The Cruising the Cut Audio Newsletter!

David Johns

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 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
  2. 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
  3. Cruising the Cut Audio Newsletter November 2025

    11/01/2025

    Cruising the Cut Audio Newsletter November 2025

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

    10 min
  4. Cruising the Cut Audio Newsletter October 2025

    09/30/2025

    Cruising the Cut Audio Newsletter October 2025

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

    9 min
  5. Cruising the Cut Audio Newsletter September 2025

    08/31/2025

    Cruising the Cut Audio Newsletter September 2025

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

    11 min
  6. Cruising the Cut Audio Newsletter August 2025

    07/31/2025

    Cruising the Cut Audio Newsletter August 2025

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

    11 min
  7. Cruising the Cut Audio Newsletter July 2025

    06/30/2025

    Cruising the Cut Audio Newsletter July 2025

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

    11 min
  8. Cruising the Cut Audio Newsletter June 2025

    05/31/2025

    Cruising the Cut Audio Newsletter June 2025

    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.

    10 min
See All (22)

5
out of 5
13 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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