#19 Narrowboat Tour and Scillyness!

Join me as I do a tour of my narrowboat after I have spent a week away in the Isles of Scilly. I explain why I chose to live on my boat and how the Vlog got its name: The Mindful Narrowboat. After the tour, we take a slow cruise from Frouds Bridge as we embark on our next adventure. I hope you find it relaxing. Take care x

[@sallylunamoth5542]

Loved Seing Alice Grace, So Cosy & A lovely Calm Space. Thank You for Showing the Gorgeous Red Squirrels on your holiday 🐿 🤗

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Thank you so much for watching. Take care 🌻🦋

[@annecross1321]

Love the Scilly Isles! Your boating lifestyle looks idyllic.

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

The Scilly Isles are great aren't they? Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Take care 🌻🦋

[@RDavis-g3s]

Going to. Watch another one of your videos neat stuff 😊

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

I am so pleased. Thank you so much. Take care🦋🌻

[@lavenderlaceladylavenderla5420]

Lovely to get a little insight to your background and the reasons why you live on Alice Grace. Xx

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Thank you so much ☺️ Take care 🌻🦋

[@janinafisher101]

If they run out of red squirrels in the Scillies, I have plenty in my garden in Canada. They sit in my bird feeders and pig out all day, so I'm happy to export them! Happy narrowboating!

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

How wonderful to have so many of them in your garden like that! Thank you for watching. Have a super week. Take care 🦋🌻

[@janinafisher101]

​@themindfulnarrowboat We here don't feel quite the same! They scare away all the birds from the feeder. 😔 I am okay with them having some food but not hogging it all! 🐷

[@enjoyingthejourneycanceras2355]

Really enjoying your vlog

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Thank you ☺️ Take care 🦋🌻

[@tracyandian1335]

What a gorgeous life style, very inspiring and may you have many happy years aboard Alice Grace x

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Thank you for your lovely comment, take care🌻🦋

[@seancobb8853]

Are Vanessa the red squirrel 🐿️ wow what beautiful animals and the black swans

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

The wildlife there is incredible!Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Have a super rest of the week. Take care 🌻🦋

[@annhay4572]

Ah, the Isles of Scilly. Never been there, but I've flown over on my way to and fro, watched them out the window go by under the plane and on the digital screen. The red squirrels are so wonderful, so glad they're coming back. Oh my word, the water wildlife sure brings back memories for me here in the northwest of the USA ... I've owned boats for 28 years and saw dolphins and porpoise and Orcas and all manner whales (Minke and Humpback mostly) even here inside Puget Sound which is directly connected to the ocean, tho I never ventured out onto the ocean in my boats. I saw so many Orca that I finally turned and went the other way when they appeared, so the engine of my boat wouldn't bother them. Wish everyone did that. Ah yes, and seals here too (Harbor Seals), and sea lions. Gosh what great memories, thank you! Your engine and other systems look perfect, so clean and well maintained. What a beautiful, gorgeous, warm and comfortable, scrumptious boat and home you have created ... an elegant and charming home.

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Hi Ann, it sounds like you have had some amazing adventures boating. That is an incredible amount of wildlife to have spotted too! Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Take care 🌻🦋

[@andrewdolinskiatcarpathian]

The Isles of Scilly are a firm favourite with my wife and I. We have probably explored every nock and cranny on all the accessible Islands. Glad you enjoyed them too, especially the wildlife. As for the Kennet and Avon, it’s our local canal and has been the basis of many a walk. We love it. Thank you for sharing. 👍😀

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

It is a wonderful place to go on holiday and explore. Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Take care🌻🦋

[@lorrainerichardson3280]

I now follow two ex-teachers living on narrowboats. I am also a teacher who no longer works in the classroom, I now tutor after school with 4 students maximum at a time. The paperwork has dropped significantly and I can focus on the students learning. Teaching is fun again and rewarding. Take care and I really enjoy the time that you take including the wildlife that surrounds us but to many is near on invisible. =-)

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Lorraine, your tuition sounds perfect and I bet the children are learning so much more being in a smaller group with you than what they would in a large classroom. Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Wishing you a sunny Friday and bank holiday weekend.🦋🌻🌞

[@jiloute22]

It is very beautiful your boat, your red squirrel too

[@chrishobbs58]

This vlog broke new grounds! Got to see the Scilly Isles...I'm embarassed to admit I'd never actually seen them, and only vaguely remember reading about them. It was nice to see your daughter having fun with Zephyr...you have a lovely family. Great poem to top it all off! Best wishes!

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

I am so pleased you enjoyed a snap shot of Scilly! It is a beautiful place to visit for wildlife. Thank you for your kind comments. Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋

[@nancinowlen3043]

Just wonderful to revisit this vlog. As always Thank you!

