Unconventional Heating Solution on a Narrowboat. How We Survived a Cold Spring Ditching Coal.

In this vlog, we take you on a journey through our life on a narrowboat during a cold and wet spring. As we live on the River Thames, we encounter hailstorms and heavy rain, but we still manage to keep our spirits high.
One of the main challenges of living on a narrowboat during spring is keeping warm. We ran out of coal, which is our primary source of heating, and decided to try something new. We were fortunate enough to come across a coal replacement that we tested and reviewed in this vlog.
We show you our daily routine on the boat, from cooking meals in our tiny kitchen to navigating the challenge of not having access to water. You'll also get a glimpse of the stunning scenery that surrounds us as we travel through the canals and rivers.
Despite the harsh weather conditions, we found beauty in the little things, like watching the raindrops dance on the water or feeding swans swimming alongside our boat.
Join us on this adventure as we make the most of life on a narrowboat during a challenging season. Whether you're a fellow boater or just curious about this unique way of living, this video offers an inside look at what it's really like to call a narrowboat home.
🎬 Episode 129
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[@CruisingAlba]

Thank you to everyone for watching and commenting! We’d love to chat more and get to know you all! If you’d like your questions answered in real time, be on video calls with us, make new friends and help us to create these videos weekly join our community on Patreon bit.ly/supportcruisingalba 👕👚 Also check out our organic clothing store cruisingalba.com/

[@ralphwood5875]

Hi guys ,some lovely shots of Spring in the UK. Glad to see someone is using sawdust to make bricquets for their wood stoves .Here in Canada quite a lot of people use wood pellet stoves for heating using wood waste as we have a lot of sawmills These stoves are quite automated all you have to do is make sure the pellet hopper is filled. At our cottage we burn wood for heating. You do have to watch out for creosote buildup in the chimney and the danger of chimney fires. I received my copy of Julie and Mark's new book this week ,its absolutely gorgeous . Take care, happy cruising lots of love from me in Canada XX ❤❤

[@frankquevedo6001]

Ah Englands weather. 19 years, I’m Californian, living there I remember enjoying all the seasons on a daily basis. Pure bliss 🤭🤫 I would gladly return. To say🤔 Oxfordshire! Yes. Gods country!

[@CruisingAlba]

Well we should go there soon 😀💜 xx

[@sig4974]

Flue mounted Eco fans are a game changer no more knock it on the floor 😬 and they work as well as stand on the stove ones 👍 Oh and we couldn’t survive without our 40ltr roller barrels when it comes to transporting water to the boat another great life hack 😃

[@suehall3298]

Sound was good to me🤗👍see you in the next one 💐☕🍰 Love Sue❤❤❤🇬🇧❤❤❤

[@chrismoon7518]

I think the best use of the sawdust cobbles is when combined with a small amount of coal: particularly overnight.

[@NarrowboatNogginTheNog]

We get some of those wood pellets from a carpenter near us. We call them "fire biscuits" They are very economical although be careful not to get them wet.

[@dawncollier8944]

Watched til the end❤ loved it even with the issues xx

[@CruisingAlba]

Legend! Will be back to normal audio in the next one 💜 xx

[@EdSmith-wb6lx]

Good vid Marina sound was ok brickettes looked like they worked well hope you will be able to travel soon and have more time with your friends. My first 32 years of life was in England so i know how the weather behaves but since i am now in USA i have got used to hail stones being the size of base balls and they do a lot of damage to our cars plus they hurt when you get court out in them but at least we get hot weather here in the desert. Please just take us along on your videos you are both neat people and i enjoy watching them i now have some friends that watch you they all think is great to be able to see what some of England is like Take care. Ed 40 S of Vegas

[@flatworm00]

Sound was good, hopefully the weather turned

[@alexandersunter4899]

Keep em coming.

[@simonpritchard6074]

Hi Guys..The sound wasn't that bad. I hope you get some nice weather soon.

[@angelaaz6282]

Sounded great to me….hopefully the hard work of winter boating will soon be at an end and a warm summer will follow! 🌞🌞

[@gregzeszotarski9927]

Christmas tree seems to be doing fine.

[@Tass...]

Technical problems are a hazard that affects all youtubers/vloggers at some point. Don't worry about it. I appreciate you explaining it tho. Another great vid guys. You are both fabulous people.

[@CruisingAlba]

You are very kind Tess, thank you 💜 xx

[@unclejohn11]

Love your videos, thank you.. 👍

[@CruisingAlba]

Thanks lovely, have a god weekend 💜 xx

[@paulinehiggins8239]

Love the brickettes we used them in the house fire. Weird weather here in Oz too. Great to see you two. Take care and thanks for the great vlog. 💕

[@sheilajoseph9953]

Hi Marina and Myles, good to see you again. The sound was audible. Fingers crossed you will have done good weather soon. ❤

[@fp30e]

Hi Marina, Myles, another great and very interesting Vlog. That weather you had was awful. Loving the sawdust brickets, which seem to do a great job. Marina, your sound recording was nothing to worry about. You did a great job with the Vlog, and very well edited too. Have a great week both. Take Care.

[@nexuscamps6089]

We will be cruising through pangbourne in the couple of weeks. Can't wait to explore further up the Thames.

[@CruisingAlba]

Do say hi if you see us 💜 xx

[@nexuscamps6089]

@@CruisingAlba how long can you moor up in pangbourne? We might make it up tomorrow or Monday.

[@suegurney4666]

Sound was fine Marina. On a typical winters day , how much coal do you use? When we had a boat the mornings were freezing ! If we return we’ll get a better set up .

[@stancrouch9642]

The sound was tolerable. I've heard much worse before . Good video as always . Thanks .

[@CruisingAlba]

Thanks Stan 💜 xx

[@GerryV62]

Try putting a soft foam cover over the mic. It should help reduce the sound feed and clear it up a bit. Other than that small issue, great vlog, I'm always looking forward to seeing the next one, and of course - great Calligraphy.

[@CruisingAlba]

It was just the settings this time, the dead cat didn’t help, it got stuck on +20Db

[@zoebbb1623]

Would love to know where ur getting the briquettes from locally as I’m nearby :)

[@goingmouch3753]

Hiya, I was just wondering what country are you from? Thanks

[@mattsandilands6380]

8 quid for a small bag of kindling 👀! You’re getting mugged off, I’m currently paying £4 for a large bag.

[@CruisingAlba]

Agree!

[@sr3d-microphones]

Maybe the universe is calling you to try that SR3D? Have you tried it yet, by any chance? Bite the bullet and use it as your everyday mic and see what happens?

[@CruisingAlba]

Hey, waiting to set sail which should be soon! It's coming 👍

[@sr3d-microphones]

@@CruisingAlba YaY :O)

[@simon-nb-Betsyray]

Great vlog guys even with that slight distortion it didn't ruin it at all 😊, Are local hard ware man in the market sells those sawdust briquettes there handy as a alternative. I bet u both can't wait to start cruising again and start exploring once the weather improves xx💜 have a lovely weekend M&M