Cruising into Darkness- Episode75
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- Опубликовано: 11 дек 2019
- We have a very long and frustrating day getting our narrowboat Constanze into Manchester.
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We cruise through Todmorden and enjoy some rare winter sunshine.
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Thanks for showing a warts and all account of the canals. Not everyday is it paradise and this made it real.
Glad you made it into Manchester safely.
Thanks to your beautiful work. Please keep, it up.
So taken with watching you guys traversing the Uk. Great content. Glad you enjoyed our family name for a floor sweeper. Much love. Xx
Very glad Fran wasn't hurt!
Oh wow!
Well done guys, that was a monumental effort! 😎😎
Thank you Bryan
Great vlog both. Shows the dark side of narrow boating and the bad side of people. Glad you made it safe .
Take care and thank you for sharing 👍
Another great start to my day, cup of tea and your vlog
Thank you Hugh
Your both extremely brave to have done that. Me and my dad did the same journey a few years ago and even then it was bad.
well done you two!
You two are amazing. What teamwork and restraint and perseverance. Thanks for finding the wherewithal to film.
Thank you so much x
Hi Fran and Rich keep warm and safe. Thanks for all the great vlogs this year. Merry Christmas xx
Thank you for sticking with us Annie. X
Hi guys ,you sure had to work hard there Rich all them locks ,,,still cheaper then the gym lol ,,nice to see you back,keep them vids coming,john🎄
Well done guys what a great workout for you both.you done well👍😁👏👏👏
Thank you David. We certainly slept well that night.
Definitely staying in Naples during winter - poor things, but many thanks for the education, can't wait to see the delights of Manchester :)
Can't believe you came here, it's the bist hole of you could wish for, you, hope you have a good time, Manchester is good 👍👍🤣some of the people you don't to close too, and I am not a boater I,
,.I hope you survive in the dark, I'm not a boater a I wouldn't stay there 😩
It was one of our worst journeys, but we did love Manchester
Phew that was exhausting to watch seeing all the work you had to put in and wondering if you would make it. Glad you made it there OK.
Top Effort !! Well Done and one of the hardest to watch yet enjoyable episodes yet cos of the pressures on you both .. 10 /10 Guys !! Kia Kaha
Sorry about the pressure Stu. We like to keep you all on your toes. You can't always be relaxed you know.
wow...rough day...you guys are amazing :-)
Thank you Theanne
Well done you two that came across as being a bit grim as bad as when you came out of Brum but without the weed. you don't half pick em, didn't notice you passing any boats at all. Hope you were able to get a few ' coffee s' after that. Thanks for filming it though a lot of people might not have bothered. Take care. Alan.
Love golden and silhouettes.....
Well done both of you - A sad sign of the times as many have said.....
Hi Rich & Fran, that had us on the edge of our sofa all the way to Manchester, we're exhausted with you. ! That deep dungeon of a lock was like going through the Corinth Canal...scary.. well done both, hope you had a cosy cuppa somewhere nice later.
Thank June. We did have a cosy pick-me-up but it was in a glass not a cup and I think it was much deserved.
Not an easy video to watch because I was so tense about your plight, even though I knew it came out ok in the end. But, I am so glad you filmed it and put it up because it’s good to see the whole picture. We are hoping to do a hire boat as soon as we are allowed to travel to england again and it’s good to know what to expect near the cities. I appreciated the comment from someone that you could have booked volunteer help from the CRT to get you through those locks more quickly. I learn so much watching your vlogs.
Love it.... you guys are leading the way. Claim back the canals ✊ maybe an unmarked police narrow boat lol
Cheers keep up the good work, you guys are both awsome!!
Thank you Alex.
Well, I'm completely besotted by your garden atop your N.B. Lovely. Thanks for including me in your adventures. I'm learning a lot.
Thank you so much for watching. Glad you are enjoying the videos
hello rich and fran glad to see you both got into manchester safely hope you enjoy cruising the leeds and liverpool canal if and when you make it .wishing you both all the best for christmas and the new year
Thank you Graham x
Time for a hot cuppa, well deserved, well done to the both of you....
Quite right Gaz. Thank you.
