After much soul searching, Hubs and I made the decision recently to sell our narrowboat as we were not using it very much and it’s far too small for the dogs, especially Sam. Well, we put it up for sale a few days ago and now a chap is coming to see it on Saturday….and he sounds keen.
Sam on the boat as a puppy.
I knew I’d be upset, but the thought of not having a boat to escape to is much more heartbreaking than I thought it would be….so…..I’ve decided that the answer is simple, we just need to get a bigger, more appropriate boat! But they don’t come cheap, and the ones I’ve liked cost double what we’ll make from selling ours, so it’s off to find the best isas to save for a narrowboat. And, it will take time……..but, all comes to she who waits!!!!!
The thing about being on a boat in the middle of nowhere is that you get a sense of being a part of nature rather than just being in it. It’s so liberating to be able to move your home whenever you want to and to be at one with the water and the sky with wildlife teeming all around. It’s a totally different way of living, but a much simpler one. Gliding slowly through the water makes you realize how rushed life can be, especially when you see the cars thundering over the canal bridges.
Sam and Annie as pups last year.
It’s so wonderful to be able to listen to the rain and the gentle lapping of the water and hear the breeze rustling through the leaves, becoming the voice of the trees. And then there’s the gentle rocking of the boat and the splishy splashy sounds that blend with the calls of the owl and the odd quack of a duck that all come together like a well loved song, that echoes in your mind as you’re finally lulled to sleep. Only to be awoken at dawn by noisy ducks and geese hammering on the side of the boat demanding bread crumbs!
When on a boat, you appreciate the basics in life. Simplicity can be so freeing. You have to be sparing with utilities as they are limited, which makes you so much more aware of how much water and electricity you waste, and it’s wonderful to escape from the TV and the telephone. You only take the clothes you need, which are surprisingly few really. It’s lovely to be able to get up and sleep whenever you want to, and to sit on deck in the evenings with a glass of wine, watching the sunset and the stars without light pollution.
When I discussed buying a bigger boat, hubs came up with some rather startling news. He’s sick of the daily commute on the motorway and is now thinking of going contracting in London next year for a few years. And rather than rent there, which is seriously expensive, he suggested that we save for a …..WIDE BERTH, and if he does go to London, we live aboard it. Well….there’s an idea!!!
So a temporary move may be on the cards ……..
The end of one chapter, and the beginning of another boat wise.
Hi hun, all is well. I am keeping up with all your antics…but it takes forever to leave a comment,.xxxx
Hi there …. Just been catching up on your lovely blog. Hope you’re well?
Living on a boat sounds idyllic! I live near a canal and love to see the beautiful barges drifting by. I hope you achieve your dream 🙂
Thanks Paula. Wandering along canals is a wonderful pastime!xxxxx
It really is hard parting with the boat, and I wouldn’t if I thought I’d never have another. The dogs adapt to it surprisingly quickly, I suppose they are happy to be were the people are. I have had dogs that hate the car, at the moment Annie can only go for short drives without being sick.xxxxx
It must be hard to give up. Sam looks so comfortable on it, too! Our dogs would be terrified on it- they don’t even like riding in the car.
Hello Snow Bird. I am doing a Blog Hop today & hopped here from Rusty Ducks. What a wonderful Blog you have.
I have never been on a Narrow boat and long to but we do go sailing dogs and all !
Hello BadPenny, thanks for visiting. You should give it a go, although it sounds like you do the more daring sail!xxxxx
P.s I can’t find your blog….could you let me know your site address….xxxxx
We live very close to a canal and I often walk the towpaths and fantasise about living on a boat. You make it sound an idyllic way to live a simpler life. You could of course have a container garden on the boat roof – some that I have seen look amazing and very productive too. If you do decide that in the future you will be temporarily living on a new boat it should lead to some very interesting posts. Big decisions to be made eh!
Big decisions indeed! I would plan on spending a four day week on the boat and three days at home, so it’s the best of both worlds and would only be temporary …….Gosh yes, I never thought of growing things on the roof!!! How silly of me!!!! Boating is a lovely way of living, I think the winter would be hard though and cabin fever may set in. Thanks Elaine.xxxxx
Sounds like a good idea and I hope it all goes to plan. Meanwhile, have a lovely Easter weekend all of you.
Thanks Linda. A wonderful Easter to you too.xxxxx
I too would enjoy living on a boat. The simplicity of it appeals to me. I wish you luck.
Thanks Dessie. It is a totally different way of living.xxxxx
I shall watch your outcome with great interest as hubby for some time has mentioned living on a boat and I’m not totally against this idea but I’d have to do a fair bit of research into the ins and outs etc. x
Oh my, how exciting!!! We could compare notes. If you are going to live aboard it is worth researching and getting the right boat with the right amenities, then it’s all plain sailing. I know lots of people who have made this lifestyle choice and not one of them has regretted it. Most were involved in the designing of their own boats.xxxxx
And I thought that selling the narrow boat would mean your giving up your sailing. I should have known better ! You two certainly don’t do things by halves.
It sounds like a marvellous idea to buy a wide berth although I’m not sure what that would be like. Like you, I do enjoy the simple pleasures of just being out in the natural world and having a peaceful time.
Better get saving…
Lol….thanks Kegs. Where boating is concerned it’s a case of never say die….it gets into your blood!
It’s incredible how much more room there is on a wide berth, they are almost like a small flat and that would make life so much easier with the dogs.xxxxx
The boat is lovely, especially the traditional handpainted roses decor. No wonder the chap is interested, who wouldnt want to own such a beauty. I always fancied a boat holiday on the norfolk broads. Maybe one day…
Thanks Sam. I painted all the woodwork roses and castles as I love narrowboat art. Oh, you really should take a trip, I think you’d really enjoy it.xxxxx
Whoops I read this post yesterday then forgot to comment.
