#92 Why I Quit My Job for the Narrowboat Life
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- Опубліковано 19 чер 2024
- In this narrowboat vlog, I explain what made me leave my career and start a new life, continuously cruising on my narrowboat. I leave the Ashby Canal, but where do I go next? Come and join me for a cruise and an explore of my new mooring. Take care x🌻🦋
Music: Envato Elements:
Serenity by AllenGrey
Wonderful Journey by MusicalSmile
Journey by KOTSERHII
Summer Garden by PurplePlanet
New Wave by Praded
Support:
If you would like to support my channel, then I have a Coffee Page on: www.buymeacoffee.com/themindfula
Thank you so much; it really means a lot to me! 🦋🌻
Contact:
You can catch me on Twitter at: @TheMindfulNB
Or email: themindfulnarrowboat@gmail.com
It's always lovely to hear from you and I will get back to you!
I watched a lot of narrowboat vlogs a couple of years ago, then just stopped. It's a way of living that appeals to me but I'm too old and in pretty poor health (mental and physical) to ever now cope with such an enormous life change. I stumbled on your channel after re watching some old videos from the channel "Cruising the Cut." Within 3 minutes, I had liked and subscribed. Your friendly greeting at the start was followed by delightful scenes and gently understated narration. I enjoyed it a lot. Thank you and I'll look forward to watching more of your videos.
Welcome to the channel and thank you so much for subscribing. I am so sorry to hear that you are in poor health and really touched that you have still taken the time to write such a kind comment.
Look after yourself and take care🌻🦋
I'm 76 and in good health.. four years ago I had bad health, stress. So now I potter along, if you can afford it, buy a boat.
You only live once. Of you can afford it, do it
Im quite new to your vlogs, but I must say they are beautiful to watch.
Someone said to me recently 'you don't appreciate clean drinking water until you have to carry it in a bucket'. That insight applies to so much we take for granted.
Alan, that is both wise and true. Thank you for your comment. Take care🦋🌻
Dipping in and out of your “back catalog” when I’m feeling down. Thank you for your calming and inspiring videos. It’s so appreciated. 🙂
I hope you're not feeling down too often; it is great to know that you are watching the videos but I'd hate to think that you are sad.Thank you so much for your comment. Have a super rest of the week, take care🦋🌻
@@themindfulnarrowboat Thank you Vanessa. My wife was sadly diagnosed with cancer in May. It’s been a tough time since then. Numerous hospital appointments and weeks and weeks of Chemotherapy. Surgery beckons in the new year. Your videos have been a lovely and welcomed distraction during these dark and sad times. 😔 Thank you for cheering me up. 😀
You are a talented film maker, poet and artist. Great to see you getting the recognition you deserve. Best narrow-boating vlog by far!
That is such a kind and lovely thing to say!😊 I really appreciate it, thank you so much, Algernon. Take care🌻🦋
I took early retirement for a multitude of reasons and have recently sold our cottage as we seek a completely different lifestyle. In the coming months, my long-haired General and I are going to go Narrowboat shopping. Can't wait!
Narrowboat shopping sounds like the best kind of shopping to me. Good luck to you and General in your search for your floating, dream home. Take care🌻🦋
Blasting all my saving on this project. Leaving bicks and mortar for this way of life.
Sincerely, this wasn't my plan from the start. The simple life will never have a leg to stan on with me.
Its not for everyone if your not nomadic/minimalist.
I do see a valid amount of boaters returning to houses while still hanging on to thier boat just in-case life madness ensued.
I wish I had that financial choice.
Thank you for your comment. I wish you the best of luck and happiness for the future on your boat.
You are right that we are all different and what makes one person happy may not make another person happy at all. Here’s to us all being fulfilled!👍
Have a wonderful week! 🦋🌻
Ooh hi, just seen your comment, good for you, I hope its working out, I really do. I also what to liveaboard but I also have bricks n mortar, but wouldn't if I go for boat, it's either that or this, arrrgggghhh, but I love the canal peacefulness and to be close to nature would be bliss, I'm stressed in town 😒
I hope my comment was received good luck mate, all the best, keep it going
Another wonderful vlog. To think I left Bournemouth to start my journey 3 years ago. People are instinctively preparing for something. More people are buying boats and vans to live a free life. A reflection of a shift in people's outlook on life. We've been spoon fed having more is happiness when it's quite the reverse Mrs Mindful. Stock up on food. Take care.
There is a shift in people's outlook isn't there? Instead of craving more tech and money-driven careers, more of us want to go back to basics like finding our own firewood and finding a water source. I think time spent on simple things, makes us more able to observe and appreciate what's around us. Appreciation of those things makes us happier. You are so right about the spoon-feeding of what happiness is. Happy cruising, Mr Will! I hope your leg is mended. Take care🌻🦋
I've noticed this trend in recent times but has it always been there.. modern life is a bit of a scam for sure.
My escape is to downsize to a small house and a seperate woodland plot or small holding and live very frugally.
I hope you get your escape soon! Take care🦋🌻
Yes! Exactly that! I’m 37, the poorest I’ve been was my happiest. I lived in a 4x4 and drove half way around Australia (2 years) New Zealand (2 years) Canada (4 years)
I’ve seen deserts, mountains, oceans, Milky Way and so on. My wife and I called it a day 6 months ago, she’s Canadian. I missed 4 seasons, countryside, Europe and even…police sirens 😂.
I’m divided, on one hand I work in my office, banking about £45k and yet I know I’m not happy. Where’s the balance?
Why do I want to live back in the boot of a car so bad!?! I love the road, the unknown, the sea air, dark skies and dear god I love adventure.
I hope one day I find someone who gets that. 😩
If I ever own a narrow boat, she’ll be called “Lulu’s Adventure” after my dog and best friend that I abandoned in Canada.
