285A The most unusual narrowboat cruise I've ever been on (Part 1 of 2)

I was invited to take part in a trip that very few narrowboats are able to enjoy, along the "Cambridge Backs" - the river Cam running through all the historic university colleges. For most of the year the waterway is forbidden to powered craft but in winter, with permission, you can take a narrowboat. The trip is in two parts, this being the first is the voyage from Ely to Cambridge; part 2 is the trip along the Backs themselves.
See Part 1, the Backs themselves, at • 285B The narrowboat ri...
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[@ScholarGypsyOx]

Thank you very much for this, David - it was a great day!

[@CruisingTheCut]

It certainly was and thank you indeed for the kind invite!

[@perhennung]

Listening to David is like listening to a poet reading a beautiful poem. Thank you very much! 🤗

[@darrinpennington]

He really is a great story teller isnt he?

[@teholmes7444]

Oh David. You cannot imagine how wonderful this vlog is. 6 years ago I persuaded my then 28-year old daughter to come with me on a narrowboat for 6 days. We'd never been on a boat but had lived near Birmingham and spent many hours on towpaths. We cruised the exact route you took. Ely down towards Cambridge. All the places on your video brought back such joyful memories. We moored at the EA in Little Thetford, filled up with water at the Five Miles From Anywhere Pub on the way back. We stopped at Baits Bite Lock because there was a rowing regatta in the Cam and I was scared of taking a 57 foot narrowboat in amongst them and casing devastation. Taking that narrowboat without any mishaps is one of the things I am proudest of in my life. I love your vlogs. Many, many thanks.

[@CruisingTheCut]

😀😀

[@MargaretLeber]

I'm tickled that simply not owning a narrowboat has not ended David's wonderful cruising videos!

[@NeverlandSystemZor]

I LOVE to see another cruising video- even if it's not your lovely boat. What a wonderful exploration you've shared. Thank you so much for continuing these sorts of videos, too, even post-boat life. :)

[@hubnut100]

David , I have to say that Cruising the cut is by far my favourite narrowboat channel and to see you have an episode from my usual Sunday walk with my son by Ely river is the icing on the cake!🙂

[@altowatts1325]

As soon as you said, "A Very Blustery Day" I was instantly transported back to The Thousand Acre Woods of my early childhood. Winnie The Pooh 🧸 and Tigger 🐅 too. Good memories and a great cruise 👍🏾.

[@andyrbush]

Breakfast and a cozy stove, watching the rain through the windows. I'd take a nap after that. I really enjoy vicariously traveling with you and listening to your narrations.

[@hectordelvalle4428]

It is always a pleasure David to see you on your on going adventures. Very comforting, be safe and enjoy.

[@tweaker1968]

As a Brit who grew up in Buckinghamshire but left England in the 80's it is always a pleasure to watch your videos and enjoy the beautiful countryside..... The rain is just an added treat....

[@filmntvguy1977]

I’d say the narration is the ultimate pleasure

[@tomcole7688]

David, never mind the trolls, a two-part video extends my enjoyment! As a resident of the US southwestern desert, I love seeing the rain clouds and hearing the water sounds. A beautifully presented trip! Thanks for continuing to provide these informative videos of an amazing country. - From your eternal fan, Tom

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cheers Tom 😀

[@dancarter482]

MOST important to protect the camera lens from anything other than delightful temp's as the glass could contract and cause an explosion - best kept by the stove! Quite astonishing to consider this is reaching a Worldwide audience; thank you for sharing.

[@adrianheywood]

I've been a keen follower of yours for several years now David. And this film exemplifies why; it truly is food for the soul. One can feel the lifting of weight and the lowering of blood pressure as the story unfolds. Perhaps being 4,000 miles away piques overly romantic notions of drifting through the English waterways on a sunny-then-rainy-then-sunny-again-day, but you do such an excellent job of documenting and narrating same; it is irresistible. Looking forward to part 2. Thanks for all you do.

[@ukadventurecycling2740]

PTSD induced insomnia again so relaxing listening to normality and calmness. Thanks!!!

[@dorothydotson7154]

Lovely to see Jo and George!

[@hughs591]

Lovely film and most nostalgic for me as I spent much time in my formative years cruising that part of the Ouse and Cam. It’s fascinating to see that the locks are now mechanised, back in the day the gates, including the guillotines, had to be wound by hand. Sometimes the winding points for the latter were at ground level but on the older versions there was a ladder to a bridge across the guillotine frame and it was from up there that the winding had to be done. NB, if you take the other fork at Pope’s Corner, towards St Ives, there is a lovely pub, The Three Jolly Butchers, with its own overnight landing stage and a boardwalk through the reeds which leads to the pub itself . . .

