The REAL reason(s) why I left Narrowboating

[@LloydHywelBevan]

Hey buddy always a pleasure to hear your distinctive narrative. Sorry to hear you've been dealt such a challenging hand over recent times. We're all different in how we respond but the most important thing is to listen & respond to your own tune! I'm 14 months into my own boaty journey now & loving it despite yes some challenges along the way but i know it is the right choice for me. Best wishes your way fella - you helped inspire me & i'm grateful for that !!

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

Hey Lloyd, so glad to hear all is going well! It's a great life really - I miss being there in the evenings when everybody else is on their way home and I'm staying out for the summer :)

[@wendycrooks875]

Nice to see you again. Everything was turned upside down for me on the canals. My Husband died very suddenly last June and all our plans of cc-ing were destroyed. I now live permanently in a Marina but personally, I will never go back into bricks and mortar. I’m coping well and have a little network of boaters who help me out occasionally, although I try not to bother them for anything very often.

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

Hi Wendy. Oh, so sorry to hear that. Sounds as though you are doing what's best for you which is a good thing. For me I'd have to be out and cruising or not at all, but then of course it's difficult to build a network of people around you. Life deals the cards, we play them as best we can.

[@wendycrooks875]

@@ProjectNarrowboat yes, we do. I hope all goes well whatever decision you make in the future. 🥰

[@jimgassor8473]

Thanks for this update Johny. As you have stated, sometimes its just the cards you are dealt and you can always try again later in life. Some of the issues you have described can make a break a person. I dont know if I would have had your stamina to continue as long as you did so it helps to face questions to ourselves. Its good that you are working on fixing up properties that can help you later in life with additional income. I had always wondered what had happened with your friend Jono as I was enjoying the journey with both of you. Hopefully he is doing ok but just had to stop boating or filming. Drop the channel additional updates when you are up to it as we will still be happy to hear from you from time to time. Cheers

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

Hi Jim. I never met Jono, but he was pretty much the only one doing vlogging that I knew of at the time - we both got our boats in 2016 I think. He disappeared without trace, I didn't want to do that - but we all just work through these things in our own ways. At the moment I am very much "waxing my board" rather than "surfing." Yes I'll be updating as and when - I'm not done yet :)

[@michaelhiggins7365]

From what recall if my memory serves correct, Jono got a job working with Victron, the makers of the famous Invertors. It seems that he fell off the radar right after this happened. I suspect the commitments of the new job largely played into it. I may be wrong though. @@ProjectNarrowboat

[@pilpelet100]

Thanks for the update. I'm sorry you've been having a hard time. I hope that the future holds good things for you.

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

I definitely think the future could be bright - it's just a period for me where I am "waxing my board" rather than "surfing." One has to kind of roll with things I think.

[@robinhall3347]

Just darn glad to see you again and that you're OK, Johnnie. It takes a huge effort and much willpower plus physical strength and good health to continue boating. My speed is a small dingy - I think you made good decisions all round.

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

Hi Robin, and thanks for that. I thought about getting either a dingy or a canoe when I had the boat - so I could go off up all the un navigable bits - would have been a lot of fun.

[@FireStormintheTARDIS]

John,y, I am so sorry you have had such a rough time. Loss is always so hard to deal with on so many levels. I love your videos and I was so happy to see this one today, but also saddened at parts of your story. Keep the vids coming whenever you can. Big fan, here.

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

Hey thanks for the kind words. A few things in the pipeline video wise.

[@archiemcberry7102]

Thanks for the update. Been missing you and your channel. Looks like you are making good progress in everything. Keep it up! Greetings from Eastern North Carolina and Cape Hatteras.

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

Hey thanks Archie. Yes definitely making progress but a lot slower than I would like.

[@NarrowboatWill]

A very honest take on boat life and your life. Sorry for your loss mate. Perhaps see you on the cut in the fullness of time. Actually, i'm writing this in bed because its to cold to get up. Oh and it's pissing down with very muddy, sloppy paths to look forward to. 😂😂

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

Hey will, your a trooper! I always say "Hey he's just done in 3 days what I did in 3 months! I can't even keep up with watching let alone doing! Don't let the mud grind you down.