Stay safe, stay humble and keep searching, over the hill and far away. Over the hill and far away.
@@1down4up78 It sounds to me like you know what will bring you happiness. Have you asked your work for a sabbatical? You might decide to extend it to over the hill and far away! Good luck and follow your heart.🌻🦋
Your life looks pretty perfect to me 😊 That was a really lovely video. X
Thank you so much, Clare for your lovely comment and you are so right, the narrowboat way of life is perfect for me. Have a lovely weekend and week ahead. Take care🌻🦋
Wonderful to be so close to nature. Lovely close ups of so many species of wild birds. Assuming he is around, it would be nice to see a shot of your husband. As for your dog, a Labrador, you can't beat them !
Hi Robert, I am so pleased that you enjoy the nature shots. You won't see Mr M on camera, I'm afraid as his work has a strict code on conduct which means that he can't be on social media. Labradors are wonderful dogs- I agree!👍🐾🐾Thank you for your lovely comment. Take care🌻🦋
Magnificent - this really brings peace to ones mind 😊
What a lovely thing to say, Peter! Thank you so much😊 Take care 🌻🦋
Lovely. A bit of your personal history. Always interesting. Thank you.
Thank you so much, MegaYosarian for your lovely comment! Happy painting and creating. Take care🦋🌻
love the look of your boat!!! Really want this life x
Thank you so much for your lovely comment, The Health Junkie! I hope you find what you are looking for. Have a wonderful rest of the week. 🌻🦋
Your vlogs are always so relaxing and peaceful
I am so pleased that you find the vlogs relaxing and peaceful, Paul. It means a lot to me that they come across like that. Thank you for your lovely comment. Take care🌻🦋
Ah wonderful! I haven’t watched for a while so have a few to catch up with. Always lovely watching the calm nature scenes ❤️ I also love my simpler life - to think how we used to run around and barely have time to properly talk to each other! I love the quietude now 🌈
Hello Ruth, how lovely to hear from you!🤗 Yes, we are two peas in a pod when it comes to the simpler life aren't we? I hope you are all well? Thank you so much for watching and taking the time to comment. Take care🌻🦋
Couldn’t agree more. We live a very simple life. In fact I haven’t watched tv since sept 2019 as I found it was having a detrimental effect on my mental health. Live a life you don’t need a holiday from is just motto. Less is more xx
That is so sensible to give up tv, Helen! I love your motto "live a life you don't need a holiday from", that is so true. Enjoy your week and look after yourself. Thank you for your lovely comment.🌻🦋
@@henchy3rd couldn’t agree more 😊
Really enjoy the history you mention in the areas you are! Also the flora and fauna that you point out! Beautiful!
Thank you for your lovely comment, Douglas. I am so glad that you enjoyed the vlog. Take care🦋🌻
I spent a week or two in England at Portsmith when I was in the Navy, and i enjoyed it very much. If i had discovered the canal boats i would probably be living on one now, but it is too late now because of my age.. Maybe in my next life..Enjoy your videos...❤❤❤
Being from the Navy, I can see why boatlife would appeal to you. Thank you for your lovely comment. Take care🦋🌻
Beautiful🌸 your vlogs are so peaceful and it gives me such joy to follow your quiet life on the canals.🦆🦆🪵 🌰🐿
Elina, it is a joy to read comments like yours, so thank you so much for your kind and lovely words. Take care🌻🦋
What a lovely vlog again. Loved the change of canals. Didn’t seem to be much wild life so far. Liked the thrush very seldom seen. Have good week.
Thank you so much, Sandy for your lovely comment. The wildlife has suddenly burst with colour and the birds are busily singing, so I will bring you some more nature in the next vlog, hopefully.🤞 Take care🌻🦋
Thanks Vanessa for a lovely relaxing video, so much needed in these troubled times, wish you could change the problems,as you have shown life need not be so complicated.
Christine, it is so frustrating that we can’t change what’s happening in the Ukraine. I think caring about each other and showing kindness towards our fellow human beings is all we can do. Let’s hope that very soon this is resolved. Take care, Christine and thank you so much for your lovely comment.🌻🦋
Here is a 👍 for your beautiful, peaceful video. Thank you for sharing the bird footage, onboard garden, your artwork, thoughtful poetry, lovely scenery and especially Zephyr. My 15 yo Golden passed away a year ago, watching Zephyr helped a great deal.
Chuck
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your dog. They are our best friends aren’t they? I am so pleased the video helped you. Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Take care🌻🦋
Hi Vanessa, just a thank you for your calming videos. I'm watching your videos at random, so after this episode I'll watch with a better understanding of your life choice. Your little notebook is a delight.
Thank you Orchid House for your kindness about the videos. I sort of stumbled into making vlogs, I don't think I ever really explained why I chose this life, so it makes sense to start with this vlog and watch at random.👍 Take care🌻🦋
That was a lovely vlog - really, they're all lovely!! I hope that your hazelnut flourishes. Thanks for posting.
Thank you so much, Ruth for such a lovely comment. I am keeping my fingers crossed for that hazelnut!🤞Take care🌻🦋
Just seen vlog for first time. I love your little garden growing. Your right one doesn't need to plough on with run of the mill work and living in a house. What a lovely thing to do connecting with nature whilst chugging along in your home.
Hello Sheila and thank you so much for watching my vlog. I'm so pleased that you like my garden, although I have accidentally lost a lot of plants along the way with my lack of gardening skills! Have a wonderful rest of the weekend and week ahead.🌻🦋
Your drawings and illustrations are beautiful. ❤
That is so kind of you. Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Have a super rest of the weekend, take care🦋🌻
I find sowing a seed with love, along with a dash of hope, is the magic of Spring...life's elixir! I'm so grateful for my seasonal greenhouse, especially this Spring given the level of evil madness being unleashed - MERCY. I well understand your choice - my greenhouse and gardens are my 'simpler' life routines. Besides, I'm convinced that when we fade back into the endless mists of time, the only thing we carry are our memories - may they be more joyful then not! So...keep making and sharing your narrowboating memories! Cheers to many blessings!
