159. Winter cruising on my narrowboat! Napton to Brinklow (Part 1 of 2) 

I don’t know why you started making these videos, but the world is a better place because of it.

I had no clue about Narrowboating a year ago, no I'm obsessed by it all.

I'm watching from Lancaster PA ... I would love to have a boat like yours. Unfortunately I am on a very meager disability payment and can only afford the apartment i live in. I cant even afford a car to take care of necessary every day tasks of life... but watching your videos does help me relax and take my mind off the hardships. Thank you.

Outstanding! When I saw this video in my feed, I thought, "THIS will be perfect weather for the hoodie"....and I was correct. Glad it got there safely.

As a Canadian living on the prairies, I almost chocked on my tea when he declared 3 degrees to be bitterly cold.

No original content says one guy.... I would literally watch your videos if you started vlogging about how grass grows! Love the vlogs as usuallll!

I was going to say nothing but this speculation about a second person onboard ..... hilarious 😂 I too could see the evidence but tried to respect your privacy 🙄

I must say now, living just north of Chicago, Illinois as I do, that 3°C would feel pretty flippin’ WARM to me!! I’m glad my recent life has hardened me, should I ever choose to cruise Britain’s canals in winter. 😃

Good to see you had a companion on this one.

Nice shout out to the Honolulu Fire Department! I'm also astounded by their token of appreciation. Wonderful happenings like that help make the world feel a little more cheery.

Of course Canadians giggle when you talk about the cold :)

Loving the Sheep 🐑 thing 🤣🤣🤣

Wait a bit... Did that video at 7:30 show TWO silhouettes on the bank? Have you finally smuggled a 'Cheery Companion' aboard? We're all waiting for a Puss cat, a Doggo or, at the very least, a lowly human to accompany you on your peripatetic travels. We all flourish in the company of others Davy. I hope you don't think me too cheeky for questioning your life style, but we've all become invested in you and your life aboard, we just wish you the best and continued happiness, whether alone or with a companion...But it is nice to have someone to make you a cuppa while you steer...

Quite funny he says winter when the grass on the toe path is green. Come to Canada David. I'll host you and show you winter 🥶

People in Honolulu are water people. I'm sure they identify with you regardless of climate. Definitely a nice hoodie 😉😁

Damned, I thought I was strange watching this as a German - but Honolulu Fire Department? Cool - Kudos to those guys for sending you the hoodie :)

About the same time you made this video, I had just taken a voluntary redundancy from a long time employer which meant that I was about to take a part time job - this turned out to be a Tesco delivery driver (for my sins) & I've delivered to all of those marinas. It was also very strange that as a resident of Rugby, to see it from the canals & where the Rugby "Tesco stop" is, I used to go over that bridge on a 21 mile drive to work every morning in my old job. I think you've got the right idea & it's time I just slowed down.

I love that the Honolulu Fire Department sent you a hoodie, very thoughtful :). Thank you for braving the cold for us and taking us along, very much appreciated.

Ok, who is the guest ? 7:31 Is that two silhouettes ? 7:47 You clearly didn't film yourself ! 11:20 long hair blowing in front of the camera. Several references to we & us at the locks. :)

You can see he's not alone in this vid.

Hello from Canada. I have to say.....your definition of "arctic" and "cold" must be relative lol. That being said, I've really been enjoying your vlogs (which appeared on my feed for an unknown reason but I'm glad I watched). I've been dreaming of doing a river cruise for years on the continent, but I'm quite taken with these skinny little floating cottages. I've been to Britain a couple times and absolutely loved it. Maybe one day I'll be able to make it back for a narrow boat cruise. Cheers captain, keep up the great videos and keep enjoying life. Thank you for sharing this with us all.

