Narrow Escapes Season 1 Episode 5

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Transcript

00:00The Great British Canal Network.

00:04Hey, how are you?

00:06The picturesque escape for those who've swapped bricks and mortar

00:10for a new life on the water.

00:13Would you still live in a house? No.

00:15But is it really domestic bliss?

00:17Ah! Gee, this one's scaring me.

00:20When embracing a sustainable off-grid lifestyle...

00:23This bit is quite unpleasant.

00:25..will these intrepid Brits stay afloat?

00:29Welcome to boating.

00:30Or will they be cast adrift?

00:32I've got no paddles.

00:34Whether they're experienced boaters...

00:36I just think this is epic.

00:38..or novices at the tiller...

00:39I'm going to crash!

00:41..do they have what it takes to live out their dreams...

00:44I feel a bit lucky.

00:46..and find their narrow escape?

00:49Coming up, the Chuggerbug family venture inland...

00:52Two adults, two children, please.

00:54Are you ready?

00:55Yeah, it's breathtaking.

00:57Paul and Anthony say goodbye to the original Morning Star

01:00as they prepare for life aboard their new vessel.

01:03Brilliant, isn't it?

01:05And with Carrie's home improvements finally completed,

01:08is she happy with the result?

01:10All the compromise I wanted was a full-length mirror,

01:12so I've made sure that I had to have that.

01:21In Northamptonshire, married couple Paul and Anthony Storey-Smith

01:26have boarded up in the Crick Wharf Marina on the Grand Union Canal

01:29and have spent their last night on their old boat, the Morning Star.

01:33Busy day, Dexter.

01:34The sooner we do this, Dexter,

01:36the sooner we've got more space on that new boat.

01:39And the morning after the Crick Boat Show,

01:41they and dog Dexter are getting ready to make a short trip

01:45and move the old boat from the Wharf Marina to the main marina.

01:49Are we packing up, then?

01:51Yeah, let me put some socks on.

01:54We've got a few boxes on board.

01:56We've just been given a load of bags by our neighbours

01:58cos we didn't want to be packing in bin bags.

02:00It just doesn't look nice, does it?

02:02And even though they've got to leave their current boat today,

02:06they haven't started packing yet.

02:08We had a barbecue last night with friends

02:10and they've all offered help today, so that'll be amazing.

02:15Morning, Wayne. How are you? Yeah, good.

02:18I was going to say, have you got lunches sorted for you and everybody?

02:22If not, we could come over at lunchtime and bring a load of sandwiches.

02:25Oh, Wayne, that would be amazing. Oh, thank you. Brilliant.

02:28Thank you so much. Thanks a lot.

02:30That's what we were saying yesterday about the boating community.

02:33It's just like, that's what you get all the time.

02:35Dom, come on. Come on, you'll be wandering off.

02:38Come on. How close are we to setting off? I think we're close.

02:41Right, so we're going to get the tiller on

02:43and then head over to our new boat.

02:48Somebody said last night, it's your last night on the boat,

02:50and we were exhausted, so we didn't even think about it.

02:52We just fell asleep about 10.30 last night.

02:55The past two months have been the busiest of our lives, we think.

02:58People get asking us at the show what we're going to do next

03:00and where we're cruising to.

03:02We just want to go round the corner, somewhere quiet

03:04and just chill for a couple of days, we think.

03:06And many of their boating buddies, including Caroline and Pete,

03:10are here to help them with the move.

03:12I mean, it's literally one of the tightest marines in the country,

03:15this, to get in and out of. Yeah.

03:17Good job I'm at the tiller point. I reversed it in.

03:20I was going to say, false defence, it's hard to get in and get out.

03:23Oh, get lost! Hey!

03:25Right, guys, we'll see you in a bit.

03:31Yeah, this has been the toughest marina

03:33we've ever had to get out of, the angle and the concrete.

03:36It's really difficult, isn't it? Yeah.

03:38The reason that most marinas have a really tight entrance into them

03:42is so they can block them off.

03:44When the canal drains, they can drop blocks of wood down

03:47to stop the water draining out.

03:49Yeah, annoying stuff. I know.

03:51Very knowledgeable.

03:55See you later, have fun. See you later.

03:58With everything going on, they haven't yet decided

04:01on their next destination.

04:03We've discussed Stratford. Yeah.

04:05Somebody's said about doing the Thames.

04:07Don't know if I'm ready for that quite yet.

04:10But we definitely want to do some of the southern canals,

04:13and I think the next couple of days we're just going to get out here,

04:16just chill, and then make some sort of plan.

04:19Yeah, we need a rest, and so does Dexter, doesn't he? Yeah.

04:22Paul and Anthony have been on this boat for nearly three years,

04:26and it's proving difficult to say goodbye.

04:28I know this is our last cruise as well. I know.

04:31It's a bit more sad now,

04:33that we know we'll never steer this boat again.

04:36Yeah, she's been a great boat,

04:38and you almost feel like you're betraying the boat, don't you?

04:41Yeah.

04:42As they turn into the main marina,

04:44their last journey on the original Morningstar comes to an end.

04:48This does feel really sad, doesn't it? Yeah.

04:50It's the last time, well, start of a new chapter, isn't it?

04:53Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

05:00OK.

05:02The journey in their new home is just beginning,

05:05and with its modern, unique design,

05:07it's Paul and Anthony's dream boat,

05:09and they hope they're forever home.

