A cosy winter day at home on our narrowboat

This week I chaotically decided to upend my editing queue and instead I present you: a frozen in day in January! The Arctic Blast hit, the temperature dropped to -7C and the canal (and us on it) got frozen solid. Featuring: boat chat, book chat for the OGs (I've put in time stamps if you want to skip it), crisp frosty towpaths and gorgeous golden hour village scenes, thoughts on enjoying the season, and the triumphs and challenges of living on a boat in winter.
The continuation of the summer and autumn vlogs will follow next week, there's loads of fun stuff coming up. I hope you don't mind me skipping around a bit, I got excited about this one and simply couldn't wait. It felt like the right time to upload it, so it could be enjoyed seasonally! ❄️❄️❄️
Extra credits:
- I borrowed the title from Stories for Winter And Nights by the Fire published by British Library Publishing, you can buy it here - shop.bl.uk/products/stories-f....
- I have to give a special bonus shout out to Andrew, who wasn't around much in the vlog but got the beautiful drone footage and contributed some particularly gorgeous b roll this week, thank you!
☕️ If you enjoy the videos and want to support the channel, you can buy me a coffee:
www.buymeacoffee.com/krisatomic
🎬 Filmed by Kris Atomic and Andrew Kendall, edited by Kris Atomic.
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:57 Frozen in + thoughts on enjoying winter
02:18 A walk along the towpath
07:00 Winter boat chat
10:34 Winter book chat - what I'm reading
21:28 Boat life + boat chores
🧍🏼‍♀️About me:
Hiya, I'm Kris. Last year I moved from a flat in London to live full time and continuously cruise the UK on a 70ft narrowboat with my boyfriend Andrew and our cat Matilda.
💌 Get in touch:
Insta - / krisatomic
My website - www.krisatomic.com/
Email - [e-mail]
📷 Filming gear:
Camera 1 - amzn.to/3NO0to3
Camera 2 - amzn.to/42UHJHL
16-55 mm lens - amzn.to/3r82X7N
Voiceover mic - amzn.to/43wKcJl
🎵 Music from Musicbed.
Links in description may be affiliate links, thank you for your support!
#narrowboat #boatlife

[@RJ-444]

If there was a Cinematography award for KZbin vlogs... you'd be up there. Those wintery scenes from the sky and on land... the boaters and birds and steaming chairs... a feast for the eyes before you'd even started making the pizza (which I'm now craving, of course). See you back in summer.

[@krisatomic]

Ahh thank you very much, it means a lot! ❤️

[@beckyheidi625]

Totally agree such a pleasure to watch

[@SecretSquirrelFun]

There is 🙂 it’s called the Streamy Awards. I think that Jonna Jinton from Sweden whom I watch won it a couple of years ago (the 11th year). Although, I’m not sure how the nominees are chosen. Winners are selected via online voting I think.

[@user-lq5dc2kp3f]

Being frozen in, forced to stop, gives you a chance to take in what you have around you

[@dippydot]

Just caught up with this vlog and to be honest it was a pleasure to spend those 35 minutes listening to you, the lovely music, the mesmerising scenes out and about the canal. You have the gift of drawing someone into your conversation. Loved the book review too.

[@nadinegreeff3588]

I wish I was stuck in the ice on a narrowboat in a lovely village in the beautiful UK countryside with a dusting of snow and wildlife

[@krisatomic]

I’m glad to be able to report from the front line in the meantime 🫡

[@allpicturenosound]

This was lovely. I'm very introverted and this gets worse in Winter. It felt like hanging out with a non demanding friend. Thanks for sharing xo

[@krisatomic]

Oh that's a lovely thing to say, thank you!

[@rob20452]

Enjoyed that first time watching and professional, the bells at the end is nice to hear with the today going ons with our churches.

[@patriceeasley9194]

Dear Ms. Kris thank you for your most elegant and so well edited vlogs. I have watched them all many times. I hope you will continue with the book reviews, please. I did manage to buy a copy of “Stories for Winter” , no easy task given the vat tax what ever that is, and have only 3 stories remaining. So time for some more suggestions. Thanks for sharing.

