152. Narrowboat trip back up through Milton Keynes on the Grand Union canal

#narrowboat #narrowboats #canal #canals #liveaboard #cruisingthecut
Starting from just above Stoke Hammond lock, in this trip I did a mammoth journey (for me) on a beautiful sunny October day, up through Milton Keynes, continuing through Cosgrove and ultimately ending up at Yardley Gobion where there was a boatyard I could ask about a newly-found and substantial diesel leak on my engine.
Start point: goo.gl/maps/cB4UhwE2ehB2
End point: goo.gl/maps/SdhfzXxhHL22
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Theme music: "Vespers" by Topher Mohr and Alex Alena, from the KZbin music library

[@for.tax.reasons]

"The dog got his ball back and lived happily ever after" is how all stories should end as far as I'm concerned

[@LumpyMillk]

for some strange reason, your channel was in my recommended and I clicked, Now I've been addicted to you for a week now... I'm an Airsoft playing gamer. Stereotypicaly, I shouldn't be interested in your content, but I am and I find myself not being able to get enough of it! Please keep uploading and providing the content and allowing me to take a glimpse into your extremely unique way of life.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Hahah welcome along!

[@stevenvanes2928]

Same here.

[@bobham919]

it was recommended to me also. i clicked it and now i must have a dose of it daily. quite addictive it is

[@andrewdolinskiatcarpathian]

The dog reunited with his ball made my day. 👏👏😀

[@KevDYAD]

A pub meal, a pint and a canal view on a sunny day, bliss.

[@andreias6535]

So lovely. I like when you say or show more of yourself/routine, like your lunch. Simple detail but they do make a difference in my view.

[@beesonthenet]

I think it would be strategically advantageous to at least claim to eat the occasional more popular cheese and pickle sandwich.

[@SecretSquirrelFun]

I know that this is an older video, but your clever line of - “Unexpected item in the canal-ing area” Always makes me laugh. Very good, very funny indeed.

[@johncallaghan8854]

Loved that piece about the metal rub rails, I had not noticed them before. Like you say a real piece of history

[@psmirage8584]

I missed these cruising videos, and had to come back in time to watch (or rewatch) a few. Hope you don't mind.

[@Booksbyphilmitchell]

I have just finished watching this vlog, and at the end I found myself smiling at the TV screen. Thanks for a nice time on the canal today.

[@BenjaminMiles]

2:39 I was indeed pleased to know that the dog and his tennis ball were reunited.

[@richardclark148]

Lovely shots of autumnal trees...you always find interesting views and things..the rope indents on bridges was fascinating

[@tareefaires4766]

thank you again..... I love the vlogs you make. So relaxing with the the right amount of chuckle.... You are a nice human!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you!

[@patriciaa3462]

Love the Heron of the Day at 16:36

[@beesonthenet]

I love the fact that life is so relaxed on the canal, that a dog getting his ball back is the high point of the day. You can't get more relaxing than that, time for a nap I think.

[@jerrystewart796]

Thank you for the history lesson about the steel buttresses on the corners of the bridge towpath. Until you said it, I hadn't thought of it. I think I relayed before a quote from an unknown, "You can learn more by wandering than you can by searching". And I have wandered into another history lesson.

[@jamesellsworth9673]

What a wall of color on that vine-covered home! Nice journalism at the end: 'leave us hanging for the answer to the diesel leak' in the next Vlog!

[@AlbertaGeek]

I was very glad to hear that the dog got his ball back.

[@jh2392]

Yep that's a marina, it's complete now and it's full of narrowboats, very pretty as they have Xmas lights everywhere il try and get a pic and tweet it to you this weekend... Looks amazing.

[@bryancoventry9453]

Thank you. I started my boating life by buying a boat at Grove lock in 1995. A very happy time in my life with my late wife Andrea. So happy to see it all again.

