283. Life as a London liveaboard narrowboater

London's canals and rivers are becoming ever more crowded with boaters as people flock to the capital's waterways, drawn by the lure of a seemingly idyllic and possibly cheaper lifestyle. But is the dream for real or is reality not quite as rosy? I went down to the big smoke to find out.
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[@RobbieCumming]

Brilliant David 👏👏👏 And well done Riikka. Having started out as a continuous cruiser in London this brought back memories! Yes at times it can feel unsafe/hard to find a mooring/you have to queue/double moor. But as a community London’s waterways are entirely unique, everyone seems to look out for one another. And for those of us that aren’t retired it’s the only place in the country where you can be with others of a similar age/lifestyle.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you, Robbie 👍

[@shoedesigner]

I miss Londons Boating community, it is amazingly supportive, I made so many friends. It’s a bit different where we’re ccing now in Yorkshire!

[@abpob6052]

Land lovers don't want to pay the taxes that keep the waterways open. The only real solution is steep taxation on all boaters to 1. keep the infrastructure maintained and 2. separate the homeless from the real boat enthusiasts

[@Johnketes54]

​@@abpob6052Quite a bad attitude there, Way back in the late 60s early 70s we had a council run bus service, All this cost effective nonsense didn't exist, Paid for by the people to use but very cheap fares similar to the NHS, You ask if people "want to pay" THEY PAY, And everyone can use the facility with some policing obviously, People on the river pay the same council tax as a one bedroom flat and bring the mooring down and limit the number of boats on the canal, So those "land lover's" you despise pay a small percentage in the upkeep or clear of to Shoeburyness where everything is cheaper and access to the Thames at Shoebury Common unfortunately you have to pay i believe just for the day,Jetski paradise

[@malthuswasright]

The situation there also means it's practically impossible for visitors to go to London because all the moorings are taken up with live-aboards. It would be great to take a boat to London again but it's just too much hassle.

[@Margaret_J]

OMG Pink flamingos, a singing husky and CRT wars 🐾 Just how much more exciting can a winter's evening be 😂 Brillant end picture!! Great stuff as always Thanks

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you!

[@rickkearn7100]

I didn't see a gin and tonic in either of your hands in that parting glimpse, David, for shame! Thanks for yet another gem of a post! Cheers.

[@abundantharmony]

Meh.. Alcohol is the Devil's taint sweat anyway.

[@michaelkey3915]

a lot of those boats look abandoned...maybe the crt needs to start doing checks to see which ones can be pulled out and scrapped to clear up some space..

[@jeffebdy]

How strange that my lifelong ambition in life was to be an artist and spend my evenings sipping champagne on an inflatable pink flamingo. Sadly they're still but dreams... Another great vlog!

[@donotwantahandle1111]

I liked this video as it spotlighted the lives of two narrow boaters with the good and bad side of this lifestyle. Well done David.

[@curtbonnell4308]

This certainly shows another (not pleasant) side of the boating life. I can't imagine having to do this every two weeks. Bless them all.

[@howardlockhart3615]

Another deep investigative report by a seasoned investigative reporter! I quite enjoy the new direction of David’s videos. This one because he tells about a different view of narrowboat life and pink flamingos. Keep up the great work! I enjoy the van videos too. Many thanks David!! 🇨🇦

[@familyw5661]

that is hands down the most calm voiced version of " and tried to hump my leg" I have ever heard :) so funny David. great video.

[@x--.]

Did you not see those calves in that Flamingo shot? Can you blame the poor fella? :D

[@ah6414]

​@@x--.It would have been worthwhile adding the clip of ol' mate fully clothed uncomfortably getting on and off that giant nipple.

[@DMHS77]

Doesn't strike me as a lifestyle with a lot of freedom, despite what the nice lady says. Move every 2 weeks, search for a mooring spot on top of someone else, queue hours for water/sanitary facilities, be afraid to leave your boat for any period of time due to crime. It might have been more free/open 20 years ago, but not anymore.

[@alansmith4729]

100% agree , it's been turned into a very run down floating caravan dump. Graffiti, crime , what a waste of a once lovely place.

[@danieltaylor5231]

A heron that didn't fly away and David on a pink flamingo, you are spoiling us sir!

[@Pesmog]

There is a famous, rather fat Heron on the Tottenham stretch of this canal, where part of this was filmed, that will eat tinned fish straight out of your hand. I didn't believe it possible, as Herons are so wary, until I saw a lady feeding it sardines straight into its beak.

