264. Forty historic narrowboats in convoy on the canal

After a hiatus due to "global events" (!), the annual historic canalboat festival came back to the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port. Spread over the Easter weekend, it began with a convoy of narrowboats coming up the Shropshire Union Canal from Chester to Ellesmere, and I went along to document the event.
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Theme music: "Vespers" by Topher Mohr and Alex Alena, from the KZbin music library
Piano music: Prelude in C Major by Bach (KZbin music library)
#narrowboat #canal #cruisingthecut #rivers #offgrid #liveaboard

[@coolgordon]

I never knew this world existed until this dude

[@AirlineX]

Absolutely wonderful way to spend 24 minutes with David.

[@hans2406]

The glorious sound of some of these engines. Great story again. Thank you.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Isn't it just?!

[@BohemianBeatster]

David, you do have a knack for interesting, enjoyable and informative commentary. You're a natural story teller.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you

[@onespur]

Wonderful video. I was disappointed when you announced that you were no longer cruising, although I certainly understand the reasons. But I am very glad to see that the content and quality of your videos hasn’t changed a bit. They are always top notch. I’m a displaced Arizona cowboy now living in LA. I became interested in narrowboats and the canal system and it’s history when I discovered your vlogs. I could never do it, too wet and cold for me, I prefer the desert and horses. But it is a fascinating activity and way of life. Maybe someday I’ll do a holiday on the Cut. Thank you David.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you

[@elizaandalisa]

Agree my sentiments entirely I love it in Australia but love the canals but too cold for me cheers n beers Marty Qld

[@WillN2Go1]

Terrific. What a pleasant day in only 24 minutes. This is how history should be preserved, alive and working.

[@robertkirby3158]

All that talk of keeping keeping Cruising The Cut alive without a boat of your own. If this is what we can expect it is already mission accomplished.

[@barrylaflin8425]

Hey… yet another informed, classy piece of work. David. Very professional and yet not at all intimidating. Thank you so very much sir!!

[@bernardhilton3527]

Hear hear.

[@trevormegson7583]

Lovely to watch, well produced. Very quintessentially British I dare say.

[@lj33p]

If you had made this video three hours long, covering every facet detail about every boat, I still would have watched it wishing there was more. Another excellent video. Thank you!

[@Daves_classics]

Totally agree.

[@kirksabio2382]

Never in my lifetime would i ever hear the term "shibari" used to describe narrowboat moorings. Just the kind of top-notch wordplay you expect from a channel such as this

[@frglee]

Nice to see you continuing to make interesting canalboat content, nicely filmed and narrated as ever. Thanks.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you very much!

[@DougsMessyGarage]

Nice to see these historic boats still cruising the waterways. So many great stories.

[@carolleenkelmann4751]

What a beautiful array of boats and canine captains. A very elucidating canal and boat film. I don't know what is in my DNA but I am overcome with such a yearning when I see all these canals and their boats. It's like trains but better. Fascinating. Nice job, David.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you very much!

[@jeffebdy]

These are the kind of vlogs you were born to do! Lovely footage, interviews and narration. So glad that you continue to make canal videos. The only thing missing....? Cheese sandwiches of course! Edit: the labour of love of these restorations is a joy to see

[@bobbutcher7725]

See.......David said he would continue with the vlogs and in a documentary sort of way. This is evidence of his promise and a very fine vlog it is indeed. Thanks David for allowing us all to appreciate your expertise and skill in making these easy to watch films.

[@olivier2553]

You are a wonderful stoty teller. I have about zero interest in boats, wide or narrow, and yet I am here, captivated by what you are telling.

[@B26768]

There are so many more facets to the canals and the boats on them than cruising back and forth, a gorgeous video this. Something new every time nowadays, thank you.

[@WhitneyHouston4eva1]

Interesting to see the old working boats still on the canals and the great history of their war efforts.

[@kayakcoder]

As much as I have enjoyed your cruising content, this is probably of even more interest. Thank you for the special episodes

[@lockedin60]

The constant chug, chug, and chug, of the narrowboat engine. Unmistakable and intoxicating at times

[@runarandersen878]

I liked the part with interviews with the owners about the history. It is fascinating and impressive the work they’d done to them, saving history.

