36. Norton Junction to Braunston by narrowboat on the Grand Union canal

[@MichaelsMustang]

David your honesty is what makes your vlogs so good. We all fall in the mud or the river, no canals here, but most would never admit it. You are showing people that are interested in the lifestyle the real facts, both the good and the bad.

[@femhon]

After reading bad news about our government, I turn to your post to relax. Very entertaining funny. You brought me to places I will never reach and will never experience. Thanks!!!

[@CruisingTheCut]

I'm so pleased I can provide an escape from the awfulness of the world!

[@billwakefield5005]

My son put me onto your videos last week,and I very quickly became addicted to them.Your presentations and your commentaries are absolutely brilliant.Your voice is so easy on the ear,so watch out David Attenborough ! Thanks for sharing your continuing exploits,all with very apt titles !

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you :-)

[@darhayward18]

The last time we took the 20 hour flight to Europe we booked ourselves a one week hire of a very comfortable little canal boat. We were to be on the Garonne Canal and we imagined we would enjoy some lovely Spring weather. We did this little 6 month subtraction thing from September, when Spring starts here in Oz. We landed in March and there was snow on the ground. Not a good sign... However we had flown in to Paris so we were hopeful that the weather would be kinder further South... Not so, the weather was miserable but our little boat was cosy so we decided to make the most of it. We layered up and really enjoyed ourselves for the first three days. Even forgetting the French word for "matches" was more memorable experience than communication barrier. I found the locks much easier than I had expected. They are sort of partially automated and quite a different experience to what we had found in Britain. I guess I became complacent. We came into this little lock where the water was only going to rise about 40cm. I figured I could just step up instead of climbing the lovely, secure but cold steel ladder. I'm not sure how I came to fall in. One second I was stepping up and the next I was falling between very hard stone, very bumpy boat and into very cold water. It took an eternity to haul my fat wet arse* onto the transom and into the boat. It took days to dry all the layers of wet gear and it took weeks for my lovely lady to stop crying. Not even my very best Dar jokes made any difference and even now she tells me; no we are not buying a little boat and boating our way around France for a year. * Pity but at least I think I know the French for "arse". It's "l'âne". Just out of interest, I think the French for "donkey" is also "l'âne".

[@CruisingTheCut]

No boat? That IS a disaster!

[@ncplantdoctor]

Thank you for answering the burning question in my mind; "When the thoroughly professional videographer becomes a thoroughly novice narrowboater, how long will it take for him to be proper 'baptized?'" A very enjoyable video filled with humor. Thanks for sharing. And congratulations to you for taking the time to explore. There is much of interest to be seen that cannot be seen from the M5 at speed.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Oh, you'll probably like the next video too as I do a bit more looking around at the next location.

[@katyb9532]

I have watched the 4 seasons of Cruising the Cut on a paid service, but THIS little mini episode from season 1 is EPIC! I have watched this bit of footage countless times on my paid service and it never fails to make me laugh out loud! Headphones in, watching my device and it appears as if I have just escaped from Bedlam! People turn around and stare while I am merrily laughing at my screen. Thank you for your humor and may God bless you in your travels. Much ❤️ from Texas.

[@wandererman21]

The lambs shot was absolutely beautiful. Love this channel.

[@JH-qv3xv]

Into the drink you went, join the crowd, most of us have been there too. Its just part of the adventure. Glad you were able to just hop right back up with no damage done unless of course you had an audience. Another thumbs up.

[@joshlenth3937]

mary had a little lamb....... and it was delicious. p.s. I went down a KZbin rabbit hole and found your channel by mistake. However, I am glad i did because I cant stop watching your videos. I started on video 1 and here i am within 24 hours.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you’re enjoying them :-)

[@MrEmiosk]

I say the same. Though I am more of a sail guy, the English canals do appeal to me.

[@GordonjSmith1]

Henry V on the entrance to the tunnel! Excellent.

[@tootz1950]

This is a lovely and calming video. Sorry you fell in the canal, I guess it's part of the education process

[@miguelnieves4913]

Thank you so much for this mini vacation getaway....Us Californians do not know much about the Canal Boating and it is a Joy watching your experiences along the Canal....Awaiting the next video........Be careful...

