306. You’ve never seen a convoy quite like this

[@trep53]

That is a serious stretch of water to navigate. Hats off to the organizers, skippers and crews for a great ride. And, of course thank you David for a flawless narration of these two episodes. You have earned your hot tea and a cheese sandwich for sure.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you

[@Transit_Biker]

The large tower you asked about in Westminster is a chimney for the Western pumping station (sewer). This was originally overseen by Joseph Bazalgette, when London’s sewers were upgraded in the 1800’s. It is a very important sewage pumping plant pulling all of the sewerage from west London up about 20 feet then continuing its mucky journey towards the outflow further to the east.

[@ScholarGypsyOx]

I don't think there is any freight traffic above Wandsworth. The west London rubbish barges operate from a terminal there, moving rubbish downriver.

[@andrewdolinskiatcarpathian]

Such a bonkers “fleet”. The Beckton sewerage outflow was the highlight! 🥴😂 Brilliant from start to finish. Thank you David for sharing your adventure. 👏👏👍😎

[@CruisingTheCut]

😀😀

[@gilles111]

14:45, that's the chimney of the Western Pumping House of Thames Water. The building is a pumping station to pump sewage from the west part of London towards the eastern network of the city. As sewage runs down the pipes on gravity, at the point of the pump house, the sewage pipes are below the network of the eastern part of London so it needs to be pumped up into the next part of the network. Pumping house is still working but the old steam boilers are long gone so the chimney is no longer in use.

[@chrisfacey8992]

At 17:04 the church tower next to Putney Bridge is where they filmed the scene when Patrick Troughton had the spike impale him in The Omen. Loved the Pink Floyd reference. Great video as always David.

[@stevenhj3124]

At 14:05 the Thames becomes "flat calm". Much better than "heavy seas". Another nice episode.

[@interdec]

I used to live in Teddington many years ago, with my wife Sue! I used to drive a bakers van but was forced into early retirement after crippling arthritis caused me to lose the use of my hand following a yogurt related incident. The bakery manager forced me out of the job after I dropped too many layer cakes. Nice to see the old lock in this video.

[@psmirage8584]

14:20 Absolutely LOVED the Pink Floyd references. Comfortably Numb is one of my all-time favorite songs. And, of course, the Battersea Power Station from Animals. They just need a flying Pig.

[@TheByard]

Hi David, just remembered I escorted a narrow boat from Lime House to Teddington back in the 1997, they were fully kitted out but rather nervous of taking their boat on the Thame. Like your trip all turned out fine and several weeks later I joined them for coffee near Henley. I was lucky enough to be invited aboard White Marlin moored in St Katheran's dock to celebrate King Charles coronation, the cruise upriver to WM's mooring at Teddington in convoy with other ADLS boats was very enjoyable seeing old sights and lots of new ones. There was a lot of riverside piling and other works going on and wonder if there's something big about to happen. White Marlin spent WWII at Dunkirk and in the Royal Navy on patrol work, after the war she was owned by the CEO of Tate & Lyles shipping fleet, having been refitted by Thorneycroft's her original builders. David great commentary and loved your quips, thanks for posting and reviving old memories.

[@ScholarGypsyOx]

The piling is almost certainly part of the huge Tideway sewer project - a new tunnel under the Thames that will reduce the number of times (during heavy rain) that the combined sewer and storm drain system overflows into the Thames. Lots of stuff on the internet about it.

[@NOELTM]

Loved the nod to Pink Floyd at Battersea - a very enjoyable cruise - thank you!

[@Lego6980]

10:33 Always love these shots where the frame speed makes the helicopters look as though they’re not spinning at all

[@stuartkiy3170]

The square chimney opposite Battersea Power station is western pumping station. My grandad worked there many moons ago.

[@wyverncoch4430]

"Jonathan Livingstone giuded our path," as always, got to love your humor :)

[@BarneyLeith]

I certainly enjoyed all three videos in this series. Fascinating to see so much of the Thames and the riverside buildings, etc. Many thanks.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you like them!

[@sandihandi7831]

David, for the last few years I have been reading nothing but books by British Authors. Mostly police mysteries and I've gotten so much descriptive information about London, the canals, the rivers, etc. It's exciting to get a visual, such as yours, to give me a better picture of what everything looks like in videos. Thank you so much for all you do here on youtube. So enjoy your travels and narratives. Look forward each week for your latest. Thank you so much.

[@janebrown3587]

"Speeding on a narrowboat"! Wheeee! 🤣 😂 👍 The water does look pretty rough there, though...

