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

  1. Love the pigtails! First time I have been able to watch your vlog for several weeks due to reception difficulties.Now in Tamworth and the reception is fine. The wildlife items in this vlog are excellent.Hope you have a good week.
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  2. Fascinating possible foraging.I must seriously get into this foraging lark.I think I shall start by trying to source an old book written in I believe the late sixties by Richard Mabey called Food for Free.He was actually a rather decent school prefect when I was a lowly 12 year old at the same school in Berkhamsted.Hope you're still alive next week! I'm sure you will be.
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  3. Wow and I thought you hated rivers.Have you finally overcome your fears? What a trip.You have clearly changed your proposed itinerary.I have missed the last 2 vlogs as I am finally out on the boat and internet and phone reception around Crick is awful.Currently at Norton junction and have finally found you at 6am! Got to be your longest video yet and over 4k subscribers and 1.5 views of this video.Fantastic ,people are finally realising the quality and beauty of your channel. Shame I didn't bump into you at Crick and I was there for all 3 days but not on IWA stand on Friday.The shots of the hare were brilliant.Enjoy the Chesterfield, I'm told it's lovely.Now I must watch the previous 2 videos while I've still got a connection.
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  4. Red Kites so graceful and they seem to love windy days. As for a plant it has to be the Oak so long lived how much history has it seen? By the way when you get to Grafton Regis there are usually quite a number of Kites. It is also worth the walk from the bridge up the hill into the village it is almost like going back in history still with farms in the middle of the village. It has connections with Henry VIII.
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  5. A really varied and interesting vlog.Your presentation, variety,many historic points and cheerful demeanour plus of course Zephyr puts you well in the upper end of the top YouTubers.All you have to do is look at your rapidly number of subscribers.The weather is still not brilliant but is slowly improving so before you ask I will beom themove in 2 weeks or so.Have a good exploring weekend.
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  6. More amazing photo shots.I've commented on your intense nature observation before but this week you have transcended on to an even higher level.I had to look up covoids to see what the word means.You've chosen a lovely quiet and isolated spot to moor and actually one of my favourite spots.On a railway tack(I know it's nerdy)but have you seen the old concrete signal post across the field to where you have moored.That is on part of the old Great Central line from Rugby to Brackley and London.Most of the trackbed is still there and should have been used for HS2.I shall watch your progress in the coming weeks with great interest as I've done the canal north from Braunston to Great Haywood and beyond 3 times now and am probably again next summer.I shall look at your vlogs again before I leave to see how much I've missed previously before I leave.
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  7. I am running out of superlatives to describe your vlogs.They are just wonderful and with plenty of variety as I have said before.You are very sensible in all your checks before each cruise.Do you check the silicon grease in the water lubricated stern from time to time? Where was the 4th biscuit this time? Perhaps it was Zephyr's bonio?Have a dry week.
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  8. Sorry to hear about your turn into Salter's Lode but it sounded like you have a bow thruster! Mind you it's one of the most challenging turns on the system.That was an amazing shot of the young woodpecker.I'm still out west in Worcester . I've been here for almost 3 weeks.There are almost 200 swans on the Severn here and no youngsters.Do swans with cygnets keep them away from such a large group who often seem to be arguing with each other? I don't think I'm going to be back in Northampton much before the end of October at the present rate of progress! Still lots to see.
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  9. The goldfinches were eating dandelion seed, not me. Yes I could almost be vegan my last 2 curries have I believe been totally vegan but sorry you can't free me from cow's milk.
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  10. I agree where are all those missing subscribers?
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  11. Wow those shots of the buzzard are phenomenal! How close were you to it? This vlog is almost as good as last week's but I must rate last week's as your best ever.That spot near Tixall lock is fantastic and so quiet.I moored there this year but the internet, phone and radio reception was near non-existent.Have a wonderful Christmas as I suspect you will not be vlogging next Friday.
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  12. That mooring at Holywell is absolutely fantastic, I moored there 3 years ago ,so peaceful . Currently on the Avon in Pershore an awesome river and so scenic and peaceful and not many boats.
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  13.  @themindfulnarrowboat  I went one worse at Cape Locks ,my prop fell off! I had to wait 2 weeks for a new one .
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  14. What a nature lesson this week! You have excelled yourself.I shall have to look out for that headgear on the cormorants as there are dozens of them round here on the river in Northampton.Looking forward to more amazing nature next week.
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  15. What a shot of the robin coming to your hand.You must have stood ever so still.Sorry to hear about all the ice,it must be partly due to the shallowness of the canal and because you're out in a rural area and getting closer to the frozen north.It looks like you are getting a lot of sunny days like I'm getting down here. I'm pleased to see that the number of comments to your videos is growing weekly.
