276. Narrowboating from Whittlesey to March on the Middle Level Navigations

[@amwood7076]

It feels wonderful hearing your voice again talking about and filming the uk canals. I hadn't realized how much I loved the timber of your voice. Its like listening to an old old friend. I mean that with the utmost respect. I'm in the USA recovering from some surgery now but have been a subscriber for for or five years and can say without regret that ive watch every video you've made.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you 😊

[@andyukh1625]

Wow, just found this vlog, you passed our favourite overnight soirée spot when we come up from march just before the Meridian line marker. My mate Lee & Deb run the Knightsbridge marina. And thank you for liking my small narrowboat Tig ( my pride and joy) as you come to the centre of March……….. love your vlogs, keep up the good work 👏🏽

[@CruisingTheCut]

😀😀😀

[@57thorns]

It is a very nice little boat.

[@howardlockhart3615]

The long straight bits aren’t boring, they are “relaxing”. Another great tour, looking forward to the return trip.

[@narrowboateverafter]

I agree, I enjoyed the straights

[@sarabaldeschwieler7763]

I remember being on a slow and much diverted train for Nottingham in the winter, and when the guard announced " We'll shortly be arriving in March" the inevitable raised voice called out, "It was December when we set off!" I'm liking the throwback cruising videos, and hoping the house purchase is going OK!

[@bassemier]

As an American Midwestener I was quite tickled by your "Field of Dreams" reference. Going to the UK and riding on a narrow boat is on my bucket list. Cheerio!

[@rgarlinyc]

Another relaxing float-along - The fens have long been a place I longed to visit; quiet and peaceful. Even overcast skies don't spoil things. That's what fens are for, you might say. You are very good at crafting these journeys; thank you!

[@adrianheywood]

^agreed. 100%

[@chamo2240]

I was browsing through the presentations on KZbin when I came up on this episode of narrow boats. All progress stopped. I was going to mow the lawn & other chores, but I found this. The kids started haranguing me about getting stuff done before it got too hot to work (southern Louisiana in August. Yesterday was a 101°F or 38°C). I answered that I was watching a new narrow boat vlog. Dead silence. Suddenly,I feel breathing down my neck & turn to see both of them watching intently. Whenever you make one of these videos, all progress stops as your devoted southern US fans watch with almost religious fervor.

[@CruisingTheCut]

What a charming scene! 👍

[@eikofisser8171]

I don't write a lot of comments, but to cruising the cut I can only say fantastic! In these increasingly crazy times, watching something normal is fun, Chapeau!! Greetings from Germany!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you

[@johnmccallum5465]

I vote this channel as Number 1 in attracting nice people! Such positivity is healthy and catching.

[@CruisingTheCut]

That's because I delete any abuse! 🤣

[@NoelBarlau]

Over a decade ago we did the transatlantic crossing on the QMII and one of our dinner table companions was a man named Edwin Farrar, a dapper and charming older gentleman. We knew nothing at that time of the canals except for once visiting The Barge Inn on the Kennet and Avon which we stumbled upon during our driving adventures. Now this many years on, we wanted to contact Edwin and see how he was doing, only to discover he's listed on the Neath and Kennet Canals Trust as "Boat Trip Coordinator". I was wondering what that position might entail. It truly is a small world, becoming friends with someone on one of the biggest ships on the water and discovering years later that they hold the same interests as ourselves in some of the smallest ships as well. Really enjoy your videos, I'm so glad you haven't lost interest in the subject. I could watch this all day, it's absolutely zen.

[@sharonmiller6436]

It seems so right to be back cruising with you David. "Thank you" from a Canadian who would dearly love to travel the canals and waterways in Britain. Maybe someday!

[@detroitredneckdetroitredne6674]

Spectacular adventure through the countryside brother thank you for taking us along

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@davidau1x]

I'm awfully glad that third weedwhacker turned up when it did as I had started to get a bit anxious that it may have sunk. Another grat vid. Thanks David! I'm happy that you reached March in August.

[@dhooter]

No idea why but I absolutely love those type of overcast days. Perfect and especially being in England even more perfect.

[@richardflies4905]

katef...not r...d very atmospheric...just discovered there is a mystery book called Bevills Leam (2014) while researching name...sounds like it could be interesting...

