Will We Make It? Tunneling To Middlewich - Narrowboat Canal Life (episode 181)

#narrowboat #canal #travelvlog
The LAST leg of our 55 mile journey to Middlewich before they close the canal for repair. Do we make it?
*JOIN For Exclusive Benefits Patreon and KZbin Members*
Our content is available ad-free and 48 hours early to our valued Patreon and KZbin members before being released to the public. Additionally, our members receive regular blogs and updates that are not available to anyone else.
*** / floatingourboat
*** www.youtube.co...
NEW TO US?
We are Fran and Rich and along with our furry companions, Archie and Jess, we explore the UK's canals and rivers aboard our 58ft Narrowboat named 'Laura Maisie'.
NEW!! Download one of our images to use as you wish and support our channel floatingourboa....
or support us with one-off donation to www.paypal.me/... or buy us a virtual coffee here ko-fi.com/floa... THANK YOU X
Merchandise page! floating-our-b...-s... ***
Thank you for watching, hope you enjoy the video. please LIKE, COMMENT, and don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to our channel / @floatingourboat
Join this channel to get access to early ad-free videos
/ @floatingourboat
Fran's Blog - floatingourboa...
Fran's weaving Instagram: / constanzecr. .
Rich's Instagram art page / richypik
Canal and River Trust funding info. canalrivertrus....
Music
~-~~-~~~-~~-~
Please watch: "FREEZING OUR WOTNOTS OFF - Winter cruising on a CANAL NARROWBOAT - Episode 182"
• FREEZING OUR WOTNOTS O...
~-~~-~~~-~~-~

[@JISJ1964]

Great to see you again!

[@janetthompson6792]

Lovely vlog thank you, glad you made it in time

[@Neil-Hanson67]

YES

[@layalabi1667]

Great that you made it through the lock. Hapoy journeys!!!

[@scarabvoodoo]

I envy your lifestyle

[@sheep2405]

Another great video guys.

[@suzieq2958]

Great music guys! Lovely trip too! 😀👍🎵💜

[@Lee_Sullivan]

Lovely, taking life at your own pace. :-)

[@MichaelAMalone]

Your choice of music is extraordinary along with what could pass as professional photograhy. Combined to make a fabulous video... Thanks

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you so much 😀

[@Santafefrank]

Thanks for the ride along the canel. See you again. Take care 😊

[@1beakin]

🐶 Thanks!

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you so much, that is really generous of you and helps us continue what we are doing. Sorry for the late reply but we have been away with family and then without internet!

[@barbarataylor1535]

Of course you made it. Love to tag along with you. See you soon. Be safe and happy.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you! You too!

[@carolbennett3742]

My love affair with the UK canals and boats has waxed and waned over the last 6 years. I’ve followed, and unfollowed, a number of channels over the last few years but Floating Our Boat has been the constant for me. Thank you Fran and Rich.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you so much Carol xx

[@leslielutz6140]

YAY !!! Two minutes. What a beautiful lock that lost lock. Love the big black cloud above LOL

[@rontanser9369]

Narrowboat, hospitality and hotels lives on his narrowboat. In Manchester, he’s looking for people with special crafts. I told him about Fran and her weaving.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you x

[@Elle-kr8od]

I'm glad your need to hurry is over. Amazing how accustomed we become to a slower pace. Here's to a peaceful Christmas!

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Same to you!

[@TinaJones-ef5ty]

Really enjoy your channel. Fran keep cooking, love it. You r my early morning chill with cup of coffee before I get up for work

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thanks so much

[@barbaralamson7450]

You two have the very best canal/narrowboat channel I've seen. You are a joy, thank you. 😊

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Aah, thank you so much ❤️

[@myhillslife27]

HELLO! Wow that's a tight squeeze in the 1st tunnel! long too!

[@andywalker2334]

Thanks Fran and Rich for always reminding one to slow down! Your videos are always so calming!

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Glad you like them!

[@DerekWarner-m3q]

Another great cruise, even if "rushed", thanks for taking the time to record the journey!!

[@dorothydotson7154]

Llangollen for Christmas! That's awesome. Looking forward to that.

[@jennyfulcher8035]

Hurray, you made it! Now you can relax and create and cruise at your leisure. Take care, Jenny

[@jean-marcdeclercq6341]

Another fun vlog. Frightening to maneuver through these tunnels. To make you a little jealous, now 29 degrees...... greetings from me from Dakar where there are no canals but very large nature reserves.

