A Narrowboat Without a Shower. Winter on Kennet and Avon Canal

In this episode, we are settling in back to life on a canal and cruising a big chunk of the Kennet and Avon canal from Reading to Newbury.
🎬 Episode 33.
▶ Support our production on Patreon:
/ cruisingalba
▶ Grab Cruising Alba T-shirt from our organic shop:
www.cruisingalba.com
▶ Or buy us a coffee:
paypal.me/CruisingAlbaCrew
We’ve always wanted to find an alternative way of living and the idea of moving onto a canal boat came to us in September 2018. In January 2019 we bought Alba! Watch the full story here: bit.ly/AlbaEpisode5
WATCH OUR FILMS:
🔹 Our boat tour • Narrowboat TOUR: a Wal...
🔹 London Aqueduct • A Couple on a NARROWBO...
🔹 Engine fireworks • Boat NIGHTMARE: Engine...
🔹 Flamingoes on the canal • FLAMINGOS & Isolation....
🔹 How we became boat owners • Becoming NARROWBOAT Ow...
🔹 Off-grid living in lockdown • OFF-GRID Living in LOC...
🔹 It’s hailing in paradise • It’s HAILING in PARADI...
🔹 We rescued a bat • We RESCUED a Bat! DRON...
🔹 Our engine is fixed • Our ENGINE is Fixed! L...
🔹 Scared on the boat • SCARY Story & Narrowbo...
🔹 How not to go crazy in isolation • NARROWBOAT Life: How t...
🔹 We have news! • We Have NEWS!
🔹 Engine service & bat rescue • Bat RESCUE & Engine Se...
🔹 The start of the new adventure • The JOURNEY Begins! CR...
🔹 Why we have a dinghy • Need a DINGHY for a CA...
🔹 Living and travelling slowly on a boat • We Live, WORK and TRAV...
🔹 Boating underground • Boating UNDERGROUND. T...
🔹 Oxford canal mistake • Young Couple Travels t...
🔹 We crashed our boat on the Oxford canal • We CRASHED Our Boat on...
🔹 Hailstorm on a narrowboat • We CRASHED Our Boat on...
🔹 Fire on a boat • We Almost Had a FIRE o...
🔹 How we do laundry on our boat • How We Do LAUNDRY on a...
🔹 We swapped canal life with river life • We Swapped CANAL Life ...
🔹 Made it to the source of the Thames • Made it to the SOURCE ...
🔹 Oxford canal timelapse • Oxford Canal - Narrowb...
🔹 The worst things about living on a boat • The WORST Things about...
🔹 Swimming with swans • Swimming with SWANS. L...
🔹 We crashed into a lock • We CRASHED into a Lock...
🔹 Fixing windows • NARROWBOAT Life: Fixin...
🔹 A day in a life on the Thames • A DAY IN THE LIFE Livi...
🔹 Boating on the Thames • NARROWBOAT on the Tham...
🔹 Birthday aboard • Narrowboat LIFE on the...
🔹 One month on the Thames • What it's Like to LIVE...
🔹 Boating on rivers vs canals • Boating on RIVER vs CA...
🔹 Full-time liveaboards • Young Couple Lives on ...
🔹 First time boater • FIRST Impressions afte...
🔹 Challenges of living on a boat • Challenges of Living o...
🔹 Henley-on-Thames • Cruising through Henle...
🔹 Widebeam boat tour • Incredible Canal Boat ...
▶ Filming gear:
Below are affiliate links. You can support our films at no cost to you. THANK YOU 💜
Main camera amzn.to/34a7IPc
22mm lens amzn.to/3l6qgGK
50 mm lens amzn.to/3jjBqaZ
GoPro amzn.to/2EN5RqO
Microphone 1 amzn.to/3cPjLoQ
Microphone 2 amzn.to/33gLCLJ
Tripod 1 amzn.to/3ikywBh
Tripod 2 amzn.to/3cKDczp
Tripod 3 amzn.to/3kCkpt4
Drone amzn.to/3l6oMMG
Fast Memory card amzn.to/36o3WV2
Hard drive amzn.to/34hhxea
USB battery charger amzn.to/34fE37d
▶ SUBSCRIBE to get notified when our new videos go live.
▶ CONNECT with us:
Instagram: / cruisingalba
Marina’s Instagram: / marinaquoise
Facebook: / cruisingalba
Twitter: / cruisingalba
▶ Music:
Epidemic Sound
Get 30 days free: bit.ly/AlbaMusic
#narrowboat #canalboat #boatlife #canalbarge
#widebeam #barge #vanlifeuk #exploringalternatives
#tinyhome #tinyfloatinghome #tinyhouseuk #tinyhouseliving
#tinyhomecommunity

