I now realize I have to save some vlogs to watch in deep winter here in Vermont, when the snow covers everything and is measures in feet. Than I shall need a very large television screen to make me think I am actually there in England, on a canal with the sun shining on the water and lovely green everywhere.

I watch local, national and world news daily. And then I watch Cruising The Cut. Don't need to say any more. Thank you captain.☮

That heron, near the start of the video was really BIG and looked just so beautiful and healthy They’re such wonderful looking birds aren’t they - I love them ❤🐿🙂🌈

you have such a soothing voice. I love watching these vlogs and getting away from the craziness of the rest of the world

@CruisingTheCut

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you.

The high speed trains do make an interesting contrast to the pleasant pace of the canal boats that came first. You can see history and progress side by side. I heard the railway companies also bought some of the canals over a hundred years ago to limit competition from canal boats for moving freight. Another contrast is the noise level. This is also interesting because progress on some of these boats actually makes them quieter like the electric boats you have shown us. Keep bringing us these videos.

I like it when a friendly boater in front does the bridge and let's us through and we do the same a few miles up. easy boating with a smile.

I really could watch you all day you have such a calming voice!!

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

You should hear me when I'm angry...

@17leeward

8 жыл бұрын

That'll be the hurrmph and hard stare. :)

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

Like Paddington bear

@joannapocock6055

8 жыл бұрын

lol

Shame about the squished brass horn, sir ! All for a daft lift bridge arrangement.... You had your fair share of fabulous herons here too. NIce manoeuvering around the central Brum network too. Very pleasant trip, even as a vicarious viewer.

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it! I was annoyed about the horn :-(

Just wanted to say thankyou for taking the time to do these vlog's they are brilliant !! Very informative and interesting.

I like seeing smoke billowing out the chimney

Another terrific vlog, thank you, cheered up our wet Sunday afternoon!

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

Good! Soggy where I am too :-)

Nice and quite.....so peaceful....... I enjoyed it .......just got back from my 15 day river cruise aboard the Viking Elba ship...64 locks, the deepest was 90 feet , travel from Budapest to Amsterdam....but i would like to to try the Canal cruises. slow and peaceful one....

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

That's very deep! Life jackets all round...

I really enjoy the shots of the scenery going slowly past. Thank you.

That poor, sad horn! The rest of the video was very peaceful. :)

I'm amazed by all these volunteer lock keepers you encounter. When I lived on the canals 12 yrs ago you never saw any, I had to do it all myself 😥

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

I've barely lifted a finger so far!

Next time you do that stretch, the Blue Bell Cider House is highly recommended - a very friendly pub, it's a great place to sit and drink cider in the afternoon sunshine. Oh, and eat chips.... And then there's Wedge's Bakery just around the corner, a very convenient short walk from the canal, and SO worth it! Its a great source of fresh provisions. Makes my mouth water just thinking about it. :)

@CruisingTheCut

7 жыл бұрын

Good tips, cheers!

Absolutely wonderful travelogue-type video! love the bridges! love the scenery! love the wildlife! thank you so much because I just love these canal injections in my life ☺

I love your videos but I really don't think I would want to do those trips on my own. I envy you doing them yourself, good for you.

@curtbonnell4308

4 жыл бұрын

That being said, I would LOVE to do a narrowboat hotel cruise.

I do remember the currents in the Lapworth pounds being tricky. When we ascended heading back to Sawley one of the pounds did not have quite enough water. I could hear the hull scraping all the way across. I thought I would have to ask my mates to let in another lock's worth of water to float me, but I powered on and made it. I suppose if that happened while solo and you truly grounded you would have to wait for another boater to let in some more water. This all happened in pouring rain.I'm glad you made it without incident. I have been following the Brexit business via BBC on internet radio. I wish you and all my British friends the best. I fear you will need it. My dollars will, however go farther on my narrowboat trip next spring.

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

Haha, next Spring is a long time away. Anything could happen!

love the videos keep it up one day i will have a boat one day

If I were ever to tour the UK doing it on a narrowboat would be mu first choice. What a way to see the country...free from all the clatter of traffic on the road

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

Indeed. The canals get busy in mid-summer though!

always a pleasure to watch enjoy , thank you very much , TTYL.

