183. Summer congestion on the canals as I take the narrowboat cruising

#narrowboat #narrowboats #canal #canals #liveaboard #cruisingthecut
Filmed at the end of June and start of July, this video captures the very few miles I did in the narrowboat between Fazeley Junction and just past Hopwas. En route I picked up food supplies from a supermarket and plumbing supplies from a DIY store. Well, it would be odd to do it the other way around.
Start point: goo.gl/maps/e7NQ4E9NasGdJV9eA
Fazeley Mill marina: goo.gl/maps/eQLbQ3d1E8U3LLLY7
Shop stop: goo.gl/maps/eVzxzMM274wVVRKv9
Shadey place: goo.gl/maps/eXALZ8HoCmPcNCCa8
End point: goo.gl/maps/HX9TnmdTgHKaAoJ86
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Theme music: "Vespers" by Topher Mohr and Alex Alena, from the KZbin music library

[@southernbreeze3278]

why not tie off to a couple of trees?

[@CruisingTheCut]

You can't moor on the non-towpath side as that is private land. You can't tie to a tree on the towpath side because your rope would stretch across the towpath and decapitate any passing cyclists or at least obstruct pedestrians, people with pushchairs etc

[@Duffman-zn7ku]

@@CruisingTheCut who is going to find out that you're tied to a tree on the water side of a hedge and how?

[@CruisingTheCut]

You might get away with it but equally the landowner might notice; especially on the rivers (where moorings are much more limited as there's no general right to moor on the towpath side) they get very used to boats trying to tie up and come out waving a stick!

[@Duffman-zn7ku]

@@CruisingTheCut I think we were both talking about the tree trunks on the left at 12:45 which are technically hanging over the canal.

[@jasonwoods3711]

@@Duffman-zn7ku too shallow to moor there next to the trees ! It's only abt a foot deep , 6ft -10ft from the embankment. If it was deep enough he could moor there but he wouldn't be able to leave his boat legally. When I say leave I mean he wouldn't be able to get off his boat onto land

[@JMVideos7676]

I still can't imagine who could possibly give a down vote to such a well prepared, well narrated and beautiful video unless it's the competition. :)

[@Renovator26]

David: Just a word of thanks for all the work you put in to make this series of vlogs. All of us out here appreciate your professional approach, wry sense of humour and technical skills. Well done. You provide this senior with many happy hours of living vicariously on a narrowboat. May the gates be always open for you and the water points at full pressure! John

[@CruisingTheCut]

Haha thank you! If only the water points really were like that!

[@timothyboles6457]

That adds new meaning to the term webcam

[@chroniclesofbap6170]

A friend of mine loved narrowboat holidays... The moment he bought one to live on, the tourists became the enemy

[@suburbancritters980]

Love the higher-resolution 4K video over the last several vlogs!! No worries about the web...didn't bother MOST of us! (Most, because...well, I STILL don't understand WHY you have dislikes? What did you do, David, that made someone dislike your vlog? The dislike of a super-clean ELSAN POINT?? The spider web? All the cursing you do throughout your vlog? Seriously, what's wrong with some people? This couldn't have been more pleasant...

[@arnolekow]

Amidst all this pandemic and other bad news of the last months, watching your videos time and again really brought a lot of joy. Thanks for the stellar work Dave!

[@dhooter]

You got the life brother. You got the life

[@loadinglevelone]

Underwater speedbump. Thats what it was!

[@Kb-cz9ch]

Great vlog! is that why there called Web 🕸 cams?

[@katherinekelly5380]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🤣

[@michaelb2388]

With the greatest respect it always makes me laugh when newbies complain about there being too many boats on the canals. I've been living aboard since 1998 and 20 years ago there were far fewer boats. Anyway it's analogous to the old road congestion adage: "You're not in a traffic jam, you ARE the traffic jam." We're all part of the problem.

[@alextelford5176]

I think that the 80's t'were good, I am writing my book about them. one to finish first. love the Blog

[@sam_s_]

What great filming, editing, and narration. This is higher quality than you would see on TV.