[@CruisingAlba]

If you would like to support the episodes join our crew on Patreon www.patreon.com/cruisingalba to get early access to the videos, bonus content, monthly phone and desktop backgrounds and the chance to meet in person and come on board! 💜 xx

[@joannahart1604]

Hand on heart I can truly say every blog/vlog…recording you both upload is beautiful. Beautiful. Lovely. Wonderful. Magical in every way 💚💛🧡❤️ Xxx

[@themanofmead5273]

Wow the quality of your presentations just keeps getting better and better. The work you must have to do to put these together is immense, with all the cuts, music, images and storyline. Brilliant.

[@CruisingAlba]

You are so kind!!! Yes, it takes us days and days to edit. Wish we could do it quicker but it won't be the same! So grateful for you words of encouragement 💜 Big hugs xxx

[@suegurney4666]

We like it when you turn the music right down when you speak especially for hard of hearing folk , thank you for doing that as we love your vlogs

[@CruisingAlba]

Thank you for your feedback Sue, noted!

[@deffojeffo]

YES! My old boat Teazle at 3:05 - Good to see her!

[@CruisingAlba]

Oh wow, it must be so fun to see your old boat again. We once met Alba's owner who was the third owner before us. She loved seeing her again too. I asked her how she recognised Alba as it's been repainted and there is no name. She said: 'You still have my outside furniture' 😂 LOL We kept a wicker chair and it gave her away!

[@deffojeffo]

@@CruisingAlba really enjoying your videos, great editing and some great music too.I now have a 60ft boat on the river Wey. Stay safe ! :)

[@veronicamoss2597]

Your filming is Magnificent! The scenes you capture are mystic and even the night scenes are beautiful. Well done! 🙏

[@CruisingAlba]

Thank you for your kind words Veronica 🙏💜xx

[@ralphwood9865]

Myles and Marina thank you for brightening my Saturday. At last we have had significant snow so its really changed the landscape into a winter wonderland, looks like a Christmas card. Now you're on the K&A you're heading to ward my neck of the woods .My sister lives in Somerset and 4 years ago we held a family reunion at a farm just outside Pewsey which had holiday lets in converted barns which allowed us to sleep 12.W echosePewsey as it meant the shortest average drive for all of the some 6o who visited us over 2 weeks. The farmer was a marvelous host, he grew 1200acres of barley under contract to Guinness. We found the Pubs in Pewsey good for meals, one right by the canal. Lovely magical vlog ,its your smile Marina take care be safe and enjoy the festive season .Merry Christmas to you both .Cheers from our Canadian Winter Wonderland XXX

[@myleswilliams125]

Great name! 👍😂

[@simoncoldrick8508]

Myles optimism always brings a smile to my face ....."it'ii be fine". Merry Christmas to you both

[@jajacie871]

ash is the greatest food for plants you will grow in spring so use it putting it into your garden on the roof and next year you will see some magic

[@nighttime64]

Hi, my favorite two. I have been poorly since my operation and just fed up with world. I want to send you special Christmas wishes and hopefully a brighter new year. I so enjoyed todays vlog. I hope your little dingy is ok postive Miles as normal. Your calligraphy looks so beautiful, i really will give it a try soon. I just to loved going out to fill the coal bucket when i was a kid i could only carry half a bucket but i did my turn, memories by the with fire with hot chocolate happy times. Take care keep safe and warm, big hugs xx

