Whitchurch Canal Breach Update, Both Breach Banks Excavated & More!

Added: 2026-06-01

[00:00:00]Hello everyone. We've got down here at the perfect time. So, the excavator has literally just made its way into the actual brereech itself and he's already off on digging. So, uh we'll go get a closer look. Okay. Now, you can see there the uh orange marker we've been on about. So, that is to mark one of the steps down uh all the way down to well gradually 5 m uh below the current level I believe. So, uh, yeah, exciting day ahead if they're getting going on the, uh, breach work itself this early on.

[00:00:33]So, let's go and have a a closer look, like I say. And now, with today, I'd imagine it's going to be a lot of ground works and then, uh, little odd jobs that we find along the way. You can see there as well in the background uh, that the work over there is also uh, full steam ahead. And I'm guessing by the look of the excavator on the main spoil pile, it's going to be another busy day for uh picking up that material. But uh of course, we won't film too much of that because uh there's only so much of that.

[00:01:07]Uh I can film personally. You know, it's not the uh the most interesting thing in the world, but it is interesting. Uh but like I say, I'm mainly here for this kind of work. Now, speaking of this kind of work, um the uh work we filmed yesterday, I was the last droner here and shy of Dave's evening updates. And uh yeah, this certainly hadn't happened by the time I'd left. So, they really did crack on with all this. Now, you can see that uh they got rid of the banking all the way up to the uh the second coffer. So, uh, I'd imagine that'll be, you know, give or take a a foot or two, the, uh, the final, uh, distance that way at least.

[00:01:52]So, I'll go and get a nice shot of how far along they really have gotten over here.

[00:01:59]Always good for a thumbnail as well.

[00:02:02]Now, before we get into uh, the meat of it, I just want to say if you haven't subscribed already, really would appreciate if you did. It certainly uh helps me and the channel out and uh yeah, I just appreciate it and of course it keeps you guys updated on all the uh the future things happening at the brereech and uh across other things. So once this uh is done or if for whatever reason uh this becomes less interesting whether it's uh I don't know if the work ever stopped. Now, don't get me wrong, it won't. But if it ever did, we've all always got uh other plans for videos.

[00:02:38]And to be fair, I always get a lot of comments asking if I will film other breaches. I always get comments if I will film the Bridgewater breach as well. And uh the answer is absolutely.

[00:02:51]Uh if the work ever starts, um then yeah, I I'll do that. Now, I know that there's a little bit of work going on over there, but it's just a little access road. And the uh the rumor is anyway that it's just for uh the sewage pipe that uh is damaged. So, if that's the case, then uh I won't be. But if they ever actually crack on with the work, then uh yeah, absolutely.

[00:03:20]But, you know, this does come first. you know, if it's a matter of uh both of them having work done, then I will be filming this one, unless that one is, for whatever reason, a lot more interesting, in which case I'll reconsider my options. But either way, I'm sure you guys don't want to hear too much about that. But you'll see here as well that he's just getting the uh level down slightly more up to that uh that orange stick. Now my question is so we found out on the walk around that they plan on stepping it down to those 5 m.

[00:03:53]Now that doesn't mean uh like a a gradient that is physical like jumps down in height. Now how are they going to do that? Uh that I wish I asked at the time. It didn't even cross my mind but how do you step down in sand? But surely that uh yeah it it just doesn't make sense in my head for whatever reason.

[00:04:17]Now you'll see here as well just a thought I've just had. So the large spoil pile on the left hand side now I'm sure the one on the right will become the large one at some point when that crossover happens. But uh with the left one being removed I'm wondering if that's the stuff that they're getting rid of. Hence why it's closer to the road. Um, it's the old stuff, you know, it's got all the top soil mixed in with it. I wonder if that's the stuff that's being taken away and then whatever on is on the right now is going to stay. Who's to say, but uh, we'll find out.

[00:04:55]So, let's go and have a another close look exactly what this guy's up to.

[00:05:02]Now, looks like he's going into the actual breach itself there as the track dumper returns once again.

[00:05:11]Yeah, it's going to be uh going to be a strange one with those steps down. Um now you can imagine that all of the um material they added back into the brereech to flatten it all off, allow the access, I'll show you what I mean.

[00:05:28]All of this stuff where the big hole used to be, that's all going to be removed. Um, so the steps down, um, not only remove all that material, but also an additional, uh, extra chunk to the side of it. Uh, and that's the same in both directions.

[00:05:47]But yeah, I tell you what, whilst they do that, I'm going to have a quick look at what they got up to yesterday and just make sure the old pump sump is still all good. It's nice to know as well. So, I do believe anyway, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think we were the first ones to use pump sump and now pretty much everyone's using it now.

