Comments by "Shirley Greaves" (@shirleygreaves9650) on "The Mindful Narrowboat" channel.

  1. This is a beautiful vlog, take no notice the man who is being rude about Mr Mindful, I find the mystery intriguing. The Macclesfield looks a beautiful canal, we haven’t cruised that way. As usual I feel like I’ve had a history and nature lesson, don’t ever change Vanessa, Zephyr and Mr Mindful, you are perfect as you are. Happy Easter to you all. Lots of love. X😘
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  2. I always feel excited when I see that you’ve uploaded a video for us, in the crazy world we live in you manage to provide 20 minutes or so of calm and mindfulness. That was another scary tunnel, it was very naughty of Mr Mindful to give you a fright like that. I always feel like I’ve learned something when I have watched your videos. I love the collective name for snowdrops, and your wildlife shots were spectacular as they always are. it can’t be easy thinking of a poem for us each week, but you manage it along with your beautiful artwork. Thank you Vanessa, stay safe and well, all three of you. X
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  3. What a rude question, he has every right to stay out of the limelight if he wants to. If you’re offended don’t watch the vlogs!
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  4. Hi Vanessa, what a sad swan story with a happy ending. So lovely to hear how the locals got together to help. I’m glad you have enjoyed the Chesterfield canal I’ve never cruised along it but I have walked along some stretches. It’s very beautiful and not very much used by boaters. How amazing to see and hear a lovely yellow wagtail, it was enjoying looking for bugs in the mud. What amazing history lessons you teach as you cruise along, nature lessons too, the orchid was beautiful. It looked a challenging cruise with lots of locks, low bridges and low water levels too. Great journaling as always. Thank you Vanessa, Zephyr and Mr Mindful. X
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  5. Despite the rain and flooding this is a very beautiful vlog. You always manage to capture the beauty of the passing seasons and nature. You are very brave driving the boat alone with a faulty engine through all of the flood water. Zephyr is just so cute the way she listens to every thing you say to her. I hope the engine troubles are over for good and you have a peaceful winter with not too much inclement weather to contend with. I loved the poem, it summed up your journey perfectly. Take care you 3. X
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  6. Absolutely beautiful Vanessa, I enjoyed everything that you showed us. Your wildlife shots were amazing, you were so lucky to get a badger, fox and then a pheasant. The heron was so friendly I’ve never seen one hang around where people are. The glass in the museum was exquisite, another one to put in my bucket list of places to visit. Your poem and artwork were exceptional today. Thank you so much Vanessa for taking us along on this lovely journey. Take care and stay safe you three. xxxx
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  7. Vanessa you always make me feel happy and relaxed. You have a way of finding beauty even in the industrial areas. I loved how you found some interesting lichen growing on an old stone post and your footage of the beautiful Jay was exceptional. Your disaster with the broken pot on the freshly painted bench made me smile as that’s the sort of silly thing that I would do. It’s been a tough winter but you’ve managed to continually cruise throughout and you’ve taken us to some amazing places. Wonderful artwork as always, thank you Vanessa for my Friday evening entertainment. Take care and stay safe. X
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  8. I love the way Zephyr looks like she is taking in everything you say, she’s such an adorable dog, obviously very intelligent too. This was a really delightful vlog, the places you visit always look so beautiful, it makes me realise what a wonderful country this is, especially in the summertime. Wow what an unusual spider, I’ve never seen one of those. Purton looked like a very special place to visit, like a boat graveyard. Such a relaxing and interesting vlog as always, I loved the owl footage, thank you Vanessa, lots of love.xxxx
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  9. Such relaxing videos I’m working my way through them. Thank you. X
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  10. What a fantastic story about your grandmother who was saved by custard creams! You made me want some, I must buy some tomorrow when I go shopping. You had some adventures during this cruise, road bridges that wouldn’t open, debris in the canal with a man in the water amazing to think some people spend their days in the water like that! I love how your vlog always includes some historic information and how you always turn the negative into positive. Don’t ever change Vanessa, you’re so entertaining and talented too, the way you manage to always make up a poem to go with your artwork, it can’t be an easy thing to do every week. Take care all of you. xxxx
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  11. India takes after you for her love of wildlife, well done to her for getting involved with such an interesting and valuable project. I felt your embarrassment when you jumped the red light while being watched by so many people, we’ve all jumped a red light at sometime so don’t worry about it. Your fender garden and other plants are looking really good. Brilliant sunset scene and lovely music too. Another fabulous vlog, thank you, lots of love. xxxxx
