42. 14. It’s okay to insult a man’s wife, children, career choice, hair, or dress sense. Being you own man or woman, and being 'captain', and able to move on whenever and wherever your mood takes you. We moved to France in October 2014 to live on a canal barge. "It may sound like a cliche, but there is something charming about how time slows down. Having ever tried one is not. You start a ‘first cat to fall into the cut’ sweepstake, but realise that there really are no winners in that game, when said cat comes bolting in drenched in grimy death water, and proceeds to burrow her vile smelling and soaking wet self under the duvet with you. The general regulations cover everything from registration of ownership, registration with the navigation authority, safety and insurance certification, permission to use the barge for residence, registration for local residential taxation, and qualification for the person who is going to … 23. ‘Boaties’ fill gaps in conversation by talking about water levels. The narrow beam up to 60 ft can go every where, with a few minor exceptions on the canal system with no extra payments. Champagne – and definitely yes! Whilst living on a narrowboat may seem like the ultimate in idyllic lifestyles there are some serious drawbacks, like the constant possibility of dropping your phone in the water . They're fantastic value for money. Shopping is limited in the smaller towns and almost all shops (including smaller supermarkets) will close for up to two hours at lunch and are often shut on Monday, too. If this sounds more like your cup of tea, you’ll need to start the search for a mooring. You can do the washing up every third day, and then only if you have a full bowl, and feel virtuous about it as opposed to slovenly. What we see in New Zealand is only a small selection of the variety of Champagnes produced. How expensive is it compared to New Zealand? 15. So if you buy a boat here then move it to France you will need to check out regulations there. It seems perfectly normal to you to have both the stove/ heating going full pelt, and all of the windows open. But engines must always be coo’d over and spoken of in hushed approving tones, regardless of their size, condition, or maker. All sorts of romantic notions are conjured up by those four words. 28. I love the life, but like everything in life it has its ups and downs. They also publish a good paperback book called “Living Afloat”, this is packed with all the information you will need to make an informed decision on whether the boating life is for you and the best way to go about it. Your hands and nails are NEVER clean, no matter how much you wash them. Claire gets bored after about a year of living anywhere but we're sick of packing up houses - now our home can move all over Europe! Look again! And… You can make ten cubic feet of stuff fit into four cubic feet of space. Job is doing my head in far too long hours no time for kids and riding so was thinking take a year or 2 out to work and live on an old narrowboat. 5. You can answer the question “is it cold on a boat in winter?” sensibly, only a finite number of times, before deciding to mess with people and saying “yes, it’s terrible, I have nearly died of hypothermia twice this year already, and I don’t know how I’m still alive…”. 50. But with boating pictures, you don’t even really mind that you look like a cross eyed imbecile, because you’re just so obviously happy in all of them. Perhaps the biggest decision is whether to live on your boat at a long term residential mooring or to continuously cruise. There are more than 1000 champagne houses, each producing their own unique house style, and with many priced between €15 and €30 (NZ$25 – NZ$50). However if you have never been aboard a narrow boat or wide beam boat why not try it out by hiring one for a week or so. I can feel it, I know I can. It also look like under the 2018 review of CRT licence fees, the present system of charge by length only, maybe changed to an boat area in square meters charge. 49. It will be a good idea to find a mooring first, even starting to pay for it if necessary, before you buy your boat. This is neither negotiable, nor gender- specific. 38. 35. For everything else, there’s MarineFlex. What's the local delicacy and would you recommend  it? Houses have always increased in value over time, however a boat, no matter how well looked after, can only depreciate. If you are expected to go to work in anything approaching smart casual, you have likely got a pair of boots ‘for the journey’ that are generally covered in orange clay- like towpath mud, and also a pair of ‘smart shoes’ that are clean, patent leather, and walk less than ten steps a day. What are the top three things you recommend for visitors? Obviously the wine industry is a major employer here, as is tourism – although speaking French is a must for either of these. Captain your own boat as you explore France from the unique perspective of your cruiser. Then there is boat insurance, like your house, at about £200 per year. If it moves and it’s not supposed to- Duct tape. You probably started life on your boat with a novelty neckerchief, captain’s hat, pirate bandana, or “I’m on a boat, Mother F***er!” t shirt. Both have their benefits, and their costs. 