- 20 hours ago
Narrow Escapes - Season 3 Episode 1
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Short filmTranscript
00:01The Great British Canal Network.
00:03Hello, Cocker!
00:05A picturesque escape for those who've swapped bricks and mortar.
00:08Oh, we're back, we're back.
00:10For a new life on the water.
00:12You just have to go with the flow.
00:14Oh, it's great.
00:15But is it really domestic bliss?
00:17Oh, no.
00:18Hold on, hold on.
00:19I'm all right!
00:20Whether they're building a business...
00:22You're my first ever customer.
00:23...or starting new families...
00:25I'm going to see you.
00:26Can these intrepid Brits stay afloat?
00:28Ow!
00:28We're going to bump.
00:30Or will they be cast adrift?
00:31Do it down!
00:32Thank you!
00:34From epic adventures...
00:35This is so cool!
00:37...to learning the ropes...
00:38This is so heavy.
00:40...do they have what it takes to live out their dreams...
00:44Head over heels in love with boat life.
00:46...and find their narrow escape.
00:48Coming up, we meet Claire, the cafe boat owner,
00:52causing chaos on the canals.
00:54Oh!
00:55We've got a puncture.
00:56Do it down, it's going down.
00:58Super Nanny Michelle, who has some quacking new neighbours...
01:02We've got a duckling!
01:03...and Roger and Joe, the transatlantic couple with a thirst for history.
01:08Seen loads of these.
01:09Yep, they built those in case any Germans were to come sneaking up the Thames.
01:20Right, let's do all these don'ts!
01:23On the Rochdale Canal...
01:25Have we remembered everything?
01:26Of course I've remembered everything.
01:28Yeah, I know what you like though.
01:29Right.
01:30It's a big day for Claire as she's collecting a recently purchased boat.
01:35I've bought a project boat.
01:37Tugboat Ted's.
01:38And we're going to attempt to get it down into the centre of the Dunbridge where there's a slipway.
01:42Lift it out of the water and transport it to where I'm going to then hopefully fix it up.
01:47If there's not an hole in the bottom.
01:50I only pay 500 quid, who cares?
01:52But this isn't her first time at the helm.
01:55When she's not knee deep in renovations, continuous cruiser Claire is the captain of a floating cafe.
02:05I've lived on Elizabeth, which is the shanty T-boat, for nearly 10 years.
02:10I've been away travelling and I kind of knew that I didn't want to live back in a house and
02:16go back to mainstream life.
02:17I saw Elizabeth, fell in love with her.
02:19Originally it was a holistic boat.
02:21I did massage from the boat with a pop-up cafe at weekends as and when.
02:26And then it just really took off.
02:27So I've just stayed as a cafe and I love it.
02:30I live on the boat on my own with my two best friends, which are Mabel and Ronnie, which are
02:35little cockapoos.
02:36Swapping mindfulness for mockers and muffins has clearly paid off for Claire.
02:41Morning!
02:43As, thanks to social media, the shanty T-boat remains popular wherever she goes.
02:48I've got regulars that come for miles. Every week they come without fail.
02:52People come to every location, you know, and they're not just customers.
02:56A lot of them have become really good friends and I feel like that's quite special.
03:01When most people need more space, they usually build an extension.
03:05But on a narrowboat, that's not really an option.
03:08So Claire's idea? Buy another one.
03:10I want to be more self-sufficient and I wanted to grow vegetables and have more storage space.
03:17So on a whim I bought this boat, not knowing anything about it, what kind of state it was in,
03:22it just seemed like a really good idea and a fun project.
03:25It might turn out I've actually wasted my money and my time and it's not a viable project, but we'll
03:31see.
03:33Affectionately known as Tugboat Ted, T-E-D is definitely in need of some TLC.
03:40So it is a bit wet and there is places that are like really rotten, but there's quite a bit
03:45to be salvaged on it.
03:46As you can see it's wet through and a bit of mould, something growing for sure.
03:51So this fire, you can grind all that rust off and reseal it and repaint it and that'll salvage, which
03:57would be quite nice.
03:58I can reuse them.
04:01Didn't work.
04:02Look at this thing, this is alright, that's a beaut, is that?
04:06Some weights under there, something must have been in to the keep fit.
04:09We've got a pair of little step ladders.
04:11Apparently these windows are new, I might reuse them but I might actually go backward.
04:16So, yeah, so we're a bit rotten here.
04:19Probably shouldn't do that, I'll end up going through it.
04:22Before Claire can make it beautiful, she's got to make it move down the canal and out of the water.
04:28Right, go on.
04:30Off you go.
04:31And with no engine on board, Plan A is a tow from one man and his dinghy in the form
04:36of trusted friend Tony.
04:38I was up to Miss Chief, aren't we told?
04:40Yeah.
04:44Hold on, now you tell me.
04:49The aim is to get the boat down the Rochdale Canal to Hebden Bridge, where it can be removed from
04:54the water for inspection of the hull and much needed renovation.
04:59But the dinghy seems to have its own plans.
05:02It's only just started so it's a bit temperamental.
05:04Ooh, I should have got in with it all.
05:07Thanks to Tony's creative engineering...