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  12. I don’t think I’ve ever known a winter as stormy as this one. I bet you will be glad when spring finally comes. It was interesting to hear about Josiah Wedgwood, I didn’t know that he was one of the people who fought against slavery. Lovely nature as always, we have some resident wrens in our garden, they are such cute little birds. I hope it’s not too long before you can move on again, winter closures must make it very difficult for narrow-boaters, especially continuous cruisers when you can’t get your essentials like water and diesel. Stay safe and warm all of you. Lots of love. xxxxx
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  13. What a lovely blackbird, the birds were all enjoying the seed on your roof, everything looks beautiful under a blanket of snow, but it’s tough for the wildlife. I thought of you today when a red kite flew over my house, I’ve never seen one in my area before. I know it was a kite because of its forked tail. How amazing to unexpectedly see a Perigrin falcon, you can see them flying around in the spring in Derby because they breed on the top of Derby Cathedral, but I’ve never seen one in the winter like that. I remember the big freeze of 1963, my sister was born that winter and I was only a toddler. We didn’t have central heating or double glazing and I remember ice appearing on the inside of the windows overnight, I used to love looking at the patterns that formed. Your parkin looked really good. Lovely art as usual, keep warm and safe all of you. xxxx
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  14. I’m so pleased that the engine trouble wasn’t anything serious! I loved the garden and the scarecrow models of our King and Queen. That was a very impressive set of staircase locks, I bet they were very tiring. Beautiful scenery, so serene and I loved the music that you played as you cruised, it sounded quite medieval, very appropriate while cruising in Shakespeare’s country. Zephyr was so patient waiting for her breakfast! So much beauty in this vlog, the beautiful stained glass window in the lovely church, the beautiful cattle, the sheep also had very impressive horns, or was it a goat? The vlog was so entertaining from start to finish as always. Please don’t ever stop making your videos. Take care you 3. xxxx
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  15. I get a feeling of excitement when I see you’ve uploaded a new video. The sky is so blue for the time of the year, I notice your garden at the front of the boat is still looking nice. Absolutely beautiful footage of a really pretty part of the canal network. It’s been a great year for mushrooms, they are growing in my lawn as well as at the side of the towpath. Those crocheted poppies were beautiful someone has spent a lot of time making them. I always feel like I’ve learned something interesting when I’ve watched your vlog. I loved the Postman Pat statue, how interesting that there is no information linking him to Welford. Your food made me feel hungry it looked so colourful and tasty. You always manage to spot really interesting wildlife on your trips. Thanks for another really interesting vlog, stay safe, Vanessa, Mr Mindful and Zephyr. Lots of love. xxxxx
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  16. Wow Vanessa you have really excelled yourself with this vlog! Amazing footage of the Kingfisher and Fox and the canal looked beautiful with all of the colourful autumnal leaves. How kind it was of that lovely lady to send you such gorgeous gifts all the way from Australia! Lovely journaling as usual, I can’t wait to hear what the project is that you mentioned. I had no idea that it takes so long to film and edit a you tube vlog. Thank you Vanessa, stay safe and well. X
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  17. A beautiful vlog Vanessa. The nature shots were a delight, especially all of the cute fluffy young water birds. You managed to see a lot of butterflies too, absolutely lovely to see so many especially so early in the year. Droitwich looks delightful especially the beautifully decorated church. Lovely poem and drawing of the raven too, I enjoyed every second of this video. Stay safe you 3. X
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  18. I’m really sorry to hear about your Auntie passing away, what a lovely gesture it is to dedicate this vlog to her. I loved the wildlife in this vlog, the butterflies and bees were enjoying the humble dandelion. Amazing how you’d decided to plant some leaves from the cuckoo plant when you heard an elusive cuckoo, so good to hear that they haven’t left the area after all. How exciting about your journal, I didn’t know you had an Etsy shop, I’ll have to take a look. Gorgeous art as always. Zephyr was an absolute joy to watch too. Take care, lots of love. X
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  19. Vanessa you are definitely an artist, your nature journals are delightful and well worth publishing. I loved the blue skies and autumnal colours on this cruise and your video camera skills are amazing. I’m so glad I found your vlogs. Take care and stay safe you 3. X
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  20. Welcome back Vanessa! Friday evening hasn’t been the same without you. I bet the swallows are feeling the cold, I’ve not seen any yet so far and that was a fabulous shot of the heron taking off! A sad time for you Vanessa, it’s so tragic that we have to lose loved ones, especially when they are fairly young. That was quite an epic journey to Essex but Zephyr looked very comfortable and happy on the journey. There’s always a problem to solve whether you’re in a house or boat, I hope the gas problem is solved for good now. You managed to stay smiley and cheerful as always. A very poignant poem this week, I can tell you were reflecting on the loss of your friend. Take care and stay safe. Lots of love. xxxx