[@seanjamescameron]

Activate the new ‘Thanks’ button David so we can show our appreciation for your work. It’s in Monetisation > Supers.

[@CruisingTheCut]

I prefer not to as I moderate all comments so would be in an awkward position if someone paid and put an offensive comment. I have PayPal and Patreon links in the description if anyone is very keen!!

[@christineprice5463]

Great professional video! I loved it. The history was quite interesting!

[@petersargent4078]

Best phrase "fiddling with the oily bits". A treat as I took a hire boat to there a few years back. Thanks.

[@rooferization]

Welcome back, I've been getting withdrawal symptoms because of a lack of cruising the cut.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cheers! The last one was only a couple of weeks ago!!

[@rooferization]

@@CruisingTheCut Sorry missed that one the notification system threw a wobbly, watching it now to get my fix, no more cold turkey lol !

[@joesrvhome]

I love these history videos with interviews of the owners...great shots of the convoy!

[@SenorGonzo]

Excelent story telling as always. Thanks!

[@danielhostetler9493]

Another great video from one of the best narrators on KZbin. Such a robust and storied history of life and commerce. It’s no wonder that these boats are so cherished by their passionate owners. I think it’s truly a testament to how beneficial and purposeful these craft were that some had a vital commercial use up through the 60s and 70s, which came as a surprise to me.

[@chris-cole]

What an amazing video! Edited so wonderfully, David, that I'm actually fairly bloody gutted I missed this gathering!!!

[@marilynsullivan4361]

Another super video. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@andyrbush]

Really nice to see all those boats and get some of their history, all with the gentle narration that so many of us enjoy.

[@robertstevenson6758]

So wonderful to see the canals used in such resplendent ways. This way of life must be kept going, it's part of British eccentricity which adds so much to the value of Life.

[@richardtaylor8312]

My understanding is that Thomas Telford was commissioned by a consortium of Business owners and Farmers in Ellesmere-Shropshire, to build a canal from there to the nearest part of the sea. In those days, a horse and cart could pull a ton of produce, a horse pulling a canal badge could pull 20 tons of produce. The consortium wanted to get their farming produce to the burgeoning industrial North West, particularly Liverpool and Manchester. The Final stretch of his canal from Chester’s Historic Roman Walls to the Sea, Namely the Mersey Basin was completed in around 1790. Telford on completion of his Canal, stuck his standard exactly where you are now, and called it “Ellesmere’s Port” From Ellesmere-Shropshire, to Ellesmere’s Port at the Mersey Basin. Lovely to see you capture so much history.

[@TheJonnyjj]

I literally lived for a whole year whilst studying to be a teacher in the properties oposite at waterside court which I could see in your video and of course you visit now I've moved back home! absolutely lovely canal and great people always friendly and talkative whenever I walked down the canal.

[@henrywilliam8506]

Another cracking vlog David. It's now time for a cheese sandwich and a cup of tea.

[@florian_kopr]

".. tied aside in marine shibari..." Poetic as always 😀

[@Physwe]

What a kinky boy!

[@richardbradley961]

thank you david. regards richard.

[@lizaosborne4860]

Thank you - absolutely fascinating

[@persevere777]

With your new chapter in life, I hope you continue with the content of the narrowboats channel. your coverage is a very relaxed, informative, and pov look at narrowboat life. Thank you

[@robertelwell4417]

I am going to try to tell you how much your videos have meant to me over the years,,,as a Yank whose family left Old Blimey over four hundred years ago,, your videos remind me where I came from, and just how much life as you have described it resonates with me and how easily I feel at home in an atmosphere I was once completely unaware of. A little corner of me is forever England, and for that,,I am thankful.

[@sankopita8117]

Loved it. Thank you

[@MrShabby169]

Magical as always David. Brilliant stuff..Thanks.

[@HLBear]

The decorative designs are just beautiful! Those pitchers painted to match their boat made me smile.

[@Lego6980]

That was absolutely fascinating. Wonderful to hear all those people telling the stories of their boats. What a wonderful bunch of people and boats. So lucky that we have people who invest their time and love into these historical vessels. Thanks for sharing this!