[@rogerking7258]

You must make the most boring videos on KZbin - or so I thought until I managed to change down a few gears from the pace of modern life. Now I'm hooked, and tune in whenever I need to relax. Brilliant.

[@TheDutchTexan]

I got no clue why I can't stop watching these. Narrow boats aren't even a thing here in the states!

[@mikepowers8607]

I know!! The way I look at it, I'll probably never get across the Great Pond (the Atlantic) to see the English countryside, so this is the next best (and a LOT cheaper) thing!

[@j.vincentlee9578]

The more of your videos I watch.. the more my BP goes down.... combination of beauty and your calm, regulated voice .. do quite well by me. Thank You Sir.. pleasant Travels.

[@dougzirkle5951]

With your many subscribers scattered around the globe, that spiders’ handiwork on your fore cam became ‘the world-wide web’. Sorry, couldn’t resist.

[@DarrenKidd]

Love your videos. Such a chilled out/laid back theme, great camerawork and full of great info. Keep up the good work!!

[@sicdavid6292]

I parked my sub under that bridge.

[@runtube]

I wish I never found the channel !!! I have no interest in narrow boats what so ever but I keep watching lol keep up the good work looks relaxing

[@ronsmith1364]

feel your blood pressure drop every time your viewing...

[@vulpsturm]

That metal worker's mini canal boat workshop was amazing!

[@cathrynbagley8005]

Still the best narrowboating channel - keep up the good work. We have something in common - I kill plants too!

[@15LVV]

Really enjoyed watching this. Tuned in from Texas and I've grown up on the water, and even served in the US Coast Guard for a part of my life. This is the good life. Thanks for sharing.

[@heinzpeterlenz1425]

Hi David, you bugged me with the idea to live on a narrowboat from episode 1 and finally 10 days ago I picked up my boat in Great Haywood. How ironic it would have been had a met you as I was travelling in the opposite direction towards London. Must have missed you by one day max. You have now idea how much time and trouble you have saved me researching all the information you are basically providing free of charge. I would have loved to thank you personally.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Congratulations! I hope it's everything you hoped for and that you have a great time aboard. Cheers.

[@rickdees251]

@Lanz Lenz What a wonderful thing to share, publicly. There are people all over the world in tune with you and this channel and the "Life style". Thank you Lanz.

[@nw24153ns]

Spiders eat the bugs that would be bothering us anyway. It's nice to let nature take its course and sometimes that means a spiderweb is over the lens. C`est la vie!

[@stevemusgrave2000]

Uncanny. I too, got a thud from that bridge before the marina turn, and I was apoplectic in frustration, as I had made sure I had enough room on either side of the boat to go thro, without a knock. Now, strange tho it may seem, going the other way thro as I did in March of this year, not a thing, beautiful move if I say so myself. I did check after I moored up at Hopwas that day, to see if there was any serious damage. Of course, nothing showed up on the side water level, but, a dint about 2 inches below the water line was very evident. I rang the CRT about it, and was informed that a number of people had, had the same experience, it was and or is known to them and it is on their to do list........Great vlog as per, and again did bring back some lovely memories of only a few months ago.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cheers for that. I've since also informed the CRT. Someone else tells me it's a known issue and on their "to do" list

[@peter_smyth]

Not only are your videos on the web, there's a web on your videos.

[@robgreene1776]

That was quite the bump there....i do hope you reported it to someone at the Marina... Ta !

[@CruisingTheCut]

I entirely forgot to do so, which was bad of me

[@sharpbends]

@@CruisingTheCut Send a link for your video to the CRT, job done ;-)

[@edtuckerartist]

:O @@CruisingTheCut

[@sidneybowerman558]

@@sharpbends What a great idea.