Your seasonal greenhouse sounds like a wonderful sanctuary. It is a powerful thing to help a new life force itself through the soil and if I return to land, I will definitely have a greenhouse too. Fading into the mists of time sounds like a gentle exit and I like that, also I like the idea of joining the mushrooms in their network with the trees and plants. Thank you for your lovely comment, Ross. Take care🌻🦋
@@themindfulnarrowboat My greenhouse is where I seek the sublime nature of life. I have a sign hanging at the entrance that reads 'Love is spoken here. If you don't speak love's language, stay the f*ck out because you'll be caustic to the inhabitants!' [the asterisk has an actual letter on the sign] To those who take umbrage with my 'word' choice and turn to leave, I say 'The plants thank you for not polluting their space.' Oh well...can't please everyone all the time and can't say I'm not forthright. AGREED about being mycelium/tree/plant fodder. Cheers...
I think your plants must feel very lucky and grateful! 🪴🪴🪴🪴
I have just discovered your channel. What an absolute delight. I do hope you can continue exploring. x
Hello, Robert and welcome to the channel! Thank you so much for your kind comment; I really appreciate it.😊 Take care🌻🦋
Love the narrow boat life. Thanks for your positive look at life. Well done
I’m so pleased that you are enjoying the vlogs. Thank you for your lovely comment. Take care🦋🌻
Thank you for sharing your simple life and your joy of nature xx
Thank you so much for watching and commenting. Take care🌻🦋👍
I loved how you mentioned the ducks swimming by and saying they might remember you! and so one did!! amazing. love it
Thank you so much 🦆🦆🦆🦆 ducks are brilliant aren’t they? Take care🦋🌻
I've watched Narrowboating channels for quite some time and very glad I stumbled across yours, great idea that you list the musicyou use in the video, very thoughtful. love your vids keep 'em up, please & stay safe,
Welcome aboard, Robert! It's great to have you following the journey. Thank you so much for your kind words. Have a lovely weekend.🌻🦋
So glad I found your vlog. Keep up the great work!
Hi Ron, I’m glad you found the vlog too! Thank you for watching and welcome aboard. Take care 🦋🌻
I'm glad you've found the simple and hopefully relaxing life.I feel the boat's speed or rather lack of it , helps just to slow down and simplify everything.I shall keep an eye out for your boat on Saturday as I am travelling by train through Nuneaton and beyond albeit pretty early in the morning.A lot of the Coventry is visible from the train.If you haven't already passed it look out for the information boards before Polesworth on the right side of the canal indicating the possible site of the battle where Boudicca's army fought the Romans.Possibly biggest battle ever fought on British soil in terms of the sheer number troops.You have what I consider many miles of pretty canal ahead of you.I entirely endorse your comments about boat life.I started on my boat life almost 7 years ago and wouldn't change it for the world, I'm absolutely hooked.By the way there are plenty of good peaceful solar spots between your spot and Fradley.
Thank you so much, Chris for such a lovely comment. I am so glad to hear that you wouldn't change your boat life after seven years. You are testament to how good living on a narrowboat is for you. I would give you a wave as you pass on the train but you mentioned it's early in the morning; Saturday and early morning are two words that don't go well together! Enjoy your trip though. Take care🌻🦋
Hi there, hope all is well. I enjoy your vlogs so much. Enjoyed seeing your family. Keep doing what you do and we will keep watching. God bless and be safe.
Hi Teresa, all is well here and I hope all is well where you are too. I am so pleased that you enjoyed the vlog. Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Wishing you a wonderful week!🌻🦋
Wow, what a calming vlog, loving it. Only just discovered your vlogs. I will be watching out for them. Wish I could do what you're doing.
Welcome to the channel, Russell! I am really pleased that you found the vlog relaxing. Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Have a sunny Sunday🌞 and wonderful week ahead!🌻🦋
As always you talk such sense about having a simple life. We all yearn that more and more in these crazy times.
So interesting to hear why you moved onto your home Alice Grace. I see why you love her.
Thank you, Vanessa. Balancing work/life is so important and if you can make your work, something that you love, well then that's even better! Take care🌻🦋
Miss cruising the cut, so glad i found you.
Thank you so much for watching and for your lovely comment too.😊 I miss Cruising the Cuts, cruising vlogs but luckily he still produces other videos set about the canal. Have a super Sunday and wonderful week ahead, take care🦋🌻
Enchanting as always!!!!
Many Thanks 👍!
Thank you so much, Thomas😊 Take care🌻🦋
Absolutely wonderful thank you 🤗
Jordan, you are so welcome and thank you for such a lovely comment! Take care🦋🌻
So enjoyable. I really love your vlog Vanessa 🙏🐕🕊️🦢🐥🦆
Thank you so much. It is just lovely to know how much you are enjoying the vlogs.🤗🌻🦋
Your blog is so relaxing ,takes all stress away brilliant
Thank you so much, Bernard for such a lovely comment and I am so pleased that you find the vlog relaxing. Take care🌻🦋
Oh Boot Wharf boat yard must be the yard across the road from the Boot pub. It doesn’t exist anymore but my grandparents used to run it! I used to fish for sticklebacks and minnows near there when I was a little girl🙂
It must have been a gorgeous place to sit as a little girl and fish for sticklebacks. Thank you for your lovely comment. Take care 🦋🌻
It must have been a gorgeous place to sit as a little girl and fish for sticklebacks. Thank you for your lovely comment. Take care 🦋🌻
Very nice poetry and I love your illustrations. I am a new subscriber from Nashville Tennessee and I love narrow boating. Started watching Cruising the Cut years ago and fell in love with it. Cheers.
