271. Canal boating in convoy through Birmingham.

(This is not a repeat of the live broadcast but a full vlog of the day).
On Saturday 25th June 2022, around 80 narrowboats took part in a colourful and noisy parade through Birmingham to mark the city hosting this year's Commonwealth Games. This is my record of that day.
You may also have spotted I did a 'live' broadcast during the event, this can be seen here: • Boating in Birmingham ...
Narrowboat Old Nick can be found at / @narrowboatoldnick
Narrowboat Natterings' channel is at / narrowboatnatterings
Please note: to prevent copyright strikes against this video, I have had to replace the background sound as we went through the centre of the city (there was a lot of music playing, which resulted in a copyright claim on my live broadcast). I trust this minor but necessary adjustment does not spoil your enjoyment of the video. Tough luck if it does.
If you have enjoyed the video, a tip can be left via
www.ko-fi.com/davidjohns
or / cruisingthecut
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Info
Q&A: www.CruisingTheCut.co.uk/f-a-q/
Filming Gear: www.CruisingTheCut.co.uk/gear/
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Web: www.CruisingTheCut.co.uk
Theme music: "Vespers" by Topher Mohr and Alex Alena, from the KZbin music library
#narrowboat #canal #cruisingthecut #rivers #offgrid #liveaboard

[@CMSwithay]

It takes a lot of skill to make a good documentry style vlog and this is a beautiful one. Gentle, informative and a lovely watch.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you 👍

[@frednorman1]

OK I’m a self proclaimed Anglophile here, an American who lives in Northern California. I love the UK- I’ve been there three times- and this is a fascinating glimpse into a interesting subculture. Kind of like Trainspotting , another somewhat eccentric UK subculture. And an interesting glimpse at the extensive canal system in the UK, which predated railroads as a form of transportation. I just think of the huge amount of work it must’ve taken to dig out all those canals with manual labor no modern power equipment..

[@FloatingIdeasonanarrowboat]

Imagine if someone built a tiny house on one of the guaging islands. In the fashion of a castle 🏰 of course because they would need a drawbridge to get to and from!

[@GrahamRead101]

For a man who no longer owns his own narrow boat, you sure do still keep making great canal boat videos.

[@doctorpc4x4]

The classic boat towing the unpowered butty coming out of the loop The skipper made it look like it was something he did every day. Another great vlog

[@hossenfeffer8383]

I have to say, this looks like a slice of Heaven. I feel like I am watching fellow humans who have found the secret to a happy life. Much appreciated.

[@familyw5661]

there is something about a David video thats awesome and special. i think its his gift for this that shines more then the content. PS i watch basically every video he publishes but sometimes forget to like them. remember to like im sure it helps him out. (inner voice out) lol

[@paulherbst752]

What a grand tour. I am struck by how attractive the canals are even in the more urban and industrial areas. Thank you, David.

[@nilo70]

Thank you David , for another wonderful trip down canals I’ve never seen before , enjoying the views and seeing all the boats ! I loved the trip, Cheers from California !

[@kuda4082]

Today I walked through my first carnal. From Swann Valley to town center Northampton. I first tuned in to your vlog when I was in Zimbabwe a few months ago. Now I really got the true beauty of canals. I saw the lock gates 3 I think along the route. Swanns. I loved it...lovely scenery and pathways.

[@lockedin60]

As much as the sound of the chugging boats was soothing the gentle roll of water as the wind tossed it about was calming too.

[@keykeypr8292]

"When boating with bunting in Birmingham, low bridges...." Loved the alliteration. Great video.

[@flaagan]

I was wondering, have you considered doing a video where you pick a lock (or locks) that are known to be busy and volunteering there for a day or two, and do mini-interviews with the boaters that pass through while they're waiting for the water levels to match up? Could compile them all together as a single (or multiple) vid, have the same set of questions for each traveler.

[@MrSheckstr]

“Lock picking” something that has a distinctly dignified definition almost exclusively on the CRT

[@user-rj5kx8wr6y]

Fancy asking David to pick a lock or two!

