254. Giving a canal a haircut

[@bennysh]

You're the only one who can make me watch videos about hedge trimming :)

[@CruisingTheCut]

Haha thanks. I wasn’t sure if people would be into this one but so far so good!

[@MrRossi1805]

@@CruisingTheCut yeah, it’s interesting for a German like me!

[@linesbylisa3557]

I love it! All things involving the canals are so interesting. Thank you for covering a wide range of topics. 😁

[@rogerturley]

Isn't it marvelous that there are people that will volunteer their time to do these jobs? They could be doing anything they want and they choose to help others. Absolutely wonderful folks!

[@MRossDouglas]

"...and like a stomach after a dodgy prawn, the recently ingested material was soon vomited out in projectile form." I don't think you've ever waxed quite so lyrical. Shakespeare, Johnson, Keats and the lot are, no doubt, quivering with envy in their graves. Thank you for another excellent piece.

[@MrPecksniff]

I just wish I hadn't watched this whilst trying to enjoy my sandwich!

[@junco477]

Oh my, such high drama along the Cut. As always, you make the seemingly mundane quite interesting. Metaphor, Simile, and Hyberbole Award of 2021. Thanks David.

[@SB_McCollum]

Yes, very. I felt like Frances de la Tour could have read the wood chipper bit.

[@robertgsands3521]

For those of us without a canal boat who love the system which we walk, bike and sit and watch those at locks. Thank you.

[@matthewoliver6655]

I love your channel. Truly the gold standard for narrow boating. Bravo

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cheers!

[@andrewdolinskiatcarpathian]

“Like a stomach after a dodgy prawn” 🥴🤢 Quote of the year 👏👏👍😀 Merry Christmas David 🎅🎄

[@peter9180]

Love it, volunteers keep the canals open and many thanks for that plus, as the gentleman said, they enjoy it.

[@Adventures_with_Sog]

As a cyclist and walker of our wonderful canal towpaths I'd like to say a big "thank you" to all the volunteers. 👍🙂

[@2LaneTraveler]

Looks like a grand day out, and they're volunteers, no less. Where I live it's hard enough to get people to take care of the roads when you pay them.

[@kaselier1116]

I hope you know that this channel is so enjoyable that even some random 22 year old guy from Indiana loves every video you make. Cheers!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you!!

[@darrellsmith4204]

No VC's handed out, just an inspirational tale tale of men giving their all for Queen, Country, and Canal.

[@karlrichards]

Great insight to the volunteers helping keep things in order.

[@A.Nozzlin]

It is a good day when you post. Thank you.

[@TaylorsAboardaNarrowboat]

Great video David! So interesting to see how it's all done. I bet their busy after that storm. Keep it up 👍😉

[@pauln2141]

Thank you David lovely filming and narration. I did wonder when you said you were going to stop filming the cruises what you'd do. This is a fantastic niche for you 👏.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you

[@danhoppy5517]

I have to confess, I was sucked in on the therapeutic cruising videos, his description of the geese and swans, and the occasionally militant ducks, but the entertaining narrative as we all watched. And then it changed. And now we are sucked into the eco-system as to how all this magical kingdom is maintained. Not by words, but by the deeds of those that would see it live....

[@BCTGuitarPlayer]

I did maintenance work like this for at least a decade. I can’t believe I’m watching it now, for entertainment! 😂 But....I must watch your vlogs. I never want to say that I’d missed one;)

[@deejayimm]

Working on the canals looks like a fun job. In general the canals are just fascinating. I wish we had a world like that over here in the US..

[@HawksDiesel]

Would be really neat for sure! When i started watching this during the start of the covid years, inthiught the same thing but then realized Corporations would surly lobby against it somehow.

[@mitchellminer9597]

David, you are a marvel. It looked like such a lovely thing to be doing. Thanks for pointing out that the weather was unusually sunny, and for showing the other team on a cloudy day - I was getting unreal expectations of English weather. Speaking of England, the title is English - the equivalent American phrase is "can't see the forest for the trees". I do like the language in these vids. I like old-fashioned tools. I'd have been out there with a machete and a brush hook. And a first-aid kit.

[@brianwaldo2642]

I really enjoy your periodic videos depicting the inner workings of the canals. Your analogy of the “dodgy prawn” was so clever and descriptive 😂. This video certainly made me appreciate just how much work is involved to maintain the entire canal system. Excellent presentation David.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you so much!