Welcome to the channel, Jeff! I think, Dave from Cruising the Cut has got us all hooked on narrowboating; he certainly inspired me to buy a boat. Thank you so much for your lovely comment all the way from Nashville, Tennessee. Take care🌻🦋
@@themindfulnarrowboat David is selling his boat at the moment and moving back into a house! I think he just got tired of it all after six years. I did too on mine.
Delightful. Enjoyed your relaxing approach so much, I've subscribed and will follow your adventures with pleasure and relaxation!
Hello, Richard and welcome to the channel! Thank you so much for subscribing and for such a lovely comment. Take care🌻🦋
Lovely video. You should get that journal published when you've finished your travels, or even before then... The book to accompany the series, etc.
Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Recently, I have started to think about making copies of my journal, so it is reassuring to hear that you think this might be a good idea. Take care, Expat Expat.🌻🦋
I really enjoy what your doing here, we’re in Texas, own a sailboat, these boats are plenty of work they are, your an amazing lady I believe, looks like fun yes it does, blessings be with you, Steve
It sounds like you are having an exciting time in Texas! Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Have a super Sunday and week ahead, take care🌻🦋
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to your totally amazing video.which was so very informative.certainly captivating.I definitely liked the beautiful soft music that was playing throughout your absolutely stunning canal cruising.while you were going onto your next big adventure.it was so very relaxing to see the beautiful idyllic county side in all of its glory.your so awesomely talented in the realm of of drawing nature’s wildlife.what a masterpiece of well researched historical facts. About the canal side history.which you so brilliantly brought to light.your just totally phenomenal for sure.tony
Wow, Anthony, thank you so much for such a lovely comment; it really means a lot to me to read your thoughts about the vlog. It's great to share my love of nature with like-minded people. Have a lovely weekend and week ahead, take care 🌻🦋
Just have seen youre vlog for the first time and I total agree whit you.
Living on a boat is going back to basic whit a few extra's.
I live on a boat now two jears in the netherlands also a country whit a lot of canals and its the simpel lifestile thats make it so wonderful living the dream
Stay steddy on cours
Your life sounds simple but exciting on the canals in the Netherlands. Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Take care, Raymond 🦋🌻
Such a nice vlog. I've just discovered your channel and I'm looking forward to catching up. Cheers
Welcome to the channel, Greg and thank you for your lovely comment!😊 Have a wonderful weekend 🦋🌻
Hi Vanessa, you’re right about “enjoying this life while we can”. Orwellian times are upon us but the very best way to challenge terrible power is to refuse to engage in it, living a life of physical and spiritual freedom surrounded by people, nature and landscapes that feed our soul, rather than diminish it. It’s one reason we follow your channel and enjoy your focus on nature and beauty. Long may you continue to shed tranquility and love through your work here on UA-cam. God bless you all. Rob, Carol and Tilly xox
Also fascinating that Warwickshire was once so close to the South Pole (Scott and Shackleton would have found Nuneaton far less challenging…or perhaps not)! Given what we know about magnetic shift and polar flips, it may well end up being there again! X
Thank you so much, Rob, Carol and Tilly for such a lovely comment. What you are saying makes so much sense. I really appreciate your support. Happy cruising and take care.🌻🦋
I found the whole South Pole thing fascinating too; no wonder the rocks are so magnificent in this part of the world. The stories that they could tell would be amazing! 🪨🌻🦋
Fabulous artist! Beautifully shot! x
It really means a lot to me to get feedback like this, so thank you so much. It is so kind of you to take the time to comment. Take care🌻🦋
Excellent video. Thank you for sharing. 😉👍
That is so kind of you. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. Take care, Optic-Craft 202.🌻🦋
Love your blogs thank you x
You are so welcome, Frances! Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Wishing you a sunny rest of the week.🌻🦋🌞
Hello, your videos are all lovely. But the best bit is at the end when you are drawing and saying a poem of your day. That is brilliant .Best wishes😊
That is so kind of you- thank you so much! Take care 🦋🌻
Fab vlog as always. About to make a huge leap of faith myself for similar reasons to yours. Nervous but excited too.
What is your leap of faith, Spence? If you are making it for a simple life, then it will work. I wish you the best of luck and think, if you weren't making it, wouldn't it make you feel more nervous not to? Thank you for your lovely comment. Take care🌻🦋
@@themindfulnarrowboat about to hand my notice in and move back to the country. Feels scary but know I need to have that simple life back again. Probably should have done it 4 years ago but it’s hard to break the cycle.
I know exactly how you feel as I felt the same, but once you have gone through that scary bit, you will feel lighter and refreshed. How wonderful to be able to live in the country, surrounded by fresh air and so connected with the seasons as they change. Good luck, Spence!🍀🌻🦋🕊
Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland.
Off the Ashby onto the Coventry and beyond. Being a "lady of leisure" now, I guess you can go where you wish. I'm looking forward to seeing where. This was a lovely video. Full of lots of interesting facts and thoughts from you. You're right - having more is not always the best thing. Being happy with what you've got and living life the way you want to, is far more important.