Drop your jaw and gasp in disbelief as you watch me take the boat out for a cruise in winter. Yes, winter. OK, it's not snowing but it was December, a time when I'm normally tucked up by the roaring stove with the boat on the mooring. I've split the journey into two parts else it would be a very long video indeed; the whole trip was Napton to Brinklow and this video covers Napton to Hillmorton. Got a question? Read this! www.CruisingTheCut.co.uk/f-a-q/ Fancy a Cruising The Cut mug or t-shirt? Click here: www.redbubble.com/people/cruisingthecut Twitter: twitter.com/CruisingTheCut Instagram: instagram.com/CruisingTheCut Facebook: facebook.com/CruisingTheCut Web: www.CruisingTheCut.co.uk Patreon: www.patreon.com/CruisingTheCut One-off donation: paypal.me/CruisingTheCut Buying anything via this Amazon link gets me a commission to help me keep the videos coming. Thank you! tinyurl.com/canalboats Camera gear I use (also Amazon affiliate links): Sony AX53 camcorder: amzn.to/2brVbO1 Rode VideoMicro microphone: amzn.to/2brUG6R Rode wireless mic: amzn.to/2dv6Udx Rode NT-USB microphone: amzn.to/2bUKSk1 Lexar 64GB SDXC card: amzn.to/2bUL1Ui

High shots, low shots, long shots, side shots, wide shots, back shots, drive by's, look no hands, this video had everything ! Some great camera work and editing, having a first mate aboard is a big help ;-) Sheep royalty who'd a thought...

Greetings from Russia, I'm really enjoing your videos. It's not the best time in my life and they are helping to forget the problems, relax and imagine that I am also on a quiet british canal. Thanks.

Great winter vlog, great channel 👍

"Cold" is regionally relative, of course. 3 degrees would be a lovely winter day to this old Canuck. Cheers!

Love the sheep history lol

Thanks for taking us for a day out David, I must be one of those morons cause i enjoyed it lol. keep them coming mate. . big Al.

What a pleasant surprise. Didn't expect this until spring.

Hello to you from south-east Kentucky! You have incredible skill, good sir, with camera work, boating, narrating and teaching. A most excellent video. I have subbed and will be watching more of your videos. The land there is so beautiful as well as the canals. I hope to see them someday. Thank you for sharing your experiences. I am most grateful and blessed to see it.

Had me going with your Henry the 8th sheep story 😃 Enjoyed the video don't take any notice of negative comments.

Well that was very nice

Loved the hat tip to the Honolulu Fire Dept for the hoodie gift. I also enjoyed the "utter nonsense" observation attributing the sheep to Henry VIII. Had me going hook, line and sinker with that one - lol.

David, I do so hope that you will continue keeping us informed about Sheep History. I'm learning baaaaah much!

Good of you to step up an take us winter cruising an have the canals almost to yourself. A belated happy new year to you sir. Try an stay warm.

Thank you David and Ms. First Mate ??? It’s about time you introduced her to us, we keep seeing glimpses but... Oh and thank you for calling that hill for what it actually is, a mound... Cheerio Bryan from Vancouver

I love how you've pinned the bloke/wifey who accused your followers of being morons. That had me hooting! I couldn't be fashed (bothered) to hoy (throw) in my two-pennorth - others are doing a jolly good job. Personally, I found it rather diverting that you donned the hoodie! Not to mention the first sighting of the woolly hat, being as you're usually a fair-weather narrowboater. Next time, however, I expect a view of the Sydney Opera House, The Hanging Gardens of Babylon and herds of wildebeest, sweeping majestically across the plain. ;) x

If you want to do more winter cruising like this, you could invest in something like a motorcycle grip warmer for the tiller

A world wide audience awesome. Stay warm and well.

I think this RU-vid channel is amazing!! I’m form North Carolina USA, and when I grow under and retire I want to travel the intracoastal waterway and this really gives me more inspiration to go so.

I'm enthralled by your videos - I had no idea the canal system in England was so extensive. I've now taken to opening Google Earth and following along on a map as I watch the vlog posts...

Your December looks like a Canadian September lol, love the videos.

the modern fields still show the ridges of ancient mediaval strip fields well over a thousand years old, nice to see:D

In 1804, Napoleon sent a brigantine loaded with 80 ewes, 20 rams and 40 tons of fodder into Nelson's fleet as a gift from the Levant, which he had recently conquered. Nelson dispatched them in the same brigantine to Lynn with instructions to ship them via the Nene to his mate Sir Roger Newdigate's place, whose land adjoins the Oxford. And they're there to this day!