[@jeanmann6985]

That must have been such a lovely feeling once you got through that last lock just in time. Always a joy to find you’ve released a new video. Hope you’re keeping warm. 🤗

[@blonddali]

See you are still going strong!

[@pemman]

Great you cruisers 🙂🙂

[@nevillemignot1681]

Good morning guys and doggies and it is good to see one of your Vids again, our son is bringing his wife and kids over to see us for lunch, and we are going up our local RSL [Returned Service League] Club to see our friends and do a little bit of gameing after dinner tonight. So it is triple whamy of good things for us, and many thanks for the heads up of where you are and what canal you two are on. Stay warm and out of the cold, and greetings from Sydney.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you, hope you had a wonderful day

[@terryansell6641]

This was very enjoyable thank you from New Zealand

[@FloatingOurBoat]

You are welcome

[@thoughtsonfitness3249]

Fantastic Video Guys … thanks for bringing another video dedicated to the what I call, ‘The Gentle Life’. There was a video from another regular channel that paints a completely misguided depiction of life aboard. For me and if we’re not careful, these essays could actually put people off considering a life afloat, your video’s, both authentic and natural show the life for what it really is …. There are only four channels doing a grand job. Yours is one of them.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you so much. Unfortunately drama and exaggeration get views so some vloggers concentrate on this rather than showing the real life. We have always tried to be honest and real with our depiction of life aboard. Glad you like it.

[@thoughtsonfitness3249]

@@FloatingOurBoat you guys are in my top 4 … modesty prevents me from saying who is number one ☝🏼 😉

[@sianwarwick633]

The music gets better and better. Glad to see your fireworks at the end. Lots of good lessons on-board in between. It's a thing to see 10-12 miles in a day as the pace, but there you go. You made it

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Don't worry, it wont be a regular thing. Back to 2-3 miles on a cruise now

[@lynmoore8355]

great Vvlog guys, Middlewich clost to my hubby's home town of Northwich, Fran you doing well on the smaller canals..... remembering well....

[@FloatingOurBoat]

It all seemed so different to the wider canals which had made us lazy. We went through Northwich. We have been there so many times and we do like it there.

[@SoldiersDad]

Thanks!

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you so much, Christmas coffee and mince pies I think x

[@nesleinf]

Oh, how I know how it is with peoples names. I can stand in the shopping center and talk to people, and all I do is thinking "who are they". And then when I get home I suddenly remember. Often when I am going to comment on your vlog (Fran & Rich) I have to go back to your intro page to refresh your names. This time I had'nt, because you just used it in the example 😀 Lovely rainy vlog! Love from Denmark

[@FloatingOurBoat]

It seems that there are many of us with the same problem.

[@stephengardiner9867]

My late "significant other" was born in Darbyshire... although she was Canadian by nationality (interesting story). We lived in Peterborough (Ontario, Canada)...AND we have the...TRENT CANAL(!!) running through the east of the city. Nothing much like your canals BUT it features a bloody great liftlocks not unlike Anderton, except for the fact that it was built as a massive concrete structure rather than Anderton's iron framework.

[@jillchew-tetlaw3388]

You made it. You must be so pleased. Enjoy a few days rest.

[@vickimiller6991]

Absolutely love your videos. UK canals are beautiful. Thank you for sharing your adventures.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you very much!

[@Setinmywaysalways]

Time to make preparations for your 🎄.

[@bernardsmithtouchingtheworld]

Lovely video as always - you made it 👍❤️

[@cherryclark2572]

Thanks for bringing us along for the ride again. Great job catching the first tunnel with two minutes to spare! 😅 enjoy the next few days of a more leisurely pace, but so .oozing forward to seeing the Llangollen canal again! Happy travels ❤

[@timothycorby7659]

It's great seeing your vlog, wishing you all the best for a very merry Christmas. xxx

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you, and you!

