275. Boating in a drainage ditch!

I was lent a narrowboat for a week by two viewers of the channel! Starting in Peterborough, I took the boat off the River Nene and onto the Middle Level Navigations. This is part 1 of 3 of that week-long cruise.
Start point: goo.gl/maps/hCakZiwjWEYXhbrQA
End point: goo.gl/maps/M8qGATGUXApMYkRK9
For Part 2, see • 276. Narrowboating fro...
Part 3: • 277. Narrowboat cruisi...
Info about the Middle Level Navigations
waterways.org.uk/waterways/di...
middlelevel.gov.uk/navigation/
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www.ko-fi.com/davidjohns
or / cruisingthecut
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Info
Q&A: www.CruisingTheCut.co.uk/f-a-q/
Filming Gear: www.CruisingTheCut.co.uk/gear/
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Theme music: "Vespers" by Topher Mohr and Alex Alena, from the KZbin music library
#narrowboat #canal #cruisingthecut #rivers #offgrid #liveaboard

[@stevenflebbe]

Thank you David, for a pleasant little cruise.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you enjoyed it 😀

[@clivewitcomb2839]

The whole of KZbin: "What an amazing assortment of wildflowers!" David: "The home of McCain Oven chips" 😜 x

[@smilysun8358]

😆

[@CruisingTheCut]

🤣🤣

[@chrispotter219]

How wonderful to see you back on the water again. I miss your wonderful adventures, spectacular canalside scenery and excellent commentary. I can't wait for the next episode of your latest watery excursion. You are so good at what you do. Thank you

[@JimmyBoogaloo]

Good post

[@ncplantdoctor]

Pretty good scenery, considering that you are boating in a drainage ditch [and trying to keep your mind out of the gutter]. The turn went rather well, considering how tight it was, but the kicker was that there were no gongoozlers on the bridge. Had there been gongoozlers, you probably would have bumped something. The boat layout was a nice one; not one I have seen before.

[@chanchywee]

Yay! Just like the olden days!

[@kristiwilkinson5273]

I miss your cruising vlogs.

[@CruisingTheCut]

But here they are! 😀

[@claireseyeviewonredbubble]

I can see a new venture opening here, narrowboat sitting-service! You'd get to be on different boats in different places for free!

[@sandbridgekid4121]

We have that here in the states with RVs and boats. If too big for hauling, they have to get from dealer or factory to customer, or when people move.

[@amtrak1007]

Freedom from your own boat is proving to be good for the channel. Very well done.

[@chamo2240]

Can't get enough of David & his adventures...

[@TheKyvin]

😍 Nice to see an actual 40ft Aintree Beetle. As I’m currently enquiring with Aintree on one. Thanks for the lovely Vlogs!!

[@CruisingTheCut]

😀

[@hellodarren]

Reminds me of the old days... lovely to enjoy another trip!

[@ronnielloyd4676]

I've done Briggate Bend many times, the last time there were 12 gongoozlers on the bridge, who, to be fair gave me a round of applause when I managed to get our 60' narrowboat around in one turn :)

[@stevehhadley]

What no cheese sandwich? Nor a gin and tonic after that 90% turn? I would have needed a beer after that! Another Great vlog David! Aloha from Honolulu!

[@robertlandrum1971]

So you’re the Navigator of Nene! Do you require a shrubbery? 😂🤣😂

[@danhoppy5517]

The time to worry is when you see the Killer Rabbit of Caerbannog, with it's sharp, pointy teeth, looking at you from the water's edge!

[@ashleyfearon4121]

Oh boy, I’ve really missed your splendid boating videos and enjoyed every nano second of this one. You have such a relaxing style of commentary tinged with a wry sense of humour. Thank you for 21 minutes of bliss. All the best.

[@rolffigueiredo3786]

You weren’t kidding about that right hand turn, I found myself clinging to my armchair and leaning forward to my left to see what was around the corner !! Well done.

[@WolfHeathen]

Missing the tea and biscuits but it did have a heron, so I'm satisfied ^^

[@xIDarkSideIx]

😲back on a boat missed these cruising vlogs

[@mattwruff]

What a pleasant surprise a "Cruising the Cut" video. Just like old times...

[@davidelliott5843]

That offset rear hatch is genius. I also prefer the “reverse” layout. Who needs to walk though the boat for that all important cuppa?’

