222 - A Deluge on the Weaver Navigation

in today's vlog it rains a lot. We leave our mooring at the north end of the River Weaver by Runcorn Rowing club and travel all the to the south end of the Navigation at Winsford. We pass through four locks and there is a bit of industrial history as well. Did we mentioned in rained?
Thanks for watching
M&J&G
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Jo wrote a short book about her travels and how she met Michael.
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FAQ
Q. Why do you speed up some of the footage in your videos?
A. We don't, we film it as time-lapse footage. We do not have the battery capacity or data storage to film in real time as our cruises can last up to 7 or 8 hours. We use to the time-lapse footage to help tell the story of movement rather than showcase the scenery. We limit the amount of time-lapse shots we use in each vlog.

[@mattsynth]

A rainy day on the Weaver is still better than a sunny day at work.

[@MinimalList]

True true!

[@AuntieSullivan]

Congratulations on achieving another point on the Silver Propeller Challenge!

[@MinimalList]

Thanks! M

[@joyeyoder4783]

I love your videos, rain or shine. I especially like the way you show us the map view. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@MinimalList]

Thanks Joye! It was a good day despite the rain. Thanks for the map feedback too!

[@aero161luke161]

I always watch your videos to get a view for what to expect when I'm heading along a new navigation, I'm about to get onto the Weaver and this relieves a lot of my pre-river anxieties THANK YOU!

[@ericbodell2064]

Hi Joe and Michael thanks again for a great Vlog. Keep up the good work. Cheers Eric

[@MinimalList]

Thank you for watching! M

[@pfalzgraf7527]

What a tongue twister in the end! As a non-native speaker I had a lot of fun with the "vale royal railway viaduct."

[@MinimalList]

Even saying ‘railway viaduct’ is a challenge!

[@kevindelaney7852]

Another stonking vlog - was great to see you all cursing by Barton Marina today on the Lancaster Canal - I was the star struck "Madman" taking a picture of you all as you passed by our little marina trying his hardest to find the words to tell his wife we had KZbin stars passing.

[@MinimalList]

Hah! No worries, we’re used to paparazzi, obviously! ;-) Sorry we weren’t able to do much more than wave and say Hi ... damn near deaf on the back there and if I shut the engine off George goes batty! Hope you got a good shot! M

[@riksharps1972]

Such a shame the weather wasn't so good. The trip from Northwich into the flashes is great in good weather and the view into bottom flash as you approach Winsford marina is a real treat when there are sailing boats out in the sunshine.

[@MinimalList]

Sounds nice! M

[@dulciebarnes6228]

Liked the timeline diagram with history of the Weaver, nice touch 👌🏼

[@MinimalList]

Thank you!

[@ynot6473]

@ 3.56, that's a good mooring spot. and there's a cracking good pub in frodsham , just past the station. @ 11.07, the smooth ride is due to the water entering and leaving through many holes in the bottom of the chamber. @ 13.30, go snuggle up and get warm, we'll let you off the outdoor outro.

[@MinimalList]

Thanks! Thanks! And Thanks! M

[@TheBoatingAdventure]

Hi glad you got your laptop back. Liked the extra graphics helps to interject interest. That was a bit of a wet journey for you. Thanks for the vlog.

[@MinimalList]

Thank you! I didn’t know how well the graphics would go down but people seemed to like them!

[@matthewoliver6655]

I like these sort of blogs

[@MinimalList]

Thanks! M

[@nbflyingfox4672]

Great vlog Micheal and Jo. Not exactly the best weather for cruising, but at least you made it. Very Interesting stretch of water. Cheers both..

[@MinimalList]

Thanks! M

[@MaritimeFox]

Great vid. Spotted my boat at 10:03 in Northwich Quay.

[@MinimalList]

Well done through the rain drops! M

[@loft306]

Wow Jo had a case of the twisted tounge :D

[@MinimalList]

It happens! M

[@jeremykamel9655]

Big guys and rain gear. I feel your pain!!! I’m in the US and I know every country is different. However maybe look for a work wear store. One that sell steel toe boots and high vis gear and such. They often have stuff made big enough to go over the layers of clothes that tradesmen wear. Also many trades people are big.

[@MinimalList]

Yeah good point, back in Cali I’d have gone to a Workwear World for rain gear... of course it never rained. M

[@oldtimers6460]

Arrh England in summer , Even with the rain it was very interesting to see ,thanks gang and cheers from OZ.

