12. A narrowboat cruise on the Grand Union Canal, to Braunston

[@x...CrankyOldMan...x]

You have come a long way sir... as we all sit at home wondering whats going to happen in the near future.... Your videos are a relaxing comfort to many people... Thank you...

[@Herr_Jehmineh]

Typed in "most british KZbinr". Came here. Not disappointed!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Hahaha, that's superb

[@sidneybowerman558]

I just need to relax after a busy day and what better way to do it than join David on one of his canal ventures. He does all the work, and I get to listen to him chat. Absolute bliss.

[@JeghedderThomas]

I really, really like the slow living of the narrowboat universe - things take time, nobody is in a hurry and the coziness and toast awaits at every stop.

[@michaelpilling9659]

Bravo! I really enjoyed that. It's about 45 years since I was last on a narrow boat. The memories came flooding back. A lovely video and the commentary and camera work were excellent

[@t.diddle7998]

I never give compliments if I don't really mean them. I really am enjoying your series. It is interesting and even relaxing to watch. These videos have a finesse that is my new infatuation. They are professional and well put together without being glitzy or unnaturally campy (as so many successful YT videos are). I first came across your series on another channel called something like "Alternative Lifestyles," so even at this point, I do know you were a TV reporter and that you understand well the in's and out's of making a good video. But...your finesse goes beyond that somehow. I'm always a little bit jaded about things, but for the life of me your presentation feels very honest and genuine to me. I wonder if you have done videos teaching KZbinrs how to properly host a video? I think you would be brilliant at that.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you 😀

[@mssixty3426]

I find it amazing that boats are able to pass each other in that tunnel! 😲

[@sarge6870]

I've been watching your videos for a few weeks now and can here the excitement in your voice in this one as a novice! The more recent one's , you sound like an old swabby!! Love your channel David!!

[@leloodallasmultipass]

I'm going to have to convince the wife to do this with me. At least we can cut loose for a vacay sometime in the near future and hire up a sloop to whet our appetite for getting wet... or keeping dry, I hope. Ever since I saw the boats on a trip to Brmnm a few years ago, It's been splashing around in the back of my mind. I'm positively overboard with excitement for having found this channel.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Excellent!

[@behrens97]

The guy on the mini digger lol. The morbidly embarrassed look he gave you was hilarious

[@garydunlap1733]

Very nice treat..... And a bit of Shakespeare! Lovely

[@xqqqme]

Very late to the party but very much enjoying your videos. Your exclamation at 02:47 made me recall a joke from childhood that went (sorta like) "In America, the ship prefix is USS for United States Ship. In England, it's HMS for Her/His Majesty's Ship. And in Italy, it's AMB......for "atsa my boat!"

[@SK22000]

I spent 9 years on large (US) Navy ships, 3 in deck department and your knots aren’t too bad. Square knots are good for a lot of different things

[@tomkershaw1]

Just subscribed to you. I have watched a few back to back. Now on episode 13. First can I say, love your opening titles, very clever and well thought out. You expertise shines through with very slick and professional production values. I find the content very interesting and a bit like a good TV drama, I have to keep watching to see what's going to happen next. Thanks for the entertainment.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Hello! Thanks for subscribing and ploughing through the videos ;-) Glad you like 'em.

[@for.tax.reasons]

I'm learning a lot more of British geography than I expected to in this series as I Google almost every place you mention Haha

[@rachelmisc]

“Miles and miles of glorious rolling countryside” sums it up. Fabulous ~ 👍

[@jeandunlop2922]

I'm so happy to have found your channel. Love the narrative and all of the information. This vlog made me chuckle a bit. Thank you so much for sharing your experience.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you!

[@kieronwebb4098]

Thoroughly enjoyable. I'm strongly favouring following suit and joking life afloat :-)

[@CruisingTheCut]

Do it!

