170. Crossing the world-famous Pontcysyllte canal aqueduct with the Narrowboat Experience

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Great, as always, spending the day with you and teaching you the ropes!

[@windsorlad1000]

It's so long since DJ was CTC!!

[@ot0m0t0]

Lovely paintjob you did.

[@jamesa7506]

You ladies have a fine vessel I particularly like the blue with white trim and a touch of brass for class, well done.

[@suetaylor5186]

Cath where did you get your hoodie from please.💛

[@cbcdesign001]

Nice paint job Ladies. I definitely prefer Narrowboats painted so the gunwale colour matches the superstructure all the way down to the first strake as you have done.

[@ianmedium]

The CRT should have a word with the hire boat company about it using up so much canal space! It’s not fair to other users to turn the canal into a single lane!

[@mommahil4323]

Love it when you guys get together,- always tends towards fun!

[@jamesa7506]

Amazing trip! The structure and the integrity of craftsmanship built into it's still operational, daily functions of over two hundred years is truly inspiring. Thank you sir for sharing this one with us.

[@duckiegirl58]

Hahaha! You peered over the edge and I backed up to the back of the couch! I loathe heights!!

[@jasonw4053]

There's something about this channel that is so soothing and endlessly interesting. It's perfectly presented (he's a professional, or was a professional presenter) but it's beyond that, even. It's just an instant transportation into a calm and peaceful world, no bombastic reporting, no loud music, no hysteria (unless it's mildly humorous to include it).

[@pootle2768]

That was wonderful! The scenery was stunning but that drop from the aqueduct was gut churning! I love seeing the three of you together.

[@moondancer5115]

Anytime you collaborate with the ladies it's always a good time. Happy Easter!

[@Dinki-Di]

One of the things that I always forget to compliment you on, because I’m so mesmerised by the scenery you show, is your seamlessly smooth editing. It’s a measure of your professionalism that the whole vlog flows so well, and that we forget about the hours of work that go into making such a professional product.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you Judy!

[@2LaneTraveler]

8:18 Nice paint job indeed! Tardis blue, I approve!

[@MrBblhed]

It is always fun to see you with Anna and Kath, the comedy is priceless.

[@tallman11282]

A collaboration between two of my favorite KZbin channels (and absolute favorite narrowboat channels)? Excellent!

[@lenking410]

Immensely beautiful. Ive been an avid watcher for years. Your videos, your wit, humor, and love for the life you live have been some of the brightest points in my life for the last couple years. Im battling severe health issues and a mass in my brain. I know you wont likely ever see this, but thank you. From the bottom of my heart. Thank you for taking all of us along on your amazing journeys.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Hello. I read every single comment. I'm sad to hear about your health struggles and I do wish you the best. I'm glad the videos have been a little bit of pleasure for you. Regards, David

[@hughwolfe1176]

What an amazing structure, and it’s been in service for 200 years. I saw a photo of this aqueduct but had no idea what or where it was until a bit of research… If I lived in the UK I’d be living on a narrow boat for sure. But I live in the desert of southern New Mexico… Subscribed as I like this type of content. Thank you for sharing.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Welcome along!

[@kenclarke1952]

What a fantastic area that is! People never show it and I know its small but just underneath the aquaduct is a sewage farm !! Can you believe it !!?? A wourld heritage site with a .. Great video thank you for posting.

[@bswins9648]

Great vlog, as usual. Beautiful scenery up high on the aqueduct. I realize it was scripted, but I chuckled when you were looking for their boat, and you just climbed aboard to verify. I imagined I were visiting the UK, saw what I thought was your boat and said to my wife, “...let’s jump aboard and see”. I don’t believe we’d settled down for a cuppa, but it would be an interesting vlog: CruisingforaBruising - The Yank Sank

[@davidwelch6796]

A lovely video about this amazing aqueduct. I had the pleasure of crossing it in a narrowboat over half a century ago. It is really quite safe and very scary, unless you have actually made this short journey I don't think that you can really appreciate the thrill. When I made the crossing, in the company of 15 other students on two eight berth 70 foot boats, it was part of a wonderful and never forgotten holiday. Peace and tranquillity, high jinks and alcohol, a wonderful week.

[@robbenson4598]

*Interesting fact* Crossing the aqueduct from the Trevor side, as you did...if you look back to the left you will see a house with a red door. That was Thomas Telford's house.