The poem at the end of the vlog was very enjoyable. Stay safe please
I am so pleased that you enjoyed the vlog, Michael. I am hoping to see the north of the system now and cruise new waters, but who knows what will happen? So I hope you stay tuned. Take care.🦋🌻
I'm totally hooked. One of two of the best canal channels on UA-cam
That was very enjoyable... We don't have Narrowboats in Canada but it looks very interesting. Love your journal too. 😊👍
I am so glad that you enjoyed it! Thank you for your comment. Take care🦋🌻
What a lovely vlog Vanessa😄 Each week we are taken on a beautiful journey of canal life through ur eyes seeing amazing things from scenery to wildlife, watching ur vlogs releases us from the worries of life whether it's high fuel prices or the senseless war in Ukraine. Life is short anyway so enjoy the beauty of what life offers . Enjoy ur weekend and keep ur eyes open for more Moses or is it moss's? 🐒🦆🐕🐿🪴🌱🦋
Thank you so much, Simon for such a lovely comment. You are so right about our short lives and enjoying the beauty of what life offers. I think, if we didn't do that at the moment, we would all sink into a pool of worry. Since your challenge, I am now lucky enough to walk Zephyr and take time to find another new moss. Zephyr doesn't share my enthusiasm! 😂There are some stunning ones out there!😍 Have a lovely weekend and week ahead. Take care🦋🌻
Fantastic video. Really enjoyed watching your video.. A big thumbs up from Chris and Jane 👍. Many thanks 👍
Hello Chris and Jane on Narrowboat Poppy! Thank-you so much for your super lovely comment and big thumbs up.😊 Have a great week and take care🌻🦋
I been watching lots of your absolutely beautiful uplifting inspirational videos I never knew about this Mindfulness mindset🤷♂️ thanks to you I’m having the urge to get rid of my house and move onto my sailboat and be full time live aboard with my dog 🐶 ⛵️❤
It is so lovely to know that you are enjoying the vlogs. I hope whatever decision that you make is the right one and brings you happiness and fulfilment. Have a super weekend, take care🌻🦋
Hi Vanessa we absolutely love your vlogs I have subscribed although my husband has as well I don’t seem get notifications when your vlog is up thought I’d rang the bell keep up the fabulous work love zephyr also .
Hi Kelly, thank you so much for your lovely comment and for subscribing! I am sorry that you are not getting notifications; I am not sure why that is? But I upload every Friday at 4:30. It's great to hear from you though. Have a super rest of the week. Take care🌻🦋🐾🐾
A new subscriber - I love the general information on the area that you are giving out. I'm from New Zealand and will never travel to England so thank you for your vlogs. Love your art =-)
Welcome to the channel, Lorraine! You lucky thing, living in New Zealand; there is amazing wildlife and nature out there.😍 I am so pleased that you are watching and enjoying the vlogs. It means a lot to me to get feedback like that. Take care🦋🌻
Beautiful illustrations in your nature diary reminiscent of the Edwardian diary. 👍😊
Thank you so much for such a lovely comment, Pyewaket. I have just started reading the Diary of an Edwardian Lady and it has become one of my favourite books, being compared to her is an honour. Take care🦋🌻
the hill in Nuneaton you shown us locals call it mount Jud your vlogs are absolutely brilliant
Great but if local information! 👍Thank you so much for watching. Take care🦋🌻
Hello, my husband and I just started watching you!! We enjoy your journeys very much. We are both in our 70's and retired. I enjoy your walks looking at nature. I grew up on a farm and miss it so. We are on episode 28 now.oh we live in the United States in a little town called Central City Kentucky. Until the next one, God bless you and your family and be safe.
Welcome aboard Teresa and husband; I am so glad that you have joined the Mindful Narrowboat Family! It must have been wonderful growing up on a farm and being part of the great outdoors so I can understand how you must miss that way of life. In vlog #72, I meet farmer Jason and since then, I have a whole new understanding of the amount of work that goes into farming. Anyway, thank-you so much for your lovely comment. Take care.🦋🌻
@@themindfulnarrowboat Sorry, my husband name is Keith. Forgot to say that.lol
Welcome Keith, too!😃
Hi, I’ve only just discovered your channel, it’s great. I’m now having to binge watch the previous ones. We hope to move on permanently in February 🤞
Alan, welcome aboard and thank you so much for discovering my little channel. Congratulations on your soon to be move! How exciting to start your permanent life afloat. I am sure I will see you around. Have a wonderful weekend. Take care🌻🦋
Morning it's your Scottish friend here. Thanks for your kind reply. I tried to reply through utube but it wouldn't work. Yes my German Shepherd is a lovely companion to me especially now as I lost my partner a few months ago. She took ill the xmas before last and went steadily downhill. I'm just trying to get used to living on my own which is not good. Life goes on as they say so I'll get there I'm sure. It was certainly a giant leap for you and "Mr M" to give up your home and move into a narrow boat. Looking at your vlogs it seems to an amazing life you have now with all these adventures. My boy is now 7 and weighs 43kg but follows me everywhere. I've got myself back into rock tumbling and have 5 tumblers on the go plus I've started smoking my pipes again. You carry on cruising and by the way you have an amazing talent with your sketches and poetry.
Take care.
Sandy X
Hi Sandy, you are putting a lot of pressure on yourself by "trying to get used to life on your own" so soon. You must be heart broken and so full of grief. Please don't slip into drinking; it will drag you further and further into yourself and disconnect you from life. I have some advice, which you can choose to ignore, but I want to offer it to you as my Sottish friend. You live in Scotland, one of the most stunning places in the world; walking outside with your German Shepherd and trying to find something beautiful to notice when doing this, won't take your grief away but it will distract you for a while and connect you to nature. Collecting these tiny moments with nature will restore your hope and faith in life and slowly with time, you'll heal. Drinking will not help you heal. I hope you don't find my advice intrusive or rude, but you have shared your feelings with me and I want to let you know that you are not alone. You can message me anytime. Take care🦋🌻
Morning Vanessa thanks for such a lovely message. You are certainly a lovely caring lady. I'd like to tell you a lovely but sad story. My partner Mary and I were at school together back in the late 50's here in Scotland. We were semi bf/gf but in 1960 I went off to join the RAF and Mary went off nursing. It took me 56 years to find her again when I moved back to Scotland in 2014. We lived about a mile apart here in Gourock but went on amazing holidays all over the world and obviously visited each other on a regular basis. The situation worked really well for us. My German Shepherd Ruski loved her and was always winding her up. I can tell you this as feel I can talk to you freely.