[@krisatomic]

Noted!!! Hope you enjoyed Stories for winter ❤️

[@gillywild]

This was absolutely lovely :) Thank you for letting us share this time with you Kris. Please consider making more like this :)

[@Guy0n]

Another sublime Vlog. Books, boats and food. All filmed to perfection. What’s not to love.

[@James-In-Exile]

Most sympathetic episode yet... a really enjoyable watch.

[@krisatomic]

thank you very much!

[@boydtaylor6238]

I love your vlogs! The images, the music, the editing. Like your comments about trying not to binge read a series, I find myself now waiting avidly for the next episode. Please don't change.

[@krisatomic]

that's too kind, thank you!!

[@lisanester3338]

Well I thoroughly enjoyed this little chat. Like catching up with an old friend. I’m so enamored of life on a narrow boat and love books so you can only imagine how this really spoke to me. Winter on the canal really does seem to be ruled by Mother Nature… nope it’s frozen, don’t care you’re staying put. The quiet serenity of nature seems to be more pronounced somehow and that beautiful winter light. So amazing. Enjoy your pizza. Until next time.

[@krisatomic]

Thank you so much Lisa, that’s so nice to hear ❤️❤️❤️

[@j-trandell9274]

This is a lovely video - gentle, soft, light. Against the backdrop of minor hassle - the cold, being iced-in, and dealing with water rationing. Good stuff! I recently learned of an interesting tidbit about British coinage of old: coins switch which direction the monarch faces with each succession. Glad to know the icing up doesnt put so mch wear and tear on the narrowboat. Mostly, thanks for a cool vlog - hooe it warms up for you folks in the UK.

[@krisatomic]

That's interesting about the coins! It's kind of weird that they change at all, the QEII money just seems NORMAL because it's all I've known in my lifetime. Same as all QCs suddenly becoming KCs! Very weird. And thank you very much❣

[@j-trandell9274]

@@krisatomic Your reply reminded me to google if King Charles and his Mom face opposite directions on the coin printed in their Reigns. Google tells me they do indeed do so! Lol. Nifty!

[@chantalcourchesne8995]

Thanks for a real time update ! Always love your book suggestions and agree with your cinematic genius. Lovely viewing pleasure everytime.

[@daytonamart2789]

Top tier boating vlogs these, different level cinematography. Book chat welcomed too.

[@krisatomic]

wow, thanks so much!

[@davidhall4079]

Wow what a lovely vlog you deserve your own show loving the camera work and the music choices all in all you're amazing 🎉thanks for an enjoyable watch ❤

[@krisatomic]

Thanks so much 😊

[@karen6778]

🥰 love your hair in braids and the ribbons are the chef’s kiss! Anchovies and green olives is pizza perfection. To echo the other comments - just WOW with the whole vibe. The scenery, music, birdsong, lighting - it just adds up to delicious cosiness. Lovely to see you in real time. I’m still playing catch up with your content so I’ve been watching things out of order. It’s still wonderful ❤😂

[@karen6778]

I think I’m all caught up (narrowboat wise). Sadness ensues. 😢

[@SecretSquirrelFun]

Sometimes pouring a freshly boiled kettle over the tap makes it come to life. .... sometimes.

[@clairereid6974]

I bloody love you guys! So much work obvs goes into your vlogs, sometimes I honestly feel like I’m watching a film! Thank you so much for all of these most hygge wintery feels! ♥️🐚

[@krisatomic]

Thanks so much, that means a lot!! 🥰

[@debbierennox931]

This is stunning ❤️thank you for sharing

[@krisatomic]

Thank you!

[@SecretSquirrelFun]

A pentalogy is a series of 5 🙂 To be honest, until very recently, I had NEVER EVER heard anyone use this word. But maybe I’m hanging out with the wrong people 🤣

[@krisatomic]

Ahh yes, that's it! It doesn't really roll off the tongue does it 😆

[@mikeconway1387]

Lovely show many thanks.