[@Renovator26]

It's great to see my two favourite narrowboat sites team up for this. Thanks for this. John, Collingwood, Ontario.

[@rochmel1409]

I agree with you. What a stunning paint job. Congratulations to Kate and Anna. And a really nice colour as well.

[@marclaw4511]

Been there three times and never been able to walk across.Legs went to jelly as i could see through the railings.They both did a first class pro job on that paint work.I do enjoy your videos.

[@iancharles7737]

There are volunteers who will walk with you, if you feel uneasy. A lovely group and so knowledgeable.

[@jimreynolds9195]

Holy cow - my stomach is still unsettled from that view.

[@mcpheonixx]

I'd like you to know that me and my family watch your channel. We enjoy sitting down In the living room and watching your videos on the t.v. on the weekends. 👍

[@lizardman69sc]

Another wonderful video David. Thanks for taking us along. Love your channel.

[@Robowarrior834]

As an American I am fascinated by these videos.

[@philmont606]

I'm currently up to your blog 170 and being from Australia I love them and always look eagerly forward to watching each and every one of them.

[@philmont606]

I did write vlog but spell checker changed it to blog 😊.

[@deltavee2]

I must say the ladies' boat looks gorgeous. Well done to you both! Very tasteful.

[@joyeyoder4783]

Actually laughed out loud at the "Indiana Johns" comment on Cath and Anna's vlog. Loved it.

[@Code3forever]

the more I see these vlogs of yours, the more I would like to see the different canals and villages along the way myself. It seems like such a peaceful, yet entertaining way to live. I know there are ups and downs but from what I see, life can be quite enjoyable in this lifestyle...

[@AMYTHEST54]

Love love love when you guys film together but this one's particularly awesome stunning views aquaduct very impressive thankyou again

[@-UrbanSurvivor]

That's the life, every day different, you see some of the most beautiful parts of the country and experience things like that aquaduct, I would love to give this a go some day. great video as always

[@tonybirdwell2917]

WOW .That had to have been a great experience!

[@andrewjones-productions]

I'd missed this episode! I was born in Llangollen and brought up in the nearby village of Glyndyfrdwy, so this is a very pleasant video for someone who now lives so far away. Halfway around the World in Tokyo in fact. Pontcysyllte or as it is properly known in Welsh, 'Traphont Ddŵr Pontcysyllte' (Pontcysyllte Aqueduct) derives its name from the hamlet of Cysyllte. Therefore the meaning is The Bridge of Cysyllte. Many Welsh, including myself for a very long time, mistake the etymology of the word to mean 'Linking Bridge'. This is because 'cysyllte' looks and sounds similar to the Welsh word for 'connection or link' which is 'cyswllt' and the plural being 'cysylltau'. We tend in Welsh to render the 'au' (ai - like sound) to a 'e' (eh like sound) when speaking informally and hence the mistake.

[@sirrliv]

I toured this magnificent aqueduct back in 2014 as part of a Study Abroad program for industrial history students. I admit, I suffer from serious vertigo at the best of times, and the day we were there was not the best of times; heavy rain pelted us the whole time, I was suffering a bad case of bronchitis and could barely catch my breath climbing up the valley. And then, after a brief rest to recover our strength and frolic with the sheep, we proceeded on foot across the aqueduct. For me, it was a mixture of terror and exhileration; to be so high up in the open air, to see for miles (or at far as the mists and rain would let us), to know that just a quarter inch of 200+ year old cast iron separated us from a long drop. Once I adjusted though, it was actually quite an easy walk, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to admire the view. Granted, once we reached the other side I made a bee-line for the pub to sit down with a Pepsi out of the rain. Seeing it again now, it's still an incredible achievement. Even if looking over the side, even in a KZbin video, makes me a bit lightheaded.

[@eddiethebarbarian]

Quite possibly my worst nightmare. But so beautiful. Thank you!

[@JamesCasatelli]

You have such a beautiful country there. I want to do this when I retire!

[@craigbowie8925]

CC as much as you tease Cath and Anna you are lucky they didn't pitch you off that thing! Seriously, crossing that would give me the royal willies. You are a better man than I Gunga Din. It is mind boggling they started that structure in the 1700's. So much cleaver ingenuity in the Brits of the time. It's a wonder they didn't deal with us colonists handily. :-) Thank you for another great Vlog. Cheers!

[@JD-vb5ib]

Great as always! "over 200 years old" - Love the history!

