In this episode: poison in our waterways, no water in the canals; and something about the Big Bang.

Links

Water pollution https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/06/all-bodies-of-water-england-polluted-toxic-chemicals

CRT stoppages https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/boating/notices-and-stoppages

Lithium installations https://electrika.uk/index.php/2026/08/07/iwa-cas-guide-to-safe-lithium-battery-installation-now-published/

Videos

Summer canals

London boating https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/08/20/vlog-409-london-aye/

Fibreglassing Twiggy https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/08/09/vlog-408-bleep/

Electrika show https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/08/02/vlog-407-nuts-and-volts/

Tip jars https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/tip-jars/

Events

Oxford festival https://www.oxfordcanalheritage.org/oxford-canal-festival

Shardlow Historic Transport https://www.facebook.com/p/Shardlow-Historic-Transport-Gathering-61567784071210/

Floating markets https://www.rcta.org.uk/markets-festivals-and-events/#!event-list

CRT events https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/things-to-do/events/canal-events-canal-festivals?start=2026-09-01&end=2026-09-30

The Crow's Nest

Jared Owen's Falkirk Wheel video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucyw6GVifCE

The Murky Depths (my archive)

267a Falkirk wheel https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2022/05/31/vlog-267a-pipe-dreams/

267b Union canal https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2022/06/06/vlog-267b-wheel-meet-again/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this edition; the continued hot weather leads to official drought and multiple canal closures and restrictions. Plus the CRT want boaters' help in planning for the future.

Links

News

Boaters Survey https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/boating/boating-news-and-views/boating-news/annual-boaters-survey-2026-executive-summary

Boater consultation https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/boaterconsultation

Restoration Plan https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/our-cause/looking-after-canals-and-rivers/canal-restoration/restoration-resources/beginners-guide-to-canal-restoration

Historic vessel register https://www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/registers

Historic boats for sale https://www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/page/vessels-sale

Recent videos

Vlog 406 https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/07/24/vlog-406-juggernautical/

Vlog 405 https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/07/12/vlog-405-404-not-found/

Vlog 403 https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/07/01/vlog-403-high-fibre/

Tip jars https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/tip-jars/

Captain's Log (canal events)

Standedge Tunnel https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/places-to-visit/standedge-tunnel-and-visitor-centre

Wednesfield Festival https://wednesfieldcanalfestival.co.uk/

Brownhills Festival https://lhcrt.org.uk/brownhills-canal-festival/

Canal Trader markets https://www.rcta.org.uk/markets-festivals-and-events/#!event-list

CRT events https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/things-to-do/events/canal-events-canal-festivals?page=8&start=2026-07-01&end=2026-07-31

The Murkey Depths (archive video)

Standedge Tunnel trip https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2022/07/17/vlog-272-going-underground/

Crow's Nest (YouTube recommendation)

https://www.youtube.com/@webuyanymotorcaravan/videos

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month, how cleaning a river could land you in court; a six month update on the Whitchurch breach; and loads of canal events to go to in July.

Links

EA prosecution threat https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/17/campaigner-threatened-prosecution-environment-agency-river-roding-cleanup and https://www.rollonfriday.com/news-content/exclusive-environment-agency-receives-death-threats-after-warning-barrister-stop

IWA warning https://waterways.org.uk/about-us/news/indefinite-waterway-closures-rise-by-almost-40-iwa-reveals-growing-network-disruption

Whitchurch update https://tinyurl.com/CRT-Whitchurch-Update

CRT boat count https://tinyurl.com/CRT-boat-count-2026

Latest videos

402 https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/06/21/vlog-402-crop-top/

401 https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/06/10/vlog-401-resistance-is-futile/

400 https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/05/30/vlog-400-power-nap/

Tip jars https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/tip-jars/

Captain's Log (events diary)

Electrika 2026 https://electrika.uk/

Hayes Festival https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/things-to-do/events/canal-events-canal-festivals/2026-07-26-hayes-canal-festival-2026

Ware Festival https://www.waretowncouncil.gov.uk/whats-on/ware-festival/

Duck race https://www.braunston.org.uk/org-event.aspx?eid=6959#event

RCTA events https://www.rcta.org.uk/markets-festivals-and-events/#!event-list

CRT events https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/things-to-do/events/canal-events-canal-festivals?page=8&start=2026-07-01&end=2026-07-31

Video archive

Van trip https://vandemonium.co.uk/travels/van-99-boil-in-the-bag/

Vlog 164 https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2019/03/07/vlog-164-damp-patches/

Crow's Nest (YouTube recommendation)

https://www.youtube.com/@BrookeTierney

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode: are the canals doomed once more? Enjoy them in the meantime then with lots of summer events.