[00:06:08]That's not too surprising to be fair.

[00:06:09]It's uh not going to take too much credit with that, but uh yeah, you know, it was like the old stick checks, you know, that's all I'm saying. But either way, it's all uh all fun and games down here. It certainly is. Now, I saw this on Dave's video actually last night um with the steps. So, we were thought when they were digging that that they were uh making the steps uh physically uh with the ground itself, but no, they've uh they did do a little bit of that. You can just kind of tell with the uh orange sprays there that they did put steps in and then over the top they just added these steps as well. So, quite funny to look at in a way. I don't know why, but uh yeah, either way, that will make their lives a lot easier, I'm sure, than having to clamber up that. But hopefully that goes to show as well uh just how steep it is. Now, we've said it a million times, but the drone really does flatten it all out. And it's nice to know that the old pump sump is back working properly again. And not that it wasn't working properly yesterday. So, it was just the for anyone that didn't watch the video, it was just the boats went to get refueled and all of this flooded up and it barely toppled the uh earth dam. It was more that water was just leaking through those cracks there.

[00:07:28]Now, I'm going to go back real quick just because I can see that he is once again digging in the actual breach itself, I thought. Or maybe not. But either way, plenty to look at still whilst he messes around.

[00:07:45]Not messes around, I shouldn't say that.

[00:07:47]But, uh, yeah, you know what I mean. You know what I mean. You'll see there as well the little excavator. I don't know why, like when this was first delivered compared to the actual tiny excavator, the uh the one that was only a couple tons, um this looked massive, but now it's surrounded by 25 ton excavators, it looks tiny, comically so.

[00:08:11]Anyway, I can tell you that I was going to say he started moving again, but once again, he stopped. So, I'll do the same as usual today. Um, with it likely being a long day, uh, I will stop and start the video when required and, uh, just keep you, uh, keep the highlights. Um, now I'll be sure not to miss anything, don't get me wrong, but I don't like adding too much fluff to the videos. Uh, if I can get away with it, so I'll bring you right back. So, they've just moved the excavator further up toward the actual coffer dams themselves.

[00:08:49]And I don't exactly know what this is for. So whether they're just taking that a little bit further now, I'll move the drone a little bit more just so you can get an idea now from our spot. I'll tell you what, quickly have a look, show you what I mean. So this is our usual viewing spot up here. Gives a nice clear line of sight to a lot of places.

[00:09:14]And hey, there's me. Once again, thank you to everyone that does wave back. But it is looking different. So you can imagine that uh there's not many good places to see what's going on. And uh that's a not a complaint, but a lot of people say the same um when they come down to have a look. There's not many good views unfortunately, but it's easy to tell uh when things do happen because of that. You know, you're so used to seeing it. um mostly unchanged from this area, but uh yeah, with yesterday's work removing this banking, it looks very different. It certainly does. So, it looks like they're just digging right up to that fence line now, actually.

[00:10:01]Now I do wonder well will they just want to keep the fence just because I don't know why uh why they'd want to keep it in a way but saying that you never know um if it's been asked to stay things like that you never do know but either way they are very close to the lift bridge now um I wonder if well saying that that second coffer dam isn't really used for anything other than to keep a little bit of water between the two coffer dams just so they've got somewhere to pump from. But uh yeah, it's not See, that's another question I've got for you guys. Then I've often wondered with the uh two coffams also.

[00:10:47]I've just noticed this as well. People have been commenting about it. So that is a proper spot for a uh for a time-lapse camera cuz that ain't going to move. But the other one in the actual brereech itself, that isn't going to be there for long. So, I don't struggle to see what the point in that time-lapse camera is. But that one on the bridge, brilliant idea. And I I'm jealous of that. I'll be honest with you. Um, now admittedly, I have no idea what I was saying before that, which is a shame, but uh either way, we'll uh we'll make do. We certainly will. Now, I'll try and get you. It could be with the uh bridge in the background itself, but uh yeah, interesting interesting work. And once again, I'm just glad that uh we can see it in person as well. That's one of the uh biggest issues with uh the drone batteries. You know, obviously they last around half an hour each. Um but the more filming you can get at the um at the batteries, the better, but often the way you spend a lot of time uh looking across site, seeing what's going on rather than actually filming. So, that does eat up a lot of your batteries on days when you can't see what's going on in person. That was definitely the the case with the uh culvert uh draining or jetting. Sorry. Um just because we couldn't see a lot of it in person. So, had to use those uh recon flights and that certainly ate through the batteries, especially cuz back then we only had the three instead of the five.