[@FlintF]

This has left the realm of "free amateur video". There was research and a lot of time and work involved. Kudos and thank you for a very informative video!

[@iangill8984]

Much appreciated and welcome video. It is a difficult balance between ecology and the needs of the canal user. Like hamshackleton I love work, I can watch it all day.

[@jamesdavis5096]

I really like the CRT episodes. Its like going on a field trip.

[@mallow173]

What a great crew of folks! So nice to see in this day and age...volunteering to help clean up and keep the canals wide open! Great job!

[@4sstg]

🕊🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🌟happy Christmas 🎄 to you and all who keep the canals up. And the environs.🌿

[@vadmal5210]

After all .. you are still moving along the cut. Thanks for a new angel of boatlife!

[@tonybrock5288]

I live in in what is left of South Africa. I yearn for the days of diligence and ingenuity and honesty and caring and responsibility and industry. Your endeavours here just make it so evident what we are missing here.

[@royordway9157]

David, thank you for posting this video. We know that it takes hours of hard work to put a 19 minute and 37 second video. I'm watching from Historic Bath, Maine in the US.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you!

[@petercalthorpe7966]

Good on the volunteers they are doing a great job . The contractors are also doing a good job , thanks for sharing the interesting video Dave 👍. All the best from Downunder.

[@lars1701again]

It’s good you’re keeping busy in the winter months. :) I’m simply amazed you can take a boring subject like hedge cutting and make it entertaining, you have a gift few on YT have. :)

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you

[@contrafax]

All this excitement, so fast so furious. Tea was needed to calm my nerves.

[@SecretSquirrelFun]

Bless him and the nestin’ birds

[@tinplategeek1058]

Oh an episode of "Cutting the Cut"

[@paca_bill4863]

Love the "behind the scenes" vlogs you produce. I'm thinking the volunteers and CRT employees probably appreciate you taking the time to record what otherwise is lost in the "cruising" aspect of many narrowboaters.

[@dcstexbrit]

This is beyond quality reporting it sets a benchmark, beyond with descriptive explanations amid amusing lines that surely I can now try to bring into my daily conversations. ' Recalcitrant branch' , ' gnarly teeth prepared to munch on wood goodness' and the best of all, like a stomach after a dodgy prawn , the recently ingested material was soon vomited out in projectile form' Thank you for making my day after a difficult working week. I laughed so much, I and am now relaxed and ready to start my weekend. Keep up the great work. very informative.

[@judilynduba413]

It is so nice to see people with extra time helping out.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Yes!

[@rmyerscmi]

The Dodgy Prawn would be an excellent name for a pub. 🤣🤣

[@andyrbush]

I love how you capture the atmosphere of the UK and the activities during the autumn and winter.

[@DeerHunter308]

A totally satisfying video of a happy crew doing invaluable work. Thank You

[@persevere777]

Always love the Health and Safety signs, looks like a man with an umbrella........

[@MarkSpohr]

Nobody dug a hole

[@gars1074]

."...and like a stomach after a dodgy prawn.." .Ha, ha! You do have a way with words! Great video. Seeing something like this is wonderful. No other canal boat vlogger would do this type of vid. That's why your channel is the best! Those volunteers are heroes- do they get the recognition and appreciation from all the canal boaters for all their work?

[@RaymondCore]

You keep making them and I'll keep watching them. Thank you.

[@peterclarke3619]

“It’s gnarly teeth prepared to munch on woody goodness” that’ll do it for me 😄

[@arthurverheijen6682]

Your humor, your way of explaining.....incredible, superb!! I like it very very much, a joy for eye and ear. Thank you!!!!!! Kind greetings from The Netherlands

[@GrainHopper]

Not all heroes wear capes. Bravo to a great team of volunteers and an interesting video.

[@eekee6034]

A couple of weeks ago, workmen were clearing and felling trees along the path which follows a disused railway line near me. I've been getting so much peace and quiet lately, I stopped to have a sit-down within earshot of the woodchipper. It was relaxing.

[@danhoppy5517]

Another great insight to the upkeep of the canals, from the view of the eager and enthusiastic volunteers, and the seasoned contractors. Still amazes me that Georgian and early Victorian travel systems still function so well in the 21st century!

[@steveyountz9184]

Another great video, and many thanks to you, the volunteers, and the contractors. I worked my way through college, in the '70s working on a line crew running a chain saw for weeks at a time. Long days. Thanks again from here in South Carolina, and have a Merry Christmas.

