156 Visiting the Floating Christmas Market on the canals in Birmingham

[@bobbybecker6435]

The coffee boat is absolutely the BEST idea in human history!

[@contrafax]

No, it is the cheese boat!!!

[@SecretSquirrelFun]

Oh the choir was just so lovely. I’m so glad that you just happened to be in the right place at the right time ❤

[@kb43ver]

Thanks for the wonderful video, David. When you were talking about the smell of the stove, I was able to remind me to the time of my great-aunt (when I was a child), who always had the stove on in her living room and I now have again that smell in my nose. A wonderful memory that you have evoked for me.

[@CruisingTheCut]

How marvellous!

[@jeffebdy]

No idea why, but the tuneless choir at the end actually brought a tear to my eye

[@vinm300]

Communal singing must go right back to the dawn of time. I'm quite sure it pre-dates language (200,000yrs ago). I might have shed a tear but I'm too mutton-Jeff to hear the lyrics.

[@pootle2768]

The choir at the end were such a lovely treat. Thank you

[@paulie-g]

The metal artists are insanely talented. Very impressed with their work.

[@WaheedRafiq]

Not enough advertising I never heard of this floating market before. It only I want to buy narrow boat and started to view your vlogs I found out about this 😮

[@johnfineberg2112]

Hi David Yes you are spoiling us with the quality of your videos. Really enjoyable interesting stuff. The Sound was excellent and the usual outstanding camera work noted. Thanks Jo

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you

[@scottydogx]

What a great place to visit! It did look like they were practicing for lockdown though. Sad to think it probably won’t happen this year. I hope those traders are getting through this.

[@parjacpar3077]

Thanks for adding the choir at the end it made it extra special

[@CruisingTheCut]

I'm so pleased at least one person saw the "bonus content" at the end :-)

[@parjacpar3077]

I always check the time on video before ending it and know you have ended some of your videos in a similar way in the past

[@tedholiday3511]

I really enjoyed that you got off the boat and showed us that shopping area. Great fun watching the artist explain their work.... Thanks........

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ophiophagush.3926]

Love the acerbic dry humour, suspect it goes whooshing by many viewers. Brilliant.

[@fizzys26]

I’ve never put much thought into how journalists do their work, but you really do have a gift for telling a story. This was a really well done, and interesting video.

[@Seahorn_]

Txs for putting a link to those traders, is some amazing craftmanship there.

[@annie2950]

Come along chaps let's get David to the 50k as a Christmas present for all those lovely vlogs we've been treated too. Merry Christmas David hoping for a fire chat in the New Year.🎅🍹🎄

[@CruisingTheCut]

Haha that would be amazing! So close... ;-)

[@normg2242]

Well, if it ends with a tea and a pastry, it's always a good day!!! Cheers!

[@waynespiv6674]

all ways a joy dave your vlogs are great .it is a escape for us stuck in the grind .thanks again ,

[@theartofthereel455]

This is one of the most enjoyable things I've ever seen on KZbin. I wish I was there.

[@ScoriacTears]

All they needed was one coach! One coach of lovely tourists and they'd have been made for the month.

[@aakew]

Merry Christmas! 🎄

[@lockout6896]

The singing at the end was great.

[@maryanncampbell-wick91]

Loved watching the canal market. My husband and I are street vendors, peddling our handmade trinkets in Alaska-made from porcupine quills(sort of like a hedgehog, but NOT!) Summer is the busiest, but I have expanded my winter trade by selling wholesale to the many other gift shops throughout Alaska. It was too bad the weather maybe kept shoppers away, but it also could be advertising-if an event coordinator hasn't plugged the event on local radio, social media, or newspaper-no one knows it's happening...anyway great Fun!! to watch...and would have shopped had I been there!

[@nutmeg5032]

Have thoroughly enjoyed your vlogs this year, Merry Christmas and happy New Year.

[@leonlowe]

I've watched every video since #1 and this is my favorite, so far! My preference are the cruising videos with a lot of landscape and wildlife views but when you can provide quality like this, I'm a happy camper. The musical bonus was a surprise, but a worthwhile conclusion to the vlog. Moving on and trying to catch up with 2021.