[@troyw8338]

So glad the captain didn't take the hard right through the Stargate portal. 🙈 I really would of missed seeing more of your wonderful videos David. 😊

[@ScholarGypsyOx]

There's a post on my boat's blog about a recent trip through the Barking Stargate.

[@sandrabilyeu5894]

Beautiful video. For those if us in the USA that are likely never to get to London, thank you for pointing out and naming all the interesting sights and buildings along the way. Cheers🎉

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@evelynsutton4411]

Enjoyed it??!! David, that was magic, magic, magic from beginning to end! SO many screen-grabble moments l can't start naming them all! l was a bit disappointed that you didn't tell us about the OXO building again, just about everybody knows the story, but there will always be some newbies who don't, and it is always nice to hear it again, in your voice. But really, "....and that is why they are called bobbies ....." ! do you know, some people will actually believe that! xx

[@CruisingTheCut]

Are you suggesting I make things up?!! 🤣🤣

[@evelynsutton4411]

​@@CruisingTheCutTo quote Kenny Everett, " only in the best possible taste"

[@oceana9294]

Thanks to you and to your sponsor ABC Leisure Group for the entertaining video. The 3-day trip was interesting and it was a pleasure to be on the water again.

[@rickiecheese36]

Thanks for a great video sir. Who doesn't love a treated effluent outflow ❤ and thanks for the Pink Floyd references.

[@CruisingTheCut]

My pleasure 😀

[@robinblackmoor8732]

You make London seem like more of a waterway based town than Venice is. I did not know how much of London is based on the River Thames.

[@1258-Eckhart]

14:40 That is the chimney to the Western Pumping Station (Grosvenor Road) installed by Sir Joseph Bazalgette to clean up the R. Thames.

[@HickSquatch]

So cool!! Fun to see!! My parents-in-law own one of the few American owned narrowboats, the Californian. He has told me tales of boating the Thames and how harrowing it was. Great to actually see it!!

[@augabby7]

Thanks David, so glad you continue to keep us updated on "Cruising the Cut". Stay well & safe.🤗

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you! Will do!

[@rickkearn7100]

A most excellent cultural celebration by the narrowboat community, David! And aptly documented by you as always. I really enjoyed the almost nonstop tongue-in-cheek observations. One is never disappointed watching your Cruising The Cut channel. Extraordinary. Cheers!

[@RaymondCore]

Just as I was thinking, 'what ugly buildings', you said, "what ugly building". Prince, now King, Charles favorite peeve was ugly architecture. Thanks for the free, comfort of my living room, tour of the Thames River at London.

[@StephenArbo]

thanks for making the trip that muvh better with your brillant commentary...

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@NarrowboatSuperB]

The "enchanting pile of scrap metal" , thought for a moment that you had walked past my driveway.

[@CruisingTheCut]

🤣🤣

[@marilynlamb3246]

You are a fantastic narrator! I'm sitting in a blizzard in rural Nova Scotia, enjoying your videos. Keep up the good work! ❄️❄️❄️🇨🇦

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you so much 😊

[@Rovinman]

Absolutely WONDERFUL ! How did you keep a straight face as you passed by the Sewage Outfall. ? I laughed so much, I had to watch the Vlog for a second time, as I wiped away the tears. ! Most informative. ! I was very impressed by the way the River calmed down after passing the MI6 Building, which I was convinced had been Blown up, in one of the James Bond reports. ? Thank you for making my day ! 😅😅😅❤

[@kateflies3930]

I had to pause the video at 15:59 and join David in a cup of tea..Earl Grey, by a company that, appropriately, supports the Historic Royal Palaces ready to move on with one of more fascinating videos I've seen lately. Really enjoying the pace and commentary of London waterfront.

[@alangood8190]

That was very enjoyable. The River Thames should be the playground of London but it's absolutely empty through central London after the rush hour. When you mooch around at night sightseeing it's absolutely beautiful because the landmarks are floodlit and the water acts like a mirror. We used to spend hours in the peaceful surroundings with no one else in sight. You'd think there would be more people out there doing the same making the most of this wonderful asset.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cheers

[@DonaldMcKay3768]

Great video. You were helped by a beautiful day. I think maybe that's why so many people came out on the river at Richmond. I didn't realize the Thames is clean enough for swimming. Well, at least upstream of downtown.

[@dutchcanuck7550]

Loved the 3-parter. Whenever you do one of these longer trips, be it river or canal, I like to bring up Google Maps and follow along, as it were. A vicarious vacation. Thanks!