[@jayoneill1533]

Ahh, back on the water with David as our guide, life is good. 😊

[@for.tax.reasons]

2:55 the choppiness of the water sounds so good! Rivals the burbling brooks even

[@eyeswideopen627]

Thank you David for braving the weather to bring us great entertainment. Take a cheese sandwich out of petty cash.

[@evantighe696]

I was having a bit of a rough day, but when I got into bed I saw this video. It really lifted my mood watching it. Thanks for another great video David!

[@OGCrypto33]

Can't wait for part 2

[@SciencePotli]

Big ❤️ Amazing & beautiful sharing friend. Stay safe and healthy 💐💐💐

[@mellissadalby1402]

Hi David! I was in Cambridge, UK (for work) only just a few years back. When the local office folks took us for a walk, we did go over a canal or creek. I know not which one, it was nearly dark by then (at the end of the day, after work of course). Hi George the dog! My roommate's dog Sammy used to love ball (he's a bit long in the toot h ow) When he had the ball, he took the attitude, "no take, only throw", so we always needed to bring along 2 balls to keep the game going. I do appreciate your cruising videos. I get to enjoy some of the beauty and charm of Narrow boating, with none of the fuss or bother from the comfort of my own couch. Thank you kindly.

[@squarewheelsorguk]

My dad used to partake in group walks from Cambridge to Ely with fellow members of the university; those who had not brought lunch with them would be in difficulty, for the towpath is the wrong side for buying food. On several such occasions he stripped to his underwear, swam across to the Fish and Duck public house, and returned being careful to keep their orders aloft and thus dry as he swam!

[@dennislindenpellinge]

What beautiful landscapes! 😄👍💚

[@stevepettifer4896]

As a kid I lived in Longstanton and fished the cam, often at Bottisham and Baits Bite locks, as well as throughout the town too. It was absolutely Baltic in winter with the winds whipping through and I remember well struggling through the Fens on my bike, loaded with fishing gear into what always seemed to be a headwind. Never put us off though! Used to be great bream and pike fishing in those days, and doubtless still is.

[@SuperDavensuziyoutub]

You ever featured my mate, Nick Sanders? He holds the world distance record for taking two Narrow Boats from Wales to the Black Sea. Although one of em sunk enroute!😱

[@mervace]

That was a very British day out, cruising on the river🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@5argetech56]

I always get a comforting feeling watching your videos! Anxiously waiting for Part 2!

[@bonniewills2814]

What a lovely surprise that was! After you left the lock, I was keeping an eye open for Perseverance, and there she was! I hope Jo gets time to edit more videos now that Michael is so busy. Thank you for continuing cruising, even though it's with other people. Maybe you, Jo and George and go out for a day sometime soon - that's a video I'd enjoy watching, regardless of where you go. And, along with everyone else here, I'm looking forward to part two 🙂

[@brianlopez8855]

Good to see you out and about again David. Thanks for taking us with you.

[@kooral6959]

I love this video, you went through my village, even though you didn’t show it, you passed my friends boat and my uncles boat. It’s nice when these videos are at home.

[@guzz1jon]

Thanks, I needed that. Just the thing to watch on a cold winter night. I am moving to Hemingford Abbotts soon, right next to the River Great Ouse, so I have pencilled that trip in for myself.

[@paulpaxtop1580]

Thanks David, brings back memories of doing this trip in a smelly hire boat years ago, wide skies, a beautiful river. Took ages to get through those locks but Cambridge and Ely made wonderful destinations.

[@davidpettitt4712]

I am officially homesick. I grew up fishing the Cam. Moved to Ely when I got married and used to take boat trips on the river just as you have filmed. I live a long way from there now (Western Australia) but still consider myself a light blue and forever a son of Cambridgeshire. Thank you for this video.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cheers

[@catherineatkins7908]

What an unexpected surprise to see Jo and George!

[@grahammonk8013]

When David said he was going by Cambridge, I knew they had planned to move there for Michael's studies. Because of that, spotting George trotting along was not a surprise. But a welcome meeting all the same.

[@robinblackmoor8732]

When I was a child we had cousins that lived a bit further up the road from my house. They had like a a second house in the basement, with a kitchen, bedrooms, toilet, electricity, the whole works. The heat was from a fire place. Real actual fire just makes you feel warmer and more cozy on a cold New England winter's day.

