145. Narrowboat cruise into Milton Keynes on the Grand Union Canal

#narrowboat #narrowboats #canal #canals #liveaboard #cruisingthecut
Part of my autumn cruise south on the Grand Union canal, in this video I go from a very busy Cosgrove into Milton Keynes which I find to be very green and unlike any other built-up town or city I've been through by canal before.
Start point: goo.gl/maps/q5ovPpGJwDK2
End point: goo.gl/maps/pLpenip8Civ
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Theme music: "Vespers" by Topher Mohr and Alex Alena, from the KZbin music library

[@charlesjordan8364]

As an American I enjoy listening to you so I can learn English!

[@alisonalexandratou8723]

Yes he does speak very well, good use of the English Oxford dictionary vocabulary!

[@DonaldSimsProduction]

It is nice to see a place take pride in itself.

[@for.tax.reasons]

Watching a boat go over a road via aqueduct just never gets old.

[@for.tax.reasons]

"This is the grafton aqueduct. I'm guessing it goes over grafton street." it's this exact sort of brilliant bits of deduction that makes watching your videos so enjoyable truly just a gift

[@CruisingTheCut]

[@JasperJanssen]

You know, you so rarely hear positive things about Milton Keynes but it does look like a grand place to live.

[@SandraNelson063]

I love the sight of herons, swans and geese parading and swimming around or on the canals. It means that somehow, the people in the area are managing to keep the crap out of the water. The canals, and the green spaces next to them, are necessary habitat for these birds. I heartily approve of the idea of putting art works along the canals and under the bridges. The idea of canal "overpasses' boggles the mind! All that weight of water and boats hoisted up over another canal or river...Egad! Engineers are wizards.

[@TribalHARRY]

Hi CC. Over a year ago i left a comment on one of your vids talking about how myself and my partner wanted to move onto a narrowboat after we'd finished university. Well I'm happy to say after all your influence, we put an offer on one 3 days ago and it was accepted. Provided the survey is sound we might just see you out on the cut! Thank you for all your videos documenting your life on the cut, it really helped us decide if narrowboat life was for us. I look forward to future content as usual.

[@CruisingTheCut]

That's fantastic news, congratulations. I hope life aboard will be everything you dream for! Well done. Cheers

[@desertrose2059]

Your videos give fodder to my dreams and flights of fancy. In another life, I would love to live there as you do, it brings me peace just watching your superb videos.

[@TommyRogic18]

David I’m re-watching your vlogs from the start. Not having the best trot with mental health at the moment, when things are bad I come and watch an episode or two and it never fails to help. I hope you’re enjoying a less stressful approach to KZbin and also that you’re aware of how appreciated your vlogs and reports are. I raise a cheese sandwich and a G&T to you.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Hi. Sorry to hear you’re having a troubled time at present and I hope sincerely that things improve for you. I’m glad the videos can help in some way.

[@scritti]

I too suffer with poor mental health. I've been on a few canal boat holidays (hired boats) with friends and thoroughly recommend it. It's so pleasant and relaxing to be on water and in the countryside. I'm also enjoying watching David's videos, really interesting and informative.

[@petejones3065]

We have lived in Milton Keynes for 35 years now, and never stop telling people what a marvellous place it is, and was so pleased to hear that you were impressed. The canal is the Jewel in The Crown.

[@Mykbyker]

Hi David, The mural you passed in Wolverton commemorates the Wolverton Works where the Royal Train was built and stored. The works employed well over a thousand people at it's height and the town of Wolverton was one of the first 'railway towns' with houses built for the employees. All that's left of the once proud Works is the derelict buildings you passed on your right as you entered Wolverton, sadly they're also due for demolition to make way for more new housing, just like the shiny new ones you passed which also stand on former Works property. But who needs railways now we've all got cars, even if road progress is sometimes slower than the canal!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks for that info - good stuff! Ah, more housing ... necessary but dull :-(

[@ikonixx]

What a lovely place. It's nice to see a town take pride in their canal for a change.

[@jh2392]

We are very lucky in Milton Keynes, lived here my whole life and my favorite times have been walking up the canal stopping at the pubs

[@ianwebb1902]

We lived near Milton Keynes for several years. Indeed I worked there for around 4 years.... Loved the place!! Now in Japan,,,so, somewhat different!!

[@jh2392]

@@ianwebb1902 very different, Japan is on my bucket list.

