Narrowboating the DEEPEST CANAL LOCK in the UK - Ep.4 

Mike and Nicole. This was a fun series. I’m sad that it is almost over. But, I’m looking forward to the next adventure. Nicole, I think you should join Mike on more adventures. As always, thanks for bringing us along on this amazing trip.

If you guys are planning another canal boat experience, you gotta try the Caledonian Canal in Scotland, it includes Loch Ness, Fort Augusta's locks, etc. Think you'd really enjoy it.

There are more harrowing moments to long boating than one would expect. One moment it's all peaceful and bucolic and suddenly you're beached. I liked when Nicole said "We have to at least try it", which turned out to be right.

“And challenges are best overcome together” 19:43 Every couple has their disagreements, telling the world about it is a big step in relationships. You and Nicole have a really strong bond, you think of what the other has to say and find an answer together. Great video!

Agreed, it's quite a feat in engineering. So there's a story for why the Tuel Lane Lock was built in 1996. The Rochdale Canal was originally abandoned by an Act of Parliament in 1952. When the canal company tried to shut down the final section in 1965, the Inland Waterways Association petitioned against it, and has since petitioned projects that would've severed the route (like a Sowerby Bridge supermarket in 1980). This section however remained isolated from the network as the connection to the Calder and Hebble Navigation waterway was missing. So in 1991, a grant of £2.5 million (over £5 million in today's money) was secured that paved the way for the final link to be restored.

"Life is better with challenges, and challenges are best overcome together" - Michael Downtzu, the Art of Traveling. But it's true! Challenging yourself is how you grow as a person. And when it comes to working together, alone we can do so little, together we can do so much. No one can whistle a symphony, it takes a whole orchestra to play it. Only when we work together, can we make the world a better place.

Amazing vlogs, as an Englishman; am so appreciative of you highlighting the beauty of our countryside and industrial heritage of the United Kingdom, hope both of you are well, merry Christmas

As a 21 year old (Australian) i haven't gone to many places except Japan which I loved, I've always wanted to travel, but the generic Europe holiday has never appealed enough to me to spend the money to do it, but these last 4 videos have definitely put UK canal boating on my very small bucket list, big landmarks are cool but I think this experience would top almost any tourism spot and I can't wait to do this myself.

This has proven to be great fun! I love adventure mixed with history. Your “mishaps” always bring me smiles!

I so wish you had 20 more episodes of this wonderful series! This is such a great example of how it is the process, not the end, that is to be loved and remembered. I have some friends who are going to do a luxury canal cruise, where everything is done for them, with fancy chefs and butlers... no, thank you! Your experience is right up my alley!!! Thanks so much, Mike and Nicole!

Love boating vicariously through you & Nicole's adventures. Can't wait for the bonus ep!

This is a great series. I had no idea this sort of adventure even existed. Makes me want to book a trip to Wales. Thanks for taking us along.

This was definitely a challenging adventure. You were so wonderful to help the newbies. So, great to see with perseverance; you made it through! I have so enjoyed this series; I hate to see it come to an end. We'd love to see more of you Nichole; you are a great travel companion.

Mike, The past month has been incredible watching you navigate your way through the countryside canals. This has been a true joy to watch so I can imagine it was better to experience in real time. For me personally the first 2 episodes would be more relaxing. The countryside and towns seemed slower paced and relaxed. So happy I found your channel. Keep up the great work.

I’ve been following you for a while and I honestly think this was your best series so far. All the episodes were super well edited and so wholesome to watch! I’m sad this is over but can’t wait to see what you’ll come up with next!

I have loved your train journeys across America, and now you have done a boat trip through my home town of Northwich! We have walked along the Trent and Mersey canal many times. Thank you for showing everyone our part of the world. ❤

The first video of this canal boat trip I knew I would love, I check back every day to see if there’s a new video! I’m glad there’s one today and I bet others will agree!

What a great series Mike. Beautiful country and history. Thank you so much for taking us along with you.