Gosh , I could feel the tension watching , scarey , so sad , one to remember to do in the summer when longer days and hopefully more boats around , I can fully understand if u never did that section again , so sad to have to say that , great footage , so much for use newbies to learn from , thanks again 👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧
Thanks Chris. I think it would have been so much easier in the summer, but we really feel we dont need to go there again. There is so much more peaceful travelling to be done.
Happily Fran. you gifted me all the wild garlic i can NOW EAT in my yard. You are a loving treat in my solo life, I enjoy every episode and love the discovery you share.
Thank you Joanne, that's wonderful x
Well done you two, it was exhausting just watching you, but coping so well so hope you managed a little lifter or two later !
Thank you Phil, I think we deserved it. X
Two tips. Get some pond gloves that come up to your shoulder for the weed hatch, and also get some fisher mans waders that come up to your chest, so if you can't pole yourself off a grounding, you can get in and push the boat off, I have used them a few times and has been invaluable on a couple of occasions.
No wonder people avoid certain places now.....that was epic doing all the locks....
This episode was a real nail biter! So very glad you made it to safe mooring and didn’t have any more bad encounters after the one.
It was a long day but followed up by lovely moorings and s good rest so all is well. Thanks for watching.
Hi both. That was a troubled journey, sorry you were set upon and glad you kept your spirits up and weren’t travelling too long in the dark. Keep safe Alan x
Hi Alan. We just about made it before it was completely dark and fortunately the pub lights were on so we were able to get a little pick-me-up. Hope you are well.
Hi both I’m fine thanks. That was a nasty and unnecessary comment by Vicki Johnson, why do people have to be so cruel?
Thank you for sharing both enjoying your travels
do you grow herbs Fran ?
We have lots of herbs on the roof and some salad plants too
Interesting. You guys have a lot of patience. Good job
We try Richard, at least when the camera is on 😊
Glad you made it safely, Rubbish around your Prop, Grounded, Zombies on the Bridge, the stuff of Nightmares,well done both of you.
It was all worth it in the end George. Thank you for wartching
So scary this last bit. It was a white knuckle ride for me, I can't imagine how it must have been for you. Thanks for sharing this with us though. It shows not everywhere has a calm a peaceful countryside or city. So sad. Prayers are with you as you journey. I know this is an old one, but you are still travelling on the waterways.
This was one of our most stressful journeys. We wouldn't want to repeat it.
I decided the rochdale was not for me some time ago, especislly as a single handed boater. Well done for making it into Manchester, hope you enjoyed your stay there.
Manchester has been great and well worth the journey, but not easy for a solo boater. Help would be needed I think.
Another great vlog Rich and Fran, really so sorry to hear about your experience with some local ambassadors for the North West. A nasty experience but thankfully for the good, your strength of character came through the stronger and it truly showed in the end.
Thank you Paul. It was just a few kids in a sea of lovely, friendly, helpful people. We are still loving it up north
Paul Burns Ambastadors 😂
Well done you two hope it was worth the hassle
It certainly was.
That had to be scary after those kids bothered you in daylight, to think about after dark! Great job keeping your cool. You had to be sore the next day turning the gates so much. Glad you made it safely. Thank you for sharing your adventures with us
It was a little scary as you are trapped when you're on a boat, but really they were just kids mucking about. No harm done
Glad to hear you are both ok
Glad you made it safely.
Thanks Rick x
looks to be a overall 'Good Day'...hard work ,congrats
It's all part of the experience.
Wot a day! Glad you got through,looks a dirty section of the network.take care both ,have a nice Christmas.
We're glad we got through it too, calmer days ahead.
Definitely not the glamorous side of canal boating life.
Living in Arizona, where it gets up to 122, I don’t function in anything under 62F. Literally, I don’t move. You two are of strong stock, that’s for sure.
Loving your videos. I want to see Tom limbo under a gate handle. Looking forward to a vlog about Manchester. I can't imagine Tom as a Manchester United Fan.
Thanks Allan, I can't imagine Rich limboing anywhere especially on those slippery locks. And our football colours are claret and blue, West ham United for me, Aston villa for Rich. But don't tell the folks of Manchester! 😁
Another great video, don't envy your trip to Manchester at dark. Hope your home finally sold? Normally watch you on Smart TV so I don't get to thumbs up, but I finally logged on computer to subscribe. Keep up the great off boat videos.