[@jerryc5975]

Thanks for being so upfront and honest with us all Johny, and I’m really sorry to hear that you’ve had such a rough time of it lately. Like many others, I really miss your unpretentious, down to earth and really helpful vlogs, they were always a breath of fresh air compared to some others on here. Wishing you all the very best of luck and good health for the future.

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

Hey thanks Jerry. So many boat vloggers now, each with their own style/own take on things. I was tempted to mention a few of my favourites, maybe another time.

[@Silkytoaster]

Thank you so much for the update - Ihad been wondering what you were up to once you sold the boat. I think this last video was a good summary of real life on the canal - so many of us have this romantic idea and the narrow boat bloggers are partly to blame . but you spelt it out for us warts and all. Please do keep us updated on your life . Many would be interested if you included some vids on your house renovation .

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

Hi, yes I didn't want to sound like I was knocking boating - and some time I'll do a chat about all the good things (well, it's on my list anyway!). There are cracking times when you just cant beat it - but also I think you have to do it when it's right for you. Everything seemed to be saying to have a break from it. I put up odds n ends on my other channel, for the non boating stuff (JohnyLondon). And just finishing a mini series about refreshing my bathroom :) Which took a lot longer than it should...

[@michaelhiggins7365]

Great to hear from you once again Johnny. I really enjoyed especially your DIY videos, especially your laying ion the new flooring. Your carpentry skills are quite impressive and you are such a hard worker. I was sad to see you sell your boat, but I completely understand your doing so. I started watching Narrowboat videos about six years ago and I've seen many others come and go. To me, it seems most who are doing a youtube channel, don't last much longer than four years, many having moved back onto land.

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

Hi Michael. There seems to be a massive influx of new boaters recently, it's such an attractive idea, but you can never really escape. I consider myself quite hardy and capable, but personal circumstances left me wanting to take a break from it all and use the time to resolve other things. I guess you'd call it life.

[@fp30e]

Hello Johny, so good to see you again. Glad you're OK. Very interesting Vlog. Love to see some more Vlogs, as I like your presentation style. I remember the Christmas dinners you made on board. Wishing you all the very best. Spoolbox.

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

Hey. As I always tell people, I do have a lot of ideas for vids that I just haven't gotten around to yet but in the meantime you can always find me pottering about over on my other channel!

[@barringtonofmorpeth]

Thank you for your candid & honest thoughts. I have now subscribed :)

[@christinemurray9407]

So good to see you.I do miss your vlogs on land or water. Take care and I wish you a happy Christmas and a healthy and chilled new year.😊 ( hope to see you cooking your Christmas dinner )

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

Hi Christine. I will be posting occasionally as and when I have something to contribute, plus there's my other channel JohnyLondon where I put all my odds n ends. Thank you for the kind wishes and all the best to you.

[@moretea8314]

Great to see you again Johnny. I stayed subscribed to your channel on the off chance of a vlog. I completely understand you motives for moving back to land, investing in a house will secure your future. Good luck for future and hope to see you in a vlog in the future. Cheers Simon (Suffolk)

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

Hi Simon. Yes still occasional vlogs to come! Thanks for your continued support. Yeh, hopefully I'll be able to keep my head above water for the future, which is something.

[@stephensantello1423]

Well, done Johnny! I’m sorry for your losses and honestly I have been at that same intersection and completely understand the chaos it causes and one’s life and forces changes in one’s life. I’m sorry if you get any negative comments, and my only comment to those would be, they haven’t walkedin your shoes or obviously experienced the challenges that happened when one’s life especially personal life changes. Take good care will look forward to seeing whatever you put out in the future.

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

Hi Stephen, yes I'm afraid those sort of things come to all of us, and we just have to deal with things best we can - what is can one do?