Love the sheep stories. Thanks for the giggle. By the way..... I’ve got a pile of sheep fleece in a basket beside me and my spinning wheel has been hard at work.

Nice bit of predictive helming at the start of the video. Neat trick that!!

Some Advanced filming there! I loved the video please do not stop making these vlogs. It’s probably the closest thing to living aboard a narrowboat that I will expirence!

Was not expecting a video so soon. Thanks for the upload

I quite enjoyed your story about the sheep. I figured they must have been immortal, if Henry VIII had gifted them. ;)

Laughed at loud at the sheep. Totally had me

Your knowledge of the historical sheep origins and lineages in the Napton - Rugby region is impressive David. Just another of the added values of watching your channel!

These vlogs are so relaxing and incredibly well made. A great way to spend a saturday night. Watching the beautiful scenery whilst learning a thing or 2 about narrowboating never gets old.

Very relaxing cruise, as always. Happy new Year. Greetings to the Honolulu Fire department. XD

It’s amazing to watch your videos, so fluide so steady and It dosent look like you are using any mechanical stabilizer. Sound is perfect, what a pleasure to be on board. (I have no problem with the cold, living on the French Riviera 😎) and today, July 2019 it’s 38 degrees C.

Noticed you have a companion on this cruise. Thanks for taking us along..

Winter? No snow, no ice. Greetings from Finland!

Take no notice of Alien Creation. He appears incapable of appreciating the beautiful areas your cruises take others to. Thank you for sharing.

what a difference a season makes! Its almost like a completely different canal, with what seems like less of everything (boats and vegetation), but at the same time, MORE of everything! (light and spacious views!) What a fantastic way to live! xx

Great video, made easier to watch snuggled up with my Cruising The Cut mug full of tea. Looking forward to part two.

I thought I was the only person in Honolulu watching this vlog! Nice hoodie!

"I got chills" great now I have to go listen to the entire Grease soundtrack again

Haha, oh so cold! We who live in the Province of Saskatchewan consider 3 degrees C utterly balmy. We bask in the sun, play in the snow and think that we are very lucky. (normal is -20 - -30) If I had a narrowboat I would definitely be cruising all year round. I always love your vlogs and your humour. All the best from Canada. I am glad that you made it back safely. Take care.

Cheers for the 50K! I see you've got a dapper little camera person getting some extra shots in for you, now. Hope they're good company on the winter canals!

Bieng in a dry lands of middle East watching your videos is refreshing sir. Love the sound of your diesel engine.

Wooo! Honolulu representing! :-D

I was believing every word about the sheep... 🐑 lol

Simply a gorgeous video, I have never seen so many different styles of boats as these. You can tell also that peoples personalities have been included in many of the designs This looks like a nice quite place to live ones life, if it became a choice and you loved being on-board boats.This is so peaceful, to be the master of your own domain. Weather permitting of course! How nice.

"It's very straight." I laughed out loud. Thank you!!

Enjoying your videos in Dakar, Senegal. Lots of souvenirs from the Middlands. Thank you.

As for cold toes.. I parked cars in Denver, Colorado for many years and it was routinely 10-15 f. Nothing you put on your feet, including thick socks, will keep your feet warm because below about 51 degrees your body starts to reduce blood flow to the extremities and restricting most circulation to your body core and brain. The only way to keep your toes warm is to keep your core warm and the way to do that is to put a heat pack under your coat against the middle of your chest and if possible the smaller heat packs under your arms. Heats your blood, keeps your body core warm and it vastly improves blood flow to your extremities, including your toes, keeping those little suckers toasty. Seriously, try it next winter and you will be amazed.

Having watched every one of your previous Vlogs, I was having withdrawal symptoms, which have just been relieved by #159. Thanks for that. AND we are just finalising the hire of a narrow boat in August-September to cruise north of Manchester. :-)) We will wave if we recognise you.

Best segment was the hoodie from Honalulu, the beauty of the canals goes far!

You are totally brilliant mate. I love just sitting down of an evening and relaxing whilst watching one of your vids! Very calming!

