BEST and WORST things about NARROWBOAT LIFE? | Life on Lavender Lee EP 6

Here's some of our top ten best and worst things about living on a narrowboat, we hope it will be useful for those considering life on the canals. This week we got stuck in to some more painting of our saloon, and handle running out of water which means we both have to get stuck in!
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🎶 IZZIE'S MUSIC- Izzie writes all of our background music! Some of the songs are available to stream on all platforms including Spotify:
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👋 IN CASE YOU ARE NEW HERE - Hello! We're Izzie and Ciara! In the autumn of 2023 we moved out of our tiny rented London flat and bought our new home, a 62ft narrowboat called Lavender Lee. Join us as we explore our new life living afloat the UK canal network while we teach ourselves to renovate our home!
🕵️ SOLVING A MYSTERY - For reference, Izzie is the one with curly hair and Ciara has straight hair.
Lots of love,
Izzie and Ciara x
#boatlife #narrowboat #offgridliving #offgrid #slowliving #travelcouple #tinyhouse #lgbtq #narrowboatliving

[@walkswimeatrepeat]

So love that kiss in your intro!😊

[@IzzieandCiara]

aww thank you! x

[@Freeasabird2024]

I think the blue panel looks nice, it will make your pictures stand out.😊

[@IzzieandCiara]

Yay I’m glad you like it, we were very unsure at first but I think we really like it now! xx

[@Freeasabird2024]

I forgot to say I listened to some of your music on Spotify and it's really nice.

[@IzzieandCiara]

@@Freeasabird2024 Thank you! Glad you have been enjoying the music 🎶😁

[@Faith_Soprano]

The blue wall is lovely. I don't know what it looks like in person, but on camera, it looks so smooth and homogenous. Really nice paint work! ^_^

[@IzzieandCiara]

Thanks Faith! We’re doing our best with the paintwork, it isn’t perfect but we’re pretty proud of it! ❤️

[@debbielynn6683]

Lovely to see you getting along on making the boat your own style. I glad to see you’re not afraid to at least try the DIY projects. After, that’s how you learn. Like you said, even if you don’t do the work yourself, the more you understand it, the more you know if whoever is doing the work you will know if they are doing it the correct way. Who knows, the next time you may be able to do it your selves. When you look back, you will be surprised at how much you have learned to do on your own. Love your music Izzie, we would like to hear more please❣️ Hang in there girls, you are doing great!!! ❤️ PS… love the blue wall!!!!

[@IzzieandCiara]

Aw thank you Debbie- we’re really proud of ourselves for how far we’ve come in the last couple of months! Glad you approve of the blue and izzies Music! ❤️

[@conniecornelio147]

Hi I am from the US and am enjoying your channel. Izzie, you have a beautiful voice. Your grandmother is very talented!!

[@IzzieandCiara]

Thanks Connie! So glad you’re enjoying the channel ❤️

[@markrant1460]

Hi Izzie, Hi Ciara, Izzie since you have such an attraction to the natural world around you, if you have not already DO take some time and watch Vanessa's vlogs. She has Mindful Narrowboat and her boat is Alice Grace. Ciara you will enjoy her as well. For both of you, find a word to replace "can't", your life will change if you do. Ciara, LOL, NOBODY enjoys emptying cassette toilets. They have to be the worst inventions for boats. You will much prefer the composting toilet systems that are out there. A question for the two of you. Has anyone explained about the stern gland, what it does, how to grease it and how to fill the grease tube? Love the colours it's all coming together so nicely. mark Alberta, Canada

[@IzzieandCiara]

Hi Mark! Thanks for another thoughtful comment. We will have to check out Vanessa’s vlogs as we have not come across her videos yet. We are slowly but surely saving for a compost loo, so hopefully we will get there at some point this year. Regarding the stern gland, we are very familiar! We recently regreased it and turn it regularly- thanks for checking in about it. Have a good week 😁❤️

[@sheilajoseph9953]

Blue panel very nice and good well with the picture. Lovely art work from your nan Izzie. Your such a sweet couple. 💚

[@IzzieandCiara]

Thank you Sheila! Glad you like the blue xxx

[@paulplant6486]

Love this vlog. I feel anything you do in life as up and downs. I quite like the feeling of being in control of your life that boat life seems to give you and the sense of freedom and the emersion in nature

[@IzzieandCiara]

Hi Paul! We feel so much more in control of our lives since having the boat, it’s given us so much freedom, it’s something we can’t imagine giving up now that we have it. Hope you had a good week! 😊

[@AndyDeiu]

Diesel heater is to warm the boat .. you need an immersion heater I think it’s called 😎 and you have instant hot water. But that also uses some energy ..