[@hughcarson6837]

Well done ,great vlog

[@andrewbounds8672]

I done the Llangollen canal in September it was great lovely place and ellesmere is nice to

[@dorotapogubila4427]

I was sitting on the edge but you made it. Relax and enjoy. Thank you both. Greetings from Canada Toronto

[@katienorthenmore1892]

Well done both of you, and thank you for sharing your winter cruising on the cut. quite amazing to see how high the water is. I do hope you get some time out to do your art and weaving, its nice to stop and have a focus where ever you are living. good job getting through the tunnels and hope you are managing with the weather, cold up north and rain down south at the moment. take care.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

We are so glad we have our crafts on these long dark days which are meant for such things and not for long cruises

[@brianstewart3457]

Hi Fran & Rich, Well after a few weeks binging we've finally made it through all your back vlogs and are upto date. Shame you had to rush through Bridgewater, Worsley is really nice. We were also strapped for time when we passed through in July bringing our boat from Lancaster canal to Cropredy. We really enjoy your vlog style, a mix of canal, walks and attractions, so like us! Sorry you had to leave your mooring in Yorkshire, Fran seemed really sad about that but you were probably both starting to stagnate there and it look like you've got your mojo back. Lots of love, Brian, Jean and nutty spaniel Meg "Water Angel".

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Hi Brian and Jean. Thank you for your comment. It was a tough move to leave the mooring, but as you say we were getting a little set in our ways and needed to follow our noses

[@Boating_David]

Must pop down Wardle and have a nosy how it's going ! Glad you made it, glad I had a teeny part in it ❤

[@FloatingOurBoat]

You had a very important part David. See you on the way back x

[@fringedwellermccatintyre730]

Once again, Rich doing a fab job on music! Maybe for Christmas we can see you guys doing up a Christmas dinner or something like that!

[@gaynorpattle]

SO pleased you made it ! X

[@sheilajoseph9953]

Lovely cruise, are you spending Christmas on Llangollen? Have a lovely Christmas 🎄 and New Year.🎉💚

[@pamelaevans6485]

It’s always a delight to see your posts; wishing you both a Merry Christmas !

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you, and you x

[@StevesRepairs]

Thanks for taking us along on this lovely cruise and it'll be great to see the Llangollen canal adventure. I hope that you are both doing well, and the doggies of course. Take care and all the best. Stevie

[@BobbyTucker]

Hello Fran & Rich, It's always a pleasure to see you, wish it was in person but this is close and good enough for now. My dear friend and his wife are at their wits end over their daughter, they live in Galway, Ireland. Their daughter had cancer on one vertebrae, she went into surgery at 4:00 P.M. today, 9hours later she came out and they're waiting on the pain management team to arrive and explain everything to them. We've all been praying for her and it seems like it's done some good, thank heaven. I hope to see more of your videos, I love to listen to you both telling us all about your trip through the locks and the tunnels. You have a very Merry Christmas if I don't get to see you again before then. God Bless you all and your fur babies too.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Hello Bobby. I'm so sorry for your friend and their daughter. I do hope the surgery is a success. Difficult times ahead for all of them but hopefully it will be a good outcome.

[@nick.caffrey]

Lovely to see you out and about on the water in a more leisurely manner. Your episodes are always entertaining.

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

Dang! Saw and misread "Tunneling To Middlewich" as "Tunnelling To Midwich" and the teeth started chattering over visions of "the Cuckoos!" 😱🙄😈

[@shirleylynch7529]

So glad you made it. Loved the tunnels. Enjoy your time now at leisure. Most enjoyable cruise. Thank you. Take care.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you! Will do!

[@morgidvmw0mdv]

Don't know if you have done the Llangollen before, It's my favourite canal especially the section from Grindley Brook to Llangollen, only two locks. If you have time, pay a visit to Whixall Marina, what a lovely spot that is. We had to visit it during our holiday from hell that we thoroughly enjoyed to have our domestic alternator changed when it packed up. We spent most of a lovely day here having meals in the café. what a gorgeous spot. other things that went wrong, 1 Rammed by another boat even before leaving our mooring at Trevor 2 then my wife fell backwards from the welldeck into the boat, 3 one of the black water tanks hadn't been emptied 4 was the alternator and 5 What I thought was a winding hole at Grindel Brook wasn't, but with the help of the lock keepers there we managed to turn the boat, all 65ft of her.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Wow, that sounds like quite an adventure. We have been to Llangollen on our old boat so this time we know all the places we want to stop at or maybe missed before.

[@thomasmarencik8050]

I’ve watched a few of your episodes, and all of them I’ve found utterly delightful. It’s got to be your glorious personalities! I have no idea why I’ve waited to “subscribe “. I guess I’m just a slow learner. Happy voyages!

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you so much, it is never too late.

[@tburnsmatheny]

Fran there are days that I wish people all wore name tags just so I could remember their names. It times the name just won’t pop out of my brain. Enjoy a break in Middlewich.