[@chrismoon7518]

CRT need to enforce their own rules in London and indeed everwhere. If they craned out all the unlicensed and overstayers the canal network would not be spiralling down to the watery squat that it is currently......

[@Lego6980]

Love the video- I have always wondered what it would really be like to live on a narrowboat in London and this vlog gives ample insight. Quite a lot more difficult than I would have thought. What a lovely person with her beautiful dog and thanks to her for sharing a little of her experience with us. What a pity there are so many negative comments here, and some rather hurtful imo comments about her dog. Totally unnecessary and rude. I enjoy all your videos and the lovely people and their animals you introduce us to. Many thanks King David!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you 😊

[@matthewbattye5343]

The most reasonable and positive comment here.

[@stevenogborn5892]

I do love this new direction that your channel has taken. I also loved just slowly chugging along the UK scenery.

[@sylviadiaper378]

Just love your style of journalism. A mixture of well presented facts and humour.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you

[@lesleym6952]

Love that picture at the end 😃

[@RustyShackleford66]

I love how she states that she can go wherever, whenever! ..........right after spending ages looking for a spot where she is actually allowed to moor.

[@arthurmorgan8601]

Rikka`s is an inspiration and very brave to be doing boating on her own. Some of those boats need pulling out of the water and scrapped. Its like skidrow of the boating world!!

[@janetcreasman6441]

Thanks for another great video and an interesting life aboard. Chuckling at the idea of waking up to a giant pink flamingo looking in at the window the next day!

[@bobgiddings0]

Having her park that dog outside my bedroom window for any length of time would be a nightmare, assuming you slept at all. The whole river as seen here looks a bit like a very long low rent overcrowded caravan park. It would just wear you down into clinical depression sooner or later.

[@CruisingTheCut]

He stopped as soon as we were moored

[@susansurles3776]

The dog was probably saying "lets get moving"

[@eekee6034]

Given David's reassurance that he stopped, I'd be more bothered by the flamingo. I get subconsciously bothered by things that look like they're looking at me. I would at least try to get used to it though.

[@tweaker1968]

Loved the postcard shot of you at the end.... I bet video of you getting on & off is hilarious....

[@2760ade]

Couldn't cope with the constant stress of finding a mooring spot. That's totally contrary to the laid back and free ethos of boating!! Well put together and interesting video, I was unaware so many lived aboard in the capital!

[@x--.]

Yeah, I think I'd have to find a private mooring at least once or twice a year. Maybe go in with a few other boaters and try to get a lower annual rate. Having a break of "find a new spot" would be tiring.

[@georgevue8175]

Really enjoyed the video. When I was young I could live close to people, but now that I am approaching retirement age I want a few hundred yards between me & any other humans except my wife. London canals are way too crowded for me.

[@jimithecat99]

Apart from a few exceptions that looked really nice, it looked to me that the majority of boats looked tatty at best or downright shabby. The long, long line of boats looked like a floating slum town.

[@seanseoltoir]

Agreed... Looked like the best improvement for those boats would be to just sink them...

[@ruadhscottygirl2480]

If you can’t find the funds to rent, buy, or pay for a permanent mooring, you most likely won’t have the money to paint your boat or have a professional paint your boat either.

[@jab9694]

That picture on the flamingo is great! So funny! Thank you for sharing!

[@meazle]

Where's the video of you climbing on and off that flamingo?

[@CruisingTheCut]

🤣🤣

[@Temptation666]

David on a pink flamingo. Now that is not something we see every day

[@bonniewills2814]

I bet Lorna is jealous ;0)

[@Nerd3927]

What a wonderful people you meet! Here in the Netherlands people confuse Boats with cheap living as well, and indeed they suffer! No maintenance for two years means a huge loss in value and 4 years to catch up. I have seen several new neighbors go very miserable with a debt for the boat and not being able to cope in winter with no place to go.

[@TheGhostofJTWalsh]

Good stuff David,as always. And that dog isn't fat,he's just a little husky.

[@jacquelineryde7339]

Well that was an eye opener, I cannot wait for our boat but I would definitely pass if I had to live on it in London, that would send me batty 👍👍

[@dogcalledholden]

Damned fine work sir. Damned fine journalism. An excellent slice of British canal life. Bravo.

[@dpo1713]

This was really very interesting and most professionally produced. Well done.

[@Checkyoursix77]

Looks like a floating skid row.