[@bill45colt]

reading the comments, and questions I realize some may be too personal or seem rude in nature,,,,but its only because some of us are sooo very interested in your adventure that we ask. So i hope you do forgive us for asking. You are on an adventure that many of us dream about and will never be able to do. Its with this in mind that we are so inquisitive. Thanks for answering and being good natured and cordial. Your explanations and clear and distinct speech is appreciated also....looking forward to more!! And if you ever get a hankering to visit us, be sure to give plenty of advance notice as we all owe you a debt for the fun and education you provide here...God bless,,,

[@alanboman8860]

Thanks David - another lovely video!!

[@aussiemick2001]

Another wonderful video. Because of your blogs we visited the uk to visit family and went on a horse drawn narrow boat journey which my son said was the highlight of the trip. Thanks for your blogs and we enjoy them so much

[@CruisingTheCut]

Fantastic! Good to hear. Cheers

[@michelevigil8887]

Thank You so much for sharing your travels. We live in Phoenix, Arizona USA . We have a 25 foot pontoon boat With a 115 horsepower outboard. Made for speed, certainly too much power over in your rivers. We take to several lakes around Arizona. I had a chuckle when you mentioned finding shade, We are at 46.111 degrees Celsius here today. Your boating there is so much different, and we would enjoy doing that and touring the country. What an interesting lifestyle. I admire all of you river folks in perusing your endeavors and living a dream. Happy boating my friend!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you!

[@hans2406]

Thanks again for this lovely view on the watery side of Britain.

[@FiddlingwithmyWhistle]

Very good... I liked the spider web... it's artistic.

[@paulbyrne100]

How is that person getting away with calling their boat "pog mo thoin" that's Irish and it means kiss my arse. haha

[@pesky-media]

Being from the states, i wouldnt mind actually seeing your trip to the grocery store. I love seeing different items other countries have to offer...

[@CruisingTheCut]

Just everyday normal groceries, nothing interesting.

[@edwardjonez6615]

@@CruisingTheCut We don't have "SPOTTED DICK", "BLOOD PUDDING" and many other gastronomical treats from the UK here in the colonies.

[@bunkosquad2000]

Enjoyable cruise...One thing - for the sake of your friends in the States, take us into the supermarkets and DIY stores now and then.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Not something I'll do. The shops would't appreciate me filming, I'd also have to lug my camera along with me as well as the shopping (and when you're walking back with heavy bags, that's the last thing you need). Plus this channel is specifically about canals and narrowboats, not UK life in general - there are other channels that can cover that better than mine. Cheers

[@silashouse1054]

Hi, I have watched a many of your vlogs and if I was giving awards for best commentary,you would win hands down! clear and precise. I always learn something from them. john in NZ

[@angelakm6753]

Our collies used to love being on a narrow boat. If they wanted a run they would stand in the bows and look down the side at us, then as we slowed through a bridge hole, they'd jump off, run down the tow path to the next bridge hole and wait to get on as we passed through!

[@jarheadshooter6452]

I have watched your vlogs from the start! What I like most is your honesty in boat handling and mistakes. I own an ocean expedition trawler so I have larger stakes in an error but I have found that admitting ones mistakes can result in the best outcome!

[@jkeiche]

That lady was yelling for you to slow down and quit running over things. 😁 The last bit with you recklessly speeding past those 10 boats just proved her point..

[@lilylou1513]

Thank you so much for another enjoyable vlog in the beautiful countryside 😊😊

[@danny4660]

Nice "Web" Cam !

[@captaincatastrophe5143]

The three twits who disliked this vlog lack the capability to enjoy such maritime exploration!

[@amasulem]

I thank my lucky stars I found this youtube account. Such a relieving change of pace from my other viewing. Thx

[@FalcoTheImpaler]

"Lovely selection of plants you have there" "One or two, yeah"

[@joshuahafer]

I'm from Phoenix, Arizona, USA and your videos make me want to move somewhere with water and live on a boat.