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  16. Happy new year to you and the family.Superb video.No doubt the next video will find you and Zephyr walking in All Oaks Wood , it's a magical place,and it's a short way beyond bridge 35.There's a lovely mooring spot between the bridge and the wood and also another one just after the wood.At Hillmorton you went through the bottom lock with a pair of cast iron gates that are one set of only 2 pairs in the country and they are at least 100 years old and possibly even put in before 1900! Even the volunteer lockie didn't know their exact vintage.Have a lovely week.
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  17. I was lucky as I met a boat going the other way.I have still lost a bit of the new blacking but heigho I have a galvanized boat so it doesn't really matter too much!
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  18. Wow nearly 3k subscribers.They are queuing up to join,well done. I've said this before but your wildlife and nature shots are stunning especially the blackbird having a scratch and that pig's eye.You were lucky with the weather at Hopwas ,it has always been damp and grey whenever I've been through.By the way,another otter sighting in marina earlier this week,an adult this time playing for about 20 minutes and fairly near to where you were moored last October.
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  19.  @themindfulnarrowboat  Yes thank you.I only found it today when I put some more washing on the back.Such kind remarks.
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  20. Hope you had a good break.Your nature lessons never cease to amaze me.They seem to be developing into a different theme each week, plants,birds, waterfowl, insects and so on.Is this a clever plan or just accidental? Whatever it is it is wonderful.I watched a vlog by a very well known pair last week, and it was really boring .You actually have the same number of subscribers as they do,but you are streets ahead of them in presentation, content and everything else.Have a good week.
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  21. You do manage to find some slightly more unusual birds, I can't wait to see the woodpecker next week. That tunnel is always wet but I love it. When I go through my headlight always shows up purple streaks on the roof. Those shots of the tunnel were amazing I've not seen shots like that on other videos. Hope you didn't get caught in that snow the other day.
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  22. Have a wonderful holiday and a happy Christmas.I expected to see a shot of the alpacas that are at Barby if they are still there.Your holiday spot looks idyllic.
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  23. Hairy or what! Well donefor battling through.You have shown all us boaters that canals can be as dangerous as rivers.We must be vigilant at all times.That lock looked positively dangerous. I'm glad to be marina bound in the winter although even the marina here in Northampton nearly overtopped and the path by the river was totally flooded and the lock looked a bit like those in Todmorden.Then we were treated to your awesome insect shots, they were just amazing.I hope you now have a restful week with no more drama .
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  24. A beautiful vlog and to have Zephyr as the star of the show was brilliant.Have you seen the September issue of Waterways World as you feature in it under the article about youtubers.Well done I hope it brings you a new glut of subscribers as you richly deserve it.
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  25. Wow I am so inspired by your amazing shots of all those insects.You have got the patience of Job to wait for them and photo them before they fly or scamper off.My probably jaundiced view of gongoozlers is that they are really very jealous of us owning, sharing or hiring boats.I love the way Zephyr responds to you she is so bright;licking her lips when you mention treats.Glad you loved the Avon as much as I do.
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  26. Now I must take a walk and look for Redwings.You are still educating me about nature.I did see,at last my first Otter in the marina yesterday.It was a big one so must have been a male.Keep warm and your fruit concoctions look delicious. Where's the next stop? Hillmorton locks I presume.I actually went there the other day by bus to get some more model railway items.There's a rather good model railway shop near to the café by the locks- very handy.
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  27. Wow that was some workout.I bet your looking forward to going to Todmorden and Hebden Bridge as I have seen them from the train amd they look really good. Those chains to open the gates look like a really good idea for heavy and difficult gates.Have a relaxing week after all your efforts.
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  28. I hope you didn't crank it too much round that nightmare bend in Whittlesey.Hope the rain keeps off for next week.Poor Zephyr looks so sad in the rain.
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  29. What a lovely cruise.I agree absolutely with you that Kinver is a wonderful spot.I must go back there again this year. On a clear day in high summer you can see for miles from the top.Where to next?
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  30. More amazing bird shots and you are finding some unusual/rare birds such as those wonderful peregrines.I well remember the winter of 62/63.I was 16 at the time and as school was near to the canal in Berkhamsted ,Herts,we measured the depth of the ice,it was 2 feet thick!.It became a brilliant skating rink for well over 2 months.We all still went to school and the buses and trains all still ran.I trust you are now well under way again.Have a good week and find more wonderful nature for us all.
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  31. Wonderful and that mooring spot is idyllic. Brilliant for solar of which you must be getting plenty at present. I have learnt something today and that's the pronunciation of "Oondle" you do your homework on correct local dialects.
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  32. Such a colourful video.I love your new coat and so bight and full of colours.Last week's vlog 211 was on Google's semi sort of news programme.I had swiped left by accident and there you were! It was an amazing video so well done.Have a good week there is so much to see in Manchester.Lots more locks to come this winter.