05:11Boatbuilder Liam is on board to greet them.

05:15Well, welcome home, guys. Thank you. Thank you very much.

05:18Oh, wow. Yeah.

05:20She looks amazing. Yeah. She does.

05:23I bet it's strange not having a queue from door to door of people.

05:28Over the course of the Crick Boat Festival,

05:30over 3,000 people came to see Paul and Anthony's new boat,

05:34and it has some serious green credentials

05:37powered by two kilowatt solar panels.

05:40It features electric appliances throughout, requiring no gas or coal,

05:44as well as a silent electric engine.

05:47And that's not all.

05:49From an off-grid perspective, it's incredible.

05:52I think they did a great job. And the inclusion of the copper.

05:55Yeah, I think that just carries that on. It looks brilliant.

05:58Yeah. All the materials are sustainably sourced,

06:00maybe come from recycling, all are sustainable in one way or the other.

06:03I think you've done a great job, guys.

06:05You've done a great job. I'm really chuffed, thank you.

06:08Aw, it's going to be really sad, because we're saying goodbye to you

06:11and the team and saying goodbye to our old boat.

06:13We're not saying goodbye to the team. I'll be here next week for dinner.

06:19Oh, we've got a lot to do, haven't we? We'd better start packing.

06:22We've not packed a single thing yet.

06:24We have. I've cleaned the bathroom cupboard up.

06:26All my toiletries, yeah. You've done really well.

06:28All my aftershaves. Make sure they're in there.

06:30That's the essential. I've sorted out my sock drawer.

06:34So it's when you've got socks and aftershave? Yeah. Brilliant.

06:37That'll do. Time to crack on with the move.

06:40Fortunately, the canal cavalry has arrived.

06:52It's a beautiful morning in Rodley on the Leeds-Liverpool Canal,

06:56and while most boaters are fast asleep,

06:58full-time cruisers Gary Phillips and Nicky Stirling

07:01aboard the Chugger Bug have taken a break from homeschooling Noah and Lily

07:06and have already been up for hours for a very special reason.

07:10It's little Noah's eighth birthday today,

07:12so we had to get up and prepare stuff and decorate the boat and everything.

07:16Been a busy morning on Chugs this morning.

07:18The early start seems to be worth it,

07:20and with the trip planned, Noah's in for a busy day.

07:24Dale's saying hello. He's singing Happy Birthday now.

07:27Thank you, Dale.

07:29Lucky boy Noah has lots of presents to open.

07:36Bubble ball. Shall we go with that later? Yeah. Yes?

07:40I still think that's a bad idea.

07:44It's huge, Lily. It goes about this big.

07:47Like a bubble you can play with.

07:49How many times are we going to get that out the canal?

07:54With the gifts unwrapped, it's time to lock up

07:56to take Noah out for his next birthday treat.

07:58Shall we shut the blinds? Yes, yeah.

08:05People are intrigued. They want to look in a narrowboat.

08:08I know some friends of mine, they were sat having dinner

08:11and literally a lady put her head through the porthole and said,

08:14oh, look, there's people having dinner in here.

08:17Well, yeah, this is our home.

08:19People are amazed that we've got a television

08:22and that we can walk in a narrowboat.

08:24That we can stand up, yeah.

08:26A lot of people think we crawl around the floor.

08:28Yeah, because you've got to remember,

08:30our feet now are 2.5 feet under the water.

08:33With Chug safely locked up, Gary calls for a taxi.

08:37Hi, mate. You going to Middleton Railway?

08:40The family are off to Middleton to see the world's oldest railway.

08:44Hi, thank you.

08:46Two adults, two children, please.

08:50Young Noah may love his life on the water,

08:53but it's clear that he also can't get enough of trains.

08:56Are you ready?

09:03I like anything a bit like me, old.

09:07I like old stuff. History.

09:10We love history and this is how it all started.

09:13But, I mean, unfortunately, the steam trains

09:16took it away from the narrowboats, from the canal boats working.

09:20There's progress, but, yeah, it's nice to see.

09:23And ironically now, the canals are coming back.

09:26Is it like being on the boat?

09:28It is a bit, isn't it?

09:30We don't usually go this far.

09:36Come on, mate, come on.

09:38Oh, it means the world to all of us, really,

09:41just to see him happy and enjoying himself, yeah.

09:44Because they're so good and they help out on the boat

09:46and they help with the locks and they're so patient with us

09:49when we're doing long journeys and things,

09:51so it's lovely to see them out and enjoying themselves, yeah.

09:54Aren't you a lucky boy?

09:56Really excited and happy.

09:58Really excited and happy.

10:01He's had a lovely time, hasn't he?

10:03He's had a great time, he's really enjoyed it.

10:05I think the highlight for him was when the chap let him go

10:08on the footplate of that old train, 1890 train.

10:12You get to blow the whistle.

10:14So, yeah, it's been an enjoyable day, brilliant day.

10:16Lovely day, really enjoyed it.

10:18It's not over yet. No, still going.

10:20We've got cake. We've got cake. Yeah.

10:22After finishing at Middleton Railway,

10:24the family go full steam ahead to a local pub

10:27where Noah's grandparents are waiting to see the birthday boy.

10:35Where have we been today? Where did we go today?

10:38We've been to a train place.

10:41And somebody hasn't spotted something on the table.

