All Aboard Episode 2 - Practicing living on our narrowboat

In this week's video we share with you some more of our thoughts related to moving on board our narrowboat. Also we do a trial run. For two days.
If you have any questions or comments put them below and we will do our best to answer them. Also, if you enjoyed watching, please click like and subscribe to this channel to receive notifications when we upload new videos.
I also wrote a short book available on Kindle.
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[@Kasia-Kempinguje.KazikTV]

I think what you've done was very wise. Your journey to living on a narrow boat is very uplifting and inspiring, and you do keep it real. I admire your optimism and bravery. You are a great couple, and as many other viewers I watch your vids because of your amazing personalities. Your love is your strength and you don't even have to talk about it, it shines through. Well done wives!

[@rubbberrobbie]

One of the greatest pleasures of living on the Cut is the sense of community and meeting some great people who are not afraid of being themselves. Your vlogs really demonstrate the rewards and challenges. But more importantly, you solved my question about what to do for a sofa :)

[@rubbberrobbie]

+The Narrowboat Experience yes Nabru it is. Will check this weekend on measurements but cosy sounds real good:)

[@merlinscat]

I am really excited for you, we all have far too much stuff. When I split from my partner I left with a few bits and bobs, but now 9 years on I have a houseful of stuff, some of which I never use. The only problem might be space for each other, but you seem so loved up, I'm sure you have that covered. Good luck x

[@traceandtulu6130]

Oooooh I loved waking up to find a new vid from you guys... Cuppa sipped while enjoying you two chattering away. All I can say is more, more, more please 😁😃

[@traceandtulu6130]

I am so glad that you are moving onto the boat full time because I am living vicariously thru you two until I can move my dog from Indonesia to USA to England so her and I can live on a boat too lol 😍😍

[@graemecollin]

Sweet! I'll not ask where you ended up getting your mooring - privacy and all that :), but it's good to see you taking the leap of faith. Wish I could make the transition to life afloat, myself ... sadly, my personal situation needs to change drastically before that can happen ... hopefully, before I reach retirement age ...

[@nosay2930]

I get the impression that whatever you two decide on, you'll make it work.

[@grannylyn757]

yay! I'm so happy you've made up "our" minds,,,, can't wait,,,,let the boating begin!

[@candacew4084]

Can't wait for more honest vlogs. "Poor me, poor me" Rofl you both put such a smile on my face. Thanks for keeping it real.

[@craigroberts9021]

Fear is good that butterfly feeling makes you feel alive, and you two are certainly living the moment. Good luck with the whole stuff thing.

[@jessscott5264]

Loving how open and honest you both are with your decision.

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

+Jess Scott It was a big gamble for us, but so far I think it's paid off.

[@catherinehoward1102]

And here you are now, Ccing!!!

[@chrisandjaneonnarrowboatpo3917]

U will love living on the boat. I moved on my boat 3 years ago. The best thing I ever did. Good luck

[@keithpegg7825]

Living without is the easy part, living too close is harder; not sure you are ready (that was a question). Maybe spring would be better? and more mornings may open up? So many small things to worry about. Jump in with all 12 feet, (4 human 8 cat). Wish I could advise but just do not know. Our Girl now 40 years old is on the road (military), we are a storage unit for a number of boxes, its okay sort-of but it can not be forever. Maybe a bigger boat with the money you save in rent. Love your blogs and I know you will make a good move. We would love to travel the canals but not in our future. Keith

[@CruisingTheCut]

Lawsuit's in the post. I concur especially with the "looking out of the window and suddenly thinking 'I live on a boat!' feeling".

[@CruisingTheCut]

***** Your Honour, she admits the offence. Guilty as charged.

[@aditrols]

Loving following this adventure - I imagine there are going to be many tests of patience but the freedom will I'm sure be worth it.

[@clivekibbler4578]

great we loved it

[@KayleenGnwmythr]

Before I bought and moved onto a 24' yacht in the early 90s, I practised living aboard for one month the previous year on the boat I had at the time, which was a a Hartley TS16 (after which 24' was luxury). I was happy to get rid of most of the stuff I had when I moved aboard (although I did fit a lot in, and had to move the waterline up a few inches): the exception was my library, but I had a friend who was a bit covetous of the books and she "borrowed" them for most of the 8 years or so I was aboard. Unfortunately, I had too long a commute to work - nearly 2 hours, but I am very glad I did live aboard.

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

I think the downsizing is the hardest, but definitely worth while.

[@paulstanding7267]

Well hello to you both I have just found number one of you vlogs then this one looking back on your journeys from your first narrowboat to your new one that you have just purchased you have come a long way if anything what if would you change looking back 👍👍

[@MsLivinghealthy]

Absolutely delightful listening to you two ladies exploring your options and so to speak, testing the waters. Smart too, ladies in how you are approaching it all. I have a bit of a sink or swim attitude that has resulted in some hot water experiences but either way it's the journey that matters. I am sure whatever you do will be Brilliant. I have to say, I love your floating home and living the marina life. Best Wishes ...I will be sharing on my fb and watching from Vancouver BC Cdn.