[@CruisingAlba]

Awww sorry to hear you are feeling poorly. Sending you our love wherever you are and we hope you will feel better soon 💜 Merry Christmas! xxx

[@davidmills636]

A lovely vlog - so nice to see - thank you

[@CruisingAlba]

Thank you as always David, thank you for your support and encouragement all year! 💜xx

[@davidmills636]

@@CruisingAlba My pleasure. Thank you for being so upbeat and positive throughout the year and for your delightful vlogs. Have yourselves a most relaxing and peaceful Christmas x

[@paulturner7837]

Beautiful Vlog Marina & Myles . Hope you get the pump sorted soon and all you broken things returned. Newbury looks interesting.

[@mewtodog7069]

Keep up the good work on your videos, you are my new favourite Chanel😄

[@CruisingAlba]

Oh my goodness, thank you so much! 💜 xx

[@Eddiefooty06]

Kg Smith's also do a fuel called Stove Glow , we use it and it stays in for long periods without attention 👍

[@CruisingAlba]

Good to know, thank you for sharing 👌

[@Eddiefooty06]

@@CruisingAlba we bank ours up like you do , throttle it back to bare minimum , and it's still hardly burnt 12 hours later , great for overnight etc

[@tedkehler1723]

Marina & Miles, great vlog 👍 keep it up! Merry Christmas 🎄🎁😃

[@CruisingAlba]

Thanks Ted, we appreciate you watching our videos and taking the time to comment 💜xx

[@borderreiver3288]

Lovely scenery....nice and peaceful....

[@Jad-763]

I have watched every video, loving you travel the exact route that I would be taking in a year when I get my boat, Thames in the summer for swimming and k&A in the winter.

[@CruisingAlba]

Thank you so much for watching and wow every video, LEGEND! 💜xx

[@RetroRatz]

Your approaching what we refer to as our front garden! Enjoy it's all magical ❤️👍

[@markdaarud7764]

It was nice to see a little bit of Newbury a town I called home for eight years.

[@CruisingAlba]

ohhh wonderful, you will enjoyed the next episode too then 💜 xx

[@cadesdripp6858]

You could consider a portable propane shower and a portable drill pump 👍

[@aliciahartmann4629]

You know how to build tension and want to see more of your content. It's great that I found you 🥰 wish you a Merry Christmas and I'm curious what the next videos of you will bring. 🤗 Greetings from Norway. 🇸🇯

[@CruisingAlba]

Thank you Alicia, oh wow Norway! So fun to find out where our videos are being watched 😮Merry Christmas to you too 💜xx

[@Minikisses20000]

Marina and Miles, thank you for this great vlog. I love watching you guys. Stay safe and warm. Merry Christmas !!! 🎄💗🎄💗🎄💗

[@CruisingAlba]

Awww thank you Kimberly, Merry Christmas to you too 💜 xx

[@sheepdog1102]

Great video, I felt like I was riding with you guys, and I really needed to get away. lol 😆

[@CruisingAlba]

Glad you joined us for this cruise, sending you hugs 💜xx

[@SophiaBrownLondon]

I really love your videos. My partner and I have been inspired by you guys and are thinking about getting a narrow boat. Can you do a video of “ things that people don’t tell you about living on a boat” Xx

[@robtheplod]

Thanks to my favourite narrowboat couple for another relaxing episode! Hope you both have a lovely Christmas!

[@CruisingAlba]

Aww you are so kind! Merry Christmas to you from both of us 🎄xx

[@phillipsharpe6459]

Nice video, good luck with your further adventures, 😁👍

[@garethwood8812]

The k&A is full of characters, enjoy your journey 👍🏻

[@richardfoote4518]

Good job and fantastic drone shots on this a previous vlogs

[@richardearth2848]

Great video. Those locks do look feirce. Stay safe.