10:44I think he just has.

10:48Happy birthday to you.

10:51Go on, sunshine.

10:53Go on, then.

10:55Oh!

10:57Yay!

11:02Is that nice? Good boy.

11:04Have you had a lovely day?

11:11Coming up, can Carrie's long-awaited flooring be fitted?

11:15Now we know why it's called a narrowboat, right?

11:18And the Chuggerbug family take a wrong turn.

11:21Come on, dogs.

11:23I don't really know where I'm going, I'm just following.

11:35In Doncaster, 25-year-old boat novice Carrie Moores

11:39has been going through a bit of a nightmare

11:41trying to source a flooring company

11:43that will fit new flooring in her floating home.

11:48The specifications of the narrowboat

11:50present a unique set of challenges

11:52that many flooring companies are just not equipped to deal with.

11:58Undeterred, she's busy with her favourite hobby

12:01of painting and decorating

12:03whilst discovering a new way of drinking tea.

12:06What?!

12:08The hell?!

12:10That has never happened to anyone ever

12:12and my full cup of tea is gone!

12:14Just having a bit of Yorkshire tea gold.

12:18Mmm!

12:20Oh, no! Oh!

12:22It's gone down my kitchen cupboard!

12:29After weeks of persistent phone calls and extensive searches,

12:33Carrie has had a breakthrough.

12:35And has finally found a flooring company based in London

12:38who were willing to take on the challenge.

12:41And today, the long-awaited moment has arrived.

12:44And Carrie couldn't be more excited

12:46to see the flooring crew pull up in their van

12:48to her narrowboat, Mabel.

12:52Morning! How you doing?

12:54Not bad, thanks. How are you?

12:56Good to see you, yeah. How you doing, all right?

12:58Yeah, not bad. Nice to meet you.

13:00Carrie, good morning.

13:02Carrie, with the help of mum Della,

13:04has moved all the furniture out of the way

13:06and is excited to see the professionals are ready and eager

13:10to tackle the task at hand.

13:12Hold tight, hold tight. Here we go.

13:14Now we know why it's called a narrowboat, right?

13:17But this particular flooring company

13:20have never worked on a narrowboat before.

13:25Well, I might have to get the manual out, you know.

13:27It's pretty big. I'm not used to jobs this size.

13:30It's taking me longer to get in and do it.

13:32No, it's all right. I think we'll be able to manage.

13:34Do you want them brown side up or black side up?

13:37Yeah, well, I've been deliberating.

13:39I think we'll go with brown. I'm only joking.

13:42I know. I'm joking.

13:44As the fitting begins, Carrie lets the experts get on with their jobs.

13:50But flooring fitter Jamie is curious about Carrie's new lifestyle.

13:55So what's made you live on a boat?

13:57I fancied it when I were old and then I was like,

13:59why when I'm old? Why not now?

14:02So it just sold me out. This is where you live?

14:05Yeah, sold me out. Moved here.

14:07Sold you? Really? Yeah.

14:09It was a three-bed house for just me and dogs, so...

14:11All right. So what do you do?

14:13You stay here all the time or do you just shift about?

14:15Stay here all the time. I've got a job that's local to here.

14:18Can't go too far other than taking it on holidays.

14:21A lot of upkeep, though, innit, the boat?

14:23Yeah, it's hard work. You have to obviously fill your water,

14:26empty toilet, all that.

14:28Right, and obviously keep it painted and...

14:31Someone will help me do that.

14:34Well, you've got enough paint on your body,

14:36you want to start getting some on your boat?

14:38Do you know what I mean? Yeah.

14:40Come on, young lady, show her it works.

14:44In amongst the hustle and bustle,

14:46and clearly fascinated by Carrie's choice

14:49to swap a comfy, roomy house for a narrowboat,

14:52Jamie is eager to know more about her decision.

14:55Carrie? Yeah?

14:57How long have you been on the boat?

14:59Since Feb.

15:01Is it something you're glad you did?

15:03Oh, absolutely, yeah, definitely.

15:05I wouldn't change it. I love it.

15:07Do you need a licence or anything to drive one of these boats?

15:10So, you don't have any licence...

15:12You have to have a licence to be on the water,

15:14but you don't have any, like, lessons or...

15:16Like a driving lesson? No, no, no.

15:18Oh, my God, so they let you loose on this?

15:20Anyone can apply for a licence, basically.

15:23While the flooring crew focuses on their task,

15:26Carrie waits patiently out of the way on top of Mabel.

15:35Back on the Leeds-Liverpool Canal,

15:37Gary is taking a cruise to Snae Gill in Skipton,

15:40with the ever-reliable Chuggerbug doing all the hard work.

15:44The name of the boat came from the noise that the old boats made,

15:48and they always used to say,

15:50I can't wait to be on the waterways

15:52and listening to the engine going, chugga-bugga, chugga-bugga.

15:55So, that's where the name Chuggerbug came from.

15:57While Chugs is working overtime on the next leg of the adventure,

16:00Nicky is inside with Noah and Lily,

16:02who are doing some hard work of their own.

16:04So, if you look it up, and then you can do a little picture of it,

16:07like you did before, yeah?

16:09There's your pens.

16:10It is different, bringing a family up on a boat,

16:13as to, like, a conventional lifestyle.

16:16They both grew up in a house,

16:18so, you know, that was a big change for them, moving on to water.

