DainfernJohn

Hi my wife and I are retired and came back to the UK from living in South Africa for the past 30 years, just wanted to get back. We didn't have any narrowboating experience, but just wanted to try it. If you want to do it, then JUST DO IT. I agree that water, electricity and toilet are things that start to absorb your life, but despite that we did it and it's been ok. So if you want to do it, then do it, as long as you are reasonably fit and agile and also have a smaterring of common sense and some mechanical ability then you'll manage.

The important issue is the list of must haves you want on your boat. Before you have one built, you will need that anyway. Then look for fairly new used boats that meet that criteria, then it comes down to price. Remember, you will obviously pay less so it will give you budget to make some improvements and still be under the price of a new one. Important points are when was it Blacked, what is the engine service history and state and the Paintwork. It can always be repainted to the colours you want. As mentioned before time is on your side so look around. Even new builds will vary in price. John

My wife and I have also just purchased our first Narrowboat (The Lady C) she is a very nice 60ft traditional stern beauty. We are both in our late 60's and we intend to be continuous cruisers for the next 2-4 years to renew our acquaintance to the UK as we have been living overseas in the USA, South Africa and France for the past 30 years. We are obviously a little anxious about the challenges associated with a life cruising the beautiful canals and luxuriating in the beauty of England. At the same time we are obviously nervous at the thought of navigating a new environment and operating the locks and other obstacles that will be facing us. However, we are confident that the community we are becoming members of will help us through our early challenges and helping us become valuable members of an exciting and thriving community with its own very special lifestyle. John & Brenda

The first program is being shown on Monday 10th March on More 4 at 9pm and there are 4 episodes in the series. Should be great viewing

Hi, while you will find all of the brokers will help you and have really good opportunities I have to say that ABNB at Crick have been absolutely wonderful for us. We are living in France and they found us the right boat at the right price. Then after we bought it they have been stunning looking after it until we can be back there in April. So try them we did and we are really happy.

Hi everybody, my wife and I are new to Narrow boating but really excited to have (and share) some of the freedom this lifestyle can deliver. We also realise the confined that go along with the benefits. We have bought a boat and it seems to have all the mod cons, but I have a question regarding Internet access. We currently live in France and are moving back to the UK and we don't know the best Cellular Provider to go with either for Voice or perhaps more importantly Internet access. Can anyone recommend the best service provider especially for 3G or 4G dongle (hopefully with a WiFi modem) internet access. Thank you. John and Brenda

I have considered using the fancy dishes with special mounts and the dish folds down. Have you looked into these. Also, are you using the dish for TV reception or Internet, I am keen to get internet access via satellite but so far all the information I have have received says not possible as even the motion created by walking in the boat causes the connection to be lost. Seems TV reception is far more tolerant. What has been your experience.

We are new to Narrow Boat living and intend to buy a boat for full live aboard. I am struggling to find someone who can give me a reasonable budget for the annual/monthly costs of living aboard a narrow boat excluding of course food etc. It is our intention to troll (if that's an acceptable word) around the canal system for at least 2 years stopping for short periods of time. I have been told briefly about "Licences" but can't find what license types are available and what the relevant costs are. One person mentioned a "Gold Pass", but is it feasible to navigate the entire network in the first year so is there a better option, or in fact what are the options. Also, I am semi-retired and work via the Internet so also looking for advice and guidance re a satellite type system that would give me/us Data/Phone and TV access. I did see an advert for one boat that had an "Automatic Tracking" facility are these worthwhile and what is the cost of the system and then the type of hookup I want as above. John & Brenda