[@davidk3729]

Canal digging was the thing in the 18th and early 19th Century. Then someone put a steam engine on a set of wheels and the canals were a back number. I worked on the railways in 1956 and only after I left did I find I could have transferred to the Inland Waterways Commission-which ran the canal system. Maybe not such a good idea as the directors started selling the land, filling them in and dismantling lock gates. Even filling locks with rubble and concrete. Every credit to the folks that volunteered to keep them going. Expensive rental though, about £300 a day.

[@dsgarver]

Hi David. You may need to run a high loop in your washer drain hose. That is, at some point, the hose needs to be higher than the bottom of the sink to prevent it from backfilling into the washer tub. Thanks for the posts. They are very relaxing.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cheers Doug. I have since raised the bend in the outlet pipe by another couple of inches (it was already level with the top of the sink) and put a more pronounced U shape into it. This seems to have worked.

[@pootle2768]

Thank you for sharing the dogs you see. I love animals and seeing the dogs having a lovely life on the canals puts a big smile on my face. I hope you found somewhere shady for the next three days. It sounds like it’s going to be incredibly hot. I like it at 22 with a gentle breeze. Hotter than 25 and I melt.

[@BobbyTucker]

These videos are a different part of the UK, I've never seen before, it's very peaceful appearing. I appreciate your sharing these with us unfortunates that can't afford the trip across the pond and back. I've subbed, given a thumbs up and clicked on the bell.

[@1toppotter987]

Much appreciated viewing! And a top class commentary!

[@deanmills5106]

Every time i watch your vlog I become jealous. Your country side is so beautiful it's mind boggling. You should offer a days ride at the bow of your boat. I'd pay a couple hundred dollars American for the experience and the chance to meet you. I would however require a few cups of tea and a cheese sandwich.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Ah, that would then class my boat as a business and I'd have to pay extra insurance, get a business licence etc. Not something I'd do. There are plenty of firms offering such experiences though.

[@deanmills5106]

@@CruisingTheCut Unfortunate

[@ritaharker4466]

Such an enjoyable vlog as always, great commentary and lovely scenery. Love the gothic touch of the spider’s web! x

[@hedgehog3900]

Never thought i would see a similarity with motorcycling and narrowboat travel bit it appears there is one. Summertime sums it up. I ride all year,you live aboard all year and when the temperature rises and the sun shines everyone is a motorcyclist/narrowboater. Loveliest birdsong of the episode goes to the Blackbird at 7:23 on. Love that mic.

[@ESmith-ik8vu]

That spider's web, it makes for extra depth and a nice change in the composition of the picture.

[@keithmclean4283]

Yes, excellent web cam

[@chrisholbourn2793]

E. Smith agreed!! I quite liked it just for a change.

[@guysimpson9420]

First video I've seen and you made it look BOTH relaxing, eventful and interesting. Well Done!

[@TheBoatingAdventure]

Love the Coventry canal, a lot of tree lined bits even at Fradley. People are probably heading down to the Ashby canal if they have been following your vlogs. Thanks for your lovely vlog.

[@SamSitar]

it looks very relaxing too.

[@alancherry8787]

Great vlog as usual.

[@stevecooney1361]

Get the crt to do a bit of magnet fishing at that bridge

[@Symzze1]

You always pick great mooring spots

[@David.W72]

I suppose it is a 'web cam' ................... I'll get my coat.......

[@jamesa7506]

Ba-dum-tisss...

[@tonyfeuerhelm]

...stop...stop your killin' me...lol...

[@t1n4444]

@gsxtr1 Dunno if you will read this after a month ... anyway ... "get my coat" is a sort of punchline in one of UK's tv comedy shows featuring several skits or scenarios. One of the characters, always the same guy, makes a socially inapt/inept comment as a "joke", or so he believes. The joke falls flat, as always, so he gets up, looks apologetically at whoever else is in the scene, and says ... In UK the phrase is used, sometimes, to acknowledge you made a rubbish joke ... and exit stage right. Probably worn a bit thin by now as you don't hear it so much. Ref your fake apologies for a mere US education, never, ever, ever, put yourself down ... there's already plenty of people who will do it for you ...