[00:12:25]I'm just going to have a look what's going on here because it's rare that we see water on this side, but I don't know if that's just because it's been dug out a little more. So, I'm noticing it will probably the case now, just to give you a nice idea fully zoomed out of just how far along they are and uh the old bench where we used to fly from. That is that would be a loud place to be filming right now.

[00:12:53]Maybe a little too loud. I know that people love the background noise, as do I, to be fair. Um, but I think that might be a little too loud.

[00:13:02]So, they'll check the levels once again.

[00:13:06]Now, I'm sure that's still based off the uh the laser level that's underneath us.

[00:13:12]And don't worry, I'm only flying uh over the brereech because I know that uh no workers are underneath me currently. I actually can't see. Oh, there it is.

[00:13:22]So, that is the uh the master level, shall we say? And uh tell you what, can't really tell much by looking at it.

[00:13:31]Doesn't look uh too interesting of a piece of kit, but I'm sure it is. And uh certainly how it works is very impressive.

[00:13:42]So, I'll try and get you a nice view a little lower down as well.

[00:13:48]It is funny with the uh the drone shots because you know obviously the the massive bonus is you can fly about but then a lot of the time a lower shot uh does look better. So it's fine in that happy medium either way.

[00:14:04]I tell you what, whilst they're cracking on with that, I'm just going to have a quick look.

[00:14:10]Oh, fair play.

[00:14:13]That's uh it is a fair reach. Does anyone uh in the comments know the uh reach of the larger excavator? That would be interesting to find out.

[00:14:27]That is satisfying. But you see there as well what they mean uh with it being quote unquote contaminated. Uh it's not because there's uh you know diesel or anything in the actual soil itself. It's just because it's got sticks and so that counts as contamination.

[00:14:44]uh which is odd, but I mean I suppose it makes sense, especially if it's being used as a uh a building material where it needs certain parameters and uh sticks and things would affect that. I'd certainly guess so. Anyway, so they're getting it down to that level and then I'd imagine once they're done with that, where that uh orange stick is that we've talked about, that'll be the uh the step down. And I'm hoping to see that today because I don't know. I can't can't picture it.

[00:15:19]Um, you know, the the stepping down is hard to hard to imagine in sand. So, how they're going to do it. Make sure I'm recording. I certainly am. I just want to say a massive thank you as well uh to everyone supporting on buy me a coffee and through super thanks. I really do appreciate it. So, thank you to every single person that has done really uh really does make a difference. So, thank you. And the uh the link to buy me a coffee as always is in the description if you fancy like helping, but absolutely no worries if not. There's nothing um I'm not making anyone do anything. Uh I'm just very grateful to everyone that does. So, thank you very much. Now, we'll check as well. Now Dave um gave us a little talk through the uh the laser level, how it all works and why they uh do that wobble with the stick. Um but uh yeah, certainly is interesting. And that was in yesterday's video if anyone is interested.

[00:16:25]Now I still find it odd. Well, I'll show you. So obviously used to uh go fishing around here a lot and uh I was also I say I was big into my uh photography and spent many a day many a day taking photos around here and uh fishing around here. Admittedly a bit hit and miss on the fishing at times but uh I think that's probably user error more than the uh the fish's fault.

[00:16:56]So, I tell you what, since we're over the field and there's absolutely no one in here, we'll go for some nice low shots because that is quite satisfying to be fair.

[00:17:12]Just get a tiny bit closer.

[00:17:21]Now, one of the uh well, I had someone uh comment yesterday, and I know it wasn't um a mean comment, and you know, I'm not taking the mick or anything, uh but saying about getting a beyond visual line of sight license. And unfortunately, um it's not that simple, though. There's no such license for that. Um it's just there's a lot of different drone regulations. So it's very complicated admittedly. Uh but that would be a completely uh different class of drone flying. Um very complicated and very expensive uh to get into. So uh as nice as that would be for this kind of thing one I don't think I'd be allowed to for this kind of thing anyway. But there'd be so much uh regulation. It's more for um for big businesses like you know the uh Amazon delivery with drones. It's that kind of thing. It's not just uh me flying down here getting a few videos of some excavators unfortunately. Now if it is the case of uh paying them 100 quid and then suddenly I could do that, that would be nice. Uh but sadly not the case.

[00:18:40]And like I say, I'm not saying that in a a negative way. I don't want people to misconrue that. I'm very appreciative for all the uh the comments I get. But uh I'm sure that's a question a lot of people have. And I've said this a few times, but um I people often say that they like me talking through drone regulations because it is complicated. Um it depends on what drone you fly. Um doesn't well it can depend on where you fly. Uh depending on if you've got permissions and things. So uh you've got no flies around airports.

