The Cruising the Cut Audio Newsletter!

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

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In this episode: sad news about a canal legend plus updates on the current state of the water shortages across the canal network.

Links

Prunella Scales https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/oct/28/fawlty-towers-actor-prunella-scales-dies-at-the-age-of-93


CRT stoppages https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices

CRT Water FAQ https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/specialist-teams/managing-our-water/drought/water-management-faqs

Licensing commission https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/boating/boating-news-and-views/boating-news/commission-to-review-future-framework-for-boat-licensing

Facilities changes https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/boating/boating-news-and-views/the-boaters-update/boaters-update-9-oct-2025#customer-service-facilities-what-you-need-to-know

CRT Annual Report https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/annual-report-and-accounts

Canal crocodile https://news.sky.com/story/police-in-derbyshire-solve-mystery-of-crocodile-found-in-canal-13452117

Recent videos

381B https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2025/10/26/vlog-381b-a-spring-in-my-step/

381A https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2025/10/19/vlog-381a-polepole/

380 https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2025/10/11/vlog-380-the-best-laid-plans/
Tip jar https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/tip-jars/

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

My archive on solar power: https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/category/engineering/solar-power/

Yorkshire Pop Top Adventures https://www.youtube.com/@YorkshirePopTopAdventures

RCTA Directory https://www.rcta.org.uk/directory/

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In this episode, the continuing drought conditions (despite some rain) are causing potential havoc for many boaters, made worse by the impending winter closures for regular maintenance. Plus the usual update on what's going on on my YouTube channel.

Links

CRT drought poll https://tinyurl.com/crtdrought

CRT winter closures https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices

Vlog 379A (Gentian) https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2025/09/20/vlog-379a-and-mondays/

Vlog 378 (Twiggy) https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2025/09/09/vlog-378-wood-it-fit/

Vlog 377 (Twiggy) https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2025/08/30/vlog-377-mind-the-gap/

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

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

Wreyland's failed BSS https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2021/11/18/vlog-252-reg-prescott/

BoatBusters on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@boatbusters

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In this edition, it's crisis time on the canals as what may be the warmest summer on record leaves water levels extremely low, with boaters and businesses frustrated.

Links

CRT Drought update https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/news-and-views/news/drought-conditions-navigation-update

Tardebigge reopening https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c620926y4lro

Aquavista https://www.aquavista.com/

CRT boat count https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/news-and-views/news/national-boat-count-2025

Twiggy DIY

Vlog 376B https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2025/08/20/vlog-376b-mercia-me/

Vlog 376A https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2025/08/10/vlog-376a-the-endless-river/

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

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

Black Country Boating Festival https://bcbf.com/

Huddlesford Heritage Gathering https://heritagegathering.uk/

Archive vlog The L'Eaudown https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2021/09/01/vlog-247-the-leaudown/

YouTube Pick https://www.youtube.com/@BrightSunTravels

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This month: there's not a lot of water around, with drought conditions severely affecting the network.

Links

CRT Notices https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices

Feed Ducks https://www.feedducks.com/

10 Years on YouTube https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2025/07/25/10-years-on-youtube/

Vlog 375B https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2025/07/24/vlog-375b-nottingham-forests/

Vlog 375A https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2025/07/20/vlog-375-rush-hour/

Fenny Stratford festival https://waterways.org.uk/support/ways-to-get-involved/events/fenny-stratford-canal-festival-2023

Nantwich Floating Market https://www.rcta.org.uk/markets-festivals-and-events/#!event/2025/8/2/rcta-nantwich-floating-market-tbc

Linlithgow Fun Day https://www.lucs.org.uk/linlithgow-canal-centre/funday19/

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

Brownhills Canal Festival https://lhcrt.org.uk/event/brownhills-canal-festival-2025/

Frontcysyllte Floating Market https://www.rcta.org.uk/markets-festivals-and-events/#!event/2025/8/16/rcta-grindley-brook-floating-market

Milton Keynes Floating Market https://www.rcta.org.uk/markets-festivals-and-events/#!event/2025/8/23/rcta-milton-keynes-august-bh-floating-market

Ellesmere Arm Floating Market https://www.rcta.org.uk/markets-festivals-and-events/#!event/2025/8/23/rcta-ellesmere-floating-market

Bratch Boat Rally https://swcanalsociety.co.uk/

Vlog 1 https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2015/07/23/episode-1-how-i-came-to-be-buying-a-narrowboat/

MV NorthStar https://www.youtube.com/@MVNorthStar

Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1269863691589823

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In this episode: a crisis on the River Cam, a bit of "ohh la la!" on YouTube, plus "the next Tom Scott"...