[@BoatTime]

What an amazing trip and an amazing video from your point of view right at the front! 😊 and good to hear some of your facts so we can be like “ooh that’s what that was” haha! thank you for the cool shots of us too 🤭

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@TillerQueen]

Was so nice to see you there!😁

[@sandyfields9933]

Your sense of humor is awesome😊

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you 😁

[@seanjamescameron]

14:46 Western Pumping Station. A Grade II-listed, 1875 sewage pump that's still in use today. The Western Pumping Tower is surrounded by the Meadowbank Area nature reserve

[@Skilljim101]

That lighthouse boat at 4:09 is for Harry Dwyer a vid he did like 4 years ago. dam its still there nice !

[@bill8784]

Fascinating. I too used to live in London (right by the river) and really enjoyed seeing both familiar and less familiar sights. Weirdly except as a child I don’t think I ever took a river trip and I won’t have to now. Thanks again.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@keykeypr8292]

3:15 The Fellowship of the Ring passes between the ancient statues guarding the ruins of Londinium. Great commentary throughout. "Bobbies" made me laugh out loud. The Stargate...Jack and the Beanstalk...avoiding the deadly defenses of the Houses of Parliament...lots of other jokes and allusions I caught, plus I know from reading other comments that there were some I missed. (Definitely in agreement on a lot of the rubbish called "Art" these days.) You were on fire! Then the iconic bridges and landmarks, the beautiful weather, the stark contrast of conditions between the first and second half of the trip....it all made for a wonderful video. Thanks for all your hard work.

[@CruisingTheCut]

😀😀😀😀

[@MichaelAngleyPI]

I can think of no one better to be leading the pack, soggy bottom and all! It must have been so cool to be in a convoy, and navigate the Thames! I have watched this vid many times! Cheers mate!!

[@nbflyingfox4672]

Thanks David, a most enjoyable set of vlogs on the Thames. Look forward too your next adventure... 😊

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@dolamyte]

The tower is part of the Western Pumping Station for Thames Water Utilities ltd.. The property was opened in 1875 at a cost of £140,489 and is now listed as Grade II protected. It was built to address the terrible smell and the thousands of deaths from waterborne disease. It achieved this by redirecting sewage to the tidal portions of the Thames, the estuary. The tower was the chimney for the steam and smoke exhaust from the detached boiler house, but now serves as a sewer vent

[@JeghedderThomas]

Paddington, Fantastic Four and not to forget, Doctor Who - the London Eye has been in everything. Nice trip, seeing London from the Thames is cozy as hell, big city but peace and quiet (except for the bobbing about of course). Also: the pop-cutural references are coming thick in this vid. Love it.

[@Quickjack1007]

Greetings from across the pond... through your content I have grown to envy this lifestyle. What an interesting subculture. Were I a younger man of means, I might like to live the narrowboat life for a few years. Thank you for a glimpse into this world!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you 😊

[@michaeljolly8805]

The tower by the river at Victoria is the old Chelsea Waterworks, site of the shortest canal in London the Grosvenor Canal, Victoria Station is built on the site of the basin… (I think) :) nice cruise

[@ritubohra2559]

After a very long time I have seen your vedio nd have seen your previous vlog in thames. This is marvelous vedio, seeing again London after 20 years by you is very pleasant. Thanks David.

[@Linda-t3o]

So good to hear you again.. and to see you of course.. always enjoyed your humour etc on your canal boat tours.. glad to hear nothing has changed there.. will have to keep an eye out for more of your enjoyable company..👍❤️🦘🙃

[@carolinebutcher8160]

That was a brilliant trip on the Thames up to Teddington.....really enjoyed it and kept a dry bottom!!😅 Glad you acted as spotter of important buildings and bridges . I really would love to do that one day if I was ever brave enough. Thanks for that brilliant vlog! X

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@komnsenz]

Originally from London (suburbs), this was very nostalgic. But I thought it was crowded 40/50 years ago. Unbelievable how much more has been built since - and to such heights. Leaves me with mixed feelings about whether I need to ever visit again. Great video as always, David, and a great day's cruising (although I'm not convinced that this is what narrowboats are intended for!)

[@davehollingworth5537]

Amazing journey for narrowboats - something very special. I can only hope Sir Robert Peel isn’t turning in his grave at the mention of bobbing police boats! 😂 Thanks for a great vlog. 🎉

[@CruisingTheCut]

I hope so too!

[@clivehewett9784]

Hi David, we were on the same trip but at the back of the queue. Thanks very much for doing this…it was a grand day indeed! We ended up at Henley for the festival (not the regatta)… if you want further examples of a pot pourri of river craft and people then that’s the place for you! We ended up doing the navigable Thames to Lechlade, the Basingstoke Canal and the River Wey and Godalming Navigations plus a bit of the Oxford before returning to London via Teddington, Brentford, the Paddington Arm and the Regent’s Canal. Plenty of adventures and a massive thanks to Simon and the SPCC 👍

[@ScholarGypsyOx]

You're very welcome!

