332 - An Eventful Climb to the Summit of the Rochdale Canal

[@rocketrose2165]

Wow, right at the six minute mark, Thickone Lock, you've gotta hope everyone checked their parking brakes. That would be a nasty fall off from the parking lot. If a boat were in that lock, yikes. George is such a goose when he rolls around. I love him and by extension, you two as well.

[@MinimalList]

They do have quite the parking job there, and the cars do make you more than a bit nervous in the lock! M

[@NathanElcoate]

6:42 that old warehouse looks so beautiful. Great video, thanks.

[@MinimalList]

Thank you! M

[@chrisgreenhalgh6358]

Thanks for the film, where you tied up at Summit is my favourite dog walking spot , just over the bridge and up to Chelburn reservoir and beyond. As you say Littleborough and the surrounding hills and moors is a really outstanding area. Hope this film promotes the historic Rochdale Canal, only recently restored and opened up in 2002.

[@MinimalList]

So glad they got it re-opened, as it’s definitely at the top of our list of favorite canals! M

[@andrewleecy7982]

Worked in littlebough yrs back making and looking after canal gates n banks loved working on canals. Some good memories on your journey.

[@MarmiteCrumpets]

I grew up in the vicinity of the Rochdale Canal and the Hollinwood branch of the Ashton Canal. I only ever remember both in a derelict condition, although the Rochdale was not nearly so bad as the Hollinwood branch. It's great to see the Rochdale restored, and the beautiful vistas, but I guess the circa 98 locks end to end put boaters off somewhat ? My father remembered working boats on the Rochdale, and my grandfather those on the Hollinwood branch.

[@MinimalList]

I think the locks do put people off, but also the Manchester end does have quite a bad reputation. Controversial opinion but I think I preferred it to the L&L. I guess it would have been pretty tough for those working

[@MarmiteCrumpets]

@@MinimalList Yes the Manchester end is a bit of a criminal/drug den. I would certainly never cycle along the towpath there for fear of being robbed of a nice bike. It has a confirmed history for such.

[@motorhomenarrowboat1]

Merry Christmas and good luck for the New Year. To Michael and Jo, and George.

[@MinimalList]

Thank you. Merry Christmas to you too.

[@sarabaldeschwieler7763]

Happy solstice to you both. Thanks for all your content

[@MinimalList]

Thanks for watching it on the short days as well! M

[@markgruenberg6277]

As I look out my window and watch snow falling, it's nice to see a summer's day. Thank you. Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Happy,Healthy and better New Year.

[@MinimalList]

A happy and healthy Christmas and new year to you too!

[@ralphwood9865]

Seasons Greetings and a Happy New year with lots of Propellers in your future. Thanks for being part of "Lockdown therapy" Cheers from Canada

[@ElevatedThreat]

Your narrowboat videos are by far, my favorite of the ones I watch regularly. You two are such a wonderful couple. ... I would love to see more of the "social life" with your fellow narrowboats community. Perhaps you could include this in a video sometime.

[@MinimalList]

Thank you, that is so nice to hear. Will keep that in mind for when we are allowed to be social again.

[@derekandpauline4553]

Shall have to add this to our list of canals that we would love to visit.

[@MinimalList]

We highly recommend it!

[@richardboulanger3393]

One data point and you extrapolate for all other?? You should run for public office, Michael! Happy Christmas and a lovely solstice to you both! Treats for George! Amazing the effects of subsidence. I can only think it was discovered when two boats DID get stuck in there.

[@MinimalList]

Happy Christmas to you too!

[@776281]

Merry Christmas Michael and Jo, and George.

[@MinimalList]

Merry Christmas to you too!

[@christinegibbins6105]

Thank you both and George for a wonderful time on the canals, really enjoyed the rides with you. The scenery both rural and industrial is amazing. Want to wish you a very Happy Christmas and all the best for the year ahead. Take care.

[@MinimalList]

Happy Christmas to you too. Thank you for coming along for the ride and for all the support.

[@franktuckwell196]

I remember lock 42 well, i abandoned the stupid short arm balance beam wondering why it wasn't a bent beam or ratchet/ chain affair. Then we got stranded by summit pound ( just over the bridge from the excellent pub ) due to lack of water in pound. There had been an historic boats rally the week before and an excess amount of water had been lost and we were waiting for rain to ease passage.