[@jayjay8116]

Wonderful David, your great commentary, the boats and interviews, so pleased that the Cruising the Cut videos will continue in this way. I could listen to your voice all day long.

[@Innerspace100]

It's interresting to see that Bolinder engines were in use in England even then. Bolinder were later (1932) fused with another Swedish company called Munktell to form Bolinder-Munktell. They were in turn bought by Volvo in 1950, which is why older Volvo tractors, buldozers, escavators etc. carried the monkier Volvo BM.

[@Tomas-Odebrant]

And regarding the pronounciation. As a Swede I have always had the stress on the second syllable: Bo-LIN-der.

[@philbartlett7898]

Well well. Always wondered what the BM meant when i saw those articulated dumptrucks appear ij the UK in the 1970s.

[@edgarplummer6750]

I like the direction your taking your channel, expanding on canal life in and around the system. I like hearing from those who live on the canal but don't have a KZbin channel or social media attached to their life onboard.

[@sidneybowerman558]

Wow David you have certainly excelled yourself with this video. The commentary is excellent and the flow of the documentary could not be better. Packed with information and real time interviews with very proud owners only adds to the interest of the whole thing. You should feel very proud of this video David. Hope you have settled into your new home by now, good luck.

[@VK5FR]

Excellent! Thank you!

[@HaddaClu]

I love your long form docu vids like this. They are a great way of relaxing while having my breakfast; since your style of vids always puts me in a great mood before I have go to work for the day.

[@sherrie-deejenkins6504]

Fantastic video, David. Thank you.

[@migranthawker2952]

Excellent. More like this please!!

[@brbertram]

Great video! BBC should give you a gig.

[@jayoneill1533]

Excellent report David, beautifully shot and especially well written.

[@kerplunk8011]

DITTO!!!

[@thejerseylady1]

Thank you for documenting this interesting and historic gathering. Loved hearing the background on these crafts. Gloria 🐂

[@luobomu9747]

Great work David! I hope your viewers notice and appreciate your high level of professionalism.

[@AuntieSullivan]

Excellent vlog. Thanks, David.

[@billr8667]

This excellent vlog shows that one doesn't have to live on a boat to post an informative and entertaining bit about the boats and canals. Thanks for the work. I wished I lived on your side of the pond so I could view these firsthand after only a short trip. Greetings from Louisville, KY.

[@tonybirdwell2624]

I agree that this is another wonderful video and as usual fantastic narration!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you kindly!

[@jamesa7506]

Fantastic! Thanks David for sharing this with us! Beautiful boats, awesome sounding engines, and very proud owners pleased to share the history of their vessels! Not too dissimilar to our classic carshows here in the States. I bet it was a wonderful experience.

[@John-B69692]

I live in the US and I'm a sailor (when I get the infrequent chance). I am fascinated by live-aboard boats of all kinds.. I very much enjoy your videos.. Fun, relaxing, and well narrated... Thank you for sharing..

[@roblinnbailey2359]

Great to see people so passionate about something

[@ratdog3055]

Really enjoyed this. Especially the history and seeing the old motors. Thanks!

[@kimmartin6985]

Great video David. Love all the great historic boats. I do miss you on the canals though!

[@sharpbends]

Wonderful video, loved the sound 🔊

[@richardwhitehead5877]

One if your best vlogs! Thanks David

[@paulwilson7234]

Brilliant video thanks for sharing.

[@junco477]

What a treat. Thanks.

[@bingbong7316]

Most absorbing, loved it. I was wondering about transport of perishables, now I have my answer. Thank you!

[@TuttleCapt]

Absorbing is right. At 25 minutes, I was sure I would skip ahead a bit, but I watched every second. Well done (as usual), David!

[@kipphelan]

Really well filmed and edited. The opening boat ballet was splendid. Thanks ...all the best...Chris 🇨🇦

[@sheilajoseph9953]

Thankyou David for sharing a piece history, it was lucent to see we still have some beautiful boats and engines still going strong. Very well put together so thanks again. 😊

[@CruisingTheCut]

Much appreciated, ta

[@normfredriksen1381]

You've hardly taken a breath from selling your boat and here you are already turning out another quality canal history lesson. You are a driven man David and we're lucky to have you continuing your excellent work.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cheers

[@marinussnijder7941]

Great flog David, especially the personel story’s surrouding these nicely maintained boats. These gatherings have some similarities with those of motorcyclists, one being that there is a great fibe👍.

