mykaskin

1986 by the looks of it on the Radio Times Genome website

Hi, I've digitised The Grain Run from some old VHS tapes. I've had to replace some of the music for it to be able to be seen on YouTube, best viewed full screen: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8HwGbPmKqSd4k2J_vVOZvO5J3VjKDHau

Don't worry about upsetting me - you haven't and thanks for clarifying what you meant. You have a fair point - and I do monetise my videos to try and get a (tiny) bit of money back to keep Victoria running. I've been trying some different types of video to try and get some more traffic. I hope they are interesting to the people, and I don't post all my videos on Canalworld - just some that I think people might find interesting or helpful. I think I've done enough boating over the years to understand the problems and issues involved - although I'm always ready to learn especially if I'm wrong! Note that youtube reserves the right to put adverts on all videos, monetised or not, and seems likely in the near future - nothing is free in this world... Cheers, Mike

Not sure I follow. YouTube is a video broadcast platform, Facebook is more designed for sharing to people you know, and Friends Reunited was more about connecting to old school friends. I never used MySpace. The best way to learn is to ask questions. Try things and remember, usually through practice and repetition. This video tries to answer at least some of the questions people might have about this subject. I've seen many careful boaters who 'have been boating for years' not understand these principles because they haven't been aware of the issues or know the right questions to ask to learn more. I tried to make the video interesting and topical. Open to suggestions on how to improve the video or boating! Cheers, Mike

If it's short enough not to be an issue then there wouldn't be the problem with the boat getting knocked around so much. Also it still stands, even a shorter boat is more controlable with bow and stern lines.

If you've tried different patterns of opening paddles to reduce the effect, then the only thing is to take a bow line ashore to hold it in. You may have to take several turns around the bollard, and also a stern line tied as far back in the lock to reduce the difference in length as the lock fills. Centre lines are not good for holding boats still in locks when they are filling.

Hi, I thought I would share my new video, since it covers some useful tips for boating. Hope you enjoy. Click to watch on youtube Cheers, Mike

Some good views of Victoria (Linda as it was then) in that film:

My Mum and Dad's boat had Driffield on the side of it. Lots of people mentioned they were stationed there during the war, but few locals. While based on the Driffield Navigation, the first time it actually managed to get to Driffield was when it was craned for the opening of Town Lock: https://youtu.be/zqpLFL__688

Another narrowboat side launch:

Good news the traffic is starting, bad news regards the problems encountered but as you've said it's par for the course. The dredging below the lock was probably done to spec, but any loose in the area soon builds up a scour again below locks (assuming scale makes no odds). It's important to ensure that you can eat your dinner off the lock apron and below and put some big holes where it gets shallow to stop it filling quite so quickly. You want to try carrying on pleasure canals with a deep boat - not sure you'd be able to flush a 500 tonne barge in with the paddles however... Cheers, Mike

Ah good old Bob on the back, he was a good chap and a great sense of humour!

There isn't much trade on the upper river, and it's limited to high water, however when leaving Hull Marina you want to time your arrival at Goole 2 hours before high water or later otherwise it will cost to use the lock. Don't arrive later as you might have to wait for a gap in the commercial traffic. Check the weather carefully and buy current charts from ABP to ensure you know where the channel is. If you do run aground on a rising tide however you will just have to wait until you're floating again but best avoided. It's not a problem on any sort of boat so long as you plan the trip. Talk to local boaters and see if someone who knows the river wants to come along. I know of a good pilot if you want one. Cheers, Mike

Hi everyone, Braunston historic rally isn't happening this year, so here is a video from 2009 that has never been released before: It's on a 'Premiere' which starts at 6pm tonight (in 30 mins time), so watch it with friends: Youtube clicky Cheers, Mike

Hi everyone, Join a Bolinder powered narrowboat for a trip along the canals of the Midlands: YouTube Clicky There are several parts, Day 1 and 2 are available now. More coming later hopefully - it has taken me 8 years to get this far! Cheers, Mike