[@Roamingthecotswolds]

Beautiful wintry scenes. Love your Vlogs

[@ruaidhrikathygill8833]

This was a warm and cozy delight on a cold day here in NY while sitting next to my wood stove. Filming, editing, music so dang good. Loved the book reviews and the glimpses in the life on a frozen 🥶 floating home. Thanks so much for letting us spend time with you. Pizza looked delish BTW….except the olives😮! 😊😊 Kathy

[@krisatomic]

hahaha 🫒🫒🫒

[@chubbybadass]

Love the blogs but the book chats are just as wonderful.

[@krisatomic]

yay! 💞💞💞

[@annanadiajohnson6590]

Sorry I forgot to write , I love your hair now very very much xxx . And your filming is TOP.

[@krisatomic]

Ahh, that’s kind thank you!

[@annanadiajohnson6590]

Hello Kris and Better half, been watching your vlogs for ever, and finally subscribed, love all your adventures hahaha, when you lost the water cap it was so funny. Keep up all the filmimg and take care xx love Anna from Verona.

[@krisatomic]

Thank you very much Anna! 🥰

[@guyscampervanadventures]

Loved this more intimate talking thoughtful video, thank you

[@krisatomic]

That’s very nice to hear, thank you very much 🥰

[@MrBazUK]

What a lovely Monday morning treat! Thank you.

[@krisatomic]

Thank you! Have a great week :)

[@classvideosbydrstarrs6433]

Oh how nice a 'here & now' vlog! Have you read the Hilary Mantel trilogy - it's a great way to get more history knowledge, another fav is the Dorothy Dunnett Lymond Chronicles, both amazing female writers of high quality historical fiction, with extensive character family trees. I also love it when there is a good map. Take care.

[@riverman4987]

Beautifully filmed and edited as ever. Nice to see the literary element re-introduced, I think books 'n boats is a winning combination you should stick with. Odd to see an up to date update, was looking forward to the iced in episode to temper the summer heat, maybe you still have a Christmas special saved up for blazing July?

[@krisatomic]

hahah I actually DO have a Christmas special in the works, July seems about right 😂

[@Claudia_K.]

I’ve walked countless miles along the towpaths of the Birmingham canals while I was studying for my master’s degree. Winters were especially beautiful to me, so thanks so much for the breathtaking sceneries! Your visuals are exceptionally beautiful. ❄️

[@krisatomic]

Thank you Claudia! How did you like Birmingham? It gets a mixed review from boaters we've polled, but we'll probably get there eventually.

[@Claudia_K.]

@@krisatomic I thought it was a very vibrant and cool place, even though a bit rough around the edges (which was the charm of it). I heard it’s pretty gentrified now, but I can’t speak for the canal network and their amenities. My halls of residence were right next to a canal and I just loved this calm oasis!

[@millywood6801]

Hi there Bookworm, Well done on the pizza it looked scrumptious. Love your photography. I find your style of blog / video refreshing , it's like your chatting to a friend and we are listening in. Stay warm kid, looking forward to your next vlog. Cheers Millysue

[@marmite]

Love the bookish section and I’m adding some of those to my to read list. Following the cold theme, if you haven’t read it before, I highly recommend A Woman in the Polar Night by Christiane Ritter. It’s non-fiction and is one of my favourite books that I’ve read in the past couple of years. (I can feel a re-read coming on.)

[@krisatomic]

I haven’t, sounds really interesting thank you! Added to the tbr 📚📚📚

[@Daytona2]

What a lovely winter narrowboat-core vibe 😊 I love reading too and loved the Cazalets TV adaptation so must read the books, which are always better at characterisation. I didn't know about ice sheets puncturing plastic boats - that's a shocker. I wonder if that's the reason you see so many sunk 🤔 I love spontaneity of church bell practise too - practising parts of the different tunes, stop-starting. Delaying the vids is clever, so you're not under time pressure, it's also nice for me, to time travel and watch summer scenes, in our miserable stormy winter 🌄

[@bettinadelia3928]

Vielen Dank für die wunderbaren Aufnahmen - so friedlich, toll geschnitten und atmosphärisch. Thanks a lot. Greetings from Berlin

[@Claudia_K.]