[@biggedybiggedybong8032]

Watched this for a second time while relaxing in a hot bath... 👍

[@pdsrenos]

American here, love the videos! I thoroughly enjoy seeing the English country side and the canals look like a great way to travel. Thanks for your hard work and time to put these out!

[@royporter4232]

Mooring within a short instance of a Pub is just what my friends and I always used to look for - bliss !

[@zelphiaellerson6283]

Older American Starburst lover here! I've been a Starburst fan since the 60's. I just looked up the history of Opal fruits! My grandchildren may never forgive you for adding this bit of info to my repertoire!😉

[@CruisingTheCut]

🤣🤣

[@TomTremayne]

I like how, on sensing a train coming, you slammed the boat in reverse, changed the zoom slightly and went back fully under the bridge, hiding the cut in the edit! I taught you well at Maidstone Studios David!

[@artemassteere741]

Cheers from America. The English country side is unparalleled. Thanks for sharing the beauty of it.

[@detroitredneckdetroitredne6674]

👋👋👋👋👋👋hello from Detroit Michigan brother thank you for taking us on your adventure

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks for watching!

[@grayfool]

Oh to be back in March. I lived near there and worked in the town for nearly ten years. I still have some very good friends in the area with whom I stay in email contact from my little corner of the tropics. You're right about the wind, there is a lot of it in the fens. I feel a little homesick now. . .

[@miked2662]

I do love the overcast weather, having been born and raised in Florida, the overbearing sun grows old. Enjoyable video, per the norm. 👌🏻

[@katherinekinnaird4408]

You have a great aptitude for KZbin narration. I keep thinking " he probably misses his own boat. I'm happy to see you on the canals again. Stay safe from Bakersfield California USA where there is little water left.

[@ukadventurecycling2740]

ive said this before. you really help me to sleep, and i mean no offence. I got diagnosed with PTSD, epilepsy and became a single parent all in the same month. Its nice to hear without having to look. Then the next day watch the video properly. Thanks.

[@CruisingTheCut]

👍

[@jackkreighbaum783]

You do manage (as always) to keep the "boring" interesting. Looking forward to all your content.

[@mobrien98]

Pillboxes were a common sight during my childhood holidays in Lincolnshire, along with old anti-air emplacements (with the guns removed, thankfully). It was nice seeing them here. Great video as usual, looking forward to the next one!

[@narrowboateverafter]

Ashline was my very first lock when I bought Ever After from Ramsey, well first lock ever! there is a mooring the other side of Whittlesea. its private but they let me stay there the first night. You were the first boat Vlogger I watched and now I'm living full time on my own boat in Northamptonshire.

[@georgehorning7027]

I have missed your resonant voice and patient, pertinent commentary. Please consider doing more of these.

[@CruisingTheCut]

I hope to, it depends on having a boat...

[@gillgregory6327]

@@CruisingTheCut you’re welcome to come out on a trip with me. You could feature how I use my remote control as a solo boater on my new Hybrid boat. Runner up favourite boat in show at Crick this year!

[@CruisingTheCut]

That would be very interesting, Gillm thank you

[@zapfanzapfan]

Remote control for driving the boat into locks while not on the boat? That sounds awesome!

[@JohnSmith-yv6eq]

@@zapfanzapfan Much like shunter trains in marshalling yards in New Zealand...are remote controlled. Only embarrassing if you lose the connection or look the wrong way and send it off the end of a roll on roll off ferry wharf bridge....

[@briangesc]

I love how his videos are a perfect balance of beautiful, funny and informative. So sad the cruise is almost over

[@CruisingTheCut]

There'll be others, one day

[@nofider1]

Ha ha. Love the field of dreams reference. So tranquil even if it is windy. :-)

[@rogerblackwood8815]

It certainly is a nice treat to have a slow cruise along some new waterways with you again, Thanks.

[@Lego6980]

14:12 Well done Middle level Waterman’s club! I’ll raise a glass to them later on

[@drindajacobs5278]

It is so good to see you on a narrowboat again, i miss you telling me about what we are seeing. Take care

[@robinnicholson4009]

Enjoyed this gentle film.The wind reminded me of the day I took the motor from Lincoln to Boston and back, in a day for a fund raising marathon.and boy! It was windy!! I did not stop at all until back at the Pie Wipe at Saxilby, so I was very hungry!!

