I don't know how I ended up here but I've spent a good chunk of my day off watching these videos. What a way of life. Cheers.

He truly is the Bob Ross of narrowboats

It is always amusing to me that its very obvious that you're a professional journalist. Nothing against the many others i watch, but it does show through how well you present things.

To my understanding stop-locks were less due toll reasons (after all, the Staffordshire and Worchestershire didn't have any between Autherly and Aldersly junction - their most profitable section) as to put the older canal in the receiving side for water. Newer canals where always ordered to level about 4-8 inches above the existing pond level at a junction, so they will never draw water from the existing canal. It' all about water (and not giving any to the new kid).

Well that was a superb 90 degree turn....

I have been watching your videos for days as I am stuck at home because of COVID-19. I am from Maryland,USA. I must say I am in awe of your lifestyle and the fact that this network of canals exist in the UK, i had no idea! It’s so charming!

Hi 👋 I’m the lady with the dog that said hello passing you as I was leaving the ashby hope you have a lovely trip keep your eye out for the steam train will be running at the weekend, lots of wildlife to watch out for I’ve seen lots of new life I’m surprised you missed all the water voles between bridge two and three with there little ones have to catch them on camera on the way back out 😉 enjoy hope the weather picks up for you

I keep seeing Hyacinth Bucket having a nautical buffet when I watch these. Very relaxing videos..Thanks.

Very nice, calming trip. Birds chirping, stone couch - no drama. Just drifting up the lazy river on a gray day.

He's like the David Attenborough of narrowboat 😊

Ah yes, a new series of cruising videos from my favorite boat tuber. Always a nice calming watch during lunch breaks during a rather hectic work day. A big thank you David for bringing us along on your journey!

I never knew about the British canal system until David started posting about them. A national treasure...the canal system too!

I'm writing a sequel screenplay to The Italian Job called The Coventry Job which has an exciting 1mph boat chase thru the Coventry canals. It should be next years most exciting summer blockbuster action movie. Will they make it thru the locks before the bad guys catch them? You'll just have to wait until it hits the theaters!

Another wonderful video. On positioning fenders in odd places: run a line between two cleats and then attach your fenders to the horizontal line using lark's head knots. Then you can slide the fenders forward and aft to any position you wish. Cheers,

I love this guy, his videos are educational and relaxing.

Thank you for taking us on your journey! Pleasant bank holiday viewing!

I always thought canals were boring but you make it so interesting I’m hooked! Keep it up!

Your videos are addictive.

David enjoying the voyages again .. and the same overcoming calm fills the spirit just from watching and cruising, while listening to your narration.

watching this relaxes me , thank you

Awesome! Even one collected bottle is less trash.

Enjoyed the ACE Turn onto Ashby you done good.

Always great to see new videos

Love your videos. I am in the US. This is a lovely way of life completely unavailable to us in the way shown here... A wonderful way to relax!

Very nice journey. I like the real time video and your descriptions of the process of narrow boating. Thank you with envy.

Run a rope between the top rings where you have your fenders tied now. Then put your fenders on a ring large enough to run the rope thru then you can move your fenders to any position alongside the boat. Great video :)

"a pathetic dribble" "much anxious quacking ensues" I can't drink coffee and listen to such commentary without expelling my drink through my nose. Thanks for the laughs...

Ive never had an over seas holiday, but old mate you have inspired me.

You sir are an almost old hippy, plain and simple. You cruise around, check stuff out, find a nice spot and hang out for a couple days sipping scotch and tea... cool! Respect!

I love that you use your net and pick junk out of the water. I know it seems to make little difference, but it says a lot about your character that you do it anyway. Good for you!

Great video, thanks David. The Ashby is indeed a beautiful canal. Shrimping net and bucket is a brilliant idea. If all boat owners picked up 5 bits of rubbish a day we'd have our waterways cleaned up in no time. I think we should start a campaign! Happy travels.

I heard that honest people have trouble choosing where to go up stream but that criminals have no problem picking a lock.

Yet another great video. I grew up on a narrow boat and hated every minute of it. Now at the age of 52 I'd love that life again!

That was a brilliant 90 degree turn 👍😂 well done x

I could watch your videos for hours, keep em coming

Nice to hear the birds singing.

Very neat trick with the fenders. A few years ago I managed to slot a 54ft boat through the entrance of the Ashby without incident despite being a hirer who only has a boat for a fortnight once every couple of years. I knew it was luck but to onlookers it must have been mistaken for skill.

Im glad that you help clean up the canal when you pass through

I just discovered your channel the other day and I am sad I did not find it sooner! I grew up in Seneca Falls, New York very near to many of the paths of the Erie Canal. A section of canal cuts right through the center of town. Many a spring and summer has been day spent with my father driving along to find the locks that are no longer are in service and spending time along the canal. I love your channel and could watch it all day if I didn't have to work!