[@johnland5042]

Thank you for another delightful viewing! I know the T&M canal but haven't been there since 2017 so it was really nice to see many familiar spots.

[@BarneyLeith]

My wife's and my first experience on the canals was on this part of the T & M very many years ago. I rather think Saltersford and Barnton tunnels were the first tunnels we experienced. We'd hired a boat at Northwich and went along the T & M to the Potteries and then up the Caldon Canal. When we returned we had time to spare before returning the boat and so went past the hire base and continued towards Preston Brook before winding. Many thanks for your wondeful videos, Fran & Rich! Great that you made it through the lock at Middlewich in time! And I look forward to your cruise up the Llangollen Canal, which my wife and I did with friends while the lockdown was still on in Wales. I'm sure you'll enjoy the Llangollen!

[@FloatingOurBoat]

It is a good place to learn about boating with those tunnels and locks. I bet you had a great time.

[@narrowboatersatlarge]

We picked up our very first hire boat at Preston Brook. We had the safety talk etc from the company and then he said, 'Just pop through the tunnel and I'll meet you on the other side at the lock'! And that was our introduction to narrowboat life! Talk about in at the deep end lol. Glad you made it through :)

[@katienorthenmore1892]

goodness, that's not much learning, did you manage ok?

[@narrowboatersatlarge]

Yes, thanks, we learned how steer really quickly lol @@katienorthenmore1892

[@FloatingOurBoat]

That is the best way, just get on with it. Rich did much the same with me and my first lock

[@nigelblair2182]

New to your channel. Subscribed and can’t wait for your next adventure. I will be looking back at past videos to see me through the winter. Keep safe and well.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Hello Nigel and thank you for joining us

[@user-xw6wj2qh5n]

The issue of remembering names - It doesn't have to be an age thing. Studies have shown that some people just don't remember names no matter how hard they try - and I am one of those. My wife remembers all family and friends car number plates but struggles with some names. We actually have a crib sheet to remember all our favourite canal vloggers names, boat names and pets names. We were getting names too mixed up. Merry Christmas to the both of you. We are really enjoying watching vlogs with some winter weather. I miss it a lot. Christmas in the tropics is not the same and I genuinely miss seasons. We were home to UK for September (first trip since before Covid) and naturally expected autumnal weather - and packed accordingly. Instead we had around 30 centigrade, so not much cooler than we have here. Tim & Jalika

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Glad we are not the only ones forgetting names. Rich is better than me but I have always been the same with names and faces. Funny how I can remember plant names and where I found them though! I think I would miss the winter weather as well. Just 3 degrees tonight.

[@user-xw6wj2qh5n]

@@FloatingOurBoat My late mother used to remember all plant names - common, proper and botanical. She was a teacher and somehow could remember all the kids names - the entire school since apart from being a class teacher she had them all class by class for music - and concert practices. Outside of school she had a heck of a time trying to remember names though - and never ever knew a single phone number, even in the days of 4 digit numbers. She didn't know her own car number either, so many's the time she's tried to get in the wrong car in a supermarket carpark. It's a cool evening here due to a few hours of rain - only 25 centigrade. Yes, some Christmas weather would be nice.

[@christinephillips9709]

Nice to see you, have a lovely xmas if we don't see you before.xx

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you, and you x

[@RetireMentalityChallenged]

I always look forward to seeing you two these days. And I'll enjoy it at whatever pace you take! I'm a retiree too. cheers!

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you

[@jaydeehere1918]

Good morning from the Canadian Rockies l*l. Cheers and God Bless !!

[@petergregorypottery5476]

Good to see you moored up after your 5day race! Those tunnels looked really interesting, as well as the bends, the arch shape seemed subtly different... just a shade more pointy in the apex than some? I love the regional differences that the canal bridges and other architecture has. Watched this with a coffee in bed whilst easing into the day here in NZ.... Thanks for this episode it was a very nice start to the day!

[@FloatingOurBoat]

You are so right about the architecture and there are some really beautiful bridges about

[@richardskinner6804]

Great video again , you should make time for your hobbies it we be nice ❤️

[@FloatingOurBoat]

That's the plan!