[@StephenArbo]

once again you have provided an entertaning and yet informitave vlog on canal life... thank you so much for the lovely time.

[@Varangian_af_Scaniae]

This is great. Pensioners helping the community while they self have a purpose which they might have lost when quitting the job.

[@bill45colt]

pensioners??? are they all with pensions?? how could you tell??

[@dorothydotson7154]

Since watching cruising videos (and also Escape To The Country) I've really been impressed with the spirit of volunteering they have in the UK.

[@paulsccna2964]

Smart. Keeps the place neat and shows pride in ownership. Plus, helps create mulch and such for spring. Not to mention, good exercise.

[@terrisantiago9128]

I love the story about the tree trimming I'm glad they keep it up it's a wonderful canals I miss the neighbor's right now with all this covid we've been doing on the past 6 years I thank all those wonderful volunteers who keep our canals clear

[@kenc2257]

How very interesting. Both the volunteers and contractor-professionals wear a lot of brightly-colored safety equipment. Kudos to the volunteers (and also to the contractors).

[@Book7BrokeMyBrain]

Very enjoyable video! I think we need a collective noun for lockeys. A generosity of lockeys? A Kindness? A pound of lockeys? LOL.

[@russellesimonetta3835]

Shades of Fargo with that wood chipper!!!!

[@markbuker8947]

Is that your buddy in the wood chipper there!?!?😂😂😂

[@RyanKeane9]

This is better than telly. I wish you every success.

[@chuckneedham1584]

We often wonder why seemingly simple things are either expensive or take a long time to complete, or both. Your video is a good reminder why. Training, labor, wildlife survey, etc. A lot goes into what you would think is a simple task. I'm a huge fan of your investigative style reporting! The only negative for me is that I cannot retire on your canals in your beautiful country. 😁

[@johnfowke1366]

From Nova Scotia, Canada. Thanks! I find all of your subjects interesting.

[@Ober447]

From New Brunswick and also find these films interesting.

[@JoseLara-dg4zk]

11:03 How many takes, I wonder, to deliver the stomach-and-dodgy-prawn narrative without cracking up laughing. 🤔 Deadpan delivery LEGEND!!!

[@minshullj]

I like the training on the pole saw. A full day. Hopefully, in order to use the loppers, it's just a written test.

[@logicalChimp]

To use *and maintain* the pole saw... I suspect the maintance side takes more time than just using :D

[@pfalzgraf7527]

When you announced your switch from cruising vids to other kinds of canal videos, I commented jokingly that “this wasn’t what I signed up for”. Being someone who watches more than one canal cruising channel, I have to say: then I said that jokingly and looked forward to what you would do - and what you actually do is really great background info and complements all the other cruisers very nicely! There’s so much “CRT should do this” or “they should really do some clearing up here” - and in this video you show us who actually does this: volunteers as well as contractors. And yes, of course I had an idea of how that might go - and there were hardly any surprises here. But it is a great peek into what goes on. Thanks! PS: basically agree with Paul N

[@williamhansen8189]

The grand British character on display. Thanks, WRH

[@bruceyoung1343]

Thank you Mr Johns. When the one fella said when I retired I got a job with these blokes. Sounded like heaven to me. Merry Christmas.

[@gavinbrookes8875]

Thanks David most enjoyable ☺️

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad to hear!

[@garyarmstrong4597]

Great video and well documented. Good to see old people doing activities. I enjoy watching your videos. They are really worth watching.

[@bamagirl7394]

Thank you, your vlogs are relaxing, mesmerizing, informative and great fun. I wish we had canals in America.

[@mrbillmacneill]

Seasons Greetings Dave and everyone.... An interesting video that brought back some 'old chipper memories' from my sawmill days.... Good on the volunteers eh?

[@christinewalker5874]

Thanks David for such an interesting video as always,relaxing to watch in these difficult times. Thanks also to the volunteers who do such a marvellous job.

[@SLO-Ride]

Between you, and the Silver Fox boys, I've learned more UK history in the last 6 years, than the other 54 years!

[@harrypenn611]

He's a lumbarjavk and he's ok , he works all night and he sleeps all day ........ Great Vlog David , I bet many cheese sandwiches were consumed

[@spencerjhog4429]

Most enjoyable. Be glad you were a spectator as those pole saws and gas trimmers are wonderful but a physically demanding. Those volunteers are in in good shape to being doing a couple days a week.

[@lyndarichardson4744]

Thanks David, very interesting . They're doing a worthwhile job !

