Comments by "" (@chrisabbott7458) on "The Mindful Narrowboat" channel.

  1. The last part of this video was off the scale absolutely amazing .You were so lucky to be in the right place at the right time.
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  2. Absolutely agree and far more variety than all the other narrowboat channels most of which are frankly boring and I'm a boater .I have met Vanessa on 2 or 3 occasions and she is one of the loveliest people you could possibly meet.
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  3. You deserved a more relaxed cruise this week after several weeks of challenging times . This was such a peaceful cruise.I loved your shots of the mice.,
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  4. Captain Zephyr,or should I say commander or even Admiral , certainly always keeps an eye on you whenever the boat is moving or not.I love it she is such a bright and intelligent companion even when she's indulging in her favourite pastime, digging! You're certainly getting a lot of ice but I suppose because I'm on a river I've only seen one night of very thin ice.Stoke Golding is lovely and that mooring looks pretty idyllic.You are tempting me to divert on my outward cruise and do the Ashby in April instead of on my way back in the autumn.I think I've got some planning and timings to do.That picture of the Bullfinch is amazing.I remember we used to get a lot of them when we lived in Sandy but that maybe because we were just down the road from the RSPB headquarters.Are you getting all this wonderful sunshine I am getting here this winter ? Did you find the rather good farmshop that I seem to remember is fairly near Stoke Golding?
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  5. It certainly needs much wider recognition.It is so different from all the other vlogs. Having met Vanessa she deserves far more subscribers,she is such a lovely genuine lady.
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  6. Your observation of nature never ceases to amaze me.That lichen is phenomenal. I absolutely love your new kettle and so unusual and different from the norm.
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  7. I'm glad you've found the simple and hopefully relaxing life.I feel the boat's speed or rather lack of it , helps just to slow down and simplify everything.I shall keep an eye out for your boat on Saturday as I am travelling by train through Nuneaton and beyond albeit pretty early in the morning.A lot of the Coventry is visible from the train.If you haven't already passed it look out for the information boards before Polesworth on the right side of the canal indicating the possible site of the battle where Boudicca's army fought the Romans.Possibly biggest battle ever fought on British soil in terms of the sheer number troops.You have what I consider many miles of pretty canal ahead of you.I entirely endorse your comments about boat life.I started on my boat life almost 7 years ago and wouldn't change it for the world, I'm absolutely hooked.By the way there are plenty of good peaceful solar spots between your spot and Fradley.
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  8. That was brave nay adventurous doing the last few Buckby locks in the dark! What a variety of nature in the pocket park I must visit it next year as I always moor in Weedon anyway.You've found one of my favourite solar spots at Norton Junction.I love your pictures of the fungi/mushrooms so different.Do we get shots of bats asleep in Braunston tunnel next week? You might find some more owls in Braunston, I heard some in October when I was moored opposite the Boat House pub maybe they could be down towards the old medieval village of Wolfhampcote.Your gallery of pictures of the nature around us is getting ever bigger and more amazing.
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  9. Have a wonderful Christmas .What an amazing and different set of wildlife this week.That canal looks really well run but then it's not on CRT's books.I believe it's operated by a subsidiary of the IWA.That nightly mooring fee looked very expensive and the monthly one was horrendous but it is in the South East and in a very affluent area.The mooring fees could be explained by all the yachties there, yachts seem to devour money like no tomorrow.From last week's comments you are having a large family gathering for Christmas.Vanessa please get over your fear of rivers they are wonderful and exciting especially with a bit of a tide running or when it's been raining.My bucket list next year is down the Severn to Gloucester this time and up the Avon .Merry Christmas.
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  10. Zephyr is such a hoot She has such an expressive face . It's such a pity that dogs can't talk because she seems to know exactly what you are saying to her.The scenery up there is amazing and so are the people.Have you encountered Incredible Edible yet? Have a good week and stay warm in that coat of many colours.
