From London Apartment to Living on a Boat Full Time - Minimalist Life

Anna and Kath are a UK couple who work full time in London. In 2016 they downsized their life from a 1-bedroom apartment down to a narrow boat which they live and travel on, full-time, with their 2 cats, Munchkin and Alice.
When their boat is moored, they have access to water and electricity; and when they're cruising the canals of England and the UK, they have solar panels to trickle charge their batteries and keep things like the fridge and TV running.
They have a multi-fuel stove for heat, and an extra radiator in the bedroom although they rarely use it because the stove heats the tiny house so well.
They have a 500 litre water tank for their freshwater needs and are hoping to invest in a composting toilet so they don't have to use chemicals in their current cassette toilet.
Anna and Kath have found that they get to spend more time together, and they spend less money now that they've adopted a simpler, more minimalist lifestyle.
They still work full-time in London but are working to transition to a digital nomad situation with revenue from their KZbin channel, The Narrowboat Experience, by selling Annamarie's paintings, and with support on Patreon. We've included their links below if you'd like to support them:
KZbin: / @thenarrowboatexperience
Patreon:
/ narrowboatexperience
Annamarie's Paintings:
artbyannamarie...
Thanks for watching!
Mat & Danielle
PS thank you to all of our Patrons who support us so generously and a very special thank you to our backbone supporters: The Burgess Family and Jakob Dannesboe!
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Blog: www.exploringalternatives.ca
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VIDEO CREDITS
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Music & Song Credits:
All music in this video was composed, performed, and recorded by Mat of Exploring Alternatives.
Editing Credits:
Mat and Danielle of Exploring Alternatives
Filming Credits:
Anna and Kath from The Narrowboat Experience
/ @thenarrowboatexperience

[@ExploringAlternatives]

For more Boat Life videos, check our our playlist here: kzbin.info/aero/PLslKBpzJILetUHeNcqZKglBNIVaQ0DxFt

[@ernestoperdomo5306]

Buen video el paisaje muy bonito , la embarcación me gusta y ustedes son bonitas soy nuevo suscriptor , saludos desde Caracas Venezuela

[@LedGaRRagE]

great & inspiring !

[@fins59]

"We don't live on our boat, we live on the canal, so the space is immense. What the boat does is it keeps us warm & it keeps us dry." That's a very interesting perspective.

[@maxxsteele9396]

You should have interviewed the real owners of the boat, the cats.

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

So true. They'd just complain about swans and dogs and then do some rolling and sleeping.

[@josephnebeker7976]

Cats are Interlopers who give humans emotional comfort.

[@luizantoniokesselring6831]

@@josephnebeker7976 and to keep the rats far....

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Wow- biggest thanks for making the boat look so good and for sharing our story on your channel. We are such big fans of yours and are still a bit star struck. Xx anna kath Munchy and Alice.

[@ExploringAlternatives]

So happy you like it, you did such a great job with the interview! We had so much for editing this and hope that it sends some new viewers your way 😀❤️ Keep it touch and hope we cross paths soon!

[@alexsandrazanetti8356]

The Narrowboat Experience I'd like to hear how did the kitties adapt to the boat!

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

The cats seem to love it. They love to see the scenery passing and explore new territory. We supervise them at new places of course.

[@DePvdM]

Dear Anna and Kath, you are talking about the solar panels not giving you enough power for your appliances. You might however have different issues then the panels not giving enough juice. It might far more likely be the converter, batteries or (if you have it, but i doubt that) mppt not doing what it is supposed to. A solar system needs quite some components. But those components need to be combining forces in the gracious manner to work well. Batteries tend to grow old and while looking like they are charged, actually holding less then 25% of their original power. Inverters tend to take up a lot of power when they aren't properly maintained and can be easily diagnosed to being faulty if they happen to become pretty hot (heat means power lost in this case). So it might be worth your time to get your knowledge up to speed on the solar panels, what they do, how they function and resolve the actual issues. Getting professional help with that might however be costly. Best of luck.

[@julienorton1067]

The Narrowboat Experience lovwd this true and honest look at life aboard a narrowboat. ⛴ 🐺🐱. That has been a pipe dream of mine. Your Narrowboat is beautiful. Good luck with your new adventure. 😊x

[@truebluekit]

For me, this vid is actually more of a string of "spot the cat" scenes.