Don't worry about me turning to drink. I have a glass of whisky every night and have been doing that for years. In fact I have been through the wars myself over the last 5 years. I had bowel cancer, After that it was Legionnaires when I almost died then finally I broke my shoulder. But here I am feeling really good apart from my loss of Mary.
I have great neighbours and I keep in touch with several of my RAF friends. I lived in Norfolk for many years when I left the service and eventually set up my own business. I was teaching aircraft engineer how to find faults (cracks) in aircraft structures using x-rays etc. I had students from 76 countries.
Sorry to bore you with all this. I watched a recent adventure you had in Lincoln. I was down there staying with some ex RAF friends in early December.
I assume you have started your 2024 adventures now and wondered where you are at the moment.
You take care and again thanks for being so kind.
All the very best to you Mr M and of course Zeph.
Sandy x
@@themindfulnarrowboat
Lovely, thanks
You are so welcome. Thank you for watching and commenting.Take care🦋🌻
So glad I found your video it’s lovely 🥰 I wish I could travel more and explore on the canals it’s a beautiful life at 4mph and even in the winter too xx
Hello Philip and welcome to the channel! Thank you so much for your lovely comment. I hope you get your wish to travel the canals. Have a sunny Sunday and wonderful week.🦋🌻
@@themindfulnarrowboat thanks but my sunny week will be spent at home with covid lol 😂 xx
Oh no! I hope you get better soon. Have a sunshine emoji for now🌞!
@@themindfulnarrowboat thanks 🙏 xx
Another great 😃 video 📷
Thank you so much for watching some of the oldies. Take care🦋🌻
Love your Zephyr, I have a Labrador dog friend with me now in South Africa, who is my constant companion and it's a long time since my late wife, I, two cats and an Alsatian dog lived happily on our sixty-two-foot traditional narrow boat Galton which had a Gardner 3LW engine, based on the Staffs and Worc's Canal near Kinver. We did not drop out fully, as I was a narrow boat builder/fitter outer with a well-respected West Midlands boat builder and my wife was PA to the director of a large company. But we managed to cruise extensively on the Midlands canals, and many that you travel on are familiar to me. I love the English canals and my favourite cruising time was May/June when the sloe and hawthorns were clothed in their delicate white blossoms. I had ten very good years as a narrow boat builder and fitter, having come to narrow boating later in life from owning a couple of garage business and a thoroughbred pre-war car restoration business in South-east England. However, one's life and circumstances change, and the early Millennium saw me emigrate from the UK to the Lowveld of South Africa where I am a consultant to a large car museum and fabricating and restoration workshop, and I am able to fulfil my passion of photography in the wonderful Kruger National Park which is almost on my doorstep. So, life is good though I still miss canal life with all its many restrictions, though there were less I am sure in our day than now! Stay safe and well, your vlogs and way of presentation are great. Love Rex and Blaze xxx
What a beautiful comment. Thank you so much for sharing it with me. It must be so difficult to lose such a close loved one like that? It sounds like you are living in a wonderful part of the world and I'm sure that you must have some incredible photographs of the wildlife where you are. I am so pleased that you have a Labrador companion as there is something very special about being best friends with a dog. Take care and thank you once again for watching.🌻🦋
Thank you Vanessa. I have recently seen your article on the Stratford Canal, which brings back very good memories when my late wife and I were a big part of a narrowboat building and hire fleet company in the heart of Birmingham thirty-five years ago. I often escaped to find and try to help hirers who had broken down, and one hot summer day, I spent half of it just through bridge 56 removing an entire two seat sofa from the propellor, which some kind soul had dumped off the bridge into the canal. I loved the interaction between Zephyr and Maggie, and Blaze says he would love to meet you! Lovely to see the red admirals and kites. At our last home in the UK at Bwlchllan in Mid Wales we had the kites, much less common then, and resident nearby, they were often in the sky above and visited our bird table. Like butterflies and moths they have extended their range markedly. I love your journal and your sympathetic use of pencil, crayon and pen, along with you talent as an artist it makes it all come alive and I am there reading with you. Thanks for being able to convey your love of the important things around you so eloquently. Have a lovely Christmas where ever Alice Grace takes you and Zephyr. Stay safe and well, love from Blaze and me in hot sunny canal-less South Africa.
I had my kettle on when your kettle came to the boil, I got up to see my kettle was not boiling lol. Nice video again Vanessa. i see the countryside coming back to life and I am still stuck in Brum. I must escape very soon.
Now that is spooky kettle behaviour! You must be craving the countryside but very soon, you'll be out there in the spring loveliness, Trev. Thank you so much for your comment. Take care 🌻🦋
@@themindfulnarrowboat Leaving today
I hope you find your perfect mooring spot.🦋🌻
'Why I Quit My Job for the Narrowboat Life' , why would you not ! If I could I would do it in a heart beat :)
Hi Darren, I really hope that you get the opportunity to quit your job too! Thank you so much for your comment. Take care🌻🦋
not for everyone......
Hi Vanessa,what a beautiful day for a cruise some of the gardens you pass are lovely,beautiful vids of wild life ,sorry Vanessa I missed what you used to do for a living how long have you been living on your narrowboat with you husband and dog ,well Vanessa interesting blog till next time take care keep safe.John 👏😎🌹👀🍀🍀🇬🇧🇬🇧🦮🦮
Hi John! I was a Headteacher of a Primary School and worked in Education for over twenty-five years. I teach online now from the boat. We have been on Alice Grace for nearly 3 years now. Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Take care🌻🦋
Very good land Britain.Thanks author princes.
