My Great Uncle (Wilfred Durnall) was tenant farmer at Cowley Farm in the 1950’s. It’s close to Cowley Tunnel and my sister and I always scrambled down to the towpath and played in and around the steep banks of the canal whenever we visited our Uncle and Aunt. We were only 7 and 11 yrs old and were never concerned for our safety. We were let free to roam and as a 7 yr old, Cowley Tunnel (albeit short for you) represented a real challenge for me when dared to run through it shouting and I found the echoes it made when deep inside terrifying. We always waited to wave at the crew of any working barge that happened to be passing through before we decided it was time to return to the Farm. The bargees sometimes used to moor up after leaving the cutting and collect their milk from the farm before continuing on to Birmingham. I remember the barges were nearly always fully loaded and hearing them them chugging off in the distance. They were sometimes steered by women, often with several children on board. The cutting at Gnosall was long, very deep and heavily overhung with trees, it was often a dark and forbidding place for us young children to be, but still we liked being there. My Uncle told us the it was dug by hand by Irish navvies who lived in temporary huts built alongside the canal. As a child I remember scratching the red hard sandstone with a stone and marvelled at the hardness of it. I found it difficult to believe it was possible for the tunnel and the entire cutting to have been carved out by ‘pick and shovel’ alone. The cutting was originally part of the the tunnel itself, but had to be opened up by several hundred yards because the overlying sandstone was unstable as it passed through the land by Cowley Farm. My great uncle told us that ‘The Navigation Inn’ at Gnosall was named after ‘the navvies’ who lived in the area whilst excavating the canal and laying the railway track for the Shropshire Union Canal and Railway Company. He was then in his 70’s with first hand knowledge of living in the Gnosall area during the 1890’s. We travelled there by train that stopped at Gnosall bridge. What a different place it was then.

Like a wearing warmed jumper straight out of the tumble dryer. Can always count on you to provide great content. Thank you

Maybe because I live in the USA, your link will not let me order a canal guide. But I really want to have a map so I bought one on eBay. It is from somebody here that had the same fantasy about living on a narrowboat and cruising the canals. I love every thing about your travel videos. The sites,sounds,drone shots, the history, Dillon, your beautiful narrow boat, and your sunny personalities( even when you are working thru " stuff"). I hope you keep on entertaining and brightening my days. Love you both and Dillon too XOX

The drone shots really do add to the value of your wonderful production !

Would love to meet you guys as you are such a scream lol. I love looking at the beautiful scenery and the different colours on the barges/boats. Thank you for making me smile, you will never know how happy you guys make me feel. 💖💖🙏🏻 xx

Our boat is the one moored behind you when you are getting diesel. It's been at Norbury since 1st September getting a repaint, a full set of new windows and someother work. We were there to see the progress last week and spookily told David our choice of tinted windows was made after seeing Silver Fox and your Caldwells video. He even commented he liked them so much he may replace his own. A week later, there you are moored in front of us. Great video as usual, you would never think it was winter.

Such a happy looking doggy!!!! Yay!!! looks lovely there, peaceful.... i like that.... I get to go up into the mountains here!

You lads always make me smile. I know what you mean about yappy dogs. Makes my ears tired. Now my little boy is part Pug. So lucky for both of us he has the reserved, "I'm the companion of Royalty you peasant" attitude and not the little man one. He never yaps, only barks in his dreams but he sure has the look and it works. And when we drive about in summer he loves to sing with me. Wherever you are I hope you're all safe. No more falling in the canal. Keep enjoying your travels and I'll keep enjoying them with you.

Fantastic Lads. Loving it. Well Done

Thanks for another great Foxy Fix, lifted my spirits tonight.

If anybody can cheer me up on a wet and windy day it’s you two. Thanks guys.

Thanks guys, what a way to start our day. You make us smile and feel great. Even though we are thousands of miles away we feel as though we are part of your family THANKS.

Love the tour guide/history stuff. Really sets this channel apart from the other narrowboat channels. The drone footage also helps a ton, so much of the canal network is below grade for obvious reasons and the drone lets us see above the hedges.

Oh dear! I am getting addicted to these vlogs!

Just because Dillon decides to go for a swim last week doesn't mean you have to follow suit Collin lol! Another wonderful vlog thanks guys.

