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.

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.

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.

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.

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.