[@camberweller]

It reminded me of the boat/ campsite scene in Smiley’s People.

[@nathanisip]

Fantastic documentary work David. Great job representing the viewpoints of both the boaters and the CRT in this rather controversial topic.

[@leedavies3629]

Nice one Dave that wud stress me out all them boats I luv dogs but bloody hell that dog never stops Cheers Dave 🙂🦆🎤✌️

[@CruisingTheCut]

He stopped as soon as we moored

[@willardroad]

Ok, the snark level here is wonderful. Love it! You had me at "... and tried to hump my leg," and I stayed for the delightful rest. Really interesting.

[@andrewmonument8847]

Nice to see you still managed to get in the obligatory shot of a Heron !

[@CruisingTheCut]

Of course!

[@canbonly1970]

Leaving for my first trip to the UK (London) in 3 days. I can’t wait to see the canals and all of the boats.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@nbflyingfox4672]

Nice one David. Yet another very interesting vlog. Yes Londons waterways have always been hectic, even years ago. I am sure with the cost of living going up, there will be another influx of new continuous boaters looking for a cheaper option to live on a boat. Think I will stick to less urban areas. Just don't like crowds.

[@AndreasDuessca]

Lived in London on the canals 20 years ago. It was a lot quieter, but at the time there were very few resources and very many sketchy places, specifically in the East, around King's Cross and Paddington. And yes, huskies are all full of drama. 😁 Great dogs though.

[@Allirys]

It is so odd how much I cherish your channel, since I am from such a different place. Your film direction is so pure and smooth. Very satisfying! :)))🌍

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you

[@stephenpegum9776]

Another great video David - cheers ! 😎 Like many other commenters, this constant searching for fresh moorings would slowly drive me mad ! 😱 But each to their own I guess.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks 👍

[@jim_lightfoot]

Very enjoyable video and great to see the real boating life & challenges of that area. Riikka comes across as real lovely & has a zest for life...that dog though, i'd be chucking it in the cut the amount of whining it does😀 🐕

[@CruisingTheCut]

He stopped as soon as we moored

[@marrlena947]

I lived on a narrowboat in England for one year in 2001 to 2002. It was idyllic then. No double mooring in London. Little vandalism. We traveled the whole country. It was also only 600 £ for a license for one year! Too many people moved into narrowboats as housing and it ruined everything. I'm happy I did it back then. Also, almost all the boats were beautiful, well kept and works of art. I sadly agree with the comments that they mostly look awful now.

[@jimshoe402]

Try the US as in NO !! I followed one a few years back few on the water then Cheap ..ALOHA

[@chancygardener2890]

interesting view of city boat life. Best wishes to the continuous cruisers of London

[@barryuk676]

I would imagine that urban London boaters are very different to the vast majority of canal users, peace and quiet in the countryside or the gritty life of the big city I know which I would choose. Love your videos keep them coming.

[@amenerstugard1894]

Helsingistä Englantiin viisi vuotta sitten muuttaneena suomalaisena olen tosi iloinen siitä, että satuin törmäämään tähän "Riikan" videoon. Kiitti paljon, Riikka, ja kaikki videon tekijät. :-)

[@marcburns508]

Im from America, and most of our canals got filled in. I think its great the UK still has their canal system. Our canal systems were never too connected... sometimes to the rivers. I think it would be cool to live on a long boat.

[@MichaelAngleyPI]

Can't forget the Erie canal in NY.

[@nigellunn8019]

An interesting video David, as always. You hear a lot of stories about boat life in London, a lot of which is very negative. You give an honest and unbiased account, well done.

[@pilgrimoutdoors-uk6177]

And this is on the River Lea...try that again a couple of miles south through the Hertford Union Canal (Ducketts Cut) and onto the Regents Canal through London. Moored up three abreast. Moored on water points. Moored on Lock approaches. It's an absolute nightmare. I took my boat through there in the early 2000's and it was amazing. Plenty of places to short stop and enjoy London. Went through there this summer (2022) and it was horrendous. Damaged Lock gates, flooded locks, drunk and abusive people, sunken boats, filth and rubbish everywhere. CRT? nowhere to be found.

[@JeghedderThomas]

The most talkative dog breed in the world, love 'em - couldn't have one, I'd go mad. Cacti! I'd have cacti instead.

[@Bicyclehub]

This is fascinating and it is great to see a really well-made video that takes a balanced view. It is certainly a challenging lifestyle and some determination is needed. The high rents in London are at the root of many of the problems, overcrowding in particular. It’s temporary though. There will come a point where all the boats will have to have electric propulsion and it will be interesting to see what happens then.

