Happy Birthday Fran!🥳🥂🎂

Growing your own food makes me think of a channel I follow, "Willows Green Permaculture". A couple that lives in Canada that is real interesting to me.

I have the stove on all the tim3, but it means I am not getting a solid eight hours sleep. I dont know if this is something you find?

I definitely am warmer and it's cheaper than a cold damp flat in a housing estate.

I don't know the exact siruation of the canals in the UK, but my thoughts are that the whole network should be nationalised and given world heritage status with a military input running the whole lot so there would be a chain of command and a "buck stops here" culture. That would soon see a turn around in getting things done (dredging, lock gates, embankments). There is nothing like the UK canal system on this planet and it must be preserved for future generation's as it is irreplaceable. I feel in my bones that it is being engineered to be run down then sold off for pennies on the pound, to leave it open for an almighty land grab for the Elites. Think about what was done with those 3 London cemeteries, all sold for 15p each. How on earth did they come up with that figure. 666 anyone. 🤔

I have a solid fuel stove and i won't change, I remember the three day week, 1977, when there was an oil crisis, so for that reason I prefer two heating systems

Great to listen to , good constructive advice , see u in the 7 yearly update 😉😉

I have watched since the start of your blogs, along with cruising the cut and minimal list,with curiosity and a little envy. We had a couple of narrowboat holidays and loved them but i think a long cold winter would crush me after 20 years living and working in warm Costa Rica! Do love seeing parts of your lives and tbe english countryside from afar. Thanks!

Very interesting, i too feel that the canals have changed since I started cc four years ago. Agree im feel I'm being penalised and the future is very uncertain. You and I seem to be complying, I don't know what CRT problem is!

Live life for the moment

You two beautiful people ❤

Hi love following you both and the dog and Motorhome you go on nice cruises

According to longevity predictors from the blue zone population, daily contact with a community is crucial for men and women. My hubby was like Rich until I started going to a weekly program at the senior centre, I was so happy he asked if he could join. Now we go to live music and swimming at local pool.

I enjoy living on my narrowboat but I was thrown a curve ball when my Husband died suddenly. I still can’t manoeuvre the boat so am living in a Marina when we should have been cc’ers. Also I agree with Rich, I like my multi fuel stove but the dust drives me mad!! Cost wise, Marina life can be expensive, and yes, I had to buy a car once on my own. Overall, I wouldn’t change it for land.

Very enjoyable and honest answers ,7 years ago (same time as you started your lifestyle change ) we downsized to a tiny 2 bed semi bungalow ,not by choice ,and it was shock to our system as previously we had had the good life for decades.....so our move was forced upon us financially ....but we have now a beautiful small cosy, but not flashy home which we are now used to ....change is great if you have choice but we have made the best of it and maybe its worked out better ......love your Blog! it really helped us get through the lockdown and hope you both continue to enjoy your freedom .

I remember when you got your first boat, didn’t realize it was seven years ago. I was following that musical guy and the smuggler from when he first got it. Constanza was a great new name for the boat. You two have done great stuff living on your boats.

Keep being a rebel 😊

Happy 7th Anniversary! Thankful Vanessa (Mindful Narrowboat), led me to your vlogs!

I always enjoy your videos, and admire your attitude to life more and more. So many people are frightened by the thought of what might go wrong with a big lifestyle change - rather than seeing the potential benefits, that they never risk a change and never fully live life. You both had the vision (and courage) to make your dream into reality, and now you're collecting so many magical memories and experiencing life, nature and the country in ways that few other people do. More power to you both, and here's to another seven years!

25:30 Have watched you for years. Enjoy your videos immensely. I'm 78 and I travel to southern California every winter and camp out in the desert. Those lithium batteries are a game changer for both of us! Fran i thought we could buy pieces of your weaving. Looked in your Store but no weaving and none of Rich's art work. Any way we could purchase?

That is a beautiful and practical motorhome.

Thanks for those insights. When we were calculating our required length of a narrowboat, we came up with 66' as the minimum size, because we need two separate work stations. So I completely understand why you'd want to go longer. As it is, we ended up with a short widebeam, which means open plan living with a work station each in the living area. Always compromises. Thanks for your upbeat and stoical attitude to the changes and future of our waterways, I get a bit tired of the doom and gloom. As for those who abuse the system... 😶 🙏😀 Liz x

Agree with and understand all your views and feelings covered in this edition .. we have been 7 years on our narrowboat next month and love it. We had baptism by ice and snow as we set out during the 2nd slice of the Beast from the East and at that point, no fire. Definitely a life of 'less is more' Art studio?... a wee butty for Rich.

