Taking on the Rochdale 9 on my own - infamous Manchester canal locks
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- Опубликовано: 21 апр 2020
- The Rochdale 9 is well known as a notoriously difficult set of inner city locks. Leaking gates, bridges covered in pigeon shit and crack heads hanging out on the locks. I took my narrowboat up from Castlefield basin, lock 92 to lock 84 and then two more; 83 and 82 to reach the BWML visitor moorings at New Islington.
Filmed November 2019 on iPhone 11 Pro and July 2019 on iPhone 8 Plus, edited on Lumafusion. All music by me and most is available on itunes etc.
Patreon/Crank It Crew details and links to music/instagram/twitter: robbiecumming
Pub of the Week: Cask in New Islington
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Thanks for watching!
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My dad was born in Manchester in (believe it or not) 1895! He emigrated to America during WWI, and eventually ended up in San Francisco, where I was born, in 1950. I’m fascinated by seeing Manchester, even though it is, of course, completely different now than when he lived there as a lad.
Total respect to you Robbie , for navigating that section on your own
As a Mancunian I was a little disappointed by the condition and issues you had to face on our inner city canal, things need to be addressed. But a great Vlog Robbie and stay safe. :-)
Blimey Robbie, We have lived in Manchester all our lives, Seen very little of the underneath, Great video and looking forward to your new series tomorrow night.
Dave and Elaine.
I remember taking these on in 1978. Had to get the cut filled with water first!
This was a very interesting video. Yeah it's a bit rough down there in that channel, especially under the city itself, but it's interesting to think some people built all of that. Not to mention all the layers of history of the city itself, good and bad. I was watching another RUclipsr named Martin Zero, who has done a number of videos on Manchester and he did one of this same area, but of the old rail bridge running over this channel. At one point he mentions that there is a river under the channel which is below the old rail bridge or something to that effect. If they could just clean up the locks, channel debris and people shooting up along this part, this would be a pretty nice section for boaters and tour operators. Great job Robbie.
I am 60 next year and have been debating a Narrowboat or a Campervan to live in and explore the UK and take early retirement. What I like about your videos it is an honest look at life on the canals. Stay safe
I explored Manc-chester mainly on foot for more than 2 weeks in the hot summer of 2018 (every Mancunian asking me why in the whole world) and I so much liked Castlefields! I was pretty impressed by all the traffic routes crossing in that area (canal, streets, railways, pedestrian) resulting in several bridges one over another. So nice to explore it with you by boat now :o)
One of the great things about canal vlogs is that I get to visit canals that I'll probably never get to do in person.
Greetings Robbie.
In the 1950s as a baby born in the Manchester Northern Hospital my childhood years spent in and around Manchester City centre exploring the city.
The Rochdale canal was derelict and abandoned.
It may be open now but is in very poor condition for boaters to use.
The grime riddled locks and dark tunnels are a stark reminder of the dirty industrial past.
In all city centers canals attract low life dolers smack heads and vagrant people.
It is this aspect of boating life as depicted in your vlog from 2019 that makes your journey through cities extremely irritable and annoying to endure when traveling.
As far as I know only Birmingham cleaned its act up and its safe to moor in the city center.
Because the council own the canal monies won't be spent on it unnecessarily.
Thank you for re posting this vlog
I love my birth place Manchester
As it goes I used to work in Deansgate.
Keep safe and dry and virus free
Urban and inner city canals certainly offer an interesting view you wouldn’t get to see any other way but at the same time can be horrendously grotty places to be with goodness knows what lurking under the water such as the ubiquitous shopping trolleys and push bikes or worse. Mooring up in these areas can be quite sketchy too.
Great upload rob, I've missed them over the last while whilst you were off gallivanting with the BBC. 😂⚓⚓
Well done Robbie for doing these locks on your own. Lock 85 brings back bad memories for us as we passed through it many, many years ago on an August Bank Holiday when we had two BW (pre CRT) guys escort us under the building and road section plus through the lock. We had to stay onboard during this passage and keep children inside the boat!!!! May have marginally improved but, as you say, it has a detrimental impact on the great variety of architecture along the whole section of the 9 locks. Keep going and stay safe
Went down 20 years ago - had a lock keeper to help us down, the locks were well greased and basically worn out. Other memory was drugs being bought and sold, plus the extra charge to go down the flight
Well done Robbie showing up of the underside of my old city and showcasing the re emergence of a new exiting canalside life.