Wow - first lock of the year! :) So sad to see all that grossness in the water. I love that you try and make a difference, every little bit helps as corny as that sounds, it's true and it's appreciated. Oh, those little duckies paddling so furiously! Happy dogs :) I just never get enough of your videos, your personality and the lovely, lovely fairytale beauty that you show us is real.

to me is so amazing to see the canals over the whole country and the usefulness of these. these canals fueled industrial revolution. i don't have the words to describe the importance

Always gongoozlers around ready to watch you make difficult turns

Hi David what a lovely canal journey nice scenery and a pleasure watching 👍

David ! I still Love watching your older videos ! You are timeless..... sbf

I do a lot of cycling on that towpath between the Coventry Basin and The Rose and Castle pub at Ansty. The boaters, many who live on the canal and those touring on holiday are some the friendliest people i`ve ever met. Must be the `pace`.

The Old Brick Buildings are beautiful.

For your mooring situation, we used "fender boards". A twelve foot section of 2 x 12 (inches); held with a rope on each end. (Probably a smaller size would work better on a boat. (1 x 6?) The fender boards were suspended on the outside. Fenders hung down between the fender boards and the side of the ship. Worked a treat. Especially when moored against telephone-pole-sized pilings. Keep up the good work. A "CruisingTheCut" video makes my day.

Looks just wonderful. You do a great job of explaining where you are and the issues you are facing as you float along. Thans

Love the idea & look of sculpture along the canal. Thank you also for scooping up the floating refuse & disposing of it properly.

The gardens on the canal homes were really something!! Good piloting also!

I would never think narrowboats were so popular, but this video changed my mind, so many narrowboats in one place :)

Nice to see the bow cleat back in frame :-). What better way to ease myself into the day than a slow and peaceful trip along the canal...

Hello from Sydney Australia. Tremendously entertaining and informative viewing. Love it. Your dry sense of humour adds to the fun. I was in England for work a while ago and I should have grabbed the chance to experience the narrowboat magic. Well done.

I can't remember where I saw it but someone had a great idea about what to do about the fender problem and it was to tie a rope from your front fender point to the aft point and you can hang your fenders on the rope where they are needed. Nice vlog glad I got to come along.👍

Wonderful to see you out and about again for this season 🚣 happy cruising 2019. I will be happy to follow your coming adventures😊

Unhurried. The word that best describes your lifestyle. Love it. And, spot on job making that turn. I couldnt have done it with a 20 foot boat:)

What an interesting journey. Well done negotiating the sharp right turn into the Ashby Canal (especially with an avid spectator leaning over the bridge). An excellent video with an entertaining commentary. Thank you David

Only came across your channel today. And have to say your content is superb! I have watched 10 back to back

Always good to watch David, keep posting!

Many thanks for your continued hard work producing these videos David, I very much enjoy them all.

Peaceful and relaxing. Thank you

Good for you for picking u those bottles--every little bit helps, I guess, but it's disheartening that people still don't care enough to take care of their own trash. (And nicely done on that tricky turn under the bridge.)

Top marks on that sharp right turn.

As I always say here in Nevada... Food is a welcome addition to most ANY meal.

Well David, I’m watching reruns now. That’s okay, I’m so old I don’t remember them any more 🤣. Things are cooling down here in Michigan. Old man winter is on his way. Looking forward to Crushing The Cut, reruns, and hot cup of coffee. There is something just very pleasant and clamming about your vlogs. (John B)

I'm sitting here in the snow covered Rocky Mountains in our Aero Cruiser vintage motorhome on a very British cool rainy day enjoying your video and thanking you for your patient and time you put into your production....

Well done, sir. You've become quite the mariner. I have enjoyed your videos greatly, and admire the cruising the cut lifestyle by what I've seen. Thanks for sharing.

Glad you are out and about once again. Been waiting! Love the two bits where we could hear the water (12:50) as the boat moved along.

You did an excellent job getting in the small canal. You are a Professional after all!!! Well Done!!

Canal craft, canal architecture, canal buildings, canal locks and bridges, lock master houses are so......warm, human scaled, shapely, curvy...so.....right.

You were right, it was a lovely day. Thanks for sharing.

‘Much anxious quacking’ is pretty apt description for my day today! 🤣😆

Very well narrated and presented. Nice to view

A beautiful, relaxing vlog as always, and some of the prettiest scenery you’ve shown us. I’m going to drop a request for future topics here. As a potential future solo narrowboater, the roof-scrambling and lock ladder-climbing is the most daunting part. Here’s the problem: we don’t get to see you do that bit in any detail because it’s too hard for you to film. I’m wondering one day if you have a guest on board, could they possibly film while you do a demonstration/ explainer please.

