In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of Episode 7 of Canal Boat Diaries, Series 6, traveling from Weybridge to Stonebridge Park. Joining me is my Dad, who brings along his legendary apple cake. We tackle the Hanwell flight and experience vibrant Diwali celebrations in Southall, where fireworks light up the night sky. I also share a wild story of rescuing a woman trapped in the canal. Don’t forget, you can watch Canal Boat Diaries, Series 6 on the U&Yesterday channel and on the free ...
Jun 27, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 29
In this episode, I dive into the wild ride of filming Series 6, Episode 6 on the Basingstoke Canal, where I nearly threw in the towel thanks to relentless weed, a cracked rib, and a bridge disaster. You’ll also hear from my mate Jamie, whose help and positivity saved the day! Don’t forget, you can watch Canal Boat Diaries, Series 6 on the U&Yesterday channel and on the free U app which currently hosts all episodes from series one onwards. Robbie Cumming's Canal Boat Podcast is produced by Ur...
Jun 17, 2025•37 min•Season 1Ep. 28
In this episode, I chat about being featured on Channel 4's Gogglebox over the weekend, with celebs throwing shade at my canal boat life and the behind-the-scenes of getting on the show. I also talk about the need to be thick skinned and how I’ve learnt not take harsh feedback to heart. Plus, I reveal which Gogglebox celebrities I’d trust to take the tiller of my Naughty Lass. Canal Boat Diaries, Series 6 is broadcasting each Monday and Tuesday on the U&Yesterday channel and on the free U ap...
Jun 10, 2025•19 min•Season 1Ep. 27
In episode 5 of Canal Boat Diaries series 6 you see me fall in, you see me meet Timothy Spall, and you see me struggle with a mystery battery problem. What you don’t see on camera is how the Naughty Lass could have burnt down, the real reason for the drain on my batteries and a licensing loophole that I discover only after spending hundreds of pounds on temporary visitor permits on the River Thames. Canal Boat Diaries, Series 6 is broadcasting each Monday and Tuesday on the U&Yesterday chann...
Jun 09, 2025•28 min•Season 1Ep. 26
In this episode, you'll hear about my misty morning start, navigating the challenges of drone filming in fog, my nomadic life on the move and a near-miss with rowers on the River Weaver. Canal Boat Diaries, Series 6 is broadcasting each Monday and Tuesday on the U&Yesterday channel and on the free U app which currently hosts all episodes from series one onwards. Robbie Cumming's Canal Boat Podcast is produced by Urban Podcasts .
May 30, 2025•27 min•Season 1Ep. 25
Behind the scenes on episode 3 - Oxford to Reading. In this podcast episode, you'll hear how I spruce up the Naughty Lass with new bespoke windows, chat about growing up on a garden centre weeding for pocket money, breaking my sink off camera and some rock and roll history including Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin and George Michael! Canal Boat Diaries, Series 6 is broadcasting each Monday and Tuesday on the U&Yesterday channel and on the free U app which currently hosts all episodes from series...
May 28, 2025•28 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Believe it or not the making of Canal Boat Diaries draws its ins from many different other genres of filmmaking. Not only the personal self-shot vlogging style taken from my YouTube videos, but also skate videos from the 90s and a fledgling stand up comedy career! You’ll even find out where the phrase ‘let’s crank it’ came from and I tell a funny story from my Pub of the Week in Oxford. This podcast is packed full as we delve into the making of season six episode two, from Ayno Wharf on the Oxfo...
May 23, 2025•31 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Here we go again! Ever wondered how Canal Boat Diaries is made? What really happens behind the scenes? Or simply why British people complain about it being too hot when it’s only 26/79°F?! In this episode, I will answer all those questions and more, as I provide a sort of director’s commentary retracing our journey from Napton Junction to Aynho Wharf. Canal Boat Diaries, Series 6 is broadcasting each Monday and Tuesday on the U&Yesterday channel and on the free U app which currently hosts al...
May 20, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Hop aboard for a cruise down the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal with myself and the canal geek genius producer behind Canal Boat Diaries, Stuart Woodman. With over 30 years in telly, producer Stu and I enjoy a bit of barge banter and spill the beans on our one-of-a-kind reality/history/travel show. We talk about working without a script, how we plan the journeys, how long it takes to film an episode and loads more. We also share a few moments from the sixth series (no spoilers don’t worr...
May 09, 2025•24 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Imagine gliding through Braunston Tunnel, a 2,042-yard passage dug in 1796. Your narrowboat’s light flickers on damp, iron-streaked walls. In this episode, I’ll take you inside this marvel—4.8 meters wide, 3.76 meters high, with a slight S-bend from shifting soil and three air shafts. It’s just wide enough for two 7-foot boats to pass. Heading north after filming series six of Canal Boat Diaries, I contend with engine noises and spider webs, finding an eerie calm in the tunnel’s hidden story. Ro...