[@DH-pq2ud]

Great video, I love all the bits of history you give us along the way. Hope you two have a wonderful Christmas.

[@CruisingAlba]

Thank you so much lovely, you have a joyful Christmas too 💜 xx

[@AndreasDuessca]

Beautifully done. Your videos are getting better and better.

[@CruisingAlba]

Thank you very much Andreas, and thank you for following along, sending you big hugs 💜 xx

[@hattid101]

Have a safe and happy Christmas.

[@mk1photography62]

Another lovely video thanks for sharing

[@annajeram9251]

Your videos are so relaxing to watch. Happy Christmas to you both 🎄

[@vivianewing7154]

Love this vlog thanks!

[@stephenrobinson163]

I have enjoyed your videos and always look forward to the next one. I wish you both a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year...looking forward to more vids in what I hope will be a better year for all of us. Stay safe.

[@johngardiner6800]

Marina l love your history lessons and l so admire the fact that you are not frightened of hard work and do your share and not just leaving it to Miles Your a great couple. One thing I find baffling as with all the cruising you are losing all the benefits of your engine heat without a calorifier. Suggest that you look into this.

[@CruisingAlba]

Hi John, thank you so much for your kind words. We did look into this and it will costs thousands to install one. This is not our priority at the moment, solar is next on the list. Have a lovely day 💜 xx

[@johngardiner6800]

@@CruisingAlba Hi Marina, John again re hot water. it needn't cost thousands to fit a calorifier after all it's just an indirect cylinder and a domestic cylinder will do and you can purchase one for around £170 plus VAT. the pipework is simple and you could with instruction do the work yourselves if you have the room to house it. I am a plumbing and heating engineer and can assist you. l have a boat myself in Cain hill marina, where are you at present? we could meet up if you would like to. l live in cheddar but could be with you in about an hour and a half. Kind regards John

[@thecanucklehead7351]

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year guys - stay safe.

[@mikemiles3068]

Great video, love the bits of history‼️🤗

[@RexWaldron]

Such feel good videos 🙏👌

[@redhotchilli23]

Great video I love your stories on the history of the canal's they are so interesting to listen to, if you don't get any more video's out before Xmas I want to wish you and Miles and amazing and happy Christmas!

[@2dogsahubbyandawbboat]

Loved your video and glad Sean is looking a bit better.. stay strong, we love your videos boys.. lots of love 💜💜

[@hellyavard8552]

Thank you Marina and Myles for your vlog. I do hop the dinghy is ok. Have a Happy and safe Christmas!

[@oddball1711]

Great vlog. I wish you both, your families and all of you subscribers a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2021.

[@jamcamcam-webecruising2329]

Superbly put together, great editing and choice of tunes. Really enjoyed this one. Quality gets better and better

[@alanskilton9624]

Fascinating seeing home town of Newbury from your boat , I'm really enjoying trip video's and can't to see the next ones. stay safe. not sure where you are right now but I'm watching this one on 1st Jan 2021. really hope you finally get that poxy shower pump sorted soon , for good !! Good on you for taking the plunge in the Thames but I wouldn't recommend doing it in the Kennet !! ha ha I hope you had a great Christmas I'm probably going to see soon and a Happy and healthy and safe New Year.

[@CruisingAlba]

Thank you so much for watching Alan! Nope, we won't be swimming in the canals for sure. Happy New Year 💜 xx

[@workingboat]

Nice vlog as per, keep warm you two

[@CruisingAlba]

Thank you for watching Gaz! 💜 xx

[@rmsflorida]

Enjoy your Vlogs...Very peaceful for me to view after a day of stress ..The selection of music really does a lot too. Keep it up your doing fine...Thanks for sharing. Robbie

[@j.glennbauer508]

Such beautiful scenery along the K&A. Brought back fond memories of my trip through there in 2018. Safe travels!