[@vickieragle4130]

Oh what great entertainment to be able to go along on this new adventure. Thanks for taking us along! Cheers

[@lockedin60]

David that is one thing about the UK that I really like is they seem to respect and treat with a great deal of reverence older buildings that were a significant part of history (the pillboxes). I know the younger generation may not understand their significance but us older people do,

[@DiscoFang]

Kinda funny the reference to the pillboxes as "older buildings", but understandable to see them that way. The appearance and the notion of them does seem old but they're from the start of the same era as mid-century modern.

[@billcarroll986]

I've been enjoying the channels new direction, but am glad you've left room for the vintage cruising vlogs that got so many of us hooked on the channel. It's a pleasant surprise. Snippets of railway action and WW2 history...two of my other hobbies, was a nice bonus. I also learned about Opal Fruits. Growing up on the American side of pond, I only ever knew them as Starburst, and never realized it was a UK brand that made its way over here. I'll be sure to tuck that in my useless trivia bag :)

[@EBaker0129]

Although all videos on narrowboating are interesting. Yours have always been the best. Keep up the good work!

[@survivor536]

I love how you remarked when nearing the end of your video about mooring near a pub, You sounded a little annoyed at the prospects of pub patrons making noise in the evening...but secretly your anticipating a night of guzzling beer and telling stories of the grand adventures of your journeys as a past narrow-boater to pub patrons...lol...You should do a video on Pubs along the Narrow Boating Routes...Would love to see the variety of pubs and what they have to offer in spiritual refreshment and also the history of the pubs as well... I think it would make a great video to watch. :)

[@CruisingTheCut]

I already did one, see earlier on my channel!

[@jeffebdy]

Your vlog titles never fail to bring a smile, sometimes even a chuckle. Another great video, oozing with nostalgia for a way of life I've yet to experience!

[@penneynoss9552]

Hi David, it looks like you haven’t lost your boat driving ability. The water and trees were dancing around but the boat didn’t seem to notice 😁.

[@allenatkins2263]

I'm glad a few pill boxes are still around, we need reminders of the not so distant past.

[@77funtomas]

Keep doing your work sir. I know it costs both effort and money, but the outcome is superb. Relaxing, peaceful etc... Using your words "Kudos to You". Thank You!

[@Amileo350]

What lovely iron fret work on the stern. There has been a lot of well known vloggers doing these local waters and I enjoy everyone of them.

[@duncan9058]

Nice to see you on the water! Those wind turbines are a hideous blot on the landscape, such a shame. Love the videos.

[@basementracer]

I really look forward to your cancal videos, you do it so well it makes them an absolute pleasure to watch.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you

[@nicolegreen3292]

Thanks again for another great video! I travel around March and Whittlesey by car a lot but have never seen it by canal, so it was a real treat to see it as you are boating around. Great professional videos!x

[@erfrulla]

I do so miss your cruising videos. You have such a talent for making what would seem mundane interesting

[@juliehaddock3736]

😸 It's been a rough day at work so far 😣 looking forward to watching this when I get home! 😊

[@johnphillips4228]

Good camera work and a British voice almost like a BBC documentary. Love being on the water myself.

[@mattevans-koch9353]

Although blustery, this as a very pleasant video to watch David. Thank you for hanging in there despite the gloomy skies.

[@nigellucas560]

Just adding my comment to the others saying it’s great to hear from you on a boat.

[@johngriswold]

Nice to have you out on the water again.

[@urbanrider429]

Great to see you back cruising,we all miss the old days

[@Andrew-xs1sg]

Great to see the good old fens again and also hear your voice. Sad to see the state of the March moorings. There are even lower bridges to find!

[@onefunnyoldman]

Thank you David, the memories of your , back in the day, vlogs came flooding back. Love your style of narration, so lovely to listen to and watch. Yes opal fruits, made to make your mouth water. Marathon, not Snickers is another one, grrrrr. Best wishes

[@caz-nbgalatea1528]

A well documented vlog of the Middle Level navigation. Such a shame as It could be a lovely system only if they were to tidy it up and sort out the town moorings! We see there has been some more mooring poles put in since we were last there but as you say…. Still Very limited on moorings. Will look forward to the next episode!!!

[@johnmcmillen8263]

I like that for the benefit of your viewers, you coordinated carefully with an engineer of a train to pass overhead at just the perfect moment for a perfect shot!