[@MinimalList]

Thanks! Glad you liked it! M

[@davidsmith1620]

If you are looking for rain gear in sizes for grownups, Mark's Workwearhouse in Canada has selections that will keep the liquid sunshine at bay. My buddy and I did the Llangolen-Wrenbury last October and ran into Storm Callum...

[@MinimalList]

Yeah, used to go there when I was a Vancouverite... really hard to get the right fit without physically trying everything on. Wonder what there UK equivalent is? M

[@davidsmith1620]

@@MinimalList An only modestly uncomfortable suggestion here, but it you send some dimensions, my buddy is grownup size and we can at least narrow it down for you. You know the quality Marks has and DHL/FedEx works from Ottawa...

[@prestoncrewnarrowboaters8619]

a quick word re water proofs for you ,as you are a fairly big chap try any builders merchant or agricultural/country store they stock wet gear for folk who are larger than average ,its not always pretty but it works ,hope this helps ,and as always love the vlog regards Alex

[@MinimalList]

Don’t need pretty, just need dry! Thanks for the recommendation! M

[@tomsharpei]

I've been waiting for your next video! Glad to see you're back.

[@MinimalList]

Sorry... we’ve had laptop issues, it took a week to get it fixed and two train rides to Liverpool. Really playing catch up now!

[@tomsharpei]

@@MinimalList Thanks. Wow, What huge locks!

[@williamlokar7747]

First historic sheam stip i've ever seen.

[@MinimalList]

Apparently it runs between the River Weaver and Liverpool. I wonder if we will see it when we get to Liverpool

[@chriswatts2832]

Michael, ref rain gear for the fuller figured gentleman: get to a motorcycle shop where water proof over garments will fit you with room to spare. I am bigger than you and find ‘Oxford RainSeal’ jacket and trousers will go over bulky motorcycle clothing in sizes to 6XL. The down side is that they don’t have hoods - so a good waterproof hat is needed, and I find is preferable to a hood. Good luck to you and Jo.

[@MinimalList]

Ooh, excellent recommendation! I’ve tried a couple motorcycle shops, but they’ve been small and aimed at fairweather bikers. An Oxford overcoat is a great idea, and they’re pretty cheap and available on Amazon! Thanks! M

[@baitcommajail]

For rain gear you want to be shopping where construction workers shop. I have a Helly Hansen Potsdam Jacket in 3X, which is HiVis, and kept me nice and dry through Blisworth and Braunston tunnels... and was back on the boat the only time it rained while I was there, and I was out walking around a city, and not on the boat, because there was a drought and why would I need to bring it with me? -- 6'2", long in the torso, way too many pounds.

[@MinimalList]

Thanks! I’ve ordered some motorcycle rain gear, which deals with similar issues, hopefully that fits. My problem is I’m 2X-4X depending on brand and dimension involved! Bloody hard to find a decent fit! M

[@simonuden8450]

It's just occurred to me that, unlike locks, the Anderson Boat lift should be reasonably efficient in water use, since a caisson takes water down with it when it's on a downward trip, and brings water back up with it on an upward trip. If there is a boat in the caisson, as it enters, it displaces it's displacement in water from the caisson into the canal, and then displaces the same amount of water from the canal or river when it exits. This means that a volume of water equal to the displacement of the boat moves from the upper level to the lower when a boat goes up, and from the lower to the upper level when it goes down. Since I'm betting that most boats do the trip as a return, rather than a through trip to the Mersey, that is a nett zero transfer. The only waste should be the small amount used to alter the ballast, and the water trapped between the gates. If you consider a flight of locks like the Cain Hill flight, then assuming the most efficient situation which is a constant stream of pairs of boats going both up and down, then each pair of boats going down will take a complete lock full of water all the way from the top to the bottom, less their own displacement. Boats going up at the same time don't use up any more, but would if there was a gap and a lock had to be reset. Is it weird to be mulling such things over?

[@MinimalList]

Not really, though in this day and age it’s not a problem commonly in need of addressing. The Victorians though were amazed at how much more efficient the Boat Lift (and the Inclined Plane) were than locks... a lock is essentially the worst design, but also the simplest and cheapest to maintain long term. M

[@frglee]

More delightful waterborne peregrinations into the back of beyond. Even on a moody damp grey day, still rather nice. Thanks!

[@MinimalList]

Thank you!

[@RigallDesign]

You might try Toolstation, Screwfix or B&Q for workman clothing. They have to deal with all sorts of weather and it is much less than the hiking gear that is made for wind and rain. You may have to look like you are there to work, but so what!

