Life at 2.3 miles an hour

Life at 2.3 miles an hour

Life at 2.3 miles an hour is a KZread Channel centred on the UK's inland waterways. Why 2.3 mph? Well, according to my Satnav that is the average speed we maintain as we move around the country with our pair of narrowboats.

We spend the summer months living on the motor boat and the tow The Jam Butty from canal festival to canal festival making and selling preserves as we go. This channel takes a a look as we live our lives in the slow lane.

But my interest in the inland waterways dosn't stop there. I am fascinated by the history of these thin ribbons of water which were the nation's primary transportation network from the late 1700's till the coming of the railways 60 year later.

The Canal Hunter series takes a close look at the 100 miles of the current Birmingham Canal Navigations, where we are based, and in particular explores what remains of the other 60 miles of canals which the region has lost.

Please join us on our travels.

Tub Boats to Ketley

Tub Boats to Ketley

Tub Boats to Lilleshall

Tub Boats to Lilleshall

Tub Boats to Wrockwardine

Tub Boats to Wrockwardine

Tub Boats to Trench

Tub Boats to Trench

Tub Boats to Wappenshall

Tub Boats to Wappenshall

Tub Boats to Newport

Tub Boats to Newport

Tub Boats at Norbury

Tub Boats at Norbury

Coal Convoy at Pelsall

Coal Convoy at Pelsall

Bradley Locks

Bradley Locks

James Brindley's Bloomfield

James Brindley's Bloomfield

James Brindley's Tipton

James Brindley's Tipton

Brindley's Oldbury

Brindley's Oldbury

James Brindley's Balls Hill

James Brindley's Balls Hill

Brindley Lives!

Brindley Lives!

Scotland's Union Canal

Scotland's Union Canal

The Stafford Branch Canal

The Stafford Branch Canal

7.6 Navigating Ogley Locks

7.6 Navigating Ogley Locks

Пікірлер

  • @thomasfilion9064
    @thomasfilion90643 күн бұрын

    I'm watching 3.17 exploring gallows wharf on my TV, as I do all of them. Will you be doing updates on progress or completions of the places in future or recent completion or construction? Love what you do. I never have been in England, but plan on it in the future. Compliments to your music as well.

  • @33Cowlard
    @33Cowlard26 күн бұрын

    This is absolutely fabulous detective work Andy! Thank you so much for this. I’ve been looking for the aqueduct where my dad took me fishing as a boy, and I found where it was at Kinnersley, but I find it hard to understand where all the embankment has gone? Walking Kinnersley Drive to the end, at Donnington Drive, it’s hard to think that the lane was passable by car, and led under the canal. Extremely odd. You mentioned other photographs, I’d like to discover more about the area. You may know about the two sets of semi circular sections of cobbles, set into the road at Kinnersley and Preston. Are these where the canal crossed the road perhaps? In the meantime, my thanks for all you’ve done! Regards, Les Curtis

  • @judithparker4608
    @judithparker460829 күн бұрын

    Industries returning

  • @judithparker4608
    @judithparker460829 күн бұрын

    I believe the Clay was used at...Aldridge Brickworks..Walsall Wood..."Ibstock"..Merchant's Way !!

  • @judithparker4608
    @judithparker460829 күн бұрын

    Hatherton Place...birthplace of Jerome K Jerome !

  • @judithparker4608
    @judithparker460829 күн бұрын

    Bescot Freight Train Depot...Sewerage Works....now Saddlers FC...moved for Morrisons on Ring Road Bridge over Wallows Lane...Palfrey Park House....and Hillary Street to..Montford Road House..Pleck Park

  • @judithparker4608
    @judithparker460829 күн бұрын

    West Bromwich....Guns Village....Visitor...Cromwell....Sand well hospital...Hallam Workhouse...visitor...Montgomery....Sandwell Valley..Newton Road.