[@CruisingAlba]

Thank you so much Glen, so glad you enjoyed the vlog 💜xx

[@bethiakittify]

Lovely to see you on the K&A! I live in Devizes... will look out for you. Merry Christmas to you both. Such a great channel, keep up the good work.

[@nelsonvictory1834]

Once again enjoyed the vlog really good have a nice Christmas and please take care both of you

[@CruisingAlba]

Thank you so much Nelson, happy Christmas to you too! 💜 xx

[@earlmarshall5054]

have a safe and happy Christmas.

[@CruisingAlba]

Thank you Earl, you have a lovely Christmas too 💜 xx

[@trevorsbarkingmadchannel4501]

Wonderful vlog.

[@CruisingAlba]

Thank you lovely 💜 xx

[@johnallen148]

Hi Marina Myles,,great video it’s about time you got that shower mended don’t you think lol ,wear you heading for Christmas? ,I wish you both a happy Christmas and a better new year in 2021 for all of us ,take care keep safe enjoy Christmas till next time enjoy yourself lots love John xx❤️🎄🎅🏻🥂🌹☃️🥳😻

[@TheBiblue]

I wish you a Merry Christmas. love to see u

[@jonturner3179]

From the newbies on the Good Ship Zoria. Hope you are well and enjoyed the K&A. West of Newbs toward Pewsey is a really nice stretch. Have a safe Christmas and peaceful New Year. J,S,S&E

[@terrisantiago9128]

I miss my narrow boat hope next year

[@williamsmith2919]

Fantastic video again you are very good at editing and we feel we know you. Take care xxxxxx

[@CruisingAlba]

Awww thanks so much William, that’s so kind of you 💜 xx

[@DaimonWalker]

Hi Myles and Marina, love the uploads. I always find myself smiling like a goon whilst watching you vlogs. No idea why, I think I just get lost in them. Love the music too. Good choices! Ps. How much is a new pump??

[@CruisingAlba]

Hi Daimon, thank yo for the kind words, so glad to hear you are enjoying our vlogs 💜Oh well we went thorugh 2 pumps since this one went so quite a bit!

[@andrewbounds8672]

Hello marina and miles you guys are great and good vlogs and how come it always looks like marina does all the heavy work lol merry Christmas 🎄

[@glendaelwell5498]

Nice video look forward to them hope your Dingey is ok

[@CruisingAlba]

Thank you so much Glenda! 🥰 It seems ok, but we haven't been using it much in winter...

[@simon-nb-Betsyray]

Another great vlog guys🙂 nice scenery and a nice bit of history..l find it very interesting when ur travelling when u share the locks with other boaters, do u ever have to correct them if they open the paddle gates too fast? I'm not sure if u will release another vlog b4 christmas🎄 but l would like to take this opportunity to wish u & Myles a wonderful Merry Christmas 🎄🎁and a Happy New year🎉, also l would like to say a big thank u for making exceptional and very enjoyable vlogs that have given me hours of pleasure 🙂. All the best Simon xxx💜

[@CruisingAlba]

Hey Simon, just realised we didn't respond to your question. The boaters we shared locks with seemed to know what they are doing 👌

[@robevans2659]

Marina sounds like she's from Zimbabwe and left as a child, I can still pick up a slight twang . Keep up the amazing vlogs

[@CruisingAlba]

Hi Rob, I'll tell this to my Zimbabwean friend! I'm actually from Russia and I left when I was 18. Thank you so much for watching and good luck moving onto the water 💜xx

[@robevans2659]

@@CruisingAlba Bless you both .....so seem to have such wonderful adventures. Russian ? ...wow it has a slight twang of Zimbabwe...where I used to live . Hopefully myself and partner may pass you along the canals ..if so the beer is on us🤗 xx Keep vlogging love watching your adventures 😊

[@lionelmarytravels6003]

Really wonderful video. Sounded as if you had a lot of bad luck with your purchases. That can be very annoying, especially on a canal boat. Hope you got the shower fixed. I see you have reached Newbury, which is not a million miles from where I live. Have a great Christmas both of you.