[@MagicaLucem]

Quite a quirky surprise. Wasn't expecting another canal vlog from the master; not now that the close season is hurtling over the horizon. Thank You.. And... Oh my....What do we find? Empty towpaths...deserted trade-boats! What a sad old lot we are ...and only a few days before Christmas eh? A deeply poignant video...gentle and unassuming .. twas sad that this event in dear old Brum looked so much like a soggy damp squib...Nice folk indeed...but flompy somehow. Not much energy or pzzaz...It needed a knees up band, or a folk rock group...or....heaven help us "Morris Men"...please ! something to cheer it all up. Three cheers for the one elderly chap on the music front...he was at least trying. ( Not your fault it was so ...er quiet and grey...but sad nevertheless ) I found myself comparing the atmosphere in the whole video to the vitality, noise, bustle and gluhwein of those German and Austrian Christmas markets...and really wanted to give everyone in Brum a big hug...and like Nanny ..say something enthusiastic like...."Now come on, let's get whizzy now ..no more doldrums!" Oh why, Oh why do us Brits not push out the boats more ( a pun for the punster ? )..I do hope the boat-folk made a few bob from the events, but it didn't look likely, did it ?.....And then the bonus...that genuinely fab tuneless choir...it's really a brilliant idea...after all what do all those folk who don't get into the school choir do ...If they still want to sing?.... As we did...er ..they do... But then, why, Oh why choose such a sad sad song? Oh dear, Oh my...deeply binding in Marsh Street isn't it. (Come back Kenneth Williams we all need livening up... ) Love your coverage of course. Your TV training still works, one sees! And even your colour and interview and filmic magic to brighten it all up was great...but ... Oh well. Tomorrow is another day. Thank You for your absolutely fabulous sound and image wizardry by wet waterways or on dry land throughout this year Happy Hols to thee ( and your exhausted navigatoress from the Welsh hills and your secret grey moggy..... ) We at home here are certainly looking forward to an even more exciting 2019 from you...our own most cherished ...Dark Sith Lord of the Cut! ... and Jedi Master of The Van... Kindest wishes always .. ...from just another of your lowly thralled subscribers .. Onward. ..as they say in Brum !

[@CruisingTheCut]

The choir sang several songs but that was the only one I filmed then I went for my train!

[@ladydi4runner]

Lord of the Cut! I like that. 👍😀 Quite the quirky reply Sir. I thoroughly enjoyed it. 😁 Nicely serene vid David though sparsely attended. I enjoy walking around markets like that making new friends and discoveries. I could almost smell that smoke burning seriously 😳 👍😊

[@TonyCarnell]

Another fantastic vlog David. I love the way you edit them, adding those little details like incidental music that really add so much, and give them a professional quality. Merry Christmas and keep up the good work 😀👍

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cheers Tony

[@davidbagley1783]

I agree ..what a fun walk and look through.. such a nice community..the narrow boat community

[@sjurgabriel]

Lovely as usual. Your vlogs have a relaxing effect without beeing boringly slow. I wish you and your dearest a merry christmas.

[@curlyanneb1973]

That little water taxi was adorable. And a great idea.

[@barryroach1980]

Thanks for the Vlog David and Happy holidays and all that.......but I must admit I am bewildered by the other comments when I read "fantastic Market"......I'm sorry but its the saddest market I've ever seen!!!, wet and damp and thats just the demeanor of the squeeze box player at 08:00!!! it felt so sad seeing deserted paths winding around creative traders. All I can say is that online buying is killing not just the high street!!!

[@MegaBait1616]

On-line is killing brick n mortar, malls, local mom n pop stores around the world. Movie houses are struggling too. Next is on-line delv. prepared food which will kill restaurants next, Watch..............soon won't have to leave your house ???? Kinda Sad................

[@paulie-g]

Depends on the restaurants. The ones you go to not just to eat but as an experience will be fine.

[@MichaelsMustang]

@@paulie-g Someone with class that likes to go to a restaurant to have a real meal, you are a dying breed, most just shove the average delivery down their throat.

[@lizardman69sc]

A unexpected vlog and enjoyed so much! Thank again David. Always enjoy watching your channel. Merry Christmas!

[@karenlaw7685]

Thanks for the bonus choir. It really lifted my mood!