05:10I've run it through a piece of aluminium pole.
05:12...tugboat Ted is on the move.
05:15Oh, Tony, I'm scared for you!
05:18But despite Tony's efforts, the engine-less tugboat possesses all the directional control of a shopping trolley.
05:26Ooh!
05:27Ooh!
05:30I think it's the pole, it's shoving the dinghy all over the place.
05:37Ooh!
05:38Sorry!
05:39Can I get on your boat and push it off?
05:42Have you managed it?
05:43And with the boating community lending a helping hand, Tony and Claire's enthusiasm is unsinkable.
05:50Which is more than can be said for the dinghy.
05:52We've got a puncture!
05:54It's going down, it's going down!
05:56Ugh!
05:57It's sinking!
05:58Quickly!
06:01Man overboard!
06:06I think it's hit a piece of metal over there.
06:08It went with the right pop.
06:10With a few miles left, the dinghy deflating faster than Tony's confidence and the tugboat adrift,
06:16it may be time for plan B.
06:18There is no plan B.
06:19So, er, I'll have to come up with one.
06:23It's a little disaster!
06:29In Garstang Marina in Lancashire...
06:32We've got a duckling!
06:35We've got a duckling!
06:37...retiree Michelle has new neighbours.
06:40Oh, my God!
06:42Oh, I'm going to cry!
06:44After moving on board two years ago, Michelle's maternal instincts are still strong.
06:50Oh, I'm so proud of you, Alice.
06:53I'm so proud of you!
06:55Oh, emotional over ducklings!
06:59What a good day!
07:00This is boat life.
07:02And family is so important, she named her 55-foot-long narrowboat Little Joan after her mum.
07:09Having a narrowboat was never something that had even entered my head until I went for a lovely Saturday afternoon
07:16with some friends of mine on their boat.
07:18And that was it. All the way home, I kept thinking, I want a narrowboat, and it was the best
07:22decision I ever made.
07:23After buying a second-hand boat, she could indulge her passions of having adventures and DIY.
07:30She was a little bit tired and needed a little bit of TLC.
07:33I've learnt a lot along the way, a lot about joinery, engines, electrics.
07:39Erm, yeah, I like to do it myself.
07:42So what I did initially, I re-panelled the walls, I re-stained all the work surfaces and then repainted
07:49all the cupboard doors.
07:50In the lounge, my son helped me put a new wooden floor down.
07:54I was supposed to start at that end and work my way to the door, but somehow got it mixed
07:59up and ended up trapped in the bathroom and couldn't walk on the wet surface.
08:04But it worked out in the end.
08:06So I have a full-size shower, flushing toilet.
08:09I don't need anything more than this. This is absolutely just what I need.
08:12And while she had her heart set on a narrowboat, her family weren't always on board.
08:17When I mentioned I was going to buy a narrowboat, they all looked a little bemused by that.
08:23But actually, within weeks, all became completely supportive, they were completely on board.
08:29The grandkids absolutely love being on Nana's narrowboat, so we have lots of adventures.
08:37And she's done everything she can to make sure the grandkids feel at home.
08:41This is where the grandchildren sit, and this is where they steer the boat.
08:45Obviously, they warn any oncoming boats that were coming, which can be annoying, but it's great fun for them.
08:54They think they're steering the boat. They're my crew. They're my lookout. They love it.
08:59Today, Michelle is starting work on her bedroom.
09:03Right, that's the electric disconnected.
09:06I'm hoping to get it done in the next couple of days, so that it's ready for when the grandchildren
09:11come on Saturday.
09:16So, yeah, hopefully it all goes well.
09:20Oh!
09:21Gosh, that's heavy.
09:23Her plan is to re-panel and paint the top half of the wall, and to add acoustic panels to
09:28the bottom half.
09:30BOAT stands for Bring Out Another Thousand.
09:33So, to be able to do it for myself, and probably bring the costs in, it's probably going to cost
09:39me maybe £200 to do the whole of the bedroom.
09:43So, yeah, saves a lot of money, and there's a lot of pride when you've done it yourself.
09:49But with her grandkids coming this weekend, she's on a deadline.
09:53The last thing two five-year-olds want to do is stand watching you do DIY.
09:57So, I want to get all of the DIY out of the way, so that we can just enjoy our
10:02couple of days.
10:03I think I'm going to get it done. One way or another, I'll get it done.
10:06Even if it means I work through the night, I'm getting it done.
10:10Yeah, I've really enjoyed doing most of this myself.
10:15I mean, there's been times that I thought, I wish I'd not started.
10:19But yeah, I love it.
10:22Coming up, Roger goes full Frankenstein.
10:25She's alive!
10:27Claire and Tony are on the pull.
10:31And Michelle's on a mission.
10:33I'm sort of looking for volunteers.
10:35Yeah.
10:41In Oxfordshire, it's a tranquil day just outside Radcott on the River Thames.
10:51And on board the 70-foot narrowboat Spirit...
10:58She's alive!
11:01Continuous cruisers Roger and Joe are preparing to make a move.
11:05Oh no, not the hat.
11:07That hat blew into the canal once and I thought it was done.
11:10I thought we were done with it.
