I'm American, and I concur entirely with your assessment of the impact of Kraft's purchase of Cadbury. They've take a beautiful thing, and ruined it. The continuous acquisition of companies by larger companies is a blight upon the Free Market.

@starwater9828

4 жыл бұрын

4:20 Using cheap/sickly ingredients now - pity.

@Richardj410

2 жыл бұрын

Could not agree with you more.

"Bonus heron"!! Love it!!!

2:53 Nice apex. :) U.S. viewer here, and yes, our chocolate companies do ruin chocolate. In fact they actively lobby for allowing even less cocoa while still calling it 'chocolate'. Very irritating, and sorry about that.

That joke about the digger at 4:00, it's just a very, very David joke. And also very funny.

"I made my getaway in a narrowboat" - said by no one ever. - 2:52

I was just wondering what purpose a life pottering about the canals had. Immediately came up with the answer: giving many (tens of) thousands of people a glimpse of how life could be, inspire them and (as in my case) calm them down with video’s of tranquil British countryside. So, thank you, for inspiration and calming me down :-) Keep up the good work.

@CruisingTheCut

6 жыл бұрын

There's no need for it to have a purpose other than my own satisfaction really but I'm delighted you're enjoying them :-)

Well All Right... a "Simon's Cat" narrowboat!! Too Cool!! And SO Funny! Thanks for sharing and showing ! Your canal Blogs are the Best!! Be Well and Safe!!🏩😸💦😻

As a proud Yank who believes we do almost everything better than everyone else, let me just say that no apologies are necessary regarding Cadbury. We really do make the absolute worst chocolate, so may I apologize on behalf of all America for buying Cadbury and ruining a once wonderful brand.

@brianmoffit2012

4 жыл бұрын

Ah well I live a 20 minute drive from Hershey, compared to euro chocolate it sucks. But you do what you can.

@JohnyComeLately

4 жыл бұрын

I second, or third as it may be, this sentiment.

@jengaryadventurers4603

4 жыл бұрын

So true Eric.

@xerxespamplemousse6622

4 жыл бұрын

Alas, Heinz ruined HP sauce, too, when they bought it, moved production to the Netherlands, and turned it into catsup/ketchup/dreck.

@wallacegrommet9343

4 жыл бұрын

Fortunately, many small chocolatiers exist in the US to make a higher quality confection. Try Theo’s in Seattle, the best milk chocolate ever, and I prefer dark chocolate, so that is saying something. Very high cocoa content, something you just don’t get in most milk chocolate.

I still recall the trip across town to Walgreens that's sole purpose was for dad to show me a Cadbury chocolate bar, something he had first tasted when he was across the pond for the liberation of Europe. I think at the time it was new addition to their stock, and he was so excited not only to have some once again, but to share the experience with me. I still recall it being so deliciously creamy. Unlike any other chocolate I had had before. While these days I could get one by walking just two blocks, I must admit that I don't really get the craving for them like I did when I was young. I had just attributed it to taste decline as I grow older. Thanks for setting me straight David. At least as far as this American is concerned, no need to apologize for saying the truth. As we all know, saving a penny per chocolate bar is worth it because it shows up in the books, whereas a decline in sales that can't be attributed to that penny saved, isn't.

You are completely correct the Hershey company ruined Cadbury chocolates. They also destroyed Kit-Kat bars from Rowntree.

@scotthowieson1191

4 жыл бұрын

It was Kraft(Mondelēz International) that ruined the British made chocolate. Hershey make Cadburys in the USA.

@SnabbKassa

4 жыл бұрын

Rowntrees is Nestlé, which is not American

@davidbagley1783

3 жыл бұрын

You said it.. kit kat is terrible now

That Simon's cat art boat was quite a surprise!

Rather than frown on the urban environment of the Birmingham canals be grateful they're still there and not swallowed up by greedy developers. Being the arteries of the industrial revolution i love the way they intertwine the city

Herons are considered extremely good luck. I was told it means an ancestor is watching over you. Love me some Blue Herons, but man will they decimate a Koi pond.🦈

Sorry about the chocolates. I stumbled across your blogs and have been binging the last few day during this dang pandemic. Hope to be caught up soon. I am amazed at the extent of the canal system there. Thank you for sharing.