[@englishfuguefan]

We have a pigeon like that in our garden… my Son, and now all of us, refer to it as “The Colonel!”

[@IzzieandCiara]

Hahaha that’s amazing! Honestly, some of these pigeons are built differently 😂xx

[@nicolemoore8120]

I love the blue wall and your beautiful music!

[@IzzieandCiara]

Thanks Nicole! Appreciate it xx

[@mariaetheridge8343]

I think you are doing exceptionally well for such a young couple. I'm 79 so I know what I'm saying!! Lovely to see the progress and each day brings new lessons. Before long you will be experts!

[@IzzieandCiara]

Aw thank you Maria, I’m glad you think we’re doing well! Sometimes it feels a little like we’re stabbing in the dark, but always trying to learn lots ❤️xx

[@donaldstiern956]

Your sweater says "MISSOURI". That's my home state. I do live in the U.S . Loads of love to you two..

[@IzzieandCiara]

Wow, seems so strange to have people watching from so far away! But thank you so much❤️

[@shirleygreaves9650]

You are doing a great job and I love the blue. It’s a lovely background for your painting.❤️

[@IzzieandCiara]

Thank you Shirley! ❤️

[@leannehurt1365]

I love watching you both. Like a breath of fresh air 😁, oh and the music I love and want ha ha xxx

[@IzzieandCiara]

Thanks Leanne, we appreciate it! ❤️ and glad you enjoy izzies music :) xx

[@maxine3587]

I was just thinking "i wonder who is who?" Then i looked at the blurb to this video, and there was the answer. 🙂 Love watching you two. Thanks!

[@IzzieandCiara]

Haha we thought that might come in useful! Thanks for watching Maxine 😊

[@IzzieandCiara]

Haha we thought that might come in useful! Thanks for watching Maxine 😊

[@welshexile1963]

A few comments on your most recent post. The Blue panel looked nice especially once you put the pic up. Izzie you have a lovely voice and I've started following you on Amazon Music. Keep up the great work both ❤

[@IzzieandCiara]

Thank you!! We will try😊

[@davidhall4079]

I think you're both doing really well tackling the jobs round the boat 🚢 if you don't have a go how do you know think your both marvellous keep up the great vlogs 😊🎉

[@IzzieandCiara]

Thanks David, that means a lot! Have a lovely evening ❤

[@paulpells921]

You have a beautiful voice

[@IzzieandCiara]

Thanks Paul! x

[@DreamyDrifter...and_away...]

I used the same blue paint in my bathroom, loved it in the tin, put in on the wall but next to the white metro tiles it made me think I was in a Victorian police cell! 😂 it had to go. Looks beautiful on your wall! 😀👏🏼 Claire xx

[@IzzieandCiara]

We did have a moment of “oh no, what have we done” but I think it looks okay now with the painting and the curtains back up 😂 thanks so much for watching x

[@simon-nb-Betsyray]

Great vlog again 😊 it's nice when ur boat becomes ur home once u get the personal things out and on ur walls. I have a 3 litre pump thermos flask which l top up with the surplus water from the kettle when making drinks, this gives me enough water for washing up and a wash in the morning. A lot of boaters carry a emergency back up of water either in a aqu roll or a couple of plastic 25 litre containers. The thing l hate is the splash backs in the face when emptying the loo u might be thanking ur large glasses when it happens 😂😂 Have a great week ladies and keep up the hard work🟦🖌

[@IzzieandCiara]

Hi Simon! Hope you had a good week. We are loving seeing the boat become our home, putting up paintings has to have been a real highlight for us, as we love collecting different artwork. A thermos sounds like a good idea! As for emergency backup water, we have been looking for some suggestions as there has to be something better than the copious amounts of 5litre bottles that are stashed around the boat currently! 😂 We are definitely glad for our big glasses giving us protection from the cassette splash back. 😁❤️

[@angiebrain67]

The blue wall looks fabulous! Great work and vlogging you two 🙂

[@IzzieandCiara]

Thank you!❤️

[@IzzieandCiara]

Thank you!❤️

[@goforitbeyourself.suekirk2165]

Well done agree with consumption bit and painting your own choices etc great stuff being so capable is great go girls xxx

[@IzzieandCiara]

Thank you !! ❤️ glad you’re enjoying xx

[@lizsaxe1390]

You two are enchanting...look forward to vlogs...from deserts in Southern Arizona!