[@WeeWyllie]

From Canada, my wife and I have cruised the entire Llangollen Canal 4 times (two there-and-back again from Alvechurch) in the mid and late 90s. If you are going to do just one narrowboat trip on the canals, this should be the one you choose! It is a wonderful stretch of water and woodland, the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct being but one - admittedly significant - delight along the way!

[@NavyDood21]

That was an amazing display of piloting in that basin! I was getting anxious just watching.

[@margaretbedwell58]

Thank you for this video. The ladies that operate the boat did a terrific job at it as well as a very professional job of painting it. I absolutely love the feeling of calmness going down these canals. Have a Blessed day.

[@robinengland5799]

Beautiful scenery, amazing aquaduct! Amazing skill at the tiller!! They sure have benefited from your superb teaching skills!☺

[@CruisingTheCut]

They certainly have! ;-)

[@gilhunt663]

I did enjoy my trip over there Thanks for filming it, it brought back a lot of memories.

[@J8n3eyr3]

It isn't a Sunday afternoon without a canal boat video. Cute shout out to your mum.

[@JMVideos7676]

Amazing architecture that has truly stood the test of time.

[@BallardBaller]

Happy to see the historic sights being taken care of across the pond. I was the the VP for the D&H canal society in upstate NY for years. Tried many times to acquire funds both state and private to rebuild our Robelling designed aqueduct over the Rondout River

[@Wextopher]

They are such a cute couple. Am happy to learn about them and have watched a few of their vlogs. The slower pace of life is what Ferris Bueller was hinting at.

[@jamesdavis5096]

Wow I am blown away this is first class television. Really good David.

[@mikejfranklin7000]

You should try it in a canoe. You can clamp yourself to the side of the trough with your arm over the side, and look over. It's great. It sounds hairy, but you're a lot safer than when standing on the deck of a narrowboat. And in late summer, the blackberry harvest along the canal is phenomenal. There are berries that narrowboaters can access that walkers can't, but only canoeists can get the berries at the bottom!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Sounds absolutely terrifying

[@sedated2000]

Great to see both sides of this adventure. I love the views in this video. Whenever I get to visit the UK I will absolutely have to visit the canals.

[@rethinkscience8454]

Heritage heritage heritage amazing how everything old is new again or useful gain in the UK

[@susannnnnnnnnnnnnnn]

I walked over this with my little girl 2 months ago while visiting family in Mold was great love the views north wales just beautiful

[@craigkaschan4822]

Great video what a beautiful country.

[@CharlesinGA]

Thats a locking ball valve on the water tap. You slide the chrome slider up the handle and hold it up while you turn the handle, It should turn easily then. The hole in the handle is for a padlock to keep the slider from being moved up the handle. Looks like things have been mangled a bit by unknowing users . Great video, thank you and the ladies.

[@mozamariner4443]

Nice to see you and the ladies have such banter, makes visiting so much fun

[@filmmakingmad]

It took me a split second to realise what was coming! I see you're hooked Ha! Ha! Ha! A quick learner, natural talent. Good cruising this year.

[@bored.in.california2111]

Floating a boat on a bridge, over trees that high. I honestly have never seen that before in my life :)

[@cliffp.8396]

I'd say their paint job is as impressive as her steering and steely nerves, well done.

[@robertotto3220]

Never tire of your vlogs and the seeing the old world countryside! Happy Easter!

[@cotswolddreamer4584]

Loved this video. Your channel is wonderful and I really enjoy the beautiful scenery.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you!

[@stephensparkman3072]

Greetings from Texas, USA! I recently discovered your canal videos and had no idea the canal system existed! Very fascinating! We are definitely adding an overnight canal trip for a few days, assuming I can find one, to our travel bucket list. Well done. Thank you!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you enjoyed it and I hope you get your trip. Cheers

[@peterrice9800]

What a superb paint job .Well done.

[@annbush1826]

This was the one cruise my husband wanted to make but we never did! The photography was poetic

[@calebmunch-ae0fp20]

Positively beautiful! Looks like a great time with friends.

[@CruisingTheCut]

It was!

[@ncplantdoctor]

The aqueduct in the sky makes for a wonderful video, at least when you film it, but I doubt I’d enjoy crossing it in person. Thanks for sharing the beautiful video. Also, Happy Ether. I hope the Ether Bunny had the correct Ethernet address and visited you.