[@tompayne8863]

Beautiful and relaxing to watch! Thanks! I live on a large lake in the US. Nothing here like those canals, though! So inviting.

[@michaelwatson113]

The details of the canal are very interesting: today, for example, we saw some vendors selling their wares, and plying their trade. Or your need for shade (and the subsequent loss of electrical generation.) And the joys of a clean l san unit. Thank you.

[@stifledvoice]

Just found your channel by a lucky accident and spent the evening entering a world that is far away and quite exotic to me. Fascinating stuff about a world I had no idea existed. And, you present it well and give a nice portrait of canal life. Thanks for the entertainment.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks for tuning in!

[@aidaguzman5746]

My dream is to someday go to England. It may never happen the way things are going but I can’t give up on my dream.

[@8MoonsOfJupiter]

Absolutely magical to see these hidden waterways - I find this so relaxing to watch!

[@VanderlyndenJengold]

The other day narrowboating we went over something, again under a bridge (probably thrown off) and the boat reared up so ferociously for a moment we thought we were going to capsize. Rocked one way then t'other. Things went flying inside. Quite exciting. No idea what it was, informed the CRT.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Yikes!!

[@AbuPaul]

Thank you, sir! I discovered your channel yesterday and now I'm a big fan. I love your vlog!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you

[@snarnok]

Please could you include a video of you making the famous cheese sandwich in your next vlog?

[@CruisingTheCut]

Not really worth it, I think!! Bread, butter, cheese, tomato - job done!

[@johnimg]

What no pickle.. shame on you lol

[@MikeWilliams-yp9kl]

How about a vlog of a typical day starting from making first drink to planning where you plan to go and how it works out as we want a good insight into living daily on a narrowboat We DON'T want you to do an x-rated vlog THANKS 😎

[@CruisingTheCut]

I get up, shower and breakfast then go. Not much to show!!

[@glendaherrick6335]

I enjoyed the spider web. Rather nice “special effect” 🕷️

[@SimonTALM]

Yep, hit that same underwater obstruction with some force under that bridge (77) just like you did. I added the navigation advice to Open Canal Map to keep close to the towpath side, If you've not come across it before it is a great little resource for community feedback and with an App (both iPhone and Android) to give you a moving map with mooring points, bridges, winding holes, waterpoints etc plotted (much like a techno Nicholson's guide but also user updatable).

[@CruisingTheCut]

I even have that app on my phone and didn’t consult it beforehand!

[@edtuckerartist]

@@CruisingTheCut That's like jumping out of a plane without checking you have your parachute lol.

[@aaronbratt3721]

I love that the first boat that passes you under the bridge is Tilly- the boat that used to be Owen by Dan from Sortofinteresting channel!

[@Geoffr524]

Yep that was quite the catch at 17:34

[@jiloute22]

Good evening, I like your vlogs, nice trip, a pity that people take the canals for public dumps, the shock under the bridge could have caused serious damage to the propeller

[@spikespa5208]

So nice to see a dog guarding a boat without a big mouth.

[@iangill8984]

I am going to pay a compliment to David, he seems to reply to more comments than many other youtube posters. It is much appreciated by myself and surely many others.

[@CruisingTheCut]

I try! Cheers :-)

[@crashbox7130]

As this is seen across the globe, it's a world wide web in front of the camera. I'll get my coat. 😄

[@CruisingTheCut]

That’s bad...

[@crashbox7130]

@@CruisingTheCut Yeah, sorry about that. I've just finished whipping myself in penance.

[@cotswolddreamer4584]

We really enjoyed the video. Thank you!

[@jadd6810]

I've been intrigued with these narrow boats for a few days now and have watched hours of youtube on the subject, I was watching this video and thought why aren't they made out of fiberglass like american boats then @2:53 happened LOL!!

[@scottfw7169]

I'd wager that what shook the boat at the bridge was that you flattened either a shopping trolley or a Reliant Robin which had been dumped on a moonless night.