16:22But I think it's a nice way of life.

16:24It's a more relaxed way of life, quite peaceful.

16:28They've seen so much of the UK, but, you know,

16:30and they're only eight and 11, and we've, you know, been so many places,

16:35they've seen so many things already.

16:37I'd love to have done that when I was little.

16:39It would have been fantastic, but, yeah, it is a nice way of life,

16:43a quieter way of life.

16:45But it's not all fun and adventures.

16:47Gary and Nicky run the kids through the full syllabus.

16:50The homeschooling, they do the same dates, if you like,

16:56as mainstream schools, but they only do three hours a day.

16:59We normally start at nine and then finish at midday,

17:02and if we're doing museums or walks around on a Saturday,

17:07we tend to class that as their schooling,

17:09so they'll have a day off in the week.

17:12And today is another educational field trip,

17:15as the family are trekking to Malham Cove.

17:19Just turn these over, won't be a minute, kids.

17:24The whole idea of this lifestyle

17:27is enjoying where you are at the moment,

17:31so we'll always go out exploring.

17:33People think, you know, oh, roses and castles on a narrowboat.

17:36It isn't always that. It can be really hard work, can't it?

17:41You have bad weather, you have to move,

17:43it can be slippy and icy conditions, the towpaths are muddy.

17:48It's not always all twinkly.

17:50It can be hard work, but I still wouldn't swap it.

17:53But, yeah, we've got everything on this boat.

17:55We've got double-glazed windows, power shower.

18:00You know, we're central heating, so we're not cold.

18:03We've got a log and coal burner.

18:06Too hot, more than anything. Too hot, yeah.

18:09Refuelled and energised, it's time for the family to lock up

18:12and begin their adventure to the top of Malham Cove.

18:17We're going to Malham Cove. It's a nice day,

18:19so it'll be nice to take the kids out. I've never been.

18:22They see a lot when we're on the canals that other kids don't see,

18:25but Malham Cove's quite a bit of a tourist attraction up here,

18:28so, yeah, looking forward to seeing it. Somewhat different.

18:31Right, we're ready. Let's go.

18:33Come on. Come on, dogs.

18:35Come on, then.

18:37Going under the bridge. OK.

18:39Under the bridge, Noah.

18:43Malham Cove is over 80 metres high

18:46and the family are planning to climb all the way to the top,

18:49if they can find it.

18:51Do you know which way we're going?

18:53That way, I think.

18:55I've seen a load of people walk round that way.

18:58We're off, but we've got no idea where we're going.

19:01This way, I guess.

19:03Shall we follow them? Pretend we're...

19:05Know what we're doing, yeah.

19:07Look at this old blacksmith shop.

19:09Are we crossing over, Darlene?

19:11Erm...

19:13Oh, dear. Straight on, I suppose.

19:15Darlene appears to have got a bit lost.

19:17Maybe Noah knows the right direction.

19:19I don't really know where I'm going. I'm just following.

19:22Can you remember what it's called?

19:24Malham Cove.

19:26You've got it. You've got it. You remember. You remembered.

19:34Coming up...

19:36Della breaks out the paintbrush.

19:38Don't judge before I've finished it.

19:40It's an uphill battle for the Chuggerbug family.

19:42You didn't tell me that this was part of the deal.

19:44It's a long day for Paul and Anthony.

19:46We're going to be some time, I think, doing this.

19:48Oh, where do we start?

19:50It's just chaos.

19:59In Llangollen, North Wales,

20:01the tradition of horse-drawn boating is being kept alive,

20:04and this team of equestrian experts

20:06are preparing for today's return leg of the trip.

20:09Just slowing down the horse, ready to tie him up on this post,

20:12so then we can switch the horse around to the other end of the boat

20:15to make our trip back.

20:16Clearly, these boats don't have an engine,

20:18but they also don't have any brakes,

20:20which makes stopping a little bit of a challenge.

20:23We're slowing down the boat now.

20:25As you can see, Harley's pulling back on the rope

20:27to bring the boat to a stop, so then we'll switch it round.

20:30Dakota will go that end of the boat,

20:32and then the skipper will come this end of the boat,

20:34attach the rudder to this side, so then we can make our journey back.

20:37It's impossible to turn the whole boat round because it's so long.

20:40A little bit of a winding hole isn't a problem,

20:43and they're quickly back on their way.

20:45So we're on the home straight now, and he's doing very well.

20:48Very well.

20:50Hauling these boats is a lot of work,

20:52and it hasn't gone unnoticed by the guests.

20:55CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

20:58Spirits are high as they return to base,

21:01and Dakota can have a much-needed rest,

21:04ready for what promises to be a busy season

21:06for the Llangollen horse boats.

21:11Back on board Morningstar in Northamptonshire,

21:14Paul and Anthony are in the midst of moving,

21:17and to help, they've deployed their army of canal comrades.

21:21This is like a shed back home.

21:23Everything gets hidden in the bow.

21:25And you never know what you've got in there, do you?

21:28No.

21:29Got every type of fender going.

21:31Because we've no gas bottles for the new boat,

21:34we don't need to store coal anywhere.

21:36We've got a lot more storage, which is good.

21:38Paul's moving things from the old boat to their friends,

21:41who then pass them on to Anthony in the new boat.

21:44It's a slow system.

21:46We're going to be some time, I think, doing this.