[@rmk]

An old style cruising video, just what's needed, been missing these! Looking forward to the next instalment!

[@chinnyvision]

This. Exactly this.

[@concofps]

"Its like Venice but in Peterborough" as someone who lives near Peterborough I have to say thats quite a big BUT 😂

[@CruisingTheCut]

Hahaha come on, the resemblance is uncanny

[@danielmoore2475]

I love watching these of an evening, it's so relaxing looking at the British countryside at that pace.

[@rninrvr]

David, loved being back on the water, even if it was not a cannel. A great thanks to your friends for letting you have this experience.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks 👍

[@firesurfer]

18:35 That was no accident. It was pure talent.

[@4sstg]

How I miss your boat and the cruises and talk. This was nice, but made me pine for the old days on the cut, on the Wreyland.

[@nannag5801]

I agree!!! I miss those too

[@andrewmonument8847]

Yayyyy for the Heron !

[@morganrees6807]

The ubiquitous IKEA chairs - they're sooo comfy I have 4!!

[@wallyclark1895]

It is great to see you narrow boating again! You haven't lost your touch navigating as was evident by the 90 degree turn you executed flawlessly! Excellent vlog keep them coming!

[@WilliamAlanPhoto]

I'll never see these places in person, so I'm grateful for your channel, and sense of humor. You really made it look like you knew what you were doing on that 90 degree turn! Great skill! That looked nearly undoable! Thank you.

[@nesleinf]

Nice to see you on the cut again. You are an exellent story teller, with accompagnying comments all the way. I just love it. Greetings from Denmark

[@captainzeppos]

Despite the obvious lack of a cheese sandwich (surely a sign of our turbulent times), I suddenly felt like I was back in 2017 and David hadn’t aged one day. Bless this channel and bless the owner of Paradigm Shift.

[@jabbertwardy]

Nice to see you on the cut again! And to see your old nemesis, the willow tree, obstructing your view 😂

[@CruisingTheCut]

You know it!

[@grayfool]

Good to see you on my old stomping ground. We lived between March and Thorney for around ten years before retiring to our current home in somewhat more exotic climes. The fens is a very interesting area. Not the most inspiring scenery but a lovely place to live. Looking forward to the next episode.

[@Margaret_J]

Well a 90⁰ turn, banana, heron, swans and an overhanging willow, all mixed with a generous helping of your humour! Brilliant Thank you But errm..still missing something...just going to check the fridge for cheese 🥪🥪 Looking forward to the next instalments 😀

[@BJ_MBA]

I think you have rediscovered your passion for narrow boats. This is a beautifully crafted film on a unique navigation - you are the gold standard.

[@frankligi7673]

Sorry David, but this can not be considered an official Cruising the Cut video. Not only was there no cup of tea and cheese sandwich, there was not even a mention. Nice try with the banana and orange drink. Sorry

[@CruisingTheCut]

Haha fair points

[@t1n4444]

@@CruisingTheCut That's down to living on dry land! Bound to turn a young man's head ... before long we'll be reading about fondue parties, cheese and wine parties, paths covered in dandelions, flooding, noisy neighbours, planning applications etc, etc, etc. It's going to be hell. I'll give it a year. Groan.

[@timweather3847]

Yes it is, it has a heron, that trumps (if one can still use that expression) the lack of cheese sandwiches.

[@MotownJT]

No cheese sandwich! 😮

[@PaulfromChicago]

@@timweather3847 IDK, you might end up egretting that comment.

[@bonniewills2814]

What a wonderful surprise! I'm having a bit of a rough day, so when I sat down to eat lunch and saw this - well, I cheered! This is exactly what I needed - thank you 🙂

[@chrislarard9736]

Nice to see your pet Heron again.so kind of the new keepers to lend it to you .

[@rswpt]

That turn was done like a master, David, really well done, glad to see you on the water again! Thank you so much for sharing with us!

[@folkblues4u]

Must have felt pretty nice to be captain of your own vessel again - even if brief and borrowed! *Raises hot cup-a - in salute of captain David Cheers!

[@leswallace2426]

It was so incredibly enjoyable to see you on a narrowboat again doing one of your 'old fashioned' travelogues - and on a type of waterway you haven't been on before! The loan of the boat was a very kind act by its owners, but I think they'll be chuffed that David Johns has been on it!!

