220. Travelling on the canal that thinks it’s a lake, on my narrowboat

[@rastas3742]

As an Acton Trussell resident, the mannequins are our annual scare crow competition. It's just a bit of fun within the village. There are dozens of them, some are quite funny.

[@christophervanniekerk2933]

Why is it that every time I watch your VLOG I think of Kenneth Grahame's Wind in the Willows, "Here today, up and off to somewhere tomorrow! Travel, change, interest , excitement! The whole world before you, and a horizon that's always changing".

[@robinbennett5994]

“Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing-absolutely nothing-half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.”

[@Taffyappleify]

Good lord, a cruise, a cruise along the cut........this calls for a cup of tea and a cheese sandwich !

[@bobwhitfield7447]

Love The blog what a lovely part Of The world you live in

[@avibarr2751]

Don’t forget a Jaffa cake or two (which are biscuits, no argument about it)!

[@JamieJobb]

David, after your opening drone shot of this video, it's finally dawned on me that you have now a one-man-floating movie studio. Perhaps you've felt this all along? We still must admit that your cutaways are delicious tangents that speak to the leisure of your life on the water. And your dual narrative (straight-into-the-camera-now vs. voice-over-then) perfectly well suits your meandering plots for each episode. May the flow be with you ... Next we can expect underwater camera scenes!

[@RoadCone411]

This stretch of canal will always hold a special place in my heart. Back in 2001, just after the horrible spectre of Foot and Mouth Disease was starting to wane across Britain and the impact it had on the canals was largely lifted, my pregnant wife and I picked up our hire boat at Gailey and headed northeast toward Haywood Junction. Bridge 105, a roving bridge that I believe is called ‘Milford Bridge’, stands out in my memories because we made a point to stop and take photos, if only because we live in a Milford in the USA. We had a hot week as we completed the Four Counties Ring, with weather much like David enjoyed on the previous video. I went home sunburned! A fantastic week, loved every lock, bridge and tunnel! Thanks for uploading another wonderful addition to your life adventures! [Fast forward to 2020, and unless COVID changes our plans, our daughter is looking to go off to university in just over a month. Time flies!!]

[@christopherestrada8576]

“To lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.” ― John Lubbock I am thankful for your excellent videos for they are once again as the cool shade of a tree or a pleasant breeze sent from afar to make my day much kinder and more wholesome. Cheers! And stay safe!

[@gregford5030]

Jellystone park and the stuffed bear are probably references to the Yogi Bear cartoons

[@paulhaynes8045]

And the Flower Pot Men! Possibly showing my age there...

[@patricktucker7051]

I would love to trade some of your hot weather for our hot weather..it's been over 105 degrees Fahrenheit here for the last two weeks.. here being far west Texas... Very good as always ...

[@myrrhavm]

That was interesting to see. But they left out BooBoo his little buddy.

[@MarkWadsworthYPP]

" the town of Stafford, from which Staffordshire takes its name" Gold, pure gold.

[@ruilof]

I'm following you for some time now and I enjoy it every episode. Sometimes I can see where you were on Google Earth like this time. In The Netherlands we have lots of water and boats but no such thing as a narrowboat. I love it. Thanks for your films and explanations. I'm 70 years old, love it on the water, sailed a lot and I'm seriously thinking about a holiday on a narrowboat :)

[@oldthrasbarg641]

I smile a little when your videos start with the sound of your boat engine. It's a little audible smile that brings a moment of joy. I enjoy your videos greatly, you make me long for a narrow boat. Sadly the south west is rather devoid of canals.

[@cleanerlakes]

You are kind of like the Morgan Freeman of narrow boating. Your narration is soothing. Perhaps you can narrate my day some time. 😂

[@CruisingTheCut]

A super compliment, thank you!

[@johnburgess5534]

Follow your vlogs religiously as they remind me of my 15 years living on THE DILLEN and traversing the whole waterway system ( 2,000 miles) 3 times. It takes 5 years to complete one "lap" as a constant cruiser. Thanks David for some wonderful memories.

[@DanielDenoted]

You make the best relaxing binge watching videos

[@michaelwatson113]

As a senior your scenes of the tranquil English countryside are soothing and uplifting. I do appreciate all the work that you do you prepare these videos. Thank you.

[@bruceperry6315]

The gate house looks like a mansion on its own.

[@harveysmith100]

I will never get bored of watching a narrow boat gentle rising in a lock. Tons and tons being lifted by the merest turn of a windlass. I am so proud of my country for starting the industrial revolution, the canals played such a huge part which is largely forgotten now. Take your time as you do in the locks, enjoy what you are doing.