[@CruisingTheCut]

The next one after this is already up, has been for a couple of days

[@patrickmooney5035]

I'm really impressed that you read all your comments. Lucky to get away with falling into the canal. If the water had been colder that could of ended differently. Hopefully others will learn from your mistake. Don't "stand back" near edges! Always move forward so you can see where you are putting your feet.

[@CruisingTheCut]

You're not a proper boater until you've fallen into the canal! But good advice :-)

[@miketipping1583]

It's interesting watching these again having actually traveled your route. You were taking a very leisurely pace. We went from Yelvertoft to Braunston in a day with a 3-hour wait at Watford and got to Braunston in time for Fish & Chips (Great chippy in Braunston BTW) We had a nasty bump in Braunston Tunnel too. Most people seemed to have their tunnel lights facing forwards like headlights so anyone approaching was totally blinded. They're meant to be pointed a the roof & right wall of the tunnel as that's all you need to see. Did you notice the red shift of the tunnel lights. In the distance, they appear red then get steadily whiter until you can't see a thing... that's my excuse anyway.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Yes indeed, leisurely was the word! No hurry for me. My light's pointed so far up and right it's practically useless ;-) Must tweak it sometime. Cheers.

[@0HARE]

Thanks for another great vlog. The thought of boats crashing together in the tunnel is dreadful. Hope no one got hurt, and the boats are not damaged. That's a lovely little village. I'd love to pay a visit. Happy Cruising

[@CruisingTheCut]

By and large the boats hitting each other doesn't do a lot of harm, provided they bump slowly - the 6mm steel of the hull shrugs off minor bumps with just a bit of paint getting scratched and as it's on the hull, it's just bitumen blacking which is easily repainted. That said, you do get substantial thumps sometimes in which case a dent can indeed be left...

[@Robert_DeVille]

4:42 After I left my job in engineering, I had a part time job as a delivery driver for Tesco for a short while & made a few deliveries to Braunston. To me, That looks like you've just gone under the bridge there & if you look along the footpath on the left, I took a delivery van down that to drop off a huge shopping delivery for someone who has hired a boat there. While it was a lovely place, I was far too scared to enjoy the scenery driving over that camber between the bank & the office coming back because it's far worse than it looks & I couldn't see how close I was to the edge. I'm pleased I didn't have to do that too many times.

[@Ch1spy4]

I giggled but ahhhh poor guy you fell in the canal. If I fell in I would squawk and bark and have a fit. At 6 foot 4 I would walk to the edge and climb out and be damp and un-impressed hahahaha

[@stephanieokkay]

Yay, Shakespeare! I loved the scenery and old buildings. Love the lambs! I've never seen them at play - it was adorable! I think we need a director's cut of this episode with extended frolicking lamb scenes. I'm so glad you weren't injured when you fell in! I didn't realize narrowboaters should expect that to happen from time to time. This was a great episode! :)

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you. I'm not sure I have any more of the lambs, sorry!!

[@helenaird5097]

Glad your dunk in the water hasn't put you off! Great video as usual.

[@CruisingTheCut]

It'll take more than that!

[@annwagner5779]

First wetting sounds like a narrow boat right of passage, like a rider being thrown. I’m glad it doesn’t seem to have happened to you more than once.

[@kernowfairy]

As we are big fans of Elvis, it was more than we hoped for, it was 'Awesome' ..a vacation we will never forget ☺ ....lovely vlog this morning David, enjoy your lovely trip..xx

[@CruisingTheCut]

+Monnie Garland Terrific, glad you had a lovely time :-)

[@TheDrunknz]

The best blog to date, it was just like listening to an audio book of a very unfortunate day on a canal.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Maybe I'll release an audiobook version! I like that idea.

[@RoyalRascals-i9h]

ive been watching all vlogs and must say this one made me giggle with u taking a dip

[@CruisingTheCut]

I, on the other hand, did not giggle ;-)

[@deltavee2]

When I saw the pies listed on the board outside the butcher's my mouth started watering...and it's four thirty in the morning here! Scrumpy.