[@quentint8742]

A leme/ leam is the wheel or handle by which a ship is steered. Or rudder . Mortons leam was named after bishop Morton of Ely who had it cut to aid steerage between Peterborough and Wisbech. There was an existing Chanel used to drain water from the fens that he straightened

[@JohnSmith-yv6eq]

@aswer huio In a previous query along the same lines david said: CruisingTheCut 1 day ago Not sure what you’d have me say, there are some parts of the network that are low on water in the reservoirs so restrictions are in place.

[@mat5726]

aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh bliss David on a narrowboat droll observations about goose poo and a dodgy Daily Mirror Type Pun title everything is just right!

[@craigwelcometochaos8462]

I can listen to you for hours thanks for the awesome video's

[@lesleygascoyne7428]

Thank you David. Loved the reference to Field of Dreams. It did look like those fields. Missed the cheese sandwiches though.

[@nsein001]

Please thank the owners of the boat for us. It is great to see your travels again. Thank you for taking the opportunity to make these videos.

[@RobMartin1ds]

I watch these to relax and be informed. Objectives met, thanks again …..

[@gregbolitho9775]

Hmm, interesting new words for me to learn. Leam a gleam of light : radiance. Pills maybe an historical site, so the gov wants to much moneta to knock'm over, or renovate'm. Rippa stuff, seein boat from the Middle Level Navigations, looks really good. Nice goin David, thanks m8, stay vertical. Like the tour of you short term live aboard.

[@Renovator26]

Thanks, David. You arrived just in time for my afternoon tea here in Ontario, Canada, so I settled down with my cuppa and a chocolate biscuit (we call them cookies of course) and enjoyed your trip. Bloody awful weather though, but you made it look all so easy. See you next time and I hope the weather improved. John, Ontario, Canada

[@fumbleknit719]

at 12:36 Kudos to you, David--you know how to pronounce it, and that's rare!

[@roryt9751]

I was up that way in August/September last year fishing with my friend and the moorings next to the Health Centre bridge were in a state of disrepair back then, sad to see that nothing has been done to rectify this a year down the line. On a brighter note I really enjoyed watching this…nice to see the Fens from a Narrowboat perspective as opposed to one of sitting on the bank staring at the tip of a float all day!

[@TechyBen]

It's worse. The council are "making a new pedestrian route" which included demolishing the actual facilities (public loos and boaters eslan/water supply). They are literally demolishing existing services, and letting everything else fall into the water, except for that one landing spot. :(

[@CruisingTheCut]

Seriously? They're demolishing the facilities?

[@roryt9751]

@@TechyBen that’s not good to hear, you’d think perhaps that the Council may have been able to make a new footpath in addition to maintaining existing facilities, I guess the treasury department of the local council clearly thinks otherwise.

[@TechyBen]

@@CruisingTheCut Yep. Library had some officials giving out flyers with a big banner showing what the town centre would look like. I never got a word in, cos everyone was already saying how stupid it was to remove the roads and the facilities, for a couple of extra benches to be put in. Also the council chatted with the marinas, but are still removing the facilities. The waterways here (Middle Marsh), don't run those particular ones, and IIRC don't have any except the actual locks and moorings... so people will have to use the Marina, or throw it overboard! :O

[@Hayes955]

I always enjoy your uploads. Thanks for putting in the time.

[@doctorpc4x4]

Another great video. Superb timing on the rail bridge. Angle corner great shows river height and drone. Looking forward to the next one. Interesting to see the pillboxes

[@paulhudson9129]

March my home town. Its great to see people enjoying the water ways not just sat fishing. Close to where you moored up in March was close to where as kid we swam and canoed. thanks for the video.

[@t1n4444]

Good stuff as usual David and excellent as a recce vid. Cheers.

[@dennislindenpellinge]

What a wonderful video ! Thank you ! 👍

[@pfalzgraf7527]

It is nice to see someone - in this case the iconic cut-cruiser David - have a cruise in the fens so relatively shortly after Perseverance did this bit (and is doing it again, going to Cambridge). I always find it a good thing to have several viewpoints and stories told about the same stretch. It kind of familiarizes a watcher with these places. Looking forward to your way back!

[@marjoriejohnson6535]

Minimalist did it last year. But you reminded me to go back and visit their trip. Hopefully. They will be crusing again.

[@andynightingale7335]

Ah, great to be with David on the water again. Lovely.