[@MinimalList]

Oh wow, sounds like you had quite an adventure. You’ll see in our next vlog that lack of water wasn’t an issue for us over the summit

[@catherinelong4511]

Beautiful area

[@philipizzard2584]

Merry Christmas too you both love seeing your trips all year and the Rochdale canal as never been up that way yet have a safe enjoyable Xmas and new year’s

[@MinimalList]

Thank you. We really loved the Rochdale canal. Happy Christmas to you too!

[@roberttyler6454]

Hello there thank you for sharing your journey throughout the year! Merry Christmas to you all best for the coming year take care thanks . Give George a hug.

[@maggiekavanagh2801]

I did like the breezily way Michael said 'ten locks' as if it was nothing... ! Which I guess to you two it probably an easy day. Us lot 'Up North' are friendly, down to earth and very used to getting wet. Stay safe you three

[@MinimalList]

I remember our first month on the River Wey Navigation when we thought 6 was a lot! Haha! Thank you. Hope you are staying safe too!

[@navigator902]

What comes to mind is the adventures of the African Queen, Jo is Katherine and Michail is Humphrey. Now I know why I keep coming back to the big muddy,

[@MinimalList]

Well, that’s the first I’ve been been compared to Bogart... I’ll take it, cause usually I get at best Prince Zoltan the Hawkman. M

[@frglee]

Relaxing and interesting Sunday evening viewing. Thanks! The Rochdale has become prettier as you've progressed up it, but the lack of traffic surprises me, even with covid. Maybe this will promote it, as I hope you have with some of the other quieter canals you've done in recent years.

[@MinimalList]

I hope the Rochdale starts to get more boats visiting. We really loved it!

[@rogerbond7811]

Thanks for some escapism from tier 4 Hope the three of you have a good Christmas.

[@MinimalList]

Sorry to hear about tier four. Thank you. I hope you have a good Christmas too.

[@prestoncrewnarrowboaters8619]

ah the joys of the Rochdale, we found the same problem just the other side of the summit when we went over the top to Rochdale, but it is such a great trip to do. Any way where ever you are now I hope you have a great Christmas, take care love to you both Alex and Maria

[@MinimalList]

Oh wow. We had the opposite problem on the other side. Too much water. The Rochdale really is a great canal isn't it. Hope you have a great Christmas too.

[@keithdickinson127]

Hi to you all hope you have a nice Christmas. Always enjoy your vlogs and I worked on the restoration of the Rochdale canal for a while in my youth when I lived in England, now in Australia.

[@MinimalList]

Oh wow! Thank you for all your work on the restoration. We very much appreciate it! Happy Christmas to you too!

[@AuntieSullivan]

A Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous 2021 awaits us, hopefully. I am so glad your vlogs are delayed by a few months because I am so encouraged by seeing them. Marjorie

[@lawrencestokes5745]

Our low water problems started with the pound above lock 44 and got progressively worse; there were some pounds completely drained of water. The same section took us eight hours :( and we also stayed below the summit 2 nights for some much needed R&R. There was a rubbish skip at that very weird services point where some guy seemed to be permanently moored, however it was exceedingly hard to find round behind a huge shed to the left and about 40-50 metres away cross county from the moored boat. Thanks for the blogs and Merry Christmas.

[@MinimalList]

Oh wow. So our ascent was pretty uneventful in comparison. Its a lovely mooring spot!

[@rmk]

Having also been watching your early videos, there was a time when ten locks was quite a chore, and now it seems to be nothing! The other obvious change is you're no longer filling up with water at the start of every video! Thanks for another great video. Stay safe.

[@MinimalList]

I remember when we did six lock in the River Wey Navigation and being exhausted! No that’s a slow day. I guess we are also less paranoid about running out of water haha!

[@simoncooper8272]

Looks lovely up there! Makes the north look very tempting.

[@MinimalList]

We highly recommend a trip on the Rochdale Canal!

[@simoncooper8272]

@@MinimalList looks like a wide beam canal but on closer inspection I can see it's not, Rochdale Canal Length Width Draught Headroom 21.96m 72ft 2.91m 9ft 5" 1.19m 3ft 9" 1.83m 6ft,. although 9 foot beam is considered a wide beam, it's not the beam I was hoping for☹️☹️

[@jamesballard3605]

It almost looked like one of those clear winter days at t&e beginning.. the phrase " make hay while the sun shines" actually has 2 meanings wet hay that is bailed is 1) heavier and you miss a lot of it as it is not all picked up by the bailer. And 2) wet hay will sour and rot causing problems with livestock if fed to them..... Merry Christmas to you both and George !!!