11:11And he managed to fish it out and keep it.
11:13I have to represent.
11:15Before making the UK waterways their home, the couple had their fair share of adventures.
11:21We met teaching English in South Korea and then we ended up getting jobs in the same school.
11:25I wasn't sure if she liked me or not because she was blind as a bat and I didn't know
11:28that.
11:29So I'd stand there at the door and her door faced mine.
11:31I'd be waving and she'd just kind of look right through me and go on.
11:34I was like, oh gosh, she doesn't like me.
11:36But I didn't know, she just couldn't see me actually.
11:39After years of travelling and building a life together in the US, they returned to Joe's homeland five years ago.
11:45We owned our own home in sunny Sedona, Arizona, where it never rains and it was just stunning.
11:51And we sold our house to come here.
11:54It was quite different and we're like, where do we want to be in England?
11:58And we didn't know.
11:58She's from here but it had been about ten years since she's been out of the country and I'm new
12:03to it.
12:03So we thought what a perfect way to see England.
12:06Get onto a boat.
12:07And it was love at first sight.
12:09We didn't plan it out at all.
12:10It just kind of happened.
12:12And I'm so, so glad we did it.
12:13I think it spoke to us.
12:15It really did.
12:16As soon as we saw it and we went on board, we're like, yeah, Spirit's our home.
12:21It was built in 1975 with good Sheffield steel and all the windows that exist on Spirit.
12:27They're all 1965 bus windows.
12:31Keeps her very nice and light and bright.
12:35At 70 feet, Spirit is one of the longest boats on the network.
12:39It has two bedrooms, a full-sized kitchen and even an L-shaped sofa.
12:45We were hoping to have another about six inches here of walk space but I'm so glad we did it.
12:51Seriously, it's the most comfortable sofa.
12:52And the spacious walls provide the perfect showcase for Joe's art.
12:57It's wonderful to have an artist for a wife because we never lack any style or flair on the boat.
13:02I've always loved art. Ever since I was a kid, I've been drawing, painting and he has a phenomenal voice.
13:08It's really, it's amazing.
13:10Make me blush.
13:11They've combined the two and run paint and sip classes, painting and a good old knees up, with Joe teaching
13:18the arts and Roger showing off his impressive vocal range, something he's always happy to do.
13:26Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.
13:44They've set their sights on heading down the Thames to Hampton Court in London to meet up with Joe's family.
13:50But before that, they're heading to Lechlade in the Cotswolds for a one-off special paint and sip event.
13:56So we're partnering with a local cafe called Time and Lovage. And then the Blue Cross, it's an animal shelter.
14:04When I was a kid, we got a dog from the Blue Cross. Yeah, so we're going to be painting,
14:08sipping and raising money for animals.
14:11But before they set off, the 50-year-old engine needs some attention.
14:16I make sure I check the engine oil before we start every time.
14:20Seeing as we get nowhere if the engine goes. Perfect.
14:24Have to check the fuel.
14:27So, I'd say 175, yeah. Next time we see fuel, might want to top her up.
14:33Final checks complete, it's time to cast off.
14:36And away we go.
14:38And one crew member is delighted to get going.
14:42She absolutely loves it. As soon as I start the engine, if she's inside, she goes crazy until we bring
14:48her out.
14:49Cruising along the Thames gives Roger and Joe a chance for a spot of competitive history.
14:54I've seen loads of these bunkers. Haven't you seen loads of these?
14:57Yep, they built those in case any Germans were to come sneaking up the Thames.
15:03They were worried about not only submarines, actually, but...
15:08Submarines?
15:09Yeah, even submersibles. They were worried they could come up through here.
15:12No.
15:13Go ahead, ass chat.
15:14German U-boats never came up the Thames. They stayed in the North Sea and Atlantic.
15:19I know they never came up, but they were afraid that they might.
15:21But the British were very concerned about that possibility.
15:23I told you, they were very concerned. One point for the American.
15:27It's called ten years of marriage, I think.
15:30And being married to an American, because they're always right.
15:33Naturally, Roger's keeping school.
15:38Back in Garstang Marina...
15:41Eight and a half.
15:43...Michelle is decorating her bedroom in preparation for her grandkids' visit in a few days.
15:48It's trial and error.
15:51A lot of the time. I don't want to get the wire.
15:54Oh, I can't.
15:55But her grand designs don't end with the boat.
15:59She's also starting an organisation.
16:02I want to set up a social enterprise so that it puts me in a position to be able to
16:06help and support any boaters that are in need of something.
16:12Whether it's coal, electricity, food. I want to be there to support them and help them.
16:17And that's what this social enterprise will do.
16:19Today is an important first step as she's seeking advice from a local counsellor.
16:24Hi, Lynne. How are you? Thanks for meeting me.
16:28Yeah, it's quite alright. How are you?
16:30I'm not too bad. I'm not too bad.
16:32Inspired by the waterways chaplains, she's focusing on the secluded Lancaster Canal, which is tucked away from the main network
16:40and reached by the tidal-ribble link.
16:43So I can work my way through the checklist, make sure I've got all my ducks in a row before
16:48I make the application.
16:49She's working so the local community can take care of each other long into the future.