[@AntonyShannon]

I am surprised that there is not a traffic light system in operation to prevent that very scenario of a boat coming up to the other side before realising there were boats already on the aqueduct:

[@spencerwilton5831]

Antony Shannon You can see from one end to the other, it would take an especially idiotic person to enter an already occupied aqueduct! People have managed to cross without incident for two hundred years, I don't really see the necessity to complicate matters.

[@MrSheckstr]

@@spencerwilton5831 maybe but from the way the video is laid out, at least on this side, there is a very long one way approach bone has to navigate (through a maze of parked boats, and a tight turn) before one even gets to the entrance to the aqueduct and as you can see with one following the other, how can you tell where the end is. All that being said it’s part of the narrow boat lifestyle and one must at times get used to going nowhere fast

[@billroberts4910]

My three favorites together. Wonderful.

[@desmondsouthwell3529]

David, I hope you won't be offended if I tell you the correct pronunciation of that aqueduct. I've been meaning to tell you for a long time, and watching it again just now has reminded me. I've been on that canal four times for a total of six weeks. The lady in the shop at the far end from the boatyard kindly told us very slowly, four times, that the correct pronunciation is Pont see sith teh. I would never have got it right, otherwise. Great vlog. Been watching it for ages. Think I've seen every one. Cheers.

[@mariandavies9487]

I remember it well! I 'drove' across while my ex walked along the towpath. Scariest thing I have ever done. I took courage from the fact that the boat hung down in the water quite a lot, and admired the view whilst taking deep breaths. Then, when you have reached t'other side, you realise there is only one way back ...... aaagh! Worth it though as the stiff drink went down a charm!

[@larryezell8387]

The canal system must have been a very important means of moving materials to warrant that magnificent structure. Thanks again, very informative.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Oh, it was - the primary method for all goods and supplies in the Industrial Revolution (mid 1700s to mid 1800s) - there were no railways when the canals started and the roads were dirt tracks at best.

[@blacksunapocalypse]

@@CruisingTheCut Do you think that the canals will be abandoned in the future? They seem like they'd be awfully expensive to maintain for just casual use?

[@CruisingTheCut]

No, they're far too well used now and appreciated not only by boaters but walkers, anglers, cyclists etc and are a contributor to general "well being"

[@btudrus]

@@blacksunapocalypse No, a couple of canals are being restored actually.

[@snowmandanselzer7738]

Looking over the edge of the aqueduct still is unnerves me--just your photography.

[@nickcox2974]

What a wonderful place just love it there I never get tired going there it's a lovely and beautiful place to go any time of the year just love watching it change through the seasons x

[@tasim1]

Very nicely shot. Shows off the engineering and that drop would cause anyone to suffer from vertigo. Thanks.

[@herodotus7]

I love the ladies blue paint job. Very nice.

[@chantenupa]

It's like listening to the Paddington Bear of narrow boating. Very educational and comforting to watch.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Best compliment I've ever been paid, thank you

[@solentbum]

We crossed this bridge twice in late August with two small children. The biggest danger was hurrying pedestrians on the towpath walking into them. The best time to cross is early morning before the rest of the world is up, in the morning sun, when you can concentrate on the view.

[@ianwebb1902]

Watching this brought back terrifying memories of when I crossed it in the late 70s.... The Llangollen is beautiful....but, I just dislike heights,,,

[@crickettgreen2670]

Gorgeous Blue color on the repaint.

[@englishmaninfrance661]

1795 - 1805 at 126 ft high . That's some feat of engineering . No wonder Telford is remembered

[@lone8869]

Walked along the path but many years ago now. Beautiful place.

[@GLK-London]

It's an awesome experience we did a couple of years ago. I dearly hope it never changes in the days of the nanny state. The whole canal is a fantastic experience and well worth taking a holiday boat on!

[@KerrikkiLurgan]

I am glad you had a chance to share the aquaduct with the girls. ♥️

[@EAPoeProductions]

In some way this reminds me on Jerome Klapka Jeromes "Three man in a boat" although he didn´t ride on this beautiful but scaring aqueduct. Very well filmed and narrated! Thank you for sharing this experience!

[@johnclark3697]

SUPERB DAVID... TO THINK THAT WAS BUILT IN THE 17 TH CENTURY IS MINDBLOWING.. hope the health & safety never stop sensible folk taking the voyage.... splendid stuff .. Ta to you & the girls .