Keep well in these scary times mate!
7:30 Gosh ... all these names on the map bringing back memories of the time I spent in Manchester some 30 years ago. Buildings hasn't changed much. I so miss Manchester. Well actually ... I miss the UK :(
As arduous as that seemed to be, you should console yourself in the knowledge that it made for fascinating content for us. :-)
All the best, and stay healthy and well. :-)
I ve used the canal towpaths around Manchester and Leeds for many years, since I was old enough to ride a bike. Been down the ship canal to Liverpool a couple of times ( in an actual boat for a change 😆 ). Used the canals in Leeds on my cycle commutes into the city and for general leisure. The canals are a hidden gem and a reminder of our industrial heritage and our past. They need to be restored and preserved as much as and old building or stately home.
Another cracking view of “ Real Life “ on a boat mate
Despite the poor conditions that video was very informative and entertaining. Thanks for the vid Robbie.
Tough day buddy. We had so much fun with Manc folks going through the Rochdale, they are such great people. Thanks for the shout out and hope you are all well xx
You’re welcome! Always a good laugh bumping into you two 🤓👍
I found the Marina at the end of the video to be quite interesting and their fees seem to be very reasonable. A very clean facility to tidy oneself up and do your dirty laundry. It would be nice to see more facilities like this along the network. Well done on this one Robbie, very enjoyable.
Excellent camera work. Very sharp and clear.
Thanks Alan v kind
"Pub of the Week"...how I miss that. Thanks for including it in this one. Looked posh, but still enjoyable. Especially that pint.
Idea of the day: would it be fun to cut a 10-minute compilation of as many Pubs of the Week that will fit in a vid. And do it for the shut-ins around the world like me who miss a good UK pub during the Age of Covid.
Could do! Although quality would be poor as I don’t have access to old footage (it’s on the boat). I’ve got so many ideas to go with despite lockdown restrictions, I just need to pick the best one!
That bought back memories. I did this 28 years ago when I was 16 with my parents and little brother. We were doing the Cheshire Ring in the opposite direction and the canal looks in very good shape compared to then, there was one pound that was so full the towpath was underwater and I had to climb off the bow of the boat directly on to the top gate of the lock, I rembeber my dad saying "Isn't that a waste of water" and I said "It isn't our water and we've paid the toll so how else do we get through". I remember mooring up for a cup of tea while waiting for the water to drain after I opened top and bottom paddles. That was after going through the underground section in the dark as the lights were either broken or just off, so operating locks with nothing but a rubbish tunnel light and the curtains drawn back to let the cabin light shine whilst crossing lock gates with broken glass on.
Ah yep towpath flooding still happens especially if you’re going through at a pace!
Hey Robbie, Great to see you "“ Improvise, Adapt, Overcome,”. Loved seeing you back on the canal (even if it was from a time past. It never gets old.)
Ha ha absobloodylutely!
You asked me the other day if your video was a true representation of the Rochdale 9 haven't watched it again I would say yes thank you for your videos I'm nice to finally meet you
You too Kev! 🤓👍
I love this, Robbie. It's so nice seeing my university city again. I miss the canals.
Great video to watch on a Wednesday evening.
We came down this canal last August - not an experience I am looking to repeat.
At lock 85, we just could not open the top gates to get into the lock. Two passers-by lent a hand but with three strong adult males, the gate would not shift. We ended up wrapping out bow-line around the centre post of one of the gates, turning on the diesel (we normally use the electric hybrid drive in locks rather than have the diesel ticking over, wasting fuel and smothering us in fumes) and then going into reverse with some stick on the engine. Finally, it shifted. I would expect that CRT would spend some money on these locks instead of some of the waste one sees around the network.
Jeepers it's really like an underground water maze, dungeons and drag queens! Intriguing canal network but sleazy area.
Gritty and realistic. Just how we like it! Great video.
Glad to see one of your journeys, albeit and older one. Such strange times we’re in . Hope you’re safe and well!