[@JohnDickinson]

At sea, the first time a sailor crosses the International Date Line, he is "initiated" by his crewmates. I guess this was your Christening in the narrow boat life...first dunking in the canal. Congratulations.

[@darkskys163]

Great Channel. I'm from the USA and never knew about Narrow boats till I started to follow another English fellow "Tim's Trike Tips". He often rides by Narrow Boats on his videos. I was curious and so I did some searches and found your channel. I may never experience Narrow Boating but I cannot help but binge watch your channel. I was just on Amazon and found your 9 episode and I guess I'll be bingeing on them too. I have been on boats before but have never been interested, but something about a Narrow Boat has really taken hold of me. This is video #36 and I see your last one was #204. Maybe when I get there I'll have a better understanding of why.

[@quarlow1215]

LOL "where the little lambs come to be chopped up". Hilarious. Don't feel to bad about swimming in the canal, Just last week I found myself dragging my ass across our firewood logs that are floating beside my dock. Damaged my shoulder a bit so had a hell of a time dragging myself out. The only good thing for me was it was 7:00 am and no witnesses.

[@zapfanzapfan]

The rude building is a former windmill I guess? There is a hole in the wall that could be for the propeller axle.

[@iansmith5601]

36 episodes in two days. Loving this!

[@michaelpilling9659]

Your best video by far. What a lovely film of your travels and exploits. I hope you didn't hurt yourself when you fell in the cut. Only your pride was damaged I guess. I'm really enjoying the journey. Every day is different. Thank you

[@julieterry3651]

when i was on my narrowboat holiday, my dog fell in the canal the day before we were going home, needless to say, while on our two hour journey home on the motorway my dog was very ill (from the back end !) and it was a very memorable 40mins with all windows open till we could get to the service station. this is one of our cherished memories of narrowboating. lol !

[@CruisingTheCut]

Ewwwwww yuck.

[@cjohnson4342]

Got up this morning and don't really feel like doing much so having a coffee and going to travel with you for a bit. Thanks for the quality trips.

[@normg2242]

You sure knew how to deal with your foray into the canal - a cup of tea fixes everything...👍👍👍

Thanks to your video, one knows one is an online gongoozler.

[@jordanhicks5131]

I love the tunnel speech

[@wildlyoptimistic1352]

Ah yes the Admiral Nelson pub. As an American working on a project in Daventry we traveled to the Admiral Nelson for lunch a few times. That was my first experience with narrow boats and what got me interested in your vlog. The boaters did appreciate the novices huffing and puffing on the lock gates for them. On my bucket list is a week or two cruising the canals on holiday. I am really enjoying watching your videos prepping me for my eventual journey. Happy boating and stay out of the canal. Cheers.

[@DrJonez]

I figured you'd fall into the canal sooner or later, but not so early in the series! 😂

[@MorseB]

Well done! another great video! Thanks for all your wonderful video work.

[@CruisingTheCut]

:-)

[@Gwril76]

Loving this new series of blogs. Being a non boater I'm finding your boating series very interesting and a great watch !! A very well put together blog/ video. Cheers for sharing Steve

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you :-)

[@shipskepr1]

been there done that,i was stepping from the dock onto my 16 foot daysailer,and did the splits,and in the drink I went,lol,a rather rude awakening .love the history,my great great grandfather stowed away on a ship from Liverpool we think,when he was 12 ,that how we came to america

[@CruisingTheCut]

+paul stratton Superb family story!

[@stancrouch9642]

Love the videos. I don't have a boat and never will, but watching your videos make it seem easy and enjoyable. You have a good sense of humor too boot. Keep it up.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you Stan :-)

[@petertuohy2886]

This is so much fun to watch. I'm truly enjoying this voyage. Thank you!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks Peter :-)

[@psychoticfox1965]

love your vlogs. awaiting the next installment

[@CruisingTheCut]

:-)

[@craigy_baby]

Excellent vlog and very well produced. These are a pleasure to watch and some good comedic footage tboot. At least you've been baptised!! Keep 'em coming.