[@christopherisherwood4967]

Back in the 1980s, my boss at Cambridge City Council had a narrow boat, the 'Raleigh'. Each summer, he would take her down the River Cam, the Great Ouse, and across The Wash to cruise the waterways of England and Wales. On his return at the end of summer, he would return to Cambridge and the River Cam, facing upstream. One of his professional roles was as Engineer to the River Cam Conservators and, as such, he was permitted to take 'Raleigh' through Jesus Green Lock and along The Backs, in order to 'wind' (turn) 'Raleigh' in The Millpond; a very restricted space. I was fortunate to be on board one lunchtime, when this operation was undertaken. It had been arranged that the Millpond sluices would be opened, and turning 'Raleigh' involved running her at full revs., directly at the sluices. Just when I was convinced that we would hit the sluice-gates, a deft hand at the helm ensured that the full force of the flow from the sluices hit 'Raleigh' just to one side of her bows, and we spun round, as neatly as you like, on a sixpence! Years of experience at the helm were evident in that moment!

[@ScholarGypsyOx]

Thanks - that's interesting. Since then the locks on the Middle Level have been lengthened so that narrow boats don't have to go to sea -- though some still do of course.

[@sandbankbadger7579]

Welcome to Cambridge. I'm moored up on the council mooring by the lock. The crusty river cruiser Kianna

[@dennyporter2447]

What a great cruise! Absolutely beautiful and really cool powered locks.. Thanks David from Missouri USA..

[@travelswithbilbo7526]

Probably your best title to date

[@jcderby129]

Oh David, The lengths you go to to keep us entertained, braving that deluge from inside- my cap would be doffed if i were wearing one!😀

[@CruisingTheCut]

Hahaha I know! What a trooper I am 🤣

[@jacquelinedumas9617]

I love following along on google map satellite view. Maybe one day I will cross the pond to visit your part of the world. Thank you so much for sharing your travels

[@nickpapagiorgio5056]

I absolutely love cruising the cut videos! Thank you so much for making these lovely videos still David! I binge watched 3 seasons over the course of 2 weeks on Amazon prime recently and now I’m obsessed with the UK canal and river system narrow boat culture!

[@LunaTicThomas]

Thank you for this most relaxing video. Beautiful landscapes

[@beachman8106]

Great video! I left UK in 1965, but hope to visit again before I shuffle off this mortal coil. Cambridge Uni is on my bucket list. Greetings from Mornington, Victoria 🇦🇺.

[@LawrenceBroussard]

You get lunch and we get to wait, lol!

[@GB-re7ty]

Setting the standard for film and narration, David conquers both.

[@TrogART]

The Fish & Duck used to have a Pub there hence the name, it was an all wooden construction so flooding eventually was the downfall, quite a few years back I used to stick a dingy in at Ely and trundle to the pub for there Sunday lunch, it was a strange pub with a huge collection of books to wile away the afternoon.

[@off.grider]

The aptly named ( FISH AND DUCK MARINA ) originally had a pub there called ( THE FISH AND DUCK ).

[@grayfool]

More happy memories for me. I've many a happy day in Ely, a lovely town. Really nice to see the wonderful Cambs countryside. Thanks David and Simon.

[@Simon_Nonymous]

One of your best titles so far!

[@zaven2110]

There actually used to be a pub at the Fish and Duck Marina years ago (that's where it got the name from, it used to just be called Popes Corner Marina). I must have been around 9 or 10 years old when they knocked it down, and I remember it being in quite poor condition for a good few years before that. But I still have many happy memories living and growing up at that marina!

[@mitchellminer9597]

Thank you, David, for making this video. I once got to go punting on the Backs of Cambridge. I walked on down and looked at the river that went away from Cambridge, and thought I'd never see where it went. I just did, and in the best way possible. Looking forward to the next part.

[@Psychopathic-tendencies0121]

I live in Worcester and I love your videos and everything you do for the community ❤️👍

[@meanqueensuperscrimper8908]

Hello David. The scenery along that stretch of water looks lovely. Makes me want to get out and explore. I shall be glad when spring arrives. ilona

[@petetibbs6103]

David, my compliments to you for protecting the camera and still filming.

[@SebastianPatten]

I used to live a few mins from here. Waterbeach! Now in Canada. Love to England!

[@MarcelEling]

Nice that you filmed from the inside too:)

[@jillosler9353]

Thank you for taking me down memory lane! Looking forward to Part 2.

[@davidsneddon8508]

Jut like old times a wonderful informative video as usual, I miss you’re cruising videos

[@randyw2539]

Excellent, as always. I'm looking forward to seeing Cambridge by narrowboat. Not something I ever expected to see!

[@celiaty5814]

GREAT to see the new cruising video David!! Anxious for Part 2. Always look forward to your adventures. 😊✌️

[@ScholarGypsyOx]

No need to be anxious ....

[@AlexJCooperuk]

Thanks David for another great video. The first of a river i know rather well, having rowed on it for a number of years. This would have been filmed during my first or second year at the university, as currently both baits bite and Jesus lock are currently closed due to movement of the islands. apparently.

[@shirleylynch7529]

Fab. Look forward to park 2. Thank you.