[@bobhunter7767]

Built 1795, so eighteenth century

[@jackiedavies6956]

loved this one . Great to get a reminder of how beautiful this country is and how we protect that beauty. Stunning paint job too.

[@mattevans-koch9353]

Marvelous video David. Good to see the girls from Narrow Boat Experience again. That aqueduct is truly an amazing structure. Thank you for showing it to us. Take care and have a good week ahead.

[@w.mozart3048]

Another wonderful vid - that's why I subscribed ! Thanks! Happy Easter for the the girls and yes, for you too...

[@mickyjb2003]

Well done Dave another Great vlog. The girls certainly made a great job of painting their boat.

[@rwm2986]

Bravo to the ladies from The Narrowboat Experience for cruising across that magnificent aqueduct with 'Mooring The Cut' on board!

[@AnthonyChew]

Any CruisingTheCut - The Narrowboat Experience crossover is nice to watch, thank you for making this!

[@vanished3306]

Fascinating lifestyle! I had no idea these boats and canals still existed. Across the pond we have quite the community of houseboats along the canals in Florida and the north west Green River but the narrowboats are so romantic! Thank you for bringing us along on your adventures👍🏻

[@WeeWyllie]

I am Canadian, and have done 7 summer canal trips over the years, each of two or three weeks long, the last one three years ago. In the last paragraph of this post, I explain explicitly and clearly why canal boat travel is the extraordinary experience it is, with little to match it. To me, a canal trip on the British Waterways is the pinnacle of holiday experiences. Really! The British "do" this sort of thing very well, quietly and efficiently, with little fanfare, and - to us North Americans - with a lovely flair of the quaint. No electric signs, no flashing neon, etc. The canals are well kept up, and my dealing with the various canal companies (I have always rented from ABC boat rentals) has always been delightful, both in the planning, and in their helping along the canals. My wife and I normally travel a great deal, with major trips several times a year to various parts of the world. And I have noticed that visiting 12 cathedrals or temples is not 12 times as enjoyable as visiting one. What the British Waterways canal experience offers is a totally gorgeous holiday, with something naturally filling every day! Managing your own boat journey through the canal is work (and exercise) - planning and map work, bridge and "canal hardware" handling, lock passage, boat steering, etc - but all of it is enjoyable and manageable, and it gives something pleasurable to look forward to every day. Every bend, pub, and dabchick is a new experience, and you constantly and naturally meet new people - at the pubs, at the locks, at the local stores - and so on. Yes, we have had some rainy days, but curiously, they have not been frequent, and even then, the enjoyment is barely diminished. I do recall one day of driving rain, and then we simply closed down, and retired to comfort inside the boat to have a day of reading and watching TV, with the rain beating down on the boat! And that occurred just once in 18 to 20 weeks of canal boat holidays (spread over 25 years). It is no wonder that every person (friends, family) we have had visit us for several days on some of these various trips, all have wanted more!

[@Graybear78]

Excellent video! Beautiful country! Thank you.

[@TheSteve157]

Absolutely amazing construction from our forefathers 👍

[@RVgeeks]

Great to see you all together again. Makes us wish we were back in the U.K. even more than usual.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Ah that would have been the one thing that would have made the trip even better!! Let's all do it next time :-)

[@peterhendry2154]

Great paint job girls.

[@kainuu3157]

Amazing! I have never heard of such a wonderful canal before.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Wild_Bill57]

I have watched a number of vlogs of this waterway and your professionally done vlog is, by far, the best quality I've ever seen. Wonderfully well done.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you!

[@jimchurchill5651]

You British have all the cool stuff, and the most beautiful countryside...! Wish I could live there.

[@kauske]

There are some lovely canals in NA too, you just have to know where to look. If you're up Canada ways, the Trent-Severn is worth a go, as is the Rideau Canal. While not a big interconnected system like the UK canals, there are a lot of historic canals and locks connecting off of the Great lakes, you just have to look around a bit to find them.

[@mikeissweet]

Water 100ft above water. Incredible engineering!

[@ginat.8064]

What a masterpiece that aquaduct is! I’m amazed at how they managed to plan and build it without the help of today’s technology. Great vlog as always!

[@JohnSmith-pd1fz]

++Gina T++ Well it was Thomas Telford and the technology of his day was equally as good as ours is today. It was just different. Plus people then had a "Can Do" attitude and very few if any restrictions, unlike today's laws and rules and regulations.