Trent & Mersey Canal - Middlewich Locks

This could easily have been a Promotional Video for Black Prince Narrowboat Holidays rather than a documentary about a flight of locks.

Anyroadup, this is short stretch of the Trent and Mersey Canal (Mail Line -- Middlewich to Preston Brook) from King's Lock No 71 to Middlewich Big Lock No 75 (Quite why this last lock is a broad one when every other lock on the Trent and Mersey is narrow we have no idea). And fun and games it was too.

While navigating from Lock No 72 to Lock No 73 around the 90 degree left hand bend, I had people from the bank, people from other boats and my crew on the walkie talkie screaming instructions to "STAY RIGHT", "GO THIS WAY", and "GO THAT WAY". I ignored every bugger and powered me way round regardless.

I reckon the guy coming out of Lock No 74 should have "Lock Lurched" rather than being led out on a rope. He ended up against the towing path with his crew seeming to think they should push off the pointy end but couldn't reach it. Then came the wonderful sequence of "Give me the boat hook, never mind I'll do the splits and get it myself" and then the young lady, almost treading on her camera, proceeded to use said boat hook, holding it pike like and ran their narrowboat through!

We moored for the night just below the Big Lock. I was sitting there, as you do, contemplating the peak of me cap and anticipating dinner, while the good lady wife was black leading the cat, when I was suddenly aware of a mighty and violent jerking. Leaping onto the pointy end, I saw we were being passed by two Alvechurch Narrowboats, side by side, both doing six mph and each determined to prove to the other that they could do seven.

By now we had been dragged from our moorings and were in the middle of the cut while the all male, inebriated teenage crews of the speeding boats sprayed each other with water pistols.

"I say you fellows do have a care (or words to that effect)" I hollered as their lager fueled but otherwise empty juvenile heads receded into the distance, found the barge pole and managed to get us back to the towing path.

I have vague memories of dinner in The Big Lock pub which is a dark, barn like place serving chain pub food at Mayfair prices.

The soundtrack was chosen as it seemed to fit in with the wind rustling the leaves on the trees, running water, revving of marine engines and the camera wind smear.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• trent
• mersey
• canal
• cheshire
• ring
• lock
• narrowboat
• middlewich
• waterway

[dxcpt]

Lol made me laugh, i used to work with them boats, not my idea of a holiday,  i live right were the video was made, alot of locks i know

[PIGandPINEAPPLE]

I was laughing so much I was having trouble driving. Mind you that's par for the course with my driving!

[tomterahedrob]

how wide is your boat?they seem cozy and big but nver cramped to me.great video.

[PIGandPINEAPPLE]

Mostly they are 6 feet 10 inches wide and up to 70 feet long.

There are a few 14 feet wide but these are restricted to certain parts of the canal system.

[thisismyname007]

This is why I'm a Youtube addict. A few minutes ago I was watching cat videos.  Now I discover your wonderful narrowboat video. Thanks!

[PIGandPINEAPPLE]

You are most welcome. Why not try our The Curious Incident Of The Tree & The Cat In The Night-time video and get the best of both worlds i.e. Cats & Narrowboats.

[RoadCone411]

PIG and PINEAPPLE - you have the best canal videos I have seen! I live in the USA but I tackled the Cheshire Ring last year (2007) and I recall that was a very awkward lock setup. We made the loop in a counter-clockwise direction. Coming out of the lock and making the 90-degree right turn was a royal pain in the neck.

[spartan0504]

i have been through them

[wilkiboo]

the skip in the frames is a good reference point to the fact you stopped recording because steve made a total mess of the manouvre when trying to turn and i love his hand jestures etc afterwards, i cant get enough of watching this ROFL ROFL

[MrDiscobill]

nice video,shame about the silly music.

[WendyMo1]

That looked like hard work!! Great clarity and water reflection. I Liked it.

[mynextstopkraljevo]

Have a look at my YouTube of the Wyre Lady pleasure cruise boat at Doncaster Town Lock, as well as going through the lock at Sprotborough, to see the contrast. A bit tame, I must admit, but I think you'll like it!