21:48You guys haven't done this before, have you?

21:50LAUGHTER

21:52You needed us two days ago to pack everything up.

21:55Absolutely nothing.

21:58Oh, where do we start?

22:00Look at all this.

22:02I think we need a trip to the charity shop.

22:04The system quickly crumbles.

22:06There's no-one here to receive it.

22:08The system's broken already.

22:10And Anthony said as well,

22:12Paul's not allowed to put stuff in the cupboards

22:14unless he's going to start cooking.

22:18Oh, just chaos.

22:20And it's no wonder,

22:22as they haven't exactly been frugal over the years.

22:25Part of the reason we wanted to get a boat

22:27is because we believe in a minimalist lifestyle.

22:29And we've slowly filled it with stuff.

22:32Well, they both agree they've too many things.

22:35But it's not quite clear who's responsible for most of it.

22:38He tries to say it's me, but to be honest,

22:40you'll see how much I've got in comparison to how much Paul's got.

22:43He's definitely, definitely a hoarder.

22:45Isn't it human nature? You get something, you think,

22:47oh, I'll put that in a cupboard, I'll sort it out later,

22:49and before you know it, you've got piles of stuff.

22:51Are you ever going to use these giant gift bags, Anthony?

22:54No, I keep... Tell me about that. You keep, like, keeping them.

22:57I wouldn't say no other one might use them.

22:59Do we want this extension lead?

23:01Shall we take it just in case?

23:03Oh, no, cos that's what you do all the time.

23:05That's why I've got a cupboard full of nonsense.

23:10Shoes, rope, water bottle, protein and a cuddly toy.

23:16What the hell's that?

23:18So, is he going to keep these for something else now?

23:20No, no, don't let him keep anything else.

23:23But Anthony isn't totally innocent.

23:26Wool for one of Anthony's hobbies.

23:29He tells me, he thinks I'm the one with all the rubbish,

23:32he just hides it well.

23:34What's this?

23:35It's for Anthony's jigsaws, believe it or not.

23:37Oh, yeah. I do like a jigsaw.

23:39See, that's my crocheting.

23:41How impressive is that?

23:43Look, Caroline, that's my calligraphy set.

23:46Another one of my hobbies.

23:48I think I've opened it once.

23:51Lunch has arrived. Sandwiches, everybody.

23:54Cheese in the middle, tuna on the left.

23:56I'm only having another sandwich for TV purposes.

24:02Following lunch, and with renewed vigour,

24:05everyone is pulling together.

24:07But the clock is ticking.

24:09It was going to be a couple of hours.

24:12That was about eight hours ago.

24:15Even with the added storage and the new boat,

24:18it's tricky to find a place for everything.

24:21What we should have done is got rid of the TV, Anthony,

24:24and had a bookcase there.

24:26No.

24:27Because then I'd have to talk to you.

24:30While he pretends to be antisocial,

24:33it seems, in fact, Anthony is incredibly social.

24:36This whole shelf is now going to be the drinks cupboard.

24:39You've got very fancy champagne here.

24:42I know.

24:43Like, several bottles of very fancy champagne.

24:46You'll have to find some fancy friends.

24:48If anyone comes on board and they ask for a drink

24:51that you haven't got, that would just be a miracle.

24:53And that's not the only thing in abundance in Anthony's kitchen.

24:57They're for making, like, desserts, aren't they?

25:00It's a spiraliser from when I used to do courgette.

25:03What's that contraption?

25:05It's a little mini chopper.

25:07When we used to do cod with chorizo breadcrumb coating,

25:12we used that.

25:13One recipe? Yeah, one recipe.

25:15That doesn't justify it.

25:17That doesn't justify that space.

25:19Pineapple corer.

25:21Clearly you've got every single gadget going.

25:24Three different sized pineapples.

25:27You never know what size pineapple you're going to end up with.

25:30You've broken all the narrowboat rules, though.

25:32You just have the essentials.

25:34Yeah.

25:35There's another bottle of gin.

25:39Spirits are kept high with good friends around

25:42and soon all the work is done.

25:44All that's left to do is to say one final goodbye.

25:52It's been our home for two and a half years.

25:54It's been a fantastic boat.

26:01Yeah, I don't know.

26:02We've had some real happy memories on this.

26:04I think what's also quite sad is that we know we're going to be

26:07leaving, like, Pete and Caroline behind.

26:09Oh, yeah, make it worse.

26:11We wouldn't have got here without them, would we?

26:13We don't really know what we'd do without them afterwards.

26:16It feels like the end of one chapter and the start of another

26:19and that's the way we should look at it.

26:21It's sweet, but more sweet than bitter, I think.

26:26Going their separate ways, but lifelong friends.

26:33It's an emotional goodbye to the original Morning Star,

26:37but the start of something new for Paul and Anthony,

26:40and Dexter, of course.

26:43Back in Doncaster, Carrie is making some home improvements of her own

26:47and her flooring is almost complete.

26:50The carpet installation is currently taking place

26:53and not only did the flooring and carpet look good,

26:56but Carrie bagged a bargain.

26:59I think my flooring, like, 15 quid with the offcuts

27:03and the carpet were a tenner.

27:05It can't go wrong.

27:07The perk of having a carpet is that you don't have to worry

27:10that it can't go wrong.

27:12The perk of having this little space, you can get offcuts.