Hope you have more happy years on the boat.

Living your life the way you want to live it. You can’t beat it. I sometimes think to myself we should be doing this or we should be doing that. No, we should be doing what we want to do not what other people think we should be doing. So well done keep on enjoying life and thank you for the lovely vlogs which I always enjoy.

Well Rich, I see one difference! You got less hair on your head. 😏 I still imagine you having a big dinghy for painting and a garden. When cruising, the painters room is lowered. The garden is on top! 😊

You live such a fortunate lifestyle. We would do anything to be able to own and live on a boat. Sadly we're trapped on land, controlled and chained to society 😢

Diesel stoves = shite but if you do want one, the virtually new one I removed from my friends boat is available. Cheap. (Reflex)

Thanks for your candor in this vlog. And happy birthday, Fran. 🎉

This episode has renewed my interest in your channel. I had previously stopped watching because I was looking for a more gritty portrayal of live afloat on the canals. As I prepare for life afloat I concur with your observation that simplicity of living in narrow home is a major part of the attraction for me. I have shed many material possessions in recent months and already feel happier with fewer things. A well know psychologist advises that people are happiest when their lives still have a positive trajectory that they control, every time you fire up your narrowboat engine you prove you have control of your personal stories.

Hugs to you both kids 🤗

Hi Fran Rich and Archie, Happy seven years anniversary to you all! 🙂 And Happy Birthday Fran! 🎂 Thank you for your vlog, I thought it was very interesting and insightful - here's to the next seven years! 🍷 Take care all of you.

Loved this. ❤

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. You made some very interesting points that I am sure will benefit many of your followers, John xx

Thanks for the great update and insights. Sounds like you need a widebeam for the space, and Rich needs a small towable raft with a hyroponic vegie garden on it. Hoocho on KZbin has some garden ideas.

Great stuff really enjoyed that. I think you’re right, as you get older you want simplicity. Anyway we admire you both. Take care and enjoy life!

Thoroughly enjoyed this, here's to the next seven years!!

Love this episode! Long may your life continue as you want it to be.

We have just spent 6 years living full time traveling the full length of New Zealand and did lots of house setting would recommend the life.

Just like mad mark les is more

If was fortunate enough to live in England, I would certainly be a narrow boater. I tent camp every chance I get to for the same reasons you expressed for living your lifestyle. I used to camp year round but at 75, I need the warmer weather. You are blessed with a beautiful life.

Love your videos 🎉 thanks for sharing

Well done, Fran and Rich, hats off to you. I am currently trying to get me sister to understand our differences (she's a city girl, I'm a frugal outdoorsy type) and I sent her one of your blogs, Fran. You could speak for me when it comes to the pointlessness of material gain. I would love to get her to watch this video. Here's to your future and thanks so much for sharing aspects of your life with us.

So interesting, i get what you’re saying about you’ve not lived if you get up and it’s warm etc.. I’m around the same age as you and I remember all that when I was a young girl, we scrapped ice off the bedroom window, we had hot water bottles and huddled around the Rayburn fire of an evening. I appreciate the good things in life now because of all that.. I hope you both have more happy years doing what you love ❤

Loved it….. just keep on doing ‘your life’. As it is while you can 🌟🌟. My late husband and I also loved the life, and I spend many happy hours in my grief just enjoying watching you and others living the life. Just ENJOY 🥰🥰. I ve gone back to episode one and just love it you’re both so encouraging to watch, listen too ( and read your messages Fran. ) So keep it up 🌟🌟👏👏🥰🥰. Joan

Thank you for an honest appraisal of what real life is like on the canals and rivers of the UK by people who are not over dramatic in explaining living on a narrowboat - take care and enjoy you camper home

❤Xx

I feel your grief and tears, our labrador turns 15 years , dreading the day😢

A very good explanation video by experienced boaters who know what life on the canal is like in reality , thank you

The coffee was much more enjoyable thanks to this post ❤