[@jefff6167]

Thanks for taking the time to create such wonderful content. 👍🇺🇸

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you for watching 👍

[@peterhendry2154]

14:10 reminds me of a Beatles song. Straw Baley Fields Forever

[@CruisingTheCut]

Hahahahahahahaha

[@randynovick7972]

Feels like old times, this. Lovely!

[@smokintheghost]

Well that was more fun than I expected. Who knew one could navigate a narrow boat through a ditch?

[@MissScrappy]

How wonderful to see you back at the tiller!! Loved the banana...lol

[@CruisingTheCut]

Me too!! Hahaha. Delicious

[@suzettecalleja3122]

10 Gold Stars for that Outstanding turning. I was at the edge of my seat. I truly thought there was going to be another boat coming in the opposite direction. Thank goodness there wasn't.

[@sandymcvicar2325]

Great to see you back on a narrow boat. The whinging wanderer returns! Love the typical British dialog.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Whinging!!?? 🤣🤣

[@Onemattressatatime]

You have increased my vocabulary today, from this point on I shall say lop a path . I will No longer say cut a path. Making my British ancestors proud . Okay probably making them turnover in their places of rest.😂Texas/British vocabulary lesson complete.

[@sephirothff7ps164]

you deffo have not lost your skill😉😉👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@jeffebdy]

Everyone remembers their first love.... Welcome back, albeit on borrowed time! It's like the old days

[@MartinAhlman]

That was one heck of a turn you managed to navigate! Good on ya!

[@bigchris80]

Hat's off to who borrowed you the boat, and what a boat it is! Awesome video as always 👍

[@davehanson6915]

Half to see you back on a boat.

[@opathe2nd973]

I was thinking a bow thruster would have been nice at the turn but a true expert like you made it look easy! Great to watch you again says this envious Yank.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks 👍

[@jfk64kennedy95]

what a great river name, the 'Great Ooze', lol

[@SnabbKassa]

Ouse. The name of these two rivers is derived from the Celtic languages that were spoken in England before the arrival of the Anglo-Saxons in the British Isles. Their Celtic name, Ūsa, is derived from *udso-, "water," which is in turn derived from the Indo-European root *wed-, "wet, water." The same root *wed- gives us the English words water and wet as well. Thus the Ouse River etymologically is the "Water River" or the "Wet River." Of course, the speakers of early forms of the English language who borrowed the name from the Celts did not know the meaning of the word-as is rather frequently the case when foreign topographical terms are borrowed.

[@darrenblois8495]

12:04 - Funny to see a McCain Potato Chips factory in England. McCain's is a Canadian company based in my home province of New Brunswick. I had no idea it had global reach!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Oh we love them here!

[@24ivan11]

Mcain is a big international company, it is even presented in my houme country russia

[@Dwarvish_Cooks]

There is also one in Ballarat, Australia.

[@joebroke76]

That was quite the turn! Just got my official "Crusing the Cut" hat today! Love it!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Excellent! I'm pleased to hear that 👍👍

[@cachecow]

Drive it like you stole it! Turns on a dime!

[@Tex1947]

Great VLOG David, but too hot for you is what we call balmy in Texas.

[@dr.jamesolack8504]

Great upload! First timer here, watching from Columbia, Missouri. Thanks for the relaxing trip on the canals that I never knew existed until today. Such beautiful countryside! Will definitely be back for more. Have a nice weekend, Dave. Best regards. Jim😉

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you and welcome along!

[@k8eekatt]

What a generous loan! I just love the wrought iron leaves on the back.

[@marksavage1108]

I see a boat sitting career about to start. Reviews on the boat for your channel as well, a win win.

[@johninokla2635]

I had forgotten how much I enjoyed your vids. Thanks for this one David.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks John

[@davidpiper3652]

Nice to be able to watch you cruise again.

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

A very nice boat AND a fun video. Thanks David!

[@stephenhayes6133]

Great to see you on the helm again. Thank you David for sharing a great video.

[@robsin2810]

Just awesome David. So good to have you back on the cut. Even for just a week.🙏🇦🇺👍

[@brianjrichman]

Good vid. Miss your boating vids as your style is perfect for it. Looking forward to parts 2 and 3.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Coming soon!

