What's the best thing about living on a narrowboat?

[Chagall]

In an effort to combat some negatives, what's the most pleasurable thing about living on a narrowboat, either in a poetic sense or practical.....and have you achieved what you thought it would be, if not then what would make it perfect?

[NB Willawaw]

The cost of re-carpeting isn't very much and you meet some interesting people, when they look through your windows.

[Gibbo]

The satisfaction of living comfortably without relying on the infrastructure of piped gas and electricity. Petty I know but it gave me a good feeling when I lived aboard.

 

The ability to easily move when your neighbours get on your t*ts.

 

The instant access to the countryside.

 

The ducks and geese waiting for their breakfast.

 

The list goes on and on for me.

 

Gibbo

[NB Willawaw]

Joking aside, living on water is pretty relaxing and there is a sense of cameraderie amongst boaters.

 

It always amazes me how its a pretty classless systems, with shiny boats and the not-so shiny boats getting along ( yes I know there are a few commodores of the fleet with the memsahib cruising around, scowling at everyone, but luckily, they are in the minority).

 

Living on the cut also allows you to be quite close to nature.

 

In all fairness, the things that would make it perfect for me is boats passing at a reasonable speed (many don't) and not having to worry about hireboats ramming into you when you are moored up in a straight and wide stretch of canal.

 

 

 

In an effort to combat some negatives, what's the most pleasurable thing about living on a narrowboat, either in a poetic sense or practical.....and have you achieved what you thought it would be, if not then what would make it perfect?

Edited June 28, 2009 by NB Willawaw

[Bones]

It is MINE all MINE! The whole lot. mine mine mine.

 

[bottle]

Run out of tablets again?

[DaveP]

In an effort to combat some negatives, what's the most pleasurable thing about living on a narrowboat, either in a poetic sense or practical.....and have you achieved what you thought it would be, if not then what would make it perfect?

Having been down in the Smoke for a couple of days, and talking with friends over a couple (cough) of beers;

 

{credit: Bones} It's mine, all mine

{credit: Gibbo} The wildlife

 

The sense of challenge (if you want it now), or the ability to actually calm down and take life at the slow; it's down to you and no-one else

Realisation of the enormity of the creation, maintenance and restoration of the waterway systems over the last couple of centuries

The continuing search for the most perfect spot on the cut is eternal and is always (beautifully) doomed to fail. The journey, not the presumed arrival, is the sublime moment.

[Gibbo]

The journey, not the presumed arrival, is the sublime moment.

 

I've never heard that phrase used in such an apt context.

 

 

Gibbo

[mdeb]

The satisfaction of living comfortably without relying on the infrastructure of piped gas and electricity. Petty I know but it gave me a good feeling when I lived aboard.

 

The ability to easily move when your neighbours get on your t*ts.

 

The instant access to the countryside.

 

The ducks and geese waiting for their breakfast.

 

The list goes on and on for me.

 

Gibbo

 

This is what it's all about, all the other stuff is just fundamentals. After all this has got to be priceless

[nb Innisfree]

The satisfaction of living comfortably without relying on the infrastructure of piped gas and electricity. Petty I know but it gave me a good feeling when I lived aboard.

 

The ability to easily move when your neighbours get on your t*ts.

 

The instant access to the countryside.

 

The ducks and geese waiting for their breakfast.

 

The list goes on and on for me.

 

Gibbo

 

Interspersed with jolly boaters asking daft electrical questions (including me!)

Edited June 28, 2009 by nb Innisfree

[mrsmelly]

Run out of tablets again?

 

Hi Bottle

 

We have just locked her up again.........

[nbtafelberg]

Ok For me

 

1. The boat is ours paid for compeltely so we don't have to worry about repossession

2. No Gas and Electric bills is brilliant

3. The people we have made some great and faitfhul friends on the cut

4. The Boat Fesitvals - Little Venice then Ricky

5. The freedom of being able to go on a boat ride whenever we like

6. My kids experience nature happening around them first hand

7. My kids don't spend the whole day stuck in front of a video game or TV

8. My cat likes it

[Smelly]

Being close enough to feel the elements...

 

The rest has been said already! Well said Mr Gibbo!

[blackelle123]

Having the best back garden in the world!!!!

[Chagall]

Lovely replies already, nearly enough for a poem.... apart from two I didn't understand but I guess the posters do!

 

I love how on this group one can be called an idiot on one subject and the wisest on the next......

 

so.....any more to add, how about that really unusual or unique best thing about your actual boat?

[bottle]

My other half and the dog, not always in that order.

[mikevye]

The ducks pecking at the hull at 4am are really getting up my beak at this time of year!

[Bones]

Lovely replies already, nearly enough for a poem.... apart from two I didn't understand but I guess the posters do!

 

I love how on this group one can be called an idiot on one subject and the wisest on the next......

 

so.....any more to add, how about that really unusual or unique best thing about your actual boat?

 

 

a poem?

[RLWP]

a poem?

 

You know, lines of words that go te-tum-te-tum-te-tum-te-tum as you read them, often have words that rhyme at the ends of the lines, feature men from Nantucket, young ladies from Tottenham and a lady with shallots.

 

Richard

 

and is there honey still for tea?

[Robin2]

The wonderful fresh smell when you step outside in the morning.

 

The terrific noise of a downpour on a steel roof - while you are nice and snug inside.

[FadeToScarlet]

a poem?

 

There once was a skellington, Bones

Who made a boat into a home

Tho' a magazine writer

Endeavoured to smite her

She just smiled, and had tea and scones.