Yet again another great one. Amazing to see how quickly your following has grown even among people who wouldnt necessarily be narrowboat enthusiasts. The ingredients to this are, a spoonful of professional production, a pinch of an eye for a good camera shot, large dollop of comedy, spoonfuls of interesting history and sprinkled with honesty and integrity. Well done again.

Yay! Now my day is all happy. One of my fav sailor couples released a super happy video, and then yours popped up in the feed right after! You two always make me smile, big time. Btw, that bridge sign is hilarious. "This bridge is insufficient to carry weights beyond the ordinary traffic of the district"... er... what on earth is the ordinary traffic? Tanks? Strollers? Bicyclists, one at a time? Or just the garden gnomes guarding the bridge...? Wonders over wonders! Ohhhhh and you have manufactured homes! (at ~ 15:30) What Americans call "Mobile Homes"... innnnteresting! I lived in one of those for a few years. Seriously, love you guys. I realize we only see the happy times, but you two just exude happy feelings, really.

We were in the BCN last autumn and I got rather fed up having to keep going down the weed-hatch. Not so bad if you can get to the side but on a couple of occasions, we completely lost drive and just drifted in the middle. Fortunately, we didn't hold anyone up. Rubbish is a problem - until you get into the posh bit by all the swanky bars and retaurants by Gas Street Basin - they keep that tidy enough. If you are heading towards Birmingham, I can recommend the moorings at the top of lock # 1 at Farmer's Bridge Junction. There is a tiny arm and there are 14 day moorings there - relatively quiet for a big city, showers, water etc. and the city centre is just a short walk away. CRT office just across the bridge.

Thanks Lads for the Friday chuckle. 👍😘😎.

I love when every Friday there is new video from The Silver Fox! Thanks for I do enjoy the content.

Another great video, you saved my Sunday again.... Thx guys and hav fun😊👍

Shaun you are a delight to watch, your little chuckle is wonderful, thanks for another stunning vlog

thats better now i have had my weekly dose of foxes afloat, your videos need to be on repeat prescription they always cheer me up. Thanks guys for another great episode, looking forward to next week.

Birmingham, be great to see how it's changed, cycled most of the tow paths as a youth and worked near Bridley Place as an adult. Haven't been there in 30 years... 👍 Thanks to you guys I'm losing weight - While using a treadmill I'm binge watching your vlogs, they're so entertaining I keep walking till I've covered at least three episodes. Lost 6 pounds so far. Can't wait to get back on tonight. 😊

Oh for a buttered slice of Soreen's! (Malt Loaf).

You guys made me laugh a lot. Thank you. The gift of humor is a good one. Stay well..

Guys Always great to catch-up on your adventures. Chocolate, buttered malt loaf and a nice warming drink on a chilly January morning...... sounds mighty fine! Mike

Brilliant as always! What a crackin neck of the woods your in. Watching you two is better than the telly anyday of the week :)

Another great vid. Really enjoy the chemistry between you two - best comic duo since Morecambe and Wise?

well done a other good vlog dun with the same humour that makes you smile

Hello guys just a not to say I love all the videos you do but the history ones like this are the best. The love and care you have for each other is wonderful and obvious to all. Thanks again.

Thank you kind sirs for your effort putting these videos out. I looked back a few weeks to get an idea of the number of comments you're getting. Well over a thousand every week for sure. Are you surprised at the response you get? I know you've been doing this awhile now. I joined at the boat launch myself. Very glad that you work is being rewarded.

Jazz. ... nice !

I lurve malt loaf. Colin, stop bein 'orrible to Shaun 😂

You two really "make" my Fridays. Thanks.

Shaun's face when you said the embankment had fallen down several times!! He never struck me as a worrier before. Classic! Another lovely vlog, thanks as always

Hi Colin and Shaun, I don’t know if anyone has mentioned this already but on your trip through the Cowley Tunnel of 81 yards over 38.8 seconds you averaged an impressive 4.27mph. Like Colin, I have ASD and am always compelled to work out stuff like this. Happy travels guys, loving the channel.

Greetings from Texas! We love you guys! We've caught up on all your old videos, we need you to start posting twice a week!!! I have a few questions for you guys. 1) How many coats and jackets does Shawn have?!?!?! 2) Where does he store them all? 3) Does Collen own a jacket? A serious question or 2...After watching you two and some others my wife and I are considering spending a year on the canals after I retire. 4) Can you recommend a good website to search for boats? 5) Where do you go to chat with other boaters? Keep up the great work!