[@kaekae4010]

I love these videos I find them very relaxing. Beautiful shots and stunning views. Thanks.

[@wattsonboard6931]

How lovely to see Jo, George and Perseverance during your voyage.

[@fro88man]

I love cambridge. did a summer archaeology program for my undergraduate degree in the US. They put me in touch with people at UCL where I ended up doing my master's degree

[@susanmarker2164]

Always so enjoyable...still enjoying your humor... Very nice vlog your Captain was certainly brave and must have gotton soaked,, was so nice to see Jo and George..I was just wondering if they might be around somewhere.. Thanks as always..😊

[@ScholarGypsyOx]

I didn't get soaked. The crew did! They seemed to enjoy themselves, though...

[@Richardj410]

Thank you sir, I have always enjoyed your videos and I'm glad you continue to do so.

[@jab9694]

Thank you so much. This video was so beautiful and relaxing. Thanks for making the sacrifice, staying inside and dry to video your day for us!

[@Alastair510]

I'm very familiar with that stretch of water, spent 2 years training (kayak racing) on it. The river looked relatively high. It is a dreadfully shallow ditch in summer. The backs are odd. There is actually a towpath, on the right as you go upstream. It is stone, below the surface. The story says that the colleges didn't want a towpath visible. So it was built below the surface.

[@ScholarGypsyOx]

The Backs were actually 9-12 inches below normal level - at the end of the video you can see there is practically no water coming over the weir. I suspect the automatic sluices were misbehaving. As part of the crew briefing I show them a photo of a horse wading up the middle of the river, on the stone path, towing a barge to the Mill.

[@iankemp1131]

I remember a group of us walking from Cambridge to Ely along the towpath, a very enjoyable day. A couple of miles from Ely we encountered a herd of cows which appeared to include at least one unfriendly-looking bull. We didn't feel like going 18 miles back so we fixed him with a firm gaze and walked through. He didn't chase us.

[@myoldtractorshed]

Thank you always enjoys your videos. Scott

[@okbanlon]

Very nice! I would love to sit by the fire and watch the rain while cruising, but I wouldn't want to be the guy standing out in it driving the boat.

[@ScholarGypsyOx]

As someone once said, there's no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing.

[@craigmarr7986]

Nobody makes as good a narrowboat video as you do David.

[@lucindawilson5510]

thanks so much 0nce again always interesting.Rain and all ha ha he he Bless you

[@bobm5500]

Your commentary still makes for a relaxing and informative journey . You simply have the gift of the gab .

[@charlesjordan8364]

David, you need to hold a poll of your viewer's favorite vlogs. My top 3 are 26, 161, and 96. And a bonus of #1. You are the best. Thank you.

[@pamcullen537]

Hi David, still missing our life of continual cruising but living vacariously through you- love and thanks 🦆💕

[@CruisingTheCut]

:-)

[@tonybirdwell2624]

Very much looking forward to seeing your next video.

[@barbaralamson7450]

You are such a delight.

[@Vegathlete]

A beautiful and interesting cruise start (George included). A breath of brisk air and commentary once again! Thank-you and may you have a happy and prosperous new year!

[@bensboatbramble]

I really liked the shots of the head on waves, quite hypnotic. I look forward to the next part

[@grenvillephillips6998]

Nicely done Old Chap, nicely done!

[@karenmills6459]

Wow what a great journey , can't wait for the next instalment. So nice to hear your voice. Hope you are happy and healthy XXX

[@franktuckwell196]

I have had summer holidays in such weather. Great vlog.

[@donaldroberts6452]

Thank you. Reminded me of leisure days cruising down the river enjoying nature and good company

[@davehollingworth5537]

Thanks - still very much enjoying your vlogs!

[@donotwantahandle1111]

It's great to be next to a wood heater when its raining outside!

[@James_Innes]

Looking forward to your journey to the Backs in the future.

[@philippankhurst6680]

Brilliant film of a yesteryear journey I've done few times - it always rained and on one May occasion it snowed. Never been beyond Jesus in a powered craft, so I look forward to that. Your touch is far from lost - still the best in the business...

[@marilynpease8782]

As always wonderfully entertaining.

[@jerrymiller276]

Those blustery winds on the water made me get up and put on a sweater.

[@stephensaines7100]

Wonderful!

[@ianmillard1604]

Nice to see my local lock! I love just down the road from Bait's Bite lock, lovely walk down the river

[@williammillard687]

Great surname!!

[@philhodgkinson1460]

Ely is lovely......

[@matteames8337]

Still the BEST canal boat channel.

[@davidsheriff8989]

Great journey..nicely filmed....

[@jacquelineryde7339]

Great to see and do looking forward to the next Vlog. We will starting out from Ely when become constant cruisers next year x