[@jennyblacquiere3727]

+CruisingTheCut hi there, thanks a mill for your most informative vlogs. A little tip from a holiday newbee boater.... Turn your interior lights on when travelling through a tunnel, lights up the walls for better visuals, makes for a slightly less scary experience. keep the videos coming.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Good plan! Thanks :-)

[@deejayimm]

I've been poor, and middle class, and if I were a rich man I would still love the simple pleasure of a toasted cheese and tomato sandwich. With pepper and salt of course.

[@rajasircar853]

I love everything you show. Keep it up 👍

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks so much 😊

[@SnowLeopard4eva]

Ahh, Leicester! It's good to see some local places. I do often walk along the Ashby Canal (Hinckley and occassionally up to Market Bosworth).

[@iainrae92]

+Ann Chapman Braunston is in Northamptonshire!

[@SnowLeopard4eva]

I know but it is local to where I am.

[@floydbertagnolli944]

David, As an author I am in awe of your word choice. Is this a natural talent where the delicious descriptions roll off your tongue, or does it take considerable time to deliver such pleasant moments?

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you. I do take time to write my scripts but by and large it's just the way I write!

[@BeechSportBill]

...enjoyed our tour of Warwick Castle

[@margaretwilliamson9659]

I've watched episodes out of sequence but periodically make an effort to go to the beginning. It's very interesting to see how expertise develops, problems solved and your many enjoyments.

[@Rkk153]

Enjoying narrowboat ride with you. Thank you.

[@deevalkyrie]

Another awesome video, well done! Sorry you've met a few knobs already, there' s a bad apple in every bunch, but generally canal folk are some of the friendliest and helpful bunch of people I've met. Please send the CaRT workers this way, as mooring on the K&A generally means your back end sticks out about 6 ft from the bank at best! Nice bit of tiller work there mate!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Haha, thank you. If I see the CaRT chaps again, I'll pass your message on :-) Everyone in the marina here is lovely and most seem to be cheery, as you say. I wouldn't fancy mooring like that. You need to change canal ;-)

[@0HARE]

Very exciting and educational. Thanks for all you do. Cheers!

[@joannapocock6055]

Another enjoyable video Thanx for sharing

[@Widestone001]

Good thing I am about to have dinner, that cheese-tomato sandwich looked really appetizing!

[@Liofa73]

Those people that told you that you were "driving" too slowly, I think perhaps they've taken up the wrong lifestyle/pastime... Maybe power boating would suit them better.

[@usedbrickie9166]

Love watching the old ones. Cheers

[@CruisingTheCut]

:-)

[@davidbagley1783]

What a wonderful gift of parle you exhibit on every vlog

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you

[@iansmith5601]

The music. The prose. I love these videos David!

[@johneastman1905]

Rather smart and cheeky for your early times … turned away when just getting started .

[@robsin2810]

It is just great to see and hear. The English palava. Nothing like it. You do it so well. 🇦🇺🇦🇺👍👍

[@Homefarmhouse]

Great. Thoroughly enjoyable..

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks!

[@TheBushfish]

wonderful! really enjoy your vids.

[@Renovator26]

I’m the Canadian senior who recently found you via a series called “Great Canal Journeys” with Timothy West and his wife Prunella Scales. Even before that I was hooked on my Britbox streaming service here in Collingwood, Ontario, with a three-part series called “All Aboard” - one of which is an hour long trip on the Kennet and Avon canal system. No commentary. Just the natural sounds of (I think) a winter or early Spring trip along the canal. I found it soothing and interesting. At 92, my wandering days are over, but my British heritage lingers and that’s really how I found you. Your videos are informative and interesting. I’m still way back to Episode 12 so it will be a while before I catch up. I may not have caught up to an episode about health and doctors, but as a continuous narrowboat user, how do access medical services? Walk-in clinics? Your NHS is similar to our single-payer OHIP (Ontario Hospital Insurance Programme), so I suppose you have some sort of identity card that enables you to access health services for free? Love your blog. Well done. John

[@CruisingTheCut]

Hi John. Please have a look at my website FAQ page, cheers!

[@Renovator26]

@@CruisingTheCut Ah - next question - how do I find your FAQ site, please?

