The Cruising the Cut Audio Newsletter!

David Johns
  • 5.0 (14)
  • Leisure
  • Updated Monthly

Every month, I publish a free email newsletter about canals, narrowboats and all things waterways-related. This podcast is the "audiobook" version of that newsletter, with the odd tweak here and there to make it more readable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Cruising the Cut Audio Newsletter July 2026

    5d ago

    Cruising the Cut Audio Newsletter July 2026

    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.

    14 min
  2. Cruising the Cut Audio Newsletter June 2026

    May 31

    Cruising the Cut Audio Newsletter June 2026

    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.

    16 min
  3. Cruising the Cut Audio Newsletter May 2026

    Apr 30

    Cruising the Cut Audio Newsletter May 2026

    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.

    13 min
  4. Cruising the Cut Audio Newsletter April 2026

    Mar 31

    Cruising the Cut Audio Newsletter April 2026

    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.

    11 min
  5. Cruising the Cut Audio Newsletter March 2026

    Mar 1

    Cruising the Cut Audio Newsletter March 2026

    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.

    10 min
  6. Cruising the Cut Audio Newsletter February 2026

    Feb 1

    Cruising the Cut Audio Newsletter February 2026

    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.

    10 min
  7. Cruising the Cut Audio Newsletter January 2026

    Jan 1

    Cruising the Cut Audio Newsletter January 2026

    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.

    9 min
  8. Cruising the Cut Audio Newsletter December 2025

    12/01/2025

    Cruising the Cut Audio Newsletter December 2025

    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.

    11 min
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5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Every month, I publish a free email newsletter about canals, narrowboats and all things waterways-related. This podcast is the "audiobook" version of that newsletter, with the odd tweak here and there to make it more readable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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