Great episode Mike & Nicole. Nicole has done a fantastic job in guiding your Narrow Boats through some tough places. Great work Nicole!!! It's very nice to see more of you Nicole. But we all need to see even more of you!😃Thanks again for taking all of us along on your journey!👍

Thank you for this. I must have driven up and down Tuel Lane hundreds of times, and eaten in The Moorings pub plenty of times too, but I never realised the canal passed under the road junction there. Sometimes it takes someone from 3000 miles away to show you what's in your own back yard!

I am enjoying this ride along the canals. It's great to learn the history of the canals and beautiful scenery.

I love how you're able to make the most of every experience even despite the bumps along the way, the fact that you included the lower moments of the trip and being able to come back from it really demonstrates just who you are and what this channel is about, I love every single one of these videos.

thanks for taking us on this journey with you!! excited for the bonus.

This has been absolutely amazing watching you both go through this journey. It's just beautiful to watch. Thank you so much for this.

I've watched all 4 episodes now, enjoyed every moment, I have watched a lot on trains in Canada, with you and mates, which were great, thanks Mike and Nicole, can't wait for bonus episode now, 👍😀

I have never heard of Narrow boating before. Thank you for exposing me to a new type of travel. I hope that I’ll do this. Very bucket worthy.

Briliant video, scenery, interviews, description and how it all works for people that don't know. I hope them volunteers get a donation every now and again the work they do is invaluable

I've only found your channel a couple of months ago but you are slowly becoming one of my favorite channels on RU-vid

Four episodes of great moments, I was in awe of how beautiful it all was.

Another amazing trip!! I love these lovely little boat trips through the UK!!! I hope they keep coming!! They are my favorite trips of yours.

😉I'm sorry, but I just kept hearing, 🎶"Clowns to the left of me...Jokers to the right...Here I am, stuck in the middle with you."🎶

I am very pleased to be seniors with you guys doing the locks with the long boats it’s like I’m near with you thank you very much you made this old man very very happy. I wanted to do this myself but don’t get around anymore and you guys just made my day, thank you very much I am in Alberta Canada originally from Niagara Falls, Ontario been out Alberta since 1975

I've been on a narrowboat for nearly a year now and your videos have been more useful than any other that I've seen. Your 'warts and all' approach was endearing and informative. Thank you both so very much X

This has been such an awesome adventure to follow along with. These locks are something else, and you can really tell that you both have really gained a lot of experience and skill when it comes to navigating and operating these canal boats.

What a great real-world example of persevering and rising to the challenge! This has been a great series and, even better, we get a surprise bonus!

I REALLY enjoyed this series, I think this is a part of the UK that a lot of people don't think about but the videography was well done, the commentary was great and it looks like you had a lot of fun! Thank you for inviting us to join you on this series and I cannot wait to see even more!

England is a pretty country! Thanks for taking us along. I am enjoying your adventures!

Another wonderful adventure with a little nail biting along the way! You two worked it out but of course Nicole was right! Lol. Glad there is one more video to watch and can't wait to see it! Thanks for taking us along!

We did the Llangollen from Nantwich in 2018, over Sir Thomas Telford's aqueduct. The Smith's Falls Combined Lock, south of Ottawa, is 25.6 feet deep, or 7.6 meters. The Rideau Canal is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, from Ottawa (our hometown) to Kingston. Yes, there are Parks Canada Lockies to guide you through. We love your voyages through the canals of the UK and look forward to the extra vlog!

Mike - great series, possibly my all-time favorite of all your adventures. My wife and I have traveled by long boat in England and this was truly fun to watch. Nicole is a keeper! Keep up the great work, it's always a pleasure to see and enjoy your content.

I have loved this series. I'm so excited for a bonus episode!!!

Yay bonus episode next week! Enjoying this series very much!

I think you're spot on about the challenges being an important part of the fun. Indeed, they're the bits which we'll remember, which we'll be telling people about in years to come, and which make the holiday. We don't need everything to be easy and problem-free to enjoy ourselves.