[@CruisingTheCut]

Link is in the video descriptions!

[@captainzeppos]

Ah, those were the years. ❤

[@kernowfairy]

As usual another interesting vlog, l love narrowboats. A friend of mine has recently bought one and invited me for a look so am really looking forward to seeing it...happy sailing 😊xx

[@CruisingTheCut]

You'll have a lovely time! (as long as the weather's nice) :-)

[@thewebtutorguy]

Very professional; love your descriptive commentary. Gosh, just realised I was at Braunston in January 1915 and again Feb 2017. Must try again in but summer next time!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you. It's lovely there in summer!

[@jeffadams4590]

Michael Hawker you sure? That would make you 102 plus a couple of years old for you to remember makes you old as dirt lol

[@CruisingTheCut]

+Adrian W I can't directly reply to your comment, KZbin won't let me. It's usually due to something in your Google+ settings not permitting public comments. Good point, taken on board. Usually I use hooks over the armco, I'm not a fan of mooring pins. As I recall from that trip, we were having trouble banging the wretched things in for some reason. Yes the boat is my home as I'll be continuous cruising very soon.

[@tellmesomething2go]

Just got in. ( 5:pm. west coast time). Thought a cruise on the high seas would be a good idea for now. Kind of a wind down, and a relax. Thanks.

[@justmeLauraABC]

I stumbled across your channel by accident and glad I did. I'm glued to your videos. love them. I would love to go one at some point don't think there is many channels in Scotland though lol

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you! There's about 3 canals in Scotland as far as I recall.

[@justmeLauraABC]

CruisingTheCut thanks! haha I meant canals. That's what I like about England a lot of things like this to do. check out my channel sometime :) I do travel GoPro videos.

[@johnnorris4467]

Fabulous (again): you capture the enchanting, comforting life on the cut.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you

[@kairon156]

I don't know much about knotting myself but I find slipknots are very easy to learn and quick to release/undo.

[@rodlogan6604]

....I did enjoy that, you canal living lot have got it made I think...

[@CruisingTheCut]

Yeah, it's not bad so far :-)

[@farmasinema]

05:25 what a lovely house 🏡

[@bmolitor615]

on google maps I can even see your Actual Sheepses at the end of the tunnel heading south from Crick - oh timeless fields of England... (and backtracked along the tunnel with its mysterious barrows, to the marina.) We can vicariously experience so much now thru the interwebs, a Maui sunset every night, Martin Scorsese telling us all about his decades of film-making, Kenyan and South African safaris twice a day, a Canadian outdoorsman demonstrating winter survival techniques, as much cake-making as you can keep your eyes open for, and now "kaloo-kalay", narrow-boating!!!....it's not all bad :)

[@frankd2301]

The locks are so cool

[@mitchellminer9597]

"Bring out the Branston" was the advertising tagline for Branston Pickle, a kind of chutney.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Yes. Hence the play on words for the title.

[@antmorrow1]

Loving your Vlogs - Try a LED Fog lamp for the tunnels, it works fantastic for us, also add a stern light low down to see what your doing. Leicester you must do the city center, some lovely bit and well some not so, but amazing abandoned canal side factories.

[@CruisingTheCut]

+Antony “RUFFmen” Morrow Thank you! Fog lamp as in for a car or do you mean a boat specific one? Got a link? I'm not far from Leicester but I'd have to go through a scary crooked tunnel to get there :-( !!!

[@steveuk2743]

Great videos, been narrow boating on holiday only for 3 years, Boater Hand Book recommends opening all curtains and putting on all internal lights to light up the walls of the tunnel. For those of us who don't have a 2nd light :)

[@CruisingTheCut]

Yes, I tried that. It made no difference whatsoever! A second light, at the back, is a much better solution.

[@tomjones6944]

"no fast pans" was great advice from that movie :D although in your newer videos I bet you've already nailed that down, at least I don't recall any.

[@outsidethepyramid]

7:46 If someone was behind my narrow boat telling me I'm going too slow, and I wasn't ....; well just try that and lets see what happens.