Ich gucke aus Potsdam! So herrlich nieschig- narrowboats kennt kaum einer in meinem Umfeld. Liebe Grüße von 🦅 nach 🐻!

[@krisatomic]

Vielen Dank 💘💘💘 Really loved Berlin when I've visited, hopefully again soon!

[@Claudia_K.]

@@krisatomic If you’re ever around, please get in touch. Would love to show you the best places!

[@beckydoherty6276]

I'm loving Unruly also, so fun to read. And you remind me that I really need to read the Cazelet Chronicles, I hear only love for that series.

[@AndrewBroadbent-dr8wb]

Really liked the gentleness and peace.Thank you.

[@lizsaxe1390]

Your videos are worth waiting for!

[@krisatomic]

Thank you! 🥰🥰🥰

[@lafarmhouse]

❤💗🪻🌿love from sheboygan, wisconsin

[@pfalzgraf7527]

Wow, a more or less contemporary Kris-Vlog, not bad! Images as brilliant (and cool, pun intended) as ever - and a nice narration! Theese vlogs do stand out among the boating channels - and provide a different-from-usual perspective on the canals. Thanks!

[@lornasevern2781]

I vote a knitting update vlog soon :D

[@krisatomic]

🫡🫡🫡

[@mrben.4064]

You live the life Kris!!🤗. As always, a beautifully shot vlog, beautifully crafted and presented…you’ve been blessed..😘for sure…and can make gorgeous pizzas too! You’re a beautiful Lady Kris, living an amazing life on the cut!! Keep safe and warm…and keep posting, fascinating!🙃😘x.

[@dawndietz4654]

Gorgeous vlog, pure eye candy❤️❤️. And I immediately ordered the set of books! Second hand of course.😊Loved the book reviews.

[@jillipepper5353]

I did enjoy this video, it’s nice to see some real time video👍🏼🙋🏼‍♀️

[@vespajack]

Great vlog as always thank you

[@paulineplaczkowski1287]

Loved this vlog, just like chatting with a friend.

[@krisatomic]

So lovely to hear that ❤️

[@devasurfer]

We really look forward to your vlogs. Enjoyed the icy catch - up!

[@vickiniazi8280]

Absolutely beautiful

[@sue15cat]

Brilliant vlog, and my dogs and cat were glued to the television watching the ice walking birds. 😀 How lovely to have some book reviews again, gosh I've missed them. ❤

[@krisatomic]

Oh Matilda also loved bird footage on telly! So funny. Thank you 🥰

[@annhamilton2060]

I love your vlog. I enjoyed you being here in almost real time. Pizza looked lovely sans anchovies! Eww. Don’t make us wait too long for the next one ❤

[@thehealthjunkie8996]

Love the book review in this, they do sound good. My first winter on a boat, must say finding it a bit tricky and cold and I’m in a marina for winter. Dreading leaving. 😳😬🙏🏻

[@krisatomic]

Ah it is hard at first! It took me ages to work out how to do a decent fire, I really recommend experimenting with different fuel types and stuff, it makes all the difference (assuming you have a stove that is). Once winter is over it's a dream though, hang on in there!!

[@jeremygreen912]

Great vlog. Much enjoyed the book content. Elizabeth Taylor (writer) is wonderful! You're in for a treat.

[@krisatomic]

Thank you! What’s a good full length novel to start with do you think?

[@desdubber]

Pizza looks great. You inspired to have ago myself. Never made it. 😊

[@krisatomic]

Well worth doing! You can then also do focaccia which is basically pizza dough, but you let it rise twice.