[@M1elk74]

I often ride my bike along the Lea and love passing the narrow boat community and occasionally stopping for a friendly chat x

[@altacat9702]

Thank you both for all the serious good information...glad you hit the pub !! : )

[@stephenhayes6133]

Thank you again David for a great video.

[@andrewdolinskiatcarpathian]

Thank you David for such an interesting and enlightening video. It is a great insight into the less glamorous world of live aboards, especially in London. I hope you will continue to make more videos showing this side of canal life. 👏👏👍😀

[@childoftruth1738]

It's always about "safety" when your freedoms are taken. I love the cut!

[@Tha1NOnly1]

What a lovely lady. And a very insightful look at some of the struggles of boaters in that area. Well done.

[@VintageTexas59]

Dang, you sure looks comfy on the flamingo David, lol Thanks for the boat tour, London canals seems very crowded, better with green landscape and peaceful settings. Cheers from Texas

[@nb.silverfern1]

It's no fun either if you want to visit London as a boater.

[@randyw2539]

Interesting to have a look at another style of life on the canals, or, in this case, river. There are more challenges than life on the canals in more rural settings, but still has advantages over living in a flat. I don't envy their fight with the CRT for mooring rights/space, but wish them well! Excellent work as always, entertaining, and well shot. Also, thanks to Riikka and Bowie for letting us have a glimpse into their lives.

[@JitsIntoTheSunset]

A big fat thumbs up!! Learned so much through this episode AND I just love your dry humour, David 🦩😂 THANK YOU for the effort you go to provide this production & entertainment value! ❤ xx Tania

[@realnizefilms]

Very interesting, and full of relaxing visuals. Great video!

[@alisonlee3314]

I notice there is no footage of you getting on or off the flamingo David 🤣🤣

[@Dgoshy]

Wonderful video! Thank you for your efforts.

[@markattardo]

Interesting lifestyles. The congestion is quite a contrast to continuous cruising the canals. I expected more people, but grossly underestimated the numbers in my head. Your quite the adventurer riding that flamingo. Glad you weren't bucked off😂

[@darrellsmith4204]

It seems that narrowboaters cruising all over creation are a cross section of the general population, whilst the London continuous cruisers are more of the bohemian/traveler type.

[@FassinTaak]

People need to wind their necks in, too used to living in a comfy, underfloor heated little apartment. Growth doesn't come from an easy life but one where you think on your feet, reject convention and make your own way. Just because it's hard it doesn't mean it's inferior - quite the opposite. Bravo Riikka for making your own path.

[@redepsilon5]

Fantastic photo to finish! Another great video, thank you David.

[@TheGuyFromNorway]

You're such a chill youtuber. Ty

[@commissaryarrick9670]

i agree the countryside and rural canal settings are the best . they are less crowded and the scenery is much better

[@tompinnef6331]

You looked mighty fine on that Pink Flamingo. U need one. (Haha) Thank you for the video - hard life boating around London it seems. No boating here anymore - 1 to 3 inches of snow today. Ice on the ponds a bit even. No more boating on the old mighty Mississippi River till next spring for us. Plus the river is at very low levels. Take care

[@richpeacock]

Nice to see my neighbourhood on this channel I've been watching for a long time. I recognise these boats and the flamingo well.

[@craigw.scribner6490]

Thanks for another interesting and informative video, David, on a side of canal life which I previously knew nothing about.

[@alexistarr]

I live fairly close to Stonebridge lock, and would highly recommend the Waterside cafe located adjacent to it, which I frequent on a regular basis for a burger, whilst strolling through Tottenham marshes.

[@andrewpoloni4197]

These videos you've been making since giving up your own boat have been brilliant; it's really interesting to see all the special interest stories about the canals and the different locations. I still say the CRT should give you a proper job and let you be a contributor to their media outreach. I don't think the pink flamingo is you, though ... maybe an inflatable mini-version of the Ark Royal perhaps? =)

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you like them!

[@splatten8597]

Good to see you again, David.

[@sommelierofstench]

your videos have made me want to lead this lifestyle! so interesting. i will probably never be able to, but it’s nice to live vicariously through your videos. so thank you for documenting these people and their lifestyles!

[@Nae395]

This is a far cry from the romance of canal and river lift as projected on Griff Jones 'rivers' series. Great production David, thank you.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cheers

[@mikeyost3672]

Congratulations London, you have created floating slums.