Apr 11, 2025•20 min•Season 1Ep. 20
I’m taking you through Cosgrove Lock on the Grand Union Canal—engine humming, lock gates creaking, water rushing as I work the paddles. It’s a sunny spring day, cherry blossoms are out, and after a long, muddy winter, I’m finally moving. Simon, a continuous cruiser, lends a hand and we chat about why days like this—calm, bright—make it all worthwhile. It’s real-time canal life: the windlass clanks and the boat steadies. No polish, just the water, the quirks, it’s a raw slice of the cut. Robbie C...
Mar 27, 2025•11 min•Season 1Ep. 19
It’s not all roses and castles as they say! This is a whole side of boating that I don’t think I’ve ever talked about. River rage – disagreements and arguments that often occur when waterways users lose their cool after a long day living the good life! A boater’s £4,000 fine for disrupting a rowing regatta was the subject of a radio phone in that I took part in recently. So, in this episode I share some true stories of my own experiences from the rivers Thames, Weaver and Ouse. Robbie Cumming's ...
Feb 26, 2025•17 min•Season 1Ep. 18
What’s it really like living on a canal boat during winter? In this episode, I share the ups and downs of winter life on the water – the cold, the shorter days, and the isolation that come with it. As someone who’s spent a lot of time navigating through it, I give you a behind-the-scenes look at balancing the tough side of winter with the unexpected rewards. From keeping the fire burning to embracing the quiet of winter moorings, I share the little things that make this season special – like wil...
Feb 18, 2025•14 min•Season 1Ep. 17
In this episode, I talk about what life on a narrowboat in London is really like – the good, the bad, and everything in between. With over ten years of experience living on the water, I share some of my personal stories from when I first started out, including the surprises and challenges that came with it. I’ll take you through what it’s like managing life on the canals in London, from navigating the busy waterways to dealing with the Canal and River Trust, plus some of the new rules that have ...
Jan 11, 2025•22 min•Season 1Ep. 16
In this Christmas special, I share what Christmas truly means to me, from family traditions to the reality of spending Christmas on a boat. I also give a sneak peek into 2025, with exciting things coming up, like more live shows, writing a book, and season 6 of Canal Boat Diaries, featuring more adventures and canals to explore. Throughout the episode, I answer listener questions about life on the boat, what it’s like to spend Christmas alone, and how the laid-back pace of boat life has changed ...
Dec 23, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 15
In this episode, I take a break from filming Canal Boat Diaries series 6 to dip my toes into anissue that impacts millions of people and yet remains a delicate and very personal subject. Living on the water certainly offers a slower pace of life and a chance to reflect on life, but it’snot easy and can be very challenging mentally as well as physically. Drawing from my own experience of anxiety and depression I discuss if boat life could help pre-existing mental health disorders or make them wor...
Oct 07, 2024•11 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Aside from making Canal Boat Diaries for TV, I am also on tour with my live show – Canal Boat Stories. It’s mostly just me sharing photos, videos and stories about my travels, with a bit of music and also a Q&A. With an audience of around 200 people, I enjoy answering questions, but this time there were so many I ran out of time. So, in this special episode, I’ll be covering some of the questions I didn’tget around to including ‘would you ever leave the Naughty Lass and return to regular liv...
Sep 10, 2024•15 min•Season 1Ep. 13
What’s it really like filming Canal Boat Diaries? Summer edition! From the set of Canal Boat Diaries (er, well my narrowboat) I bring you some extra special behind the scenes content. Anxiety about public scrutiny and the inevitable loss of privacy are points I cover, as well as baffling other boaters and how long it really takes to film a one-hour show. From the long and arduous days, some lasting up to eleven and a half hours, every lock (and aqueduct) can test both physical and mental enduran...
Aug 19, 2024•11 min•Season 1Ep. 12
My dad, Richard, joins me for this episode, where we reminisce about our adventures on the water. From his globetrotting career in high-tech horticulture to earning his yacht master qualification, we recount memorable boating trips, including a hilarious mishap on the Kennet and Avon Canal and a nerve-wracking journey down the tidal River Trent. We also share some of the unique challenges of living on water, especially when the temperatures drop. Robbie Cumming's Canal Boat Podcast is produced a...
Jul 25, 2024•19 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Here’s a bit more behind the scenes info from episode 9 of Canal Boat Diaries season 5. I journey from Bugbrooke to Milton Keynes in this episode along the historic Grand Union Canal. I share the practicalities of life aboard and discuss (perhaps in a bit too much depth!) how an efficient water filtration system can make all the difference. I’ll guide you through the historical Blisworth Tunnel and take you onto the river Nene at Northampton to introduce you to some of my favourite ‘Pubs of the ...