[@shirleylynch7529]

Brilliant. Thoroughly enjoyed this. Your commentary and filming first class. Great day for everyone. Thank you for taking us.

[@cynthiavansaun1500]

Thanks David, I loved seeing the parade. Too bad we weren't able to hear Sweet Caroline again. I'd love to hear him belt that out in a long tunnel. Maybe with disco lights. See you soon on the next video, Cynthia

[@howardlockhart3615]

“A spot of lunch and a cup of tea?? No cheese sandwich??? David!! Yet another great video. Many thanks.

[@MrCalldean]

I can well recommend the Black Country Living Museum - full day out and worth every penny.

[@detroitredneckdetroitredne6674]

Hello from Detroit Michigan brother thank you for sharing your adventure

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks for watching!

[@bjbrown6884]

I grew up in Kalamazoo!

[@joehiker5573]

A splendid day on the water, THANK YOU for bringing us along David ... =)

[@flaagan]

It sounds like Bill & Ted had an Excellent Adventure that day!

[@freddypflugbeil6]

Thanks for the fun boat ride From New York

[@CruisingTheCut]

👍

[@rosssharp9988]

'Bill & Ted's Excellent Canal Adventure' - it simply has to be made into a feature film. (Script by A Former Canal Person). That being said, Ted must be discouraged from performing his own stunts! Thanks again - lovely stuff. p.s. I'm in the UK for 10 days, but embroiled in airshow doings.

[@SecretSquirrelFun]

3:58 and a metal detector 🤔 I’m in total agreement about tidying up those toll landings, and it wouldn’t take long at all. Even a small patch of wildflowers would be nice. If I was in the UK, I’d happily join you for a weekend of pulling weeds, trimming and edging and possibly a sprinkling of wildflower seeds. If I’m totally honest.... I’m ever so envious, and really appreciate your wonderful videos. Thanks for sharing your adventures and insight with me. Take care. 🙂🐿🌈❤️

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you 😊

[@mandyrogers6645]

@@CruisingTheCut personally I think the wildness of the toll landings is wonderful, especially for wildlife to be able to breed away from cats and dogs....

[@sgit1]

Your narration and interviewing skills make this so much more interesting.

[@Cydonius1]

Being part of the Commonwealth, Malta, I approve of this message

[@CruisingTheCut]

I love Malta, have been there twice 👍

[@borderreiver3288]

what an amazing sight to see so many boats together...and a lovely day too...

[@CruisingTheCut]

Yes it was!

[@bennysh]

I just love this canal culture and they way you present it to us, far away viewers. Thank you for it!

[@TheJurgisRud]

It was nice learning about Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure.

[@JxH]

:-) Saved me typing that in...

[@eveb446]

Thank you for taking us on this beautiful boat trip.

[@meanqueensuperscrimper8908]

That was very relaxing to watch. Thank you for your excellent commentary. ilona

[@lyndarichardson4744]

Thank you David, another fascinating video.

[@nickgiles7568]

Another wonderful video David.Ever since you have given up the responsibilities of your own boat the topics have been much more wide ranging.Keep up the good work.

[@del5.0]

What a great turnout, a great mix of old school narrow boats and new technology. The toll island could be small building selling narrow boat provisions. Thanks for an excellent vlog. Cheers!

[@paulbennett4548]

Thank you for the 'Director's Cut' of the event. Lots of place names that triggered memories and you went past Tipton so you passed our Aunt Lou's house. Most enjoyable and what's a big event without one major SNAFU :o)

[@mellissadalby1402]

I am sure that Bill and Ted (the boat dogs) had an excellent adventure indeed,

[@Renovator26]

Brilliant, David! I can only imagine how many hours this superbly professional vlog took to produce. Thanks for this. As an aside, I imagine the air must have been a bit polluted by all these diesel engines in such close quarters! See you again soon I hope. John, Ontario, Canada

[@LindaRobbinsStraitfever]

We enjoyed this video! Thank you. It was restful to see the canal activities through your eyes... and camera. Good to see you David. Take care of you. - from Texas.