[@flashtheoriginal]

I wasnt struck by the conversion into boat life I was struck by how happy these two are

[@jsbhmm8232]

You Brits don't know how lucky you guys are to have such a canal system. Please appreciate it and maintain it or yours may wind up like the one we have in the US.

[@AnimalFacts]

Downsizing is definitely difficult. Every time we try it, my lady goes out and buys more stuff.

[@ExploringAlternatives]

Yeah, downsizing is pretty insane! We had filled up a whole house so it took us a pretty long time to downsize into our van. It's not easy but really rewarding once you're done😀

[@AnimalFacts]

Me, personally I can do it... had for some time when I was single ... I don't like feeling "owned" by my things. Having a lot of stuff requires spending more money on a place to have it, it hinders free movement, etc... It's hard to get a significant other and a child into that mindset. I want to go off grid, but teaching simple things as energy and water management, and downsizing is hard. For instance, there is a 42-inch television here... which rarely gets watched. When it is on, it just serves as an energy hogging noise maker. Most of our watching is done on tablets, phones or computers, yet any mention of just getting rid of it is always met with a "how could you" attitude.

[@DePvdM]

Having worked with people who are hoarders, i can tell you that items for some people fill in a void. Try to get to understand what that void is they feel. Find out what happens with them if they buy stuff or receive it another way, and what it makes them feel like if they get rid of things they feel to be important. Understanding those feelings makes you able to control them. When you can control them, you can actively suppress unwanted feelings or understand the needs hidden under them, giving you room to stop the same pattern from repeating. From experience, many things remind people of things in the past. They don't want to cling to the items, but really want to cling to those memories. So giving an alternative way to hold on to those memories (or improve and even expand on them) will completely remove the need to keep the items.

[@ASMRyouVEGANyet]

Stop trying to force your lifestyle onto people. Not everyone feels the same way about stuff as you. I tried to get my mom to get rid of so much stuff. It just doesn't work. She has to want to do it on her own. She still resents me for getting rid of just a few things....you can't force people to change.

[@dreamingflurry2729]

That is one of my reasons why I will never move in with a woman (Oh, I like women, but most of them just have so much stuff (most of which is useless at that! You can't wear 20 pairs of shoes or put 10 different kinds of makeup or deodorant or jewelry on!), not to mention that I am just not one for constant compromises! Hell, if I could afford to I'd love to live on a boat and a girlfriend could still visit, but she wouldn't move in! Sorry, nope, not doing that!)

[@lornajaneadventures]

I absolutely loved this. Thank you ladies for sharing some of your life with us

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Hey there- you're welcome. Thanks for putting your life up on KZbin too. X

[@mjallenuk]

They do look ever so happy with their lot don't they... the cats especially

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Hey there Matt- fancy reading you here. As you know our cat overlords are indeed happy. X anna

[@hfs7274]

Great video - extremely interesting. Anne and Kath are lovely delightful ladies. Wish them all the best in their cruising life. The cats (Munchin and Alice) also have a good life. Love the cats names. A big thank you.

[@ExploringAlternatives]

You're very welcome Hazel! Happy you enjoyed the video and thanks for watching 😀

[@hfs7274]

Exploring Alternatives Have just subscibed to their channel and have watched a few of their videos. Two fun ladies. So we can see that one good thing leads to another / others. So thanks to you showing them on your channel.

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Thanks so much for subscribing. We do try to promote the optimism. And welcome.

[@trscubes183]

Exploring Alternatives I can't believe you replied with the first name. 😧😥😢 That's so sweet and awesome that you interact with your viewers. Thank you.

[@MrBblhed]

I liked this video, it was more of a "Life With Us" than "The Adventures and Misadventures of Us" I like The Narrowboat Experience channel and videos, I just think this was a nice compliment to them.

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

I agree, we felt very complimented. thanks.

[@rajibali294]

I love you my dear friend,,,,,,,I am also exciting travelling on this like boats,,,

[@offgridsweden]

Great video very interesting. That's a really nice boat. Sounds amazing to cruise the English channels. Greetings from Sweden

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

The English canals are very beautiful. And the slower pace is lovely.

[@carolmcneil5029]

I just adore Anna and Kath!!! ..I have been following them pretty much since the beginning. Thank you so much for spotlighting their journey.

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

WOW- thanks so much. We love that you watch and follow.

[@azgharbaigverynicesin5547]

Thanks

[@magdacovers2]

This was such a lovely video! These two ladies were so nice and their boat seems like a delight to live in - they certainly seem happy in it :) also, adorable cats!