[00:19:23]Sometimes you are allowed to but you have to get permission. Um so it does depend where you fly kind of. Um but around here um we're all good thankfully. no uh no big airports that have flight restrictions. Now, you can check that all online as well. But either way, uh I've just realized I've been talking about drone regulations for probably the better part 5 minutes. So, if you want a deep dive into that, give us a shout and I'll talk you all through it on a weekend video or something. But, uh yeah, for now, I'll uh focus on the work at hand. So, I'd imagine the track dump is going to fire up. Perfect timing.

[00:20:00]Let's go and have a look. Okay.

[00:20:06]And then spin round.

[00:20:09]Now I'm just going to check real quick.

[00:20:12]Make sure we're not missing anything across site. Now we're all good. Doesn't actually seem that busy with vehicles today. Um not machinery vehicles, but uh worker vehicles. So saying that this is the uh and the core group. I'd imagine this is all the ground workers and uh Kia and JJF things like that. Whereas uh if it was, you know, the drilling guys, they had so many vehicles uh to help them. Uh same with the uh the culvert jettters, they had loads of vehicles and obviously the jet itself, but we'll count that as machinery either way.

[00:20:54]I often get uh comments about the ren that must live in the tree behind me.

[00:21:00]So, I'm slowly moving away from that tree uh between videos, trying to give it a bit more peace and quiet, but it seems to move along with me. So, I don't want to uh annoy it if I can avoid it.

[00:21:14]Now, with them uh cracking on so much and I've just seen that this clip is already 12 minutes long. I'll get a a minute more and then I'll uh I'll leave you to it and uh come back when they've made a little more progress.

[00:21:31]Saves me uh filming 15 minutes of the same piece of work. But, you know, it's these days when uh when it's just so busy that uh I love filming it and I uh find it easy to get carried away. Now, the beep of approval once again just really quick. I've just noticed that they've uh I thought they were going down further then now with that laser level. I don't know.

[00:21:57]Well, we saw the ruler yesterday. Um and it didn't look like a regular ruler in a way. I know it might sound silly, but uh yeah, it was uh it didn't have the usual like inch measurements on it, so I don't know how it works exactly telling them how far they are off. Whether it does just tell them, are there an inch too high or something along those lines? I would guess so. Uh but it's just Yeah, I don't know. I don't know. I'll have to ask Dave. Uh but uh I'm sure that's got to be the way. If if it was more complicated than that, then that would be uh that would just be silly. That would just be silly. But either way, I'll uh I will let you go for a second.

[00:22:38]And uh I'll bring you back when uh well, I'm hoping, like I say, I'm really hoping to see the uh the step down today. Real quick, the fan favorite is back, the red kite. And I think I'd be lucky to uh get it quite as nice as I did the other day. But we'll give it a go. And my battery is just about to die.

[00:23:02]Wow, what an awesome bird. It is so cool, man.

[00:23:11]>> I'm really >> battery level.

[00:23:14]Aircraft will return to the home in 10 seconds.

[00:23:26]Sorry about the lack of talking, but I am focusing hard right now.

[00:23:36]As you can imagine, there's a lot of buttons to be pressed all at the same time here, but uh either way, I think my battery will ruin the parade.

[00:23:45]So, after that bit of bird fun, we're back to it. And uh yeah, I I feel like I'm definitely getting better um with the old bird tracking, but um you know, you've got to uh do both of the sticks and both of the um gimbal movement and the zoom at the same time. I wish I could record my hands at the same time as uh filming the bird. You know what I mean?

[00:24:11]You know what I mean? But uh either way, they are just around the uh the step mark there. So, they're almost done with that level. And uh you see the uh I'll tell you what, I'll line it up.

[00:24:24]So, it's the same bang on the other side. So, the two sticks there. You see the one on this side and then the one in the background, too.

[00:24:34]So, that'll be the uh the step. And uh now they're done with that. I'm excited to see the rest of it. I certainly am.

[00:24:43]So, we'll get this piece of work real quick. I'll keep an eye out for the red kite once again, just cuz I do love filming them. Um, but yeah, what a day uh to be down here. So, of course, it is Friday today, so they are usually quite busy days nowadays. Never used to be the case. Um, but certainly has been for the last month or so at least. Um, whether they just want to uh get done as soon as possible and then uh less things to worry about over the weekend potentially. But um yeah, strange they're saying that every day is busy down here now. Um it was the case when they were waiting for the plans that uh it tended to be less busy at times um just cuz you can imagine that these ground workers actually didn't know what to do. So it was uh just cleaning up mainly things like that. But that is not the case anymore, let me tell you. It certainly isn't.