[@BadMonkeyTouring]

David, one of my favorite Christmas time activities is visiting the Christmas markets. I've been to ones in France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and of course London, to name a few. I never imagined them doing one on narrowboats, but this is so cool. I've recently become a fan of your videos. You're a fantastic storyteller and bring so much wit to your videos, with your whimsical commentary. Thanks for producing this video and bringing attention to these artist and traders.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you :-)

[@niranthbanks3595]

I was so glad to see a new blog was up. The laid-back demeanor is the remedy for a overly busy morning. There was the requisite animals; a dog, ducks and wildlife. (The giraffe may not count but the whimsy also is welcome!) Thank you very much for creating these vlogs.

[@VileStorms]

I had no idea england had canals like Venice and Amsterdam until i found your videos, thanks for sharing your life, im loving the videos!!

[@stadleroux]

I've read or seen somewhere that Birmingham has more canals, measured in distance, than Venice. Don't know if it's true, but apparently there are more being restored and added as well!

[@Hfh415]

Really unique stores and gifts... handmade items are so unique

[@sallyu1]

It was nice to see a different themed video. We like cruising the Birmingham canals.

[@robsin2810]

The metal worker was brilliant. The Ro was fabulous. Did it pick up in the afternoon. Hope you had time for a G&T. 🇦🇺👍👍✨✨

[@garrisonstanleigh6146]

The trader selling the wire work has the best attitude .. You don't have to be rich you just have to be HAPPY

[@starwater9828]

Love the coffee boat - happily partake.

[@julietcarnell2251]

Very nice. This is what your TV reporting must have been like. ITV's loss, our gain! Merry Christmas

[@jamesa7506]

Great video and happy to see my welding trade used for the arts with enthusiasm not just for profit. You should've gotten that sweet V.W. bus shirt too! AND A COFFEE BOAT to boot! I would've had a grand time. Thanks for sharing this and wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year!

[@cassrailroad5358]

Such a beautiful vlog 👍👍👍👍👍. Love the ending really great great singers.

[@rickydunn6519]

How sad it’s so slow for them...we have to get back to our artists and craft workers...we need to keep heritage alive

[@charliestrains9826]

That choir is the Sutton Coldfield Tuneless Choir, run boy my mum!

[@andynightingale7335]

They were great! loved that little cameo at the end!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Really?!

[@charliestrains9826]

CruisingTheCut, believe it or not I am telling the truth, her friend was the one who started the Tuneless Choir and then we had the Sutton choir. Hope you enjoyed the singing.

[@CruisingTheCut]

I did!

[@charliestrains9826]

Glad to here, will pass onto choir, thanks

[@eleveneleven572]

My grandfather lived in Holliday St next to Gas St and as a kid of 5 -7 yrs old I'd wander around there and go through the small doorway into the Basin. It was like going through the looking glass, a hidden world away from the bustle of Broad St. I bet you don't see many little kids roaming around there on their own these days..

[@narrowboatlane2241]

Being admin on the narrow boat owners group we were having this conversation only the other day about the poor turn out for boat traders markets, and the conclusion we arrived at is that they really aren't well adcertised, with many markets that our members mentioned not even being heard of. In an age of social media I'm wondering if the organisers of these events are really exploiting a terrific tool as the internet to let wannabe customers the chance to hear of them?

[@bex82uk]

Some great shots as always, lovely memories of meeting up with Robbie, Lou, and some other lovely boater fans earlier this year thanks for sharing and Happy Christmas!

[@caro7910]

This video brought back a lot of great memories to me as well :) Hope you're fine, Bex! Lovely holidays for you x

[@Markus__B]

Great to see how passionate the Traders are. I´d step in that floating coffee right now. But..... not a single Heron. ;) Thanks for your Vlogs. Merry Christmas to you.

[@alexr4151]

Such interesting people! Thank you for making the season brighter.

[@jeffbrewster6658]

Great vlog David , many thanks . Wishing you a merry Christmas and new year .

[@roberthorwood4276]

great video, very warming and interesting there are so many traders making a living on the canals which is great to see :-) thank you.

[@johngrubb007]

Really enjoyed this video. Love the cruising vids but the occasional sojourn into the areas of events on and around the canals are also very entertaining.