[@michielferreira6606]

It is my first time watching your videos, and I really enjoy it. I am from SA and enjoy the narrator.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Welcome aboard!

[@craigw.scribner6490]

Thanks for making me grin (or was I wincing...?) several times in this video, David: "enchanting pile of scrap metal," "Buoy oh Buoy" and "Like a Flash, we followed the Green Arrows...super stuff." You were on a roll! I, too, would like to see that documentary crew's video footage--I'll bet it's going to take some heavy-duty stabilizing software to make it watchable!

[@CruisingTheCut]

😀😀

[@archiebald4717]

Al Capp said of abstract art; "Abstract art is made by the untalented and sold by the unprincipled to the totally bewildered".

[@jamesa7506]

100% agree👍

[@peterclarke3619]

Andy Cap said “what a load of bollocks”

[@arthurgiles379]

Ah, grumpy old men and their opinions.

[@dorsk84]

Grumpy! Likely. Old! Possibly. Opinionated, more than likely, but the opinion is absolutely correct.

[@nevermorethan4]

Ooh David. 'so called artists'? Ouch😔

[@nickviner1225]

Fantastic to see the Thames again. I emigrated to Australia in 1972 and have never been back, so good of you to show us your trip.

[@hectordelvalle4428]

Dear David, thank you for this marvelous journey. I most of the time laugh at your inquiviisive humor. It brought a jiggle of laughter. Wonderful humor you have and full of jolly. Please continue in your outgoing adventures and thank you also for your continuous encounters with the common folks. Be safe and take care of yourself, Maranatha.

[@mikkoistanbul1322]

As you went past Battersea Power Station, did you notice the cage-like thing poking out of the top of one of the chimneys at the river end? It is the lift you can go up in. Amazing views from up there!

[@brendanschuierer4678]

What a great voyage. Never seen London so grand. Thank you from across the pond.

[@arthurverheijen6682]

Excellent episode!! From The Netherlands: thank you🤗

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you too!

[@dawnboone2]

That was quite enjoyable. David, I just love your humor. 😂

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you kindly!

[@Gregwing]

Passing Parliament Building "Rumor has it if you boat too close you get shot" "St. Thomas' Hospital, handy if you boated too close to Parliament" LOL

[@davidhudson5452]

Needs testing

[@normfredriksen1381]

It's always a good adventure when you're at the microphone David. Thank you for another wonderful tour of the English shorelines.

[@jeffmorris739]

Wrong album David. Battersea power station was on the Animals album, you know, wish you where here and all that. Loved this series, it was great and it looks like all had a wonderful time. Cheers!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Ha yes I know but I wanted to put the waves reference in

[@annec8871]

Merci from the South of France. British narrow boats are so cute. It was great to follow their big adventure on the Thames.

[@malcolmelliott1876]

No sign of Algie at 14:30, but plenty of dogs and sheep... as sung about on another houseboat further upstream. There are actually some mooring next to the Grosvenor waterside tower .. via a lock into the truncated Grosvenor canal. Nice coverage of a rather interesting day's cruising, and lots of black beetles to be seen.

[@ScholarGypsyOx]

Sadly our investigations so far suggest the lock on the Grosvenor canal is not open to visiting boats....

[@juliemeanor6531]

Yes enjoyed it very much. I could listen to David narrating bread rising, or paint drying. I’ll watch again to see if I missed any puns.❤

[@mmsmits2868]

Buoy oh buoy, that looked like fun!!!

[@Dunkelzeitgeist]

I am here for the madness!

[@ksonfm]

David, we really enjoyed this trip up River Thames through London. That skyline has changed a lot in the years since we visited - not all for the better! Greetings from New Mexico!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cheers!

[@floatybyboaty]

I would imagine someone has already answered this. The tall chimney you mentioned is the Victorian Pumping House by Chelsea road bridge

[@kenpage1107]

Thanks Dave, I enjoyed all of it, nice to see London from the river, cheers from down under.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks 👍

[@jumpingthestylus263]

Wow never been here so early! Posted 36 seconds ago! Can’t wait to see what’s in store…

[@normg2242]

Thanks Dave! It looks like, even though you are landlocked at present, you are becoming quite the narrowboat ambassador! Good stuff, your videos are so enjoyable!

[@CruisingTheCut]

😀😀

[@bryannamyo]

Wonderful. Brought back memories seeing Teddington. I lived there briefly in the early 90's.