16:54We are having a CIC face-to-face network meeting towards the end of September.
17:01We are going to invite somebody along to talk about what funding is currently available.
17:06Oh, so that's going to happen in September when I come along.
17:10Oh, that would be fantastic.
17:11OK, thank you.
17:13Everything you've just spoke about is music to my ears.
17:16I really appreciate all your help.
17:18So, yeah, I can't wait to see you at the network meeting.
17:22But with September a few months away, she doesn't want to sit around and is going to appeal to her
17:28neighbour's community spirit and ask them to become volunteers.
17:32Boating people, by their very nature, want to help.
17:35So are the very first to stand forward in the queue to say, you know, I'll volunteer.
17:40So, yeah, really lucky. I'm knocking on open doors.
17:44First up is Stuart, who she hopes will use his mechanical know-how to help.
17:49His dad and his grandad were boaters, and he's one of these people that can just look at an engine
17:56and know what's wrong.
17:57He's our narrowboat guru.
17:59Stuart! Hiya, Cheryl. How are you doing?
18:01I'm all right. I've come to ask you a favour.
18:03I'm looking for volunteers who have skills they can bring to the table, and I know how good you are
18:10with boats,
18:10so I was wondering if you could possibly pledge me some hours to volunteer if somebody might need something to
18:17do with their engine or electrics.
18:19Most problems are fairly basic, and if they've got a little bit of knowledge out to sort it, then in
18:23the future they'll be able to help themselves.
18:24Yeah, I'm quite happy to make a boat.
18:25Brilliant. That would be brilliant. Yeah, let's try and make these people a little more self-sufficient.
18:29Great idea. Count me in.
18:34Take care. See you soon.
18:36The goal is to have her fellow boaters pledge at least ten hours a month, so they can be called
18:41on when the time comes.
18:43So now I'm going to speak to another Stuart and Dawn, who have been narrowboating for about 24 years now,
18:50maybe a bit longer.
18:51But again, really, really good, experienced boaters, so hopefully they'll help me too.
18:58I'm sort of looking for volunteers that can either bring some experience or hand-delivering things, cooking.
19:07Would you be okay?
19:08Some time, yeah. No problem.
19:10I can do some cooking, I can do some shopping.
19:13And you're a very good cook, so yeah, that would be brilliant. Thank you, thank you.
19:18It's all part of giving back to the boating community that over the years has given so much to her.
19:24Yeah, I just want to be able to give back what people gave me.
19:28Hello. Hello. Hi.
19:30Everybody is willing to give some time or bring something to the table to help other boaters,
19:36because that's the community spirit of boaters.
19:40And rather topically, back on the Rochdale Canal...
19:44What are we going to do now, then?
19:46Tony and Claire are in the process of being rescued.
19:50A dinghy boat had a puncture and sand, basically.
19:53So now the tugboat tends to drift and it's just floating down the canal.
19:57So there's a hire boat behind us and they've said they're going to grab it and retrieve it.
20:02Don't ever get us to plan, does it? No.
20:04We knew it wasn't going to be easy, though, did we? Yeah.
20:07Oh well.
20:08With no engine and no means of towing, Claire and Tony are going to need a plan B.
20:14So we're going to kind of pole it down and navigate it, try to keep it as steady as possible,
20:20while Tony pulls it on the rope down the canal.
20:22So the boats, what are in situ, we'll have to just try and pull it round and stand on the
20:27boats
20:27and see how we go, really.
20:29So, let's go!
20:33Claire's plan is to get the tugboat several miles down the canal to Hebden Bridge,
20:38where it can be removed from the water for renovation works.
20:48Claire, push that back end round.
20:50Try it!
20:51In the good old days, this job was done by sturdy canal horses.
20:56Powerful, patient and perfectly suited to the task.
21:00Today, though...
21:03..it's been done by Claire and Tony.
21:06Thank God for horses.
21:10Whoop! I nearly fell again!
21:13We've got quite a way to go, apparently, about three hours.
21:17So we might not do it all today.
21:19It might be a case of getting to the pub, tying it up,
21:22and having a glass of wine.
21:25Quite heavy, is this ball?
21:26It's an arduous task, pulling the boat by hand,
21:29and around every bend, there's an obstacle to tackle.
21:34You got it?
21:35Yep.
21:37Or another lock.
21:39Yeah, I just closed this lock.
21:41Oh, it's a great helping, Claire.
21:43It's almost hard work.
21:44Always.
21:45Always is up in a bit more work than your aunties, mate.
21:47I did it, Tony.
21:48Yep.
21:49He's a good friend, yeah.
21:52In fact, I get a lot of help from boaters, actually.
21:54They're a really good bunch.
21:57And by a stroke of good luck...
21:59Oh, yeah, don't go in.
22:00I can take you to the next lock.
22:03To the pub!
22:04Eh?
22:05To the pub!
22:06I can't take them.
22:07To the next lock.
22:08Yeah, that'd be brilliant.
22:14God, you're a star, love.
22:18It turns out Claire and the Good Samaritan have a lot in common.
22:22She's actually a cruising Caffey boat at the moment.
22:26They do cream teas or something.