[@neillambton4065]

Hi David, good to see you doing another boating blog. Seeing as you`re in March, did you see Fox boats, they have a hire fleet. I went there one day, while working in Huntingdon, i could`nt believe how narrow the canal was. Looking forward to part 2 of this vlog,

[@Tex1947]

Very enjoyable David. I would probably pull a Suez and get a boat crossways in those narrow waters but I could teach you how to rope those mooring post🤠

[@zapfanzapfan]

Good timing with the train going over the bridge as you passed! The landscape from the drone footage looks quite Dutch... flatter than a pancake 🙂

[@cheshirecat9081]

I find the flat lands fascinating having never viewed them in the flesh.

[@simoncooper8272]

Just one gripe, the middle level was created for drainage of the fens not irrigation as you said, without the "Drains" the fens would be under water! There's considerable shrinkage and heave occurring all over the fens with some areas now considerably bellow sea level, in some sections you will be within dykes and the water level will be higher than the surrounding land! The history of the drains is very interesting, there is a distinct difference from a canal in that there are no tow paths on the many drains as they weren't made for navigation. Thanks for the video.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cheers

[@MissScrappy]

"Some things just are.." My new motto ☺😊😀

[@janeabbotts]

Another really enjoyable vlog....makes the time spent on the exercise bike almost a pleasure... Thank you. Cheers.

[@49commander]

Love your comment about the pillboxes! LOL

[@JohnSmith-yv6eq]

De Fensible Luxury Accomodation...

[@robsin2810]

I do not know what it is about the way you present. It is so relaxing and brings peace. 🙏👍🇦🇺

[@4sstg]

Happy to watch what ever you do.

[@thoughtsonfitness3249]

So glad to see you back on the cut David… you could do commentary on toilet roll manufacturing and I would be totally down with it! Never stop!

[@berniecanada2967]

Watching your videos from the water brings me such great joy. I know of your plans to buy a house and “settle down”, but I do so miss your narrowboat journeys and commentary.

[@Richardj410]

Enjoying this 3 videos. Didn't know about these canals. Thanks

[@jab9694]

We are missing the pretty trees on these drainage waterways but are always glad to watch your adventures. Thank you!

[@rebeccamackey4878]

thank the boat owners for loaning you the boat for us! love your cruising vlogs🥰

[@haroldofcardboard]

i am so gladf youre canal boating again. i have missed your posts.

[@klaernie]

That "wiggle wiggle jiggle jiggle" had me rolling on the floor!

[@joesrvhome]

Just have to say: Loving these videos!

[@paulthew2]

Opal Fruits. Haven't heard that name for years! Thanks, David. Starburst? Pah!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Exactly

[@wendybrealey8368]

And they’ve discontinued the brand in Aus this year - “a difficult decision” and “part of a long term marketing strategy” - pft! But at least a discount chain here, The Reject Shop, is now stocking Taverners mint humbugs 😁

[@JohnSmith-yv6eq]

@@wendybrealey8368 Dittto in New Zealand. Must have been the expensive ingredients cutting into their profits.... that really sucks.............. oh wait....

[@jaysonlima7196]

You know i find myself on the other side of the pond lounged out on my sailboat, beer to hamd, watching you on your barrowed boat, while waiting for huricane season to wind down so I can "race" winter to Florida (or as much a race as possible at 4 to 5 knots) Isn't life great, lol.... Also opal-fruits seems I'm not even close to a right thinking person because I've never heard of them lol.

[@rickkearn7100]

I was a bit down in the brow when CTC didn't post this past weekend, but much and very pleasantly surprised to have a mid-week post, breaking up the drab monotony of the typical weekday YT offerings. Thanks so much CTC! I wonder if the constant wind becomes a bother for you, having to stay on the tiller as it were, and I wonder if ever mosquitoes become a nuisance anywhere in the canal system (not a concern in the wind you dealt with here though). Great post as always, loved the cornfield quip! Cheers.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cheers, very few mosquitoes around, never an issue for me

[@philhall5609]

Great video and beautiful land.!!!!! Thanks for the intertainment

[@rninrvr]

Thanks David, really enjoying these, back on the water, volgs.

[@hectordelvalle4428]

What a wonderful excursion, I really enjoy this outing. Such tranquillity, especially the cruising of the narrowboat. Thank you for sharing, be safe and take care Maranatha.