[@nothereorthereoranywhere]

So, how do you know when boats are in a tunnel and need to wait? I am not seeing any controls/signal outside the tunnel. Great vlogs, been watching many of them and starting from the beginning to watch.

[@CruisingTheCut]

If there are no controls, then it's a case either that the tunnel is two-way traffic, or simply that you should look first to see if anything is coming. Either way, there will be instructions on a sign before the tunnel entrance.

[@adrianw2972]

Another nice blog :) Can I mention your mooring pins? They ought to be away from the edge of the bank and preferably marked to prevent tripping. The reason for setting your pins away from the edge of the bank is to reduce damage and erosion to the bank and any shoring that may be in place. Will the boat be your permanent home?

[@for.tax.reasons]

5:09 did those ever get cleared out or are they left in place so archaeologists have something to dig up in a few hundred years

[@noodlesmason]

so jealous, I'm betting that will change once the snow gets here. Unless I missed it I have yet to hear your moniker so mate will have to do. Very polished video well done,All the best mate, noodles

[@CruisingTheCut]

You can call me "Captain" ;-) thanks for watching!

[@noodlesmason]

+CruisingTheCut aye,aye Captain, as someone I'm sure your aware of might say 'keep it boat worthy' lol

[@roykemp4941]

Excellent video s ,I wish I had a boat looks a lot of fun.

[@CruisingTheCut]

It is.

[@WaxingRadiance]

Our old theatre saying, applies to sailing also. "If you can't tie knots, tie lots"

[@sarahrawson8549]

Lovely video, and I like your narration.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks Sarah; plenty more cruise videos came later in the series :-)

[@ratroddiesels1981]

i would like to live in the cottage with the little dog and have cheese and tomato sandwiches !

[@CruisingTheCut]

Do it!

[@pilotstuart1379]

I would love to have a tiny narow boat like you see in the swallows and amazons big six episodes

[@Shakingstevesallotment]

great video, what was that little bath tub looking canal boat at around 6.30 in the video, looks like your having great fun and learning fast

[@CruisingTheCut]

+Stephen Stubbs It is fun! You do see all kinds of odd little boats as you go :-)

[@Shakingstevesallotment]

***** many thanks, would it have been a pull behind barge, similar to a car and trailer ? can't see it having enough room for engine/living area and payload ? interesting though

[@aussiewombat59]

Just discovered narrow boats and loving your vlogs. The dry sense of humour, the information, the fluency of the videography and editing.... works well. What editing software do you use?

[@CruisingTheCut]

Magix Vegas Pro 16

[@cathycahoe6888]

Loved it...you funny I like it...thanks for sharing

[@CruisingTheCut]

:-)

[@parsley832]

I like your videos, would love to eksperience the canals the way you do, bur unfortunate, I live in denmark, and here we have no canals, but some day I will, be there and try it out

[@CruisingTheCut]

Good luck! There are plenty of hire firms waiting to see you :-)

[@parsley832]

I know, and are planning a two week stay in a narrowboat this summer, and i would be really funny if I met you there, just for the experience

[@zapfanzapfan]

5:05 Open plan, some renovation required...

[@mischef18]

Cool.

[@emilsitka7590]

Beginning Location Crick Tunnel, North Portal: www.google.com/maps/@52.3439338,-1.1276637,526m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en Watford Staircase: 3:27 www.google.com/maps/@52.3139768,-1.1310983,318m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en Norton Junction: 5:15 www.google.com/maps/@52.2857709,-1.1179955,320m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en Braunston: 6:19 www.google.com/maps/@52.2890161,-1.2039539,183m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en Braunston Tunnel, West Portal: 7:02 www.google.com/maps/@52.2844492,-1.1846409,506m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en

[@deltavee2]

Thanks! Interesting.

[@Catonkey1]

This might be a strange question, but how do you keep forward of the cill when doing a lock solo? Doesn't your boat still just move about even when tied up?