[@andreblanchard8569]

And 3) it can heat up and burn down the barn.

[@MinimalList]

Hah... here I always thought it was somehow about photosynthesis! M

[@SuperTonywilliams]

Happy Holidays you guys...wherever you are..or moor up for Christmas this year. Thank you for such lovely entertaining and informative films, quite fascinating. Stay safe.

[@MinimalList]

Thank you. Happy Christmas to you too!

[@christinehammell6365]

Great teamwork. Hope you have a Happy Christmas xxx

[@MinimalList]

Thank you. You too!

[@debbieallen2870]

Another lovely vlog, Wishing you both and George A Very Merry Christmas and hopefully a better 2021.

[@MinimalList]

Thank you. Happy Christmas to you too!

[@fredmahar5431]

Thank you for all the wonderful vlogs you've posted in this god awful year.....hopefully 2021 will be much better for all of us !....hope you have a very merry Christmas and happy new year!!!....💜🎄🎁🧨🎆

[@MinimalList]

Thank you! Merry Christmas, and yes here’s hoping 2021 truly is a turnaround year! M

[@ianofsjkartwork]

Merry Christmas & Healthy New year......another great watch & well explained.......stay safe......thanks for sharing

[@MinimalList]

Thank you and to you! Thanks for watching!

[@susanmarker2164]

Great vlog sure enjoy those out of the way places...so happy Perseverance made through those rough times.. 😊

[@MinimalList]

Thank you!

[@dazbrowne4984]

Correct way to say littleborough I thought you had already been through ealees lock nice start 👍

[@garym518]

Wishing you both a very good Christmas wherever you are and hope you’re staying safe and well. Looking forward to to cruising the Rochdale some time soon.

[@MinimalList]

We highly recommend the Rochdale canal! Stay safe and we’ll too

[@michaelbirch4291]

Really enjoyed seeing you do this stretch I too remember the overhanging cars thinking to myself why have they done that,really enjoyed walking the summit lots of quirky things to see.Have a great christmas xxx

[@MinimalList]

Glad you enjoyed the Vlog. It’s a lovely canal that needs a bit more love. Merry Christmas to you too!

[@markattardo]

Adventure on the canals. Good weather at least. Merry Christmas!

[@MinimalList]

It was a lovely day and an adventure is t necessarily a bad thing either. Merry Christmas to you too!

[@oldfart6318]

Circumstances are not ideal but I hope you guys and George get to enjoy Christmas.

[@MinimalList]

Thank you. We are are lucky to be spending our Christmas together in the boat this year. We might even go for a little cruise if it doesn’t rain. We’ll miss seeing family of course but as they are in tier four it can’t be helped

[@GARCKY]

Nice to see you two again.

[@MinimalList]

Thank you!

[@jimmisura6533]

I know it’s basically 4 months ago but I’m glad you guys finally got a nice day without rain. You were beginning to look pretty wrung out and tired. Even with low pounds, a ridiculously short gate beam, cars parked over the lock edge, control shift problems and subsidence issues preventing sharing locks, it looked like you were able to enjoy traveling through the Pennines. Thanks for keeping up with editing the past travels. Hopefully with winter stoppages and any lockdown preventing normal winter cruising you guy will still be able to keep putting out the vlogs and catch up.😁 I’ve been hunting up some of your old vlogs I had missed to get my Minimalist Fix on 🤪 Merry “Happy” Christmas Michael, Jo and George !🎄🎄🎄Cheers from Florida 🌴🌴🌴

[@MinimalList]

Happy Christmas to you too. Lots more vlogs in the way.

[@jimmisura6533]

@@MinimalList Yay!😁👍

[@qwertyTRiG]

Looks lovely. I really must get onto a boat, now I'm working from home anyway.

[@MinimalList]

It really was lovely! Good luck with getting afloat!

[@trevorsurplice1582]

thanks for sharing all your ups and downs and giving us a fantastic history lesson over all your 332 vlogs stay safe and have a merry xmas and lets hope for a better 2021

[@nicothechihuahua3167]

Lovely vlog. Thats been my route to work throughout the lockdown, working on the river Calder flood defences at Mytholmroyd, it really is a stunning area. (But don't tell everyone).

[@prestoncrewnarrowboaters8619]

shhh don't let to many know ,we don't want the whole canal population to see this lol

[@nicothechihuahua3167]

@@prestoncrewnarrowboaters8619 Too. You would be surprised how quiet that part of the canal is. If you knew the area you would know that.