Lovely vlog! Always look forward to seeing your adventures.

Excellent ship handling, Cap'n!

Great boat handling, amigo.

This is so different then the typical boating done here in the States. We have a few canals here cruise though. It seems quite relaxing.

I loved the first bridge sculpture.. Love you pick up litter XO Every little bit counts.

Well done DAVID.🇦🇺👍👍🥂

i so wish i could own a narrow boat... :( your videos are wonderful , the peace and quiet is so so appealing to me now im 50..

Nice to know that canal is older than the United States of America. The ducks at 6:18 have seen some shit, judging by their total non-reaction to your horn.

Such lovely canals, so peaceful to be one with nature and the elements! Just, to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, this can be very relaxing. Passed, every corner a new chapter, sometimes you see new things. Other times you look forward to arriving back at a certain place that is not new and stays the same!

At the water point that extra slow valve was karma getting you back for what you said about Cat and her watering skills in your V'log #171. Glad you were able to get to Tesco and fill your own fuel tank. A nice grilled cheese sandwich and a nice hot bowl of tomato soup, a cup of tea.

Amazing! I've randomly discovered your YT canal.. I mean channel and I got sucked in! Narrowboating seems like a full time camping, but on the water, in a steady enough boat that it doesn't rock all the time, independent from wind and hassles with sails and almost always around nature. The history of those canals and narrowboats is also appealing. It makes me wonder if in Poland we have something similar in Mazury, where once upon a time there was a network of canals linking many lakes,

I've seen every single video you've made, on this channel and Vandemonium. I had no interest in the topic of narrow boats or canals. I just stumbled across one of your videos and had to binge watch them all. You're an interesting person and you're very particular, which i like. I suppose your videos are educational ASMR (to an extent), goes well with a brew anyway. Thanks for the Entertainment David!

I kept wanting the sun to come out. That is all that could make a more enjoyable time. Of course, Coventry raised ten million questions in me, all dealing with the air-bombing from WWII. Glad to see it still exists. Thanks for the ride David.

Hi David. Next time I hop on a plane from Australia to shop at Tesco's, I'll remember the armco hint about mooring :)

Wow, kudos to you! Mad boat manouvering skills getting through that 90 degree turn into the narrow canal. Not much entertainment for the on-lookers on the bridge 😄

You should carry a 'barge board' for mooring situations like that. A simple plank say 6' long of 6" x 1.5" timber, to span the corrugations of the Armco.

Nice to see the canals and days of by gone travel still being used.

Spectacular turn, wife and I held our breath. With 172 videos, we keep forgetting your skills have improved immensely. Many thanks again for allowing us to stand beside you on your journey. But, you keep putting us up front. We (I) rarely get to hear your conversations as you pass another narrow boat. My wife interrupted and announced she would rather see the scenery than listen to your conversations with fellow boaters.. So I stand corrected, it's your camera and your video SIR. 😄

Hi CC, so good to see again. Shame about the rubbish in the water but lazy people are every where. Big thumbs up

Even picking up a few bottles helps .Well done.

Hi and thanks for a good one again and I love it well done nigel

Another relaxing and polished production, so scenic despite its urban location.

At that exact spot at Hawkesbury Junction stop-lock our propellor unit broke off from the motor unit last summer so the boat couldn't move (coming from Coventry on a hire boat). My husband and boys were able to pull it at the side (where we kinda blocked the mentioned slowly dripping water point for the hole day...sorry) Turned out that a) the complete hatch was FULL of plastic bags, sheets and other clothy things, that winded around the prop and b) as the mechanic told us, some or nearly all of the jointy screw [technical term required] must have been broken off beforehand [thanks, hire boat company, for not doing proper maintainance!] so the plastic bags killed the last one and deconnected the prop from engine :-( YES, the Coventry Canal IS indeed a nasty dirty bit of the Canal System! BUT still worth going to the end if you want to visit THE Cathedral (as we did, 'cause we're from Germany and wanted to teach our children a history lesson) - Or you just moor up somewhere nearby a station and take the train - for the Coventry Canal bit itself isn't that worth seeing. Better go to Leamington Spa and Warwick. It' much nicer there and you won't find any supermarket trolleys or flooding children's karts (really! seen in Cov Can!) in the water.

"Knots and Splices" updated by Colin Jarman is a superb little book. Well worth practising a few basic knots. The Bowline is my favourite, a standing loop which won't slip and can always be undone

I live on a lake that at least 3/4 mile wide,and it seems strange to see the boats so narrow,,but at least you don't have to put up with folk running 60 mph all the time,,love your videos,,thxs

Spectacular turn onto the Ashby!!