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  11. I was expecting to see sights of the Ashby , what happened has your bucket list changed? Some superb shots again especially those mushrooms,are the edible variety?Do you have a TV on board and if so watch Mark Tebbutt's prog on channel 5 on Thursdays , there are amazing vegan/ veggie recipes. I'm going to try some.Your mooring spot is always absolutely rammed in season but it looks nice and peaceful now.You've travelled a long way this week.
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  12. Creature of the week the froghopper ,quite amazing and what shots.More of your patience coming to the fore.Last week it was that phenomenal sedge warbler.I have just collected my post and who do I find are stars of Waterways World but your goodself and Miss supervisor acting out her skills on the printed page.I hope it pushes up your subscribers even more.The article has some really good photos especially of Zephyr and she gets to have the final photo as boat supervisor as usual!
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  13. Best video yet. I'm not sure which is the best shot,either the terrapin or the fish eating what looked like bread.Both are amazing.Sorry to hear about your eyes I hope it's not caused by all that fresh air! 3 and a half thousand subscribers!They are going up in leaps and bounds, well done. I'm gardening at present but not on all my fenders! Lots of troughs on the roof and I'm about to go and get another bag of compost and more troughs.Thank goodness Morrisons is close with a brilliant garden centre.I will now stop throwing my coffee granules away .My coffee machine gets quite a lot of use.Have a lovely week.
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  14. Love the vlog ,so much variety.I now can see the attraction of winter cruising as I have finally got moving today despite all the ice .Passed the spot where you saw all the Redwings and they are still there.Zephyr was not at all keen on your suggestion to leave the beaten up ball,if looks could kill.She is such a expressive dog.Have a good week.
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  15. Lovely vlog especially the lapwings and oystercatchers.They sound even noisier than Canada geese.Hope everything is all right in this heat.I am now under a very large tree in Stratford.You were right Gloucester is too ambitious.I will spend about 2 weeks on this lovely River Avon.Have a good week.
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  16. Thought you'd got lost last week but you've been for a short break to the mega wind in the Bristol Channel.Shame there's no video of it as it seemed to be about the windiest place to be in the storms.Lovely video again, and I see your subscriber numbers are still climbing. Wel done and 100 comments 2 weeks ago .Just to make you jealous again, I saw and watched a baby otter feeding off the weed below the waterline on my boat.Zephyr looks as if she falls in love very easily - beautiful!
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  17. That shot of the squirrel eating what looked very much like a crab apple was superb.Hope you get the engine fixed and please let us know the cause of the problem especially as I have the same engine as you but an earlier version.A word of advice, I'm not lecturing,put your RCR payment on to a direct debit, it's definitely worth it.Hope your week goes well.
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  18. Fabulous video the best yet. So many different birds and waterfowl. When you get into the fens you will be spoilt for choice of birds. If you go down the Little Ouse to Lakenheath there's a large RSPB reserve a short walk from the river. There are Bitterns there. Thanks so much for your kind remarks in the video, I don't really deserve them.
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  19. Well done with getting the pram hood down.I have to take mine down when cruising at present as my binnacle ( the throttle housing) gets in the way of the support . Modification is afoot ,but it needs some very careful measuring and support cutting to get it right (your beloved DIY!). Fortunately there's a guy in the marina who made his own pram hood who can guide me.He has an old but wonderful industrial sewing machine on his boat! Fabulous shots of the barn owl and the cormorant drying its wings.Zephyr is so attentive and responsive she ought to meet Hank an amazing Hungarian Visla who lives on a yacht a lovely pair of YouTubers-Sailing Cadoha . He's really the star of the vlogs.Keep dry under your new canopy,it looks brilliant.Now you need a catch which you can turn into a greenhouse! Safe cruising I'm sure we'll meet again somewhere.
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  20. Filling up large plastic water bottles strikes me as a lot of hassle. I know a lot of boaters do it but if you have the tank blacked with the correct paint it is safe to use and drink. You could also fit a a water filter system. I have one with a separate tap and the water tastes amazing. Admittedly the replacement filters are expensive at about £50 a time but they do last about a year. Without having to lug those bottles back and forth how much more time you would have to film more wildlife for us. You are entering red kite country so can you try and get us some footage of them. Your wildlife footage is amazing you must have a very good piece of kit. Another super vlog and may I say you looked very elegant in that smart black top! Not boaty clothing at all.