[@desdubber]

@@krisatomic thank you. I’m going to have a go. I went back watched you buying the boat again last night and the episode after and found it moving after following your channel since. I do regret not filming myself buying mine and taking it for a test drive last summer. It was a lovely hot day. Lovely video again.

[@DreamyDrifter...and_away...]

This is a lovely vlog, very warm & toasty feeling. You've reminded me that I have Walden... which I've never read! It's now further up my list. Enjoyed hearing the bells, such a nice sound. Stay warm! Claire x

[@ericafaber6585]

Always always love your uploads and of course immediately downloaded the Cazalet Chronicles😂 Thanks again for a glimpse into your life beautifully filmed👌

[@nickfoyston2811]

Nice vlog. Love the updates. Felt the cold 😅 missing my boat when I watch these vlogs :)

[@user-qb4tt7gq3m]

Wonderful-calm and happy. Thanks for the reminder about Elizabeth Jane Howard I am going to get some out and reread-it's about time!

[@RobinCapper]

Refreshing, beautiful, to watch on a humid 30°C NZ summer evening... :)

[@RobinCapper]

Oh, and you sold an (audio) book for David Mitchell. Heard him talking about it recently, was in my 'recommended' the other day but actually went and clicked 'buy' on your review

[@krisatomic]

Enjoy!!

[@beckyheidi625]

I’ve downloaded the light years to my kindle thanks for the recommendation I want to get back to reading this year. ❤

[@krisatomic]

Really hope you enjoy it!

[@greghilton7797]

That was wonderful Chris. Warm and cosy with a lovely sign off. It was 37c here in Brisbane today and it didn't detract from the warmth you radiate. Cheers

[@krisatomic]

Ahh that kind of warmth seems like a dream right now!! Thank you ❤️

[@christopherlauber4944]

beautiful.

[@krisatomic]

🥰🥰🥰

[@Red-ns9ny]

Great pizza ❤ lovely footage 😊

[@krisatomic]

🍕❤️

[@Paul.simpson84]

pour warm water on the water point until its all melted and then fill up

[@krisatomic]

V good tip, but this water point actually never came back to life, so I think it must have burst somewhere lower down the pipe.

[@LloydHywelBevan]

Fab

[@krisatomic]

❤️❤️❤️ thank you Lloyd!

[@user-lq5dc2kp3f]

U need to keep the fire up, coal in the bottom will keep the fire in and leave the internal doors open. Also, waterways are quite aware when the canals are frozen, boats cant move !!! What do you do for a living

[@krisatomic]

I’m a photographer and illustrator :)

[@_Tiamat_.]

💜💙💚

[@user-mz9td5dt1h]

38 degrees in Adelaide South Australia You have come a long way mam Once I have removed all my clothes still toooooo hot Nice warm crackling fire tinkling piano sigh ……..

[@edwardhoughton2565]

Xx

[@user-pq4qc8tb7s]

Thank you,that was really relaxing and informative.l take it that The author Elizabeth Howard is the one who worked for Robert Aitken and the I W A ?

[@krisatomic]

She is!!! I had no idea, thanks so much for the lead. Now I have to get hold of her short story about a boat on a haunted canal!

[@j-trandell9274]

What kind of wear and tear does the iced-up narrowboat hull endure?

[@krisatomic]

It can scrape some of the blacking off at the waterline apparently. The hull itself should be fine, but best not to do it if possible! (When moving that is, when stationery it doesn’t really affect us)

[@mwolstat6409]

what you call a 'diabolical amount of cheese' on a pizza is basically a standard american pie.

[@krisatomic]

God bless America

[@desdubber]

Are you loving xh2 more than the XT you had?

[@christopherlauber4944]

are you familiar with Persephone Press?

[@krisatomic]

Yes, love them! Dying to visit their shop in Bath, hopefully one day on the boat!