Another great video... Beautiful scenery. What a charmed life!

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

Haha, I only show the good bits ;-)

Up to 48 so nearly there :D Really enjoying the Birmingham parts as I have walked these stretches many times. Watching boats try to navigate in and out of Gas Street is rather fun so well done for doing it so easily. Oh and thank you so much for pronouncing Solihull correctly (the amount of people that say it with a short O is amazing)

@CruisingTheCut

7 жыл бұрын

"Solly-hull"? I've heard both, didn't actually know one was right. But being - according to many people - a posh chap (I'm not) I tend to draw out the vowels ;-)

@jcderby129

4 жыл бұрын

Can remember a training session when I was younger where the chap was from so-lee-hull, I’ve said it that way ever since...

Very nicely done again David,I am enjoying your vlogs, thanks for posting them.

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

Cheers Ken

Another very relaxing video. beautiful

beautiful stretch. More narrowboats everywhere than I would imagine.

"Hornblower" - classic - I was wondering if you were going to title a video thus. A firm favourite of my childhood years!

Excellent as always, made my day.

I once lived near a railway line. There was a 2 am freight train that went through every night . . . At least I think it was every night because, once used to it, most times I did not hear it go past our house. One does adjust to such things.

I love your vlogs. Very well done. Love the countryside shots. Keep up the good work.

Getting through your videos slowly and been happy with each so far.

@CruisingTheCut

6 жыл бұрын

Great

Enjoyable as always! Keep them coming x

amazing and beautiful!

such a calm and relaxing way to travel. Just lovely. No need to worry about your fellow travelers crashing into you because they were too busy texting!!

@CruisingTheCut

5 жыл бұрын

Ha! I wouldn't say that - if you're moored and they come past not paying attention then they could easily crash into you and it does happen...

Lovely video of my neck of the woods :)

I do LOVE the scenery montages, and herons are always so elegant to look at....

Another lovely film and a great days boating. Good job the lock-keepers were about. Saved you alot of energy negotiating the Lapworth flight of locks. Have a good rest. Thank you for a great journey.

well done as always

great vid

Another magnificent video sir. Beautiful "scenery montage".....Sorry about your horn...Nice to see things like that do not only happen to me.

I could listen to that engine chug on a loop. So tranquil.

I like when you can show a lot of narrow boats all at once. :)

Watching all of your vlogs so far has made me want to vacation on a Narrowboat for a week or two :) I see that I can hire one with a Bow thruster, which would probably make things easier for a noob yank :)

@CruisingTheCut

7 жыл бұрын

Do it!

Another great relaxing video mate👌. I have to agree with you about getting used to the railway, we live in Bugbrooke ( you probably know it as it’s on the canal). When we moved here we could hear the trains through the night..... don’t hear a thing now, although that could well be my ageing ears 🤔😳😂

Excellent

live in NSW Australia love your videos watched them all keep it up

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

Thanks Lee :-)

Great vid 🤔🇬🇧Paul like this one 😉

Great vlog as always mate best thing on KZread

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

Cheers

By the way, I just had found your VLOGS on youtube. They are great! Keep them coming. I'll try to catch up.

@CruisingTheCut

6 жыл бұрын

Cheers

Really wish you had edited in a picture of a map at the beginning of each of these videos, I keep switching to the CRT website to check where you are and see where you’ve been, it’s kind of fun actually to discover which way you went through Birmingham

@CruisingTheCut

4 жыл бұрын

Hi. I don't include maps for reasons explained on my website FAQ page. More recent videos do include map links in the video description though. Cheers

Very informative and nice videography too.

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

Thank you.

Thank you for another enjoyable video interested in the solution to lift/swing bridges. Have be through many but I have never single handed.

Lovely montage

@CruisingTheCut

7 жыл бұрын

:-)

Hey there in the space of 4 days I watched all your adventures great vids hope one day soon to be living on the canals myself

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

nice goin m8, stay safe an well eh!

