154 episodes

A narrowboat-based audio journal on canal life, living aboard, the elements, and the night. Perfect late-night listening for dreamers, insomniacs, night owls, nocturnalists, drifters, and nomads. For lovers Fagen's 'Nightfly', Auden's 'Night Mail', Hopper's 'Nighthawks' and the 'drifting sea-dark streets' of Dylan Thomas. For all those who used to listen to the transistor under your pillow, love the sound of distant trains and rain against the windowpanes, canals and drover's tracks, lost music, splashed puddles, fireflies and bats, hares by moonlight, windsong among pines, owl-light, the shipping forecast, and all the wonderful, terrifying, grand and tawdry avenues of the night. Cosy listening for bedtimes.

Nighttime on Still Waters Richard Goode

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.7 • 35 Ratings

A narrowboat-based audio journal on canal life, living aboard, the elements, and the night. Perfect late-night listening for dreamers, insomniacs, night owls, nocturnalists, drifters, and nomads. For lovers Fagen's 'Nightfly', Auden's 'Night Mail', Hopper's 'Nighthawks' and the 'drifting sea-dark streets' of Dylan Thomas. For all those who used to listen to the transistor under your pillow, love the sound of distant trains and rain against the windowpanes, canals and drover's tracks, lost music, splashed puddles, fireflies and bats, hares by moonlight, windsong among pines, owl-light, the shipping forecast, and all the wonderful, terrifying, grand and tawdry avenues of the night. Cosy listening for bedtimes.

    On Surveys and Winter Warmth (Listeners' questions - 6)

    On Surveys and Winter Warmth (Listeners' questions - 6)

    As the slow march of Spring travels along the canal and towpaths, tonight I answer two more questions: How do we keep the boat from freezing when we have to leave it unattended, and how long does it normally take to buy a narrowboat?
    Journal entry:
    7th March, Thursday.
    “A grey wind blows
     From a grey sky
     Troubling the surface
     Of the canal.
    Damson blossom
     Torn from branch
     Spun snow-like
     With each gust.
    Sweet smell of woodsmoke
     And the throat-catch of coal
     Crosses my path, head high,
     And is lost along the towpath.
    þæs ofereode,
     þisses swa mæg 
    (That passed over…
    so may this)
    Episode Information:
    In this episode I refer to Miles Hadfield’s (1950) English Almanac and Eleanor Parker’s (2022) Winters in the World. I also read a verse from John Clare’s ‘Last of March written at Lolham Briggs.’ 
    With special thanks to our lock-wheelersfor supporting this podcast.
    Chris and Alan on NB Land of Green Ginger
    Captain Arlo
    Rebecca Russell
    Allison on the narrowboat Mukka
    Derek and Pauline Watts
    Anna V.
    Orange Cookie
    Donna Kelly
    Mary Keane.
    Tony Rutherford.
    Arabella Holzapfel.
    Rory with MJ and Kayla.
    Narrowboat Precious Jet.
    Linda Reynolds Burkins.
    Richard Noble.
    Carol Ferguson.
    Tracie Thomas
    Mark and Tricia Stowe
    Madeleine Smith
    General Details
    In the intro and the outro, Saint-Saen's The Swan is performed by Karr and Bernstein (1961) and available on CC at archive.org.

    Two-stroke narrowboat engine recorded by 'James2nd' on the River Weaver, Cheshire. Uploaded to Freesound.org on 23rd June 2018. Creative Commons Licence. 
    Piano and keyboard interludes composed and performed by Helen Ingram.
    All other audio recorded on site. 
    Support the showBecome a 'Lock-Wheeler'
    Would you like to support this podcast by becoming a 'lock-wheeler' for Nighttime on Still Waters? Find out more: 'Lock-wheeling' for Nighttime on Still Waters.

    Contact
    For pictures of Erica and images related to the podcasts or to contact me, follow me on:
    Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/noswpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nighttimeonstillwaters/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NoswPod Mastodon: https://mastodon.world/@nosw I would love to hear from you. You can email me at nighttimeonstillwaters@gmail.com or drop me a line by going to the nowspod website and using either the contact form or, if you prefer, record your message by clicking on the microphone icon.

    For more information about Nighttime on Still Waters
    You can find more information and photographs about the podcasts and life aboard the Erica on our website at noswpod.com.