[@CruisingTheCut]

:-)

[@ccooper8785]

Your videos just keep getting better! Cannot wait for the next one. Hope you have a safe and enjoyable journey

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you!

[@gatinaud]

Yeah, well, anyone can fall in. Luckily in a canal it is only pride which suffers. I reallly love Braunstone - even its tunnel! - so I'm glad you found all the good bits. Even better awaits you;

[@CruisingTheCut]

You LIKE its tunnel??

[@patrickdorain3462]

Absolutely love your videos their always put a smile on my face 😊

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad to hear it!

[@CaptainBee100]

One of the best of 36 great video's! A dunking in the canal is not good at this time of year when the water is so cold! Not good at any time of year come to that! :-)

[@CruisingTheCut]

I nearly went for a swim it was such fun ;-)

[@JClark2600]

@7:17 I would buy a stockpile of back bacon and ribeye, if they had it. I absolutely love local butchers. They have wonderful fresh cuts from local farms and you know they can handle a knife around beef & pork. I was sad not to see you visit.

[@jennifermcc7385]

Another great video, so glad you didn't come to any harm when you fell in; not nice but so easily done.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Not my favourite experience, for sure :-)

[@HB-MrCatLover]

Great video, David! Sorry you fell in the canal. Yet, you could say that way you got baptized as a true narrow boat man! :) I love your pictures and comments of local life on the canal banks. Keep up the good work and chug along safe. By the way I hope you didn't catch cold.

[@CruisingTheCut]

No, I got dried very quickly - and didn't drink any of the water!!

[@hymek7017]

Great! I'll know not to try eating supper in front of the computer next time. "Black semi-circle of horror" sent some supper screen-ward and a pause for screen cleaning, then again at "Three boats passed and three boats bashed". I put my supper down until the end of this, yet another excellent production of yours - thank you. (Note I didn't pause the video to finish supper first, video first in this case. That's how good it was!)

[@thebuffmeister89]

This all makes me wish we had canals in Melbourne. Alas, the Yarra ;-) Keep up the great vids.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you! More coming soon :-)

[@Dent-Arthur-Dent]

Spla-doosh! We've all done it (or will do) Nice to get it over with nice and early. 😁

[@CruisingTheCut]

Who's to say it'll be just the once?!!

[@corydriver7634]

Seems like some side lights on your boat would be helpful in the tunnels.

[@johnhenry1338]

Another great vlog, being from the US I really loved the parts showing the old UK houses etc., those tunnels look like real butt clinchers, or pucker factors as we call them, rated from 1 to 10, bet that one rated pretty high :0) Enjoying your adventure greatly, keep the vlogs coming, and be safe... Oh and Cheers

[@CruisingTheCut]

+John Henry Definite butt clincher!! Cheers

[@for.tax.reasons]

3:42 love that mint coloring on the Admiral Nelson

[@rogerbrown5558]

I love your commentary. Entertaining and you do get my laugh when you you want it. I'm an antipodean virtual gongoozler.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you.

[@TheVirginiaStew]

awh..new you were going to get wet after the mud comment, Loved that Boat Cafe, awesome Marina and town...I would loved that Butcher shop...those are some fat lambs we have about a 100 running around our farm right now but not as fat as those...LOL

[@anthonywstanton]

It appears I have a child’s mind as well! Great video sir!

[@kernowfairy]

Hi David just caught up on 34, 35 and 36 vlogs as just got back from a week in Memphis on a dream visit to Graceland really enjoyed so missed your newest vlogs....as per they are great and very interesting....look forward to your next 'installment' 😄 xxx

[@CruisingTheCut]

Wow, what a great trip - was it everything you'd hoped for?

[@shleep2000]

Very nice video sir. At least you have done the falling in thing now, it won't need to happen again!

[@CruisingTheCut]

I hope not!

[@stephenmundane]

Semi-circle of horror ahead! :-) Luckily you're riding atop a steel torpedo. Great entertainment and education to boot, as usual, thanks.