I can fully understand your reluctance to tackle the Tardebigge flight solo David. We came up that flight in Oct 2017 in one day whilst cruising the Stourport ring - but with 4 adults aboard it was a lot easier for us than it would have been for you. And we moored in the Gas Street Basin in Birmingham overnight on a Monday - it was surprisingly quiet after about 11 pm !!

The "chimney roof" you mention, I know as a "Chinese hat", but a cheap stainless steel dogs bowl from a £ shop does the job brilliantly and will last almost forever, I use them on my workshop woodburners. buy two, sacrifice one for the brackets,, hey presto 2 quid and sorted.

I’m really enjoying watching these videos again, now that KZread allows you to zoom in on the video as it plays (or when paused). It’s fascinating for when you want to try to get a closer look at something within a particular shot. Brilliant. 🙂🐿🌈❤️

As always enjoyed the video. Keep them coming..

Watched 1 - 46 in the last 2 weeks. Seen many parts from the towpath but not from the canal. So, great!

Lol love the nod to the very funny movie "Airplane" Shirley you've seen it! Hahaha!

You are so right about Cadbury's chocolate.

As always, riveting and too short 😊

Your right Hersey has done poorly by cadbury

@AuntieSullivan

5 жыл бұрын

Yes; sincere apologies. Hershey's is ok for baking here in the States, yet seriously, we have no clue about eating chocolate. We destroy a good bit of chocolate.

@beeble2003

3 жыл бұрын

No they haven't. Cadbury was bought by Kraft, not Hershey. Hershey used to be the US distributor.

I totally agree with you on Cadbury .. and I'm in the U.S

From Gas St to Kings Norton - my stomping ground as a nipper! Nice to see it all again...though it looks a lot different than it did way back when...

@CruisingTheCut

7 жыл бұрын

Really? It's changed a bit?

@K2shadowfax

7 жыл бұрын

Before you were born. NVM.

US viewer here and I agree about the chocolate.

Humour for me was that hat! Amazing in June all wrapped up :)

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

That was last month.

@snappyfish

8 жыл бұрын

Makes sense. Love the vlogs as always.

Lovely to see those 3 Herons. Hope you had a nice time at the show.

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

I did!

Well done sir!

Sorry to hear you were sick. But happy that you got to visit family !

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

:-)

We did this route a year ago starting from Sawley marina. We didn't go all the way to Stratford, jogged over to the Grand Union. There is a great pub where the little connector canal joins the Grand Union. We spent the night moored there after getting a wonderful dinner of lamb shanks.

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

That's where I head next ;-)

Well we have just returned from visiting our son in Canterbury and are now back in Worcester, so our paths may never cross now your on your way to Warwick, but no matter, keep it going great vlog.

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

Thanks, will do.

thank you so much for your videos , it give me a chance to travel the world sitting at my wheelchair , again a big thanks from northern maine.

Being shut right down right now in the United States, it is good to be able to watch your videos because they are calming during these nervous days. 😷

You’re right about the chocolate!

Another great video.

Just about to buy a narrow boat. I’m viewing yet another one tomorrow. So tentatively watching your blogs from the start. Next thing your cruising under the drawbridge Shirley. This is one mile from my house. ;) Yahey

@CruisingTheCut

2 жыл бұрын

Good luck with your purchase!

I love your videos. I've watched them all and look forward to the new ones. BTW, I'm in the US and I agree about the the chocolate. A shame we can't keep good quality products on the market.

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

Agreed!

Beautiful. So tranquil. And thanks for the bonus herons. Hope you're feeling better.

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

Much better, thank you.

Many years ago, as a member of the Worcester and Birmingham Canal Society we raised funds for the signpost at Kings Norton Junction. Various members took parts to paint and I painted the Stratford finger. We then had a ceremony to unveil it once it had been put up by BWB. Thank you for bringing back happy memories😊

@CruisingTheCut

5 жыл бұрын

Ah how lovely! Thank you

A lovely film of todays journey. I hope your aches and pains have disappeared now. Enjoy your haircut. As always your commentary is very informative especially with regards to the bit through Birmingham. Thank you

What have the Romans' ever given us in return? I love a good aquaduct! sorry but your line immediately brought that one to mind! Love this one as well...it looks like a nice change to meander through a bustling city once in a while. Had no idea why cadbury chocolate had changed until you mentioned that!! So miss those cadbury bars as a child. Thanks for sharing again!