[@prancingppony]

I have just watched all the Cruising the cut videos start to end (it took weeks!) and wanted to say thank you so much for vlogging, it is interesting, well presented and filmed. It has really got me interested in narrow boats 😊 now I have to wait like everyone else for the next video 😂 If you ever go up the Lea Valley navigation I promise to come help you with at least one lock 😉

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you, glad you liked them!

[@thomastrout9997]

"Boats, Families & Dogs Welcome" oh that all of life were so. Thank you once again.

[@wayneharris689]

What a wonderful way to visit Milton Keynes - Miles of canal and NO roundabouts!

[@for.tax.reasons]

11:24 the Ansuka looks really cool and would make a great name for a lead character in a movie

[@CluelessinaCaravan]

I absolutely love Milton Keynes. Lived there for 5 years and often go back. You will have passed the caravan park at Gullivers next to the new marina under construction at Campbell Park.

[@elizabethtrainer9732]

I enjoy that you take the time to always film the beautiful and interesting art along the canal.

[@boomshank12]

An entire afternoon well-spent watching your videos! Thank you!!

[@graceygrumble]

A very pleasant little chug.

[@MrMenefrego1]

*'The Iron Trunk Aquaduct, constructed in 1811'* How is it possible that they can build a structure like that, which lasts for over 200 years and yet, in the 21st century, they can't even make a concrete driveway last any longer than a few years?! 😒

[@mischef18]

An interesting mural if you have lost your train of thought, then a fully air conditioned horse. Yes some of those back yards did look lovely. All the best

[@monicalifornia_]

Continually impressed by the engineering of those canals. Astonishing!!!

[@raew5263]

Just lovely ~ each vlog takes me away. These are mini- vacations. 💕 Thank you

[@AnthonyChew]

So far I've been on a floating hotel (stayed a week), dinner on a floating restaurant and a floating karaoke. A floating cinema is definitely on my list of things to try!

[@MichaelsMustang]

Clearly Milton Keynes acknowledges the canals contribution to the town and rather than trying to forget all about the ditch dwellers past and present they are quite proud of them and keep them well presented, rubbish free, one bottle does not count and almost Graffiti free. The mural of the train was likely painted by street artists so again clearly Milton Keynes realises it youth need things that interest them. I have to admit I find the wide beams large myself after you being on the midlands so much despite the fact that I am still weighing up which to buy narrow or wide.

[@jonarnel.nygaard7598]

These videos are the best. I dont understand why you dont make more of them they are soo great! Look forward to (and hope for) many more!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Because I only cruise so much each week and I can only film so much and I can only edit so much!

[@bohomaturebabe]

He's got all the comments on the videos he has made to read through!

[@benstips1101]

Ive never seen a like dislike ratio that much in favour of the likes. Well done.

[@mattthecasualgamer]

Milton Keynes ain't that bad. I walk along the canal every other day at least 10 KM, from the City Centre and Campbell Park moorings all the way to the ASDA store you stopped off at in OakRidge Park. Didn't see you along the canal, so missed you on one of days I didn't pop out for a walk. Yesterday I was sat on the Bench opposite the Lion Hearts Cruising Club having lunch, then walked the route you travelled to ASDA.

[@CruisingTheCut]

I was pleasantly surprised with how nice it was. Keep an eye out for me on the way back ;-)

[@SandraNelson063]

Good Lord, I envy you! Well, the doctors don't see much of you I bet.

[@nikghoskin2302]

Nice video, I was hoping to see my boat! I frequent this stretch of the network. MK is actually a nice place to live, parks, a great cycle network and the canal going right through it

[@for.tax.reasons]

4:00 that boat's windows remind me of windows on Indian trains!

[@karlfair]

That was fun. Going over the aqueducts gives a most interesting view.

[@sheilaknight5370]

Thank you from another " avid fan " Had no idea Milton Keynes had so much greenery. Great shot of the heron !

[@joeclarke9782]

Thanks for another beautiful ride.

[@meekeykamira2187]

Thoroughly enjoying your journey.

[@pvangalder]

Thanks David...from an Avid Fan...the best kind of fan..lol

[@CruisingTheCut]

:-)

[@dougkfarrell]

Hi David, A really enjoyable, serene vlog! You're right, Milton Keynes looks like a wonderful place to visit. Oh, and you're right, the widebeams look ENORMOUS compared to the narrowboats! Doug

[@SB-000]

Would love to see your trip to the grocery store and shopping. Being in the USA it's interesting to see the differences of your stores versus ours.

[@CruisingTheCut]

I'd be likely to be chucked out if I start filming in the store, they don't tend to like that kind of thing. Also, I was there to shop so wouldn't want to lug a camcorder around.