[@IzzieandCiara]

That’s so sweet, thank you! Xx

[@SirTeabag]

I think the blue wall is fab and sets off the stove beautifully

[@IzzieandCiara]

Thank you! 😊

[@dcop7367]

Love watching you and seeing the progress, its looking great, and enjoying your thoughts on boat life. Take care.

[@IzzieandCiara]

Thanks for watching ! ❤️

[@IzzieandCiara]

Thanks for watching ! ❤️

[@AndyDeiu]

2:30 wooooow there’s a piano hiding in plain view 😂 I got a piano in my boat ⛴️

[@firefly24601]

Loved the music in this episode, Izzy. I'll check out your Spotify in a bit!

[@IzzieandCiara]

Thank you! That’s very kind ❤️

[@SecretSquirrelFun]

I think that your blue wall is fabulous. Right now the amount of white paint feels overwhelming, but when you have all of your beautiful pictures hung up, they will break up the white and the space will become more “you” or “yours” - if you know what I mean. I’ve watched a LOT of narrowboat content, and one of the things that live aboard’s almost all express at some point, is that same satisfaction that you described. The joy of empty bins, empty toilets and a full water tank. I’ve seen people (on a quite day) having showers and running a load of laundry whilst filling up their water tank 🙂 Thanks for sharing your thoughts and adventures. 🙂🐿🌈❤️

[@IzzieandCiara]

Thank you! Glad you like the blue- the white is already feelings so much better with our curtains back up and artwork on the wall, so we’re excited to finish it all! And yes, the satisfaction is definitely a highlight- something we weren’t expecting!! Thanks for watching and commenting ❤️

[@claireskinner9077]

Love the blue feature wall - it adds a nice focal point and a great background for your painting. Often we’re scared of putting strong colours in small spaces, but as you’ve seen it can work really well 😊

[@IzzieandCiara]

Thanks Claire! That’s means a lot- yes we were also wary of strong colours in small spaces but once we had done so much white we sort of thought it needed some contrast or the whole thing can look a bit dull! I’m glad it’s worked out well 😊

[@ytanki]

Your Lavender Lee is getting more and more your personal touch and it is so cosy ❤️. I like the blue panel and the cards of Izzie‘s grandma❤️. All the best 🙋🏼‍♀️❤️

[@IzzieandCiara]

Thanks Anke!! We’re glad that you like it :) hope you’ve had a lovely week ❤️

[@oneshoan]

I think both of you are adorably fantastic. Love the work you have done making the boat your home.

[@IzzieandCiara]

Aww that’s so sweet of you to say! We’re really loving how the boat is coming together, still lots of work to do but so lovely to see some progress❤️

[@fredhall4239]

If you are still on your way to London be security aware there, close the curtains bank side 24/7, chain up bikes etc a lot of girl boaters there have grills over the windows and a dog too, sad i know but it's not getting better. i enjoy the vids

[@IzzieandCiara]

Thanks for the advice Fred, we’ll definitely be as careful as we can be in London, but trying not to panic ourselves about it! But fingers crossed all will be okay xx

[@edwardhoughton2565]

Go girls Xx

[@IzzieandCiara]

😊❤️

[@nigelbranchett7718]

What a delightful pair of human beings you are. I do love Izzie's music and as you know Ciara's blushes. Takes me back to the girls in my teen years. Safety on your boat is paramount, for yourselves, that is, CCTV. Another good one is a hand fire extinguisher so unwanted guests can be sprayed, they won't want to come back. You could also use your kitchen knives. BTW love that blue pick out on the wall goes well with the picture. I would love to hear a bit more about your jobs as you are so interesting and I'm nosey!