[@t1n4444]

Hmm, the Dutch were using canals a hundred years before us. The Chinese about a thousand years earlier and the Egyptians were using canals dug off the Nile for moving stuff four thousand years before that. I think we got to the party a bit late, but fashionably late.

[@ceeceety2320]

We've been doing a bit of catching up on your videos this morning here in the US. The craftsmanship that went into those amazing old bridges is captivating and wonderous! We don't have near the history that you do. We celebrated our bicentennial in 1976 when my wife remembers being in the 3rd grade. Giving away our ages! I'm only a year ahead of her. Actually, my 55th birthday is in 2 days. I remember when that sounded sooo old! We do love our history here with cobblestone streets and old buildings that have been restored near us in downtown St. Louis Missouri. The closest thing we have to your amazing canal system would be either the huge rivers such as the Mighty Mississippi river, or we have smaller spring-fed rivers that we can either canoe down or use large innertubes to float. Those smaller rivers can be quite swift at times and an innertube is the way to go in my opinion. Not even comparable to your beautiful canals though. Someday! Thanks for sharing! We so enjoy these! Tim and Tammie Miller

[@maryannebrown2385]

I’m your same age and I also remember the bicentennial. That 4th of July was one of the most amazing days ever. Didn’t they bring masses of tall ships over? My father was in the US Navy and he practically cried. In fact, I think he did. I went to University in Richmond, Surrey just outside of London. I have reconnected with so many old University friends on Facebook. I am hoping to spend some months over in England and am going to rent one of these longboats to have an adventure. Who knows-maybe I will end up buying one!

[@craigmann1909]

Your videos are like positive mental therapy to watch,lovely as always. keep up the good work David.

[@UrbanHomesteadMomma]

Lovely to see you out and around again. Always nice to see the British countryside. Sad that turnover bridge isn’t better maintained. They are so unique and interesting... nice for parents with baby strollers/prams as well I suppose. So many bridges around here have steps making walking with your tiny littles kin of a pain in the behind.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Sadly there are not the funds to maintain all the bridges etc as required, a great shame.

[@ephraimwilliams8855]

It makes NO sense why anyone would dislike this video or any of your videos. Bizarre.

[@rkgaustin]

It's such a lovely place to moor. You might say it Tixall the boxes :)

[@Renovator26]

An interesting vlog David and I took due note of all the beautiful gardens along the canal, particularly the mannikins and other paraphernalia. As an aside, there was an Ontario custom some years ago to anonymously plant a bunch of those plastic pink flamingos on your lawn if you’d just moved in. You were supposed to move them along to another new movee (is that a word?). When my late wife and I took early retirement and started a B&B on an island in Lake Ontario, we found a bunch of them one morning on our lawn. We got to know the locals and duly moved them along to the next person, who promptly called the police! They were confiscated and the chain was broken. The new person was a sour curmudgeon and the village locals soon had his measure. Your canal mannikins look as though they were leftover from Halloween, but a nice gesture for boaters to enjoy. John, Ontario, Canada.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Haha I'd probably be that grumpy person!

[@chrishan6418]

Your first vlog was uploaded on July 23, 2015. Today is July 23, 2020. Amazing that you have steadily continued this for five years. Way to go....All the best

[@mattevans-koch9353]

Thank you David for a pleasant video with my coffee. Have a wonderful week. Here's wishing you warm sunshine and cool, soft breezes.

[@carycoombe3380]

Who looked at "The Gatehouse" image and wondered "If that is only the gatehouse, how big must the mansion have been?"

[@beverlyfletcher4458]

Yes, imagine what the mansion must have looked like! Such a tragedy but I hope there are photographs at least.

[@KarenG.-qs7wc]

All those mannequins remind me of the Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival. Every year the village of Kettlewell place dozens of scarecrows in different guises around the village, many are made to look like celebrities. You get a tick list and see how many you can spot. A fun day out for families. 😄

[@dizzylizzysunflower]

Like the hooligan I am!! Brilliant 😆

[@paulpaxtop1580]

I have watched (and enjoyed) several canal boat vlogs .... yours however is the only one that successfully conveys the pace and reality of cruising, gentle in every way. Many thanks, already looking foreword to the next one.