People seem very helpful and nice on the canals

@CruisingTheCut

5 жыл бұрын

Generally, yes

A bit of trainspotting is good for the soul!

dreamy spot to stay a few nites

You certainly have to look out for the lock by- wash even more so when there is a bit of a breeze running, all the best.

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

It's surprising how much it can divert you :-)

@jcderby129

4 жыл бұрын

I think I nearly crashed into the side of a canal in Shropshire due to lock wash....I might see it in one of your later videos?

Very enjoyable! Before I watched the video, I followed the route on Google Earth. I noticed the Parish Church of Saint Mary the Virgin Lapworth and Googled it. What magnificent architecture! The website urges those who are in the Lapworth area to enjoy the local pubs. _Now that's what I'm talkin' about!_ I noticed both on Google Earth and your video that there was at least one area along the canal where it was quite narrow. And that one drawbridge where you banged up the horn seemed to be anything but intuitive on how to maneuver past it. Lots of beautiful scenery along the way.

@CruisingTheCut

7 жыл бұрын

It's very awkward for solo boaters. The theory is to drift the bow up (as I did but without hitting it), take a line from the front with you, open, pull the boat through, close, get back on. Easier said than done!

I do indeed enjoy the scenery montage. I keep thinking when I see smoke billowing out of the smoke stack that while inefficient stoves are traditional, a rocket stove would be wiser. Someone should market rocket stoves for narrow boat owners. They use much less fuel, they burn much more efficiently. Narrow boat owners would not have to haul so much fuel. They are a louder, however.

Thanks for sharing your travels. My wife and I have been following your videos for sometime now and we are considering giving the narrowboat life a try. Since we are Americans it adds a few additional hurdles to get over, but being retired we have the time. We plan to fly over in August and rent a narrowboat for a few weeks and see if it is worth pursuing.

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

Terrific! Definitely worth trying it out first, getting the hang of the boat and the (cramped!) narrowboat lifestyle. Hope you have fun. It'll be very busy in August mind you, due to the school holidays. Hope the weather holds too!

@markelly-de1hy

8 жыл бұрын

Spent a career on submarines.....cramp quarters will be nothing new :)

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

Haha; you'll feel right at home!

When I was a Young-un, I got a bit too near a Swan on it's nest in my canoe - It promptly attacked me and I nearly drowned - I think it took pity on me though and left me alone just in time and able to tell the story :-)

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

They can be pretty vicious when defending their young! Or food. Or anything!!

Thanks for another enjoyable video, could do with tidying up the cables from your solar panels though pal.

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

No tidying needed, they go from the panel into the box perfectly well thanks.

I live in Olton outside Solihull so that's my neck of the woods. Also Lapworth is one of the villages I work in as a community officer. Hoping to find a mooring around there when I get a boat

@CruisingTheCut

6 жыл бұрын

The CRT basin at Lapworth always seems to have spaces, probably because people don't fancy doing all the locks if they go north!

Coming from the future it is jarring to hear the outro music over a montage and realize the video isnt actually ending

@CruisingTheCut

4 жыл бұрын

Still finding my groove back then

@for.tax.reasons

4 жыл бұрын

@@CruisingTheCut oh no I get that it's totally fine

I really wish you'd replace that nice classic old brass horn that you had.

I would love if we had a restored canal system here in the states. Something about those old locks is just beyond fascinating to me.

@mccleod6235

Жыл бұрын

You will just have to build a new one, but I suggest a nice wide network like the Manchester ship canal. Automatic locks would be useful too.

And here are today's sports results : Drawbridge United 1 Horn City 0 Ha ha !! Hope the replacement wasn't too expensive David - I hope to find out in later vlog.

Your editing team forgot to change the titles to show that this is 'Episode 48', or perhaps they had too much grog! Still this is an informative and enjoyable series, keep up the excellent work :)

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

"Editing team"?!!! Hahahaha. Dammit, that's because I squeezed in the Crick Show video and upset the numbering. Poo.

I have grown quite fond of you vlog and now appreciate the dialog...or is it monologue? Though I really do love the scenery montage a lot.