Thank you so much. Take care 🌻🦋
Mum used to take me to the Nuneaton market on a Saturday when I was a little tacker in the late 1940s. Don’t remember much about it now, though. We were living in Barnacle, near Bedworth.
I love that phrase “little tacker” Even though you can’t remember the market, it’s lovely that you remember going with your mum. Thank you so much for watching, take care🦋🌻
What a wonderfull video all you need is love please give zephry a hug for me allways looking forward to fridays keep safe
I have given, Zephyr a hug from you and she is very grateful.🐾🐾 It is so lovely to hear how much you enjoyed the video and it means a lot to me to hear that, Pancrazio. Thank you so much! Take care🌻🦋
Used to go to Moira Park after the pits closed. They were just opening canal up then for leisure
It must be so interesting to see the changes that have taken place since then and how different it must look. Thank you for your comment, Chris. Take care🦋🌻
What a delightful vlog… i have planted American Elm… (looks like a hazelnut, which is abundant here) this Elm survived in Eastern Oregon and is believed to be the only American Elm in Oregon. Here is hoping our trees grow well.
I have just looked up the American Elm and what a stunning tree that is! I hope you have success with your planting of it. Thank you so much, Nanci for your lovely comment. Take care🦋🌻
@@themindfulnarrowboat the American Elm died out due to blight. It was beautiful as I grew up in Illinois. It was not typical in the western United States and no blight has been noted to the West.
I really hope your seed flourishes, Nanci. Is it the seed of the last American Elm in Oregon that you have planted?
Just beautiful
David, that is such a lovely thing to say and I am so glad that you enjoyed watching! Thank you, take care🌻🦋
Thank you for the interlude. Love your dog, Zepher(sp?), please pass on some tummy rubs from me.
Zephyr loved her tummy rubs, mightawellbe! 🐾🐾 Thank you so much for taking the time to write a comment. Take care🌻🦋
Thank you for your video. I am considering semi-retiring onto a canal boat and looking into the different options. I hope to make wooden signs to sell.
How exciting, David! Before I bought my boat, I watched all of the narrowboat vlogs (still do) to get inspiration and there are some great ones to choose from which I'm sure you are aware of. There are some boating trader vlogs too which you will find interesting. I wish you so much luck with your new adventure! Let me know how it goes. Take care🌻🦋
@@themindfulnarrowboat would you mind sharing some of the channels you would recommend please?
@@offbeatwarble Do you mean Narrowboat Channels? I watch a lot: Narrowboat Cruising and Lifestyle, Narrowboat Will, Northern Narrowboaters, Floating our Boat, Cruising the Cut, Robbie Cummings, Foxes Afloat, Well Deck Diaries, Life Full of Meaning, Chugging Along, Gary Captain Philips... and lots more. Then, I watch Sailing Vlogs too. Hope this helps. Take care.🦋🌻
Go for it! Love it!
Thank you so much, Jason! Have a lovely rest of the week.🦋🌻
@@themindfulnarrowboat and you. I'm having an electric reverse cruiser narrow boat made as we speak! The hull has already arrived! I'm retiring and going off grid. Channels like yours only convince me I've done the right thing! Best wishes!
That is so exciting! The only change that I would make to my boat is for it to be electric. Congratulations and I'm sure, I'll see you on the cut one day soon! 🥳
Boy , (buoy ?) your vids are pure gold
Thank you so much 😊 That is so kind of you 🤩 Enjoy the rest of your week 🌻🦋
Good for you! I am truly envious! I am planning to retire early, maybe the next 3-5 years, to some family property in another state. However, I am worried I won't be able to do it financially even though I can live on very little. I am planning on a narrowboat adventure myself in the next couple of years. I would love to retire to the UK and I can transfer my retirement funds but I want to retire long before then so I can physically do the things I want in life. Cheers!
Sherrie, it is such a tough decision isn't it and a huge balancing act that involves a lot of future unknowns? I agree with you about not waiting until retirement, and you are so right that you can live on much less than society suggests you need. I looked at what I needed financially and then switched to part-time and online work which is perfect for moving about on a narrowboat. I have much less money than before, but I am so happy. I really hope you get what you are looking for and who knows, your narrowboat adventure might end up being a permanent adventure! Take care🌻🦋
@@themindfulnarrowboat Thank you kindly for your words of encouragement! I was also thinking of going part time once I made the move and take my older sister with me. I believe between the two of us we can make it happen! Cheers!
I believe it too, Sherrie!🌞 Go for it👍⭐️
Beautiful.
Thank you, Guy! 😊 Take care 🦋🌻
Thank you so much for these beautiful videos. So soothing and fun xxx You are truly rich.❤🦉🌼🌳💮🌷🌿🌺🐠🐛🐌🐦🐛🌿🐞🌱
( I'd have my children living at home forever if I could! ❤)
It is such a strange thing when your children suddenly leave; they grow up so suddenly. I agree with you about having them stay forever, but I think it would be a very tight squeeze on a narrowboat now!😂 Thank you so much for such a lovely comment. I am really pleased that you are enjoying the vlogs. Take care🦋🌻
Thank you. Have just discovered your channel. Just some boring advice, not meant to be other than that, but suggest you do some maintenance / varnish on your external doors very soon.
Welcome to the channel, Brian! Thank you so much for your sensible and definitely not boring advice about the doors. It is time to do all of our doors and some window maintenance and your comment has given me the prompt I needed! Take care🦋🌻
Your children left home !!.??.I took you to be in your middle 20's .The peace ,quiet and serenity of your life has kept your heart young,together your exterior beauty .