[@CruisingTheCut]

If solo, you use the centreline to keep the boat from drifting backwards. It won't drift too much but you must be sure the rope has enough slack eg when going down

[@peternorth2644]

Another excellent video.

[@sbnsbaker1]

Loved this Vlog!!!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Loads more of those, later in the channel :-)

[@anthonylee6322]

My boat while hooked on power shore power . Runs everything and charges everything. I just think you need a rewiring system to take care of this. If you have corrected this and mentioned this excuse my comment.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Yes, mine also runs off shore power when connected to it

[@acptelford1307]

Hi, just wondering, why even have a cill in a lock? It looks like they could be made flush to the gates. Why so big?

[@CruisingTheCut]

The big concrete cill is there as a base to hold the earth back that would otherwise be exposed by the inside (deeper!) of the lock chamber

[@timmatthews773]

@@CruisingTheCut I've often wondered this too - if it was just to hold the earth back it could all just be built on the top side of the gates couldn't it? I'd assumed it was to offer some ground support to the top gates?

[@stevezirkle3187]

Forgive me if this question has been asked, but do you use a radio to communicate with other boaters? For instance before entering one of those damp dank tunnels.

[@CruisingTheCut]

No radios. You just peer into the tunnel and see what's coming. But a lot of tunnels have space for two-way traffic (by inches!)

[@contrafax]

Yay!!!!

[@suebradford890]

Catching up on some of the first vlogs I've never watched. Think I started at about 20 something. Of course some viewers from overseas won't get the catchy title...!!

[@suecox2308]

I read a magazine story today about the men who "legged" the narrowboats through the tunnels. A loaded boat could take them three or four HOURS to get through a long tunnel. Ugh!

[@zapfanzapfan]

On the positive side, they didn't have to spend money on a gym-membership :-)

[@andrewdolinskiatcarpathian]

When entering a tunnel, how do you know if an on coming boat has already entered the other end?

[@CruisingTheCut]

A lot of the tunnels are two-way so it doesn't matter. On the one-way tunnels you can either just see to the other end and spot any tunnel lights or there will in rare circumstances (see my "Scarecastle" video for example) be a more formal system of timings or lights.

[@deltavee2]

Why do you not have some bow and mid lights installed so you can see in the tunnels? Suitably angled so as to not blind oncoming traffic of course. 12V LED motorcycle pencil beam driving lights would be ideal, I'll venture.

[@mikeyoung9810]

He has two lights pointing forward. I'm guessing that's where he needs to see.

[@CruisingTheCut]

All narrowboats, including mine, have a bright light mounted on the bow for tunnerls, as Mike mentions. I also use a portable LED floodlight right at the back these days.

[@deltavee2]

@@CruisingTheCut Thanks David. The tunnels looked rather foreboding on screen.

[@deltavee2]

@@mikeyoung9810 And you'd be guessing right. Well done.

[@sianfarrell7506]

I have a quick question: Im hiring a narrowboat for Christmas from "Sally" Narrowboats in Bradford on avon and the question is hopefully a simple one, to whit; All i have enough time to cruise from Bradford on Avon to Bath deep lock in the week i have booked? I have NO idea how far i can reasonably expect to travel each day. Can you offer any tips on how best to plan such trip. Im a complete novice and this will be my first trip. thanks.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Have a go at routeplanning on canalplan.eu it'll give you chapter and verse!

[@ChampagneProperty]

How are you finding boat living in this cold weather, im planning on buying early next year, the winter does concern me a bit x

[@CruisingTheCut]

+Amanda Wymer I am warm as toast due to the stove which is giving off a super warm orange glow of simmering coal even as I type. The back end of the boat is colder (further from the stove) but not icy and once you're under the duvet it's splendid. So, no issues yet though we haven't gone below about 3 C yet. If it gets really wintery I may revise my opinion but it's all fine so far.