    • 34 min
    Walking Home (In fading light)

    Walking Home (In fading light)

    As a family, we gained a reputation for the way our 'short  walks' often turned into marathon hikes which invariably meant staggering home long after dark (usually without a torch). In this week’s episode I reminisce on the lessons learnt, their prescient significance, and living in a culture that does growing old and dying so astonishingly badly.
    Journal entry:
    24th February, Saturday.
    “Cloud cliffs, grey and climbing
     Early spring sunshine
     Catching the stonework traceries
     And Benedictine flint and brickwork.
    The hub of politicking and commerce
     Silenced by the wheel-turn of centuries.
     Now trees stand where monks walked
     And daffodils nod in silent prayer.
    An hour of gentle talk and laughter
     Among such emerald greens of spring.
     And crows bathe in the Stiffkey brook
     As the wayside flames with primrose,
     Crocus, and snowdrop.
    Later, vast flights of wild geese fly south
     Along the coastline.”
    Episode Information:
    This episode comprises largely of family recollections, but please note that it also touches on the themes on death and dying. 
    With special thanks to our lock-wheelers for supporting this podcast.
    Chris and Alan on NB The Land of Green Ginger
    Captain Arlo
    Rebecca Russell
    Allison on the narrowboat Mukka
    Derek and Pauline Watts
    Anna V.
    Orange Cookie
    Donna Kelly
    Mary Keane.
    Tony Rutherford.
    Arabella Holzapfel.
    Rory with MJ and Kayla.
    Narrowboat Precious Jet.
    Linda Reynolds Burkins.
    Richard Noble.
    Carol Ferguson.
    Tracie Thomas
    Mark and Tricia Stowe
    Madeleine Smith
    General Details
    In the intro and the outro, Saint-Saen's The Swan is performed by Karr and Bernstein (1961) and available on CC at archive.org.

    Two-stroke narrowboat engine recorded by 'James2nd' on the River Weaver, Cheshire. Uploaded to Freesound.org on 23rd June 2018. Creative Commons Licence. 
    Piano and keyboard interludes composed and performed by Helen Ingram.
    All other audio recorded on site. 
    Support the showBecome a 'Lock-Wheeler'
    Would you like to support this podcast by becoming a 'lock-wheeler' for Nighttime on Still Waters? Find out more: 'Lock-wheeling' for Nighttime on Still Waters.

    Contact
    For pictures of Erica and images related to the podcasts or to contact me, follow me on:
    Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/noswpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nighttimeonstillwaters/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NoswPod Mastodon: https://mastodon.world/@nosw I would love to hear from you. You can email me at nighttimeonstillwaters@gmail.com or drop me a line by going to the nowspod website and using either the contact form or, if you prefer, record your message by clicking on the microphone icon.

    For more information about Nighttime on Still Waters
    You can find more information and photographs about the podcasts and life aboard the Erica on our website at noswpod.com.

    • 34 min
    Rough Crossings

    Rough Crossings

    Welcome aboard the NB Erica on a wet winter’s night. It is a perfect night to snuggle down and listen to JM Synge’s turn of the 20th century accounts of his travels to the Aran Islands in a small currach on stormy seas. 
    Journal entry:
    14th February, Wednesday (St. Valentine’s Day)
    “Outside,
     No coat,
     On the hill that runs down to the cut.
    Warm sun, fleeting,
     Cloud chasing with the gulls
     And the circle of two buzzards.
    Maggie sits, watching,
     From a throne of dried grass
     And teasels.
    I too watch,
     As the seconds pause.
     I had never realised that the cormorant’s
     Buoyant flight
     Was quite like that.”
    Episode Information:
    In this episode I read passages from JM Synge’s (1907) book The Aran Islands republished by Penguin Classics (1992).
    For more information go to the episode page at noswpod.com 
    With special thanks to our lock-wheelersfor supporting this podcast.
    Chris and Alan on NB Land of Green Ginger
    Captain Arlo
    Rebecca Russell
    Allison on the narrowboat Mukka
    Derek and Pauline Watts
    Anna V.
    Orange Cookie
    Donna Kelly
    Mary Keane.
    Tony Rutherford.
    Arabella Holzapfel.
    Rory with MJ and Kayla.
    Narrowboat Precious Jet.
    Linda Reynolds Burkins.
    Richard Noble.
    Carol Ferguson.
    Tracie Thomas
    Mark and Tricia Stowe
    Madeleine Smith
    General Details
    In the intro and the outro, Saint-Saen's The Swan is performed by Karr and Bernstein (1961) and available on CC at archive.org.

    Two-stroke narrowboat engine recorded by 'James2nd' on the River Weaver, Cheshire. Uploaded to Freesound.org on 23rd June 2018. Creative Commons Licence. 
    Piano and keyboard interludes composed and performed by Helen Ingram.
    All other audio recorded on site. 
    Support the showBecome a 'Lock-Wheeler'
    Would you like to support this podcast by becoming a 'lock-wheeler' for Nighttime on Still Waters? Find out more: 'Lock-wheeling' for Nighttime on Still Waters.