[@carolleenkelmann3829]

Look out! - Did you see that woman bicycling along the canal side on a small electric foldable bicycle. Well that's me! Don't have to worry about the locks! 'Though this Vlog is really very easy watching. So charming and soothing, cruising along, just watching and enjoying. ( There's those dogs again! Watch out for the...) This trip was easy, wasn't it, with all those Volunteers. Diesel leak!? Never a dull moment is there!? With those lovely houses built on the canal, the thought occurred , " I wonder how often it floods?"

[@GrooveFederation]

that generator had a decent chain BUT it had a padlock that can be opened with two large spanners in like 5 seconds, lol. place the spanners on the metal loop and force spanners together,it shatters the top part of the padlock which allows the metal loop to be prised out. it's amazing what you can pick up from youtube, lol

[@jwall62]

This video concludes 22 hours of binge watching Cruisingthecut, loved every minute. I reckon another 30 or so hours and I’ll be all caught up!

[@katelights]

The benefits of me being 3 years in the future is that I can point out the construction is just for a marina. The new canal will be right next to it though.

[@douglaskerins6030]

loved seeing the boat named "Tardis" :)

[@dlou3264]

This was yet another winner. Such beauty. Beautiful sights we can see… wonderful smells we can imagine at your words (pub food). I love these narrow boat travels … love them, and appreciate you!

[@bertilhakanson]

The bridge is named the ornamented bridge. I have gon under it several times. It's beautiful. This summer I made my eighth trip on the canals, mostly hired the boat from Wyvern Shipping Co. Very god boats. By the way, I'm from Sweden

[@Steve264511]

Extra points for getting the ball back to its rightful owner! Knowing how incredibly precious such an object is to its owner, I appreciate the relief of so much anguish that your action has delivered!

[@kengell]

Binge-watched the first 80+ videos one rainy bleak weekend. Really enjoy following the trials and triumphs of owning a narrow boat. Thanks for sharing.

[@1258-Eckhart]

I've no need to flatter, but these are the only videos on YT where I think "Oh good, this time 20 minutes!", then it all flashes by in a whizz. Very few indeed manage to entrance for 20 mins.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you!

[@atariastinus]

Couldn't agree more.

[@C5drummer]

David, you pointed out the most important thing ever...there is NOTHING better than a dog and their balls!!! Cherio!

[@MouseToes]

This was so peaceful to watch and listen to the wind in the trees and the many birds.

[@twoshedsjackson6478]

I've watched all your videos and continue to enjoy them.They have been particularly helpful in making me appreciate that canal living is not for me. I had thought it would be and I am most grateful to you for saving me from making what would have been a very expensive mistake. Thank you David, I will continue living canal life vicariously through your videos and content myself with the odd stroll along the tow path near my home.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Genuinely very interesting to hear you say that, that other perspective (of finding it isn't right for you) is rarely expressed so thank you for chipping in. I think it will be useful to other people to realise that the videos can be used for both sides of the possibility.

[@tonybirdwell2917]

Thanks for all of the views of all the country. Very interesting and very beautiful. Thanks again.

[@opalg6162]

Hope there is nothing major wrong with the boat. Also, love the idea of your cheese sandwiches and the memories they invoke. They were always my Dad's favorite thing to carry in his lunch bag to eat at work. And on the weekends, he would fix them for us girls, and toast them under the broiler until the bread was golden brown and the cheese was warm and soft and melted. Absolutely delicious.

[@GregVirgoe]

I was sitting next to the river a few days ago at the Railway Tavern, enjoying the late autumn sunshine and a very nice pub lunch. The usual raft of ducks glided over to scrounge for leftover scraps. Knowing that the bread from my steak and horseradish sandwich was not ideal, I tossed them some much healthier designer salad leaves (the garnish on the side of the plate that nobody really eats) To my surprise they turned their beaks up at it and waddled off to the next table in disgust. Maybe they prefer chips these days? Who knows lol

[@CruisingTheCut]

Hahahaha

[@west3366]

@@CruisingTheCut Just wanted to say, you are both 2 of my favourite youtubers!

