![Great Canal Journeys: The Best of Series One & Two (Prunella Scales & Timothy West) [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51s6xDPteyL.jpg)
This seven part documentary travelogue series follows much loved thespians Timothy West and his wife Prunella Scales as they navigate some of the most breath-taking stretches of canal in Britain and France. Each episode tells the history of a different canal network. Along the way Tim and Prunella will meet the local characters who live, work or just enjoy the canals and witness first-hand how canal life has changed over the years. Includes the episodes:Kennet and Avon Veteran actors Timothy West and Prunella Scales celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary by heading to the West Country to travel along a canal close to their hearts, the fully restored Kennet and Avon which they helped restore 40 years ago. Pru's increasing forgetfulness due to her dementia doesn't stop them enjoying the sights, characters and wildlife along a picturesque the 21-mile stretch of water from Bath to Devizes.Rochdale Tim and Pru tackle the Rochdale Canal - a waterway that was a main artery for the textile industry at the height of the Industrial Revolution. They begin in Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire, and head west through Mytholmroyd, before journeying up over the Pennines to the canal summit, more than 600ft above sea level.LlangollenTim and Pru head to Llangollen, Denbighshire, where they spent their honeymoon. Reminiscing over how their relationship has survived and thrived over the past 50 years, the pair take in the picturesque sights of the Vale of Llangollen and the Montgomery Canal, before travelling on a horse-drawn barge up the Horseshoe Falls.Canal du Nivernais Tim and Pru conclude their odyssey in the Burgundy region of France, where they travel along the Canal du Nivernais, which passes through towns and villages steeped in history. They visit the market town of Chablis to help with the annual grape harvest and the medieval city of Auxerre before reflecting on what the journey has meant to them as a married couple.Oxford Timothy West and Prunella Scales embark on another waterway adventure, starting in the romantic city of Oxford, where they began their courtship many years ago. They follow the gentle contours of the Oxford Canal through the Cherwell Valley, where they meet novelist Philip Pullman and are joined by their son, fellow actor Samuel West. Tim and Pru follow in the footsteps of author Tom Rolt, whose vivid account of his journey down this canal in 1939 ignited a campaign that went on to save Britain's canals from extinction.Canal du Midi Built nearly a century before the British canal system, the Canal du Midi in the south of France has been designated a world heritage site. Tim and Pru explore a picturesque stretch, as is it meanders toward the Mediterranean. They visit the town of Beziers and the Malpas Tunnel - Europe's first navigable canal tunnel - and taste the delights of lamb's brain fritters, and a brandy that is almost 200 years old.Forth and Clyde and Union Canals In a coast-to-coast adventure from Edinburgh to Glasgow, Tim and Pru travel along the Forth and Clyde Canal and the Union Canal, taking in Scotland's highest aqueduct and longest canal tunnel, as well some striking examples of 21st-century engineering and monumental sculptures.
P**S
Relaxing viewing
We're in no way disappointed with our choice to buy this DVD. We normally only buy series, films etc but decided to 'give this one a whirl'. It's very entertaining in our opinion but then we're 'wrinklies'. Like canal boating the pace is slow, but this is a positive in this case. Our only criticism is the pomposity of Timothy West. Prunella Scales is lovely.
M**R
Delightful series
What a delightful TV series this was and how wonderful that at last it's available on DVD for repeated viewing! All the beauty and tranquillity of the English countryside is evident (plus a bit of non-English when Tim and Pru venture past our shores), as are the occasional crises and tribulations of canal boating - lock gates which won't budge, meeting other boats at the most disadvantageous bits of water, the vagaries of the English summer, the inevitable family arguments over the right or most efficient way to do things. As a narrowboater myself of more than a quarter of a century, I can identify with every situation Pru and Tim encounter and relish the opportunity to witness their affection for each other and their ability to work together, often in fraught situations, despite Pru's admitted failing memory. If you love canal boats and boating, or even if you know little about either but nevertheless want a few hours of gentle and relaxing TV viewing free of violence and the explicit sex which is too often considered necessary to attract viewers, then buy this series. (I've bought the second set as well and given it the same review).
P**L
Wonderful
Pure joy to be able to revisit the first two series of this beautiful programme. It takes you through such stunning and diverse scenery, with plently of interesting diversions en route. What really makes it so wonderful is, of course, Timothy West and Prunella Scales; each so successful and well known, they're both so down to earth and genuine. Their meetings with other people on their canal journeys exude such warmth. It's lovely to see them meet up with their sons and grandchildren, all of whom are just as lovely as they are. It's absorbing travelogue and real life, real people and their ups and downs, and what makes it truly sparkle is the approach to life of it's presenters. They face problems, they tackle them and never let anything diminish their love for life. This set is missing the London Ring episode, as others have suggested probably due to a rights issue. It's a shame, but such a problem could easily have resulted in these two series never being released on dvd at all, so at least we have all but one available. I'd rather have it one episode short than not at all. Wonderful, life affirming stuff. Can't wait for the next dvd release.
H**R
Great dvd
Great dvd very enjoyable arrived before date given in factory seal
J**E
Our hosts are so lovely with a great sense of humour and it is a very honest ...
A delightful journey. Our hosts are so lovely with a great sense of humour and it is a very honest portrayal of the ups and downs of canal life ( many more ups than downs !) What a super couple, working well together and enjoying their travels. It is a pleasure to 'spend time with them' You won't be disappointed....watch this.
P**T
Where is the rest of the series 2
I have been looking forward to this series being available on DVD. so I am VERY DISAPPOINTED that the London episode has been omitted, to see Prunella reunited with Lenard Sachs and his wife, was very touching. May be the sad passing of Mr Sach recently was the reason. I hope that the later series are to be available soon.
C**Y
Not to be missed!
What a brilliant series! It is such a pleasure getting to know Prunella and Timothy so intimately. And the series is about SO MUCH MORE than narrowboating. It's about life and the ways we progress (and are forced to progress) through it. We have seen 7 series (so far) I would be happy with 7 more...
R**5
Such a good Series.
This is such a great interesting Series. So pleased it has at last, been released on DVD. Hope all the rest of the Series will follow. Apart from the obvious interesting places and people we encounter it also conveys the lovely tranquility that can be enjoyed traveling on canals between towns.
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