[@davidmilledge221]

I think you're done a great job living and cruising on a boat and making fantastic videos , ok life throws curve balls at ya then theres a time for a change and your at that moment in life you need a change , and loosing a family member is a tuff thing , nothing wrong with what ya doing buddy and you seem financially secured too thats a blessing 👍 so be happy and God bless 🙏from Australia 🇦🇺

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

Hey thanks David. Yep, sometimes you just gotta roll with things. Hopefully my future is becoming secure now and I can turn my thoughts to adventure, in due course.

[@johnwestley6406]

Glad you're back mate!

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

Hi John. Thanks. I'll be popping up from time to time!

[@mars2100]

Nice to see you again Jonnie.

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

Thank you, I'd been working on this video too long - it should have been out in summer but what with one thing and another.

[@markrutter5996]

Hi Johnny . . . . Thanks for your honest and interesting update. It’s so good to see you and like I always say to you “ it’s not Christmas unless Johnny London is on “ although it’s not one of your mad cap Christmas Day specials we all love it’s still good. Glad to hear that you are going to pop videos on here at some point but it’s so important to prioritise . . . You have a lot going on. Hope you have a lovely Christmas Johnny and I will raise a glass to you on the big day .

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

Thank you Mark, kind words. Just a further complication my main filming phone died recently so I might be a bit blurrier than usual! I've a few more videos I want to make and adventures yet to see. There's still life in the old dog yet!

[@markrutter5996]

@@ProjectNarrowboat oh no !!. Never rains it pours. Plenty of life left in your tank yet . . 😂.

[@sircaptainchaos2388]

yes i do miss your videos watched many before i got to cruse the cut and attempt the odd video defiantly once you have tried it you know it can be a hard cold life in winter but a good adventure look forward to watching more in the future take care

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

Yep, it's a great old adventure alright. For now I'm an armchair boater but we'll see what the future holds.

[@theamateurboater5892]

I'm so sorry to hear about your awful losses, and its easy to see how things can add up and put you off liveaboard life. What potential new boaters often don't fully realise is the number of different ways you have to compromise in order to live aboard, and some are major issues like health care, as you said. I try to avoid romanticising the lifestyle or over selling it to people- there is far too much of that going on, and sometimes done by people who then move away from the canals!

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

Hi, agree totally. I've always tried to give a balanced (and hopefully not too sensationalised) view of boating. Of course it can be fantastic, but as a more demanding life style, when other things turn bad on you, it can be a difficult place to be. Would you believe I'm STILL sorting everything out? Paperwork, health etc etc...

[@chriscj8106]

Hello JL, good to see you again, I think you have done a good job sorting out your life, as an armchair viewer of boating blogs, you can get swept up in the romance of it all, and thinking it's an idyllic life, without realising it can be a cold, and lonely life, and very hard work. I think you did the right thing, just to get back to your home, sort out your life, and health issues, and take your time thinking about the next chapter of your life. Thank you for your honesty, I really hope whatever your health issues are, they can be resolved, and look forward at some point hearing if there are to be anymore adventures. I wish you good health Johnny, and hope you have a merry Christmas and happy new year, stay safe and well ⛴️⛴️⛴️

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

Hey thank you Chris. Yes I am working through things and hope to have more adventures in due course. This isn't usually the sort of video I make of course, but I just wanted to "clear the decks" as it were. All the best to you.

[@starkravingbonkers1]

sounds like the reality of van life actually , too hot in summer , too cold in winter , constantly being harassed or moved on ....glad i have a house tbh , nice to hear some truth and honesty for a change ....nice one , all the best in the future .

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

I've had several campers and done a little wild camping, and boating is much better in my opinion. If it hadn't been for all the other issues I'd still be on but I do hope to go back at some point but this time with a bricks n mortar base under my belt. Best of both worlds.

