Everything looks very wet underfoot. Love your imagination - a gremlin that lives in the wall next to the hearts tongue. Hibernation sounds a great idea. However, the thought of no Mindful Narrowboat during the winter months would be terrible. Who needs a gym - the workouts opening and closing lift and swing bridges must keep you fit. The January Bread looks wonderful. What a lovely mooring at Big Spring Coppice. The visit to the resevoiurs was very interesting. Zephyr seemed to enjoy it! Beautiful shots of the blue tits and wildlife. Thank you for this wonderful video. You make my weekend. Lots of love, see you again soon. Stay safe please.
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  160. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. I too teach on line. I teach Polish people English Conversation skills. Age range of my students is at the moment from 10years to 71 years. That was a lovely video. What a beautiful part of the canal, Berkshire going into Wiltshire. Gorgeous countryside, superb views and gfreat nature. Very nice to see Mr. Mindful slipping onto your boat. I guess as the Caen Hill Flight is about to be done, the division of labour will have to be sorted out! The bird life in your vlog was gorgeous. Thanks so much for your patience in making this video
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  161. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland They say a change is as good as a rest. It seems you had both! It's lovely to be back with you on Alice Grace. The thought of no more Mindful Narrowboat and everything that goes with it, would be a disaster. I am so happy that your decision is to remain a boater, enjoying the peace and tranquility of canal life. A lovely video, with so much to see. The wildlife, flora and fauna is beautiful along and ajacent to the canal. Canal life suits you and Zephyr, but like everone else, you need a change and a rest sometimes.
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  162. Much better thanks Vanessa. 2 hospital visits next week - only check ups.
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  163. Hello Vanessa - greetings on Friday evening from Poland Oh dear! - what a traumatic journey. Still, everything ended well with a lovely bird count and a quiet and peaceful mooring. A nice touch having custard creams with your tea. I bet your Nanna was watching over you. Beautifully photographed with an excellent commentary from you.
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  164. Hello Vanessa - Christmas Greetings from a very wet and cold Poland. A beautiful video bringing the cruising adventures to an end for 2023. The end of the Staffs and Worcester and onto the Trent and Mersey. Tixall Wide was wonderful as was the visit to Cannock chase. Gorgeous birds to see. thanks so much to you and Michael for taking me along with you this yea. I've loved every minute of it. A Very Merry Christmas to you and all youtr family/
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  165. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. The blackbird, and his songs, was beautiful. That and the lovel daffodils on your forecastle, showed that spring is in the air. 1400 miles since you bought Alice Grace. That's a long way. Time for a refit, tidy up or repaint? As for what to replace the monkey with, I'm too late I guess. If it were to be my choice, I'd use Alice as my theme and have the March Hare. "The March Hare will be much the most interesting, and perhaps as this is May it won't be raving mad – at least not so mad as it was in March" - so Alice said. Another wonderful video. Thank you so much
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  166. Hello Vanessa - greetings from an extremely cold and snowy Poland A Very Happy New Year to you, Michael and Zephyr. I'm so glad you managed to get through the lock closure at Stone. Heavens knows what your life would have been like if you had been stuck on the wrong side of the lock. A gorgeous wintery cruise - fabulous birds especially for me, the Buzzards. A first for me was the salt lake you passed. Did not even know there were any inland.
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  167. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland What a wonderful way to start my Saturday before English Conversation lessons begin. We had our first snowfall of winter 2022/2023 last night. Only 2 or 3 centimeters. A beautiful cruise, the highlight of which for me was, the red kite and the kestrel. Gorgeous autumnal scenery, lots of mushrooms. Well done to Michael for repairing the fanbelt. A job well jobbed! I hope your coasters have been taken and will be used by someone who appreciates them. Thanks so much for a lovely video. Lots of love to the three of you. See you again soon. Stay safe please.
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  168. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. WOW! What a day you had! I'm so glad that you got through it relatively unscathed. I just hope that so many things don't go wrong at the same time again. Zephyrs adventure was a bit scary. She looked so worreid, afraid maybe that you'd go on without her. Idiots putting trollies in the canal didn't help.. Spring has ertainly arrived in the UK. You are about a month ahead of us here in Poland. I hope we've had the last of the snow and frost. See you again next Friday. Stay safe in the meantime and congratulations on the growing list of Patrons. You deserve a lot more!