[@CruisingTheCut]

:-)

[@deepakgogoi5975]

Enjoyed the excursion to Braunstone Village. Gongoozler's Rest seems to be the place to be in, guzzling some beer, munching on a bacon & egg sandwich and watching the narrowboats go by. The poetry recitation was classic, by the way.

[@ThisNarrowboatAdventure]

You fell in! that's amazing!

[@CruisingTheCut]

+ThisNarrowboatAdventure It's not that amazing.

[@ThisNarrowboatAdventure]

It was a most exciting turn of events in the video!

[@jengaryadventurers4603]

WE very much enjoyed the town tour, thank you!

[@professor1972]

Your superb blog is likely to result in a large influx of canal users. I hope you know what you're doing. Seriously, another brilliant episode.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Dammit, must make it look awful ;-)

[@christianearly8899]

Great video thanks for sharing! must have been quite a shock to fall in. Glad you're okay. The boat look brilliant!

[@CruisingTheCut]

It certainly was!

[@bdh3949]

In my part of the world after a report like that of the 3 hits in the tunnel, you would have earned the eternal nickname of "Boom Boom". lol

[@randallfield4036]

Very enjoyable and informative vlog once again. Thanks

[@CruisingTheCut]

+Randall Field Cheers Randall.

[@CR-we4ik]

I would love to go canal boating some day

[@CruisingTheCut]

You can hire them easily enough :-)

[@timbillo3026]

I just found your vlog on fb this week Enjoying your adventures I started at #1 and am watching them in order Cheerio

[@CruisingTheCut]

Welcome along!

[@Gerry1of1]

As you've now been in it you can tell us how deep the canal is.

[@lancegauthier489]

Bravely done!

[@CruisingTheCut]

I screamed like a child.

[@ibizarebel]

The comment outside the butchers about lambs had me giggling. :-) Nice interesting vlog.

[@CruisingTheCut]

+Ibizarebel Thank you!

[@robertwheeldon6526]

Just a bit busier than end of Jan when I went through Braunston and there was only one other boat moving. Got through the tunnel with no passing traffic. I can really recommend admiral Nelson. ..great establishment. lambs... baa chop chop....mm mm. Look forward to next episode.

[@CruisingTheCut]

I think everyone likes that pub!

[@MrRoyboy55]

+ROBERT WHEELDON , yes all those lambs for growing wool for the local weavers looms ,just wonderfull ,,,, what ? whats that you say ,, oh my ,, you guys are just so Freudian

[@markbaxter8799]

Good video, thanks! Like the way you include the falling in parts too, it's good to be able to 'laugh at oneself' :)

[@BallisticBurns]

I thought I recognised the name Braunston, brings back memories of our family narrowboat holiday a few years back. Thanks for the videos and keep up the good work. 👍🏼

[@sellC1964]

In lieu of turning on cabin lights and opening the porthole curtains, could you fashion a series of LED lights down each side? This would also benefit you when your boat is tied up by illuminating the shore line.

[@CruisingTheCut]

I suppose I could! Perhaps some outdoor Christmas tree lights!!

[@robduncumb7636]

So easily done, don't beat yourself up. My slip in was on a top gate waiting for a lock to fill (more haste etc) I had my hand on the hand rail and my feet slipped off. Arm went to full extent. Water up to my thighs. I did not let go! When I retell the tale I could feel the suck of the water on the soles of my boots! Take it steady and be safe.

[@CruisingTheCut]

+Robert Duncumb No beating up here. A lot of towelling down though. Cheers.

[@parkinson1977]

I must admit, i'm well jell.Love the vids keep um coming.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you

[@EezeeListen]

Glad you survived the tunnel and the locks. What seemed at first rather scary will soon become all so easy - a bit like falling off a boat!! Seriously though, so glad you did not knock your head or indeed do the splits and pull a groin muscle. I saw once a man step off to the tow path and his land foot slipped forward and his other foot was pulled into the water - a sort of rhythmic gymnastics trick, but he actually quite badly hurt his inner thighs (shall we say). Do be careful.