[@IzzieandCiara]

Aw thank you Nigel, very kind words again! Definitely trying to make the boat more secure. We are thinking of doing a Q&A video soon enough so perhaps we will explain a little more about our jobs in that if people are interested! Thanks again for commenting ❤️❤️

[@beingauthentic1234]

Painting looks great, even better with the art. Progress is exciting 💜

[@IzzieandCiara]

It is!! we're glad to see it coming together 😊

[@Y2stopframeanimation]

I always look forward to your vlogs. You always make me giggle. Great to watch your bright personalities on a dark evening 😊

[@IzzieandCiara]

thats very kind, thank you 😊 lots of love x

[@philsmith5208]

Hi, Thanks for sharing this week,. Excellent variety, paint, good and not so good. I like the Blue too. Your music sounds really relaxing. My partner says she could listen to your vlogs all day.

[@IzzieandCiara]

Thanks for watching Phil, glad you and your partner are enjoying the vlogs, it means a lot!😊

[@Roo-s_Life]

Really enjoyed this one and love, love, LOVE the blue wall 🤩😍xx

[@IzzieandCiara]

Thanks so much Roo!! We’re glad people like it ❤️❤️

[@user-ze9vx6cu7d]

DIY suggestion - paint around the edge first then fill in after with strokes in the same direction. Keep up the good work

[@IzzieandCiara]

Yes definitely a good tip- thank you!

[@Cheekymonkey1]

Good night Claira and lzzle i love watching your videos of you and your adventures in on your narrow boat I hope that you all are well and enjoying your adventures aboard your narrow boat its not plain sailing owning a narrow boat keeping the good work up on your narrow boat and your videos on your you tube channel

[@IzzieandCiara]

Thanks again for watching !! Definitely always some challenges here and there! Hope you’ve had a lovely week ❤️

[@user-ry7lo7rf4u]

Love the blue looks great with the framed picture, keep up the great work the boat is looking nice.

[@IzzieandCiara]

Thank you!! We’re really happy with how it’s coming together :)

[@juppster5694]

Bonus for Monday morning in Australia to wake up and find you had posted the latest episode overnight ❤ The painting is looking good, feature wall is terrific with artwork against it ('Though I'm really no expert on interior decor! I just like how it looks 😊) So enjoying your journey and the music sets it off beautifully🥰 I hope as you move into spring in Ol' Blighty you'll have more sunshine for the solar panels. The trouble with many moorings is that they're so often overshadowed by trees along the towpath, or buildings in the built-up areas. Anyway I expect you'll make it all work, you seem to be able to tackle anything so far! Have a lovely week and look forward to the next installment.

[@IzzieandCiara]

So glad we could help you start off your week! Glad that you like the feature wall, we were a bit worried we’d ruined it at first but it’s really growing on us! It was actually a really lovely day today, starting to feel the beginning of spring which is putting us in a great mood. Hope you have a lovely week too! ❤️

[@coraclouden2506]

I like the blue wall, and the artwork is great too

[@IzzieandCiara]

Thanks Cora! We’re glad people are enjoying the blue :)

[@xkx56]

Blue wall looks great. Great video, loved it.

[@IzzieandCiara]

Thanks for watching!! ❤️

[@timheaps582]

Love the vlog and especially like the music. Tiny point - did you realise some of your footage is back to front? In this vlog sometimes "Real Dads" is the right way around and sometimes it is back to front! I wonder if you filmed this on your phone using the front camera which can be set up to work as a mirror but I think you can turn this off in the settings.

[@IzzieandCiara]

Hi Tim, thanks so much for watching, yes I suspect you may be right about the camera being flipped! Will try to keep an eye out for it next time😊

[@user-we1qm9sl3i]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@serenadm6619]

I love the blue wall, looks great with your painting :)

[@IzzieandCiara]

Yay thanks Serena! Glad you like it :) xx

[@serenadm6619]

@@IzzieandCiara you both have lovely taste :)

[@trevorsbarkingmadchannel4501]

Awesome vlog. Love the blue too. Best wishes

[@IzzieandCiara]

Thanks Trevor! Hope you’ve had a lovely week 😁

[@goforitbeyourself.suekirk2165]

Great music … our new Kate bush ?!? Xxx

[@rebeccafagan2927]

The wall will work once you style it, it just looks jarring plain

[@IzzieandCiara]

You’re not wrong Rebecca, it did look very jarring! We’re warming to it more with our artwork up on it 😂

[@AndyDeiu]

2:57 that painting there is next to the heat source… 😅 would that be safe …

[@IzzieandCiara]

We had a similar thought but the previous owner had the same set up with a different painting behind the fireplace and there was never any issues!