Links

Cam Conservancy https://www.camconservancy.org/public-announcement

CRT crowdfunder https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/lock

Safety courses https://www.britishmarine.co.uk/training/our-courses/inland-water-safety-management-course

New on the Dock (My recent videos)

Bon Voyage (France 3) https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2025/06/27/vlog-373-bon-voyage/

L'Eau Rider (France 2) https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2025/06/20/vlog-372-leau-rider/

Cruising Le Cut (France 1) https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2025/06/10/vlog-371-cruising-le-cut/

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

Captain's Log (Diary dates)

Electrika https://electrika.uk/

Gnosall Festival http://www.gnosallcanalfestival.co.uk/

Linslade Festival https://www.leightonlinslade-tc.gov.uk/council_events/linslade-canal-festival/

The Murky Depths (Archive Video)

Slow TV on the Macc https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2020/01/23/vlog-207-slow-tv-on-the-macc/

BFI listing https://collections-search.bfi.org.uk/web/Details/ChoiceFilmWorks/158847294

Crow's Nest (YouTube pick of the month)

Chris Spargo https://www.youtube.com/@ChrisSpargo

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This month, I reveal who's to be the new boss of the Canal & River Trust, talk about canal boating in France and recommend a YouTube channel for anyone into camping and outdoor activities.

Links

CRT new boss https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/newscrtchiefexec/

Lockies' strike https://www.gmb.org.uk/news/river-thames-weir-and-lockkeepers-in-strike-vote

So'ton Boat Show https://www.southamptonboatshow.com/

Recent videos

Twiggy fibreglassing https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2025/05/25/vlog-370-stranded/

Canal restoration https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2025/05/20/vlog-369-phoenix-knights/

Propeller tests https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2025/05/10/vlog-368-prop-forward/

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

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

Canal events

Foxton https://waterways.org.uk/support/ways-to-get-involved/events/2025-waterways-festival-market-harborough

Stafford https://www.rivercanalrescue.co.uk/25th-anniversary/

Brinklow https://www.facebook.com/brinklowmarina

Brentford https://brentfordcanalfestival.co.uk/

Edinburgh https://edinburghcanalfestival.org.uk/

Braunston https://braunstonmarina.co.uk/2025-historic-boat-rally-28th-29th-june/

Archive video

https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2024/08/30/vlog-343-the-missing-link/

YouTube pick of the month

https://www.youtube.com/@kentsurvivalgearreview586

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

On this month's edition: news of better facilities for boaters; a trip to France is in the offing; and the return of the monthly events listing aka Captain's Log.

Links

Boost for boater facilities https://tinyurl.com/CRTFacilitiesInvestment

Recent videos:

Torksey cruise https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2025/04/20/vlog-366-tork-steer/

Twiggy's batteries https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2025/04/10/vlog-365-wireloose-technology/

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

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

Canal events diary

IWA Cavalcade https://waterways.org.uk/support/ways-to-get-involved/events/iwa-canalway-cavalcade-2025

Norbury Festival https://www.facebook.com/norburyfestival/

Moira Festival https://www.moiracanalfestival.com/

Crick Show https://www.crickboatshow.com/

Archive video (Trailboat Festival) https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2024/05/29/vlog-334-happy-trails/

Jade Murphy on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@MyBoatSkylark

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In this episode: a major closure on one of the best-known sections of the canal network; water shortages mean a canal in south Wales could run dry; and good news for a historic boat restoration.

LINKS

Tardebigge closure https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/news-and-views/news/emergency-repairs-for-our-longest-canal-lock-flight

Mon & Brec petition https://petitions.senedd.wales/petitions/246570

Mon & Bec running dry https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx208nj454ro

Boaters' survey https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/boating/boating-news-and-views/boating-news/commission-to-review-future-framework-for-boat-licensing

Puffer restoration https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/news-and-views/news/national-heritage-memorial-fund-grant-to-save-waterways-museums-rare-steamboat

Vlog 363 First cruise on Gentian https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2025/03/22/vlog-363-the-lincs-effect/

Vlog 362 Throttle fix https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2025/03/19/vlog-362a-full-throttle/

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

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

Archive vlog (River Trent) https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2020/10/12/vlog-230-little-ships/

"Not Economically Viable" on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@noteconomicallyviable

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In this episode, news of a terrible narrowboat sinking, updates about what's coming up on my YouTube channel in the next month, and your chance to canoe through a frankly terrifying tunnel!

Links

Sunk narrowboat https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2g5e95r74o

Restoration project https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/news-and-views/news/weve-launched-a-project-to-preserve-stories-of-canal-restoration

Tunnel canoeing https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/things-to-do/museums-and-attractions/standedge-tunnel/paddle-sports-at-standedge

Latest videos:

- Q&A https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2025/02/19/vlog-360-kewenay/

- First night https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2025/02/09/vlog-359-first-night/

- Boat tour https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2025/01/30/vlog-358-dimensionally-transcendental/

- Boat survey https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2025/01/20/vlog-357-otter-surprise/

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

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

Replacing my alternator https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2018/01/19/vlog-124-current-events/

Gone with the Wynns electric outboards https://youtu.be/mkFDp5ej03w

Gone with the Wynns hybrid sailing https://youtu.be/SWFzpqj6Wj0

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