Links

Water crisis https://waterways.org.uk/about-us/news/iwa-navigation-committee-news-2605

Slaithwaite Reservoir http://www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/slaithwaite-reservoir

Recent videos

Twiggy's transom core https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/05/20/vlog-399-the-transom-of-the-opera/

Weekend aboard, Day 2 https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/05/10/vlog-398-immersion-therapy/

Weekend aboard, Day 1 https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/05/01/vlog-397-nap-time/

Tip jars https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/tip-jars/

Events

Ellesmere Port https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/things-to-do/events/canal-events-canal-festivals/2026-06-13-50th-anniversary-celebrations

Edinburgh Canal Festival https://edinburghcanalfestival.org.uk/

Brentford Festival https://brentfordcanalfestival.co.uk/

Braunston Rally https://www.braunstonmarina.co.uk/historic-boat-rally

Ware Festival https://waterways.org.uk/support/ways-to-get-involved/events/ware-boat-festival

Floating markets https://www.rcta.org.uk/markets-festivals-and-events/#!event-list

Archive video

Braunston rally https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2016/07/04/vlog-50-golden-oldies/

YouTube recommendation

BBC Archive https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAszByoXroY

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month, huge news at Toddbrook reservoir, and 16 tonnes of junk pulled from the canal in Milton Keynes.

Links

Toddbrook Update https://tinyurl.com/CtC-ToddbrookUpdate

Ashby dredging https://tinyurl.com/CtC-AshbyDredging

Lock Gate CNC https://tinyurl.com/CtC-LockGateCNC

Milton Keynes clean up https://waterways.org.uk/about-us/news/mk-branch-cleanup-2026

Electrika Show https://electrika.uk/

Recent videos

Twiggy update https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/04/24/vlog-396-gunge-tank/

Bonus Bowcam video https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/04/19/real-time-canal-cruise-wigrams-turn-to-braunston/

Braunston cruise https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/04/10/vlog-395-braunston-pickle/

My tip jars https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/tip-jars/

Events

Canalway Cavalcade https://waterways.org.uk/support/ways-to-get-involved/events/iwa-canalway-cavalcade-2026

Crick show https://crickboatshow.com/

Local festivals https://www.rcta.org.uk/markets-festivals-and-events/#!event-list

Archive Video

Toddbrook Reservoir works https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2023/08/11/vlog-307-reservoir-vlogs/

The Crows Nest

Scottish Car Clan https://www.youtube.com/@ScottishCarClan/videos

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this edition, surprise news about a wharf closing unexpectedly - and a daring plan to let scuba divers practice in canal locks...

Links

Ship's Telegraph (News)

Whitchurch breach https://www.tinyurl.com/whitchurchbreach

Sherborne Wharf closure: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2vy6zx565o

Scuba lock plan https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/scuba-lock-plan/

New on the Dock (Recent videos)

https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/03/30/vlog-394-home-improvements/

https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/03/15/vlog-393-well-gel/

https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/03/01/vlog-392-pump-out/

Tip Jars https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/tip-jars/

Captain's Log (events)

National Waterways Museum https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/places-to-visit/national-waterways-museum

Floating markets https://www.rcta.org.uk/markets-festivals-and-events/#!event-list

The Murky Depths (archive videos)

https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2019/04/01/vlog-167-new-bold-tunnel/

https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2017/04/01/vlog-82-important-news-update/

The Bilge (final words)

Charity Walk https://www.surplex.co.uk/donate

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode: more money for the canals; a plan for the future of boating; and a mention of motorhoming.