22:27So I might be cheeky and say, look, would you mind taking us rest of the way?
22:30And obviously I'll pay her.
22:32And it seems Claire's Caffey's reputation precedes her.
22:35I follow Shanta T-Boat.
22:38It's kind of nice to put a face to the business.
22:42She says, bud.
22:42Let me change some ideas as well.
22:44Yeah, it's good.
22:47That's nice of her to do that, though, isn't it?
22:54Claire and Tony have been saved hours of dragging the tugboat
22:58and possibly a few blisters.
23:00But it's also not the first time a fellow boater has come to the rescue.
23:04I've had floods, leaks, explosions, broke down, many, many things.
23:10And over the years, the boat has just come together.
23:12And even boaters, I don't even know, just think it's a great community.
23:15It's brilliant.
23:16It's good fun as well.
23:17And the generosity of today's helper isn't lost on Tony.
23:21Yeah, I'll tell you some of that, ladies, a godsend,
23:23cos if I had to walk down there pulling this,
23:26I think she'll get a big bottle of wine later.
23:29Claire don't be paying, not me.
23:32See you last lot.
23:34So, we're heading to the slipway, just down there, which is Bronte Boat.
23:40And Laurie will come and lift it out of the water
23:42and transport it to its next destination.
23:44So, for today, we've pretty much done.
23:49Against all odds and logic,
23:52the crew have made it before losing the light.
24:01The day may have been testing, but Claire has a clear vision
24:05to make it all worthwhile.
24:07This bit is going to be a shed structure.
24:10And then this side will just be benches, so I can put plants on
24:14and basically have a greenhouse.
24:16But we're a long way off, yeah.
24:18I've still got to find the money to do it and the people to help me.
24:22But I think it's a good vision.
24:25It's been quite a day.
24:27Time for that big glass of wine.
24:30Coming up, things get stormy for Roger and Joe.
24:34Here it comes! Oh, no!
24:37Wow!
24:39And Michelle hits a tipping point.
24:52Life on the water offers a peaceful and calm escape from the daily grind.
24:57But it also comes with a unique set of risks.
25:00And when something goes wrong, it can quickly turn catastrophic.
25:05That's when the River and Canal Rescue spring into action.
25:09They're a nationwide team of experts
25:11and today they've been called to the Oxford Canal
25:13where a badly damaged boat has sunk to the canal bed.
25:18We have a 40 to 45-foot narrow boat that has sunken.
25:22We're not sure why it sank or how it's ended up in the middle of the canal.
25:26Nobody really knows.
25:28Pete is leading a team to carefully raise and recover the sunken wreck.
25:32The plan of action is we'll get all our kit down here on a floating pontoon.
25:37We'll get the pontoon next to the boat with all our equipment,
25:40get the pumps deployed into it and pump the water out.
25:44And then it should, hopefully, float back up again.
25:47As they carry out their vital work,
25:50it's important their expertise is passed on.
25:52So the River and Canal Rescue run an apprenticeship programme,
25:56training the next generation to support the network into the future.
26:00We've actually got a young girl, Abby, coming with us.
26:04She's been through our apprenticeship scheme as an engineer.
26:07She passed her theory exam and this is her third rescue she's coming on now,
26:12so it should be interesting for her.
26:16Rescues do tend to be nerve-wracking because I'm still sort of new to it all.
26:20I'll just try and do what I've got to do.
26:22It's going to be interesting.
26:27We've just had a wrecking inside the boat, see if there's any debris that's floating.
26:31We've now got to seal this back door, seal the front door, then we'll start pumping.
26:42As the boat rises to the surface and the interior waterline drops,
26:47a clearer and more sinister picture begins to emerge.
26:51This engine's been messed with though, there's no cap on the engine.
26:55I think they've all been robbed, mate.
26:56There's no batteries, pipework, everything's gone.
27:00They've robbed the toilet, everything except the engine.
27:04For Pete and the team, the priority now is to clear the canal and make it safe.
27:14Back on the River Thames, Roger and Joe are having a mid-cruise snack.
27:20Mm-hmm. Yeah? Delicious.
27:22Thank you, baby. You're welcome.
27:23They're off to the Cotswolds to host a special charity paint and sip event.
27:28This is our first time doing an art event in the Cotswolds in Burford,
27:32which is a beautiful little village, I think.
27:35I'm American, I don't know, it's a village, a town, it's not a city,
27:38but whatever it is, it's beautiful.
27:41The Cotswolds' quintessential charm is sure to inspire Joe,
27:46whose art draws inspiration from their travel.
27:48This is actually right before Ellesmere, there's a place called Blakemere,
27:51probably one of my favourite places that we've been on the boat.
27:54I've had this for a long time. He comes with us wherever we live,
27:57we seem to hang him up on the wall and that becomes home.
28:00Since I was a kid, I've painted and drawn and, like any artist,
28:04I think we change from one thing to another on a weekly basis.
28:06But it keeps your creativity alive, I think, to try new things and experiment and explore.
28:13And as they reach this picture-perfect part of the world,
28:17it's hard to imagine Joe hesitated to return.
28:20When we first moved back over here, I was a little bit depressed about it.