Hi Bill, Glad you managed to subscribe. We're in the final stages of the house sale again now, but don't know if it will go through because of Corona. We'll just have to sit tight
Well you can see why you met no other boats! Shame about the kids throwing sticks. It was a bold move attempting that journey with so little daylight, I salute you both. Even though it's grim and dreary there it made for fascinating viewing, thanks for that Rich & Fran 👏👏👏
It would definitely have been a lot less stressful with more daylight hours and better weather. December's probably not the best time to be there.
@@FloatingOurBoat but because you did it in December it made it more intrepid and interesting.
wow look at you cruising towards 8,000 subscribers - congrats are in order ! here in the USA the scrappers pick up those beer cans about as fast as you throw 'em out lol
We reached 8,000 today, cant believe it. Wish we had a few of your scrappers here.
a great achievement for you both , as it was realized in short order I might add - I assume there was a HUGE monetary award from RUclips lol
Glad you made it ok. Guess a tough day on the canal beats a good day sitting in a office anytime.
@Jeff Hambleton it's a case of getting through the tough bits onto a quiet peaceful canal for the Christmas period and trying to get to where we want before the stoppages start and we get locked in somewhere. We don't usually travel in this weather unless we need to.
Long arduous day, but what a team. Stove, tea, cake and cuddles; all is forgotten. If you don’t post again before Christmas, take care. Get some extra long ‘rubber’ gloves, big size so you can wear woollen ones inside, for clearing the weed box. Regards AJ
Teamwork definitely makes it a lot easier, as do stove, tea, cake and cuddles. You know us too well😊
You have had quite a few endless bits of challenge on this journey that could really beat u both up mentally, yet you both handled it so well. What a great example of stick-to-it-ness! Thanks for the great example we can emulate & the great pics of birds, scenery, etc... Loved how early on the music beat matched the quick steps of ur little pup, whose name now escapes me. Not Archie, the wee black one! Peace! Q
Rich was particularly happy with the way the music fitted in with little Jess on her trot along the towpath.
Not all days can be gentle sunny cruises. Spring will soon be on its way.
@@FloatingOurBoat Dear Fran & Rich! The musical match-up with Jess' wee paws was noted; made me smile! You may not have gentle, sunny cruising days for a bit, but as u said, Fran, there r other lovely things to see! Merry Christmas! Q
I watched the Good LIfe years ago here in the U.S. on our Public Radio Station.
Nice one bloody kids I don’t know if you have seen Martin zeros vlog about that mill you past on the way in to Manchester it’s worth a watch .You did well getting in by 5 pm top vlog brilliant ✌️
Hi Lee. We do watch some of Martin zero's videos but haven't seen that one. We will look out for it. Thank you for watching.
Hi to you both interesting journey and you made it in good spirits exept for the kids. seems kids all over are just not being brought up very well we have the same here in the us sad but true but good to see you both just keep em coming always ready for your next vlog Ed 40 south of vegas XXX
Thanks Ed. I guess kids of that age have always had a naughtly streak, but now we are so limited in the way we react or even talk to them. The only thing to do is point the camera and keep going.
Rich and Fran! This was a tuff one. I was very sad to hear that the young people were so disrespectful to Ms. Fran! I’m so sorry that that had to happen on such a hard day. Keep your chins up! You two are such great people! I’ve been listening to radio 3 it helps me relax. I’ll bet the two of you slept like the dead that night..LOL.. With much respect and admiration, Mark from Colorado USA 🇺🇸
We still love it. We know that in a couple of days we can move from the centre of Manchester which has been great with wonderful quiet moorings to beautiful peaceful countryside again. Every form of travel has its downside and this was just one day.
When we got to Littleborough we were told not to go into Manchester that way, but you haven't completely put us off going down that way, just that we wouldn't be there at that time of year. Still loved your never say die attitude even if Rich lost the will to live. And you've got Boris for the next four years!
You are quite right to still go. The short daylight hours were the final straw for us. Just prepare for a long day and be aware. The moorings in Manchester are fantastic and it is well worth the trip.