[@mattevans-koch9353]

Thank you David for the newest video. Loved the choir at the end. Please have a marvelous Holiday Season.

[@tareefaires4766]

Thank you for sharing this adventure! I loved the Holiday Market and all the artist's. The metalwork one was amazing! I also loved seeing the Canal Art. I love the painting on all the boats always. Your interviews were interesting and gave it a more personal touch. Happy Christmas and a safe Happy New Year from up here in the US Northwest, Bellingham WA!

[@albertrowe3351]

Very interesting David some nice items for sale, they really need a central website from which to sell from, merry Christmas and of course a happy new year and nice hot sunny days!.

[@CruisingTheCut]

That's not a bad idea at all!

[@theproplady]

11:47 My mother loved that old world style of painting. (In the US, that sort of painting would be considered more German/Scandanavian in style since most of the people who settled in New England and the Midwest were from those areas.) This is a great mini-documentary on the artists of the canal. (Gee, it's almost like you used to do this sort of thing for a living. :D)

[@brianmillington2949]

Thanks David, wonderful photography. I am a "Brummy" by birth (now live in southern California) and I also lived for a while in Hemel Hempstead where there was/is a branch of the Grand Union. So many memories... So long ago... Thanks again.

[@johnkinnane547]

Thanks David for that film it gives us who live in other places a look into canal life see you in the new year kind regards John

[@sextoncardew903]

I would love to visit Birmingham. My ancestors came from there. Alas, at 85, and stuck with a lockdown I think I will be staying in OZ.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Shame :-(

[@nigelwarfield2346]

Fanatic much appreciation and thank you for sharing. Take care and be safe

[@MrRoyboy55]

Finally the iconic Canal ballot on Concertina , i have been waiting so long Thank Him for me and thank you

[@suedolly7081]

Great video, David. Thanks!

[@mheermance]

That market is really neat. I wish I could have been there and walked around! So thanks for making this video as it's the next best thing.

[@robertgraham9643]

Merry Christmas from St. Catharines Ont. Canada keep up the good work

[@paultanker5606]

gday from Ausralia, how i miss the canals,my father had a small 4 berth boat and when ever we got the chance we would go of somewhere,alas we came to oz,no canals,i was in there uk sept. and oct. this year ,now and again we got a glimse of a narrow boat or canal, it looked so nice,after 50 years in oz,i still miss the canal life!

[@katcankan7129]

Thanks. This was great. I lived in Birmingham for awhile, love it and always will 😄.

[@novascotiahobo1958]

Great coverage. Really too bad there wasnt a great deal of local support. We sometimes have similar issues over here in “ the colonies “. Been following your vids for sometime now, both van and boat. Im about to head out myself in search of 70 degrees. Now over here that means south into the usa towards florida. Listen have a great christmas and new year mate.

[@cocobunjee6676]

A big thank you for all your lovely videos. Happy Holidays.

[@roykemp4941]

Loved the choir, have a great Christmas.

[@exundfluriba]

David, perhaps in the summer of 2019 you might consider a visit to Ireland to explore some of our canals. Actually there are just three in total, the Grand, Royal and Shannon-Erne. Mainly widebeam, very little traffic, very few actually living full time. You can hire a barge for a week or two and get a feel for a different canal experience 😃

[@CruisingTheCut]

Hahah, if only I had the wallet for boat hire!! ££££££

[@caldaq219]

This was A rather nice video seeing all the traders and hearing some about them thank you.

[@howtoeverything9526]

Hello from Northern Kentucky USA I’ve been watching your vlogs for a long while now And I have just watched a documentary on the canals And one of the things I learned is the toe path you’re always speaking about I guess I was under the impression that the toe path meant toe as in on your foot Instead of the actual meaning Tow as in a boat being towed Lol Just thought it was a funny that I’d share

[@jimkrahn7079]

Happy solstice, looking forward to the new travels,thanks for sharing. Cheers

[@gillywild]

Merry Christmas David and thank you for a wonderful year of videos to make us smile.

[@andynightingale7335]

Lovely little video David. Brightened my day, cheers.

[@navigator902]

Happy to see the Gin mill....Fun times floating around the traders of the market...