[@maxinemcpoo1547]

Magnet fishers pull a lot of supermarket trolleys out the canals.

[@kelpengineer5303]

I retire in seven more years... I may have to spend some time after that on a narrow boat if I keep watching your videos.

[@neredan1182]

you know youre fully immerged in the video if you feel the urge to duck down when approaching a bridge.

[@robsin2810]

David, was a bit disappointed that you cleared the WEB off.I was enjoying surfing the web.🤣🤣🤣🤣. Nice 35c temp, just lovely. Don’t take so long to post. Great work as usual. 🇦🇺🇦🇺👍👍👍

[@cosudu3002]

Wow, I'm truly fascinated by this life on the canals. Very interesting, indeed.

[@sgit1]

Package these videos and sell them to medical offices for their patient waiting rooms - much more soothing than what passes for their "medical news" today presentations. Prescription? Take 2 aspirins and 1 Cruising the Cut vlog daily.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Ha! I've been told of at least one doctor's surgery where they have my "notavlog" videos on loop in reception ;-)

[@simonsmith8966]

So relaxing to watch. I notice you mentioned about mooring in the grass at 12.50 and you say the pins pull out, have you tried the "corkscrew" type dog holders as they were origially designed to hold light aircraft down when parked on grass air strips. Cheap and strong !

[@suetaylor5186]

Looking forward to Fradley Junction hope there's a vlog xxx excellent pub for Sunday lunch there the Swan xx popular with bikers but don't let us put you off!

[@contrafax]

Thank you for the lovely dog shots,

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

Karen from Travelling K recommended your channel to us. It’s been a pleasure watching this 😀

[@CruisingTheCut]

She’s lovely! Welcome along.

[@brucemackinnon6707]

Maybe you hit an underwater shopping trolley. Bridges seem to shed them somehow.

[@Mikesmith-tm5sh]

86f is like having the A/C on in South Louisiana

[@monicalifornia_]

We all felt your pain on that hit. Wow, that was a jolt.

[@realitycheck3363]

Well, at least you can access the internet from anywhere, since you've got your very own web!! I'll see myself out...

[@MrFreddiew1]

I would like to bet that it was a shopping trolley that you ranover under the bridge...You know that shopping trolleys have been spotted on the moon.

[@alonsocushing2398]

I am an Aussie but I have a great love for Britain's canals. My now wife and I hired a barge back in 1978 during our 6 months of backpacking through Europe and the UK. For me it was the highlight of our trip. Just fascinating negotiating the canals and being completely mesmerized when, through a staircase series of locks we actually went over a hill! Just amazing. And dinner at a couple of lock-side pubs which was a real bonus. We are retired but if we lived in England it would be canal barging for us. Lucky buggers you Poms.

[@dpreston8831]

Been watching your videos for last two days has made me want to actually move to uk and get a narrowboat

[@peteredwards338]

Why did I duck when you went under the low bridge?

[@TheGreatOutdoors]

That was a great trip!

[@stefkadank-derpjr1453]

I have no idea how I ended up here. This was in my suggested videos. But I love this place what a cool little canal scene you have going there. Must find out more about this place...adorable.

[@jlibbynoof]

I really enjoy your voyage's. I live in Aurora Colorado. I spent 3 years in Belgium and spent many ours watching the Canals. I am to old to do what your doing. Carry on, I love your show!

[@swaghauler8334]

BULL. You're never too old to tour. Rent a boat and do two weeks on the Mississippi portion of the US Great Loop. Easy sailing/motoring and you toss the rental keys on the counter when you're done.

[@alexm3632]

Dear David. i envy your lifestyle and lifechoices so far. you make your vlog interesting and funny , good that you profession was/is journalist;-) wish you all the best and good luck for your vlog and narrowboat life! greetings from a sadly narrowboat-free country in the alps. yours Alex

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you

[@TheMoopah]

Great view from his "web" cam :)

[@maximac222]

And NOW The English countryside and canal touring is tops of my travel bucket list! Wasn't on the list before @CruisingTheCut