[@johnlong3214]

Lovely, thank you👍

[@colinwalder5033]

Your first post Wreyland video. As always, superb in all aspects, content, narration, filming and production. Very professionally done. A thoroughly entertaining and educational watch whilst enjoying a cheese sandwich and cup of tea Sunday lunch. Thanks David.

[@lupuscinus]

For those who worried that selling the boat would decrease the boat videos of this boat channel, I think they can now rest arrured... great video!

[@chrishewitt4220]

Love heritage events... as a history teacher, I appreciate how important it is to preserve our past for future generations. Thanks, David.

[@TheMikemedia]

I want to bottle CruisingTheCut and keep it in my medicine cabinet as a stress reliever.

[@minb1217]

Wonderful! They are such an important part of our heritage aren’t they and it’s great to see enthusiasts restoring and maintaining them so lovingly. I love the sound of the ‘traditional’ engines :-)

[@goofe.washington953]

It’s hard to overstate how good this video is. Excellent…..simply superb.

[@cbwilson2398]

The swan may think it is the most elegant creature in white, but you, sir, are by far the most elegant spokesman for narrowboats, and narrator of the narrowboat experience.

[@ghercock]

Happy to see you've still got it even if you're off the water! Great video.

[@d14551]

This looks to have been a very relaxed and interesting event.

[@waynesallotment7757]

Fantastic video please keep them coming. All the best Waynes Allotment.

[@handiman5001]

Wonderful wonderful wonderful an absolutely informative video, so much history and so much love and money given to these great watercraft. Please have more of these types of videos of narrowboat gatherings and festivals along with interviews with owners about the boats history

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cheers, there are a few more on the channel

[@re33ce]

Great Blog As Always ❤️Love The The Canal History, Engereing At Its Best ❤️ 💯 👏👏

[@joseph.d5187]

Thank you for posting. I really enjoy your channel, sense of humor, and story telling abilities.

[@howardwilson5247]

Excellent video and really well narrated

[@vickijohnson4668]

Brilliant David, thanks so much. I will be watching this again, one of your best. 👍👍❤❤

[@CarolWilliams-xp1id]

Good to see you're keeping out of mischief. The new approach is looking very promising. More scope for your documentary skills perhaps

[@FlyFree2023]

Perfect viewing for an overcast Bank Holiday. Excellent content and coverage as usual - thanks.

[@mwolfer1]

What a lovely feature, David. Really well done (as always). Thank you for consistently high quality content on YT.

[@andrewcarmichael8683]

Well my Monday has started off with a nice surprise. Thanks for the video, with your unique running commentary!

[@PhilPage227]

Brilliant video David, i am often found at Ellesmere port as I live about 30 minutes away. I have stood on Saturn at Ellesmere on the Llangollen canal and seen my good friend Boat Horse Cracker pulling it along on the Montgomery canal.

[@urbanrider429]

My grandads old FMC boat the Clee is awaiting restoration,my mum and aunt lived on board and we have some great photos.

[@monrezee]

Starting my day with one of your videos is a joy. Thank You.

[@johnwigglesworth7961]

First class video David. Well done

[@ranekeisenkralle8265]

I don't think I have so far heard anyone use the term "Marine Shibari" before when referring to boats tied to one another. But i suppose it is apt enough. after all that assortment of boats IS pretty to look at. Either way, you gave me a laugh with that. Thank you for that.

[@arniestuboud]

SIGH.......... Oh what an absolutely LOVELY change of pace and focus from everything going on in our world and in my own confused USA right now. Yes, I realize the slow and nostalgic pace of vintage narrowboats here is only a pleasant illusion, but we all need a bit of a time out from the hurry-hurry ding-dong craziness of our world today. I have followed you from your beginning of Cruising the Cut and even though you are no longer actually cruising yourself, your wonderful calming pace of presentation is always a lift to the human spirit, at least mine. THANK YOU FOR THE TRANQUILITY OF THIS VISIT!!!