[@paullowden1643]

Great video. You seem to have an unfair share of gear and tech failures. Hope you get the gulper sorted once and for all. On the positive side at least you don’t have to replenish water so often. I feel your pain for the dingy.

[@huwevans2653]

Really enjoying your vids, the way you shoot and edit them, the music you choose and the very high quality production values you adhere to. A real tonic in these times. Also love the designs on Marena's jackets. Are they traditional designs?

[@CruisingAlba]

Hey lovely, thank you so much for watching! Not sure what you mean by traditional?

[@briandouglass6565]

As always drama and suspense, get that pump sorted. Stay safe x

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

Wow you packed a lot into one episode! The K&A isn't that "secure" though - hope you've got a long plank! Not much in the way of armco as you get further along. It's quite beautiful though - I'm sure you will have a great time. Look out for Guyers lock! Best,

[@pip110.5]

Love your vids guys keeper coming. Question. Ive always wondered what happens to the “ grey waste “ on Narrow boats. Kind regards from London.

[@roblloyd1879]

Lived in a 16 foot caravan for a year while working as a civil servant. Bathtime was a large bowel of warm water on the floor. Stand in for an all over wash. Saddens me that people seem unable to cope nowadays.

[@kevwatts2836]

Love you vids!! Enjoyable and relaxing!! :) Question - who selects the music you use and do you credit it anywhere (may have missed it) There's some tunes you use that I'd like to listen to

[@CruisingAlba]

Hi Kev, Thank you so much for your kind words. I (Marina) select the music, we use a copyright free library for creators on Epidemic Sound. The majority of the songs aren't released or released under a different name that we see it on there. Your best bet in finding tunes is to Shazam and see if it can find anything! We used to list the songs in the description but when we tried Shazaming the once that do come up are under completely different names. So we stopped listing them.

[@billstarr7224]

I missed what happened to the shower this time? Have a very Merry Christmas.

[@CruisingAlba]

Hi Bill, same story, the shower pump was broken again!

[@kevinsalisbury6540]

Loving your videos, great insight into narrow boat life. Merina - I have a question about your cacao drink, what is your recipe?

[@CruisingAlba]

Hi Kevin, I use ceremonial grade raw cacao that I drink with intension. I often add chilli, cinnamon, ginger, cardamon, turmeric, all spice etc (not all together) 🤤

[@kevinsalisbury6540]

@@CruisingAlba brilliant, thanks. I've ordered some ceremonial cacao (never heard of that before).

[@hughlaverton8748]

Excellent stuff. Here's a question: Can I claim Housing Benefit for a rented narrowboat on a permanent mooring?

[@nigelmuggridge9769]

Lovely video, how do you fund this lifestyle? I am really curious as we are to hit the road in Oz

[@CruisingAlba]

Hi Nigel, thank you so much for watching. We both work online.

[@lyndamorrissey6646]

I hope the dingy isn't cracked badly.

[@FunTimeFreddie007]

Hi! Enjoying the videos, long been thinking about moving onto the water myself... and just myself! Wondering what you thought about living in a canal boat on your own? I dont mind the alone time but sounds like parking, locks, moving and maintenance would be much harder on your own - especially as a novice. What do you think?? Seems like single boaters are quite rare??

[@CruisingAlba]

Hi Freddie, we know a couple of single-handed boaters and they seem to manage ok. Yes its a little trickier but you get used to it and you’ll probably have a smaller boat (or not!). We have met people over 60s who live and cruise on boats by themselves. Its pretty accessible!

[@oddball1711]

Freddie check out 'Cruising the Cut'. Dave is a solo boater and seems to get along fine

[@FunTimeFreddie007]

ah great, will do! Thanks both. Yep soubds like it will be fine but will try and test it out first. Then need to find a boat with at least 6'3 headroom!

[@jonny7491]

Roll on fibreglassing KZbin channel’s.

[@waynewaring]

Thanks for another great vlog.... You use great music on your vlogs 😊🎼🎶