@@FloatingOurBoat we have been into Manchester from both the Rochdale 9 and from Old Trafford(hope you did the tour even a Liverpool supporter like me enjoyed it) end and thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope you saw a show at the Lowry, its awesome. Harley
i've not done that flight myself, but i know of the difficulties. locking in the dark is a bit iffy to say the least, there's enough potential for danger in daylight. big hugs to you both, and don't let the bar stewards get you down.
ian r.
The marina was really well lit so mooring was no problem. We definitely won't cruise again in the dark unless we have to, and definitely wouldn't be doing locks.
Hi Rich & Fran...top tip on the delving into the weedhatch in winter...pour a kettle of hot water down there first...it tends to stay in the confines of the weedhatch and helps...well, a bit anyway :) And, as you know....it's hard being a cowboy in Rochdale as the spurs don't fit right on your clogs ;)
Cheers Ronnie. I introduced Fran to Mike Harding singing that on RUclips the other night 😄👍
Ha ha! Rich only just introduced me to that recently. 😂
Fran x
@@FloatingOurBoat It was obviously well before your time Fran. Old codgers like me and Rich remember it well ;)
Those 18 locks through Newton Heath and Failsworth are absolute hell. One local historian told me the restoration ran out of money at this point and it still shows 15+ years later. CRT has a lot of works planned on the Rochdale this winter let’s hope they sort. it. out.
Let's hope so. If we ever go there again we want to 'Crank It'
Small wonder why the Rochdale canal, is in disrepair or neglected. That looked like he'll on water. Not a canal I'll be bothering with, especially as a solo boater. Well done for getting thro thou. You deserve a medal.
I think a solo boater would be well advised to enlist help for this stretch. it is still an interesting area though. We are glad we have done it.
As a solo boater, I really appreciate all the detail you put into your vlogs, even if it's a bit grim! This one does leave me worried about doing the Rochdale though! Hope you are now feeling recovered and ready for new adventures!
We do try to be honest about how things are. I think if you are a solo boater it would be a good idea to enlist some friends for this stretch. All worth it in the end though.
I think a solo boater can book with CRT and get helped down through the locks
@@lawrencestokes5745 yes you are right. I think we could possibly have booked help too, but we had no idea it would be so tough!
@@FloatingOurBoat Tough is putting it mildly. What you two achieved was amazing. I have just read back through my blog to refresh my memory. I had forgotten just how bad it was. Its really very sad, CRT have spent so much money on reinstating the canal and it goes through some stunningly beautiful country with an amazing history and it looks and feels as though the section from New Islington Marina to the Summit could become derelict again very soon.
Nice thanks.👍😁😎
Tough going! You must have been exhausted by the end of the day!
We were, but soon recovered the next day.
Got our first NB rental for June next year and we're planning to do the Cheshire Ring. Now want to avoid Manchester altogether, so will stay on the Maccy and Peak Forest.
Love your spirits and good humour.
If you are only on the boat for a shorttime, it probably is a good idea to avoid this stretch. It is hard work, but would also be much better in the summer with more hours of daylight and hopefully other boaters about. Have a great time whatever you do.
The Cheshire ring doesn't go up the Rochdale...and I wouldn't worry about going through Manchester if you come down the Macc it's fine and very interesting through the centre.
@@ronnielloyd4676 thanks for the feedback Ronnie. This is our first cruise so with much thought, have gone for a slower option, so that we can really explore each stop.
I think that is the best way to entice my wife into this potential lifestyle, rather than a frenetic Ring trip.
Cheers.
@@FloatingOurBoat this will be our first trial of an alternate lifestyle, with the aim of getting free from our current stressed out and dead end jobs.
I watch many canal vloggers like yourselves and this is a no brainer for first try.
Perchance there is a potential vlog series here?
See you on the cut.
@@islamentable1290 That's probably wise :) Good luck with the trip. Hopefully, the weather will be fine for you and you will both love it so much it persuades you to take the plunge. If you feel your other half is teetering on the edge, try the Mon and Brec. It's a bit of a cheat as it's not joined to the network, but it is beautiful and very easy.