Jul 18, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 10
I'm taking you behind the scenes of episode eight, series five of Canal Boat Diaries, which you can stream now on UKTV Play as I journey from Coventry to Weedon Bec. In this episode, I explore Coventry's musical heritage and how the Specials and ska-punk bands like Less Than Jake and Reel Big Fish have influenced my musical journey. As a musician living on the waterways, recording music aboard a canal boat can sometimes be challenging. So, I'm revealing my unique recording process and taking you...
Jun 18, 2024•27 min•Season 1Ep. 9
I'm continuing to take you behind the scenes of Canal Boat Diaries, Series 5 which is now available to watch on Yesterday and stream on UKTV Play. In this episode, we go behind the scenes of episode seven as I dive into the rich history of the Ashby Canal, uncovering its 22-mile stretch built in 1804 and the exciting ongoing restoration efforts. I also talk about one of my favourite times of the year, Halloween and relive some of my spooky escapades, from dressing as the Grim Reaper, Alan Partri...
Jun 18, 2024•29 min•Season 1Ep. 8
I continue to take you behind the scenes of Canal Boat Diaries, Series 5. In this episode, I navigate from Great Bar to Atherstone, sharing a journey full of unexpected twists and realities of canal boating. From the frustration of getting wedged between locks and battling a wrapped propeller to the less glamorous parts of canal life, such as toilet troubles and leaking lock gates, I share the raw essence of life on the water. Robbie Cumming's Canal Boat Podcast is produced and managed by Urban ...
Jun 14, 2024•19 min•Season 1Ep. 7
As the latest series of Canal Boat Diaries continues on Yesterday and UKTV Play, I take you behind the scenes of episode five as I journey from Wolverhampton to Anglesey Basin in Walsall. In this episode, I share how recording a TV show on a canal boat can involve many patience-testing moments with my producer and drone pilot, who had to adapt to the unpredictable nature of canal boating. I also share how, during the filming of this episode, I had to dodge some unruly kids who were up to no good...
Jun 12, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 6
I continue to uncover the secrets behind my TV show, Canal Boat Diaries, as I take you behind the scenes of Series Five, Episode 4, as I journey from Stourton to Wolverhampton. In this episode, I share some scenes that didn't make the final cut, such as setting fire to some baked beans! I also share what it is like living on the waterways, the unique challenges of working as a content creator and how I balance precious moments with loved ones. Robbie Cumming's Canal Boat Podcast is produced and ...
Jun 10, 2024•19 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Dropping your phone into a canal might sound like a nightmare, but for me, it's just another day in the world of canal boating. In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of Episode 3, Series 5 of Canal Boat Diaries as I recount the challenges of navigating the famously narrow Gosty Hill Tunnel, and give you a peek into the editing room where blurring out graffiti and adding subtle touches to scenes are all part of the job. Plus, I talk about the joy of connecting with family and the unwaveri...
Jun 07, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 4
I'm continuing to take you behind the scenes of the new series of Canal Boat Diaries, which is now available to watch on Yesterday and stream on UKTV Play. In this episode, between my nostalgic journey from Yardley Wood to Netherton Tunnel, I explore the sights of Bourneville, Dudley Tunnel, and the serene beauty of Bumblehole Nature Reserve while getting into the nitty-gritty of boat maintenance, which leads to not one but two costly mishaps. Robbie Cumming's Canal Boat Podcast is produced and ...
Jun 04, 2024•20 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Have you ever wondered what filming a TV series on a canal boat is like? Uncover the secrets behind my TV show, Canal Boat Diaries, as I take you behind the scenes of Series Five, Episode 1, now available on Yesterday and UKTV Play. In this episode, I share how our filming process works, including the clever use of iPhones and GoPro cameras and how we create stunning drone shots which complement my journey. Plus, as with most journeys along our waterways, I share the challenges we face along the...
Jun 03, 2024•21 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Ahead of my new TV series Canal Boat Diaries, which starts this Monday on Yesterday, here's the very first episode of Robbie Cumming's' Canal Boat Podcast! In my first episode, it's all about starting new journeys, whether it be creative endeavours or DIY projects. I share my spontaneous approach to life on the canals and how it mirrors the way I tackle new projects. I also share behind-the-scenes stories about the production of my TV show, including meticulous planning despite my preference for...
May 31, 2024•12 min•Season 1Ep. 1
I'm Robbie Cumming, and this is my Canal Boat Podcast where I'll be taking you on a journey behind the scenes on my TV show Canal Boat Diaries, letting you in even further to my little world on the waterways. Whether you're a boater or live on land, Robbie Cumming's Canal Boat Podcast is for anyone who enjoys looking at life a bit differently. New episodes every fortnight, so don't forget to subscribe to keep it cranking.' Robbie Cumming's Canal Boat Podcast is produced and managed by Urban Podc...
May 10, 2024•1 min