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  21. People on the canals and rivers are, on the whole, the friendliest people, there’s a “we are all in this together “ mentally among the boating community which is quite unique and very special. I’m glad you made it to Gt Haywood, and I wish you, Zephyr and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and healthy 2024 and beyond. Take care, lots of love. xxxxx
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  22. Even in the winter you manage to capture stunning scenery and nature, the kingfisher was amazingly filmed. Packwood House and gardens were beautiful, it’s inspired me to visit there again. Wonderful old buildings and architecture and beautiful journaling as always. Take care and stay safe you 3. X
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  23. What a wonderful vlog, I didn’t want it to end, the scenery, the wildlife, the beautiful blue sky and reflections on the water. You managed to get amazing wildlife footage as usual. Good job you didn’t moor in the spot that you chose and I bet you’re glad the weather has cooled down to more normal summer temperatures. Beautiful journaling and artwork too. I really look forward to Fridays, you and Zephyr are amazing together. Take care you three. Lots of love. xxxx
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  24. It would be an absolute tragedy if lack of funding causes the canal network to deteriorate. It’s part of our heritage and we have lost a lot of miles of the network that volunteers are now working to restore. The village you visited was absolutely beautiful, it is a lovely area that you are in, I love the Cotswolds. Beautiful journaling as always. Take care Mr and Mrs Mindful and Zephyr. xxx
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  25. Another lovely vlog. The wildlife and animal shots were beautiful as always, especially the Little Egrets. Those electric locks can be scary and they all seem to work a little differently, it always takes me a while to work out what I’m doing! Lovely journaling and poetry as usual. Thank you Vanessa, have happy, safe travels. C
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  26. Another fabulous vlog to start the weekend off. Don’t beat yourself up over the mistake in your last vlog, we all make mistakes. I can hardly believe how shallow the canal is! We wouldn’t be able to get our cabin cruiser along there as we’ve not got a flat hull. What a beautiful owl, you always take amazing nature shots! Your little doggy passenger was super cute, thank goodness he wasn’t injured when he fell in the canal, how sweet of Zephyr to let him sleep on her bed. Have a great weekend Vanessa and family. xxx
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  27. What a fantastic vlog, it’s a rare thing to see you cruising in rain. Zephyr was so funny when she took a liking to your paint tray, you did a lovely job with the butterfly, you are so talented! Take care you 3
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  28. Another wonderful vlog. Just as I was thinking that the music sounds French you came out with the French phrase. Your excitement as you heard the bat sounds made me giggle. Never change Vanessa, you are lovely, as is Zeph with her wagging tail and smiling face when she was given sausages. Your kingfisher shots were spectacular, well actually the whole vlog was. What a an amazing journey you took us on this week. Thank you for entertaining us and teaching us new things every week. Take care all of you. xxxx
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  29. What a fabulous vlog as always. How nice for you to be able to post your journals while being in sight of Edith Holden’s beautiful house. What gorgeous autumn colours and nature amongst the derelict buildings along the deserted canal. I would imagine it was quite a spooky place to moor. I wonder what came first the lack of facilities or lack of boaters! There are lots of other canals that are short of water in the summer that still gets lots of boats. How brilliant it was to eventually find some water facilities that worked. The heron must have thought it was strange to see a boat so wanted to keep an eye on you! Zephyr has the best life. I really enjoyed this vlog. Thank you Vanessa. X
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  30. Absolutely amazing how you can make a stormy cruise look beautiful and stay positive while you are being blown around and getting wet through. I love Shugborough I’ve been there many times, the long horned cattle are really lovely! I’ve ever seen such colourful toadstools as the ones you filmed. A truly beautiful vlog to end the week. Your first entry in the journal was as beautiful as always. Thank you Vanessa and Zephyr. Take care. xxxxx
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  31. Absolutely beautiful footage and the music you play is so perfect. I always think that winter is a tough time for live-aboards and the wild life too but you seem to have got it sorted with your aqua roller and trolley. The walk about in Leamington Spa was lovely, as usual I learned something interesting during the video. I can’t wait to see the picture of a white butterfly that you’re going to paint on your boat, well done Margaret for winning the competition. Stay safe, keep warm, lots of love to you Zephyr and your family at this festive time. X
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  32. Another fabulous vlog, your dog is gorgeous and so well behaved. Your videos leave me feeling very relaxed and your nature art and poems are a lovely touch. Lots of love. X