[@MsLivinghealthy]

:)

[@earlgreydionne1489]

Hello ladies, this is my second video of yours and I'm going to subscribe. I'd love to live on a narrow boat but as I have health issues, it just wouldn't be practical. I'd love to see how you get on and what adventures you have and live vicariously through you though lol I hope you don't mind. You're very brave. Now I just have to catch up. Dee and Stretch xx

[@earlgreydionne1489]

Yes that's Stretch. She's a rescue, and nearly 11 years old. She was going to be put to sleep (as she's old, but she plays like a puppy), but she has an amazing personality. I had to have her, it was love at first sight. She makes me laugh daily. I love cats too, yours are funny. But if we had a puddy tat, Stretch would think it was a toy lol She's definitely a Yorkshire Terrorist. Nearly caught up lol xx

[@myjavadogs]

you two are a hoot!!! I'd love to simplify and scale down my living space.......thanks for sharing!

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

+John Coffey Its hard work but very rewarding. I recommend it to people all the time!

[@MCP53]

You know, this is fascinating to hear. I'm now on Week Five of my narrowboat experience (learning The Sideways Shuffle - thanks Anna) - but it's so much easier for me. I am alone, I can change everything or nothing according to my own whim. This kind of deep stuff is so important for people, particularly couples, choosing to live aboard. Keep it up, I'm all ears.

[@MCP53]

Yep - I've been aboard for five weeks now. I took semi-retirement and a deep breath and here I am. At the moment I'm just making those little changes that make it feel like she's my boat and not someone else's, like let's keep the fuel in the locker closest to the stove (not too close of course). It's a tiny thing, but makes a big difference in a small space. Another thing is having a different mindset than I would in a house. Under my wash basin is a cupboard. Now in a house I wouldn't dream of keeping anything but bathroomy stuff there - on the boat it's different. I now keep offive supplies and general paperwork there.

[@MCP53]

Hi Anna, Yes I do like it. It felt strange storing a spare laptop and a bunch of paperwork under the wash basin, but I've got used to it already. It would seem logical to store bedding under the bed, but there are two water pumps under there. Also, the mattress lies on a plywood board with just two small finger holes for ventilation. I need to prop the mattress up to air each day. So, the board needs to be replaced with slats on a frame. The frame needs to lift and open a space for a basket thingy which sits over the pumps and can carry some bedding. The other issue I need to correct is that I have plenty of cupboard space, but no drawers. Drawers are so useful for all those little things that get lost in a cupboard. But, no worries, I shall enjoy creating these new things :-)

[@shantishanti6056]

Eek! So exciting!

[@Simplysu552]

Yay! Always a little scary when starting out on a project.....my philosophy Now, if it's meant to happen it will! May have a few lumps and bumps to start but it'll work out. You have an amazing chemistry! Makes for infectious viewing. xo

[@derrickfelix503]

Since the internet I have to much stuff. Problem. Then I have a four year old so thats good. Never liked the curtains anyway, the fabric bed base, living with through overs. True I live in the country on the edge of Exmoor so have all the great things, Plus real great neighbours. You are a fantastic couple as seen so far. I you will have had days but with the holiday hiccups you sorted and I would of panicked. Cheers.

[@DisabledPrepper]

Longer message coming soon. Loving the videos! Warm regards, Disabled^Prepper

[@pg26571]

Well done you two😊 I'm just doing the same I got my first narrowboat last week I'm a single gay guy moving on to a 36ft boat and I am so looking forward to it xx

[@carper1325]

good thing is u have the boat so look at all the cash you'll save I do wish u all the best with it

[@jamesshanks2614]

Ok Ladies the beauty of live aboard is you have significant advantages over a flat you can set up a chair on the side of wherever your moored suntanning on the roof one point is when I typed this you said got the pad lock? I thought make sure you lock both ends of the boat. Regarding your stuff and how little you can store aboard versus the flat this simple! When I moved into my first flat everything was second hand and there wasn't a lot of stuff. So! When you move aboard your both starting over. Why? Simple Either one of you live on a boat before? No? It's not a crazy idea because thousands of people live in boats all over the canal system and that Ladies and germs is a ton of free information and skills just waiting to be tapped to make life aboard easier and more enjoyable. All you have to do is ask your neighbors of the moment is what I do " where are you from, how did you meet and when did he realize that life as he knew it was about to change drastically? " you can write volumes from the answers to those three simple questions and then Segway to what do you do for work? And if truly in trouble simply say how do you do ( blank ) ? I'll let you in on a secret of boating Everyone is scared to death when they step onto the boat as home for the first time did I forget this did I do that? I take a quote from A U S President " the only thing to fear is fear itself " the only item you girls are doing is a change of address to a better life isn't that why we move? The skills will come and improve and you'll love it. Rule number one As long as you learn one thing a day your paying attention and when things go wrong don't forget to smile at the roadblocks life throws at ya a frown is an upside down smile and works great the idiots that give you grief will wonder why you're smiling with all the grief they gave you and they will be puzzled. Has someone walked you two through the engine bay and had you do the work While they tell you what to do yet? It's a necessary evil so you don't waste money having a mechanic come out ya need to learn how to properly check all fluid levels engine oil antifreeze gearbox levels some gearboxes have two dipsticks Please forgive me ladies I if ya haven't noticed I tend to ramble on a bit as the info pops into my head my head my head Gawd now she's got me doing it! I wish I were moving onto a narrowboat but such is life compared to me your kids and I envy you for that but time waits for no one we only go this way once. Jim Derry, NH

[@ncplantdoctor]

Congratulations on exceeding a thousand subscribers. And congratulations on asking the hard questions. I'm sure the trial run of commuting was well worth the time, too. When the weather turns cold, will the boat stay warm enough, during the day when you are both gone, for the fur babies?