[00:25:40]So, he's off and over. That is quite satisfying. Now, I bet that felt satisfying actually in the excavator itself. I'd certainly guess so. But, uh, now once again, I uh well, I'm trying to buy a house and, uh, it's progressing along nicely. Um, but when it's all sorted, whenever we do get the keys, fingers crossed that we do. Uh, never count your chickens before they hatch.

[00:26:08]Uh, but I will be digging a pond and I will be renting a mini excavator for it.

[00:26:16]Oh, it was a boat. I don't know why I thought that was Joe's boat. He has a horn on his boat and it sounded very similar to that, but quickly show you why not.

[00:26:26]So, I'm guessing yeah, another holiday boat leaving the Wit Church arm. And once again, I hope they're having a a great old time on the water.

[00:26:38]It's actually a bit chilly today. Now, anyone watching the videos will know it's been terribly warm these last few days. It certainly has been, but uh yeah, not the case today and I am enjoying it. But, uh I'm a little dressed for the cold. So, uh either way, I'm not going to moan that it's cold cuz I certainly do prefer it this temperature. It's not even cold. It's like 20 odd degrees today. Uh but yeah, a lot more manageable.

[00:27:08]Either way, I'll uh do the same again.

[00:27:11]Leave these guys to it for a few minutes and uh see how we uh how we get on. So, they've just moved the excavator and started Well, I don't really know. Almost looks like they're just smoothing out that one bit of bank at the minute, but I do believe that that is uh going. So, why they'd be doing that? whether it's just to uh I was going to say aid in getting the excavator down there, but it certainly won't have an issue getting down there as is. So, I will keep an eye on it. But really quick, I will have another look across site and make sure I'm not missing anything. Like I say, I can't see anything that's going on over there from this spot here. But, uh yeah, the excavator has got a bucket full. So, no doubt that that is uh just waiting for the uh trucks to start rolling in so that spoil could be taken off site.

[00:28:07]Now, not all the uh Oh, what's going on over there? I think he's just waiting for the uh the spoil lorry.

[00:28:17]Once again, the tiny excavator working away in the background as well. Oh, more important things at hand.

[00:28:29]Maybe I was right. Looked very wet then.

[00:28:36]Don't know what that was about.

[00:28:40]But either way, let's go and have a look.

[00:28:43]So, the track dumper is off, even though I don't think he's got anything in the back.

[00:28:50]Nope, nothing in the back. That's a bit strange, but uh we'll have a look. More importantly, what's going on here?

[00:29:03]Or is that just a roundabout way of getting in?

[00:29:08]I don't know. I don't know. We'll we'll keep our eye on it.

[00:29:13]I'll go down nice and low as well.

[00:29:18]So, hopefully that gives you another scale of the brereech. It's always interesting to me to see the uh the larger excavator right in the middle of the brereech. Uh just giving a a good idea of just how big it is. I do wonder if he's just done that so he doesn't uh upset the level that he's got nice and smoothed off in this area. Now it is completed. But we'll have a look now.

[00:29:43]I'll watch him and see what he does off camera. I won't make you guys watch him drive around site. So, I will bring you right back. Looks like they're just doing a tiny bit of tidying up work on the uh the compound edge uh where the track dumpers have been tearing it up.

[00:30:02]No doubt. Um but yeah, I don't think that'll be the uh the sole reason it's down here. I very much doubt it anyway.

[00:30:11]Got worried that was smoke from the exhaust then, but of course the exhaust is on top, so I very much doubt it.

[00:30:17]probably just a bit dusty in that area.

[00:30:20]So, they've just moved a load of personnel fencing off that right hand side there and they're storing it nicely over here. The larger excavator still hasn't moved too far and the little one has come over here. So, very strange and uh I mean it's they've got have a reason for it. So, uh yeah, excited to see what this is all about. So, I've just heard the excavator fire up once again. So, let's go and have a look what they're doing. I don't know if they've uh well, I don't really know, but thankfully I don't have to guess. So, uh they're just flattening that all out. So, I do wonder if this is Well, there could be a few guesses whether they're trying to make it wider so two track dumpers can come in and out. I have my doubts personally.

[00:31:12]uh whether it's for a larger piece of equipment that's coming in maybe or more than likely I would certainly guess uh just getting it back to uh probably how it was before the uh the track dumpers were um coming up and down so much cuz I did notice even on the walk around it had u well just eroded away eroded just worn away just worn Uh, no, it's not bad, don't get me wrong, but, uh, they'll probably want it as flat and smooth as they can possibly get it. It did did look like a a relatively bumpy ride, um, in the actual track dumpers themselves when they were driving over that particular area. So, that would make sense. But either way, I'll uh leave you to it. I don't think this is the uh the work you guys want to see too much, but it is interesting. It certainly is. But we'll have a look what's going on over here as well. Do find it odd that the uh the little excavators over here though.

