Mud Men Season 2 Episode 8 Regents Canal
- TV-PG
- February 27, 2011
- 44 min
Mud Men season 2 episode 8, titled Regents Canal, takes viewers on a journey with metal detector enthusiasts Johnny Vaughan and Steve Brooker as they wade through the mud and murky waters of London's Regents Canal.
The episode begins as Johnny and Steve meet up with a group of canal boat enthusiasts, who provide them with a brief history of the canal and its significance to London's industrial past. The duo immediately gets to work, wading through the shallow waters with their metal detectors and digging up any interesting finds along the way.
Their first discovery is a small brass car horn, which Johnny immediately blows, amused by the sound it makes. They then come across a plethora of scrap metal and old coins, including a silver sixpence from the 1920s. Steve also discovers a metal badge from the London Fire Brigade, which prompts a discussion about the canal's role in fighting fires in the city in the past.
As they move further down the canal, Johnny and Steve come across more interesting finds, including a vintage Coca-Cola bottle and an old horseshoe, which they speculate may have belonged to a working cart horse from the canal's industrial days. They also find a small toy car, which they discover is a rare Dinky toy from the 1950s.
The duo is then joined by expert canal historian Roger Squires, who explains the history of the canal and its construction in the early 19th century. Johnny and Steve continue to scour the water and mud, eventually stumbling upon a large, rusted iron bar.
This discovery prompts a discussion amongst the group about the possible uses of the bar, with theories ranging from a canal lock mechanism to a tool used in shipbuilding. They also discover a rusted metal plate, which Roger identifies as a historic London street sign from the early 1900s.
As the day comes to a close, Johnny and Steve reflect on their finds and their experience exploring the Regents Canal. They are joined by a group of local residents who share their love for the canal and its history, and the group ends the day with a toast to the canal and its continued preservation.
Mud Men season 2 episode 8 is a fascinating exploration of London's industrial past, and a testament to the importance of preserving its historic waterways. Through the eyes of Johnny Vaughan and Steve Brooker, viewers are taken on a captivating journey through the mud and murky waters of the Regents Canal, uncovering treasures and artifacts that provide a glimpse into the canal's storied past.