@CruisingTheCut

6 жыл бұрын

I'm toying with putting a really long "real time" video up soon from my trip up the Avon, there was one day when it was particularly sunny and green and lovely.

ctc get a long rope that does not reach the prop, Moor up on the normal side, walk over the bridge with the rope and tie up on the tother side. single handing is a rush but nackering. ps.. I am a Newby Greenhorn and still learning the 'Ropes'. I hope Sky TV spots your talent and portrayal of the Canals. good stuff.

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

But how to pull it through once the bridge is up? It'll get in the way. I hope Sky TV snap me up too ;-)

@charleejo5702

8 жыл бұрын

Pull up on the normal side with the rope around the front 'thingy', walk over the bridge with rope in hand and tie up on the loopy 'thing' . Pull the Boat through by hand and then tie the back end up on that 'thingy' again Sorry if I come across as a confused person. Lol Their's nout weird as folk. Take care .

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

But once you've raised the bridge, pulling it through from the non-raised side will be quite awkward as the bridge is in the way!

I live near a busy flight path, highway, railroad, and river. Strangely enough, the train is the quietest traffic around here. The train is a slow freight train, so it only shakes the house a little. Jets are often the loudest. Cars make the most continuous noise, but are the easiest to ignore because of the consistancey. The boats around here are almost always noticeable since we live between towns, most boats are cruising at about 35-50 mph-- not sure of the conversion to nautical miles per hour.

I know this is a bit late as I am just now watching these. I have noticed your stove pipe cap disappeared!!! I believe it was there before the drawbridge but gone afterwards!!!

@paulmaynard408

5 жыл бұрын

I wondered if 1) the stove pipe had too come down .like the TV aerial for some tunnels or bridges and 2) how you managed since it was still smoking in this video. I guess some leather gloves helped.

Another great video. Shame about the horn and that chimney hat though.

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

Update on the chimney hat to follow :-)

Great video as always. Hummm yes I see your point about the lift bridge. Did you ask anyone how they did it solo?..

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

Various people have suggested how in the comments; essentially it's a better version of what I tried!

Pls consider scenery montage without music. Ambient sounds let us get the full peace of the areas.

@CruisingTheCut

6 жыл бұрын

See my later videos!

June and he has the fire going lol

@CruisingTheCut

4 жыл бұрын

Sometimes it gets chilly even in June

I just noticed on Google Earth how one narrowboater managed to tackle that Sand Farm Drawbridge that you had trouble with - might be worth a peek

@llessibm

7 жыл бұрын

Just had a lunchtime stroll to said bridge - there are two small bollards to tie up to, one either side of the bridge on the non towpath side - looking at the state of the wall below then then I'd say they've been heavily used and abused by many a pointy or blunt end of a narrowboat in the past and (dis)embarking would seem to require some Olga Korbut 'ish style agility- good luck next time !

@CruisingTheCut

7 жыл бұрын

Cheers!

I've watched all your videos, but I don't recall you ever saying if you solved your drawbridge/single boater dilemma. They all seem to have the same problem - cutting you off from the mooring. What's the answer?

👍

Great Cruise...can't have that horn smashed.. my OCD would not of allowed me to continue....LOL....I have been meaning to ask, Is there any fishing allowed? " I would like to mail this letter and hand me a bottle of that Scotch too"...

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

Fishing is permitted for sport only (ie catch and return, no eating!) provided you have purchased the appropriatte licence.

That was an inscrutable lift bridge.

Your chimney cap seems to have gone missing. Was that on purpose?

Hi. Thanks for reminding me about the caps i will keep an eye on that. Wish you well for christmas and the new year. just one question; do you have to lift out your boat over winter when the water freeze up from the ice or not so. hera in Queensland it is now aproching summer and hot but i wiil be installing an air conditioner. merry christmas from Gerard on readybaron.

Isn't Britain the most lovely country in the world, I'm so pleased I was born a Brit

I noticed you had the fire going in this one. Presumably your handbook tells you of all tunnels and low bridges. It reminded me of a steam boat. Are any narrowboats steam driven? Are there any that have bow thrusters fitted?

@CruisingTheCut

4 жыл бұрын

Some have bow thrusters, yes.