[@judithmann8954]

Lovely and peaceful,really enjoyed your commentry,thank you

[@michelevigil8887]

This perhaps was in the top 10 videos in my opinion. The landscape was trimmed, so pretty are the homes by the canal. I really enjoy the drone footage, as the surrounding countryside becomes so much more a factor of how hard it had to have been to dig these waterways. I love trying to catch the names on the sides of the boats. So many references to ladies and English way of life printed in such exquisite lettering, all done by hand, not cheap decals.. Would love to see more of them. You are a fabulous narrator, giving tidbits of information we here in the states never hear of. Your sense of humor resounds with English culture, as, like the USA, we have different sayings or words that strike a cord with your audience. As for the mannequins' along the canal banks, we also do that in the states to draw attention in some mystical way to our lifestyles, such as a dummy with a fishing pole expecting a trout any minute to strike and become supper. Carry on my friend.... as you say... "Cheerio" from Phoenix, Arizona.

[@brightmorningstar9449]

I absolutely love your video's. You make me believe in a better world.

[@englishmaninengland1451]

If you’re reading this comment, please remember to watch all the adverts to support David’s beautiful KZbin channel. Always a pleasure to watch.

[@michaelwarren2391]

I may not watch them, but I let them run since I enjoy the channel.

[@hans2406]

It was a nice one, again. Thank you.

[@fookdatchit4245]

It just never gets old this channel, been watching since about episode 70. A charming installment TY

[@L1vR-1948]

I started your first video now up to 71 and today for the first time a recent (220) and saw it is 4K :-) great picture. Thanks! I watch 43 inch 4K TV via 4K chromecast.

[@WilliamCooper2005]

Just commenting to help the video on the algorithm. Enjoyable Vlog!

[@DMills-un1tl]

I like watching how you work the locks, very informational.

[@simon-nb-Betsyray]

Acton Trussell hold a charity scarecrow festival once a year. Lovely vlog asual 😊

[@LeshanWannigama]

Those drone shots are spectacular 👏

[@CruisingTheCut]

Can't go wrong with a drone shot!

[@kutamsterdam]

Been watching your vlog for years because of your relaxed demeanour and tourist information, thank you.

[@williamavery9185]

Did you not know that Morris Minors move out of their secluded garages in june. Its the only time of year they can reproduce.

[@meanqueensuperscrimper8908]

I like the way you speed it up as you are going through a lock. It's like your little legs are running a marathon. Best wishes, ilona

[@iangill8984]

Watched it last night but via some clever stuff via the new fangled internet, DVD player and TV. I attached a fancy cable linking the DVD to that web thing and watched David on a full size TV screen. Technology. Tixall Wide was even wider! Great watch as ever. The good news is I can pull the map up on the computer and follow the cruise on TV. I am lucky in that we have a room to watch different programmes, it was set up for the kids but somehow ended up with all the goodies we didn't cancel them when the kids left. Are they kids at 34 and 30?

[@josephwalsh2386]

Snogging frogs and hooligans... another fun vlog, thanks:)

[@dawndietz4654]

Those back gardens were indeed beautiful 🌹❤️

[@matty6848]

I know. What I’d give to have a back garden like that🙏🏼

[@colmornane5684]

Good to see the National Treasure out and about again! Great video again David, hope you are keeping well in these difficult times. Regards a fan from Aus.

[@hellyavard8552]

Great to see a real vlog David I throughly enjoyed the locks and the scenery

[@TrainLordJC]

Another one of your relaxing videos showing the tranquil and scenic beauty of England. I love those old historic stone bridges and the canal walls which bring back memories of when, as a Dutch Australian lad, I spent eighteen months working on the River Rhine barges sailing up and down the tributary rivers and canals of Germany and Holland to Switzerland. In 1972/73 as a 20/21 year old I worked many canals (considerably bigger of course than the English canals and automated by lock keepers in their towers overlooking the lock) and it was always a pleasure to sail past so many castles and vineyards and small villages etc. It was a great experience for a young fellow. Greetings from the Train Lord in South Australia.

[@LeChatsMother]

Relaxing and interesting as always. Thank you!

[@ivarwb4115]

Lovely video, and just as lovely "give bees a chance" t-shirt!

[@bgrigg07]

I have no idea why I'm watching these, but I find them oddly interesting. I even track his route on Google Maps, just so I have an idea where he is.

[@wuhaoecho]

It is a documentary to me.

[@adriancoppin977]

Hi David, as I said in my comment on your previous vlog, my boat is moored at Great Haywood Marina and as Tixel Wide is virtually next door, it’s a great place to hone steering skills, test out new boat kit, etc, because the Tixel Wide, as its name suggests, is a massive winding hole! I take my boat there regularly as it is extremely tranquil with no boat rocking as passing boats give moored boats a very wide berth! I write this outside the Cross Keys pub in Penkridge. I’m on my way back to GHM... Another excellent vlog David. I am always most enthralled with the content and presentation of your vlogs. Many thanks for entertaining me and thousands of other people world-wide.