I’d love seeing the countryside, nature, viaducts, aquaducts, bridges history of the canals .

Only discovered *canal* videos recently. YOURS, to be precise! Love 'em! Makes me think...... It all looks SO peaceful. I've never even set FOOT on a narrow boat but, your films have got me thinking. THANK YOU.

@CruisingTheCut

6 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoy them!

I liked the canal going through Birmingham.. pretty cool to see big cities along with the beautiful Country canals.. Cheers!

I am sorry to but i feel i need to correct you in your use of viaduct at 8.53, it is indeed a retaining wall!! i know quite a bit about railways!! your channels is truely brill, and not to mention really really inspiring!!

I am at the moment in self isolation, and i am filling my time re-watching the 'Cruising the Cut' Vlog's, and it rather spooky that i did see a Doco on SBS last night about the Bournville site and Cadbury's Chocolate...............................Very spooky indeed!!!

I agree less time spent on fancy brickwork & more on trimming vegetation

as always lovely video

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

:-)

Wait a minute just wait a minute your keep to the left on your no highways and Roads you keep to the right on your waterways okay to each their own great Channel by the way I am fascinated by your adventures thank you for sharing

I have been enjoying your videos...because you are so English. And you give a hell of a good tour of your country. Until I started watching this narrow boat thing I had no idea you could tour the UK by water...KZread expands my world.

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

Thank you. Not all of the country has canals but a fair chunk of it does!

So right re the chocolate. Used to buy Cadbury, but now buy Lindt. Too much sugar in Cadbury..like all US chocolate products.

Have missed you the past couple of days. Glad to see you back.

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

:-)

The Tardebigge flight is fun - we took a couple who had never been on the cut before, and the Tardebigge flight was their first experience. We did 28 looks in 4 hours, and almost fell asleep face down in our food at the Queens Head. You'd never have done it solo......

Very pretty scenery, strange to be afloat on a boat and yet looking down from the viaduct at people driving cars.

Just mama digger being a helicopter mom watching JR digger at his first job on the River

Wonderful video again, thanks for sharing. Hope you've recovered from doing those locks.

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

I have, cheers

Having grown up living near Bornevill it was great to see it from the cut. Have to agree on the opinion of their modern choccy too!

Ooh! Shirley! Isn’t that the village where Tolkien spent his childhood after his mother returned as a widow from South Africa?

Very good video especially with pointing out various things and a bit of humour. Well done and thanks.

@CruisingTheCut

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you

Sorry to hear that the locks are wearing you down. Glad to see you up & cruising again! Always look forward to each new video! Smooth sailing & hope you get your second wind & feel better soon!

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

Much better now!

Been so long, thought maybe you had fallen in again but couldn't dread water long enough, this time... Great video, Thanks.

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

Charming!

Another good Vlog in this series. Keep them coming. Maybe do a full vlog with the Maintenance and daily operations of the Boat.. even if it is just only moored?

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

Hmm, not sure exactly what you're after? There isn't much daily operation really.

@mr.c6383

8 жыл бұрын

no cleaning/maintance/upkeep of the boat on a daily basis when you are moored for a few days in the same spot?

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

There is sometimes.

Good one, the jealousy in me is now building up, lol, hope I get this experience one day, but I'm grateful for this.

how sad your not coming to Worcester but I'm looking forward to the rest of your adventures.

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

It is a shame. Maybe some other year.

Sorry to hear you were ill, glad you are on the mend, thanks for the video.

Beautiful videos. We are enjoying these enormously. Thank you.

@CruisingTheCut

6 жыл бұрын

Thank you :-)

Another great one, always enjoy the views along the way, since I'm from the US of A it's all very interesting. Don't worry about the locks, as soon as you build up your muscles you'll go through 30 no problem and probably walk back and help others through :0)

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

It's not just muscles, it's time. Doing them solo takes longer so makes longer flights into a very long day.