[00:32:20]Speaking of I thought he was going to move them.

[00:32:27]No, I think we're all good.

[00:32:30]As he goes backwards. Typical.

[00:32:33]Um I'll tell you what, I will keep you here just for another few seconds.

[00:32:39]No, no. I'll leave it to it. So, they've got the little excavator back over here once again. So, we'll go and have a look what all this is about. Certainly interests in there.

[00:32:52]Now, it's always a pleasure to see both machines going at the same time, admittedly, but uh tell you what, we'll have a look. We've seen them take a load of the uh the fencing that was over there and move it to this side and then they're pulling fencing from the compound. And then it looks like it's a little wider than it was, but certainly won't be uh for two track dumpers or anything like that.

[00:33:19]Now, once again, we'll go and have a quick look over here. Nice close-up view.

[00:33:27]It is looking a lot smoother, though. I will say that much.

[00:33:33]I don't think this work will uh last too long. But uh by the look of it, they still haven't uh I could well have missed it to be fair, but I haven't seen uh any of the lorries coming to pick up the spoil pile just yet. Um so yeah, strange whether they uh are delayed, but you can see the guy that was waiting on the ramp up to the road. He's now walking back down.

[00:34:01]And then the workers there just to uh discussing plans on the left hand side as well. It's obviously one of the biggest parts of a project like this is just making sure that everyone knows what the uh the next steps for the day are. And I'd imagine it is the case where these guys only really learn exactly what they're doing um on the day. That would be my guess anyway. Of course, they'll get like a big overview at the start of the week and uh adjust from there depending on how much they get done per day. So, the track dump has just come down and I think it might be a little tight. So, I wonder if that's why they uh they did all that work there, but uh yeah, I think you might be a little stuck there admittedly. There we go. They got it sorted. Just had to uh move one of the fences ever so slightly and that will allow them to crack on.

[00:34:53]Now you can see in the background there the excavator is just well not just he started a fair while ago just did one scoop of the actual uh far bank itself which is cool. So I'm hoping that uh they get that other side level to this side as well. That will be exciting. Now I'll show you what I mean because like I say it is quite hard from the drone uh to tell levels of things. So, I'll show you by doing this. Now, this is easy to tell from our spot, but this close embankment to the drone is probably a good foot and a half um lower. You can see how flat it is though. Uh but it is about a foot and a half lower than the uh the other side. Maybe more actually. Maybe closer to two foot.

[00:35:45]So, no doubt that will have to be uh leveled off to the uh the same level of this side as well.

[00:35:55]Let's go and get a little bit of a closer look once again.

[00:36:04]Sorted. Now, you'll see there it's not the uh well, I suppose it is. I was just going to say it's not the same uh sandy material that we have been seeing, but I mean it basically is. It's just a bit mixed in with the with some top soil at the same time.

[00:36:21]Now he's off and I'm sure he's going to that right hand spoil pile once again.

[00:36:26]So I won't record that. But uh yeah, I'll tell you what. I'll bring you back when they uh crack on a bit more. So, I can hear that the uh I don't know if it's the same track dumper or another one is coming back, but uh really quick, I'll show you that uh Joe's boat is looking fantastic. I can't believe it's been a week already since we had a go.

[00:36:50]It was uh yeah, really fun experience.

[00:36:52]And one once again, massive thank you to uh Joe for allowing us a trip on his boat for the maiden voyage, no less, as well. It was a a very fun time. So, massive thank you to uh to Joe for that.

[00:37:06]And I'm hoping that uh at some point we'll be allowed to go back on it and uh have another trip even maybe uh if we could do a podcast like we do. I thought that was a drone up there. It's a plane.

[00:37:21]Uh but yeah, it's a quiet one with drones down here today. I mean Josh is about uh but Dave hasn't been out just yet which is uh bit of a shame with this all going on I'll be honest with you but you'll see there they have started the uh the bank excavation so let's go and have a closer look now once again Josh is about so I'll have to be nice and careful but uh should be all good actually I can see him going back down that's one thing I will say about uh about Joe's boat as well I did see a comment so You'll see the little dog on top. Really cute. I mean, it's nice to have a mascot. I was thinking this with the with one of those frogs. So, a lot of people on the walk around would have seen that uh we took a frog with us.

[00:38:09]One of the uh the boers down here um makes little frogs. Um like I don't know if they're like knitted frogs, I suppose. But uh yeah, really cute. And uh it's just nice to have a mascot. I was thinking about getting one myself.

[00:38:26]They are surprisingly cheap as well.