27:15These flooring and carpet fitters from London

27:17have never worked on a narrowboat,

27:19so naturally they're full of questions.

27:21Carrie? Yeah?

27:23How far do your parents live?

27:25My mum lives on this marina.

27:27Oh, she's another boating girl, is she?

27:29Well, she weren't. She got one when I got one, after me.

27:32One pulled up next to me for sale and then she bought it.

27:36Wow. I know.

27:39My mate thinks everyone wants it.

27:41Yeah, yeah, she will.

27:45And talking of Carrie's mum, on the other side of the marina,

27:49Della is enjoying her new favourite pastime, canal folk art.

27:55You've got to trust in the fact that it's not going to look dodgy.

27:59It does look dodgy to start off with.

28:01When I used to paint people's nails,

28:03I used to say, don't judge before I've finished it.

28:07Today, she's joined by her friend and neighbour Karen,

28:10who is a total novice to the craft.

28:14I have to have kind of like a dark red background, Karen,

28:17you know, behind the red, you know, them red petals?

28:20Oh, yeah, yeah.

28:21So, literally, I just paint a dark, dark red background,

28:24like just a ball. That's all I do.

28:27It's only a ball. OK.

28:29Don't wait for me to start.

28:32I'm learning from you.

28:35Della is fast becoming an expert

28:37in this traditional narrowboat painting style

28:40known as roses and castles.

28:43I mean, I only moved into Badge in March.

28:47I've lost count how many of these I've done now.

28:49I do enjoy doing a bit of arty stuff.

28:52It's really relaxing.

28:54I mean, I did art at school anyway.

28:57I loved it. I always have.

28:59And people used to say, I don't know how you've got patience,

29:02but it's better for me.

29:04I love it.

29:05I mean, when I was doing kitchen doors in there,

29:09I got carried away and when I woke up at two in the morning

29:12and I was still painting.

29:15And Karen's gone rogue.

29:18We'll just end up with a load of dots to start off with.

29:23Like X-Men.

29:25No, I meant a separate dot.

29:28A separate dot like that, not two dots.

29:32Oh, well, yours is going to be definitely unique.

29:37It's fair to say Karen's watering can

29:39is not quite the same as Della's.

29:43Mine just looks like planets.

29:46Oh, dear.

29:48When you said that you were absolutely useless at painting,

29:50I thought you might have been exaggerating a little bit.

29:53I know.

29:56At least I can have a laugh, can't I?

29:59Yeah.

30:00This is my first job.

30:02Where else could you sit outside with your neighbour painting flowers?

30:05It's nice that you had a go with me.

30:08Yeah.

30:09I'd have been sat here like Billy Nell, mate.

30:11Oh, no.

30:12Painting me buckets.

30:13Mind you, you're never on your own, really, are you?

30:15No.

30:16While the ladies are enjoying a bit of art and each other's company,

30:20Carrie's new floor is finally fitted and she's already moving back in.

30:25I love it.

30:26It looks lovely everywhere. I'm buzzing.

30:29I just need to top up my paint.

30:32That's it.

30:35And, of course, Della turns up to check out the new floor.

30:38And to no-one's surprise, the fitters were right.

30:42It's really nice. I want one.

30:45Carrie is buzzing with her new flooring

30:47and after months of work, Mabel is finally taking shape.

30:54It's a beautiful summer's day

30:56and the Chuggerbug crew are out on a field trip,

30:59trekking to the top of Malham Cove in North Yorkshire.

31:03Can you see where we're going?

31:04Can you see?

31:05Do you see it?

31:06There.

31:07Can you see it, Lilz?

31:08Mm-hm.

31:09The cove used to be a waterfall

31:11and was formed thousands of years ago by a large Ice Age river.

31:16The cliff is about 80 metres high and 300 metres wide.

31:20Wouldn't you have thought they'd have had little trains or taxis

31:23to take you there?

31:24You are so lazy!

31:25I'm not lazy!

31:26They're far from lazy.

31:27The Chuggerbug family have a keen sense of adventure

31:30and make the most out of their nomadic life.

31:33Beautiful.

31:35Imagine that as a waterfall.

31:39Carrie, it's easy.

31:40Mabel, be careful.

31:42Look how clear that is.

31:44Do you think it looks like the canal?

31:46There's a piece of pottery there.

31:47No, no way.

31:48Why is it not like the canal?

31:50The canal is dirty and full of poo.

31:52It's not full of poo.

31:54It's not full of poo.

31:55Well...

31:56It's not full of poo.

31:57Surrounded by clear waters and clearer skies,

32:01the Chuggerbug family start their ascent up the 420 steps.

32:06This is good fun.

32:07You didn't tell me that this was part of the deal.

32:19Would you say we're more than halfway?

32:22Eh...

32:25It's tough going for Mum Nicky,

32:27who injured her leg just months ago.

32:30Your poorly leg?

32:31Yeah.

32:33Do you want to wait here?

32:34No.

32:35Mum?

32:36What?

32:37We need to come down and help you.

32:38I'm all right.

32:42OK.

32:47Careful, Noah.

32:50You all right, Noah?

32:52Yeah.

33:06I'm so glad we did it.

33:07Exhausted.

33:08Tired, but...

33:09It's worth it.

33:10It was well worth the walk, wasn't it?

33:12Oh, I'm glad we did it, yeah.