Superb ! I came across your channel yesterday through experience exploring the alternatives. Love your story telling !

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

Thank you :-)

@erroneouscode

8 жыл бұрын

Me too. Can't stop watching his vids such a different and unique life style.

@dtcov

6 жыл бұрын

You were born to do this keep safe & happy sailing

@CruisingTheCut

6 жыл бұрын

Thank you David :-)

great videos as usual mate youve come a long way since starting and quite a master at locks now well done i can only hope i master them as well as you colin

Thanks for another great vlog, nicely done and presented, glad you are on the mend.

My first canal trip was in 1987. We did then take on some part of the canals around Birmingham. To things got stuck in my head: the things that we saw floating in the canals. And the amount of blisters. We only stayed one week, and I suspect we were a tad optimistic. Would love to do Birmingham again today.

Well, I just had a marathon run of watching all of your videos in one day.. Very nice, I enjoyed them all. :-) Now, time for a nap, my eyes are a bit burned out from watching the monitor for all that time. I subbed and I'll be waiting for more of your videos. Happy travels!

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

Thank you. While you wait, why not watch them all again?!

@WildeFyre69

5 жыл бұрын

@@CruisingTheCut I intend to watch all of your videos non-stop. I think I can do it. After that, I"ll be waiting for each new release. You really are born to do this. Cheers! I would love to move to Britain and get a narrowboat. Interestingly enough, I now live in a small town near Stratford upon Avon in Ontario, Canada.

so sorry to here you were ill, i wondered why there was no video, i got a bit worried for you. so glad you are back !

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Only a cold, not serious. But made me not want to sit at a laptop and edit :-(

Loving the filming, editing, and especially the commentary, just enjoying the journey through your vlogs. Also a good laugh, as we (USA) say the exact same thing about the changes introduced at corporations bought up by UK companies.

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

As far as I can tell, our companies always make a disaster of their US adventures.

that was a nice cruise... great Blue Herring shots....still trying to film the one on my ponds.... Branwood tunnel looked a bit cramped....Happy Trip....

@jcderby129

4 жыл бұрын

They are Grey herons in the uk.

How nice to find this vlog this morning. Nicely filmed. Thank you. But more importantly highlighting the real issue of the moment (forget EU squabbling). The fact Cadbury's has been cheapened by its new owners is really sad.

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

A Mars bar just isn't the same anymore :-(

Another interesting video cheers. We have just bought our first narrowboat and have it moored at Lyons boat yard. You can just see the bright green tiller and back of our boat as you pull up for gas.

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

Congratulations on your purchase. That seems like a nice place to moor.

Thats the thing about exercise the more you do the healthier it makes you. When you just sit around on 14 day moorings then head up 20+ locks in a day sure your body will hurt for 2 or 3 days but that just means the exercise is working. Not sure why your afraid of exercise.

Another brilliant video and glad you are in Shirley which is my neck of the woods.

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

And very pleasant it was too!

Another enjoyable vlog. Nice to see a fellow Jasper Fforde fan :)

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

Indeed. When's he going to publish the long, long, long-awaited sequel to Shades of Grey, eh? Fed up with waiting!

Agreed with you on the chocolate! As an American viewer, I am able to get the occasional British confections, and they have recently changed!

You know, not too keen going through canals underneath skyscapers. A bit creepy. Then bras and dresses getting caught up in propellers! Yuck. Then aching for days cuz of all the lock operating. Not sure this is as fun as I thought I'd be. Not fit? Lay off the Freek Peans...I mean the Peek Freans. I miss those cookies.

Keep up the good work, I really look forward to your videos. Hope you are feeling better now.

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

Much better now, thanks!

I’d bet getting subsidies is easier for towpath maintenance than for canal maintenance. Not to mention that you can hire non-specialists for it.

The Stratford canal is very beautiful and if you ever get the time you need to do the full length and take in the river Avon. I think you have got the boating skills to deal with river now all the best

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

Thank you. The Stratford's definitely on my "to do" list.