Links:

CRT report response https://tinyurl.com/crt-report-response

Extra funding https://www.gov.uk/government/news/iconic-canals-to-be-better-protected-with-65-million-investment

Llangollen breach https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/newsletter-archive/?email_id=37

Chandlery closures https://www.midlandchandlers.co.uk/news/midland-chandlers-moves-to-national-delivery-model

Boat show tickets https://www.crickboatshow.com/tickets/

Walsall cyanide spill https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/newsletter-archive/?email_id=13

Latest videos

Twiggy update https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/02/22/vlog-391-bilge-water/

Things I love and loathe https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/02/11/vlog-390-list-off/

BSS test day https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/02/01/vlog-389-utter-bss/

My tip jars https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/tip-jars/

Book a canal holiday https://canalboatholidays.co.uk/referral/cruisingthecut

Archive video

River Avon trip https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2017/10/04/vlog-111-memory-lane/

YouTube Pick of the Month

Roaming Radfords https://www.youtube.com/@RoamingRadfords

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month, an update on the boats stranded by the Llangollen canal breach at Whitchurch; ponderings on boating during winter; and an invitation to Bruges.

Links

Canal breach https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cje1zpppwjgo

Canal volunteering https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/support-us/our-campaigns/volunteer-by-water

River Clyde fees https://waterways.org.uk/about-us/news/fees-on-river-clyde-abandoned

Richard Parry https://www.crucialpr.co.uk/crucial-archive/8-releases

Latest videos

388 DIY projects planned https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/01/21/vlog-388-task-master/

387 steam boat refurbishment https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/01/10/vlog-387-hot-stuff/

386 happy new year https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/01/01/vlog-386-happy-new-year/

My tip jars https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/tip-jars/

Book a canal holiday at https://canalboatholidays.co.uk/referral/cruisingthecut

Video archive

France Trip Part 1 https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2025/06/10/vlog-371-cruising-le-cut/

France Trip Part 2 https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2025/06/20/vlog-372-leau-rider/

France Trip Part 3 https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2025/06/30/vlog-373-bon-voyage/

Crow's Nest YouTube pick https://www.youtube.com/@OffbeatMandarin

The Bilge, in Bruges https://www.visitbruges.be/en/things-to-do/sights/canals-of-bruges

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, grim news from the Llangollen canal where a major breach has opened a giant hole in the canal and stranded two boats, with several others also affected just before Christmas.

Links

Narrowboat Life Unlocked https://www.youtube.com/@NarrowboatLifeUnlocked

Locking Through Life https://www.youtube.com/@lockingthroughlife2587

CRT's breach page https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/news-and-views/news/llangollen-canal-breach

GoFundMe for stranded boaters https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-to-help-boaters

My latest videos https://www.youtube.com/@CruisingTheCut/videos

Tip jar https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/tip-jars/

Book a narrowboat holiday https://canalboatholidays.co.uk/referral/cruisingthecut

Chocolate Mousse at Christmas https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2021/12/31/merry-christmas-and-chocolate-mousse/

YouTube pick of the month https://www.youtube.com/@microfournerds

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this edition, huge news about the future of licensing for canal boats, especially relevant to those who cruise continuously without a home mooring. Plus, where in the world are you listening.. can you beat an Australia's desert?

Links

CRT Commission report https://tinyurl.com/crt-commission-report

CRT response https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/news-and-views/news/endorsing-the-boat-licence-commissions-report

Licence prices https://licensing.canalrivertrust.org.uk/LicencePrices

Narrowboat Pirate https://www.youtube.com/@TheNarrowboatPirate

Anderton Boat Lift repairs https://tinyurl.com/crt-andertonboatlift2027

Electrika show https://electrika.uk/

British Marine Awards https://www.britishmarine.co.uk/news/2025/november/british-marine-announces-first-winners-all-new-british-marine-sector-association-awards-programme

Latest videos

383B On the Brink https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2025/11/30/vlog-383b-on-the-brink/

383A Tow's Company https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2025/11/19/vlog-383a-tows-company/

382 Super Ply Guy https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2025/11/09/vlog-382-super-ply-guy/

Tip jar https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/tip-jars/

Book a canal holiday https://canalboatholidays.co.uk/referral/cruisingthecut

Archive video https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2016/02/14/vlog-22-grate-expectations/

YouTube Pick of the Month https://www.youtube.com/@CruiseBlogGuide

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.