[@Tex1947]

David Thursday is Thanksgiving here in the US and many of us here in the states are thankful for your wonderful vlogs.

[@CruisingTheCut]

That is a lovely sentiment, thank you so much!

[@jugglerjim01]

Wow!! A cliff-hanger ending!!!!

[@countertony]

12:00 - I grew up in Leighton Buzzard, and a schoolfriend of mine used to work at the Three Locks - but that probably shouldn't affect your decision about eating there.

[@timothygray7412]

As you love a good old cheese sandwich here is my favourite; Crumbly Wensleydale on a seeded granary bun with grated carrot mixed with a little vinaigrette dressing and a little baby spinach. One day I hope to have my own cafe boat that travels the network serving such things.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Sounds delicious!

[@crickettgreen2670]

I noticed you have dogfish in this canal. I love sitting here after a long day watching your vlog and having a cheese sandwich and a cuppa while riding along.

[@millomweb]

Yes, another remarkably balanced video. Absolutely spot on with the amount of commentary - clearly the purpose is the peace and quiet - spoilt only by the chug of the engine - yet where commentary is needed, it is provided. Sadly I do have one slight issue in that in some cases, the clip ends just as we're approaching something interesting - such as boat name / details etc. It is a feature of many canal videos - a sign appears but the clip ends just before it becomes legible. As for dogs in the cut, I have come across one myself - sadly well past its best before date - and judging by its floating height, quite a lot of chemistry had happened already.

[@adamrkimber]

Thank you for your videos. They're so professionally done! They make me want to go on a narrow boat cruise!

[@jezlanejl]

Another Fantastic video! Including not only a Cheese roll and an Adrenaline Pumping moment involving a Dog but a Tiny Tug joke aswell! Edge of your seat stuff. I congratulate you dear sir on a Masterpiece! and await the next episode with excited anticipation.

[@countertony]

5:00 - what I love there is that at least some of the brickwork is new, so presumably the metal bar with the rope marks from horse towing must have been removed and reattached well after horse-drawn boats were effectively a thing of the past.

[@lth1072]

I love these videos mate. As a non boater , I enjoy travelling with you as a virtual passenger. It's very clear you have an appreciation and love of animals. I'm amazed the amount of times you casually comment on a duck, horse, dog or Heron. Great to see.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Yeah, I typically prefer animals to humans!! ;-)

[@lth1072]

@@CruisingTheCut Nothing wrong with that. I imagine that's one of the attractions of living on the canals for most boaters

[@RVgeeks]

That leather windlass holder on his back was pretty slick. Might have to get me one of those. 😉

[@stevep5408]

This whole segment was worth the house aside the bridge with the flowers covering the whole end of the house!

[@CruisingTheCut]

I hoped someone would like that!

[@alanjackson4646]

Steve P Those are Virginia creeper leaves. AJ

[@snubbedpeer]

Amazing to see those grooves in the metal bars, that must have taken a lot of time, especially one of the grooves was very deep indeed!

[@dlou3264]

Amazing bridge at 21:03. Splendid. Makes you wonder who designed and built it.

[@zapfanzapfan]

The answer is a bit further down in the comments.

[@ryanexsus]

I really look forward to your videos, they're so relaxing.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Willow trees keep appearing! Another great vlog. The Dover you passed was the Alan Herd boat that appeared in a series of 10 programmes called Narrow Boat Afloat. I have the DVD.

[@doyle201206]

Swatches every episode of the build of NB Dover. Alan had a real passion for it and us a craftsman himself. Would be a dream boat.

[@suemeyer8989]

What a pretty and calm day to be out in nature! Good for you for helping out the doggy.😁🐶

[@TheEphemeris]

This series is one of the most soothing and relaxing parts of my day. Watching am episode over breakfast or enjoying one at the end of my day. I can't get enough. As a yank, I don't know if I'll ever see a canal boat in person, but this lifestyle is so very appealing. Thank you for pasting!!