I think you are both brave to do a canal in the dark
Not through choice Peter and hopefully we wont be doing it again in a hurry
Especially that one!
Canal Time Rich, hang in there brother.
.....GOOD ON BILLY! Thanks Billy, for getting our "Floating Our Boat" friends through the lift bridge.....🎶GO BILLY, GO BILLY🎵
Billy was a true hero👏👏👏
Hi Rich/Fran
sorry about the thugs on your travels, I work close to where you passed, the kids around there are feral. I agree the Rochdale is awful in places. Hope you find Manchester more welcoming it really is becoming amazing with all the buildings going up.
Take care and stay safe.
It was great to get into Manchester and everyone was so friendly. We had a great time. Thank you Andy
Good grief, that was nerve racking! Hope you didn't have to go back the same way. Those stone throwing incidents are really not on. We have a lot of it on the main road through Sweden, when we want to visit Bornholm, except the ....... use catapults and chunks of masonry. Thank God no one has been killed. As you say Rich, sign of the times. I just don't understand why we should have to put up with it.take care.
Quite agree with you. I guess every country has its areas of trouble. We haven't been back that way since.
Starting off in Rochdale reminds me of the time my friend rang me up and asked me if I wanted to manage a football team for him in Sheffield 💁🏻♂️ I told him I can’t do Wednesday.
Boom boom 😄👍
Floating Our Boat 🤣
I remember going into harbors off the Great Lakes in the dark. At least we have the benefit of navigation aids and lighted buoys. I see nothing there to guide the way as you make your way in and out of the locks. I hope there are at least some street lights around them. It would seem to be a bit treacherous in the dark.
Fortunately there were some street lights otherwise it would have been much worse
That was cool at 19:00 when you cranked open the gate, it looked like you were pulling the right side of the screen to you. from the tv view of coarse.
We never get to see our videos Inna TV screen!
A small electric screwdriver with a machined anti-vandal key in the chuck is a fast way to undo and redo those annoying but necessary boxes. grind down the handle end to a hex or triangular cross section.
Behavior is more a sign of lack of good parenting and "can't touch me" mentality.... sad isnt it?'
Funny I was thinking about suggesting a large battery powered drill to open up those lock paddles.......
@@patmcdonald8241 Tried that.... doesnt work without flying out of your hands!! Needs loads of torque to get started, then nothing so too much trouble to carry so much.
Might come up with something to turn the really low geared ones though.
Ya, sign of the times. First visit to England (actually London) was 6/1966. Lovely. Second visit to London was 6/2001. Not as good. To bad, so sad. Courtenay
Nothing stays the same does it?
Another good Vlog, but you seemed a bit down today. Cheer up it's nearly Christmas. :-)
That's why we're down -ha ha. Thanks for watching. x
Hi, love your videos, in fact im looking at boats now to buy. Ive been watching many utube video's and i was under the impression the Cut was safe. Imagine my surprise when you said you have to plan moorings because its not safe. This is news I'll have to look into further i think. I'm totally reassessing if its a good idea .
You play the odds no matter what your endeavor. The bathtub is still the most dangerous place to spend time.
@@geraldhenrickson7472 , Is that with or without Water?.....
Hi Harry and thanks again for watching. As you will see from our previous videos 99% of the time the canal network is very safe. Unfortunately big cities bring their own issues and mooring in certain areas is not recommended just as you wouldn't leave your car parked in the same areas.
Don't let it out you off what is a great way of life.
That was a tough cruise, and just so cross to read of the local difficulty, not good. Take care
I guess it can happen anywhere but we are definitely heading to quieter canals and greenery now. Thanks for watching x
Just watched the entire series😁 Great watching and i was just wondering did you ever check that you had the right size prop? At the start you weren't sure that the engine was working too hard.👍
The guys at the boatyard had a look when we did the blacking and they seemed to think it was all ok.
A wonderful video. So sorry that kids these days can be real hoodlums, but am glad you made it safely in the dark to Manchester. Thanks for this one ;)
Thank you Michael
Not just kids. There are the 1% bad wherever you travel. Or work, or shop, or relax.