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  33. You are opening my eyes to Birmingham,I have so far fought shy of even going there,but maybe just maybe I might try some parts this year.Have you had any issues with anything round the prop?It seems pretty gritty in parts but that's part of the fascination.What's this,a dishwasher!! Congratulations on 10k subscribers and getting yourself in the press again.I have just read the article in Towpath Talk about HVO and there's even a photo of you pushing a trolley of boxes of the stuff .
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  34. So glad to see that the engine is being fixed.Let's hope you will be under way again very soon.What a wonderful mix of wildlife and railways.I shall have to visit that museum next year.Enjoy the trip to Stourport as I love that canal .You blacked Alice Grace in Stourport so is a repeat trip?
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  35. Love your new logo and I presume that you designed it due to your artistic abilities.What a lovely happy smiley boat .The Gloucester and Sharpness looks amazing.I should be on it in a couple of weeks.I am currently passing Wolverhampton.
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  36. Have a wonderful Christmas.You are nearly up to 20k subscribers my how they have mounted up in the last few weeks,but very well deserved.This vlog shows exactly what people have been missing.On a totally different tack, can you not run your dishwasher while you are under way with the inverter as I have met several people who do this and they say it uses less water than washing up! It is almost dthe ultimate on a narrowboat but the real top of my list of wished for gadgets would be a maroon range.Enjoy next year's cruising; are you going to Llangollen on the way north?
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  37. I'm no electrician but it sounds like the wiring is wrong unless your inverter is not powerful enough.Get a friendly boater to have a look at it without spending vast sums on an electrician.
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  38. Just found your channel. What a difference. That thrush was something else. You should send that clip to BBC or I TV it was so professional. Lots of birds and otters here in Northampton marina but no thrushes. Just waiting for lockdown release hopefully on 12th April and I'll be out on the cut for 6 months or more. Looking forward to the next vlog.
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  39. You certainly have an eye for catching some really unusual nature and wildlife.You have really hot the spot in this vlog.As you know I love rivers and the Weaver will have to go on my bucket list.Congratulations on hitting 41k subscribers.You have now overtaken several well known YouTubers and are catching up fast with Robbie Cumming! It's all down to quality,variety,lack of boredom, your goodself,your cheerful demeanour and of course the best YouTube dog-Zephyr.Have a good week.
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  40. You never cease to amaze me with the wildlife you manage to track down and photograph .You must have much more patience than me . Little Alice has reignited my desire for sailing,what make of dinghy is she? Looks a bit like a Mirror dinghy I used to mess about in all those years ago (at least 55 years ago!)Is the Wissey the next stop?
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  41. So glad you're on the move and all fixed.The shot of the buzzard was amazing.Your final mooring in this vlog sounded very noisy,were you near thgat horrible stretch where M6 almost invades the canal? Have a good week and may Alice go well.😅
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  42. Well done with your solo cruise.The ornithology in this vlog is spectacular.So glad the engine is despite the cost but that is Vetus parts unfortunately.Those 2 old boys at Oxley Marine are really good.Presumably the damage was caused by overheating so I hope my twin skin tanks will help me as the engine has never overheated despite some or should I say a lot of fast running on rivers. I'm curious to know where you are going next,north?
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  43. Thank you and I suppose I do put in the miles . I've been to Sharpness this year and it lived up to your comments on it earlier in the year.
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  44. Count me in as well.
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  45. Why not it's fantastic. I've done it twice as a singlehander and against the current admittedly in quieter conditions.
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  46. Wow 8k subscribers your numbers are really climbing fast.With all your shots of the amazing fungi I am going to find a book about them and their edibility.Any recommended ones.Have a good week.Regards Chris.
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  47. First time on a Friday for weeks the atmospherics must be right.The fungi from last week and this are amazing.It probably helps with the isolated nature of that stretch of country.It is one of my favourite parts of the system.Stay warm and perhaps more fantastic fungi next week.
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  48. Your best vlog yet.Absolutely brilliant,so much variety.I wonder whether the pondskaters were the inspiration for drones they look very much like them.You have given some inspiration for part of next year's cruise - the Leicester line and the River Solar.Have a good week.
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  49. Happy new year to you and the crew of Alice Grace . Quite a year and I am so glad you are converted to liking rivers.How about the Severn from Sharpness to Bristol?!.I can now watch your vlogs on time as I finally got back to Northampton on Friday 23rd December.Have an otterley good New Year (to use your word coined earlier in the year).
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  50. Can we have some more night shots soon,they were amazing. Don't rush the Staffs & Worcs it's beautiful and probably my favourite canal.Hope the latest snow & rain ends soon otherwise it may delay you getting on to the Severn , it's probably in spate at present.Have a brilliant week.
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