[@MinimalList]

Thanks, I’ve taken a look before, they do have a few items in my size but they’re rarely stocked in a given location. All our moving about doesn’t help. Hopefully the motorcycle gear I’ve just ordered online actually fits! M

[@The101stEagle]

Got to think how to keep you dry and warm during rain and cold weather without being labor intensive for you.

[@loki666100]

We spent the past two weeks doing the Warwickshire ring. We were so lucky with the weather. We took our rain gear and never used it. I would still have loved it even it was a day like your day in your vlog.

[@MinimalList]

I hope you had a wonderful holiday! The rain isn’t so bad unless it is too many days in a row

[@NarrowboatPotteries]

Well worth the wait :)

[@MinimalList]

Thanks guys!

[@shannonweatherill5290]

Great graphic for the history.

[@MinimalList]

Thanks, it was fun to do but took a while!

[@JISJ1964]

It was on that ship , the Daniel Adamson that Tim and Pru came to Ellesmere Port, they talked about that the ship is unique as the first ship with steam steering, I think they said in the world.

[@MinimalList]

It’s a pretty fascinating ship! We were lucky to have as our pilot across the Mersey one of its captains, so got quite a bit of history about it! M

[@maggiekavanagh2801]

Michael, you're gonna need a bigger umbrella! Good to see my favourite trio back albeit very soggy. Yep, it does tend to rain here in the Northwest, it's why it's so green. Hope it didn't take too long to dry out, looking forward to the next vlog. Thanks to Jo for all her hard work, and great choice in music.

[@MinimalList]

There has been so much rain lately! We used to be fair weather cruisers but that would mean we never went anywhere!

[@markbulla1851]

I'm glad that you were able to get your computer fixed. Thanks for the vlog!

[@MinimalList]

Us too! Thanks for watching! M

[@ianofsjkartwork]

Another great watch.....glad you are back making blogs.......thanks for sharing

[@MinimalList]

Thanks for watching!

[@cliveruston2061]

almost a shawn connery impersonation in the outtakes

[@MinimalList]

Almost! 🤣

[@leedavies3629]

Nice one you got a good socking there Michael fair play to ya ✌️🌧

[@davidstecchi5885]

I am what one would consider to be a fairly large man, and in the past have been even larger(6'3" and 385 lbs at my peak) and was able to get fairly good, offshore level foul weather gear for a reasonable price from West Marine's web site. I do not know of their overseas shipping policies, but their gear did run true to size, which you may know, is not always the case for menswear in a certain size range. Additionally, I've gotten some less technical but just as well fitting lighter weight rain gear from Cabellas.

[@MinimalList]

Good to know about West Marine, thanks! I’ve ordered some motorcycling rain gear they I’m hoping works, but that’s a great option to know about if it doesn’t! M

[@AmericasChoice]

Great music selection as always. Thanks for sharing your travels.

[@MinimalList]

Thanks for watching! 😊

[@Itmakesyouthink]

Good to have you back, was starting to get the shakes, the quality of the product has improved immensely, with the use of graphics, and the voice over, though heard a bit of M appear in the audio out-takes. Thanks guys.

[@MinimalList]

Hope the withdrawal wasn’t too bad! I enjoyed doing the graphics but the did take quite a while! Thanks for the feedback!

[@stephent1117]

Best video yet. I love seeing the different boats and Jacqueline is just Beautiful. Keep Well.

[@MinimalList]

Thank you!

[@willsgetoff1157]

What a grotty day, beautiful scenery though. Thanks for another great vlog guys.

[@MinimalList]

We highly recommend the River Weaver. Even in the rain!

[@gonegoozling9034]

Great to see you back and obviously the Mac is once again performing as expected :)

[@MinimalList]

It is thank goodness!

[@jugglerjim01]

Love that brolly!! 😍

[@MinimalList]

Thanks! My Mom got it for us! M

[@BarneyLeith]

Fascinating. I don't know how you survived the rain!

[@MinimalList]

We are pretty waterproof under our clothes!

[@peterrice9800]

Hi nice to see you back up and running with your laptop.

[@MinimalList]

Nice to be back up and running! M

[@PhilPage227]

I love that river, we often walk there.

[@MinimalList]

It’s beautiful! M

[@craigbowie8925]

You answered the question that popped into my head when I saw the plant on top of the boat earlier in the video. "How often do they have to take down the plants."