[@ExploringAlternatives]

Thanks for the comment, I'm happy you enjoyed Kath and Anna's story 😀😀

[@abhishekbiswas6424]

Living in boat. Is it safe. What happen if natural calamity occurs. Can u answer in writting

[@doncates2954]

Probably the most interesting video I have viewed on you tube thus far. Your explanation of how you came to live on your boat and what it has taken to make or work was very clear and helpful. You both seem to love each other very much and treat each other with kindness. You are very respectful of each other’s options and love to tease each other. I hope you travel for many years.

[@christianv7177]

Its sucks to see such a chill lifestyle in one of the world's least cannabis friendly places

[@ronprince1478]

Thanks girls, good to see you living life not just surviving.

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

That is a lovely comment. I may steal it.

[@venge6093]

How do the cats not get off and run away? I would be scared a loud noise would make them bolt off into the bushes and be lost

[@hero2006]

Now that's good living. Great video.

[@ExploringAlternatives]

Thanks Gary 😀👍

[@trevorfast3082]

About your shower. Have you ever thought to do a hybrid system? A system with an instant hot and keep your water heater. That way you could have a lower water temp on your tap while the instant hot shower head could supplement the water coming from the tank. Don't know about the cost of head or wiring. Just an idea.

[@Theandyaston]

Nice video. Good luck on your adventures ladies xx

[@AnthonyChew]

Wow if it isn't my favorite girls from the Narrowboat Experience! I love them, their vlogs and their journey on a narrow boat with their 2 cats Munchy and Alice! I would recommend their channel to anyone, being it boaters or not - the simple life of living on a boat is so satisfying to watch.

[@DIYSolarandWind]

Awesome woodwork in your tiny house.

[@normanschlongdongovic4124]

My friend live in a narrowboat with his 3 kids and wife..He also bring his motorcycle along for traveling to work

[@barrydawson2838]

Well done ladies. It takes courage to do what you’ve done and I take my hat off to you. Being on the canals is wonderful......I’ve done in France and loved it. Take care and enjoy life.

[@Mr91495osh]

You guys are so lucky. Cruising around England in a boat. Damn, I’m jealous.

[@SN-qu2gz]

Nice boat and very cool ladies!

[@ExploringAlternatives]

Thanks for watching 👍

[@Tiffers963Hz]

Loved the video ladies. My partner and I are about to move onto a wide beam at the end of the year and we're really excited. Question: Where did you get the metal kitchen top stands/shelves seen at 2:42? What a good space saving idea!

[@sylviearseneau7747]

What a beautiful life!!! Very peaceful. Planning a trip to your beautiful country next year. I will not miss the chance to walk around the canals and watch the narrowboats. Greetings from Canada

[@shemhaque2758]

What a lovely story. Thanks for sharing your amazing life. I am saving up for a narrow boat, can't wait to get one!

[@kariwick-InnerPeaceCoaching]

Another great video Mat & Dani! Lovely ladies - I wish you much success in your travels!!! Have you heard about the low/no waste lifestyle in England? Could help with your waste at the market. I have lots of resources if interested! Happy wandering, Kari

[@micheleoftheoaks5506]

This was a great interview. Anna and Kath are lovely and witty ladies, who are a joy to follow on their channel.

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Hi there Michele, thanks for your kind comments

[@AvaT42]

This was a good video. I like these two ladies, they have lovely personalities. That bedroom and shower would be way too small for me though. Haha.

[@jcc-ve8mo]

So depressing. Ffs cheer up

[@suratullahkhan6158]

What about robbery issues?

[@kodeywhitewolf4056]

A wonderful way to live The more I see this way I am more intreged

[@clairepapadatos1116]

Hi Anne and Kath! Thank you so much for sharing your life on the boat☺ Was always one of my wishes, ages ago😊 Stick with it, girls 😊 All love, and best wishes, Claire, Berlin, Germany 😊 (ex pat!)

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Hi there, you've very welcome we so love it.

[@ThreeNugsTall]

"That gets emptied by myself." * girlfriend tries really hard not to grin * 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Woodenarrows]

Very nice boat. Enjoy your downsized life. I'd like to downsize but I'm still too attached to my "things" :-) I'm working on that though...

[@neilhartley5105]

Good Luck with your Narrowboat Experience and the filming, Ladies! Love NEIL xxx

[@cjohnson4342]

What I would like to know is how the heck can they can do a puzzle with 2 cats....