[@MissScrappy]

I so enjoyed the tour but enjoyed your sense of humour even more! Cheers =^··^=

[@ricklg745]

Hi David. Fabulous video! A real treat to see the narrow boats bobbing along the Thames. It was amazing to see the views of London from the river giving a whole new dimension. Expertly filmed and presented as always, plus your delightful sense of humour which made it very entertaining. Thank you. Regards RickLG

[@michaelj2439]

Great entertaining video. I liked the reference to “Jonathan Livingston”, a book I first read in 1970; I must dig out a copy and reread it, as I’m sure I’ll read more into it than when I last read it at the callow age of 16.

[@ktonjes]

I loved this video so much. It almost makes me want to plan a London vacation. But only if it includes a narrowboat tour on the Thames with you providing commentary. 😂

[@CruisingTheCut]

Ha! Thanks. I'm very expensive 🤣🤣

[@BCTGuitarPlayer]

A colossal cruise, Dave. Quite colossal, indeed! 👍👍

[@pamelajohnson9260]

Lovely seeing London again…haven’t visited for 20+ years. Thanks for sharing

[@CruisingTheCut]

You’re welcome 😊

[@k9nick]

I grew up on the Thames. Dad had dinghys As a mad youth, I once had a 12 foot inflatable dinghy and a 13 horse outboard Chrysler. Anyway, I followed the cambridge Oxford boat race a couple of times from Putney to chiswick. I remember in the sixties, there used to be loads of little yellow hire boats you'd hire for the day at Richmond. Don't know if they're still about. I was looking. Lot of memories....

[@sgit1]

For you, narration is an art form.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you

[@jdefyn]

for a foreigner that often went to London in the '70s, it feels like a monstruosity today. But then, taste is personnal

[@bigalb1913]

Excellent video David - did the same trip in 2006 from Limehouse to Teddington with, you guessed it, St Pancras cruising Club. There's safety in numbers! We had about 20 in the convoy, if I remember correctly and yes we used the Barge Lock at Teddington, as well. One of the 'experiences' of my life. Hire boaters are not allowed on the tidal Thames - for obvious reasons!

[@londoncreative]

That chimney is possibly something for you to explore at some time (or myself for that matter!) It's the remnants of the Western Pumping Station next to the Grosvenor Canal, possibly the shortest canal in Britain? The chimney is now a vent for the sewers!

[@MsVanorak]

oh thank you.

[@Mikesmith-tm5sh]

Looks like y’all playing Fox and Hounds with all them boats.❤❤❤😂

[@GregVirgoe]

After a quick scroll down the comments it appears that your Seagul mention was picked up by a handful of us, Long time ago when I read that book but it does stick in my head. Great Video series.

[@VonDecoy.]

"...And in the middle of Here and Now, don't you think that we might see each other once or twice?”

[@nige_breaks_bikes9782]

A grand day out …. Ace film 😊🌟👍

[@englishmaninfrance661]

Yup 😎

[@Vespanation]

"Hope you enjoyed it". I did, I really did! Your videos are just SOOOO good! - Paul, USA

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you so much!

[@lesleyburton9999]

Much appreciated thank you. Living now in Northumberland by the sea I often wish I could do some Thames exploring , now at least I have done it via the armchair!

[@gwenmassey7631]

this was brilliant. i really miss you canal adventures.

[@x--.]

Could not have been better. I remember the first time on the Thames with Mr. Holmes being guided by the hand of Doyle and thinking how strange it was to have a chase on a river. Seeing it here, nearly a century and a half later and you can only imagine what this water highway looked like -- the convoy of narrowboats giving a much better idea than the Uber-speed boat -- in a time before the automobile and aircraft. A thousand years of boating up and down the river, a meeting place between the sea and the interior of Great Britain. The hustle and bustle of all manner of commercial and pleasure craft converging on this waterway, this capitol. Absolute joy to see it from the water and be inspired to imagine a time with many more smaller vessels darting here and there as the air was choked with thousands of chimneys puffing and caps and top hats. Heh. History floodeth over me.

[@Gnurftl]

Loved the Pink Floyd bit at the Battersea Power Station

[@HYUKLDER1]

14:39 the tower is the Victorian Sewage Company pumping station in Grosvenor Road near Chelsea Bridge

[@andrewwmitchell]

Even more famously the London Eye was seen in the very first episode of Dr Who season in 2005 when it was revivied after 16 years off the air.

[@jeffreysmith5018]

Always a pleasure to watch 😊

[@darrenscaysbrook6038]

Quality bit of work there cruising the cut 👏👏👏

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks 👍

[@Paggerd]

Thanks, this could not have been more British and I include the humour in your narration. ❤🇬🇧

[@dbcooper7326]

Even a bit of Monty Pyton in there.