Thank you both for another wonderful set of videos! It is great to travel along with you as you explore places and live lives of adventure.

I just came across this series and it was so relaxing. I am glad you got to experience British canals at their best and their worst. You definitely need to come back and do this again.

Fabulous ride thank you both ... enjoy every minute. Looking forward to more.

What a lovely, respectful, interesting, informative piece. This is the second video of yours that I have seen and I'm already a big fan. Thank you for all the hard work you obviously put in. Fantastic.

I live 15 minutes away from Sowerby Bridge/Rochdale Canal and never knew about its historical importance. I am so pleased you enjoyed Hebden Bridge, my favourite place to go for a Sunday morning coffee. I have loved this series (like all of them), your adventures give me so much joy and excitement. Can't wait to "join you" on the bonus episode and beyond!

Thank you so much! It’s sad it’s almost over but it felt that we were there with you! Can’t wait for the next series… no pressure! 😊

Hi Mike...it's good to see you guys having " normal stressful" moments...that's what makes life more interesting ! Looking forward to the bonus episode next week 🙂

Your enthusiasm is infectious. Have a great holiday!

Your channel is a wonderful. thanks for all the hard work. I caught this episode late, I usually watch right after my Saturday shift. Look forward to all the videos, brother! Here's to safe travels and great adventures. It's great to see you and Nicole enjoying what the world has to offer. I might not have even known about canal boating was a thing.

Thanks, Mike and Nicole, this has been an epic series, glad to see there is a bonus episode, but it's sad to see it conclude. It has been great.

Fantastic. Thanks Mike and Nicole.👍😊

I'm so loving this series. After my parents had share in a narrow boat, they bought a Dutch barge, which is a bit wider and a bit shorter, a bit more liveable, and a bit less navigable than a standard narrow boat. Still, they spent years living on it, and I got to spend a few memorable trips on it, including, for them, its final trip down the Manchester Ship Canal to the Ellesmere Port Boat Museum. The locks going down there are true scary wicked, designed for serious ocean going vessels full of cargo, not for little matchsticks roped together. Thanks again, this has been a great yarn.

Great series Mike and Nicole. Thank you

Nicole is very cute and useful, practical. Listen to her! Lol What an adventure. Glad there's another episode to go.😄

Always thank you Mr Downie for sharing the experience. Im super excited for next weeks episode

Glad to hear there’s another episode. Really enjoying this series

That was fun, great work from you & Nicole to get through all the challenges. Really interesting way to travel, through some beautiful scenery.

I've been subscribed to your channel for a while now and enjoyed it thoroughly. I've especially enjoyed the narrow boat series. I moved from England when I was eight (fifty years ago) to the US. I tried to go back and visit in my 20's twice, but each time something stopped me (appendicitis and car troubles). So I stopped trying. Needless to say, I've seen more of my homeland on TV and RU-vid than I have in person. THANK YOU! This series has added to my "visit" to home in that I got to see things that reminded me of my youth. I remember taking a narrow boat trip aboard the Jenny Wren (a school trip?). Your videos brought those memories back to me and I remembered how much I enjoyed that short ride. This made me envious of your multi-day journey! I'm so glad you had so much fun onboard some of my favorite tiny homes! Looking forward to the bonus episode and your next "Travels by ???" series. Thanks for great stories! Mark

Phenomenal series. I can't wait for next week. I've added narrow boating to my bucket list.

What a great 4 weekend journey. Keep up the fun adventures

Great fun watching your latest adventures! Thanks for another episode! 🎉

absolutely loving this series! great work!!!

Great video! Thanks for making this series, looking forward to many more. Your videos are a great de-stresser !

i really enjoyed this series, thanks so much for sharing. hugs

I have thoroughly enjoyed your canal series. Thank you so much!

I’m so excited for ‘next season’ of narrow boating 🎉🎉

Fab series once again. Michael you make even the biggest challenges fun. Well done once again .

Thank you both.... another job well done....I'm ready for the bonus vlog ! Be well

Loved this video. I love love love your attitude about challenges. You make me want to be a better person and face life's challenges with grace. Love you.