    Contact
    For pictures of Erica and images related to the podcasts or to contact me, follow me on:
    Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/noswpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nighttimeonstillwaters/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NoswPod Mastodon: https://mastodon.world/@nosw I would love to hear from you. You can email me at nighttimeonstillwaters@gmail.com or drop me a line by going to the nowspod website and using either the contact form or, if you prefer, record your message by clicking on the microphone icon.

    For more information about Nighttime on Still Waters
    You can find more information and photographs about the podcasts and life aboard the Erica on our website at noswpod.com.

    • 34 min
    I Felt the Anchor Shift (An Update)

    I Felt the Anchor Shift (An Update)

    It has been a rather tempestuous year so far! Currently, I am many miles from the boat and have not been able to record any podcasts. I have rather rushed this episode out to update you on the reasons why I have been so quiet of late and to bring you up to date with what has been happening.  
    Apologies for the sound quality of this episode. I do not have my recording gear with me at the moment. 


    Episode Information:
    In this episode I read parts of the lyrics from ‘Sit Down’ by James, written by Jim Glennie, Larry Gott, Tim Booth, Gavan Whelan (1989).
    I also read a very short extract from John Moriarty’s (2009) Dreamtime  published by Lilliput Press and featuring the words of Julian of Norwich.
    With special thanks to our lock-wheelersfor supporting this podcast.
    Captain Arlo
     Rebecca Russell
     Allison on the narrowboat Mukka
    Derek and Pauline Watts
    Anna V.
    Orange Cookie
    Donna Kelly
    Mary Keane.
    Tony Rutherford.
    Arabella Holzapfel.
    Rory with MJ and Kayla.
    Narrowboat Precious Jet.
    Linda Reynolds Burkins.
    Richard Noble.
    Carol Ferguson.
    Tracie Thomas
    Mark and Tricia Stowe
    Madeleine Smith
    General Details
    In the intro and the outro, Saint-Saen's The Swan is performed by Karr and Bernstein (1961) and available on CC at archive.org.

    Two-stroke narrowboat engine recorded by 'James2nd' on the River Weaver, Cheshire. Uploaded to Freesound.org on 23rd June 2018. Creative Commons Licence. 
    Piano and keyboard interludes composed and performed by Helen Ingram.
    All other audio recorded on site. 
    Support the showBecome a 'Lock-Wheeler'
    Would you like to support this podcast by becoming a 'lock-wheeler' for Nighttime on Still Waters? Find out more: 'Lock-wheeling' for Nighttime on Still Waters.

    Contact
    For pictures of Erica and images related to the podcasts or to contact me, follow me on:
    Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/noswpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nighttimeonstillwaters/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NoswPod Mastodon: https://mastodon.world/@nosw I would love to hear from you. You can email me at nighttimeonstillwaters@gmail.com or drop me a line by going to the nowspod website and using either the contact form or, if you prefer, record your message by clicking on the microphone icon.

    For more information about Nighttime on Still Waters
    You can find more information and photographs about the podcasts and life aboard the Erica on our website at noswpod.com.

    • 26 min
    The Christmas Eves of Childhood

    The Christmas Eves of Childhood

    You are invited to join us for a very special episode  as we celebrate Christmas Eve onboard the Erica and remember the Christmas Eves of our childhood. 
    Journal entry:
     21st December, Thursday, Winter Solstice
    “The year’s turning
     And the longest night.
    There’s a rough wind
     And angry skies.
    The polestar oak
     Finally felled.
    The ducks don’t seem
     To notice."
     
    Episode Information:
    Can I take this opportunity to wish you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a happy NEW YEAR!
     
    With special thanks to our lock-wheelersfor supporting this podcast.
    Rebecca Russell
     Allison on the narrowboat Mukka
    Derek and Pauline Watts
    Anna V.
    Orange Cookie
    Donna Kelly
    Mary Keane.
    Tony Rutherford.
    Arabella Holzapfel.
    Rory with MJ and Kayla.
    Narrowboat Precious Jet.
    Linda Reynolds Burkins.
    Richard Noble.
    Carol Ferguson.
    Tracie Thomas
    Mark and Tricia Stowe
    Madeleine Smith
    General Details
    In the intro and the outro, Saint-Saen's The Swan is performed by Karr and Bernstein (1961) and available on CC at archive.org.

