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?LinksCRT Commission report https://tinyurl.com/crt-commission-reportCRT response https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/news-and-views/news/endorsing-the-boat-licence-commissions-reportLicence prices https://licensing.canalrivertrust.org.uk/LicencePricesNarrowboat Pirate https://www.youtube.com/@TheNarrowboatPirateAnderton Boat Lift repairs https://tinyurl.com/crt-andertonboatlift2027Electrika 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-programmeLatest videos383B 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/cruisingthecutArchive video https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2016/02/14/vlog-22-grate-expectations/YouTube Pick of the Month https://www.youtube.com/@CruiseBlogGuide

In this episode: sad news about a canal legend plus updates on the current state of the water shortages across the canal network.LinksPrunella 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/noticesCRT Water FAQ https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/specialist-teams/managing-our-water/drought/water-management-faqsLicensing commission https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/boating/boating-news-and-views/boating-news/commission-to-review-future-framework-for-boat-licensingFacilities 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-knowCRT Annual Report https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/annual-report-and-accountsCanal crocodile https://news.sky.com/story/police-in-derbyshire-solve-mystery-of-crocodile-found-in-canal-13452117Recent videos381B 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/cruisingthecutMy archive on solar power: https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/category/engineering/solar-power/Yorkshire Pop Top Adventures https://www.youtube.com/@YorkshirePopTopAdventuresRCTA Directory https://www.rcta.org.uk/directory/

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.LinksCRT drought poll https://tinyurl.com/crtdroughtCRT winter closures https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/noticesVlog 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/cruisingthecutWreyland's failed BSS https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2021/11/18/vlog-252-reg-prescott/BoatBusters on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@boatbusters

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.LinksCRT Drought update https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/news-and-views/news/drought-conditions-navigation-updateTardebigge reopening https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c620926y4lroAquavista https://www.aquavista.com/CRT boat count https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/news-and-views/news/national-boat-count-2025Twiggy 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/cruisingthecutBlack 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

This month: there's not a lot of water around, with drought conditions severely affecting the network.LinksCRT Notices https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/noticesFeed 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-2023Nantwich Floating Market https://www.rcta.org.uk/markets-festivals-and-events/#!event/2025/8/2/rcta-nantwich-floating-market-tbcLinlithgow 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-marketMilton Keynes Floating Market https://www.rcta.org.uk/markets-festivals-and-events/#!event/2025/8/23/rcta-milton-keynes-august-bh-floating-marketEllesmere Arm Floating Market https://www.rcta.org.uk/markets-festivals-and-events/#!event/2025/8/23/rcta-ellesmere-floating-marketBratch 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/@MVNorthStarFacebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1269863691589823

In this episode: a crisis on the River Cam, a bit of "ohh la la!" on YouTube, plus "the next Tom Scott"...LinksCam Conservancy https://www.camconservancy.org/public-announcementCRT crowdfunder https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/lockSafety courses https://www.britishmarine.co.uk/training/our-courses/inland-water-safety-management-courseNew 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/158847294Crow's Nest (YouTube pick of the month)Chris Spargo https://www.youtube.com/@ChrisSpargo

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.LinksCRT new boss https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/newscrtchiefexec/Lockies' strike https://www.gmb.org.uk/news/river-thames-weir-and-lockkeepers-in-strike-voteSo'ton Boat Show https://www.southamptonboatshow.com/Recent videosTwiggy 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/cruisingthecutCanal eventsFoxton https://waterways.org.uk/support/ways-to-get-involved/events/2025-waterways-festival-market-harboroughStafford https://www.rivercanalrescue.co.uk/25th-anniversary/Brinklow https://www.facebook.com/brinklowmarinaBrentford https://brentfordcanalfestival.co.uk/Edinburgh https://edinburghcanalfestival.org.uk/Braunston https://braunstonmarina.co.uk/2025-historic-boat-rally-28th-29th-june/Archive videohttps://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2024/08/30/vlog-343-the-missing-link/YouTube pick of the monthhttps://www.youtube.com/@kentsurvivalgearreview586

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.LinksBoost for boater facilities https://tinyurl.com/CRTFacilitiesInvestmentRecent 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/cruisingthecutCanal events diaryIWA Cavalcade https://waterways.org.uk/support/ways-to-get-involved/events/iwa-canalway-cavalcade-2025Norbury 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

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.LINKSTardebigge closure https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/news-and-views/news/emergency-repairs-for-our-longest-canal-lock-flightMon & Brec petition https://petitions.senedd.wales/petitions/246570Mon & Bec running dry https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx208nj454roBoaters' survey https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/boating/boating-news-and-views/boating-news/commission-to-review-future-framework-for-boat-licensingPuffer restoration https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/news-and-views/news/national-heritage-memorial-fund-grant-to-save-waterways-museums-rare-steamboatVlog 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/cruisingthecutArchive vlog (River Trent) https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2020/10/12/vlog-230-little-ships/"Not Economically Viable" on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@noteconomicallyviable