[@mattgordon9179]

You need to check out the film Latcho Drom. It follows the Roma from Rajastan through to spain. There is a a scene I think in Romania where the Roma in mid winter are living in Tree Forts with fires blazing and plastic sheets. Incorporated is the Roma music and through the film the expression of there human condition....so yeah they are jamming in the trees in this scene in the trees with the frozen tundra. Fantastic quality shooting from you guys in this Vlog. To tell you the truth The pony tail Marina laundry posing shit was a bit of a turn off and havn't watched your vlogs since. That speaks for it's self I guess. We want substance. There's plenty of parochial British canal stuff happening out there on youtube

[@krisatomic]

Thanks for the film rec! “Pony tail marina laundry posing shit” would be a great secure internet password. (Gonna go to my grave wondering what part “pony tail” played in my downfall tho).

[@moffatt43]

What I really don’t understand is that many of the problems with the cold on Narrowboats is known and yet they still build them with these problems ?. Why not build them with a double skin For better insulation,double glazed windows as standard,a water catchment system to utilise the Rain and an efficient heating system that warms the entire Boat ?!🤷‍♂️. We seriously need to consider that Fossil Fuel burning stoves and Fire places could soon be Banned,along with a lot of the older Diesel Engines ( I don’t believe Electric Vehicles ( engines) are the answer because I feel that the environmental impact of collecting the material and minerals for making the batteries is going to become a issue,unless they aren’t concerned ?. Hydrogen Engines in Cars are seemingly becoming more likely for Cars so what about for Narrowboats ?. It would be extremely interesting in seeing some Boatbuilders designing Eco-Boats and I often wonder if different materials could be used in the construction ? I would imagine steel is best for the Hull but what about the rest of the Boat ?. Do so Love your Videos, I find them extremely informative and entertaining and very calming after a stressful day ( I’m Dad/carer of 2 Adult Sons Disabled with Autism ( pretty severe ) and it can be very hard work. Anyway thanks for sharing your life and loves with us ❤❤ xx

[@krisatomic]

You've made some great points! We do have a full diesel powered central heating system. We don't use it so much because the stove usually does a great job, but it's there when we need it. We also get passive heat when we run the engine. Our boat is pretty well insulated as it's a fairly modern build, and it is possible to get double glazed portholes, it's just a bit of a hassle to switch them out and they cost 3 times as much as single glazed and look a bit uglier! Most of winter we're really toasty and warm, it's only once it falls into the higher minus figures that we really have to put the effort in to warm up the boat, but that usually doesn't last for long. I'm sweltering in here now that the outside temp is 9C, in our old flat I'd be wearing 3 jumpers and a hat! Totally agree with your points about the environmental impact of everything, it's not a simple thing as electricity isn't even the perfect solution - mining for batteries etc, as well as the fact a lot of mains electricity coming from burning of fossil fuels. It all feels like it has a very long way to go! There are definitely people/boat builders working on it though, whenever I pick up Towpath talk (free newspaper about waterways happenings) there are articles about making boats and boating more environmentally friendly. I think the good news is people involved in boats are generally very aware of their impact and are usually trying to do their best! I think the biggest change would be on the infrastructure side, bans on fuel burning stoves need to come with the installation of eco moorings where boats could plug in. There are trial schemes running for this in a number of places which is great. Having said that, there are only apparently 5,500 registered continuous cruisers (according to the CRT), so we're a very very small problem compared to the millions of cars in London alone for example. So the resources that anyone puts into improving infrastructure are probably quite limited. Thank you for your comment and take care! x

[@PeterPazucha]

Lovely chat! Your reading habits put me to shame at this time in my life. Sigh. Thanks for trying to swear less. Years ago I was admonished by a mentor with a sentence that changed me forever: profanity is the crutch of the conversational cripple. Keep up the storytelling. There are tons of travel vlogs, not nearly as many great storytellers!

[@krisatomic]

Ah you’re quite right, but it’s a hard habit to kick! And sometimes a VERY well placed swear word can be great punctuation 😂 thank you very much!