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  169. Sorry Vanessa - I forgot to ask how Zephyr is? I hope everything healed up properly with no lasting problems
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  170. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. That was a delightful video. Bees and deadnettles. Kings, Queens, teasles and ladybirds. We have a chain of supermarkets in Poland called Biedronka, which is Polish for ladybird. Very popular insect here. It appears everywhere. Thank you so much
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  171. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. We've reached the beginning of 2022. The journey to Hillmorton Locks past those immaculate permanent moorings was wonderful. They certainly were not busy whilst you were there. Then on through Newbold Tunnel to the mooring at Brinklow. I'm so happy you enjoyed your New Year Celebrations there. Weren't the herons beautiful both on the ground and in flight. That was a suprb video. Your camera work was smashing as was your commentary to go with it. Thanks so much again
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  172. Autumn is late this year here in Poland. The forest mushroom harvest is now in full swing, about a month and a half later than last year. It's sunny and warm with occaisional showers - 18 degrees today. The leaves are just beginning to turn. The wild boar are getting brave and coming into the village at night to forage.
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  173. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland So sorry to hear the sad news about your dear friend Jenny. My condolences to you and her family. A beautiful video. Sad to leave the Caldon Canal but on a positive note, glad to be moving on to canals anew.
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  174. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland Fabullous video, back in my part of Cheshire where I come from. A wonderful cruise past Swizzles, mooring up in a beautiful spot. I hope you see badgers. Lyme Park near Disley is gorgeous. A magnificent park to walk through up to The Cage past the house. I noticed as you moored up near Swizzles, someone else was on the ropes. How do you manage to keep Mike hidden?
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  175. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. Well that was a real bous for me - thank you so very much. My old stomping ground. I spent my teenage years in Thorpe Bay and spent many an illegal drinking sessions in the two pubs of Heybridge Basin. Memories - fantastic. A really lovely video. The Barking Mad caught my eye. What a gorgeous boat. The canal might only be 22 kms. long but it's great. Thanks so much
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  176. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland A beautiful video - I suggest the sub title should be A Day In The Lives of Vanessa and Zephyr - the two characters go together automatically.There are not enough superlatives to describe your videos. You bring so much peace and tranquility into so many peoples lives (despite tearing along the towpath pulling a trolley to collect your groceries).
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  177. I'm totally hooked. One of two of the best canal channels on YouTube
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  178. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland Oops! The Blisworth Tunnel Bump was definatley not your fault. The oncoming boat didn't make any effort to slow down, his engine note gave that away! Sorry to disagree with you, but it wasn't possible to leg a boat through Blisworth Tunnel because it was constructed to allow two boats to pass each other. You may have noticed that all the way along the tunnel were looped chains. These were used to pull the boats through. Oh, by the way, Blisworth tunnel is also thought to be the wettest on the canal system. Loved the scream! A lovely video, quite exciting too. Thanks so much for making and producing this video.
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  179. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland What a wonderful journey into the centre of Birmingham. Not the cruise I expected at all. I was expecting dark satanic mills etc. I got greenery, countryside, a gorgeous reservoir and more different birds that you could shake a stick at. I fell in love with your journal many many months ago. Can't wait to be able to buy a copy. And what a treasure for future generations of your family. Another fabulous video. Really loved it. Beautifully filmed with your usual expert commentary. See you again soon. Stay safe please.
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  180. Positively tropical here in Nowe Slupno on Sunday morning. +8 degrees! tee shirts and shorts weather!
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  181. Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland "Frozen Middle Earth" - what a wonderful enchanted place to moor. The night shots of the foxes and deer were fantastic. Lovely to see India again (and a very quick flash of Michael as he went under the lift bridge). Stars of the show have to be you and Zephyr. The Tolkein Walk was superb and those gates! Lovely canal cruise, superb camera work, brilliant commentary, and what beautiful birds and wild life. All in all, a fantastic video. See you again very soon. Stay safe please
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