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  33. My neck of the woods again, we moor at Sawley Marina, you drove right past the paint where I fell in, right opposite the lovely houseboat that you passed. We often do a short cruise to eat at one of the lovely village pubs in Shardlow. We take our cat Rio with us and he sits outside with us while we eat. You saw some amazing wildlife again, I’m missing the water, we’ve not cruised for a couple of weeks because my husband is poorly, he’s been taken into hospital today. It’s been a long day and I really needed this vlog. What a fantastic idea that is to give boats to veterans who need somewhere to live. An amazing idea and so special! Thanks for a lovely vlog Vanessa, stay safe, lots of love. xxxx
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  34. Amazing fish life in the canal. Blanket weed is a nuisance, I don’t think the Chesterfield gets used by boats very much so the water doesn’t get disturbed very much, lovely houses along the edge of the canal, I’d love to live there. Lovely blue skies and sunshine. I loved the journaling as usual, your art is beautiful. Beautiful red roses too. Take care you 3, I really look forward to your weekly vlogs. Lots of love. xxxxx
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  35. Wow what a journey that was, my son has done that journey and it was raining for him too. I’d be scared of my engine cutting out. You saw some amazing birds on the way, such big numbers too I’ve never seen so many cormorants together! Lovely buildings and scenery too and those lambs on the edge, my heart would have been in my mouth. Lovely poetry and journaling as always. I think you’ll love the Chesterfield but might find it a little lonely there. Your “garden” is looking amazing. Thank you for another lovely vlog. X
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  36. Another lovely vlog Vanessa, I hope your shoulder gets better soon. The Rochdale looks a lovely canal, lots of wildlife as always and interesting history too. I’m glad you survived Storm Darragh, it seemed to last for days! Take care Vanessa and Zephyr. xxxx
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  37. My neck of the woods again, Sawley Marina. So lovely to see all of the lovely wildlife, we’ve not been to our boat for more than two weeks because my husband has been very poorly and has spent a week in hospital. He’s at home now recovering so hopefully it won’t be long before we can go cruising again. I didn’t know that about the power station it was really interesting to learn what is going to be built in the spot when it is decommissioned. My maternal family come from Beeston, my mum grew up in a cottage there called The Ghost House, it’s now demolished but there’s still a lane named Ghost House Lane. The tram goes over Ghost House Lane so I think you went through it on your journey. I can’t wait to see your finished boat with the Daisy painting. Such a lovely vlog again. Thank you Vanessa and Zephyr I really needed that mindful video. Take care you three. xxxx
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  38. Amazing footage, the water looked liked pea soup in places! Those ducks in a row were fantastic to see and I love how you embrace all wildlife little and large even when they eat your cabbages! How exciting to potentially have some rare creatures onboard too. I feel relaxed now that I’ve watched your lovely vlog, take care everyone, fingers crossed that all of your boat leaks are sealed. X
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  39. I so glad that I’ve found your narrow boat vlog, the most beautiful on YouTube in my opinion. I’m going to work my way through all of your videos. Your dog is absolutely adorable too. Take care, lots of love. xxxxx
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  40. Gosh what an adventure that was, it must have been quite frightening being so wedged! How good it was of those people to help get you out of the jam! I’m glad it turned out ok in the end for your all. I love seeing the nature that you film, you make the mundane interesting, I’m learning so much about plants and nature through your vlogs, thank you. Take care Mr and Mrs Mindful and Zephyr. xxxxx
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  41. Lovely river footage at Gloucester. I like the sound of Gulls too, it reminds me of holidays at the seaside as a child. Your wild mooring made me question how people manage to handle a Narrowboat single handed. We’ve not had much of a summer this year, last year’s heatwave has spoilt us although I don’t necessarily want wall to wall sunshine every day. I’ve also done the butterfly count this year, I was pleasantly surprised by how many different types I saw but the biggest number were red admirals. Phew I’m glad you’re all safe after the tidal bore, good job it was only a little one! Lovely journaling as always. Stay safe on the river you 3. xxx
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  42. Another beautiful vlog, I think life on a the waterways suits you perfectly as nature is all around you. Your enthusiasm is charming, I’m so glad that I found your channel, I look forward to Friday because it’s Mindful Narrowboat day. I love the picture of the frog and your lovely poem too. Take care, lots of love. xxxx
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  43. Another fantastic vlog, so calming. It’s a good job you filled up with water before the really icy cold weather. I compare the weather like that in my Edwardian Diary too, it’s amazing how often it’s similar. Great wildlife shots as always, especially the deer and the cold moon shot was out of this world! Take care you 3 and stay safe and warm. X
