great canal journeys on 4

Just watched it their relation ship is great, even my wife likes it which is great especially with the good weather coming up
 
I too enjoy watching this and previous series of their travels. I know their at a good age, but I do think Tim is like captain crash when he's at the helm, it's cringe worthy to watch at times (though I guess it makes good telly) bearing in mind he has 20+ years experience of boating.
 
sharpness said:
I too enjoy watching this and previous series of their travels. I know their at a good age, but I do think Tim is like captain crash when he's at the helm, it's cringe worthy to watch at times (though I guess it makes good telly) bearing in mind he has 20+ years experience of boating.
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Tim is Captain Chaos at the helm. He is unlikely to recover his deposit from any hired craft. Makes good TV.
 
It may not be the most riviting thing on the box at the moment but is welcome relief from the constant drool of dire bake off /caterwauling and howling competitions/watching people with no obvious talent quiz shows and endless and endless derivative detective show prequels....
Nice gentle drift cruising trip.
Having been to Sweden,was not aware they even had such an extensive inland canal system.
Something in the back of my mind is wondering about the cost ? :)
It looked wonderful.
 
sharpness said:
I too enjoy watching this and previous series of their travels. I know their at a good age, but I do think Tim is like captain crash when he's at the helm, it's cringe worthy to watch at times (though I guess it makes good telly) bearing in mind he has 20+ years experience of boating.
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Cannot understand how, he motors off without checking warps. Several times he has assumed that Sue has cast off & whoops not so.
 
Err, hate to say this..... but if you have not set off without forgetting to release the odd rope /shorepower lead,then you simply have not been boating long enuff.:)
The really determined among us have been able to get mooring ropes around our props as well. Twice :):):).
 
They are a couple of doddering old gimmers who despite decades of experience still don't have a clue and he can't even steer. He clearly has a learning curve as flat as a bowling green. Good on them for still giving it a go though, I'm just glad it's not my boat they're driving / wrecking

That said, it's entertaining viewing, if a bit cringewortrhy at times (when he hits stuff and doesn't even look round to check for casting off,) and the scenery and general intro to boating is fantastic. I guess the message must be, if they can do it anyone can...

Sweden was a total unknown for me boating wise, it does look an excellent destination and easily achievable too, although they did gloss over the rough trip across that first lake overnight when it was quite rough and she got seasick
 
It is a really interesting TV programme and so in those terms it is a great success, it will certainly have paid their 'pension' for a few years.

It is has also been a bit of 'car crash tv' in the sense of how many times is he going to pile it into the bridge/bank and just how many awful things is he going to say about his wife.

But - it has certainly sparked my interest in the Canal du Midi - I never have been able to muster up enthusiasm for UK canals ( too narrow boats/ too many locks/ insufficient compensation ) but the Midi offers the prospect of more comfortable boats, less locks and you do not have to operate those either,married with the compensation of better weather, good food and good wine, it sounds right up my street for a slow holiday.

Anyone done it - any recommends or warnings?
 
Its all done to make good telly, there are a lot more boaters out there that I would call 'doddering old gimmers' far more than those two! The skipper is responsible for all of the points brought up (and he had good visibility) so I suspect much of it was staged (which is actually a shame as it was a gentle mock at Pru's expense). They come across as a really lovely couple and I hope I'm still going as strong as they are at their age although he does need to slow down when close quarter manouvering! Most of his problems are caused by going too fast. Pru, given her condition, should be an inspiration to us all that there is life after diagnosis of this cruel and indiscriminate disease. I'd love to meet them and who on earth would turn down an opportunity to be paid to go boating! (This is where Neale makes a comment...) :-)
The scenery was just spectactular - if it wouldn't cost so much in diesel I'd love to take my own boat around and along the canal in Sweden (I love Sweden anyway, I used to visit/work in Stockholm). Good show, I'll keep watching for sure.... Dave
 
They did make it very appealing didn't they. :-) And they were 'paid' for going on a boating holiday! I don't think he said anything partiularly aweful about his wife though - even though he was a gruff occasionally as we all get on times.... He's no spring checken either - good luck to them....

NormanB said:
It is a really interesting TV programme and so in those terms it is a great success, it will certainly have paid their 'pension' for a few years.

It is has also been a bit of 'car crash tv' in the sense of how many times is he going to pile it into the bridge/bank and just how many awful things is he going to say about his wife.

But - it has certainly sparked my interest in the Canal du Midi - I never have been able to muster up enthusiasm for UK canals ( too narrow boats/ too many locks/ insufficient compensation ) but the Midi offers the prospect of more comfortable boats, less locks and you do not have to operate those either,married with the compensation of better weather, good food and good wine, it sounds right up my street for a slow holiday.

Anyone done it - any recommends or warnings?
Click to expand...
 
If you want your eyes opening to the doddery world of boating then I recommend an afternoon on the Thames.

Everything from large gin palaces that have navigated the Thames for years taking the railings away from the lockside and not stopping, boats ramming lock gates, ramming each other. "Captains" barking orders to "Crew" (wife on bow of boat) through loudhailers.
 
Yup - seen it all on the Thames. Its what makes boating 'interesting'. What about the smashed widscreens on bridges? :-)

mlines said:
If you want your eyes opening to the doddery world of boating then I recommend an afternoon on the Thames.

Everything from large gin palaces that have navigated the Thames for years taking the railings away from the lockside and not stopping, boats ramming lock gates, ramming each other. "Captains" barking orders to "Crew" (wife on bow of boat) through loudhailers.
Click to expand...
 
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