Well djangorheinhardt, your comment made my day!😄 I do keep the camera a long way from my face though.😂 Since I’ve moved onto my narrowboat and changed my working hours, I definitely feel much younger! Have a lovely rest of the week. Take care🦋🌻
Loved the bit at the start when the ducks come past and you say, "Oh look, it's Al and Si", and then it sank in that you've named them after the twins... Naturally, I'm going to have to report you to the RSPB, because no bird deserves such a cruel fate!
🤣🤣🤣 How lovely to hear from you, Paul…or is it? Fear not, I will be turning my boat back to the Ashby, finding my two feathery friends and asking for their forgiveness. Hopefully that will change your mind with the whole reporting business; would you mind if I rename them Paul and Pauly? Have a super Sunday and wonderful week, take care🦆🦆🦆🦆🌻🦋
I am fascinated with your vlogs they are truly high quality and your knowledge in both technical things and birds and poetry and art is quite something!
I have got to ask though… How do you manage to film your boat coming through a tunnel or a bridge from ashore while at the same time driving it through? Do you get help from others or do you leave the boat going through by itself? I am mesmerised at your ability to film! ❣️
That is such a kind comment, thank you so much! I travel with my husband but he won’t appear in the vlogs as his work doesn’t permit any social media presence. This gives me time to drive the boat and then go and get as many different shots as I can. Have a super rest of the week, take care🌻🦋
One video and I'm hooked Pretty Lady.
Welcome to the channel, Paul! I am so glad that you enjoyed the video. Enjoy your week.🌻🦋
Hi Vanessa! It looks to me that you and Mr Mindful have chose to live in your own happy reality, which is the best way to be (in my humble opinion). Also your vlogs have a magical and unique quality! Looking forward to the next one Vince! PS. Have you ever thought about writing? You could be narrowboatings answer to Beatrix Potter Haha!
Thank you so much, Vince for such a lovely comment. I agree totally with your opinion about finding your own happy reality. Oh to have an ounce of Beatrix Potter's talent! I do find sitting in a quiet space somewhere on the boat or in a woodland and creating a little poem so rewarding though. Happy cruising! Take care 🌻🦋
Her beautifully illustrated journals and poetry already are the answer to Beatrix potter, with stunning videos and compelling narration thrown in. Hooray for the magic of UA-cam that transports us into her rich and rewarding narrowboat life. .
I have subscribed as I love watching, you are so talented and interesting.
Hi Annette, thank you so much for your lovely comment and for subscribing too- that is so kind of you. Have a super rest of the week, take care🦋🌻
@@themindfulnarrowboat you are so welcome. Thise narrow biats have always fascinated me. xx
I admire and respect what you are doing.your doing what I should be doing but sadly I’m not.
Colin, I really hope that you can do this one day too. Everyone deserves to have a time in their life when they can pursue what brings them happiness. Let's hope your time is not too far away. Wishing you luck. Take care🦋🌻
LUV YOUR GARDEN =) Xo Xo
Thank you, Joe! The garden is starting to come to life again!🌸🌺🌷 Take care🦋🌻
You don't look old enough to have grown up children
Love your vlogs
I like you, Grace! ⭐️ I keep the camera at a great distance from me!😂 I’m so glad that you like the vlogs. Have a sunny Sunday and wonderful week ahead.🌻🦋🌞
Gosh what absolutely beautiful video, some talent there, well done
That is such a kind comment, Richard. Thank you so much.😊 Take care🌻🦋
@@themindfulnarrowboat funnily enough I have sold my boat recently and am down to the great Ouse to pickup my next boat. Your nature filming is really great, do yourself mind if I ask the camera setup you use for such close films of insects
The River Great Ouse is unbelievably beautiful isn’t it? I am more than happy to tell you my camera set up. I use a Panasonic LUMIX 2000 for my nature shots. I love the macro settings on it. I haven’t quite got the hang of good quality zoom shots yet though but that’s probably me and not the camera. I am learning as I go. Are you thinking of vlogging?
@@themindfulnarrowboat I tempted to have a go. I have always been very interested in wildlife and photography and can't wait to get back on the water. I have been renovating my old house and it's rented from April so all things sustainable on the water now. The boat I am buying is a lovely thing, quite trad with a fab 1940s Lister engine, so lots of scope for some interesting videos. Also considering some catering trading as I will have lots of free time and I'm too young (53) to retire retire if you get my meaning. Thanks for the camera spec, I will look into finding a new camera,. I have just been using my phone for a long while. Who knows I may see you to say hello on future travels ! Look for NB Ebeneza sounding like chitty chitty bang bang!
Your boat and plans sound so exciting! I’ll look out for you and your vlogs. Good luck with everything!🦋🌻📸
Great vlog, you look as though you have a fabulous life on the narrow boat, I’ve been considering doing exactly the same, thinking of the Trent mersey canal, maybe Mercia marina or Stenson 👍
Thank you so much for your lovely comment. I totally recommend life afloat and the Trent and Mersey is a great canal. Good luck with your boat search. Take care🌻🦋
@@themindfulnarrowboat
Your illustrations are beautiful, your so talented 👌🌹
That is so kind of you, thank you🦋🌻
It may not occur to many but if you are able to come up with sufficient financial resources it is perfectly possible to have your own house and a boat.
You have lodgers at your home and live in the boat.
Once per month you attend your home so sort out bits etc.
Collect lodger rent in cash only.
That is what I hope to do.
If boat life eventually palls you still have your home to return to.
Giving NTQ to lodgers is only 1 month.
No tenancy regulations involved.
Of course. People don't realise they're alive. Look. Love . Like. See. Smell. Enjoy. Appreciate. Respect. In a millisecond, as a shooting star, gone.
Very true.Thank you for your lovely comment. Take care 🌻🦋