[@starkravingbonkers1]

best way ....@@ProjectNarrowboat

[@whiskymacable]

Nice to see you Johnny and thanks for sharing your news, if you are ever considering buying another boat why don't you do what David from 'Cruising the Cut' did, he missed being on the canal so he bought a small GRP..or Yogurt pot -as you called it lol ...Could be great for weekends! 😉

[@terencejay8845]

There was a brief shot of David's yellow 'Twiggy'. Not sure if by design or chance.

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

I saw that - and I have had thoughts. At the moment I think my most likely scenario would be a smaller narrowboat (47ft) or long ish river cruiser, for quite extended trips. I do like a few home comforts. Something I could keep on a winter mooring and use the rest of the time, but who knows.

[@tonymac4656]

Hello jonny, shame you had to give it up ,but what content you put up I enjoyed every minute, but your health is more important can't blame you one bit , and losing family members never a thing you can forgot about its hard , all the best with your health issues hope they get sorted 👍 see you on other channel,,

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

Hi Tony. I am making some progress with things. Yes the other channel is crying out for viewers!

[@tonymac4656]

@@ProjectNarrowboat I will share it fingers crossed,,

[@chrismears-inslowtime]

Well done for sharing an honest opinion Johnny. Other than the personal stuff which is personal to you the stuff about boating…..spot on. Take care mate.

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

Hi Chris. One or two things you said in recent vlogs really resonated with me actually. Boating IS a great life but hard too, and you have to be in the right frame of mind. You made a good start by getting such a cracking boat!

[@chrismears-inslowtime]

@@ProjectNarrowboat I agree with the new boat thing. I wanted to give myself the best chance of success. To me, that was the only way. Take care Johnny.

[@overlandworld2253]

This is a very honest and open video. The lack of rose tinted glasses brings a realistic view point which is refreshing. We have been driving around the world for 10 years and i was prompted to write a piece about "living the dream ". A phrase that was put on us by others. We pointed out how difficult it is, although it was our choice to do it. One factor that we noticed very early on was the amount of couples who split up on the road in less than a year. At present we are sitting on a plastic cruiser getting ready to head off again (had to return to the UK and had nowhere to live) Our Overland lifestyle has prepared us well for living on a 20 foot boat😂. Good luck to you for the future.

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

I imagine you must have had quite a few good times and maybe a few not so good times over those ten years! I hope things work out on the water for you, as you say, you are well prepared thanks to your previous experience. Good luck guys - I believe the term is "yogurt pot" :)

[@overlandworld2253]

Cheers..the 20 foot yog pot is certainly bigger than the car!! It's now our bolt hole for when we return to the UK.

[@jamesfoley6555]

Nice to see you again, thanks for the vlog always enjoy, you do a fine job🙏✝️🙏🎄🇨🇦

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

Hi James. Thank you. As I keep saying, quite a few things on the drawing board to come, when I can get the chance!

[@jimmyjohnstone5878]

Everyone has different 'comfort' levels for what their habitation has to provide. Living in a small semi detached house in NE Scotland is where I choose to live, but I use regular trips to warmer places for a few weeks in winter as escape from the long winter. I am undergoing regular medical treatment so need to be based near the hospital for that. I therefore don't have total freedom to travel for longer periods. It's part of life to deal with changes in personal circumstances. Doing that process from a house rather than on the water is what's best for you at this time. Hopefully this new phase of your life goes well. Best wishes from cold, wet Scotland.

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

Hi Jimmy. I've visited Scotland - absolutely gorgeous place but very wet n damp! I remember everything in the camper van drying out as I headed back down the M1. I guess there is pro's n con's to just about anything and everything, and we just work it out best we can.

[@glennsunman9859]

I am sorry Jonny , always enjoyed your vlogs , hope to see you again on the cut

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

When I finish sorting out my brothers stuff, and fixing this placer... who knows! I hope I have more adventures left in me.

[@wenyates]

Good to see you back by the canal albeit not on it 😁 Take care

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

It was nice being by the canal, there is definitely something special about them. Brought back good memories.