Two thoughts and a question: 1. Yes here in the US, the mainstream chocolate is awful but -- like beer -- we now have a number of small manufacturers offering a wide variety of dark chocolate. 2. I understand the bliss of mooring deep in the countryside: In Easter of 1962, I hired a cruiser on the Thames for a week (mostly wooden boats back then, not the plastic things you see now). Mooring for the night far from any roads was simply wonderful, as you suggest: the stars, the peace, the smells of the earth, grass, and trees, and the sounds of the animals. Makes you feel connected to Nature for a change. I'm sure the Thames is much more crowded now. 3. Any smell of diesel as you cruise? Or does the exhaust go into the canal to mitigate it? Thanks for these great videos; I gobble them up a dozen at a time!

@CruisingTheCut

7 жыл бұрын

No smell of diesel that I've noticed but no, it doesn't exit underwater. The exhaust just blows behind you so you don't notice.

Just a thought: with all these blind corners, would it be possible to mount a forward cam in the bows? The monitor would then obviously be near the helm. If fitted with nightvision, it could also help in tunnels.

Excellent video! I learned a lot. CRT dredging, toe path maintenance...thanks!

@ColonialGardens99

4 жыл бұрын

Sorry, "tow path"

If you ever do think of having a go at the Tardebigge flight...downhill towards Worcester, I live 5 mins drive from Tardebigge on outskirts of Redditch nearest to Tardebigge ...would love to assist you going down the flight one day if you want to chance it! Offer is there! :-)

@CruisingTheCut

7 жыл бұрын

That's very kind indeed and maybe one day I'll take you up on it! Cheers!

Does it get any more twee and English than to have a _roundabout_ on a canal? Love it.

Love your videos. We guessed you might not make it past Birmingham ;)

@CruisingTheCut

4 жыл бұрын

Cheers. I don't quite understand though, I came in from the North (Fazeley), through Birmingham, and then out the other side (south)

Another interesting and enjoyable video. Americans, for the most part, do not understand chocolate. I consider myself one of the fortunate few who do. Sorry we ruined yours. Your mooring spot looked very nice. I could see spending a couple of days there. Safe Journey

Brilliant Yet again.

As a US Viewer I fully agree. American chocolate is way to sweet !!

@CruisingTheCut

7 жыл бұрын

Haha, thanks. I've not tried chocolate in the US. I like your doughnuts though :-)

@goodmoaningvietnam1439

7 жыл бұрын

So do the police. I lived in Canada for a year and if you wanted the police it was quicker to call Jim Houghton's. BS

@MarvinStroud3

5 жыл бұрын

Wait until you get diabetes and have to eat sugar-free chocolate.

@will2993

5 жыл бұрын

@Gary Ordish I think he meant Tim Hortons?

Too sweet Almond Joy versus robust, fluffy Bounty.

I used to LOVE Cardbury. I agree, it is now ruined.

Nice location in Shirley

Starting Location: www.google.com/maps/@52.4786937,-1.9158605,327m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en Edgbaston Tunnel: www.google.com/maps/@52.4654336,-1.9223186,380m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en Bournebrook Aqueduct: www.google.com/maps/@52.4468789,-1.9370108,388m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en Stratford Canal Junction: www.google.com/maps/@52.4124,-1.9224926,382m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en Brandwood Tunnel: www.google.com/maps/@52.4134765,-1.9042453,625m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en Shirley Drawbridge: www.google.com/maps/@52.3990667,-1.8493812,3a,60y,265.1h,81.76t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sy38ub37zjS3WSwG-DmI0Eg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en Ending Location: www.google.com/maps/@52.3924116,-1.8430102,501m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en

Another good vlog! Sensible decision to change your route and avoid all those locks. You definitely need to recruit a volunteer crew before you tackle them. Didn't see you at Crick, but we weren't able to spend much time there. To add to the vlog length debate - I think you get it about right, any longer and it goes on the "I'll watch that later when I've got time" list and then I never get round to it. The action figure for this month is you eating a chocolate bar. BTW - Cadbury don't make Mars Bars ....

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

Ha, you're right of course - that would be Mars. But Cadbury chocolate has definitely changed in my opinion. Unless I'm just getting old :-(