[@ChampagneProperty]

Thank you xx

[@doctorpc4x4]

Knowing next to nothing about narrow boats and boating explantion of CILL and tunnerl is interesting. I didn't realize that some tunnels could handle 2 way direction at once

[@jacquisearle1641]

Those tunnels are incredibly scary the first time you go through one. We brought our cabin cruiser back from Milton Keynes starting on 31st October, so we went through our first mile long, pitch black, dripping with water from rooof tunnel on Halloween, ha ha, just to add to the creepiness of it. I can't remember the name of the tunnel, but it was just before Warwick locks. It was the tunnel where it's wide enough to pass another. We had two massive barges to pass. We were absolutely crapping ourselves. I said to Andrew, is that another boat just entered the tunnel (at other end)? He said, no it will just be the daylight. Wrong! How do you find the cold from those steel hulls? Or is yours wood? I thought Warwick locks had shut until 23rd Dec, or is it the locks before? There were six of them spread out a mile and half long with a pub at the top and a marina at the bottom. A lady told us they were shutting the following morning, so we got there just in time. Lucky that!

[@CruisingTheCut]

We weren't at Warwick (I think you're thinking of Hatton locks?); we went through the Watford set. My narrowboat (like nearly all of them apart from some very old classic ones I believe) is steel. It's not cold, it's spray-foam insulated and once the stove's on it gets roasting!

[@jacquisearle1641]

+CruisingTheCut Totally confused which locks are which now we've got rid of our print out of the voyage. Great experience though. That's what appeals to me about a narrowboat, the fact you can have a log burner on there. Ours is fibreglass, so no go.

[@CruisingTheCut]

I'm sure I've heard of GRP boats having stoves but you have to be jolly careful how they're installed...

[@itsmuha9629]

good with you! Come to us, to the Kaluga forests! Спасибо!

[@donmedford2563]

You mentioned an annual license to use the canal. How much is it per year? I found your vlogs last week and have made it this far binging them from episode one. Very good job.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Depends on the length and width of the boat

[@marcusclementson4026]

is it easy to get through a lock single handed?

[@CruisingTheCut]

I don't think "easy" is the word; more time consuming than with multiple people, harder work and you have to be careful to keep an eye on both the boat and what you're doing but there are plenty of people who do go single-handed.

[@shoney1170]

Well done, watching this on the other side of the pond! Any plans to boat in Wales?

[@CruisingTheCut]

Might do the Llangollen sometime!

[@crazyjay7676]

CruisingTheCut the Llangollen is lovely but best avoided at peek times due to the large amount of boats.

[@monmixer]

I have considered buying and living on the river here in the USA but i's quite a bit different than canal life. the rivers can be extremely dangerous.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Yes, I can well imagine!

[@for.tax.reasons]

I love how snarkily you said "the trick is to not fall into the canal" considering the now iconic dip at Braunston

[@garrystacey7018]

Hi are you sill having problems with water ingress in your engine bay are you gracing your stern gland this need to be done when running the engine.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Yes, had the whole stern gear replaced and it's greased. Plus there's a bowl under to catch the drips, so the other water is not from that.

[@Yoeshi]

I'm jalous on you my friend .... when I was 40 years younger than I shall know what I shall do .... :)

[@CosmicPrawny]

All of these years on and I still want to know how rude they were!

[@dr.threatening8622]

Who on earth would thumb down this?

[@jonny7491]

Joseph Waddell they probably had their iPads upside down, and meant to give a thumbs up.

[@samarmstrong4160]

Also, what laptop and editing software do you use? Also are you living on the boat at the moment?

[@CruisingTheCut]

Sony Vegas Pro. Yes, living aboard.

[@Innerspace100]

Telling people off for boating too slowly through a canal tunnel... Maybe they should stick to the M25, I say...

[@mohammedfrancis]

Chuckle 2015.......nostalgic......and cheese butty lunch, but no Branston pickle at Brauston.......perhaps it'll be in the sequel.

[@CruisingTheCut]

:-)

[@samarmstrong4160]

at 2.05, was is actually that dark or was it just your camera? Also, what camera do you use to record your vlogs?

[@CruisingTheCut]

Sony AX33.