[@CathAndrews]

Such a lovely, peaceful video. Thank you.

[@sidneybowerman558]

I have rationed myself to 4 minutes of this crystal clear video. These are much to good to watch all in one go. To be truthful I will watch it all the way through when the weather is wet and miserable. So that'll be Wednesday then.

[@genesloan3175]

Glad you are out and about.... Been missing your travels!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cheers but it was only two weeks ago I posted the last one...

[@mjallenuk]

You have a knack to find the beauty and the oddity in life chap ... always entertaining at the very least!

[@rocketrose2165]

We've been compiling an 'After Covid I Must' list. A two week vacation to Cruise the Cut has just been added. The closest thing we have in Arizona is a trip down the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon but that's a little more hair raising. Thank you so much for your thoughtful and articulate commentary. It seems like such a solitary journey. I make sure to watch all the advertising on your channel to make sure the pittance they pay you for all your work is at least a few cents higher. Plus, I'm looking forward to my CTC tee shirt arriving from Teespring soon. Take care my friend Rick Rose Phoenix, AZ

[@CruisingTheCut]

Superb! Cheers Rick :-)

[@trevorford8332]

Another excellent video, I was daydreaming for a minute for a moment I thought that was me cruising the cut. 😊

[@doctorpc4x4]

The long zoo shot of Tixall Hall Gatehouse, one word WOW

[@ratroddiesels1981]

this video was a wonderful way to start my morning and have a cup of tea. cheers

[@charlesjordan8364]

I am surprised that the English don't express speed in Furlongs per Fortnight!

[@paulhaynes8045]

We really should!

[@timjones6255]

That's because a furlong derives from the old English for a 'furrow long' which is how far an ox could plough in one go before needing a rest and is a land-based measurement. The original unit for canals referred to how far a navvy could dig before needing a rest, but was considered to be unsuitable to repeat in public and has been lost in time 😉

[@GlasgowGallus]

Well we do... And we can buy a new suit from our tailor, have a slap-up feed at Missus Miggins Pie Shop, take in a show at The Gaslight Theatre AND get a Hansom cab home, and STILL have change from a Guinea to scatter at any grubby street urchins we encounter... 👍

[@sandyjordan5231]

Just to let you know---- 1MPH = 2688 Furlong per Fortnight

[@psmirage8584]

I just love all the random sights along even such a short length of canal. Historic buildings, bridges, unique towns. What a life!

[@mark19615]

Dear All, I've been watching your vlog with much interest and mirth, with one eye on my retirement. Alas, still at least 10 years to go. I live in Stafford, therefore I have no hesitation in recommending the local bakery Jaspers in Penkridge. Perfect for a pasty and a sticky bun. The next time your knocking about that neck of the woods please do give them a go. You will not be disappointed. PS Will you please, get on with the book. Toodles

[@stephenpegum9776]

For me the best bit of this latest vlog was when you described your oh-so-cautious approach to opening the lock gate paddles and explained why. As someone who's watched nearly all your videos, that came as no surprise whatsoever David !!

[@nairbvel]

That first mannequin looked like a bear wearing a hat, and the "Jelllystone Park" sign clinched it: that was Yogi Bear, a cartoon character from my childhood (and only a year older than Yours Truly). He had a smaller sidekick (Boo-Boo Bear) and they were usually at odds with their nemesis, Ranger Smith. I was wondering where he'd got himself to, it never occurred to me that he'd retire to the UK!! :-)

[@nelsonvictory1834]

What a wonderful vlog very informative and peaceful for a Monday morning thankyou and take care

[@noodlesisjustwatching]

Hello from a suburb of Buffalo NY - my husband and I SO enjoy your vlogs though we have no boat and obviously live in the US where there's no canal system like yours. You have the most relaxing voice and wonderful sense of humor which even a non-narrow boater can appreciate, the scenery is most lovely. It was interesting to see your river trip, I love the history of the UK, the age of the arches boggles the mind. Could you sometime take us into a town or village shopping with you, I'd love to see what your shops look like? Thanks for all the great videos, you put a lot of time and effort into them and it shows, so well done.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cheers, glad you like them. Shopping trips are not on the cards, I explain why in my website FAQ cruisingthecut.co.uk/f-a-q/

[@anthonybelcher8569]

Hi David,I thoroughly enjoyed listening to your awesome running commentary on your days experience,while cruising down the canal, In your unique narrowboat, 👍⛴. Tony

[@johnsonslawnserviceministr4038]

Got a little too involved in this video when you pass the guy in the boat at the end of the video I nodded my head like I was actually acknowledging him through the phone 🤣

[@billyslaironair8860]

Great video once again dude, loving the sensory and you voice as its sooooo calming

[@icminnesota]

Love this Channel. Greetings from the USA

[@andydelarue9344]

Thanks for that, we are back in lockdown again so feel free to pump them out all will be watched and appreciated

[@Robert_DeVille]

I reckon the snack may have been a cheese sandwich with a nice cup of tea & perhaps some biscuits....