[00:38:28]Tell you what, we'll go around to that other side. I will have to be careful cuz like I say, Josh's drone is in front of me. So, we'll take it nice and easy.

[00:38:36]And I'll go behind him. Now, when I'm flying, not near other drones, but relatively close. I do like to get an angle of them, as you can imagine, if you can see them.

[00:38:48]And it's one thing seeing them uh with your your eye, but it's another thing actually seeing it on the screen as well. It just helps compare the two. You can see his drone there. Now, I know it looks close to the workers, but not even close. We're all good. So, we'll go and have a look from the other side. So, once again, keeping him in my eye and on the camera just makes me uh gives a better idea of depth as well.

[00:39:16]And to be fair, there's not much that we can see from this side, but we can go over here as well. Seems it's been a while since we've had a a proper flight over this end.

[00:39:29]Admittedly, there's not too much going on, but tell you what we can do. So, if I go over here, then I've got such a good line of sight with how high up we are that I can go there and gives you an idea of just how tall they really are. Now, if anyone knows how tall a 308 cat is, um then do give us a shout in the comments because that'll give you an idea of just how massive that pile really is. I said this in yesterday's video, but uh the height difference between the two excavators actually isn't a lot. It's mainly, of course, the uh the weight and everything. Well, obviously that's the size, but you know what I mean. Uh the actual height of it isn't too different.

[00:40:20]Once again, I've got Josh's drone, but he is a lot lower, so we're all good.

[00:40:26]And then I can come over the top nice and easy.

[00:40:30]and then I'll spin you around just in time for these guys to crack on once again.

[00:40:42]Thought someone was saying hello to me there. But yeah, I'll let them uh crack on a bit more actually. It seems they've got a fair amount of spoil there to uh get rid of already. Now, it's been a while since we uh recorded the actual work itself. So, I'm just giving you a quick update now. It's mostly uh well, I say it's mostly cleanup work, but it's really not. They are uh cracking on with that far bank, as you can tell. Uh it's just right at the start still. So, it doesn't look like a terrible amount of progress. Uh but it certainly is. the the track dump has been back into constantly, but uh I'm more excited for when they uh get a little further back into the actual brereech itself. Now, I thought Terry saw something there. So, I was keeping my eye out, but uh I think we're all good. So, I'll uh give it another 5 10 minutes and then I'll go back up. Now, once again, the uh the big bonus of this is that we've got a straight view uh looking at what's going on in front of us. So, I'll be sure not to miss anything. So, just a load of geese going in the background and uh I'll leave them to it as I show you the work that's currently going on. So, let's go and have a look. Now, I'll go a bit further over here once again. It's a bit of a better angle over here at the moment with this work going on.

[00:42:04]Now, you can tell that they're starting to uh get properly into the brereech now. They're a few meters in now.

[00:42:12]Typically just I start recording he uh he stops his digging but you get the idea of what's going on. Now I'm just going to uh looks like actually it might be break time. So that is well timed for what I was going to do next which is going to have a double check of the uh the sump over here.

[00:42:33]Now actually you can see how nice and smooth this area is now that we're flying over. It's uh yeah ready for some good work. no doubt. But uh yeah, satisfying to see those uh bucket scars in the ground as well. But yeah, all looks uh great over here still. Now, I will go and get a quick video of the outflow of the pumps as well, but I won't spend too long doing this.

[00:43:02]There we go. So, you'll see that uh certainly not the levels of water we're seeing yesterday, but um it seems to be with the pump sump uh rather than a constant flow. I don't know if it's cuz it's uphill or something, but it seems to build up a load of water. And you can see on the barge that there's a fair bit of area on the front of it that's been splashed. just every so often it'll uh give a big blast of water that is quite satisfying. But I don't think we're gonna be just lucky enough to uh capture that today. But if anyone wants to see that um in my video from last Sunday that was filmed last Saturday, uh we managed to capture that on video a couple times.

[00:43:46]It did it a bit there. Not to the same extent though. So, with them being on break now, we'll have a little bit of a closer look at how this is all looking whilst no one's here. Now, of course, we usually do this type of uh view on the weekend. Uh whilst no one's on site, but since everyone's on break, you can see them all in the background there. Be rude not to have a quick look. Now, I won't go into the actual compound itself, but happy to uh fly close from the flood field, just get a good look at it all. It's a a rare treat on a uh main video. Now, um if you like close-up shots, then we get some proper close-up shots on the uh Sunday vids. Uh we keep that obviously for uh when there's no work is about, but uh you understand that people at the same time also just like the uh the usual week update videos whilst the work's going on. But, uh, if you've never given the close-up videos a chance, then, uh, yeah, do give, uh, Sunday's video a good go. Tell you what, I was just on me way flying back after that little close-up clip. But, uh, this is also what we tend to get up to in a Sunday video. So, we'll go and have a close-up look at the uh, culvert itself.