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Thank you for revisiting it, Nanci!🌻🦋

[@michaelpilling9659]

Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. That was a very different video. It was lovely. Thanks so much for making it. Gorgeous Scilly Isles. We went from Penzance ferry in 1986. Came back via the overnight sleeper to London Paddington, then back home to Leeds where we were living at the time. I loved your narrowboat tour. Thank you for showing me your home. The cruise was beautiful. Very interesting lift bridge.

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

How wonderful that you have visited The Scilly Isles too! It is a special place with such a range of wildlife. The overnight sleeper sounds exciting. I shall have to do another boat tour soon as we have changed so much since then and are still making changes now. Thank you for watching and commenting. Take care🦋🌻

[@annwebb2942]

Thank you for bringing some of the outdoor beauty into our home Loved the poem

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

You are very welcome!

[@shirleygreaves9650]

Wow another fabulous vlog, it was lovely to see your daughter too. The Scilly Isles look amazing, especially the fantastic wildlife, I’d love to visit the Isles one day. It was nice to hear more about your past life and see more of Alice Grace too. Your boat is lovely and cosy, I don’t know how you manage to keep your possessions to a minimum, it must be freeing to have just what you need rather than hoarding things. Take care. Lots of love. X

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Hi Shirley, thank you for your lovely comment. I totally recommend the Scilly Isles as a holiday. I shall have to do another boat tour soon as we’ve updated a few things recently, but there’s quite a few more jobs that need doing so I’ll get those done first! 🙈💪Enjoy the sunshine!🌞 Take care🦋🌻

[@simon-nb-Betsyray]

Thank u for sharing part of ur holiday and a look at ur lovely boat, it looks so relaxing and peaceful with the lighting. I can under stand why u wanted a stress and peaceful way of life drifting slowly taking in the beautiful scenery at a slow pace, thank u .😀

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Yes, a work-life balance is so important. Thank you for your kind comments. Have a lovely week!🌻🦋

[@algernon9324]

This week was like watching a David Attenborough documentary! Fabulous wildlife. Love your beautiful boat too!

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

So many wobbly shots though as I was so excited every time I spotted something! Thank you for your comment.👍🌻🦋

[@ianross04]

Scilly Isles.. it is on my list of must visit places! The footage of the black swans and red squirrels mustve been a fantastic treat for you! Great tour of the boat...a wonderful sense of calm exists within 👌

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Hi Rossi, I totally recommend the Scilly Isles and I really hope you get to visit it one day. Thank you for your lovely comment. Take care🦋🌻

[@Britonbear]

@@themindfulnarrowboat The 'Scilly Isles' is a no no with the locals; always the Isles of Scilly. ;-)

[@rikkiharcourt3868]

Sounds like you have travelled from the ridiculous to the sublime!

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

That's it! Thank you so much for watching. Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋

[@andreaamer1183]

Absolutely beautiful 😍 thankyou

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

You are so welcome🤗 Thank you so much for your lovely comment, take care🦋🌻

[@bex82uk]

A stunning home, so lovely!! I love a narrowboat tour😊❤

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Hi Becky, thank you so much! I really should do another tour soon as we have updated the boat a bit since then. I am so pleased that you like my boat. Take care🦋🌻

[@bex82uk]

@@themindfulnarrowboat aw that would be lovely to see, please do! But only if it feels right to you 😊

[@Red-ns9ny]

❤😊 lovely. Such an inspiration

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

🤗 What a kind comment. Thank you so much. Have a super rest of the week, take care🌻🦋

[@Red-ns9ny]

@@themindfulnarrowboat thank you 🥰

[@jennyc1846]

Glad you enjoyed your holiday, bet it was lovely to catch up with your daughter too...if she's anything like mine I have to make an appt to see my family they are all so busy with life...

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Hi Jenny, it is such a shock isn't it when suddenly your children grow up and they don't need you as much anymore? Does your daughter live in WA too? It is always lovely to catch up with them though. Have a great day!🦋🌻

[@NarrowboatWill]

Great vlog and a lovely boat.

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Thank you, Will. I am so pleased you liked the vlog!👍🌻🦋

[@kristinburton4953]

🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺 🌺🌺💜🌺🌺 🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

[@eltrym]

We have red squirrels here is Spain but they're a lot darker than the one you saw, a really dark red colour. I disturbed one once when I was out walking. It was not at all happy about seeing me and I was amazed by how much noise it was making. It was obvious to me that I was getting a right telling off about being there and disturbing it! I've never seen a grey squirrel in all the 20yrs I've lived here. X

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

How wonderful to have red squirrels where you are! I read once about squirrels' language and I was fascinated to learn about the variety of their calls and what each one means. Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Have a super weekend, take care🦋🌻

[@chrisflint7317spiderandson]

I love your vlogs there are arsome please keep up the good work All the best from Chris

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

I am so happy to know that you are enjoying the vlogs, Chris.😊 Thank you so much for watching and commenting, take care🌻🦋

[@robertlaird6746]

I like your narrowboat layout. Best one I've seen so far. That dinning room table is my favorite and the only one I've seen on a narrowboat so far. What's the length of your boat and what is the longest boat you can get and still be able to go through all the locks and on every river?