28:25I didn't want to come, really.
28:27I really wanted to come back for my family.
28:28I missed them a lot, but I didn't really think that England was anything special.
28:34But since we've been back, we've been travelling this way,
28:37it's really changed things for me.
28:39I've really fallen in love with my country again,
28:42and that's been really special.
28:45It's unique. There's nowhere else like it.
28:47It's the nature, the peace, the quiet, the countryside I love,
28:52and the history as well.
28:53There's a lot of history here, and I didn't appreciate that when I lived here before.
28:56I think I had to leave and then come back.
28:59Because, you know, living in America for a while,
29:01there's not much history there at all.
29:03So here I'm kind of like, wow, look at that.
29:05The UK's rich history may have rekindled Joe's love for home,
29:10but for Roger, it's something he's never taken for granted.
29:14I will say we have very limited history.
29:16She is right, which is why I love it in the UK.
29:19The Thames is riddled with history. It's amazing.
29:21The Vikings probably came right down this river. Incredible stuff.
29:29One thing we've certainly got in the UK is weather.
29:32And it's turning again, with a storm on the horizon.
29:36Well, it's right here. Oh, no.
29:40That's not a good sign, is it?
29:41Nope.
29:42I think there's a storm coming.
29:46Holy...
29:47And it just sealed.
29:49And I saw a flash of lightness.
29:51We're scared.
29:52A lot of me.
29:53We're gonna get wet.
29:55With storm clouds closing in,
29:57it's a race to the mooring at Lech Lane.
30:00We've had sun, we've had rain, and now we've had literally lightning and thunder.
30:04We're gonna get very wet in a minute.
30:06No, we're not.
30:06Don't worry.
30:07Be positive.
30:08Gotta keep a...
30:09Are we going between these?
30:10Positive spirit.
30:14Oh, my word.
30:18Oh, no. Here it comes, for real.
30:20You can see it in the distance.
30:21I told you.
30:22Oh, my word.
30:23It's gonna be bad.
30:24Here it comes.
30:26Oh, no.
30:28Wow.
30:30In the midst of the storm, they need to moor up fast.
30:35Okay.
30:35He said go here.
30:37Why?
30:37Because it's shallow.
30:44Hammer it in.
30:47Oh, my goodness.
30:49Oh, Kenny.
30:52Woo.
30:55Good.
30:55Breathe.
30:57Despite being soaked through, they made it safely to Lech Lane in plenty of time for their art event.
31:04I was a little bit concerned about getting struck by lightning.
31:07I was as well.
31:08What do you say we'd go to the pub?
31:10Uh, good idea.
31:10For a celebratory drink and find a fireplace.
31:12Also, that pub said they might do a paint and zip event with us, so I want to go and
31:16check it out.
31:17Okay.
31:18And a drink sounds good.
31:21I'd go for, uh, yeah, a hot cup of chocolate.
31:24The babies.
31:25Could be persuaded.
31:30Back in Garstang Marina, Michelle's been busy recruiting neighbours to her community outreach project.
31:37I think today's been a success.
31:39I feel really driven that this is something that's needed.
31:42You know, it can be a lonely life being a boater.
31:45Sometimes people might just want a cup of tea and a chat.
31:47But whatever it is, I want to help them.
31:50The plan is to create a friendly network of boaters who give a few hours each week to help when
31:56needed.
31:56I wouldn't be where I am now if all these people hadn't helped me along the way.
32:01So it's about paying it forward.
32:03And today Michelle herself is a boater in need.
32:06Can we have a look at what we're going to be doing next week, next Thursday?
32:11Yeah.
32:12Even though she's been a boater for two years, she's not had the confidence to explore the Tidal River Ribble.
32:18So this is the skipper guide?
32:20This is the skipper guide.
32:21So they give you a map.
32:22Our neighbour Izzy has offered to take her out on a confidence building test cruise.
32:26John and I have done it twice in our own boat.
32:30We're not experts.
32:31We just love it.
32:32We just absolutely love it.
32:34It's...
32:34I think the boating life, Michelle will tell you, the boating life, it just gets into your blood.
32:39Yeah.
32:39And it's really difficult to come away from it.
32:43You know yourself.
32:43When I first came into this marina, I couldn't even sail properly.
32:48And everything was nerve-wracking.
32:49But you guys really helped me and sort of made me feel calm.
32:53I think you'll find that the boating community generally, everybody helps everybody.
32:58John and Izzy helped inspire the community outreach project.
33:02And with the Ribble Link crews approaching, their knowledge is invaluable.
33:07It's Tidal, so as you come out of the lock, you come out at full belt and basically you turn
33:15right.
33:16But as you get to full belt, the tide hits and the boat sits for a couple of seconds without
33:22doing anything.
33:22OK.
33:23That's the thing that frightens most people.
33:25OK.
33:26Michelle is co-piloting Izzy's boat through a series of locks, including a three-lock staircase and a tidal lock,
33:34out onto the Ribble Link, which connects the Lancaster Canal to the rest of the network.
33:40When I first bought the boat two years ago, I'd never sailed a boat before.
33:43I knew absolutely nothing.