[@sarkybugger5009]

Sounds like life bowled you a few googlies, Johny. Sorry to hear that. Health problems come with seniority, it seems. Life on the cut isn't all it appears on the telly / computer, certainly in the dead of winter, unless you have a permanent mooring. Days of sideways rain certainly take the edge off the beauty of a sunny one. All the best to you.

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

Yes, to many googlies in quick succession. Seniority - good choice! Ah, the old sideways rain...

[@robertelderton3807]

Good to see you mate take care all the best

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

Hi Robert and thank you. All the best to you.

[@jules9303]

Glad your ok thanks for the video, take it easy 😊

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

Cheers Jules - will do, all the best.

[@johnneal7832]

Well put mate,stay well

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

Thanks John. Hopefully not too negative - wouldn't want to put anyone off boating! Just try not to have all the other things happening!

[@sceneinengland3906]

Thanks for the vlog Very honest By the way I managed to scan my slides etc by clipping them in front of a bright light, taking a photo with my phone and cropping to size.

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

Hi and thanks for the tip - I actually have a scanner with a special attachment for negatives and I've used it before - but its a loooooong process. Especially for someones entire life time collection of snaps n negs.

[@sceneinengland3906]

Oh good Yes it’s a long process alright

[@paullowden1643]

I wasn’t going to comment. All your reasons for leaving are valid, but for me it’s those reasons why I remain a boater & a CC. I love the challenges of every aspect of boating. I too had health issues (DVT), I was lucky to catch it. It does require me to travel (by train) to my GP in Plymouth every 6 months though for blood tests. I don’t have a car, I think it’s a bind and just another expense I can do without. I have a fold up bicycle and that’s my wheels. I’m 64 in January, working part time but I do have an occupational pension from my time in the RN. I maintain relationships with my young adult children and provide financial support for my youngest dependent child. My elderly parents live in North Yorkshire, I visit them at least twice a year. Good luck to you, I hope you’ve made the right decision. I can’t imagine me moving into another house or flat.

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

That's fair enough and more power to you. Yeh having a car when CC'ing can be a bind, on balance I think it's worth it as I did get to visit extra places that I wouldn't have otherwise (for example Salisbury). Also good for re supplies and materials. Towpath access permitting. But I did used to move quite slowly.

[@DeeDeeNorthernIrish]

Great to hear from you Johny keep well one thing at a time hugs :) ☘🍀❤

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

Hey thanks, yes indeed one thing at a time - getting there albeit rather slowly!

[@narrowboatmlc]

I can definitely identify with a lot of the reasons (especial the social life aspect) and I have only been going a few months (not 6 years) 😄

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

Hey Stephen. Really, all those boat things were just the kind of backdrop to my real problems. Stick with it, get your first winter under your belt and you will love the spring coming around. You've got a cracking boat there - that damn swing bridge (125? GU) on the wrong side is enough to test any lone boater!

[@markc3884]

Each to their own….good luck on your next path in life

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

Hi Mark and thank you. Waxing my board for now.

[@presspound7358]

I’ve followed the adventures of several Narrowboaters over the years. It’s very entertaining as a spectator/viewer but the activity itself requires energy, knowledge and discipline. It’s not a lifestyle as much as it is a “gig” that you undertake for awhile… almost a phase of your life. It’s best if we’re talking about “seasonal live aboard”only. It’s best of course if the craft is a wide beam. It’s best if you need to disconnect from the rat race or if you’re running away from something, someone or yourself. Narrowboating involves A LOT of “moving parts” as this gentleman has pointed out to us. One way to reduce the “daily grind” is to spend winters hooked up to a marina’s utilities although that could be expensive and you do have to put up with your neighbour’s personal habits and idiosyncrasies. Despite the fact that I laud and admire this courageous lifestyle…Methinks that I will remain a spectator/subscriber thank you very much.