[@theoddjobcentre6686]

@@CruisingTheCut I do love watching your videos

[@GregWallis]

I used to live there, and MK is surprisingly green, full of parks, and much greenery. It also has the largest and most comprehensive cycle network in the UK. Interestingly, almost all the housing areas are actually below the roads and the canal, which is why they're pretty much invisible whilst cruising. The city centre, sadly, is a bit like North Korea. Great vid, as always.

[@hildahickey6964]

I just happened up on narrowboat videos and I absolutely love your vlogs. You identify the areas you are in and your sceneries are so nice. I may never get to the UK but your videos take me there. Thank you so much.

[@dickvarga6908]

A mooring at the end of your garden, Toad Hall up the slope, Ratty & Mole messing about in boats and.... TOAD on a jet ski! Rust & Rot! That amphibian is always a menace.

[@EldoonNemar]

Love the videos. Please keep them coming. You're the tranquil sanity I need at the end of a work day.

[@SandraNelson063]

Amen.

[@DJFLIP2010]

Hi My Name is Phil, My wife and I watch your Blogs, watched your video about Milton Keynes. I have an Uncle and Aunt who have a mooring at the bottom of their garden just off the river Avon.

[@davidchandler8881]

Thanks for being so complimentary about my home town David. It's original town planners really did try hard to get the balance right but unfortunately some of their current day replacements lack their understanding and vision. Wonderful vlog as usual very therapeutic as I'm sure many of your viewers will concur.

[@ritubohra2559]

Watching boat over the road and Milton keynes is fantastic. Whole journey is speechless. Feel like i m floating nd superb green rey view

[@ALifeFullofMeaning]

Great vlog, thank you. We know this stretch of canal well as we are moored in Northampton, and it is one of our favourite places to go when we are out for a week or so!

[@jimsp71]

love your presentations!!!! makes me want to sell everything state side and hop the pond to be a river rat so to speak!!!!

[@0HARE]

Well, this was especially delightful. The pretty views and the commentary were just right. Thanks for taking us along.

[@michaelpilling9659]

Very impressive aquaduct over the River Ouse. What an impressive use of the canal through Milton Keynes. So little rubbish and graffiti. An excellent video David - thank you so much

[@courierdog1941]

David: you just cannot believe how much you encourage your viewers with your simple elegance and flow of your Video Blogs and your matching commentary. Your professional background in Broadcasting shows in your demeanour and composure. Cheers

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you

[@windsorlad1000]

Milton Keynes by narrowboat was a pleasant surprise to me when I went through earlier this year. My previous experience was by car, and I only saw dual carriageways and roundabouts. I moored one night right by where the cinema boat was - Great Linford, I think. It was a village before the city was built and there was still a row of arms houses and a pub. I also moored in Campbell park, which stretches right up to the centre of the city. It was really all very nice. Great that you are back on the cut. I have watched so many of your videos and appreciate your professionalism in the commentary and camerawork. Looking forward to the next one.

[@psychoticfox1965]

weve moored up in several places in Milton Keynes. its really quite nice along the canal and apart from a few areas, all seems safe too.

[@gerrytanner1682]

Another excellent vlog David. I really like your commentating which is short, informative and interesting. Your background audio allows the viewer to enjoy the natural sounds.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you

[@TheVirginiaStew]

Great cruise...always love seeing all the different boats...Cheers

[@EnglishmaninMalta]

Enjoy your videos, i am not a boater just enjoy the idea, we are very interested here in Malta to encourage people going to beach and cliff walk to help clean up plastic, how great would it be to get narrow boat people to just pick up the plastic in a net, and disposed , instead of moaning about it !!

[@CruisingTheCut]

A few boaters do indeed clear up muck. I try to pick some up in a net as I go, though it depends on doing it without falling in...

[@deltavee2]

Kudos to Milton Keynes for doing it right when it is so obviously easy to not bother. Well done, I say.

[@henrytudor7058]

MK looks alright i was expecting some urban menace but it's pretty nice.

[@alanbower1193]

Another well made video. Thank you.

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

Your vlogs are consistently relaxing. Makes for nice evening before retiring. Thanks for all you do...

[@krystiansieminski363]

Ah, the slow pass of life with a great water travel twist.Got to love it, great video.TH

[@andypatt1971]

Great video and great amount of information

[@terrystephens1102]

Lovely scenery, great commentary, thanks David. 👌👏👏👏👏👏

[@SteveH-gt3wz]

Another enjoyable video... Thank you, David :)

[@UrbanHomesteadMomma]

Lovely video... I do love seeing the aquaducts, for some reason I find them fascinating.