I remember a seeing a video from Dan Brown of the Sort of Interesting channel about lift bridges and how they're hard to operate solo as it requires pulling up on the side without the tow path. I don't understand the thought process of putting the lift controls on the opposite side of the canal of the towpath. I guess whoever decided that never thought there'd be solo boaters.

@CruisingTheCut

7 жыл бұрын

No, the old goods boats had crews and were horse-drawn so having the bridge lift out the way made it easier to keep pulling it along from the towpath I think.

@tallman11282

7 жыл бұрын

That makes a lot of sense.

Your so entertainmenting that 7 mins isn't enough

Living in west Texas I'm fascinated by your videos. Might be a silly question, but are you expected to tip the volunteers who operate the locks?

@CruisingTheCut

4 жыл бұрын

Absolutely no need to tip whatsoever. They do it for pleasure and tipping is not the custom at all.

@eamesaerospace2805

4 жыл бұрын

CruisingTheCut how about a biscuit?

@Caderic

3 жыл бұрын

Most cultures think it weird how much we tip in the US. What part of West Texas? I'm in Pittsburg (TX).

Welcome again! The fume coming out the chimney is from the fire-place? Or from the kitchen? Thanks

@CruisingTheCut

2 жыл бұрын

Any smoke would be from my stove (fire place)

That lift bridge is awkward, done it a couple of times by nosing the boat up to the offside and jumping off the front.

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

I tried. I failed :-(

As I'm re-watching your cruising vlogs to relax, something I've often wondered: would it be feasible to have a "bridge or gate closing rope"? You could tie it on to a bridge, or lock gate, with a knot that can be undone by pulling on the other end of the rope. Then, once past, pull the bridge or gate closed without having to go round, undo the rope, pull it in and move on?

@CruisingTheCut

5 жыл бұрын

Possibly but you'd have to go very gently because once the gates close, they're solid so anything over a tiny movement and you're likely either to damage the gates (by pulling on them) or damage your boat by yanking the attachment point. I suspect the CRT would not approve. You'd have to attach to the boat because if you just hold the rope, you're more likely to pull the boat backwards than shut the gate...

@namespacetoosmall

5 жыл бұрын

Ah, yes, I was thinking of pulling from the side of the lock opposite the gate (or side of the canal opposite the swing bridge); just to avoid having to cross the canal. But as you say, it would be very heavy and probably incredibly difficult.

@CruisingTheCut

5 жыл бұрын

Ah, sorry yes I misunderstood. Ah, might as well just hop around, it's good exercise :--)

Hello From Canada Eh! My girl friend and I are planning a trip to cruise the canals in the fall. Do you know of a few rental places that we can look at? I have been watching your videos for a few months and would love to meet you when We come over. Great job on the videos and love to see them when they show up. Thank You ! Ted and Michele.

@CruisingTheCut

7 жыл бұрын

I can't specifically recommend any as I have no experience of them but the big companies are people like Anglo-Welsh and Black Prince though there are loads of others. Best to look at where you might want to cruise and then search for local firms. Have fun.

@tedbryer1607

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your time!I will follow up on these sites. Thanks Again.

Hello, I'm following and loving you vlogs! Quick question: Are there such thing as marina clubs to join and travel between on the network so we can moor up and go home for a few days. Or are they individual?

@CruisingTheCut

2 жыл бұрын

Not clubs as such but many of the marinas are owned by the same companies and can allow you to temporarily berth at each in the group.

Did you ever figure out how a solo boat operator is supposed to handle those bridges? Enjoying them from the States, and very jealous.

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

With difficulty, apparently. Get off on the wrong side and struggle! Cheers.

Ok man ... this time, I had to subscribe... good show ...ole boy... now I finally know (Bob is my uncle !)

I see the new cap on the stove pipe. Were you able to finally get the screws off the old one?

@GJCP911

5 жыл бұрын

robert bates I seen it too but towards the end of the vlog it disappears.

another cool video ! do you keep a record of the number of lock you have on your way ?

@CruisingTheCut

8 жыл бұрын

Cheers. No, no record.