[@MinimalList]

Not that often, though after the Weaver there are some tunnels that will be an issue! M

[@Spawn-td8bf]

Hey Guy and Gal and Dog, I like the "T" shirts. Many of us had foresight and I'll leave it at that. Even Jo can have a little Sean slip out. Nice tongue twisters. Thank you for the soggy ride-a-long and Take care, Paul from Florida.

[@rogerwhittle2078]

Been there, seen the rain, driven with spotted spectacles, but I haven't yet got the tee shirt. Interesting vlog, as ever. I was curious to see what the River Weaver was all about, but I suspect we would be one of those boats that 'did' the Anderton and then go straight back up. Hire boaters can't afford the 'odd day's delay'. If we have objectives, we have to crack on to achieve them. I hope you dry out, in time, and I'm still glued to whatever you are going to do next. (It's giving me ideas!)

[@MinimalList]

I get what you mean about hire boat schedule but remember you move much faster in a river so you see more. We did the whole of the Weaver in about 5 hours! Thanks for following along

[@Murph9000]

Try Musto for some good wet weather gear, they do up to XXL.

[@MinimalList]

Good recommendation, thanks! My issue is depending on the manufacturer I’m anywhere from XXL to 4XL... I’m really hard to fit! M

[@lynnbigner570]

How about a plastic table cloth with a hole cut in the middle as a waterproof?😁

[@lewisgardner1660]

Enjoyed the video thank you. Look up (big clobber)they will have plenty that fits you young man and they are priced rather well.

[@MinimalList]

Thanks for the recommendation! M

[@snagel515]

leather up. com has nice motorcycle gear, including rain gear. for adult size men. I have used them often. Thank you for your videos.

[@MinimalList]

Thanks for the tip

[@1trackmind_]

I was going into withdrawals not seeing a new video for so long. Fortunately, I rewatched some of your early vlogs to keep my spirits up. So glad you're back in business. Did you have to call ahead for the Weaver locks or are they manned constantly?

[@MinimalList]

We are glad to be back too! We just called the lock keepers in the first lock, then each lock called the next for us.

[@colmornane5684]

Hi Jo and Michael, You guys seem to be giving this silver propellerthing a fair nudge, are there any other boaters trying to achieve the same thing? Do you actually get a plaque with a silver propeller on it to show your achievements? As always a great video, look forward to the next one. A Fan From Aus.

[@MinimalList]

We’ve met a few other boats who are trying to finish the Challenge. We didn’t really think about it until after meeting one such and realizing we’d already done a bunch incidentally. You got a plaque apparently, though we’re a little worried about wether or not we’ve got sufficiently acceptable photos of every location (the video clips may not be enough), so if we don’t get the plaque we’re okay, we just want to promote people doing it! M

[@tonydavies7307]

Micheal, have you tried any army surplus stores for a wet suit/poncho suitable for your size. Slowly catching up to your latest vlog and looking forward to the Belgium and rest of Europe ones which will keep you both cruising for a further two and a half years (?). Inspiring, thank you.

[@MinimalList]

Belgium and the rest of Europe is quite aways off still... it’s going to take at least another year and a half just to finish England! M

[@markbulla1851]

Do you know why the River Weaver navigation wasn't continued on to the Middlewich Branch? By map, it's only about a mile further, and would have totally cut out the need for the Anderton Boat Lift.

[@MinimalList]

I think there is quite a change in elevation there.

[@markbulla1851]

@@MinimalList looking at a topo map for that point, you are correct. The River Weaver is about 65 feet (almost 20 m) lower than the canal. It didn’t look that far on Google maps. Cheers!

[@mrbr549]

Good old U.K. weather? The bloopers were very funny!

[@MinimalList]

Haha, thank you!

[@campcookhenry]

I’m pretty sure Cablas will ship rain gear in your size to the UK ,it might be camouflage , but my goretex parka has never failed and I to am not a wee lad

[@MinimalList]

Heh, not sure how camouflage would work with the videos... people’d be wondering who was driving the boat! I’ve ordered some motorcycle overhear that arrives tomorrow, so hopefully that works! M

[@redsky8509]

try a motorcycle shop for waterproofing gear.

[@MinimalList]

Good point ... I’ve tried some we’ve happened past, but they’ve all had to order in for my size. I think I’ve found a good source online that will let me do returns and can send post restente though! Wish me luck! M

[@redsky8509]

@@MinimalList I am 6'6" and over 300 lbs. most of everything I buy is on line. I have a rain suit from the 80's I got for my motorcycle, a camoflaged rain suit I got on line, and an Australian oilskin duster. The oilskin is the easiest to wear around town and such. Good luck on your search.