[@prestoncrewnarrowboaters8619]

@@nicothechihuahua3167 I do know the area

[@MinimalList]

It’s a problem. We love the quiet canals. Having a canal to ourselves in august was amazing. It’s just if the canal had a few more visiting boats then it might get a bit more investment from the CRT

[@nicothechihuahua3167]

@@prestoncrewnarrowboaters8619 Good, then you are one of the lucky few that enjoy the tranquility. So back to my original tongue in cheek statement or was it lost in transit?

[@jerryrideout7872]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Alberta.

[@MinimalList]

Thank you. Merry Christmas to you too.

[@peterchambers3592]

Lovely cruising vlog. Must rush though. I might persuade my wife to watch The Expanse, Season 5.

[@MinimalList]

Oooh! Didn't know it was out! Thanks.

[@larsole77]

Merry Christmas Michael and Jo and George hope everyone is doing ok from your friend from Montana

[@MinimalList]

Merry Christmas to you too!

[@slowboatthroughbritain]

Great video as usual. I am heading down that way as soon as Punchbowl bridge is reopened, so useful to see mooring opportunities etc. currently at Hebden Bridge Take care and stay safe. By the way the locals know it as Stannege Tunnel& when you do the HNC Slaithwaite is Sl-ow-it ;)

[@MinimalList]

The Rochdale is just great isn’t it! Enjoy! Thanks for the tips!

[@mwoo8158]

have a great Christmas , Stay safe

[@MinimalList]

Thank you. You too!

[@anthonydearden9549]

been in summit some often used to live littleborough thats were robbie stopped other side of lock for a pint lol very quiet on that stretch and can be shallow bit more traffic around hebden

[@MinimalList]

Yes. We loved it too and definitely found it got busier the further east we went.

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

Good update keep posting updates up on cut

[@MinimalList]

Thank you. Thanks for watching!

[@johnbarbarakirkham4630]

We did this route on our own 4 years ago, so it was good to revisit the sights. We live locally and Standedge is pronounced Stan idge ie the middle d is silent. Just saying! 🥰

[@MinimalList]

It’s a great canal to cruise isn’t it.

[@johnbarbarakirkham4630]

@@MinimalList Hebden Bridge is a good place to stop. Good shops, pubs, facilities, launderette and dog friendly! We had to stay there for a week in September until the canal was reopened after the Boxing Day 2015 floods. Enjoy!!

[@MinimalList]

Yeah we loved it there. A little too crowded for comfort in covid times though

[@wetcardie66]

and i daresay you found out that TOD morden is pronounced tod"m"den also Barrowford is pronouced something like barraFORD thrilled to see the northern canals on vlogs

[@ericgoodall7089]

Merry christmas to you guys i am guessing you are further south for winter which seems wise, always on average a few degrees warmer in winter.

[@MinimalList]

Merry Christmas to you too. Yep we are back in the Midlands now.

[@JISJ1964]

Hi Jo and Michael! I really love your films so far as I have come in catching up, I´m on chapter 47 tonight. Not to forget to wish you a wonderful Christmas and a New Year I pop into the comments here now, I´ll come back to see this film too in "due" time. Had a question too, with your plan to really "do" all the canals, was the choice of boat name Perseverance made with a meaning "we will do it"?

[@MinimalList]

Thank you. So nice to hear you are enjoying the vlog. We didn’t choose the name Perseverance but soon learnt it was a very appropriate name for a boat

[@JISJ1964]

@@MinimalList I´ll go on following you.

[@billstarr7224]

We wish you both a Merry Christmas & a HAPPY NEW YEAR from Pennsylvania. What is the purpose of a cill?

[@MinimalList]

And to you. The cill forms the lower frame for the lock gates

[@BillMSmith]

Glad you had a nice day, looks beautiful there. Hope you're safe and secure now, sounds like things are getting dicey everywhere in the "advanced" world. Michael, I assume you've been talking to my wife, getting lessons on the spousal rights of interpolation! Have a safe and happy holiday season.

[@MinimalList]

It was a great day. Especially when viewed from tire three in December. Stay safe and happy holidays to you too

[@ashleycleaver7766]

Hey guys. You guys have changed so much. I am going to name you the Mello Couple.... Merry Xmas to all xo

[@brendamartin7280]

♡ your videos ty

[@rolandoramirez9363]

That's cool.

[@MinimalList]

Thank you.

[@antsquirly7654]

Yule Blessings!

[@MinimalList]

Thank you!

[@acerone10]

Happy Holidays from Ohio.