[@suecox2308]

What fun and terrific visuals of so many different boats. Thanks for taking us along.

[@Richardj410]

Thanks as always. Filling my need of narrowboat videos.

[@rkeith4442]

I'm old fashioned but I still like the smell and sound of a diesel engine! 🇺🇸

[@markwhitcher2138]

I am so glad you are still making videos

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you

[@evelynsutton4411]

Lovely vid, David, l wish l had been there. One thing though, you just keep your strimmers and lawn-mowers to yourself, those little safe overgrown islands are a boon to wildlife. We have to get rid of the idea that everything has to be scalped down to a sterile desert just in the name of 'tidiness'.

[@CruisingTheCut]

And that is why my front lawn is currently an overgrown flowery wilderness but honestly those toll islands needed a jolly good chopping 🤣

[@evelynsutton4411]

@@CruisingTheCut l bet your front lawn is a sight for sore eyes, a wildflower meadow full of butterflies, bees, lace-wings and all the other busy little creatures that pollinate our fruit trees etc. l'd love to see a picture! Good for you!

[@anthonyrstrawbridge]

✌️♥️👍

[@mattevans-koch9353]

Thank you David. Very relaxing and enjoyable. I missed Lumpy singing like he was in your live coverage. Have great week.

[@matthewteller6095]

I was gutted to miss this, I am lucky to live in one of those flats where I can watch the boats and sip my gin and tonic. I had no idea it was happening, so was elsewhere!

[@CruisingTheCut]

☹️

[@MotownJT]

Great video of another canal event! Parts of the urban area looked familiar from before. Saw lots of adorable dogs today too. Thanks again for sharing your experience with us!

[@peteacher52]

Charming! No more need be said.

[@landlockedtv2098]

I always feel uplifted after watching one of your videos. Thanks. Timothy from South Africa.

[@Nick-nk5mf]

11:50 I really love how LEO has been painted. Beautiful.

[@David.M.]

Thanks David, I love these new vlogs.

[@jamesa7506]

Bill and Ted out having another Excellent Adventure 😎 Great video sir 👍

[@DougsMessyGarage]

Always impresses me that the UK has been able to keep up the canal system. I have a weak spot for technological history. Thank you David for sharing the canals for those of us who will likely never get to experience them.

[@MrSheckstr]

I wish we had something similarly historical here in the US…. Maybe special trials exclusively for horse drawn Conestoga Wagon “RVing”

[@SamSitar]

watching their boats is very relaxing.

[@ilox11]

Thank you, David, so interesting to see such a number and variety of canal boats traveling through the many canals of Birmingham. I know that you and other bloggers have shown us in and around this amazing canal network but I just can't get enough of this hub of the Industrial Revolution and how the Canals were integral in the transport of raw materials in and manufactured goods out. Just incredible to construction that went on to provide all of these waterways. There must have been many thousands of navvies involved from start to finish. Maybe you could use that as a future topic because the construction would have to have caused logistical nightmares and a huge disruption to the residents and other workers? I can imagine the competing canal companies vying for the best routes to their designated markets. Also can imagine the stables and horse industries that would have sprung up along the towpaths to look after the draft horses that made all of this transportation possible before motorization took place. Hope your Housing problems have been resolved or getting resolved by now. Stay safe and well. Cheers from Down under.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Not so much disruption I think because back in the late 1700 / early 1800s Birmingham wasn't built up anything like it is today. Instead of one homogeneous mass of houses and industry it was likely still separate villages (I have not checked this)

[@kathyowens9901]

Lots of fun was had!I liked the weeds though

[@jamminjami103]

That was a fun video to watch! Thank you David ♥

[@padmepadme]

Thoroughly enjoyed this vlog; thanks dearly. :)

[@davidgrigg3505]

From Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. Another interesting nicely done video with professional reporting as usual David. Enjoyed very much!

[@marielange9077]

I'm in total agreement, from just south of Kitchener in Syracuse, NY, USA.

[@stephenhayes6133]

Thank you David, for another great interesting video.

[@leonlowe]

Very enjoyable!