[@MartyLJ57]

I like the old Semaphore flags same some old railroads

[@stevegoodier1241]

Just for info the battle of Winnington bridge was about 100yds to the right of your video at (www.google.co.uk/maps/@53.2693051,-2.5383932,20z?hl=en&authuser=0 ) ... its an old stone bridge. At 10:27 on the right is the old dock hole/lauch site of the WJ yarwood boat builders.. Great vlog pity about the weather though. Safe journeys and take care.. Regards Steve

[@lynnarnold404]

Thank you. I was in need of a little george. I lost my springer to cancer today

[@ynot6473]

my sympathies Lynn, it's a horrid time to go through.

[@MinimalList]

I’m so sorry to hear that, I can’t imagine how hard that is.

[@trevcook5370]

Hi guys another great video , Put your teeth in Joe lol and Michael try ebay I'm 4xl and can get trousers and jackets from there what are water proof

[@MinimalList]

I’ve thought of eBay, I just worry about not being able to return items... I’m really hard to fit! M

[@albertrowe3351]

The two bridges you went under in Northwich the second was the first bridge in GB to feature being mounted on Pontoons and electrically operated in 1889, also just after that bridge on your right as you went towards Winsford was the old British Waterways repair shops where many lock gates were made you will see the old crane still standing alongside the quay, if you are still near Vale Royal locks you can visit the Museum in London road which was a former workhouse, hospital and now a museum, don't forget to look around the back as there are some open air exhibits, from the locks keep to the left of the CRT office follow the path over the footbridge(swinging type) carry on up the little hill (alley) into the Crescent, turn left and follow the footpath until you reach London road, turn left the museum is a few hundred yards along just after the pub. open 10 till 5 pm. weaverhall.westcheshiremuseums.co.uk/visit-us/

[@t.vanoosterhout233]

Perhaps a Decathlon or Lowland poncho, size XL? Or indeed any other brand that has XL or XXL sizes.

[@MinimalList]

I tend to be more like 3XL in a poncho... big neck, enormous skull. M

[@maobfh]

Is the Weaver a small river or a larger canal? I have been seeing boats you typically see on rivers and the larger locks to accommodate them.

[@MinimalList]

It’s a river!

[@trevornelmes9331]

Regarding 'Big guy' gear, try www.gooutdoors.co.uk/. They have branches all over the country. Some are quite close to canals, like in Erdington. They do waterproof jackets up to 6XL for example.

[@roaduser6438]

I'm having a chat with someone at the moment who claims that the Weaver navigation is really bad for "cyclists yelling at you to move out of the way" "at the last possible second before you nearly get knocked over". I haven't experienced this myself and I was wondering whether this was just anti-cyclist rhetoric or something others had experienced. Was this something you encountered on your Weaver walk/walks?

[@776281]

Hat George seinen Käse bekommen? Ich bin Tony.

[@MinimalList]

Yes, he did get his cheese! M

[@MartyLJ57]

So which witch is which

[@MinimalList]

Good question

[@MartyLJ57]

Are you 2XL ? I'll watch for rain gear from Big Man cat.

[@MinimalList]

Depending on dimension and manufacturer I can go from 2-4XL. I’m really hard to fit. I’ve got some items on their way that, hopefully, fit, as there’s a deluge forecast! M

[@mickbroadbent6750]

nice guys but come on weve had no rain [nose growing] tell jo to put hose pipe away just for sympathy lol take care

[@MinimalList]

Ha

[@rwbimbie5854]

Rain gear? No, Absorb gear

[@MinimalList]

Haha

[@lfsheldon]

I have no idea if I can help, but tell me what type of rain gear (Carhart? McIntosh?) and US size. (email is my first and last names no spaces or puncuation and I get my mail at cox . net)

[@lfsheldon]

Actually I just use Larry

[@lfsheldon]

www.carhartt.com/category/carhartt-men-big-tall?s_kwcid=bing!B_Brand_General_Mens_BMM!Sitelink!p!%2Bcarhartt%20%2Bmens!78409029832301!Carhartt%C2%AE%20Big%20&%20Tall%20Gear&msclkid=5ed2033fb6541da1c6545eb38dce7bdd&B_Brand_General_Mens_BMM&Bcarhartt%20%2Bmens&Mens_General

[@MinimalList]

Thanks for the offer of help, but I think I’ve finally found some rain gear that will work, it arrives tomorrow so here’s a knock wood on sizing! M