[@mariachase2174]

Hi there we saw you today on your way to town fri 8th Dec ..did not stop to say hi as you seemed cold but hope you enjoyed your shop 😊

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Aah, you should have stopped. I was on the way to get a train to see family then Rich was going into do Christmas shopping. Say hello if you see us again

[@mariachase2174]

@@FloatingOurBoat will do i was telling the other half I got a no egg no milk cake from you both he enjoys it and takes to work would of given you lift but I was going other way. Have a great day

[@colinskehan]

Seems a nice part of the world ,enjoyed the travel and it's always good to re visit places that you have been before ,most times you seem to enjoy yourselves more ....good luck and can't wait for the next episode

[@FloatingOurBoat]

I quite agree.

[@stephenconnor1232]

I was a few hours in front of you I misjudged the sharp turn under the bridge at wardle and headlamp took a hit lol Steve on jonadab

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Oh dear, it happens to all the best boaters.😂

[@stephengardiner9867]

I am not, by nature, claustrophobic but travelling through tunnels with histories of subsidence (or even collapses) would have my nerves on edge. I have explored disused mine tunnels and lava caves in the west coast of Canada and the U.S. but some of those canal tunnels ...!

[@brodie2711]

So glad you made it on time and thank you for letting me ride along. And best wishes for Christmas and New Year.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you, It was such a relief to be able to go slow and look around us again

[@sarkybugger5009]

Hi guys! There's no rush, you can be _busy going nowhere..._ If you don't post again before Crimbo, I hope you have a good one. All the best to you both.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

And you too. Heres to a healthy and happy new year 🍻

[@joybader4035]

Love watching you two! Merry Christmas and have a wonderful New Year!!!

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you, and you

[@myhillslife27]

Lovely update.. I hear you.. So you where do you plan to be for Christmas?

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Somewhere on the Llangollen canal, probably in the middle of nowhere.

[@Roy66Nott]

Charles Dance, I win I win, what do I get ? Never mind i spose lots of people did. Good paintig Wez.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Erm....wrong channel I think 😁

[@suzannehague5203]

I fan and rich nice to see you both a good run up the the canals and tunnels you did well well marry.christmas and happy new year too both all for now all the best 😊

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you and the same to you

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

good vid

[@wendyluvsbooks1580]

Those tunnels are amazing but how do you know if no one is coming the other way 😳😳

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Many or them are timed entry so nobody should be coming. Others you can see through if they are not too long and you just have to wait.

[@ChrisTopher-nr1vb]

Leeds is COLD. How on earth you cope on a metal boat in winter is beyond me. Chris

[@FloatingOurBoat]

It is fine. The fire is constantly alight and it is so cosy.

[@garry9999]

A kinky tunnel to go with that kinky music, come on, Rich, get it in the hole. Great steering x

[@gabrielecox365]

Glad you made it, now relax. I have a question about the tunnel with the bend. When you go in you can‘t see if a boat is coming the other way. What do you do if there is? Best wishes to you ❤

[@FloatingOurBoat]

These tunnels have timed entry slots so there should not be a boat coming the other way.

[@gabrielecox365]

@@FloatingOurBoat thank you for your answer. And a big thank you for all your wonderful vlogs ❤️😍🥰

[@floatybyboaty]

Quick question, what happens if you get half way through the 'Bendy' tunnel and another boat is heading your way

[@FloatingOurBoat]

That is why it is timed entry, nobody should be coming the other way

[@lionelmarytravels6003]

Hello you two. Tell me. If you can t move because the locks are closed. Can you stay put , moored up until the locks🎉 reopen without getting fined? Bext wishes for Christmas . See you again soon.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Usually you can. CRT do not fine you if you are stuck for reasons beyond your control. They never fine people anyway, just send a warning letter and if you continue they may refuse to renew your licence.

[@Whawk]

Wuuf

[@TheDR411]

I never heard a single horn. Do you not blow the horn for thaws tunnels?

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Two tunnels were timed entrances so you would hope no one is coming the other way. If they are then they’re abusing the rules. The last tunnel you could see the end at entering so no need to. Thanks for watching.

[@lynettecoates4272]

Hi Fran and Rich... have sent u a message via website re a game you might like to have from me...not sure if message got through... xx

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thanks Lynette, I have replied x

[@lynettecoates4272]

@FloatingOurBoat hi, for some reason I have not received your reply.......

[@stevepursglove1224]

Shortest canal in the country. The wardle canal.

[@myhillslife27]

Do you not toot your horn to let people know you are coming?

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Only if neither of us can see, and not on timed tunnels as nobody will be coming the other way.

[@TheGeoffpike]

You seem to be thrusting your bows a lot these days bruv...lol

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Tee Hee, It must be a Pike thing!!!