33:13I'm glad we've done it.

33:14We can always say we've done it.

33:15404 steps, I think.

33:17I think it's very breathtaking

33:18It's lovely seeing all the hundreds of miles you can see.

33:22You can see for miles and miles.

33:24The boat's over there somewhere.

33:27Yeah, a long way away.

33:28Lovely.

33:30Yeah, it's breathtaking.

33:32Breathtaking, literally.

33:36There we go, we did it.

33:38Well done, us.

33:39Well done, us.

33:40Yeah.

33:49Coming up, Carrie shows off her home improvements.

33:53Vintagey, come modern, I suppose.

33:56That's exactly what I went for in the boat.

33:58And Paul and Anthony take the new morning star on her maiden voyage.

34:02Brilliant, isn't it?

34:04In Doncaster, Carrie and her helpers

34:07have been diligently working for the past few months

34:10to transform her floating home

34:12into the true sanctuary she's always dreamt of.

34:15The last time that I showed the boat inside,

34:19it was comfortable.

34:20It was nice.

34:21It was nice.

34:22It was nice.

34:23It was nice.

34:24It was nice.

34:25It was nice.

34:26It was nice.

34:27It was nice.

34:28It was nice.

34:29It was nice.

34:30It was nice.

34:31It was nice.

34:32Inside, it was completely wood throughout.

34:35Still a lot to do, but it does look completely different.

34:39Before the renovation, the boat's interior

34:41was mostly brown wooden walls, ceiling, cupboards and fixtures.

34:46Now the space has been transformed

34:48to create a more inviting and modern atmosphere.

34:59And to add a touch of personal style,

35:01Carrie has incorporated decorative elements

35:04and accessories.

35:06My style, like what I had back in my house,

35:09was vintage-y, come modern, I suppose,

35:13but I do like my old traditional style,

35:16so that's exactly what I went for in the boat.

35:19But Carrie's journey is not over yet.

35:21She's got big plans for her floating abode.

35:25I would like a new sink and taps

35:30and the tiling's my biggest ache.

35:33I hate it, but I tried tiling my backsplash

35:37and that didn't go so well.

35:39But every failure is a lesson learnt.

35:43I used grout to stick it to the wall.

35:47Then I realised that it weren't sticking.

35:49Why weren't it sticking?

35:50And I was using grout and not tile adhesive.

35:53I then used tile adhesive and it made a right mess,

35:56so obviously, like, all above, I've painted over it

35:59so you can't see it.

36:00And I need to grout all the tiles

36:02once I've finished cutting all my little halves out.

36:05Just hope that it'll just stay, but they've done all right so far.

36:09The old dining area has been revamped,

36:12using the same colour palette and decorative features

36:16as the rest of the boat.

36:19This used to be...

36:21We used to have an old pump-out toilet tank here.

36:26We obviously had to get that out.

36:28So I've opened it all out now

36:30and I've got, like, a little dressing room, essentially.

36:34And Carrie was very specific when it came to certain key features,

36:39such as this mirror.

36:41All the compromise I wanted was a full-length mirror,

36:44so I've made sure that I had to have that in.

36:47I've made a lot of compromises, but I wanted a king-size bed.

36:50It lifts up and it's got all storage underneath,

36:52which is amazing because I can put everything under there.

36:55You have to use a little step to get up cos it's that high.

36:59The only areas left untouched are the bathroom and the exterior,

37:03so there is still some work left to do.

37:06I want to paint it pink, obviously, and a cream top.

37:11Mum's saying it'll look like a massive marshmallow.

37:13The vision is nice, so I want it pink,

37:16but everyone's taking a kick out of it.

37:20Carrie's transformation extends well beyond the boat

37:23and she remains philosophical about her decision.

37:27Obviously, I had the security of having a house and everything like that,

37:31but tied down for a mortgage for 30 years,

37:33or I could sell my house, buy this outright

37:35and have no financial burden, essentially.

37:38It were a no-brainer.

37:40It's definitely not for some people, obviously.

37:42If you've got a more modern mindset, I suppose it's probably not for you

37:45cos you have to fill up your water, you have to change your toilet.

37:48As soon as you say that to people, they're like,

37:50but when you weigh it up, I like the quiet life.

37:53Essentially, every month living is so much cheaper

37:56and I get to spend more on going on holiday

37:58and doing what I want to do and living my life.

38:01And she firmly believes

38:03there are some unbeatable advantages to canal life.

38:07I lived in a house for years and I never, ever talked to my neighbours,

38:10and then you come here and you talk to everybody and everybody helps you.

38:13When you move onto a boat, that's part of the lifestyle.

38:16I feel like I'm in a little sanctuary here, whereas at home I didn't.

38:20When I come here, I feel like I'm on a little holiday every night,

38:23every night of my life, every weekend.

38:25I'm like, you can just tech up and go, which I love that.

38:29I love that aspect of it.

38:31It's fair to say Carrie has come a long, long way

38:35and has bravely embraced her new lifestyle.

38:38There are always more dreams to chase

38:41and she's certainly not finished yet.

38:44I would love to work from the boat

38:47and just continuously cruise and see everywhere.

38:50I'd absolutely love that, but it's just not...

38:53Well, I like my job too much, essentially.

38:58And I've worked hard to be in the job that I'm in,

39:01so I don't want to get rid of that.