Brings back memories! I used to live up at Sport City and my walk to and from the city centre was along the Ashton Canal. Lived on Brewer Street for a bit too. That's the flats just on the left when you came out from the underground lock. The ones behind the lads that waved at you. So I have had plenty of strange experiences/sights walking to or from home back in the day lol. I moved back to Geordie land in 2010 but I really do miss Manchester.
Hi worked at iii, Piccadilly , thankfully the ground floor !
Certainly the most unusual section of canal I have seen. Thanks for the vid.
I was last thru the 9 about 40 years ago and you should have seen it then! The sunken boats, weed, debris, solid rubbish and dark, dark but fascinating with little sign of current human life but plenty from the past. The rest of the Rochdale and Huddersfield was derelict and empty in the city. This is bloodeeee looxury! Fascinating! I’ll be back I hope!
May not have been the most enjoyable cruise for you but so nice to see you crankin' it. Thanks, Robbie. Stay well.
Excellent vlog Robbie. Brings back some memories when I came to get me brasses. Even though the area looks run down and work in process the canal seems to give it, it's own sence of beauty. Glad to see you are coping and keeping well. Oh well keep safe and keep cranking it. Cheers pal..
Hi Robbie. It certainly keeps you fit. Thanks for sharing your stories.
Entertaining and informative as always. Cheers and take it easy
Very enjoyable vlog Robbie........stay safe....thanks for sharing
Robbie big 👍up, I think is One of the best vlogs you have made, and look forward to more.stay safe.
Thanks Colin I really wanted to make something extra special to entertain everyone during this stressful time
Good to see you on the move. Stay well and safe
Canal Maestro Robbie!
Hi Robbie, my wife and I did the Rochdale 9 in June last year and your video brought back all the memories, warts and all. Thank you.
Nice to see you're well Robbie, that took me back to my early teenage years( mid 70s ) hanging with cousins , wasn't always a shit hole , shame times change , not always for the good !! stay safe friend !!
Fascinating Robbie. It's a shame the CRT & Manchester Council don't invest in the system a little more.
Once again great vlog. I am like most i love the beautiful countryside cruises, but really like seeing this side too. A big city is like just about every other big city. There's the dark and grimmy parts. Just be watchful and careful and hopefully you'll make it thru. It's a place that's looks interesting. Well be safe stay healthy and cheers mate
Enjoy your Vlogs from Brisbane Australia ! Keep up the humours comments !
But don’t complain to much you obviously love what you do .
WELL DONE !👍😉
wonderful to see you back on the RUclips style. My old stomping ground during the 70's (Factory days pre Hacienda!!) and 80's. When that stretch did reopen, allowing the Cheshire ring, it was a LOT rougher than it is now.. New Islington was Ancoats and not a place one would leave a boat even if in the pub next to it!. All looks wonderful now... and expensive!
Stay safe wherever you are.
Dude this is so cool watching you in the city doing this. I don't know much about this type of life, but I plan to do a hire boat one day with the wife. Just soaking up as much knowledge as I can. I always figured these are more rural, and seeing this in the city is such a different vibe. You just got another sub! Stay safe out there Robbie!
Well you knocked that one right on its head me ol' mucker.
Those nine certainly are a challenging cut of colourful contrasting contradictions.
I 'enjoyed' pudling my way through a 'technicolor yawn' at Canal Street (kind of apt)
Excellent choice of mooring RC
Saw your boat there when we arrived. Great to see the legendary Naughty Lass
Beaverton Lupuloid - say no more
Like you say: brilliant people. Some characters for sure. Stayed for a while. Loved Citys vibrant atmosphere. Superb
Keep safe!
Good to hear Naughty Lass' engine again., so that's the canal life of Manchester!!! Take care and thank you
I was at that marina 16th February last year repairing one of the water/electric hook up bollards. Pretty much opposite where the camera is at 21:59. The water supply to the tap had been leaking onto the electrical connections which is less than ideal, but you wouldn’t believe the previous repair before we got there. Someone had actually cable tied a piece of wire around the pipe work to hold it together 🤦♀️
fascinating stretch of canal. Thanks for sharing it!
You’re welcome Emma thanks for watching
Thank you I miss Manchester.
Thanks for sharing.
Fascinating canal.