  • @judithparker4608
    @judithparker460829 күн бұрын

    Bradford Place...Jerome K Jerome birthplace

  • @judithparker4608
    @judithparker460829 күн бұрын

    Acquaduct....Bradford Place...Bridgeman Street !

  • @judithparker4608
    @judithparker460829 күн бұрын

    Bentley Mill Cemetery Way....Bescot Railway Main Freight....Sewerage Works...New Saddlers FC...moved for... Morrisons on Ring Road Bridge over Wallows Lane...cut off Hillary Street....!!

  • @KevinAugelloNewEarthFilms
    @KevinAugelloNewEarthFilmsАй бұрын

    Why don't you give teleprompter a go? - a fantastic app that allows you to recite text directly from your phone whilst utilising the video camera

  • @judithparker4608
    @judithparker4608Ай бұрын

    ""LEAMONSLEY 💧 🚰 SUPPLY... DOCTOR JOHNSON 📚 I PRESUME...THREE 🚣‍♂️ MEN...JEROME K JEROME LIBRARY......GREAT SCOTT OF BARR.....LUNAR SOCIETY""

  • @judithparker4608
    @judithparker4608Ай бұрын

    MERCIA COLONY......HEAVY ⛓ 🔗 ⚓ IRON HEART 🔐 🔑 OF 3 CROWNS.......MERKAT CROIX

  • @Myfunnytaste
    @MyfunnytasteАй бұрын

    I was there have photos to prove it…….

  • @ChrisLowe-ru9cn
    @ChrisLowe-ru9cnАй бұрын

    The office blocks on Gt Charles St have car parks at the rear and in the first car park (Scottish Life House car park) you can find the remains of a canal bridge which still looks as if it supports the road above. There a few other traces if I remember correctly as you progress towards Livery Street. The video did not mention the breach that occurred at the end of the Newhall Branch. A narrow boat was carried down the hill of what is now Gr Charles St.

  • @bestbass42
    @bestbass42Ай бұрын

    Fascinating video especially as I used to play all over there when I was a kid in 1970s!!!! Big mistake though is Bentley Bridge shopping centre was not built/opened till around 2000, so your 20 years out. My friends & I were still going over there when they started to build it around 1996/97.

  • @lifeat2.3milesanhour57
    @lifeat2.3milesanhour57Ай бұрын

    Ah the benefit of local knowledge! I do have a plan to revisit the line in the winter to do a drone based video including lots of the extra photos that have emerged.

  • @hhill4413
    @hhill4413Ай бұрын

    As a near neighbour from by The Gt Western Street Wednesbury,have happy memories of Ocker bonk. Because of my name ,a couple of my mates from Holyhead Rd school used to call me Ocker Bonk.lovely happy memories 😂

  • @lifeat2.3milesanhour57
    @lifeat2.3milesanhour57Ай бұрын

    Thanks for sharing!

  • @philiph6488
    @philiph64882 ай бұрын

    Excellent. I was given the same model around the same time. Unfortunately, I spilt the burning meths and set the carpet on fire and was frightened to use it again. Hence, mint condition! Just enjoying it fully all these years later!

  • @lifeat2.3milesanhour57
    @lifeat2.3milesanhour57Ай бұрын

    Meths indoors can be a bit dangerous!

  • @anthonyball-vp4xw
    @anthonyball-vp4xw2 ай бұрын

    The shropshire Arms pub got its nickname from the wrought iron ingots cast across the canal directly opposite the pub,as these ingots had a blue tint to them and were known as blue pig iron

  • @lifeat2.3milesanhour57
    @lifeat2.3milesanhour57Ай бұрын

    I love that kind of detail! Thanks

  • @malcwhite
    @malcwhite2 ай бұрын

    The audio goes really quiet in places

  • @lifeat2.3milesanhour57
    @lifeat2.3milesanhour572 ай бұрын

    Thats an early video with poor sound - cured later on with better kit!