Another outstanding vlog guys. It was a struggle, but I was able to delay watching it until this morning so as to savor it over coffee in front of the fire in the woodstove as it snowed like crazy outside. May have to watch a second time later. Thank you both. K Pres. of Foxy Fan Club US

Super, another great mix of travel vlog, a touch of history with fantastic presenters.

Brilliant voice so interesting to watch

Following the Cadbury theme - I guess it will be the Birmingham Canal Network with a trip to Bournville - CHOCOLATE 🤪

Thanks for a entertaining and informative blog, I like the way you combine your travels with history and information. Keep it up!

Lovely episode. Never disappoints. Beautiful, informative, humorous. Thanks.

Seeing your puppy Dillon reminds me greatly of my little lady. Saighton's Misty Maidon. Obviously she had Saighton blood lines. She was a hell of a grouse getter. Love your videos. I think I know where the wife and I will be on our retirement trip.

Small yapping dogs - Hairy Maggots is my favourite description 😂.

Nice cruising the Shropshire. Such interesting things to see all the time from houses to boats.

Gnosall - a Gnome who knows everything! 😂 Lovely vlog again.......this really is my weekly fix of gentle loveliness.......thank you so much! Malt Loaf.....yes please..... with half a pound of butter on! Saturday night teatime in Yorkshire. Take care lovely fellas.😁 😘😘😘

Bang on time!!.. 00:00 in Malaysia and it's time for cup of hot chocolate with the Foxes... are we sitting comfortably.. then I'll begin....

5:55, "there's a real shady area".....do you ever use "shady" to mean, sort of, dodgy i guess you say in the UK? if you said "there's a real shady area" in the states, it would be sort of dangerous. i am LOVING what i can learn about language by watching your videos. i teach all over the world [china, turkey, saudi arabia, indonesia, belarus, etc.] and i always tell students that even though i'm a native english speaker, whenever i watch anything on BBC or guys like you on youtube, i have to look stuff up. ps. i also love that you don't always know how to pronounce certain things and talk about the "pronunication police" because especially english language learners in china can't believe it when native speakers are as confounded as they are, haha

How interesting. Your videos are always so good. I get to learn something every time I stop by. Thanks for sharing.

My Friday guilty pleasure is house tidy, ginger beer in hand and travelling with you guys. Thanks again for the journey.

Rhymes with Fnosall

Sliver Fox! Brought to you and fueled by Cadbury 😊

Another Fab vlog ,thank you,safe journey Mr Wet Leg and Chef Put The Dinner On x 😅 x

Top notch chaps! Keep going South! It’s always sunny down there ☀️ (sometimes) (so I hear). Splendid Ello Ello policeman impression btw - what a programme 🇫🇷 ‘Oh, René!!!’ Have a fab weekend 😊👍🏼

Malt loaf should always be spread with thick butter

Quote of the video goes to Shaun: "I'm not doing it all again just for that!" You gknow to hit that like button right gnow people.

Spotted!!! Having recently binge watched your boat build VLOG's I was very happy to spot the Silver Fox in town (I'll not give away your next move). She looks even better in the flesh! Thanks for sharing your exploits.

When you first showed the malt loaf I thought you had a doily on the plate! It took me back 50 odd years to sitting with my favourite aunt - Auntie Mu. Thanks for triggering that memory.

How is it possible that anyone would give a thumbs down? What is not to love?

So people who live in Gnosall , would be known as Noseallas 😉 I'm Glad I live in Cardiff now

DEFO envious of the lifestyle . Ya gno? Good on ya Mates !!!!

Another great vlog. The music was awesome. Thank you 😊

Ohh do the canals go on further into Wales? Thanks!

Sitting here in Kuwait with somebody who comes from Gnosall.

Your use of the drone sets your narrowboat offerings far and above the others out there. Seriously good work. Your ground-level camera placements are excellent as well. And no inexplicable extreme closeups of nose hairs.

Hi guys brilliant vlog & thanks for filming the diesel and supply boat as we previously enquired , 4 weeks and counting until we get our new boat and we’re so excited do you remember that feeling when you were waiting for yours .

Do you pronounce it without sounding the g at the beginning ie nosall?

As an American I could never pronounce those places.