[@annarachua229]

❤️❤️❤️👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@ruetube]

it’s my dream to live on a boat like this when i grow up and save enough money!!!!

[@adamjacob5369]

Same lol. I just think it would be fun

[@johnt-5382]

Keeping things simple! We live in a converted delivery van. Living space 3.3m x 1.7 wide, 2m high when top is popped up. Sounds small and tight by comparison, but it's actually very comfortable. Just one rule for storage : if it hasn't been used in the last 12 months... out it goes. But then, there are no canals in Australia! Cheers, John

[@gr8t1bobo]

I'm all about living in small spaces and I love boats myself, I'm just not a fan of how these boats look. How come I never see these long boats with great interior decorating, full of colors and accents and lighting. That would make it feel more homey to me and more cozy. Either way good video and if they are happy that's all that matters.

[@martinjames9250]

Bloody good luck to you both! What a breath of fresh air!

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Thanks

[@robinl4975]

What an amazing life, just cruising around on the canals, enjoying life :)

[@annarachua229]

I like it

[@ladygardener100]

This is s3ven years on, and they seem to have disappeared, pity. This, was the first seri3s I followed before i bought my own boat.

[@sebastiannils4357]

Lovely atmosphere in your video. All the best Sebastian.

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Thank you. It is cosy and peaceful (except when Alice meows)

[@sospeciallyme9096]

What a beautiful setup and what a beautiful way of life. So jealous girls. New subscriber here.

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Yay- welcome.

[@StephenJPayne]

I'm buying a boat in a few weeks and would also love to have a cat. Any advice? :)

[@Zone10Permaculture]

Did you end up buying the boat?

[@scottweir1596]

Well done. Big decision, seems you guys made it work. Cool Vid. Wish you best of luck... and the cats don't jump ship !

[@hannah0golightly]

Inspiring

[@PhatGirlzRule]

I love this so cool in 3 years illbe traveling all over in my tiny home passenger van xoxo

[@yrankin1]

Greetings from Texas. Beautiful home ladies and cute kitties.

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Thank you, those kittens (which I call Brattins) know exactly how cute they are.

[@Oceansteve]

After living in Oxford for some years, I have often wondered about narrowboat life. It was good to see it successfully achieved with your lifestyle. hope you enjoy your travels..

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

We love our travels- I think the canals around Oxford would be spectacular.

[@davidharrison6615]

lovely film . exactly the life we had planned after the kids got settled . after a work accident and a very recent leg amputation the dream has disappeared. its nice to still see the boats and know that others can live the dream instead . thank you .

[@Pablo123456x]

There is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.

[@jennyc1846]

What lovely ladies I do hope you got to live your dream and I can catch up with you in (now) 2022..I wouldn't worry about the cats jumping into the water but more running off into the bush chasing wildlife...thanks for another great video Danielle

[@mange2]

I love everything about living aboard. the freedom, the outdoors, the exploring, waking up in new places, meeting new people, saving lots of money etc etc. The only problem that's stopping me, and its a problem I've never been able to overcome, is the spiders. Yes, horrible nasty black, red and black, spotted short and long legged creepy crawling life spoiling SPIDERS. Hundreds of the things. On the deck, in the cupboards, crawling across the bed. Everytime I used to clear them out, I would return to find an army of replacements. Its such a shame that they and they alone, prevent me from a wonderful life choice that is my dream. :-(

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

True point- spiders do love a narrowboat. I don't mind them, as they eat the mosquitos sometimes in summer. And sometimes Alice will catch the spiders and eat them too.

[@mikecreighton8855]

I love your boat......whem i sell my flat i'm wanting to buy a Narrow boat probably early next year and would like a boat something similar to yours?.......Did you buy it new?.......although i will have the money from the sale of my flat to buy a new boat i don't want to i have given myself a budget of £30,000 to £35,000 to spend but if i see a boat i like that is a little more i probably would stilll be interested.

[@thetarantella69]

Beautiful boat and fur babies ❤

[@sandeepkarkhanis2273]

Really amazing and inspiring story. I do wonder how it works with getting post or having a residential address in the UK with this? also do you need to have a car for travel too?

[@IamPINKIEDaniels]

Love that you guys are living your dream

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Thank you

[@suzita4019]

It's such a cosy home. Lovely to see you both. Have a good life together. Hugs

[@blacklightning298]

Im soooo jealous. Can i have your boat pleeeeese. Pluss the cats. They adorable

[@aie_aie_]

This boat seems full of pure love 💕 🐈🐈‍⬛🐈🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛

[@negrituha]

such nice energy radiates from these two! oh my!