[@hildahickey6964]

You are so fortunate to hear the birds singing so sweetly! We don't have canals here in Tennessee as far as I know, but traveling in the narrowboat sounds so interesting!

[@mheermance]

I commend you for assist in rescuing the dog's ball. I felt bad for him seeing him stare at it so longingly.

[@grenvillephillips6998]

Swimming dog at 9:01 - impressive!

[@rgarlinyc]

Another very rewarding break-from-work for me, thank you! I was also very charmed by "Sedmikráska" @14:28, so peacefully moored.

[@courierdog1941]

David: Yes I can say the one thing my wife enjoyed most was the Pub Food. Good honest food, the nearest we have is the truck stops in the US but even they are pail in comparison except to the quanitities some of the US truck stops heap on your plates. and served with an entire carafe (1 litre plus) of good coffee. Being able to take our dogs with us to the Pub was a real treat. Some Pubs gave a complementary treat (meal) to our puppies. So kind. They always made us feel so welcome. Hard to leave when you are received so openly. Cheers

[@kevgermany]

Brill. Thanks for posting.

[@johnbradnock4169]

Hi, I have just been watching you vlog number 152 when you mentioned a narrowboat you were passing named Dover. Many years ago I watched on SatelliteTV a documentary about the restoration and build of Dover which went on for months. When the build was finished the guy that presented the build took Dover on a trip to London because originally it was a cargo carrying boat, she was then bought back to Braunston were I went to see the finished project. Beautiful job. I did not hear of her again until you mentioned her in this vlog. Lovely to hear she is still loved by someone. Thank you for the memories. Have a lovely Christmas and stay safe. Kind regards from John.

[@tomokra]

yay for the dog!

[@lone8869]

Stunning as always. So peaceful. Thankyou as always for sharing.

[@fritters56]

A cruiser told me of traveling down the cut waving to folks as he slowly went by, anyway he got a ticket, when asked what for, he replied that it said he was making too big a wave...Something to think about.....lol

[@CruisingTheCut]

Tickets, as far as I know, do not exist on the cut, though you are certainly not supposed to leave any substantial wake.

[@fritters56]

lol, jokes are no fun when you have to explain them, well not all of the jokes I write work and when they die, they really die.. lol. Enjoyed the vid at any rate....@@CruisingTheCut

[@jamesellsworth9673]

Still, it is a fine canal joke!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Ahhh, sorry Carey - with so many comments within a couple of hours of the video going up, I tend to skim read and sometimes reply quickly so subtlety can be lost on me!!

[@fritters56]

@@jamesellsworth9673 thanks, didn't know you can't get a ticket on the canal though will have to tell it a bit differently next time...lol

[@pattyfarghaly1821]

Stunning . One of my favorite vlogs 👍💕

[@bfd83emt]

Love your videos.

[@bosse641]

I prefer the small narrow boats. ...so cute. And easily controlled I'd imagine. Would love to see inside these, how people set it up for living. If ever you get the possibility to share. Would be awesome.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Oddly enough, "small narrowboat tours" is a series I've been considering :-)

[@bosse641]

@@CruisingTheCut Presenting different narrow boats and their owners and how they live and thrive in them, would be very interesting for most of your subs I believe. And would give you a purpose for your channel other than just cruising. And would maybe make the channel more interesting for both you producing content and for your subs watching. Just my thoughts.

[@jerryvanatta9109]

I am also interested in small narrow boats and would love to see your reviews of them, David. Remind us of how long your NB is and would you ever consider a shorter one? If so, how long would your new boat have to be?

[@CruisingTheCut]

56 feet. Not sure about how long I'd have another one.

[@170166]

Those Poplar tress at Milton Keynes looked awesome in the sunshine.