[00:45:06]Now, I won't get too close, of course, but uh tell you what, I'll go into the uh even slower mode just to make my life easier. But uh certainly a nice clear line of sight at the minute. Hey, we time that well. Everyone's just coming back down off their brake.

[00:45:23]So, let's go and have a look. Now, I'm hoping that I can get quite low here and we'll have a look actually into the cool a bit.

[00:45:35]Now, you can see there with the uh the channel they've created, line of sight now isn't nearly as much of an issue as it once was. So, let's have a quick look. Now, you can see there the uh the channel of water making its way into the culvert. Tell you what, I've still got a bit of room below me.

[00:45:58]There we go.

[00:46:01]So, yeah, that's how it's all looking.

[00:46:03]So, I'll make it a bit brighter. Sorry if it gets quite bright here, but you can see into the culver. Oh, that's too bright. Sorry everyone.

[00:46:16]My apologies. But either way, I'll uh on the weekend I'll try and get like a proper view inside. But uh yeah, whilst this work's going on, we'll go and have a look. Why not?

[00:46:29]So, go up nice and slow.

[00:46:34]And I'll tell you what, just in case there are any branches above me, we'll go with this way just to be sure.

[00:46:45]And then back to normal. Nice and easy.

[00:46:47]So, tell you what I'll Well, that's the best thing about break time. I don't need to tell you what time it is by looking. I can just tell you it's half 10. It's always uh pretty bang on. So, let's go and have a look. Now, the only time that ever changes is if they're uh doing like a little planning bit or debrief, I'd imagine uh in the actual compound itself. But naturally, work starts pretty uh pretty bang on half 10.

[00:47:20]Now, I'll tell you what, once we've got a good opportunity and the uh the work is over on this side. Oh, actually, as well, there was a uh spoil pile pickup before. Um, so I didn't fancy like filming it all. I see there's plenty of that to watch. So, uh, if there's another one, I'll get a quick clip of that.

[00:47:41]Now, I'll head over here.

[00:47:45]Just got to be careful of these trees as always, but just give you a good idea of uh how deep they're actually going into the ground there. Looks like a fair amount actually. Certainly more than the uh usual scraping work we've been seeing. It's a good foot or so into the ground. Looks like it's pretty bang on level uh to the uh side that's closest to us. Uh which seems about right in all honesty. We thought that would be the case. Now they're leaving a little bit of a lip on that side as well. Not going all the way down.

[00:48:22]Something hissing behind me. um just like they have done with there. So, it seems a bit strange saying that they haven't done it further down this way.

[00:48:32]So, I'm not too sure. Uh but either way, I can't say it'll make a a massive difference. But once again, the laser level there, like I say, it's not Maybe it is. Maybe my eyes are just being a bit funny.

[00:48:47]Either way, I'm sure they'll be fine.

[00:48:49]Now, I've just had word from Dave as well. He is on his way. I was getting a little worried then. He usually does his videos in the early mornings. Not too early, of course. But is that just a lump of clay or is that I'm guessing? Yeah, it is. Well, that was another Blue Peter moment there.

[00:49:09]Very well timed.

[00:49:11]What the odds of that?

[00:49:14]But once again, you can see that uh that material underneath a weird mix between sand and clay. You know, when they smooth it out like that, you you swear it was clay. But uh obviously when it's dug like that, it could not look any more sandy if it tried.

[00:49:32]Now I can hear the uh track dumper coming back.

[00:49:39]He's just behind the trees at the minute.

[00:49:42]Oh, so they've got both the uh track dumpers cracking on.

[00:49:48]Satisfying.

[00:49:50]Now, it still amazes me just how tall they're making uh the spoil pile on the right hand side here. Um it's a lot taller than the other one, I swear. But either way, uh I'm going to do the same with today's video as I usually do. Make sure I'm recording. I certainly am. Uh with the Friday videos. So, I'll split this one into two and uh I will post the rest of today uh tomorrow. So, I'll usually post around 1:00 tomorrow, so an hour earlier roughly than my uh usual weekday videos. So, uh hopefully that's a a good video for everyone to watch.

[00:50:27]But, I just wanted to say a massive thank you uh to everyone that not only watched today's video, but has been watching for a while. Really do appreciate it. Uh, you know, I still can't believe how much interest there is uh in the canal rebuild. So, thank you very much. Really appreciate your time.

[00:50:43]And uh once again, thank you to everyone that comments and everything as well.

[00:50:46]Really do appreciate it. Right. Have a great weekend everyone. Take care of yourselves.