[@BdManus]

That was some mighty fine driving, I would have hit everything. Great video.

[@TechyBen]

Hey! That's the route I travelled! :D We are a "nice" bunch here... if you spell "nice" as "weird". :P Those houses with moorings looked wonderful. And the cats at the loch were very helpful! (Wait, no cats? I'll have to insta you the pics) 16:29 that was the spot my oil cap broke off and sprayed oil everywhere, so my engine belts slipped, overheated, made me panic... and I managed to limp to me real moorings eventually though. Thankfully, I'd "broken down" next to a boat being repaired. XD

[@JeghedderThomas]

What a lovely interiour - open and light. Nice to see you putterin' about the waterways again.

[@vadmal5210]

Nice to join you on the waters again

[@darrenwilson8042]

Classic Cruising the Cut Content - alliteration alert lol - so relaxing and interesting

[@wacholder5690]

Nothing unlearned. Video as good as we were used to - and flawless (so far) boat operation. What more to wish ? Thanks for sharing !

[@soundhobo]

What a splendid place to cruise. That turn was a tad buttock clenching but deftly handled, I doff my cap to you sir 👍

[@glencrandall7051]

It's good to be on the water with you again. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.🙂🙂

[@sheepdog1102]

Great to see and hear you back on a boat!

[@cm_baroque3043]

Cruising with the one of the best narrators - lovely when ending a day's work.

[@philippankhurst6680]

Wonderful to have you back on a boat and going somewhere. Brilliant !

[@thomask.8533]

Mate, stop kidding yourself. You are meant to do this! Greetings from Brisbane, Qld.

[@adrianheywood]

Aaaand relax. Always good to see you David - let alone when you're out on the water. :)

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you, Adrian.

[@carolleenkelmann4751]

What a lovely video, David. Like old times. Thankyou. Aren't you lucky. Boating down such a large ditch in a really lovely narrow boat. Feeling a bit sorry now you ditched yours, or should I say, canaled ? I never knew Englands waterways were so diverse. Imagine what England must have been like in the olden days before these drainage systems were made. - "Milk and water"? Maybe it's something to do with "milk and honey." or just plain cows (dairy farms) and water.

[@Matthew.L]

glad to see a crusing vlog. Missed these!

[@GaryB007]

Good to see you back doing what you do best. Cruising videos.

[@JR90.]

That turn had me worried... watching from the comfort of my sofa!!

[@meleshawilliams5073]

That 90° turn was something else, glad you made it through

[@ozziepilot2899]

That right hand turn just demonstrated how a professional narrow boater like you handles it :) Looking forward to the next instalment as always , thanks again David .

[@660einzylinder]

I love Fenland drains, but then I work for an IDB! I've been doing a lot of work for the EA at Salters Lode this summer, and have been helping Paul the lock keeper putting boats on and out of the tidal Ouse. It makes a change to see my neck of the woods on CTC.

[@CruisingTheCut]

👍

[@Dstew57A]

This was lovely..I miss cruising the cut…especially the shows in the winter when you would sit inside with the fire on and just chat about anything..fascinating tidbit about Canute.

[@williamericwakeman1234]

Lovely to see you cruising upon the canals…er, ditch again. Looking forward to day 2.

[@thomasfrench2012]

I was very much looking forward to this, and I wasn't disappointed.

[@todmills]

I really like the arrangement of that boat. A wonderful video, thanks!

[@kevinbarry3380]

Very enjoyable, liked the nonchalant way you turned a near mishap into a perfect turn at the 90% bend. CynthiaB

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you kindly!

[@olpepaw4747]

Hello David from a fan in SW Louisiana!! I miss ya being on the boat all the time but I'm loving the docu -vids!! Have a good one...and CHEERIO Old bean lol

[@MrLangDog]

That is a crazy turn for a 57 footer, WOW!!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Yup!!

[@MrSheckstr]

Tokyo Drift has nothing on Our humble history

[@lancecluster]

@@CruisingTheCut Nice job on that turn. Wow.

[@eveb446]

Wow! that was a very tight turn you made there. Beautiful scenery too. Thank you for sharing.

[@jcderby129]

Lovely stuff as always... Beautiful scenery too

[@AlisonAZ]

How wonderful! Thank you for sharing this with us. It's good to see you have water to cruise on.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you enjoyed it!