[@CruisingTheCut]

I was thinking I'd been quite lucky actually. If I'd hit my head on the concrete it could have been very bad.

[@garrystacey7018]

Well done you are new a proper boater now you been baptised only the chosen few are baptised at Braunston lol and love the blog

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you!

[@vickyhv89]

This is ones of your funniest 😂 vlogs.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you!

[@carolineriches]

Glad you didn't lose your glasses when you fell in! I'd be afraid of falling in at a lock... When in a lock, do you use the ladder to get out to work the gates?

[@CruisingTheCut]

Sometimes, although on wide locks I tend to clamber off the boat before it goes in (leave it drifting in and jump off with a line)

[@bartvanderveere7592]

I like the tunnels. Many things in one episode.

[@andydelarue9344]

Lambs have a really good life then just one bad day.

[@dadafan5921]

I know the comment is three years late but I ROFL'd when I heard of the dunking. If there isn't a tradition of having to either fall or be pushed on the first narrowboat cruise, there should be. That's the sort of thing a regular sailor must face.

[@deevalkyrie]

Bless :) Go on channel your inner scout and have a look at some knots, there's some really good easy release knots that will allow you to tie up on just a centre line quite securely (as long as not mooring indefinitely) Makes a single handlers life a lot easier

[@CruisingTheCut]

That's what I need! Ta

[@brentvalin]

Great video as always, Any chance, I ask you to walk us through your next and other trips and adventure by using a map along with the narration, ( it would certainly help me understand your travels ) as I have never been to England, and by using a map and narration combination would be very helpful. Currently listening closely to your VLOG and all the places that you mention, Then I am off to the Canal and trust site to visually walk through your narration on the canal maps ... Thank You ... A narrow boat vacation and holiday is on my bucket list ....

[@CruisingTheCut]

+Brent Valin Hi. Thanks for watching. If I show a map with sufficient detail, there won't be any space on screen for the scenery. Besides, I can't reproduce maps here for copyright reasons (hence why I drew one in the "route canal" video earlier). Best if you look at the Canal and River Trust maps as you have been.

[@mightsnow3654]

Reminds me of the time I fell off the dock after trying to interview a shrimper at 11 pm one day last year in Past Christine Mississippi USA. Stay dry!!

[@CruisingTheCut]

I've been dry since, thankfully!

[@youfan11000]

well done with the 2nd line.... might want to invest in a pair of wellies......

[@CruisingTheCut]

+Steven Hyde If only I could find a pair that are comfortable and warm and fit my wide toes!

[@michaels3757]

Keep your eye out for the old blue line canal carriers boat- would love to see some footage of it

[@CruisingTheCut]

I don't know what that is and it's a long time since I made that video but you never know, that boat might end up being filmed one day :-)

[@michaels3757]

Cheers! I believe there where two of them in the 1960s-both operated as the last working cargo route on the canal network.

[@philgray1023]

Nicely filmed and produced. Thank you for that David. We did laugh at your misfortune though, because we have also fallen off boats. The water warm there?

[@alanhill4334]

Why don't they put light reflective strips at intervals on the tunnel sides ?

[@CruisingTheCut]

That's a jolly good idea. There are sometimes white-painted markers which show up but not reflective strips.

[@davidbutler4363]

Loved it,thanks👍👏👏👏

[@heyitsjack8051]

Love braunston... pie shop is great!

[@annettefournier9655]

Into the drink! Now you are fully christened and initiated. It's similar to riding and training horses. If you don't want to fall off then never get on. It has nothing to do with experience. These things just happen. Now that is over you should be good for a while . 😀

[@CruisingTheCut]

:-)

[@drewnield2915]

my mind went there with that house as well, shame you fell in the canal

[@CruisingTheCut]

It was a shame indeed

[@fredvolkman754]

David. That probably was a windmill!

[@boatfaceslim9005]

Correct, it was a windmill. It was built by the Grand Junction Canal co. and given to the watermill owner at the bottom of the hill as compensation for messing up his milling business by changing water levels when they built the canal along the bottom of the valley.