The production on this is phenomenally good

You bring a lot of positive energy in my currently sad life! Nicole should definitely accompany you for more adventures in the future ❤

Brilliant video Mike really enjoyed the different episodes and you look as you and Nicole had a great time, boating on our waterways.

One of your best series. I guess because we in North America have nothing like the canals. Well done Mike and Nicole.

This was a fun series and honestly do love Yorkshire, great video and thank you DownieLive and Nicole.

Please come back to the UK soon and do some more episodes, 4 aren't enough! Glad you like it here, always welcome!

Love countryside of UK & your vblog brought do much joy to all of us.Loved to see you & Nicole making memories together ❤️ happy holidays & have joyful Xmas 🎄🎄

This was such an enjoyable series. Kudos to Nicole and you for facing the challenges of canal travel together. Makes me want to try it too. Thank you

The best part was the interaction between you and Nicole. It really made me miss my wife. I lost her a little over a year ago.

What a fun adventure. I am absolutely not a boat person, but you almost have me convinced!

Mike and NIcole, Seize the day, I did, and now at 80 I have many memories of adventures. Your most precious gift is your youth! Cheers, Rik Spector

It's so cool that these are just open for the public to use, aside from the third one obviously.

This has been one of the best series I've seen in a while. Thank you so much for sharing! I had never heard of these canals before and now you have me wanting to plan a trip to the UK next year. Now I just need to find a co-captain to join me.

OMG im so enjoying this series! Nicole youre a bad ass companion. Rachel youre an excellent skipper! Thanks guys for this wonderful entertainment!

Just found this series. This is some quality content. Keep it coming. You are living the dream

Great video with lots of history and very interesting glad you both enjoyed yourselves take care see you both next week

I really love this boat canal series with you & Nicole. Eager to see next week. Nicole that was funny, "my big beefy boy". Just love you 2!

I think this has been added to my bucket list now. Thanks!

I usually don’t like watching RU-vid videos when their life partner shows up as guests… that’s until when Nicole shows up! She is just so funny and sincere in the show. She and Mike match each other so well. I just adore them so much. ❤

It's funny how similar the scene along the river at the end of the video looks to the millworks and textile factories along the Speed, Nith and Grand rivers in Ontario. Elora, Fergus, Hespeler, Preston, Galt, Brantford and Paris all have similar scenes as well as many other locales. I was privileged to grow up in one of the earliest settled regions in Canada with buildings crafted in the late 17 early 1800's and it wasn't until I moved West that it hit how new Canada really is. Early settlers gravitated to rivers and thus communities were built, bringing the British architecture that is so familiar is these videos. Your videos are educating and entertaining at the same time as I had no clue of long boating or locks in GB although I have been a canal gawker along the Welland Canal. Thanks for another great video!

Yeow that was quite some peril with the low water. But I am glad for the teamwork too. It's good to hear the opposing perspectives. That's why you call it "crew resource management!" Looking forward to the bonus ep! Thanks so much!

Really enjoying this series Mike and Nicole, thank you for sharing. I used to farm near Goytre Wharf on the Mon and Brec canal and kept a boat there. It was a wonderful way to relax on a summer evening after milking, cruising up towards Brecon. Your videos reflect wonderfully the relaxed pace of life and tranquility of the canals, even in stressful situations. It still amazes me when you cruise for several hours, then look at a map and realise that the distance you travelled could have been done in about half an hour by car! Thank you for all your great videos.

What an amazing journey. I totally enjoyed this series. Thanks for the inspirational message at the end about challenges. Greetings from 🇧🇧🇧🇧

Love this series, would love to see more again!

Great video can't wait for what you have stored for us next!

What an amazing adventure you and Nicole have been on. And you are still speaking to each other, well done. Thanks again Mike!😊

Best episode yet!! Can't wait for next week.

The locks must have been epic in real life, stunning beauty and an amazing adventure, Merry Christmas