  • @henryharesdene4164
    @henryharesdene41642 ай бұрын

    It's only when you've given up' boating that you realise how much of the canal system that you've not cruised ! (I mean the still navigal parts. Suc is life. Andy, your flims - especially whe viewed in full screen soften the blow slightly... Thus very many thanks!

  • @lifeat2.3milesanhour57
    @lifeat2.3milesanhour57Ай бұрын

    There are end sections I have missed all over the place. One day I will have to go back and complete them. Glad you enjoy the videos.

  • @AnthonyFrancisJones
    @AnthonyFrancisJones2 ай бұрын

    Good to see this great old toy working and not lost and forgotten! I love mine as does my young son. I remember my father enthusing me with this when I was a child too. An expensive toy but well worth the expense at the time I guess he thought. I fully agree. Here is one of mine in action! kzread.info/dash/bejne/aaV6xaeDlt23eJM.html

  • @kevbaker153
    @kevbaker1533 ай бұрын

    As always a great video, this section is now in use and Schoolhouse Bridge is complete. Must be time for a return and a new video of the next section to Llanymynech nudge nudge! I still do get what is left to do beyond a lot of dredging as it appears to only be a mile or so to the in water section

  • @lifeat2.3milesanhour57
    @lifeat2.3milesanhour57Ай бұрын

    I love the Montgomery - so tranquil after the hurly burly if the Llangollen. One day I will return!

  • @ianpodmore9666
    @ianpodmore96663 ай бұрын

    Spent many hours in the old canal tunnel at Smiths Crescent while skiving lessons at John Hunt School.

  • @thomasfilion9064
    @thomasfilion90643 ай бұрын

    It angers me that the hole is open for animals or children or anyone to possibly fall and end up starving or dehydration to death what health and safety fail. I watch Martin Zero and he jokes a if you believe that "I've got a jam Butty to sell you" like here with as in comparison using a bridge. I'm in USA. Can you explain to me what humor is going on with that saying?

  • @lifeat2.3milesanhour57
    @lifeat2.3milesanhour573 ай бұрын

    I am not sure about the context martin is using but here in the UK a Jam Butty is usually a jam (jelly) samdwich or going back a bit a Police Car (on account of the red stripe which used to go down the side). Our Jam Butty refers to our unpowered boat which is called a butty and we sell jam.

  • @thomasfilion9064
    @thomasfilion90642 ай бұрын

    @@lifeat2.3milesanhour57 I am very educated on everything canals and narrowboat in the UK and I have to thank you for your hard work for educational videos I don't think would be done if you don't. I hope to try to get over there after my elderly parents are gone and I want to buy a boat and live on the network as a constant explorer of canals as well as the areas surrounding the network. I hope to maybe even meet you as well as others that I have to thank for the inspiration and hopefully support I will be needing showing up with nothing in a transition of my life. Just me and it's going to be difficult.

  • @jsim9042
    @jsim90423 ай бұрын

    Fascinating.

  • @narrowbeamdaydream
    @narrowbeamdaydream4 ай бұрын

    Very interesting Andy as my parents lived in Telford for many years. Not nitpicking but when they moved into Wrockwardine Wood in the 1970s, their neighbours soon told them it was pronounced Rockadyne!

  • @lifeat2.3milesanhour57
    @lifeat2.3milesanhour573 ай бұрын

    I knew I would be getting it wrong!

  • @nbflyingfox4672
    @nbflyingfox46724 ай бұрын

    Thanks Andy. Another great and informative vlog, plus the fact if you look hard enough you can still find relics of the canal...

  • @lifeat2.3milesanhour57
    @lifeat2.3milesanhour573 ай бұрын

    Very true!