    Two-stroke narrowboat engine recorded by 'James2nd' on the River Weaver, Cheshire. Uploaded to Freesound.org on 23rd June 2018. Creative Commons Licence. 
    Piano and keyboard interludes composed and performed by Helen Ingram.
    All other audio recorded on site. 
    Support the showBecome a 'Lock-Wheeler'
    Would you like to support this podcast by becoming a 'lock-wheeler' for Nighttime on Still Waters? Find out more: 'Lock-wheeling' for Nighttime on Still Waters.

    Contact
    For pictures of Erica and images related to the podcasts or to contact me, follow me on:
    Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/noswpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nighttimeonstillwaters/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NoswPod Mastodon: https://mastodon.world/@nosw I would love to hear from you. You can email me at nighttimeonstillwaters@gmail.com or drop me a line by going to the nowspod website and using either the contact form or, if you prefer, record your message by clicking on the microphone icon.

    For more information about Nighttime on Still Waters
    You can find more information and photographs about the podcasts and life aboard the Erica on our website at noswpod.com.

    • 30 min
    Afloat with Maggie (Listeners' questions - 5)

    Afloat with Maggie (Listeners' questions - 5)

    You have seen the Instagram photographs/videos of happy boat-dogs gambolling along summer towpaths, dense with colour and sunshine, or happily curled up in front of cosy fires, but what is the reality of sharing a boat with a dog really like, especially in the winter?  
    Journal entry:
     15th December, Friday.
    “All night,
     The owls echoed
     Along the valley
     In the long tunnel
     Of the night.
    This morning,
     A magpie scratched
     Her jagged song
     Across the metalled dome
     Of first light.”
    Episode Information:
    In this episode I read a short extract from Tom Rolt’s (1944) Narrow Boat re-published in 2014 by The History Press 
     Links to all the vlogs that I mention in this episode can be found in the transcript below.
     
    With special thanks to our lock-wheelersfor supporting this podcast.
    Rebecca Russell
     Allison on the narrowboat Mukka
    Derek and Pauline Watts
    Anna V.
    Sean James Cameron
    Orange Cookie
    Donna Kelly
    Mary Keane.
    Tony Rutherford.
    Arabella Holzapfel.
    Rory with MJ and Kayla.
    Narrowboat Precious Jet.
    Linda Reynolds Burkins.
    Richard Noble.
    Carol Ferguson.
    Tracie Thomas
    Mark and Tricia Stowe
    Madeleine Smith
    General Details
    In the intro and the outro, Saint-Saen's The Swan is performed by Karr and Bernstein (1961) and available on CC at archive.org.

    Two-stroke narrowboat engine recorded by 'James2nd' on the River Weaver, Cheshire. Uploaded to Freesound.org on 23rd June 2018. Creative Commons Licence. 
    Piano and keyboard interludes composed and performed by Helen Ingram.
    All other audio recorded on site. 
    Support the showBecome a 'Lock-Wheeler'
    Would you like to support this podcast by becoming a 'lock-wheeler' for Nighttime on Still Waters? Find out more: 'Lock-wheeling' for Nighttime on Still Waters.

    Contact
    For pictures of Erica and images related to the podcasts or to contact me, follow me on:
    Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/noswpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nighttimeonstillwaters/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NoswPod Mastodon: https://mastodon.world/@nosw I would love to hear from you. You can email me at nighttimeonstillwaters@gmail.com or drop me a line by going to the nowspod website and using either the contact form or, if you prefer, record your message by clicking on the microphone icon.

    For more information about Nighttime on Still Waters
    You can find more information and photographs about the podcasts and life aboard the Erica on our website at noswpod.com.

    • 32 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
35 Ratings

35 Ratings

mrenee32 ,

Soothing

Just what I need to help me relax. I am so appreciative of this podcast’s format. It’s unlike anything I’ve heard before. Thank you.

Andie in WI ,

Kindness and comfort

A friend introduced me to this beautiful podcast just when I needed it most, after the sudden death of my brother. The podcast host extends such kindness and hospitality across distance and difference. Hus observations, poems and stories affirm the cycles of life, death, and rebirth that are present in every season. I am comforted by the feelings of kinship with the little community, and it’s creatures - families of swans and ducks, the herons and others of the canal. I am grateful to Goode for putting this life into words and story, and offering connection and meaning.

JMPolitte ,

Excellent!

A wonderfully done podcast. Richard Goode enthralls us with tales from along the cut that brings a smile, gentle laughter, and perhaps a tear or two. His style of presentation and the podcast itself bring forth a hint of nostalgia in his telling of these stories while also being informative about life on the English canals.

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