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  21. Wow more fantastic photos,they get better and better.The fish and white plume moth took my breath away.You really ought to get your journals published.Another channel sounds fascinating and really has me guessing.Will you have time for boating as well! Have a good week it's very hot here in Warwickshire today.
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  22. Another lovely video from the YouTube nature expert. If you get to Ely they have resident muscovy ducks right by the moorings. Rooks/crows nesting high in my experience always give us a good summer. It last happened in 2018. Did you walk into Leighton town centre it has been vastly improved since I lived there 50 years ago (grief was it really that long ago!).
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  23. Another beautiful video.Your illustrations in your diary/log are really good,wish I could draw and illustrate like that .Hope you survived all that wind we had.Happy cruising.
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  24. The shots of the blackbird in full voice as amazing.You will have to feature a bird of the week ,like Robbie Cumming features pub of the week (but oddly not in his TV episodes!).You got the right weather this time.In contrast it has just started snowing here again! Perhaps a collage of the nature paintings/drawings in your journal to replace the monkey. Possibly a little tricky to paint but try it on paper first.
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  25. Still following you , almost forgot this evening.More superb nature.That elf cup fungus was amazing .Any plans for destinations after the Ashby?I might bump into you again in the summer as my plan is the Midlands again and further west.Have a good week .
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  26. Lovely and how different to most vlogs. I love Upwell as well, I shall have to visit again. The tidal bit of the Ouse is such fun! Even better when you go the other way. I had to watch this one late as no signal in Welford. You have got me looking for much more nature, goldfinches eating dandelion seed for breakfast, fascinating.
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  27. Without a doubt Vanessa is the best.All you have to do is look at her subscriber base climbing by at least 1k each week.
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  28. You have so much patience to capture those shots.I am catching much more nature since I've been watching your channel.Saw kingfishers around the industrial area of Calf Heath on the Staffs & Worcs today.Definitely heard Owls for 2 nights running near Kinver.We might yet meet on the Northampton flight as I have now stopped dawdling and am making good progress.Are you turning left or right on to the GU main drag? Keep those amazing shots coming.
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  29. Fantastic,what a journey.You are encouraging me to consider Birmingham again.I had to traverse the second city this year and it is amazing with very few boats about once you are away from the centre.Your photography gets better with every vlog.
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  30. Never stop asking questions do I. Who is steering Alice Grace we never see him (I presume it is a him)? Another lovely video anyway. Your wildlife shots get ever more amazing. The Cosgrove shots brought back lots of memories when I was a continuous cruiser before I retired and was working in MK. I often moored there and walked down the towpath to the edge of Wolverton to get the bus. When are you coming through Northampton because I would like to come and say hello.?
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  31. Yes! @themindfulnarrowboat 
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  32. Lovely video except for the glazing disaster.Was that a mother and baby beetle,if so how wonderful! A great example of your patience in getting these amazing pictures of nature.Looking forward to your comments about Alrewas as I shall be passing through in August.Tell Zephyr to keep digging!
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  33. Not all done yet! Frustrated by some bolts I can't yet undo.I will stick with my dirt cheap,but very effective cling film style double glazing.I will look out for those beetles.Funny how the females in a lot of species are larger, must have something to do with the power of women!!
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  34. No I haven't started my cruising yet. About another 10 days max. I can't wait.
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  35. Great video and you're beyond 2000 subscribers, wonderful.Now for the next 8000! I shall have to visit Coventry haven't been for years. I've passed through Hawkesbury so many times . You've shown me what I'm missing.Spring is definitely on its way and all these sunny days we're getting in Northampton lead me to hope for a decent summer .Have a good trip back into the country . Looking forward to the Ashby, lots of old coal mine sites and abandoned canal arms on the way.