[@johnrichards244]

I saw your notice pop up and couldn't wait to get home and watch. Another great relaxing video. Thanks David. I hope you are well

[@paulcharleton3208]

Great video. Love this channel. This was close to home as I spent my first 4 years (at the end of the 1950's) living in a caravan by Pickett's Lock on the Lea Navigation. Father was a civil engineer building Deephams water treatment plant on Pickett's Lock Lane. Very fond early memories and nice to see the canal being used. Keep these videos coming they're very professional - not surprising given your background!!!

[@paulhoughton5266]

Stonebridge Lock, that brings pack memories. I was walking my dog near there (Doberman) in the mid 1970s. The water in the lock was completely covered in algae and the dog thought it was grass and went to run on it. I pulled him out and he was a bit shaking but he didn't do it again 😀

[@sicily6740]

Having visited London a few times, I'm not at all surprised the mooring spots are as crowded as the rest of the city. Living there is an amazing challenge unless you are royalty or extremely wealthy. Knightsbridge is lovely. And, by the way, David, you look smashing while atop a huge pink flamingo!

[@stevensigl]

That life looks hella comfy, waking up rainy morning pulled up next to a cafe have a cup of coffee listening to the sounds of the urban river. 😌

[@dennislindenpellinge]

I am pleasantly surprised, to say the least, by the beautiful canal/nature surrounding central London. Beautiful! Thanks for sharing this! 😊👍

[@punkypink83]

hang on, we moored up on a residential with our club boat right where the background location was in the intro. AND I'VE SEEN THAT FLAMINGO!

[@acedia4453]

Agree with her, having a barking cat sized dog is pointless security these days. A wolf like Husky is no joke, they are deadly when provoked.

[@JC-qv8yo]

I do enjoy these videos of yours on the canal. In lockdown 2020 I binged them all from start to finish (whilst meant to be working!) Your videos always make my feel relaxed. Thank you!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Awesome, thank you!

[@k8eekatt]

I'm glad you are keeping up with the changing canal culture.

[@TheDastardlyDick]

I actually met Bowie this week! They were moored by Sainsbury's in Alperton, near where I work. Lovely friendly dog and not at all vocal when I saw him and stopped to give him a stroke (after reading Rika's notice. Nice video as always, thank you.

[@nicevans6827]

To all the people jibing about all the boats looking shabby and neglected, we could say that about a lot of houses in most areas of london. Unfortunately everyone isn’t 60 and retired with a good pension and buckets of spare time on their hands. (There are the people all the really beautiful boats usually belong to). Therefore there isn’t always the time to paint up your boat with beautiful sign writing and so on. Though it will have been a lot of peoples intention to ‘do the boat up’ when they moved on, a lot of people find it hard to get the basics of narrow-boating done, let alone a full restoration.

[@nicevans6827]

Also, it happens to be the case that if you have anything nice in a city in the UK, someone will steal it. Having a beautiful narrowboat in London is likely make people from the various areas along the canal and unfortunately some people living on the canal believe that you also have valuable possessions inside that they can come and help themselves to. Which is a regular occurrence. I have had chairs, BBQ’s, plants, coal, mops, brushes among other things stolen from my roof, as well as being broken into twice on the river Lea. As well as catching people in the act of stealing stuff while I have been on the boat. Not to mention the constant stream of walkers that like to leave their rubbish on boats because the Lea valley authority doesn’t provide a single bin.

[@coupster5464]

That was quite neat.. such a different perspective of narrowboat life.. would love to see more of such, with interesting folk such in this edition.

[@marksaunders4149]

Lovely vlog…so interesting meeting the different folk,,,,keep them up

[@paulbennett4548]

Thanks again David for another fascinating video, alas it shows again how our bureaucracy's cannot comprehend the changes that need to be made for regular folks to survive. Keep up the good work and I now understand why your host's K-9 companion was so vocal..................

[@thepubliceye]

Interestingly, here in the US we don't have canals but all large cities have the same problem, people living in Vans and campers on the streets, we call them homeless.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Houseless, not homeless. Home is where you make it.

[@lj33p]

We have canals in the U.S. . Just look up the great loop.

[@kplante7881]

Very nice…. Thanks for sharing!

[@eveb446]

Lovely video, David. Great photo of you relaxing on the pink flamingo.

[@larryarevaloproudfoot2182]

Nice report David !! Goooood.