[@thomasm1964]

"Shambolic" : an excellent word which should be applied rigorously to ALL amateur pursuits, especially if British.

[@andyrbush]

You hit that nail on the head.

[@RobMartin1ds]

Wonderful show, better than any news report !!

[@ladysunza]

The Black country living museum is fantastic and well worth a visit or two or three

[@andyrbush]

Delightful as always to watch your vlogs.

[@pauloost59]

That seems fun!

[@hans2406]

From Thailand: Great show, great video! Thank you.

[@layalabi1667]

Thanks for the vlog!!!

[@kplante7881]

Nice one…! Thanks for sharing!

[@Margaret_J]

Always a good watch Love the sound of those old engines Great fun Thank you

[@loniallorenz2009]

just excellent ! What a great day to be on the canal....

[@mitchellminer9597]

Another marvel. Thanks for posting.

[@AhmedKhoga]

❤️ Thank you

[@janeabbotts]

That was great viewing, thank you. Cheers.

[@garrettswoodworx1873]

Another well done video that is both educational and entertaining! Thanks as always David.

[@dcranfield9164]

I really enjoyed this one . Thank you for this good entertainment.

[@dennislindenpellinge]

So many beautiful narrowboats and so many beautiful views! Great video! 😃👍

[@kiltedbill7594]

ALL THOSE BEAUTIFUL BOATS ALL TOGETHER AT ONCE! WHAT AN AMAZING SIGHT. THANKS, DAVID, FOR SHARING THIS WITH US.

[@simons5193]

This was a great video David. thoroughly enjoyed it.

[@MikeVanHorn]

Thanks for sharing David, this was a very nice view.

[@mikeyjoechicago5818]

Nice to hear from you David. Entertaining, informative, and picturesque. Thank you.

[@kimberlyzamora4437]

The UK is so beautiful David. I hope to visit someday. I'm enjoying very much the new vision you have for your channel. ✌️ ❤️

[@grahamdunn5888]

Thanks David for another awesome vlog. We always watch your new episodes here in Oz they are informative, interesting and entertaining.

[@jamesfoley6555]

Thank you so much brilliant sharing🙏✝️🙏

[@majinojinn]

Wonderful as always sir!

[@ozziepilot2899]

Thanks again David, looks like a lot of fun as usual :)

[@NathanElcoate]

Lovely recount of the day.

[@macmcelroy6165]

top notch and first class David as per

[@janetcreasman6441]

Thanks for bringing us along for the ride, looked like a lovely day for all, especially the canal puppers...!

[@Kat69nh]

Thanks for sharing

[@andynightingale7335]

That was a really nice watch David. Looks like a good day out. Thanks.

[@dennisporter753]

Awesome David... enjoyed this canal vlog.. cool to see and hear or not hear the different types of motors.. Cheers!

[@Lego6980]

Lovely vlog. Always good to see Old Nick and you captured and conveyed the jolly atmosphere of the day nicely. Thanks King David of the Waterways

[@nannag5801]

I enjoyed the video, thank you!! Take care. God bless

[@daveduffy1755]

As usual great vlog again pictures and narrative great aswell looked like fun day for the boaters

[@paulmurphy5648]

I have just started watching your vlogs all over again as I enjoyed them so much...Thank you...

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you

[@augabby7]

Thank you for continuing to create such relaxing & informative videos. You have such a calming voice . Hope you & your family are well.🕊

[@bjbrown6884]

Thank you for bringing sanity to us you tube viewers!

[@andrewmonument8847]

Does David actually know what sanity is ? 🤣

[@stevenhayes2589]

A great video thank you for sharing.

[@Santafefrank]

Thanks for the video

[@rgarlinyc]

Thank you - I thoroughly enjoyed taking this 23 minute pleasant break away from the chaos of my day. Put me down as a Jemima fan as well!

[@markgruenberg6277]

A truly enjoyable video 📹. Thanks for sharing this experience. Looking forward to the next chapter. Be well and stay safe.

[@NorthernNarrowboaters]

What a fantastic parade x