[@MrChrissy1r]

I too would love a waterside home,but a very rare and much sought after seldom on sale commodity.My needs are less demanding, I just want live out the evening of my life, angling , as has been my life long long love.

[@EmmaRitson]

Great as always.

[@davehollingworth5537]

Very interesting vlog. Thank you DJ.

[@Philhoppermiller]

I enjoyed your cruise today. Beautiful countryside. I was let down when we could not go shopping with you. I would have liked to see inside a British grocery store. Oh well, if you have seen one grocery store, I guess they are like our's in Texas. Well we have one called Buc Ee's that is unic.

[@AviationTalk0523]

Thanks David, brilliant as usual. Milton Keynes looked very nice!

[@contrafax]

Thank you for showing that decorative windmill. It was so cute.

[@johannesmyrdal3466]

Thank you,I love your videos David.Love from Iceland.

[@GapBahnDirk]

A new perspective on Milton Keynes. Very nice.....

[@charlie418791]

Always nice riding along,David. Enjoy your weekend, Sir.

[@luanncrownover4]

Beautiful cruise today. Enjoyed relaxing and watching the countryside unfold in front of you!

[@xcon3k]

Great vlog. Really enjoyed watching this cruise. Brave staying in Milton Keynes! Looking forward to the next video! :)

[@bethevoice-gen1rev225]

Just what I needed for the day .....The windmill on the top of the boat , floating cinema and horse in the field , all cool .

[@kevgermany]

Another lovely relaxed cruise. Envious as ever. Kev.

[@grooveyman]

A real pleasure to watch. We don't have anything remotely like this in Australia. Very pretty sections of canal. Very much appreciate your commentary.

[@bjbrown]

Very nice cruise and it looks like a very nice place to spend some time. Thank you to the people who made it pretty!

[@FU2Max]

My home town, thanks for visiting.

[@lyndarichardson4744]

What an interesting variety of boat s David and what lovely scenery. Another cracking video !

[@lesleycouch6557]

Pleasantly surprised by how nice the canal is around Milton Keynes. Thanks for another good one :-)

[@urbanrider7981]

Excellent vlog David.

[@derrickharvey7487]

Sitting here in my cruising sailboat on the west coast of British Columbia and feeling a tad jealous of your cruising will see how it goes tomorrow in 25 knot winds great vodkas always David cheers Derrick

[@leslierhodes5467]

I’m well impressed with your view of Milton Keynes I paddle all this stretch with my kayak many times

[@douglaskerins6030]

Primo weather, I live for autumn :) great vid buddy !

[@jerryshimon8541]

It be pleasant to travel with you while you shop enjoying your selection of proper viands for cruising the blog. 🥪😉

[@nbflyingfox4672]

Yet another great vlog David. Like you i am surprised at the cleanliness of the canal and yes it's nice to see a town that takes pride in the canal that runs through it..

[@ncplantdoctor]

It was interesting that not only was the trash count in the canal lower, but Milton Keynes actually has the train mural along the canal and real artwork under one bridge which the reprobates have not defaced with graffiti. This must be a town with higher class people (and perhaps a few roundabouts). For a city, it seems like a nice place to live.

[@sarahaugustine4185]

What a beautiful city and citizens (keeping their trash mostly to themselves). Thanks for the tour!

[@Tj-co2ww]

Wonderful thanks again.

[@charlesnorris3449]

Thanks David! Proper vid!

[@steveratliff40]

Glad you had a good time off, but it has been nice to catch up on your adventures.

[@paulhughes2268]

Australian fan great V/log very enjoyable

[@alexr4151]

I just stumbled across your channel and I think it's brilliant! Thank you for sharing your boating experiences - it looks like great fun.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks for watching!

[@timpaszkiewicz7169]

It's amazing how a town can make the canals being the center attraction.

[@Chango_Malo]

I've been watching narrowboat videos on youtube for the last week. Now I just have to figure out a plan to head over to the UK, buy a narrowboat and dissapear down the canals. Mike Fink would be proud.

[@jamesdavis5096]

Yes get a narrow boat.but whatever you do, don't pay the ferryman until he gets you to the other side, and don't even set a price ,

[@donaldscott4917]

Great Vlog. Really enjoy it. Wish I could persuade my family to take me for a few days on a canal boat again.

[@williamedwards7837]

The old industrial buildings near the Tesco are Wolverton Works. On of the very first carriage works in the world and still going.