[@faris6512]

Have been waiting for an episode for awhile. Glad that I can enjoy a snack with this episode to accompany it!

[@CruisingTheCut]

It’s only been a fortnight since the last! 😂😂

[@TinMan0555]

Following your journey has long made me wish for a similar network of canals here in the USA. I would not hesitate to take up the lifestyle. As always, thanks for taking us along. 👏🏻👏🏻

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks for watching

[@cbwilson2398]

Love your narrative, sir!

[@sharonrimsza7960]

Relaxing watching someone else working. Now I will need to work on my garden and winter planting. Thank you for the video.

[@jamesfoley6555]

That was not only brilliant, but very informative….Thank you🙏✝️🕊🙏🇨🇦

[@anthonylee6322]

Very good and satisfying work for a good cause. The training is very important as I've seen all types of injuries. The whisper chipper has many a time sucked somers hand in and well. There was a road crew doing a job in the 1980s and one unproperly trained laborer actually got suck in completely. The crew went around the corner and when they returned he was missing. He was found ....... Here in the colonies there is a red stop bar over the beginning loading ramp for emergency stops. Brush can snagg your glove or jacket and you'll get pulling in with the branches. I hope all canal users appreciate the work done by contractors and volunteers. Cheers

[@sysbofh]

At 19:06 - The speed! The outrageous speed! Batten down the hatches, all hands on deck, man the engines and so forth....

[@rareairvideos3070]

Nice to see they are taking care of things. Very cool of the guys to be out and about on their own time. Id not mind that kind of retirement myself. Thanks Dave.

[@rpkett]

I cannot tell you how excited I get from a new video from CruisingTheCut!

[@BeechSportBill]

Still fascinating videos!

[@TheRailfan32]

Another Priceless VLOG. Highly informative and awesome storytelling!

[@craigrschulz]

I so enjoy your reports. Excellent job. Thank you!

[@swishswish386]

All those volunteers do great work… Without their ongoing support I suspect there wouldn’t be a workable canal network

[@harrisra4944]

Great seeing people-le working with such passion to do the job right. Very rare now days. Well done guys.

[@catpurrson3651]

That was interesting. Kudos to all of the volunteers!

[@mungmungie]

I love the line about the dodgy prawn. Marvellous.😂

[@NathanLeeAnimations]

I always wondered what the upkeep off the canals was, good to see a video like this. As someone who lives in Merseyside, the canals always look well kept, so much so you think they just exist like that. Perhaps a video on the interest and growth in tourist and long term stayers on the canal, new builds of shops and canals etc. I feel like the canals are a very British/Nature thing making a return and for good reason! Another idea could be to try the canal takeaways/food places, good way to promote what is out their. Hopefully I'll be cruising the cut one day!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Good luck

[@shirleylynch7529]

Very interesting, different. Really enjoyed that. These men volunteering to do that is really so commendable. Well done to all of them. Thank you for showing us this .

[@altowatts1325]

The Canal & River Trust should consider putting you on their payroll 💰.

[@CruisingTheCut]

No! I’m strictly neutral and independent!

[@altowatts1325]

@@CruisingTheCut A man of principles I see. Well done Captain 👍🏾.

[@erikowren7894]

Great content. Thank you for showing all of us how its done. Tree servicing is very dangerous. Glad they were trained up.

[@DetroitMicroSound]

I have never said this to you, and I should have before now, but, your videos so perfectly show the pace of canal life. ....And not a billhook in sight! 😔

[@robertlalor8090]

Such wonderful gentlemen. Priceless service. Thanks for sharing David.

[@EdEdelenbos]

Nice to see you back, in whatever capacity. Well done as usual.

[@5thGenNativeTexan]

Love these videos, covering a wide area of content around the canal ecosystem (cruising, history, maintenance, future, etc). I did have a chuckle at the extensive training, safety and regulatory requirements the crew has to meet, when comparing that to a typical volunteer crew here in my home state of Texas, where we might pull together a volunteer crew to maintain parts of the state trail system, and everyone just shows up with chainsaws, machetes, and a whole other conflagration of cutting tools.... and probably everyone wearing camo. :)

[@Onemattressatatime]

The volunteers are great

[@satokoumeda4439]

David, we all watch, well at least speaking for myself, because you are encouraging and entertaining

[@Tom_Bee_]

Good script and editing. Thanks.

[@jdhinckley1954]

Great to hear from you again! Thanks for sharing.