[@ExploringAlternatives]

Thanks for the positive vibes!😀👍

[@onmeranktv2842]

Nice purely

[@lucyloomarks2698]

How does it work with the cats ? Do they make the barge their territory and always come back to the barge regardless of where you move around. Because usually if you move house you would have to keep your cats in for 1-2 weeks or they will try to go back to their previous house ! Thanks

[@jimprother3054]

Congratulations on your life and channel, you are an inspiration...

[@trainroomgary]

Very cool: Congrats • Cheers from The Detroit & Mackinac Railway 🚂

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Thank you.

[@maex7917]

What do they do about the cats? What if they go for a swim? What if they don't come back?

[@npgjnrcc4707]

Buzzy Bee Reptiles they are cats!How woukd they get lost ? cats are great swimmers even though they do not like water.

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Hi there, we have a score board to keep track of who goes in the canal the most (spoiler alert - Alice is in the lead).. We also have designated cat towels set aside to dry them if they fall in. And some extra padding on the fenders to help them climb out. Luckily we've not lost them yet - they have always come home from their own exploring. And due to extensive food based training, they generally come running when we call them.

[@rawfoodphilosophy7061]

Buzzy,,,,,,they have scuba gear. Remember, always be prepared with back plans, and back up plans to the back up plans. Also, get insurance on as many things as possible, never take any chances!

[@Edogawa1117]

Well done,ladies. Great video.

[@maex7917]

Jayne Eyre yes. I personally let my cats out every single night. I think it's pretty cruel to have cats and not let them out. It's basically not giving a dog a walk. I was just asking to see if the cats always found there way ;)

[@Whippetfest]

Loved this! I had a smile the whole time whether watching Anna, Kath, the cats, the boat, the outdoors.

[@Talentedtadpole]

PLEASE don't say "Llaangoklen" for god's sake. Learn how to say it properly or don't bloody go there.

[@kevincody1976]

These galls are likable!

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

'likeable'? We'll take it!

[@QuantumBraced]

Hm it's interesting, but I feel like the only reason to live on a boat is if you can sail it around the world. With this thing you can only do canals in the UK. So... what's the point really. You can just live on land and take a train.

[@laurentiuoctavian2964]

Please my friends, try to make more narrow boats videos

[@bstr-ey6wl]

2016-2022 what news about this friendly couple?

[@scottbrown7006]

Great Video and good luck!!! :)

[@ganbydartfast2593]

Living on a canal is no more freedom than a council estate and you can only go the limited places the canal goes. The open sea is REAL freedom but even that is threatened by globalism

[@grizzlygamer8891]

You need to invest in a bigger water tank. 500 Litres is not a lot. A lot of sail away hulls come with 1500L as standard now.

[@wendywhite2642]

How do you control for rising water in the canals? It would be easy for you to be stuck between Bridges.

[@funnystuff9954]

Respect!! Go 4 it. Gd luck life's short.. learn to trade,it will take 3 years then your sorted..

[@Craig.Fawley]

What do you mean by learn too trade?

[@thomasweeks7992]

A composting toilet will make your lives better and more efficient

[@fucknose9]

great way of life, really enjoyed the video, thanks for taking the time

[@livingauthenticallyonmyownterm]

What a wonderful life !!!

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Yes, we enjoy it very much1

[@sharionboyd9364]

We boated for 25 years . Nothing like living on it!!!

[@Monster_Mover_Stocks]

Very neat setup!

[@SpikeSCFC]

Why does mum sound like an Aussie? Lol

[@ronnielloyd4676]

I've never seen Kath so animated and chatty! I hope this brings many more people to your own channel as you both came across so well :) Although it didn't make a big point of Anna's art, hopefully people will look at your main channel and pick up on that as well :) Well done both of you :)

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

I know- I was thinking the same thing- anyone who didn't know us would think that she was the bossy one. Well... actually...

[@amenostalgique]

i see this a luxurious life, not cheap at all xD

[@47morlock]

Moped owners thinking they’re in hells angels 😂

[@tjinnes]

Very good.

[@Cristian-od6bf]

How do you manage to receive your mail or what do you declare as address?

[@mahabuburrahmanrussel3887]

Beautiful. I like it’s

[@Queeg1st]

What a lovely couple

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Thanks