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

It's kind of like a vocation - you live it all day every day for good and bad. And when you have a clear mind and can give it your full attention, it is very rewarding. I wasn't really a marina kind of guy - bit too much like a car park for my liking (though did have a few weeks in one near Devizes once). And I was never really interested in staying in one area. Widebeams are a world away from narrow beams - better in just about every way. Except for the fact that you are limited as to where you can go. It's all a compromise. Yes, no bad thing to enjoy spectating.

[@dallassukerkin6878]

Going on the water has been nibbling at the edges of a my reaching a decision to do so for years ... and the things that keep pulling me back from the brink are the very things you mentioned about the day to day 'faff' just to keep things running 'domestically'. In a way, the post-COVID price hikes for boats have sealed the lid on it for me - when the yards are selling normal sized (57') narrowboats for the price of a semi-detached house then you know an industry has lost the plot. No way am I parting with 200k for a depreciating asset at this stage of my life (saying hello to the end decade or two). Even the second hand boats in reasonable nick are being offered for six figures now - in the end market forces will come into play I am sure but for now, basically, the boats are just too expensive for what they are. So, I shall look in from the outside at the idyllic porthole on boating we get via KZbin ... and we shall see how things develop :chuckles:

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

It's a brilliant adventure - and I hope I didn't knock it too much, but my head just wasn't in the right place to continue and all those little things just kind of added up, even a bit out of proportion really. Boat prices are mad right now - then again, find me something that isn't. If and when the market will ever calm down - for anything - who knows. There's absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying others adventures from your armchair - and nothing wrong with going boating and then coming back! We do what we do. If you ever decide to dip your toe, best of luck with it - if not, there are so many narrowboat vloggers now and you'll be helping the cause just by viewing.

[@RandallSchwed]

Take care of yourself and dream..............

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

Aye, if it wasn't for dreams I wouldn't have made it out the first time!

[@sianwarwick633]

The 🍃 in deed

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

I'm not sure what that little icon is in your comment?

[@swansong5263]

I don’t think you are ranting Just telling everyone the reality of life on the canals. Lovely to imagine the romantic ideal but Not realistic.

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

Hi. There were plenty of great days and great things that I do miss. It was just all the other stuff going on really.

[@overlandworld2253]

One year.. under 500 subs... average views 200 per. 😉. 😴

[@penneynoss9552]

Hi Johnny, I was just wondering how you have been. So glad you are doing better. So sorry about your loss, a death in the family gets your head and heart in turmoil. Just know you are missed and I would be happy to watch you do repairs on your house.🩷

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

Hi Penney - I'll hold you to that... "exciting" bathroom make over series coming soon on JL channel :)

[@thoughtsonnarrowboatingwit3882]

Honestly I’m tired of people moaning about why they left boat life, how dull it is, how wet it is, what the weathers doing, walking down muddy towpaths, cold boats, hot boats, no water, no power, the list goes on… tell me, did you do your due diligence before you considered the life… we did, that’s why we’ve been on 10 years. No stress, no complaints, and doing one’s due diligence, we have found it to be a gentler, softer virtually stress free life.

[@markc3884]

‘We’ so you’re not a solo boater ? He is. Diff perspective & circumstances from him ?

[@thoughtsonnarrowboatingwit3882]

@@markc3884 that’s a ‘collective we’… solo or not … it’s all about doing your due diligence

[@markc3884]

@@thoughtsonnarrowboatingwit3882 is it ?

[@beckypaulley5363]

Thanks for sharing,Johnny London...Here's to a hopefully,much better year for you in 2024 😊

[@patrickbaldwin9244]

Mmmmm you seem to like the term “due diligence” by that I presume you mean research. This seems a bit misplaced on a vlog that tells some of the less positive experiences he has had living on the boat, he has many vlogs showing the positive sides. Perhaps if he’d seen something similar when performing his, Due diligence ha may have been forewarned, even so he lived Six years of boat life before making his decision, and I don’t think he was moaning (as he explained at the start of the vlog) just putting the explanation there for his followers to understand his reasons, he comes across as a really nice man, unlike yourself having read your comment.

[@leonwilks4114]

Don't watch it then