33:44My intention is for next season to do the Link myself, but as a solo boater.
33:51So, yeah, challenging, alleviating any fears, practising, that's the idea.
33:59With the adventure happening in a few days and her grandkids arriving shortly after, she has a lot of work
34:05to do.
34:06Yeah, I've got to get this done quick because the Ribble Link takes the best part of a day to
34:11get across.
34:13And then once we're across, I'll come back to the marina and carry on where I left off with the
34:18DIY.
34:19Since moving on, she's renovated her whole boat.
34:22I just wanted to put my stamp on it and make her a little bit more homely, a little bit
34:27more girly, a bit more modern.
34:30And today, she's re-panelling her bedroom before her grandkids join her for a fun-filled weekend.
34:36I'm definitely not your normal nana.
34:39However, DIY can be a struggle in such a small space.
34:47OK, done. Fingers crossed.
34:54OK, so it does need a little bit more off that side.
35:00I haven't got very good spatial awareness, so this is the bit that I can't translate what I've seen in
35:06there to this.
35:10No, that didn't help, so I am going to have to take a bit more of this out.
35:15But with a bit of patience...
35:17That's perfect, perfect, perfect.
35:20..a little ingenuity...
35:24..and brute force.
35:25Perfect.
35:27When in doubt, get the hammer out.
35:30Yeah, I'm happy.
35:32..Michelle has earned a much-needed rest.
35:34There's worse places to be sat having a beer of an evening.
35:40Tastes even better when you've worked, Pod.
35:47Coming up, Roger gets boxed in.
35:52You're not going to be able to carry that.
35:54Ridiculous.
35:55And Ted and Claire are left hanging.
35:58I feel a little bit nervous. I've got butterflies.
36:09Over in Hebden Bridge, Claire has made it to the dock where Ted the Tugboat
36:13is about to be craned out of the water, ready for essential works.
36:19We're attempting to get it out of the water on the slipway.
36:23So, with a bit of luck, we'll be firing it.
36:25The guy is a professional, he knows what he's doing.
36:27So, fingers and toes crossed, we're all good.
36:29I'm just going to untie my rope now and start the process.
36:33Right, Claire, you ready?
36:35Right, we're ready.
36:36We're off.
36:36Woo-hoo!
36:37Scary moment!
36:45As the crane moves into action, Claire's nerves may need more work
36:50than the boat itself.
36:51I feel a little bit nervous.
36:53I've got butterflies.
36:55So, that's Tugboat Ted up in the air, ready to go back on the truck.
36:59But she's more than happy to share her grand plans with anyone who'll listen.
37:04I'm going to turn it into a shed, greenhouse,
37:06and just pull it along with my cappy boat and storage, you know.
37:11Worst-case scenario, it's another wreck off the water in here,
37:15because it'd just been left to sink.
37:21Now Tugboat Ted's loaded, we're on his way to Rawcliff,
37:25which is like a marina.
37:27So, it's going to be transported there, then put on a hard standing,
37:31so then I can start looking at what needs doing
37:34and what I can salvage and how we can fix it up.
37:37So, that's the next plan.
37:38It's a straight motorway run.
37:40Easy peasy.
37:41We're on the move now.
37:44Easy peasy.
37:45If they can get out of the car park.
37:48It's a bit tight.
37:49We've only got quite a small space.
37:51So, I thought we were going to wipe that post out of the hand.
37:54Oh!
37:54Something's happening.
38:07The convoy is ready to hit the road.
38:10Claire and Tony will follow behind as Ted the Tugboat
38:14trades canals for carriageways.
38:18Work starts now, doesn't it? This is the easy bit.
38:21Well, yeah, we've done our bit, haven't we?
38:23No.
38:23We've done the easy bit.
38:25Easy bit? That weren't easy.
38:26Oh, we've done the easy bit.
38:27You reckon?
38:28Yeah.
38:29It's going to be easy fixing it up for sure.
38:32I see loads of stuff on YouTube.
38:33We've been building all sorts of stuff.
38:35If they can do it, I can do it.
38:36Of course you can.
38:37I'll lend you my tolls.
38:39Pleasure.
38:41Despite an hour and a half of lively debate...
38:44You'll end up a junk room.
38:45It won't end up a junk room.
38:46It will.
38:46It won't well.
38:48The 53 miles east of Rawcliff Marina by road
38:52has been the smoothest part of their journey so far.
38:55Oh!
38:58Ooh!
38:59Looks fine.
39:00Looking good, isn't it?
39:01Yeah, yeah.
39:02So, this is where it'll stay now in Rawcliff
39:04until eventually I get it fixed up.
39:05Er, and then we'll bob it back in the water probably over there.
39:09Er, and then off I'll go.
39:11Simple as.
39:13But Ted's going to need another lift before his facelift.
39:17Let's just go up and get it over that fence okay
39:19and clear this pylon.
39:24After many miles, one pop dinghy,
39:27and a few friendly favours later,
39:29Ted's journey is almost over.
39:32Have we got a new boat?
39:33We've got a new boat, Mabel.
39:37And with no last-minute surprises,
39:39there's a collective sigh of relief
39:42and a few celebratory hugs.
39:44Thank you so much, Lowell.