39:04And I love it here. I've got to know everyone and it's nice.

39:07I do really love it.

39:09I love the atmosphere and the community of it all.

39:12A few months ago, Carrie couldn't even turn the lights on in her new home.

39:19Er...

39:21Now, Carrie has quickly settled into her new surroundings

39:25and looks forward to enjoying a newfound sense of tranquillity and peace.

39:31Back in Crick, in Northamptonshire...

39:34Nearly there, lad, aren't we?

39:37Paul and Anthony are almost ready to leave.

39:42They're almost ready to leave the marina

39:44and move the boat for its maiden voyage.

39:47If only they can remember how to switch it on.

39:55Oh!

39:57No, I can't start it.

39:59Where's... Where's Ryan?

40:01Do you wait for the blue light to go off?

40:03No, that's it.

40:05Do you think it's on?

40:08That's on. That's on?

40:10Yeah. Wow, that's mad.

40:12I was waiting for an engine noise.

40:14Sounds like a tractor normally.

40:16Imagine we'd phoned the boat builder and said it's not working.

40:19Fortunately, everything seems to be functioning correctly,

40:22so it's time to cast off.

40:25People say, oh, it's a lovely-looking boat, but you're going to scratch it,

40:28but, you know, at the end of the day, it's a boat and it's going to get scratched.

40:32They say that boating is a contact sport.

40:34We try not to hit anything, but it's going to happen, isn't it?

40:37And it might happen sooner rather than later.

40:47I think I'm touching this boat, Paul.

40:49Go forward a bit.

40:51After a sticky start, Anthony manages to exit the marina without a scratch.

40:58Oh, we need a better horn than that, don't we?

41:00We do. That's so pathetic.

41:02The sound of the new horn is a little quiet,

41:05but so is the sound of the new electric engine.

41:10So that's it. That's the generator off.

41:13Yeah, the generator's off now. This is how quiet it will be.

41:17Can you hear the grass?

41:20That is crazy, isn't it? Absolutely crazy.

41:23It feels like we're stalled and we're just...

41:25Well, at first, to be honest, when that noise stopped then,

41:28I thought the engine had stalled.

41:30Yeah.

41:31It's their maiden voyage on the Morning Star

41:34and they've never experienced electric cruising before.

41:41That's brilliant, isn't it?

41:44I can't believe you can hear the grass.

41:46I like the sound of the water as well.

41:48Yeah.

41:49Yeah, all you can hear is the bubbling water behind the propeller.

41:52Yeah, that's amazing.

41:54Nice, lad.

41:55This is exactly what I was hoping for.

41:57Obviously not being on an electric boat, I had no idea,

42:00but this is exactly what I was hoping for.

42:02It's quieter than I thought.

42:04And they're not the only ones appreciating the new boat.

42:08Dexter's legs used to shake on the old boat

42:11because of the vibrations of the engine and they don't on this.

42:14It's quite good.

42:15He seems more relaxed, doesn't he? Yeah.

42:17Even where his bed is cos it was all hunched up, wasn't it,

42:20and now he's got the whole bed to him.

42:22Oh, yeah, spreads out.

42:24Even though it doesn't prevent a marital row...

42:27I think we could go a little further.

42:29No, stop interfering.

42:32Unless you're staring, leave that throttle alone.

42:43Oh, my God, how cute are they?

42:45Oh!

42:48Except the parents.

42:49They're quite vicious.

42:52With little time left until Fren's visit for a boat warming,

42:56it's time to moor up for the day.

43:02Pull that forward. That's one way to do it.

43:06Hello!

43:07Hello!

43:09Nothing to see, no problems putting the covers up.

43:12LAUGHTER

43:13Are you ready to receive guests?

43:15We are.

43:16LAUGHTER

43:17The only space is to sit.

43:20You do need to tidy up before you get on board.

43:23LAUGHTER

43:24What have you been doing all day?

43:26And soon the party is in full swing.

43:29LAUGHTER

43:32Engine off.

43:33Oh, yeah, that's it, the motor's running.

43:35What?

43:36The motor's running.

43:37Now?

43:38No.

43:39Oh, my goodness.

43:40That's how quiet it is.

43:41I've turned the key before.

43:43As they moved on to their previous boat during the pandemic,

43:47it's the first time Paul and Anthony have had a proper boat warming.

43:51Yay!

43:52This is fabulous, because now it looks like a powerboat.

43:55Yeah, we feel like this is exactly what should have been happening.

44:00Ah, it's nice.

44:01Everybody smells nice.

44:02Thanks for making an effort.

44:04LAUGHTER

44:06Boaters don't shower every day, do they?

44:08No.

44:10We don't change our underwear.

44:12Yeah, we do.

44:13Do you?

44:14LAUGHTER

44:16Thank you for being amazing friends.

44:19Thank you for helping us move onto our new boat,

44:23and it's been an amazing adventure, hasn't it, the past few months?

44:27Oh, bloody hell.

44:28Yeah, but one we'll never forget.

44:30Cheers, everyone.

44:31Cheers.

44:32Cheers.

44:37Next week, we're aboard Holly the cafe boat,

44:40there's comedy gold with stand-up comedian Joe.

44:43You have potential.

44:44It's a big job for Rachel and Joe.

44:46What have I done?

44:47Birdwatching with Nigel and Diane.

44:49Is it time for a brew?

44:51And we find out...

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