[@charleejo5702]

go for it its lovely, lol yer the holiday mode lasts for months but it does wear off. enjoy :-)

[@charleejo5702]

Lol enjoy. :-)

[@catherineallen6024]

oh yeah! I want a "sofa people" t-shirt!

[@neil62h1]

you won't know what it's like till you do it. other vid chanels are how they do it. I do it completely different and others I meet do it there way. you can and will change the boat layout to suit. don't let me put you of living on is great

[@joannapocock6055]

Yay Glad you have decided to move on board !!! You said that you found a mooring have you moved your boat yet?

[@tertrace]

DO IT!!!!!!!!!! dont be a "i wish i had" be an "I DID".........pics on its way to us in stratford on avon looking forward to seeing it ...xx

[@tertrace]

Good for you girls.....we are in Oxford at the moment until monday then Heading down the Thames and up the Kennet&Avon....ooohh Sounds painful lol Picture in pride of place in our loungie bit ....thankyou so much .....send me a friend req on fb ........Terry Dixon from Downham Market.....would be great to keep in touch xxx

[@MCP53]

PS - I know my previous comment was to this older post, but this didn't make it any the less relevant when I watched it a few months late. 'Living in a corridor' is an experience that I have had to get used to and I can imagine that if two people share the same corridor, it could get a bit harder :-)

[@DaliwolfBacon]

Is it possible to get a spot for your boat that also had a parking space for your car? If not, let me know because I am going to fly out there, buy some land along the river, and make narrow boat spots with parking spaces for cars and make a bazillion pounds :)

[@DaliwolfBacon]

Also, I am so excited that you are going to move forward with living on the boat!!! I think it will be a challenging, but exciting adventure for you. Your cats will be fine I am sure.

[@mjallenuk]

It's slightly embarrassing but it's got to the point where I'm killing time on You tube till your next video arrives ... yet again girls you didn't disappoint. Keep testing the waters ... an easy life or the one that makes you feel alive every day?

[@mjallenuk]

Erm... pushing the boat out here (coats already on) ... 7 days of Autumn?

[@mjallenuk]

Will there be a flying luck dragon?

[@thisandthat1265]

This really is compulsive viewing. Hilarious. Thanks for all the laughs. I have just completed all of the video,s from your 16/17 days holiday so that's the whole box set done. Keep it going it's better than the 40 channels currently on the TV.

[@carper1325]

cath has more stuff def plus spread sheets

[@gregbolitho9775]

nice 1 m8s, what tookya so long? you an yours stay safe eh!

[@rbagrizzly]

SOOOOO! LOL You got around to taking that engine course then?!?

[@leslierindel4610]

Gr8

[@ThisNarrowboatAdventure]

how big is the apartment you currently live in?

[@mjallenuk]

That's an interesting question. I was trying to work out how on earth we'd downsize 15 years together and a house worth of stuff I've suddenly realised we really don't need... I've double checked but our wood stove at 120Kg wouldn't fit on a boat...

[@ThisNarrowboatAdventure]

I was just wondering how much you would be down sizing. it was more of an upsize for me as id been renting a room up till we got the boat

[@mjallenuk]

***** The packing process? Kind of gives it away doesn't it? ;o)

[@johndickie8085]

Cat is correct !

[@carper1325]

hi r u goin to rent flat then u can move back if u need to colin

[@beccahart2087]

You guys are hilarious, we get the same at locks! First question “are you sisters”! Haha... love it when one of you says a little negative the other sees the positive! Happy travels ladies 😉

[@Martyn2021]

you could just try six months on the boat, and see from there the cost would be mooring fee

[@Quackalott]

Hearing you on FM there;) Love your videos!

[@Shevanigans]

The way to sort out fear is to just jumble the letters up.... Who could be scared of earf

[@Shevanigans]

Consider it a house warming gift xx

[@Shevanigans]

So, off to bed I went, happy in the knowledge that I'd inspired a book... Only to find that by the time I'd brushed my teeth I'd been reduced to a chapter ....

[@trolloverbeethoven2567]

Ommmmmmmmmmmm..heard.O'T'wind.mmmmm.Munchi:Hoomans no fur coat..mmm.Alice:Sex is good.mmmm Munchi:Puuurfect..keeps me awake!..both Cats rolling of eyes "The Boat it is!"mmmmmmmmmmmmm