Where that lift bridge is under the road tunnel to the left 30 second walk & that's where I live 😆😆
Oh No, where were you when we needed you??? x
@@FloatingOurBoat when it comes to boating I'm a bad back seat passenger. I like to helm otherwise I become grumpy 🤣🤣🤣
Glad you two are still in honeymoon phase. By the end of all that husband and I would have been at each other with the windlasses. Lol. Interesting canal.
I hope in a good way... ;p
We were fine. It was circumstances we got fed up with, not each other. A glass of wine and all was well.x
hi i live a half mile from the Bridgewater thats at the end of the Rochdale canal years ago thay fill in the canal as it was to close kids kept and the council closed it
Hi Rich & Fran, glad you made it to your mooring. I'm coming off Peak Forest onto Ashton into Manchester, hoping to moor around Piccadilly basin.
Is that where you moored?
Hello Mark. We were in the Visitor moorings (right in front of Cask bar) at New Islington. Very good facilities Aldi nearby. Hope you're well.
Bless your hearts. 🤗🙌
I sympathize with you both its very frustrating cruising some canals having done the Huddersfield Narrow on my own in May and calling out CRT 4 times because paddles or gates not working. CRT like us to think they invest in the canal networks but in reality they do very little. They like new Logos and promoting towpath activities which really does not help us boaters at all. All you can do is keep on keeping on.
We also found the Huddersfield narrow really hard work and that was with two if us working the boat. CRT are planning lots of work on the Rochdale over winter so let's hope it is better next year.
Beautiful shot of the sunrise. Were you up that early or just set your go pro on a timer..... ;) Hope your visit in Manchester goes well and if we don't hear from you before the holidays, Happy Christmas and all the best in the New Year.
Thanks Pat and Seasons Greetings to you too. I was up that early (only 7.30 ish this time of year), wasn't it beautiful?
Thanks for watching Rich x
Kids watch adults and learn, you have taught them a lesson asking them as adults to stop.
It certainly makes us thankful that we chose caravanning as opposed to narrow boating. Not for us at all 😏
In your travels, you get to see the "best of" and the "worst of" people. Unfortunately, Manchester sounds like they have their share of "worst of" people. It can be very discouraging, and it's hard to offset those types with the vast number of "best of" people you meet. Safe travels!
Hi Bill. Nearly everybody we met were helpful, interested in the boat and pleasant. It was just a few kids that spoilt it for us. I think it is the same throughout life.
Sad to think that some young kids today think throwing things at people is a fun activity. Glad you weren't hurt, but must have been quite disconcerting at the time. Another interesting vlog, thank you.
Thank you Jane. I guess it was just a couple of kids with a couple of sticks, but at the time it was quite nerve wracking. Still, all was well in the end with a lovely sunset to reward us. X
Hi Fran and Rich, You know I have been messaging you for a while now enjoying your vlog and your presentations. but I am not sure if I have told you before but I am a forensic Counsellor working in many fields of counselling. But I would forget who I am if kids started throwing stuff at me, my boat and my friend Ruth, I would possible get the urge to throw them in the canal.. You might remember earlier in the year you and Fran had this same problem with kids throwing stuff from a bridge. anyway springs around the corner I think. take care... Regards John in NZ Kaiora
Hi John. In 20 months of boating we have only had two minor incidents like this, so that's probably not bad going. Tomorrow's another day x
@@FloatingOurBoat Sure, and it wont put me off from doing my thing on the cut, happy Christmas and a great new year
Hi I hope you go through marple as it’s my place in the world ,,
Keep watching!
That’s put me right off. Just struck the Rochdale canal off my list
We are still glad we have done it. It has been really interesting. Maybe better with more daylight hours. We cant wait to get back in to the sticks though.
That was a grim looking journey with nothing to commend it to anyone except the friendliness of the people who spoke to you and offered help. There really needs to be some big investment in the North of England and give people hope of better lives and surroundings, too much goes into one small area of the country in the South East.
Quite agree
Like me....yes darling 🤣🤣🤣
Saw where you had to get a new windlass. Out of curiosity, is there maybe an attachment you can get to for a cordless impact or drill? Would make it easier.
I guess you could get an attachment to a drill, but it would have to use a lot of power for some of those locks and to be honest, the exercise is good for us.
Well then, there you go.