[@stilcrazychris]

Oh dear! A leak of flammable, oh my. I do hope you don't have to much trouble David. Wishing you well & thank you for sharing that awesome views. Chris from Missouri

[@RogerEverett]

Yay! New vlog. I always look forward to these!

[@mongofan1]

Thanks for capturing the metal posts with the rope marks. How interesting and surprising. And for returning the dog's ball. :) Alex

[@raew5263]

Another lovely journey. 💕👍 Thank you

[@984francis]

Waay back in the last century, my family went on a canal holiday on the Shropshire Union. The first day, WOW! A heron! Five days later, another bloody heron...

[@nevillemignot1681]

Great job with the dog's ball David!!!

[@anthonywstanton]

Another top notch video sir!

[@manintweed]

Happy doggos. So nice to see them smile.

[@kenp8704]

I find your vlog to be most relaxing and true pleasure to watch.

[@s1nb4d59]

Great video as always,wonderful that you spend time looking at the scenery also.

[@normg2242]

Thanks David, for helping me to get my day's supply of canal boat dreaming in again...lol ... - and subscribed ☺

[@cgj3888]

Nice one Thanks for the ride SMILES

[@davidbagley1783]

Fluidic space.. what an adventure.

[@owenlindley8014]

Excellent

[@petecurran3995]

Excellent cruising and that's a fine pair of panels!

[@MsVanorak]

I'd never heard of the MK to Bedford Waterway so I researched. Lottery grant of 250K built a bridge and 250 yds of canal. They started in 1995 and the local authorities are obstructive. The route is alongside the M1 and then the dual carriageway A421 into Bedford. "Blue- green corridor!" I'm all for re-purposing the hard work and Victorian architecture already in existence and thanks to Mr. Beeching there is a beautiful 30 miles railway track bed from Stoke Bruarne to Oakley Junction just north of Bedford on the banks of the Ouse. The infrastructure is all there. Land rises from 180' to 400' and back down again. The Ouse comes close by along the route at Old Brayford. Concrete sectional canal bed and sides - why not - if the original canal builders could have done it they would. Grooved base and some bows out in the side walls to encourage wildlife. When they built these railways they created a public right of way which have to be maintained by the railway authorities along with the bridges - its on your ticket price. Why wouldn't the railways want to sell? It would have been completed for the millennium.

[@nigelstrarup]

Keep it up love it and I wish I was there two nice one

[@annie2950]

Lovely canal vlog and first van adventure in the same day. What a treat. Thanks David.

[@TheSkskitey]

Very good David , that was very enjoyable :-)

[@frankligi7673]

I just love the way you title your vlogs! They are just so punny!

[@millomweb]

Makes me wonder how many viewers 'got' it. Not really sure this one is 'punny' though.

[@darrenfleming7688]

Great video, as always. I live very close to the construction site you filmed and commented on. Yes you are correct, it will be a mariner and apartments. 👍

[@sallyu1]

Another lovely video. That was a long trip for you!

[@urbanrider7981]

Just watched the vlog again,in bed with a cup of tea.Lovely scenery David.

[@jenniferrosebruce7453]

been waiting all day for this episode! lol. Love from Bangkok, Thailand .....

[@TheMaggieMia]

It was a very pretty bridge!

[@Quarry4x4]

Cliff hanger. I really enjoyed this one.

[@rolex0071]

Love it. Eamon from Ireland.

[@darf8475]

Amazing

[@IJ_uk]

...... 21:45. "what I really need is a nice"...... a) cup of tea. b) mooring spot

[@courierdog1941]

David: You are very correct, about the bridge architecture, we found so many things in and around London and Cardiff which were not just functional but true works of art, these things last and can be appreciated by Generations, Just wonderful. Cheers

[@Jaycsee66]

2:40. The dog got his ball back and lived happily ever after. Welcome to Cruising The Nursery Rhymes.

[@nbflyingfox4672]

Great vlog David.. Milton Keynes from the opposite direction. Look forward to the next installment..