[@MinimalList]

Thank you. And to you!

[@paulturner7837]

Lovely vlog ,the scenery is beautiful. I did wonder myself if that car overhanging would cause a problem. Shame some of the locks couldn’t be used by both boats. Were the signs very clear to see, instructing you to use them with single boats ?

[@MinimalList]

Oh yeah, there are clear yellow signed. I realised in the edit that I should have got a clip of one of them.

[@vickyking3408]

I live in Littleborough and know that area well,cycle to Todmorden

[@MinimalList]

It’s so lovely there!

[@vickyking3408]

@@MinimalList yep love round there kayak from littleborough to the range most days in spring summer and autumn ....by the way you said Littleborough correctly

[@ladygardener100]

Where are the notices about not sharing I'm heading that way jo

[@MinimalList]

Good luck. Its a wonderful canal.

[@keithdickinson127]

P.S forgot to say Oldham born and bred

[@vickyking3408]

Its a very quiet canal

[@henryharesdene4164]

Oh Poo - second!!

[@ElevatedThreat]

BTW.... I saw on TV, something called a "water slope"... Built and used only once in France... Thought it may interest you... en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montech_water_slope

[@MinimalList]

Interesting take on the old inclined plane. After following some linked it looks like two were built, that one in 1973 and another 10 years later, and that both are apparently out of commission. Will have to try and visit those some day! M

[@danensis]

That pylon you see on the hill at 12:00 is at one end of one of the longest spans of cable on the entire national grid network. Incidentally the emphasis in Todmudden is on the first syllable.

[@MinimalList]

Hah. Good to know, thanks!

[@rwbimbie5854]

Wow, lotta low pounds this trip.

[@MinimalList]

Yep! Wait till you see the next vlog! 🤣

[@rogerbrown2480]

Cutting slots for those standard ugly ladders certainly wouldn't have helped with the strength of the lock walls

[@lucillecash3046]

Happy Christmas to you both. I’ve posted some pohutukawa trees in flower on my Instagram page, Michael. Most of them are in Miramar but the city looks fabulous at the moment. lucillecash

[@MinimalList]

Thank you. Happy Christmas to you too! Will take a look. We miss Wellington and Miramar

[@lucillecash3046]

Did you know that Peter Jackson is working on a new movie of the Beatles using film never seen before. It’s out 2021.

[@MinimalList]

I’d know I’d if I were still on his payroll! His passion projects are well worth the wait! M

[@lucillecash3046]

@@MinimalList it must have been a great place to work. I've been in the Park Post it's very nicely done. The private movie theatre was impressive.

[@morrisminor56]

The Manchester storm God has lost you.

[@MinimalList]

Methinks he found us in Lincolnshire the other day! M

[@malcolmelliott1876]

Any idea what those white curved pipes/poles in the ground just upstream of each lock are for? Are they pipes to vent the ground paddle intakes, or poles for "rope-ing" the gates open/closed .. or just there to trip people up?

[@mistywolf312]

I looked through and all I can see is the tops of the lock ladders see 6:07 for a ladder in its entirity, could you timestamp where you mean?

[@cyrildhy8993]

They are Two to One pegs. When towing with a horse a loop at the end tow rope over the pin and then the rope when back to the a pulley block on the towing mast then forward to the horse. This gave a 2 to 1 advantage to start the boat moving. There was a piece wood in the rope which would stop the rope going through the pulley at the right place as the mast passed pin and the rope would just slide off. Have used them on the Wolverhampton 21 when bow hauling. They are smaller and have more curve.

[@malcolmelliott1876]

Thanks Cyril.. Though they looked designed for rope use but couldn't figure out how. Glad they have been retained. Not seen elsewhere.

[@ElevatedThreat]

Apparently it's still in use! kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWHQpZanh9Flgbs

[@MinimalList]

That’s the one in Fonserannes that was built in 1983, apparently it’s been out of action the last few years. M

[@simonguppy6023]

Richard the

[@jenninstitches]

I have no idea what is happening, but I keep getting unsubscribed from your channel. I hope this isn't happening frequently to you all because that would be a shame. Hope you all are doing well.

[@MinimalList]

That’s annoying. Thanks for coming back! 👍🏻

[@jenninstitches]

@@MinimalList Yeah, I don't know how long I was unsub'd for, but I love your channel so I am going to keep coming back no matter what.

[@MinimalList]

We haven’t seen any particular change in the numbers, so either everyone keeps resubscribing or it’s a strange bug! M