That looks, and sounds, rather idyllic and tranquil. I’ve known a couple of people who used to live on them who loved that simpler way of life.
The one obvious drawback is not having a garden or allotment. xx
Thanks Flighty, yes, the people I’ve spoken to loved living aboard. We would do it for four days each week so I’d still have my garden at weekends. I can just see me turning the canal into a veggie patch….lol xxxxx
Such exciting news! It sounds like it would be an adventure you’d love.
Thanks Deb, yes, a wonderful adventure.xxxxx
Sounds idyllic…the Wide Berth…….Hope it worksout for you…Hugs! :)xx
Ahhhhh….yes. I will get one one day….fingers crossed.xxxxx
Lovely post and how exciting to consider sailing to, and living along the rivers, etc., in London! What interesting blog posts that would provide! My husband is home this week and our river is finally open, so we’re heading out for a day in the canoe tomorrow. The dogs may come along, but usually prefer snoozing at home. 🙂 Not so posh as a boat with a cabin, but you’re right about the experience of “being in nature” that any boat provides. What kind of work does your husband do? How lovely you can move about and have such adventures! 🙂 (They sure would miss you at the rescue, though!) Thank you for the wonderful post, as always.
Thanks Catherine. I hope you have a lovely time on your canoe, I’ll look forward to the pictures. Yes, boats are wonderful things to explore nature in, something that’s impossible to tire of.
My hubs does something incredibly complicated with computers….a data consultant….after 30 odd years of marriage I still have no clue what it is he actually does! Lol….
If we did go to London to live aboard we would do a four day week and spend three days at home so I could just swap my shifts and do them over the weekend. It’s always a worry re the rescue. If I left they would have to pay someone to cover my shifts which they can’t really afford. I felt guilty when travelling las year as they had to pay someone for the six weeks I was away…..xxxxx
This is such a beautiful post. One that I will save. The boat is a dream, and I’m very happy for you that you haven’t given up boats, and will eventually find a wider one. But still this one is a dream. I love it.
Ahhhhh, thanks Shimon. Our boat is a dream and I love it to bits. It was great when we had the old dogs, they were so sedate and loved going away on it. Sam would wreck it if he was on it too often, he’s just too big and boisterous and could injure himself, especially when water is boiling and food is being cooked. I’m determined to have another boat, it’s a lovely way to enjoy nature….it may take a while though.xxxxx
Berths are seriously expensive, I have heard, in and around London. I do not know how the cost might compare with the commuting costs you have at present. The idea sounds great and I hope it works for you. There are some really nice places to berth on The Grand Union Canal and The Thames. Then of course, there is now the Lea Valley, maybe that’s opened up a bit more. 🙂
The wide berths do cost an arm and a leg. We’re hoping to buy a second hand one locally and sail it to London and rather than have a mooring just move it every few weeks on the continual license. There are some absolutely beautiful places around London as you say and if hubs contracts he would only need to work a four day week so we could have long weekend sails…..even if he doesn’t go contracting I would still dearly love to have a wide berth….xxxxx
What fabulous memories – you describe it all so well! The alternative might be camping 😉 with a tent for you and another for the dawgs … but living on a boat in London! Wow! Now there’s a seriously tempting thought …
Thanks Gilly. It is a rather exciting thought to live aboard for a while. I must say I love mt little boat to bits and will weep when it finally sails away…..sighs…xxxxx
Hiw wonderful sounds so nice. Would really love that. Enjoy you are very lucky xxxx
Thanks Free. You would love it….and BA.xxxxx
Oh my word, that looks like the best escape ever and I completely understand how upset you must be at the thought of not having one, but hopefully you’ll soon have save enough to get the larger one you need.
Your dogs look right at home there too 🙂
Thanks for sharing
Linda
Thanks Linda…..it is a wonderful escape and I can’t give it up easily. I don’t care how long I have to save to get another boat. The dogs loved sailing, they enjoy the change of scenery as much as we do. xxxxx
I love your wonderful description of this slow, relaxing lifestyle. Your dogs look very happy on board, even if they have outgrown this boat. My husband used to own a narrow boat and has lots of stories. He’s also been tempted to live on one. A move for you sounds very exciting.
Thanks Wendy. When sailing or messing about on a boat everything slows down and you notice so much more in a really relaxed lazy kind of way. How lovely that your hubs had one, there are always good stories to tell of boating!!!!
I must admit, the idea of living aboard for a while appeals to me. The whole canal becomes your garden.xxxxx
How exciting. We had a few days on the Norolk Broads one year and we loved it, I don’t know why we’ve never done it again. I can see your problem with the narrowboat having Sam and Annie, a wide berth would be much better, I’m sure.
It is lovely sailing…..you must give it another go some time. I’ve been on a few wide berths and can’t get over how spacious theyare. It would be much easier going away with the dogs in one!xxxxx
A wide berth would definitely be better for Sam! How lovely it would be to live on the boat for a while – very exciting! Although I don’t know how you’re going to cope with the mess full-time! haha xx
There is so much more room on a wide berth. As you know the problem with ours is the narrow passageway in the middle, it sure gets congested there with the dogs. Yes….hubs will have to be tidier if we live aboard for a while!!!xxxxx
The narrowboat looks really cosy. I can quite see how you would miss having it, and what a relaxed way of life it must be.
Sam’s feet though…!!
It’s lovely during the evening when the little fire is on, everything is toasty and warm and glowing….
Sam’s feet….EXACTLY!!!! And they are a lot bigger now!xxxxx