Great video Robbie. I love seeing the cities from the canal eye view. I hope you are feeling better. :)
Thank you Carolyn, am fine, yes I do too it’s the best way!
Looking forward to tonight’s episode of Canal Boat Diaries 💪👊❤️
Excellent. Lovely the whole gritty northern vibe, counterpointed with your earlier comedy clips. In my mind I added a New Order / Peter Hook sound track. Outstanding work, Robbie
Not a fan of Peter Hook as a person but very much inspired by his music. From that bassline for Isolation to Monaco What do you want from me... not how it used to be... etc Bloody love it
Well done rob😁👍👏👏👏
Robbie
Really enjoyed that video as shows a different side to boating.Some places are great,others as we found out not so nice.
Keep on cranking.
Russ
Mad for it Robbie 👍
Very very heavy and leaky locks - we did it in 2009 ( gosh can't believe it was soooo long ago) It was a Sunday morning so the "underworld" was populated by families which did help a lot. I enjoyed it but very very hard work
My God - that was hard. Great film Robbie. I have no idea how you film, drive a boat and open/close locks. You are a wizard.
50yrs ago Manchester nightlife was infamous seems a bit grubby. Today probably disgiusting when my bro and I spent a lot of debauching nites bloody loved Manchester. Won't rabbit on bud just to say cheers n beers gud vid Marty Australia
Very informative, thank you. One day we might find ourselves going that way.xx
Robbielad! Thanks for another vlog...ALWAYS interesting to see how you manage locks by yourself. Looks like a real workout! Hope you and yours stay healthy and happy. All the best from the U.S. (in Massachusetts and Connecticut, by the way!). Cheers, buddy. J.
Cheers John glad you liked it!
Hi Robbie , just discovered your canal boat diaries ...love them...will check out your videos...cheers..
Great watching you
🤓 👍
Not the most pleasant canal I've seen you travel, but, always good to see my Friend in good health. Love to you and the family. Crank on!
Thanks Eric!
Really enjoyed that as went to the o2 for an Elbow gig last December and have been for works meetings at an architects at Dulce street where the reception area overlooked the canal (much to my delight).
Great to see you Robie. Hope all is well w/you & your gf?
Enjoyed the video. Keep on keeping on. Be safe & God bless us all durning this dang COVID-19 virus.
Chris from Missouri
Hey Chris yes all fine here! Hope you’re well if not keep cranking it!
Thanks for that Robbie....stay safe my friend Regards Mick
Nice one, hope your safe and well. Hopefully be back on the cut very soon.
I’ve done that section loads of times, in fact over ten years ago I emptied canal street pound by mistake having left a paddle up when I was a newbie, good video.
Ah cool. Easy to do I imagine! Cheers and thanks for watching!
Hi Robbie after whatching yourself and others in August 2019 i went to Gargrave and bought a 42 ft narrowboat never sailed even a bathtub to this date,anyway off i went made it to Manchester in six days then i found the Rochdale 9,started at about 3pm in the rain got out at about 9 pm its just as you say a right sxxx hole ,was not happy about the placethe rain did not help but i got through on my own, a chap that works a boat round there pointedme on to the Ashton just round the corner and a sound night sleep was had, by the way i am 69 jools was not over impressed what i brought home,keep up the good work it imspired me and others.
Many Thanks Alan
You’re welcome Alan glad to hear you made it through!
We found the drunks at the locks were really helpful in getting some of the tougher gates open.
You may sit in a park. And passage to next life.. 30 years ago I werked pick up rubbish. In the 3 winters I did in the U. K. >I found more dead old men. But also kids. Frozen. Frooozen. To the fence.. The bench. On a Door step. .. Manchester. Yo..
I can be a little bit of a drunk .... a helpful happy drunk though :) a little story ... years ago me an a friend were sitting by a local boating lake , 9am drinking our hair of the dog . Just quietly minding our business and an old man walked past with who I'd guess was his grandson , very little lad . He walked past and what I can only describe as hissed at us with a dirty look . He then took his little lad for a closer look to the water down a ramp they took the boats . It was covered in green algae an the old fella slipped. He was struggling to get out and in 0.5 seconds them same to alkeys jumped up ran down an gave a hand and got him out . Right place right time alkey or not .
