Water – essential, but not the same for everyone or everywhere. For everyone water is vital to keep us alive, to keep our bodies going, to make us and the plants and animals we depend on, growing. For us as boat dwellers, water is vital to keep us moving. Without it, as now in theContinue reading “H2 Oh!”
Tag Archives: offgrid
Our new super power!
This week has seen the single biggest revolution in our off grid life. Our 50ft floating home/office/workshop, since we bought her 7 years ago, has been powered by 3 lead acid Albion leisure batteries. Initially, they were charged by running the engine, and they in turn powered the items we need – lights, laptop, mobileContinue reading “Our new super power!”
Everything you ever wanted to know…and some you didn’t!
We seem to be a novelty after the floods have abated here in this part of Leicestershire. It is one of the lovely things we find about narrowboat living – people are curious about how we live because it’s a bit different. Additionally, we can often be found outside alongside or easily available sitting outContinue reading “Everything you ever wanted to know…and some you didn’t!”
Time flies when you’re busy (and watching water levels)
Several times this week, boating friends have anxiously asked if I’m suffering from withdrawal symptoms or the dreaded itchy tiller syndrome, as we enter our third week moored in one place. When you’ve been used to moving the location for your home and office regularly, seeing new signs and new sights almost every day, stayingContinue reading “Time flies when you’re busy (and watching water levels)”
Coming out makes us appreciate life
Leaving the marina, after a month of shuttling between there and bricks and mortar, to return to continuous cruising is liberating and also strangely different. We’re back living off grid, no longer connected via a 24volt shoreline to the mains. The gas hob automatic ignition no longer works, the shore light no longer operates andContinue reading “Coming out makes us appreciate life”
How are your batteries? Are we running down?
At work or at home how often do you think about flicking a switch and getting power to illuminate your life or recharge your devices? Bet you only really think about it when you flick the switch and nothing happens? Living and working off grid as we do 24/7, power is not something we takeContinue reading “How are your batteries? Are we running down?”
Tuning in
Living afloat brings so many dimensions to life. Some are expected – like being able to move on when you don’t fancy the location (or the neighbours), or you feel you’ve explored everything you can in that place, but some are totally unexpected. The sensory scope of each place is remarkable, and unless you areContinue reading “Tuning in”
The end of a year afloat and hardest blog to write
Exactly one year ago we sold most of our possessions, let our house and the two of us (plus the dog of course) moved to live full time on a 50ft long, 7ft wide narrowboat continuously cruising the waterways. Our adventure began at Sileby Mill in Leicestershire on the canalised section of the River Soar,Continue reading “The end of a year afloat and hardest blog to write”
Come spend a week afloat
“So what do you do all day?” people often ask when they hear we live on a narrowboat? Working and living afloat as continuous cruisers is different from having a holiday so here’s how the last week has looked to us. It is an unusual week in that we had the car for part ofContinue reading “Come spend a week afloat”
Sharing enriches and reinforces life
For so much of the past year we’ve been unable to share our lives, our experiences with others in person. It’s one thing to write about life and work afloat, another to experience it. This week we’ve been in the company of three groups of delightful people – learning from them, sharing with them howContinue reading “Sharing enriches and reinforces life”
Pickingupducks 