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  36. I agree how do we do it?Word of mouth? I've already mentioned it to some people.She deserves loads more subscribers.Not only are the vlogs interesting and original,there are no advrts and Vanessa is such a lovely kind person and so is Zephyr, I've met them twice.
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  37. What a gorgeous vlog.Possibly the best yet.Love your idea of an early start.5 or 6 o'clock is so serene on a summer's morning.I am always trying to do it but never really succeed.I will make more effort this year! Now I know why your replies to comments suddenly appear the next morning if I look at the phone early- you night-owl! Hope next week is sunny for you.
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  38. Happy new year and what a surprise to get a vlog from you .I was not expecting one until next Friday.I noticed cake!! next to the cup tea at the end.Is this a New Year resolution to replace the biscuits? The vlog of all your highlights was just amazing.Here's looking forward to a lovely dry sunny summer.
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  39. What a lovely peaceful video in these troubled times.I love your amazing nature shots ,I must look for that fungus you showed us,it looked wonderful. I must moor up by Pooley country park this September as I plan to go to Statfold Narrow Gauge museum (another of my railway trips!)as it's not that far from Alvecote . It's only on certain dates and was wondering where the best place to moor.Zephyr sure does like getting messy especially with that dirty tongue, digging again I presume.Was the mooring spot somewhere between bridges 56 and 59?.Stay safe and enjoy this current spell of sunshine.
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  40. Lovely video and right up my street with railways and canals.I must have the same taste as you for quiet mooring spots as I moored up where you have in this video ,last year and the year before.The Severn looks a bit awesome and I bet you're still not on it because of all the rain we've had this week.Better weather next week.
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  41. That was a big decision whether to have 3 or 4 pieces of fudge.What a lovely video with plenty of unusual wildlife this week.I hope the rain is going to go away as this summer is awful at the moment.Have a good week
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  42. Those shots of the baby Moorhen are amazing, you must have been very quiet to get those.Glad to hear you have chosen to continue boating for 4 years more.You have years ahead of you yet.I even hope that at approaching 76 I can still be boating for a few years yet! Have you seen any Artic Teens yet? They have just arrived here with their graceful flight and funny squeaky voices.Have a good week the weather is looking good .
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  43. I didn't edit my comments did I ! Artic Teens Indeed !!
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  44.  @themindfulnarrowboat  No shade except for my parasol.I' m still solar obsessed.Now making bread in my bread machine powered by the sun .
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  45. It's a 240v bread maker with the solar panels powering my inverter without having to turn the engine on.Sorry if I misled you .The weather's already changed here ,rather cloudy.Good luck with your oven.
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  46. More puns please.You had me chuckling through the whole video.50k subscribers next week,more than likely.What a Christmas present! Mind the storm this weekend and stay safe.
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  47. Those shots of the hares are amazing.You really ought to enter one of the wildlife photography competitions.
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  48. Your vlogs get better and better.Loads of variety and beautiful shots.The Avon has got to be possibly the loveliest river in England.Stay safe and keep up the wild mooring!
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  49. I'm glad to see the ice cream boat is still about.I used to regularly see them around the Grand Union especially in Stoke Bruerne .It is run by a lovely old couple, probably no older than me! I have not seen them for several years.They must be trading closer to base as they kept the boat somewhere in Cheshire in the winter. They would go home to the Canaries in winter by driving all the way to Cadiz in southern Spain in their motorhome and then catch the ferry to the Canaries.I see they now have a butty as well.The ice cream was lovely.Another brilliant vlog and featuring the lovely Zephyr.Hope today hasn't been too hot for you.
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  50. Back to an internet connection now I am in gorgeous Tewkesbury.Are you now finally a river lover?Those pictures of the nature in that reserve at Saxilby are fantastic. I'm getting better at bird identification thanks to your vlogs. Lots of buzzards,herons,house martins on this idyllic River Avon and bats and kingfishers especially one that perched 2 feet from my hatch doors but I wasn't quick enough with the camera.Got to leave here tomorrow and on to the big wide Severn- more river, lovely.Hope you find plenty of interesting nature on the Fossdyke it looks very rural.
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