  • @katherinekinnaird4408
    @katherinekinnaird44084 ай бұрын

    Sir you are a real trooper going through all that wet and rain and such to bring us really interesting information thank you so much from Bakersfield California USA

  • @lifeat2.3milesanhour57
    @lifeat2.3milesanhour573 ай бұрын

    My pleasure katherine

  • @brynvjones6679
    @brynvjones66794 ай бұрын

    I certainly did enjoy it. Thanks

  • @lifeat2.3milesanhour57
    @lifeat2.3milesanhour573 ай бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it

  • @davidthomas6859
    @davidthomas68594 ай бұрын

    Another great episode,really enjoying this series Andy .Waiting patiently for Blists Hill 😊

  • @lifeat2.3milesanhour57
    @lifeat2.3milesanhour573 ай бұрын

    I just need a good day to make the last 2 episodes of this series

  • @mrsr.5733
    @mrsr.57334 ай бұрын

    My childhood playground. Many hours spent making dens and catching stickleback in the shallow water of the filled in locks shown on here. I now have a very keen interest in the history of local canals so thank you for this video...I will now watch the whole series :)😊

  • @lifeat2.3milesanhour57
    @lifeat2.3milesanhour573 ай бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it - I just need a day of good weather to get the series finished.

  • @jameshutson7246
    @jameshutson72464 ай бұрын

    Hi Andy. Been watching your videos for several years now. They are amazing and I imagine they are alot of work to create. I wonder if your videos are being archived in a safe place, I mean other than on KZread?

  • @lifeat2.3milesanhour57
    @lifeat2.3milesanhour573 ай бұрын

    James - I do keep a final version of most episodes on a hard drive

  • @dennyporter2447
    @dennyporter24474 ай бұрын

    Super! Another great episode of Canal Hunter.. Built remains after 200 years, that's fantastic Andy.. you running into the land owner was quite a bit of luck.. the tunnel you dropped down into looked sketchy but very interesting! I love this stuff!!! Cheers from Missouri USA!

  • @lifeat2.3milesanhour57
    @lifeat2.3milesanhour573 ай бұрын

    Glad you have enjoyed the series Dennis

  • @DrRogB
    @DrRogB4 ай бұрын

    Nice video but full of bad practice. Mamods instructions required that excess meths was poored from the burner, you actually spilt some. The chimney is diecast and not appropriate to solder, well done for not melting it. The usual solution is epoxy. Its great to see you having such fun and even involving the grandkids too.

  • @lifeat2.3milesanhour57
    @lifeat2.3milesanhour574 ай бұрын

    I found out about melting the chimney the hard way! I resorted to epoxy because I ran out of other options. Luckily the wrinkle i created was filed off and looked ok after repainting.

  • @TrevsTravelsByNarrowboat
    @TrevsTravelsByNarrowboat4 ай бұрын

    Nice one again Andy

  • @sammaclennan8363
    @sammaclennan83634 ай бұрын

    Came here from dull men’s club and I’m glad I did. Very informative and interesting

  • @lifeat2.3milesanhour57
    @lifeat2.3milesanhour574 ай бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it!

  • @GorgeGuides
    @GorgeGuides4 ай бұрын

    Brill. Looking forward to listening to you visiting Coalbrookdale. Plenty of incline evidence to see and tunnels and shafts!

  • @lifeat2.3milesanhour57
    @lifeat2.3milesanhour57Ай бұрын

    I ran out of time to finish the series - it always seemed to be raining, snowing or blowing! I will return to complete it in the autumn.

  • @nicholasswift2480
    @nicholasswift24804 ай бұрын

    Another very enjoyable instalment of Telford's old tub boat canals, this has been a great series, the drone footage along the way has been great to watch and gives a modern understanding of the line of the canals, thank you for your efforts, highly appreciated!

  • @lifeat2.3milesanhour57
    @lifeat2.3milesanhour574 ай бұрын

    Glad you are enjoying it - finding gaps in all the rain / wind is proving a bit of a challenge!

  • @morturn
    @morturn4 ай бұрын

    Super informative video Andy, thank you

  • @lifeat2.3milesanhour57
    @lifeat2.3milesanhour574 ай бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it

  • @dennyporter2447
    @dennyporter24474 ай бұрын

    I do like how you find bits and pieces in the end of your story.. the Incline story is quite interesting.. Thanks Andy! Cheers..