Great story love it mate!!
Robbie Cumming Hi Robbie me ,Neil and the wife, Gina from our Narrowboat, Walking on Water absolutely love your vlogs, we are currently moored at St Mary’s Marine on the Rufford Branch, and once the lockdown is over we are planning a trip over to Sowerby Bridge,we are hoping that your valuable knowledge of the Rochdale Canal can help us, and if you can guide us to any helpful vlogs and that will provide us with any important info we may need. Keep up the good work Robbie we love everything that you do and hopefully we will meet you at some point on the cut, God Bless You Robbie x
Cheers Neil - and Gina! Hopefully one day! Rochdale canal vlogs... hmm I think floating our boat have got some good honest reviews!
Great video Robbie and thanks for sharing. Not a place I would ever want to visit and certainly not on my own but it was interesting. Take care. Regards Col.
I really enjoyed that..
I did the Rochdale 25 years ago and while there has been a lot of development around the area, the locks have not improved at all. They are a nighmare to to go through and you found all the problems I did. Its such a tragedy as its a great part of the canal system to navigate and now you have a decent morring to stay the night whereas 25 years ago you would want to put in another 5 miles before you stopped for the night. I have never worked so hard to get throught 9 locks.
A very good video.
Nice one Robbie
Was enjoying the video already, then you mentioned Alan, now it's a perfect video 🤣
🤓👌
Hi Robbie, we love your tv series especially as I am from near the Saddleworth area of Oldham and used to regularly walk the Huddersfield Narrow canal and also spent many hours fishing on there. My partner is from Cullingworth in Yorkshire but now we live in Winsford, Cheshire where we regularly walk the canals down here with our dogs. Hoping to see you chugging by one day around our neck of the woods!
Ha ha well if you’re waking the Shropshire union you may indeed see my boat moored up! Cheers for watching by the way really happy you liked it
Used to walk under where that lock 85 is as a shortcut years ago. Seen some interesting scenes down there! XD
Christ yeah I’ve heard some stories about that bit, would never want to go through after dark!!!
🤔😉
Loved it, well edited and kept me interested Robbie. I’ve not done any of the Manchester canals yet.
Thanks Joe!
Superb video Robbie. You must have put a lot of work into filming it, especially with all the lock problems, never mind the editing. By far the best canal boat video I've seen (sorry Emma and all my other favourites!). Excellent presentation too
Thank you John! I did spend a lot of lockdown time on it so I’m glad to hear you liked it!
I went through lock 85 yesterday and there was a group off old men.. just standing around and watching me.. ome followed me but I crossed the lock once I came through.. was a scary experience
Some pretty funky shit happens at lock 85 it’s not my favourite I have to say!!
Yeah it was my first time!! There's so much to look at.
I lived in Manchester for over 10 years and never knew about the lock underground. Looked horrid haha. Great video though, glad you've got this footage to keep showing. Stay safe :)
Cheers! Sadly its going to be the last one of it’s kind for a long time 😔
You have to take the rough with the smooth don't you!. Thanks again for taking the time to film and wind at once.
Absolutely 😂👍 thanks for watching!
We were going to do this a couple of years ago but had to make different plans due to closures. I will give you a hand if you do it again. Great vlog stay safe.
Great vlog Robbie, at lock91 is the old lockeepers cottage we got married in!!... Never been a fan of swipe transitions until now👌. Hope you three are safe and healthy 💚🌱❤️
Thank you both hope you’re well!
i loved in manny centre for 4 years, loved walking the tow paths and getting away from the crowded streets but yeh, that big bit under the city is dodgy af to go through, i miss castlefield and ancoats parts most of all, especially during the summer with a few drinks here and there 😄
OK Robbie? It was nice to meet you fleetingly, at a lock, not far from Over Water Marina.. regards Neil & family!
yep did that stretch on my tod once not in any hurry to do it again lol
Think I will apply for the power washing contract - get to the end & start again!
Totally fascinating! Thanks Robbie. Though I must admit I don't think I would like to do that stretch on my own, with the condition it's in. Looked like bloomin hard work. Though randomers can be interesting I think I'd prefer not to be on my own travelling either. Well done and keep safe!