[@louiseng7272]

Merry Christmas David and a happy Vlogging New Year. Thanks for showing us the canals of the U.K, I always have something to look forward to thanks to you and Captain Gary and Colin Jacques and The Tiller People. Many thanks to you all. Best Wishes.

[@BornSailor2]

Enjoyed! Best Wishes David and a Merry Christmas and a safe New Year.

[@jeffreyspangler]

Love the Keane carolers at the end. Thank you for another great video.

[@ratroddiesels1981]

we loved this programme cheers merry christmas.

[@lone8869]

The Kangaroo was amazing. Thanks for sharing. Have a great Christmas and Happy Cruising for 2019.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Another enjoyable vlog thanks David. It's a shame the event wasn't better supported but maybe it wasn't promoted sufficiently. Some interesting sellers there.

[@Tex1947]

Merry Christmas David. Thank you for your great videos done on your boat and from your van.

[@paulhulse1975]

Thats just great to watch regards paul

[@zapfanzapfan]

The canals of Birmingham, just slightly less well known than those of Venice :-) The metal work was amazing!

[@julierathbone9382]

We visited it last year - but it’s easy for us as we only live round the corner. I love Gas Street Basin and the whole vibe. :)

[@ceeceety2320]

Oh, how very nice! My wife and I long to visit and travel by narrowboat one day and we might never leave!

[@TheMadTatter]

Today I learned that The Sutton Coldfield Tuneless Choir exists! The name alone sounds like a Two Ronnies sketch

[@9ColorZebra]

I finally saw all of your videos up to this point today. I feel like I accomplished something great. I enjoy your videos and your humor. I have learned a lot about narrow boats with your help. I bought a couple of the maps and guides so I can see where you were. I would like to try narrow boating some day. I would definitely try before I would buy. I hope to get on a narrow boat tour when I can schedule it. I have been on family boats and large cruise ships. I recently took a Danube River cruise from Budapest, Hungary to Nuremberg, Germany. I have been on quite a few boats. I was in the United States Navy for 8 years and served all of my time on land without seeing a ship. I have made up for it since. I continue to look forward to your upcoming videos.

[@TheDayzman]

Your timing is just perfect

[@georgebrown3359]

Thanks for the choir David, that was certainly a Christmas bonus. I lived in Sutton Coldfield from 1958 to 1961. All the best for Christmas and I look forward to your 2019 cruising season.

[@johnbraine5940]

Dear David, just a note to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Your VLOGS helped me through some very difficult times this year. Gentle paced, soothing delivery with plenty of canal type interest.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad they have helped but a shame you had times that needed help. I hope things improve for you in 2019. Cheers

[@99999janice]

MERRY CHRISTMAS from Boston. Thanks for the great vid.

[@jdeshetlerII]

Thank you David, for the better late than never introduction to Keane's music; one doesn't hear as much of it as they should across the pond.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Huh?

[@scottcopters]

That's so good. Thanks for sharing. I will be living afloat from April. Ideas for a sustainable life.

[@kitsouk1]

Love your VLogs, Please keep up the fantastic work, it's very relaxing and nostalgic to watch your VLogs, I used to live on The Trent-Severn Waterway system in Ontario, Canada I lived on a Canadian Houseboat (Pontoon) for 6 years, In the Winter I stayed in the boat, but on land in Bobcaygeon, Ontario, -30 to -40c in the winter up in the Kawartha Lakes so you won't be in the water. This Vlog about traders reminded me of my life on the water. I also worked from my boat as a Mechanic, serving the boating community in the summer. Question, How did you end up living on a boat? For me, it was the loss of my home.

[@dadt8009]

Two great British traditions together - market trading and canal boats.

[@timothyhopkins6960]

Very very interesting. I wonder if there are any antique shops that work out of the boats.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Have a look here, you might find one listed www.rcta.org.uk/directory/

[@marianillingworth4403]

Wow what an interesting video. Thoroughly enjoyed meeting some of the traders. We visited a floating market at Stoke Bruerne, not as many traders as Birmingham, but we loved it.

[@lyndarichardson4744]

Thanks for a very interesting video David. There were some very talented people there selling lovely hand crafted items. I hope you have a Happy Christmas & thanks for all your great Vlogs !