  • @lifeat2.3milesanhour57
    @lifeat2.3milesanhour574 ай бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it - During lockdown I actually built a scale model of the incline to see how it worked. Possibly not my finest video but here it is: kzread.info/dash/bejne/Z2Z7krmbZdrdiZM.html

  • @davidthomas6859
    @davidthomas68594 ай бұрын

    Very interesting Andy ,will you be including the incline plane at Coalport 🤔

  • @lifeat2.3milesanhour57
    @lifeat2.3milesanhour574 ай бұрын

    Absolutely - The plan is to get to the Hay Incline in the next but one video and round it off with a look at the carrying traffic on the River Severn.

  • @davidthomas6859
    @davidthomas68594 ай бұрын

    @@lifeat2.3milesanhour57 👍👍

  • @matthewbannister6902
    @matthewbannister69024 ай бұрын

    The kids & have I have literally just done this last few weeks finding last bits of our explore of entire Newport to Shrewsbury line. We have just branches to blists hill & Ketley canal. The line of canal along pitchcroft canal past 4 old locks actually doesn't follow hedge but along a bit then through fields by river. The pitchcroft lane Bridge in a garden is the real high light

  • @lifeat2.3milesanhour57
    @lifeat2.3milesanhour574 ай бұрын

    Its a fascinating route to explore - very varied.

  • @kevbaker153
    @kevbaker1534 ай бұрын

    Absolutely brilliant as always

  • @lifeat2.3milesanhour57
    @lifeat2.3milesanhour574 ай бұрын

    Thanks again!

  • @lewis72
    @lewis724 ай бұрын

    As far as I'm aware "No public right of way" doesn't mean that you can't walk along a route, it means that it isn't a protected route from being built on or fenced off etc.

  • @lifeat2.3milesanhour57
    @lifeat2.3milesanhour574 ай бұрын

    I do take a bit of a relaxed approach to trespass but with the ground so wet its hart to move unless you stick to the footpaths.

  • @lewis72
    @lewis724 ай бұрын

    @@lifeat2.3milesanhour57 Fair enough.

  • @christophernorton33
    @christophernorton334 ай бұрын

    Thank You Andy .This was a most enjoyable Video .The pictures are first class . How time has changed this area of the midlands 👍😀

  • @lifeat2.3milesanhour57
    @lifeat2.3milesanhour574 ай бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it

  • @glyn829
    @glyn8294 ай бұрын

    Very interesting, quite odd and sad to see the road under the bridge

  • @lifeat2.3milesanhour57
    @lifeat2.3milesanhour574 ай бұрын

    I had driven under it several times before I realised it was a canal bridge.

  • @rickson97
    @rickson974 ай бұрын

    Hello everybody! I'm Brazilian, and I would like to know if the Gaelic language still exists in Scotland?

  • @dennyporter2447
    @dennyporter24474 ай бұрын

    Always enjoy Canal Hunter Andy! I think it's awesome that over 100 years since it closed that the canal bed with water still exists..

  • @lifeat2.3milesanhour57
    @lifeat2.3milesanhour574 ай бұрын

    Couldn't agree more - wait till next week - 200 years since the Horsehay Branch was abandoned and after some heavy rain it had loads in it.

  • @sjacko20
    @sjacko204 ай бұрын

    Excellent series. I live overlooking the Lilleshall branch near the farm and if you carry on down into the woods, the kilns have been partially restored. There is an old wharf by the side of the Lilleshall drive that was found a few years ago too. A fascinating area to investigate, thank you

  • @lifeat2.3milesanhour57
    @lifeat2.3milesanhour574 ай бұрын

    I was a bit weary by the time i got to the end of the Lilleshall Branch and with it getting dark didnt explore too much.