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Thank you for your lovely comment. Our boat layout works very well for us. It is 60ft but the longest you can get is 70ft rugbyboats.co.uk/lock-sizes/ This is a map which outlines where you can and can't go with a 70ft boat. Have a super week, take care🦋🌻

[@robertlaird6746]

@@themindfulnarrowboat Thank you but that's not quite my question. I'd like to be able to travel the entire network of waterways and was wondering if there is a length limit for some of the channels and locks that restrict how long you are. I saw a nice 58 foot narrowboat that I like but don't know if that's to long for some of the canals and locks.

[@buffplums]

Hi Vanessa I know this is 2 years old but regards your washing machine, I’m wondering if you could add a separate alternator to your engine which could feed a dedicated battery bank and use an inverter to power your washing machine? probably an inefficient idea but just a thought. ❤

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

That sounds like a great idea! Although I have got quite used to taking all my washing for a service wash once a fortnight! It has freed up some time. When you add up the cost of washing powder and fuel getting to a water point as well as fuel in the winter to power the machine, I think it’s not that expensive to have a service wash. Thank you so much for your tip! Take care🌻🦋

[@jbrislen1]

Hi I've just started watching your vlogs so lots to catch up on...can't wait!! As a headteacher myself and with a cancer scare last year I completely understand your lifestyle change. I would love to do something similar but am not quite at my pension stage. Do you mind me asking how you raise funds and also if you have kept any bricks and mortar on land? Thank you and apologies if these questions are answered in another vlog. I haven't got to them yet😁......apologies just found the working from my boat vlog 👍

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Thank you so much for getting in contact. I hope that you are ok as it sounds like you have really been through it recently? The job of HeadTeacher is stressful enough, but when you have a health scare as well, it can be so overwhelming. If you email me at :[e-mail], I can spend longer on answering all of your questions. I am more than happy to do that, so please don't hesitate with getting in touch. Until then, take care.🌻🦋

[@peterjames174]

you go past a lot of historical buildings, could you take photos and put them in a book with the history of the building,

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

That is a lovely idea. I just need to organise myself to do that. Thank you so much for watching. Take care 🦋🌻

[@guypidsley1572]

Ace, Guy

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Thank you 🙏

[@emsjane69]

Is your daughter on the narrow boat with you? Or are you a solo boater?

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

My daughter doesn’t live on the narrowboat with me but she visits when she can. My husband lives with me but he can’t be on the vlogs due to his work commitments and the sensitive nature of his job. Thank you for watching. Take care 🦋🌻

[@jaquelinebiggs3394]

What size is your inverter? A washing machine usually pulls 2600 watts on start up but you should be able to run your washing machine while the engine is running. I often did a couple loads of wash while cruising.

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Hi Jaqueline, our inverter is 3000kw but we think it doesn’t like our washing machine as it is required to heat up the water as our machine isn’t linked up to the calorifier so it needs a shoreline boost to do that. The previous owners lived in a marina so that would have worked well for them. It is a great machine though when it works! Thank you so much for your comment. Take care🦋🌻

[@jaquelinebiggs3394]

My husband plumbed our machine directly into the hot and cold plumbing. He put in knobs I turned to open or close the cold and/or hot water. This bypassed the hot water unit in the washing machine which helped tremendously. It is also crucial to have a pure sine wave inverter. Thanks for sharing your boating life with all of us.

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

That's a really good idea, Jaqueline and I think we might get that plumbing done for us as we are lacking plumbing skills! We do have a pure sine wave inverter which is a good start though. Thank you so much for this comment! 👍 Have a great week.🌻🦋

[@alisongalloway1455]

Such a homely boat. How long is it please?

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Hi Alison, thank you so much for your kind comment. My boat is 60ft long. Take care🦋🌻

[@alisongalloway1455]

@@themindfulnarrowboat thank you.

[@borderreiver90]

You kept saying we when there is only ever you on the boat......

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

There is me and my husband but he doesn’t want to be in the vlogs, yet…

[@chrishirst6193]

Lovely boat- what's the footage?

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

It’s 60ft. Thank you for your kind comment.🦋🌻

[@chrishirst6193]

@@themindfulnarrowboat lovely- I've just about bought a 59ft NB - survey 13th Oct. Love mindfulness.

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

Congratulations! You must be so excited!

[@borderreiver3288]

How come the kids don’t live with you.....

[@themindfulnarrowboat]

They are in their twenties now and either at Uni or working overseas. Take care🌻🦋👍