Love your wry humor! It just seems to fit what I perceive to be a "proper" British personality. I've been watching your vlogs for a bit now, but I don't usually comment on much of anything. But I had to say to you that slow cruising those canals looks just as appealing as paddling the rivers here in the Ozarks. Love your videos, and hello from Springfield Missouri!

I just love your travels! I come home from a long day at work, make a cup of tea and watch you on the canals!

That Honolulu jumper story is great, this is why I love youtube.

I was so envious of your Honolulu FD hoodie that I momentarily considered selling my house here in Australia, moving to England buying a narrow boat and starting my own narrow boat vlog in the forlorn hope of being gifted such a wondrous item.

David, these chills you've got, are they multiplying? are you losing control? Is it electrifying? Well, you better shape up, Lol. Nice one :-)

I had no idea English history was so full of sheep husbandry. I suppose the preponderance of woolly sweaters should have been a clue, but on this side of the pond we hear so little of the intricacies of royal gift giving. Thank you for filling in the gaps. Happy New Year!

Awesome narrow boating. Lovely views around the country side

Thank you SO much for these videos, David. I just happened on them last week and became instantly enchanted. So relaxing, too. I can feel my spine and shoulders relax by the minute. This is too good to be true...there HAS to be a catch!

Would love to try a cruise through the canals someday!

A very fine job young man, very fine job!

This made my Day so much better, after finding out that I failed all my AS level mock papers and having to resit two of them I found this today!!!! Greetings from the northeast

David should you do more such cruises as someone who has sailed as late December in the US American Mid Atlantic I highly recommend electrically heated socks and gloves. Powered by small batteries at the low setting they can last 3hours and with two sets of rechargeables your feet can be warm enough that they don’t go numb. I have issues with Renaulds syndrome and if my hands or feet get cold they turn bright blue. While colorful not comfortable. I now love cold weather sailing more predicable wind.

Barby Hill is where Prince Barnard of Bavaria first invented the "barby" doll...which is of course, utter bilge!

Very enjoyable scenery & commentary. Thank you!

Beautiful in any weather . Well done

Seriously crushing on this man now...

Very clever start to the video, holding everyone in suspense as you 'allow the boat to steer itself'. Will it hit the bank …? ;)

A terrible thing has happened in my life. About a month ago RU-vid, in it's benevolent wisdom, recommended your channel. So every night for an hour or two I watched your videos. One after another. I enjoyed them so much. But now! Now I've watched them all. Drats! Emptiness and despair is all I have to look forward to. Please don't take this as criticism. It's not your fault alone that there is so little narrowboat activity during the winter months and so much missed opportunity for more more and more of your vlogs. But I don't understand why the hibernation. No icebergs. No Arctic storms or hungry polar bears with sharp claws. Seems safe and delightful, as you have just shown us.

england is absolutely beautiful in winter, reminds me when oslo and mr and mrs buchet from "keeping up appearances" when to the country.

Nice static shot of you coming around the curve! That must have taken some time to set up and take down. :)

Those sheep were not given to Rugby by Napoleon. They were given by Marshal Auguste Viesse de Marmont, one of his marshals. Marmont knew that Wellington had a mistress in Rugby, and the gift was for her, actually, hoping to appease Wellington and manage a more kind disposition from the Iron Duke, should Marmont ever be captured by him. This was, of course, the Series 3 Blackadder Wellington, whom Marmont called, "...A total arse." Marmont lived until 1852, never meeting Wellington in battle.

What a lovely, relaxing vid. Just what I needed after a hell of a day at work. Thank you

This channel brings me peace.

Me-thinks you have a shadowy stowaway...or a galley slave 7:00 'ish. Did you not see the Red Cross where the ambulance was? Thee should 'ave. asked Santa for some wooly Napoleon sheep mitts, they'll keep ' ands wam. '

Reminds me a bit of “Tales from the river bank “ 🙂

Your videos are great Thanks for making time to share them with us all

Oh good cruising, clears the head of all that boat buying bullshit....sharing your blogs ... makes everyone happy, it must be the pace of cruising that is so appealing to all.... Thanks and Cheers Skipper.