39:46You're welcome.
39:48You're both a pair of stars.
39:50Welcome to the family.
39:51I know, I can't wait to get stuck in.
39:53I'm excited.
39:54He's acing it.
39:58Chuck bought Ted.
40:01In Oxfordshire, it's a big day for Roger and Joe.
40:05We are about to go for our first paint and sip event in Burford.
40:10So I have 30 people that are coming to paint their pets.
40:14Theoretically, once they're done,
40:15they should walk home with something like this.
40:18This is from a previous, or here's Penny.
40:21And here's Sophie.
40:22So as our first event, we want it to be really good.
40:26With a big turnout expected,
40:28the first challenge is getting the supplies to the venue.
40:33You're not going to be able to carry that.
40:35Ridiculous.
40:36Having a business and living on a boat.
40:39We should have thought of something with a few less items needed.
40:43A few less supplies.
40:45With all that gubbins to squeeze in,
40:47even a 70-foot narrowboat is a little short on space.
40:51Our whole spare bedroom is a storage room,
40:53and our car stores the rest.
40:55And you should see the car. It's already full.
40:58Is that it?
40:59Yeah, keys are there.
41:03Should have pulled the car down here.
41:05Thankfully, half the stuff's in the car already.
41:08Yeah, that's what I worry about.
41:10Nice.
41:12Joe is the Tetris master, is what I call her.
41:15It is ridiculous.
41:16If you're going to live on a boat and start a business,
41:19don't do paint and sip.
41:22Thanks to Joe's Tetris triumph, they're soon on the move.
41:26And it's only a short drive from Lechlade
41:28through the Cotswold countryside to beautiful Burford,
41:32where the venue awaits.
41:39Oh, yeah, everything didn't fall out.
41:41Good.
41:42But there's no time to spare.
41:45The dynamic duo need to get a wriggle on.
41:47You all right?
41:49Yeah, if I'm taller, that's fine.
41:51Here.
41:51That's it.
41:52Is that it?
41:53De-dee.
41:54Nice.
41:55Yeah.
41:57Yeah, great banner, babe.
42:00So we brought all this equipment over from America.
42:03All these easels that you see,
42:05we literally put them on a ship and brought it over here.
42:08They've gone the extra mile to make sure the participants
42:11find the class accessible and fun.
42:14Basically how it works is before the event,
42:16once they've signed up,
42:17they email me a picture of their pet
42:19and then I sit there for many hours
42:21drawing everyone's pet onto the canvas for them
42:24so it's ready for them when they get here
42:26so they're not painting from a white blank canvas,
42:28which is a little bit intimidating.
42:31Finally, it's time for the party to begin.
42:34Thank you guys for coming on tonight.
42:36I am Roger.
42:37I will be your entertainment for the evening.
42:40To get you guys kind of broken in,
42:42we're going to start with something very unscaring.
42:44We're going to do a nice, easy thing first.
42:47Painting in a group like this can be a little intimidating,
42:51but Jo's on hand with expert advice
42:54to make sure that everyone gets into the swing of things.
42:58I'm really enjoying the process.
43:02At first when I started mixing colours
43:03I wasn't sure it was going to come out well,
43:06but now it's coming together.
43:07I'm loving it.
43:08It's so much fun.
43:10This is where everything starts to come together.
43:13In the finishing stretch, guys,
43:16you're almost there.
43:19We are mixing!
43:20We are mixing!
43:22Wow.
43:23It was amazing.
43:24It was so much fun.
43:25The music was great.
43:26I never ever thought I'd be able to paint something like that.
43:29It's given me a bit of confidence.
43:30I've been thinking for a while about maybe taking some art classes.
43:34Yeah, I think I'm probably going to do it again.
43:36It's been a resounding success with happy guests and happy hosts.
43:40Tonight went amazing.
43:42It's great to be in this area finally.
43:44To see people kind of go through that process of, you know,
43:49I hate it and I can't do this and then they come out the other end.
43:52Like, oh, I'm really proud of myself.
43:53I've done something that I didn't think I could do.
43:55It's really...
43:57That really means a lot to me.
43:59That drives me, I think.
44:00With the night drawing to an end, it's time for Roger and Joe to celebrate,
44:05before setting off on their journey along the Thames.
44:10Next time, Roger and Joe get stuck in with a bit of manual labour.
44:15Push, push.
44:16Keep pushing, keep pushing.
44:18I feel like I'm giving birth.
44:20Claire's project plans hang in the balance.
44:23Just like, wobbling all over in it.
44:26Can't look.
44:28And hats off to Michelle as she makes it onto the River Ribble.
44:32Wow.
44:33Look at this.
44:35This is what we call an adventure.
44:50Space unserer birthday.
44:55It's a brave viewer to find myself to find yourself.
45:04So we can have Bangkok in the Berlin resolution,
45:05just one day to Fort Doom School.
45:05Just Gilda Trumb and Joe are also going to be dedicated to the New York to where her career work.
45:05we're going to the bottom of for two days.
45:06Eachよろ discussions is everyone else to have flesh.
45:09It's the backdrop of families.
45:10Today we've been offering lots of grande collections andraz
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