I enjoy the historical background of the canals as you continue your journey. I always find the mid winter months dreary and a little depressing, but I’m amazed that the scenery and vistas along the canals have their own special beauty. While I find the mid winter months a bit depressing, you guys are obviously enjoying the journey and companionship with good humor and kind hearted jabs. The drone shots are really terrific!

Dillion always looks so happy with his tail wagging :) .. Another great informative video guys

Fame at last! ..........featured in a Foxes Afloat out take. Sorry chaps 😁

Another awesome vlog!! Love the history of the canals. Going to snow here in Massachusetts today 6 inches. Good time to watch some your Oder vids like when building the boat. Best to Dillon 😍

Great vlog looks a bit chilly . Malt loaf yum , I forgot just how good it tasted Thanks guys Paul New Zealand

Love the background music in this vlog - I'd like to have it playing on a long distance car trip from Chicago to Atlanta!

Many years ago (about 50) I lived in Newport Shropshire, and spent many a happy hour or two at Norbury Junction. Also you have brought back some memories of the area such as Wheaton Aston and Gnosall. Thanks.

Another superbly enjoyable video with relaxing background music, especially entertaining discussions and excellent filming. Keep up the good work!

Gentlemen, what NOT to do during a time of war, carry big shiny things. Love you guys. Take care and God Bless, Paul from Florida.

As usual guys highlight of our week.Soggy sock time lol. Stay safe you 3

Another fabulous vlog thank you - love the bits of history - really interesting. Love the way you look at each other - clearly in love 🥰

Thanks guys, that was fun.

Always a gem of interest in your vlogs boys. WW2 air field so interesting and as for name pronunciations, you’re doing well Colin. There are many names here in Tasmania I’m unsure of when it comes to pronunciation! 😉 Love the winter landscapes of the canals which your filming does so well. Thanks as always, we so look forward to your adventures every week. James and Colin🤗

Great prenaceuntion chaps, of place names close to where I live, that I've always struggled with! Another supe vlog. Many thanks as always.

Another quality vlog. Regards AJ

mmmm Maltloaf....don’t have it here in America...but Amazon sells it. It’ll be here tomorrow!

Only just found your channel. Love it. Great to see the English canals with all the winter weather as we, here in Australia, have been through an horrific dry summer with fires and now wet, beautiful wet. Keep up the good work. A bright a bubbly presentation. 😍

Thanks for telling us where all the good and bad mooring spots are guys... My Google Maps layers are filling up nicely ready for this years launch.

Colin you are very much like my son so I understand you perfectly! You are so fortunate to have Shaun! I thought Shaun was going to work during the winter months?

Hi Foxes afloat. Hello from nottingham. Loved watching ur video. We love ur canal journeys. We have Southwell but some say it Suthal. We have Bulcoate some say bullcutt. Interesting. Regards from us here.

love Shauns Laugh /Giggles xx

Lovely rural mooring there between bridge 8 and 7....as I have mentioned once or twice, your recent Shroppie videos have been on my favourite stretch of canal to date, I love it there, worth it to me flirting with CRT stay over rules to enjoy its beauty and pubs. Go West young man! Oh, you just come from there..... my money is on you not doing the Wolverhampton 21... but turning south for Stourport....whatever, I can't wait, another six weeks and I am heading back into Brum to get down to Stourport and start Spring cruising! Take care lads.

Thankyou for another great vlogg you two are like a breath of fresh air you are fantastic me and my wife look forward to watching your vlogg every week. We wish you all the very best thanks again

The three of you look in good form at the moment it's nice to see so much fun

Coffee, digestives and the latest edition of Foxes. Am rocking this hangover look :)

Thanks both for a wonderful vlog. It was a joy to watch. Laughs and education throughout- who could ask for more. The only thing we all need more of is malt loaf!

Had to go back in the video to enjoy the drone vision again and again, makes all the difference in your own world of dream-voyage. 🇩🇰🤗👍

The mooring near the M54 is another of our favourites. I love Shaun’s detailed in depth commentary........ “We’re ‘ear”... Ha Ha!, Great as usual boy’s. Friday afternoon’s reminds me as a youth waiting for Dr Who (Patrick Troughton) every week for my weekly fix!, -John (NB- Cherry)

Thanks guys this great love watching your adventures

Thank you lads, great vlog, it’s like my Saturday morning with cuppa and dog educational extravaganza, takes me away from normal life just for a little while 😘