[@marjoriejohnson6535]

The more i watch your vlogs the more i appreciate them. I am learning so much about the canals, the history, and narrowboats. Enchanting. Thank you.

[@robertdavenport1109]

Brilliant calming video, you should read books for audible.

[@TheFogLakeshore]

Sweet, a cruising video to make me comfy instead of the constant stream of bad news from seemingly everywhere. I'm drinking a nice cuppa and having a cheese sandwich.

[@kenpole1840]

The gatehouse looked it was designed by the same architect as the Tower of London.

[@dirtyharry7728]

The mannequin in the gardens are a local competition between villages and have different themes each year, some are fantastic! The large well kept house after Tixall wide as mentioned in another comment is/was owned by the parents of entertainer Robbie Williams. Good luck with the next part of your journey, I have a feeling there will be a stark difference in scenery.

[@for.tax.reasons]

I love your give bees a chance tee shirt so much

[@alan-sk7ky]

8:39 oh i love it, mr patriot has the flag upside down, are they in distress?

[@Suho1004]

After a long day, it was wonderful to see the notification for your latest vlog. Thanks for taking us along on another beautiful cruise!

[@drtydawg73]

if that was just the gate house id loved to have seen the mansion! :-(

[@beeble2003]

I was thinking exactly the same thing!

[@jameswitte5167]

7 minutes ... 8 likes ... 65 thumbs up ... Another brilliant vlog ...

[@OriginalNoseBleed]

Quick question if the CRT decided to replace all the locks with new fangled electric automatic locks would Narrowboaters be happy or would you rather stay with the traditional way or a mix of the two

[@cbcdesign001]

Easy answer, the locks are part of the appeal of Canal Cruising. They are fine as they are.

[@CruisingTheCut]

It's never going to happen but narrowboaters would not be happy.

[@t1n4444]

@@CruisingTheCut Speak for yourself " young" man! 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@ChrisJohnson-qm2qu]

Lovely bedtime watching! I love your commentary, your gentle humour and professional delivery, skilfully making it look so easy. I hope you got your cheese sandwich snack!

[@cyberi4a]

The mannequins are either there to make the area look fun and playful, or to spook people out so they don't stop.

[@davidbagley1783]

Of my friend, I can only say this, of all the souls I've encountered in my travels..his was the most.... human.. Thankyou David for setting such an example

[@EVAUnit4A]

Honors... _hup!_ o7

[@Btipping99]

If you're heading for the Wolverhampton locks, give us a shout and we'll happily open some gates for you!!!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cheers but not going that way!

[@Btipping99]

@@CruisingTheCut coward ;)

[@FordS-O-S]

Good Morning and thank you David :)

[@thatswhatshesaid7935]

I watch his all vlogs I am from India in India we don't have anything like this I wish I could cruise

[@GrahamRead101]

As a beekeeper, I approve of your T shirt. And as a former Moggy owner - they get everywhere!

[@sucrose]

Those mannequins are super creepy. They thought so hard about if they could that they didn't even consider if they should.

[@zapfanzapfan]

Maybe they are there so that the hooligan narrow boaters slow down past their property just to have a look?

[@andyrbush]

So pleasant and relaxing to come along with you on your travels, thank you.

[@christalley6946]

That wasn't a mannequin. It was Yogi Bear hence the Jellystone Park sign

[@CruisingTheCut]

Hi, cheers yes I know it was Yogi Bear. My question was why the houses all had these things outside.

[@beeble2003]

Bearrequin, then...

[@charleyl264]

A very pleasant ride with you today. Thanks.

[@SnabbKassa]

Winding hole and its pronuncation must be related to wenden, to change, in German.

[@SongOfEire]

Lovely to see you cruising again...all’s right with the world.

[@ojilles]

Thanks David for being such an inspiration. I’ve watch most everything you published on Cruising the Cut and it actually motivated me to put together my first boating video myself. I even put in a little Cruising the Cut tribute, you can catch it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3O1dnqjpL1qppo

[@chrissayers7076]

Thank you for another charming vlog, you've been missed, I find your videos really calming, once again thanks.

[@johnbrace4719]

Do you know you are so intresting I thank you