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  44. Another beautiful vlog. Nottingham is a really interesting place, I didn’t know there was a Kitty Cafe there, I’ve put it on my bucket list of places to visit. I was more than surprised to see the boat you went through Neil’s lock was called Phyllis May because that was my Mum’s name, you rarely hear the name Phyllis but to see a boat with both of her Christian names brought a lump to my throat. Your bow garden and roof allotment are beautiful your plants are way ahead of my garden plants. The wildlife shots were fantastic especially the woodpecker and it’s young. Your poetry is lovely and so is your artwork. Safe travels Vanessa, Zephyr and Mr Mindful. I’m looking forward to seeing your travels on the Chesterfield, my daughter lives next to it at Rotherham. xxxx
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  45. Happy New Year Vanessa, Zephyr and Mr Mindful. I loved this video, especially the first bit as you were at Shirley, my name. You’ve covered some miles in 2923 and I’ve followed every one of your journeys. I hope you’re staying safe and warm in this very wet, stormy weather. Take care all of you. xxxxx
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  46. Vanessa, I’m so sorry to hear the bad news about the engine, what a nightmare! It must have been super frustrating for you but you stay positive and cheerful. I’m always amazed by your shots of Kingfishers, I only ever manage to snap a flash of blue. The model train was lovely it looks a very interesting place to visit. I really hope your engine is fixed very soon. Lots of love. xxxxx
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  47. Another lovely vlog. Poor Zephyr, she was very brave though! How amazing that seals are living so far inland! Thanks for making me so relaxed and mindful. Take care. X
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  48. I love your positivity Vanessa, you were walking with no raincoat, it started to rain but you looked for a rainbow, such a fantastic way of looking at life and problems. I’m sorry you couldn’t get to end of the Cauldon Canal in Alice Grace, but the walk was beautiful and the tea room must have been very welcome to escape the damp weather for a while. I don’t think I’ve ever known such a long wet spell of weather, you stay positive but it must be making life on the canals hard this winter. I loved the train ride, so fabulous that volunteers work so hard to keep our heritage alive. Fabulous nature and journaling as always, such cute little piggies that you saw and I love that you included them in the journaling. Made me want to do a painting of one too! I’ve never tried Nutella on biscuits, they looked yummy and fully deserved after your adventures. Stay safe Vanessa, better weather will soon be here. xxx
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  49.  @themindfulnarrowboat  Good morning Vanessa, it’s always lovely to get a reply from you. My mum being born in the Ghost House always fascinated me although she didn’t talk very much about her it as she had a very unhappy childhood because her mother, my grandmother passed away when mum was aged 6 years old. Mum passed away in 1996 and since then the internet has become big and I’ve been able to find out information that wasn’t easily available before. There’s been a couple of books written on the subject of the Ghost House a local historian A.R. Dance wrote a book called The Chilwell Ghost, I’ve got a copy of it as it was written in the 1998. There was another book on the subject by Robert Mellor in 1919 but I’ve been unable to obtain a copy of that one. Legend says that a pedlar went missing because he had been murdered at the Ghost House and the body was buried in the garden. It was never proven but ghostly goings on occurred in the area afterwards. Since the late 1830s it was referred to as The Ghost House and the lane it was on was called Ghost House Lane and still is. Sadly the house was demolished in the early 1950s when a housing estate was built. The hauntings are said to have started in 1837/38 The Victorians were fascinated by anything macabre and special trains are known to have been organised from Derby and Nottingham for wakes week in July 1839 and people took the opportunity to visit the area and take a look at the cottage for themselves. The area became famous and people started to visit on a Sunday afternoon to see the cottage and to try to see the ghost. It became a tourist attraction, almost like people visiting Alton Towers today, people would turn up with their families and their picnics to go ghost hunting. It says in A.R. Dance’s book that two publicans retired on the fortunes they made from the extra trade that came from ghost hunters visiting the area. Knowing your love of poetry I think you’ll be fascinated to learn there was a poem published in the late 1800s about the Chilwell Ghost, it’s too long to write on here, several pages long but if you’re interested I can send you a copy by email. My email address is shirleygreaves@rocketmail.com and if you’d like to hear more about this fascinating story I can send you more information. Thank you for the good wishes for my husband’s recovery. Love Shirley. X
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  50.  @themindfulnarrowboat  Hi Vanessa, that would be interesting but I wouldn’t expect you to do that. I just thought you might be interested in the 3 page long poem that had been published about the Ghost House. I’m looking forward to seeing where you go next, I’m guessing Nottingham with its amazing castle because it’s near the marina. Take care Vanessa. Lots of love. xxxxx
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