7. Obviously the language – neither of us really spoke any French before we moved here and it's still a struggle. A single person living on a refurbished narrowboat can expect to pay approximately £55 a quarter for utilities and £10 a week on coal or wood in the winter for log burning stoves. For visiting the vineyards, consider a guided tour so no-one has to be the designated driver. The going mix is 60 propulsion and 40 domestic, however i have worked out my mix at 40 propulsion 60 domestic. Enjoy it while it lasts… You’ll miss it when it passes! Pump out or cassette? 26. Narrowboat Holidays Canal Boat Art Narrowboat Interiors Dutch Barge Unusual Homes Floating House Water Crafts Houseboats Narrow Boat Boat Holidays // // The view from the deck of a narrowboat is a perfect way to observe the British Countryside. Living aboard on a canal narrow boat when you have never done so, can seem to most almost idyllic, conjuring up images of brightly painted boats, cruising alongside sunny country fields, visiting those places you have never seen. Being you own man or woman, and being 'captain', and able to move on whenever and wherever your mood takes you. Our preferred way of life in the UK comes in the form of an 18 ton steel barge. Oh well, spaghetti hoops for dinner again…. Boat mooring length will determine the maximum size of the boat you can buy. The first time that you steer your own boat yourself, however slowly or poorly, you just know that you’re the coolest dude in the world. Since we started our harbour in Saint Jean de Losne, in the heart of the canal system of France, the town has become France's biggest canal boat and barge center. A narrowboat is made to the fit the narrow waterways and canals and has a standard width of 6 feet 10 inches wide. Retire to a Barge on the Canals of France. “Is it cold living on a narrow boat in the winter?” and the simple answer is no. You have a beard. You keep a mop on your roof because everybody else does, but you’re not quite sure why…, 22. We moved to France in October 2014 to live on a canal barge. Having explored the various costs to consider when owning a narrowboat in the previous section; this section is a case study to illustrate the actual costs associated with living-aboard a canal boat. This remains as an inconvenience and does not fade. Posted 9 years ago thomthumb French river cruising is the perfect way to discover the hidden treasures of the waterways. Visiting the Grand Champagne houses in Reims or Epernay is a must, the cellars are mind-blowingly huge and your tour ends with a tasting! Living on a canal boat is surging in popularity with the number of owners doubling in a decade. When everyone else on the train home standing up is swaying about and clinging to railings, you are in the middle of it all freestanding, swaying with the flow and not falling down (until you do!). To be honest that is what it is all about. In contrast, the average house costs £200,000. The bakeries in every village with amazing bread and pastries, the beautiful countryside and fabulous local wines. some marinas are also unable to provide residential berths. Apart from joining for free, they also offer a free advice leaflet. Claire gets bored after about a year of living anywhere but we're sick of packing up houses - now our home can move all over Europe! You should, of course, try a boating holiday to decide whether life afloat appeals to you before buying a boat. The problem can be if you have bought a 60 ft boat and can only find a 45 ft berth! At 4am. Having an opinion is mandatory. Fortunately living on board a canal boat doesn’t mean sacrificing your vital postal link to dry land. “Does my boat look wonky to you? This maybe be through illness, frailty due to old age or by a complete change your circumstances. However on a modern boat not as bad. You will have your CRT license to pay about £900 for 2017. You used to own ten big thick jumpers for use in winter. You know that you have to disown any of your former friends who are apt to order “a pint of lager, please” in the pub, and you’re okay with that, actually. The running cost are much the same as a small house however you can generate your own electricity if not connected to the mains in a marina, but you will need Propane gas unless you are either all electric or all diesel. A: Hell no, sometimes i am too hot. Pumpouts last longer but you have to move your boat and it cost about £13.00 a time to empty it. We're trying to get a new hospitality business off the ground! This is the red diesel price, for domestic use only, not propulsion. However if you have never been aboard a narrow boat or wide beam boat why not try it out by hiring one for a week or so. There are many pro’s and con’s and if you know little or nothing about living aboard a boat. 30. 34. If you have a posh new shiny boat, you are probably king of the marina. Visiting during the grape harvest (September) is fun but the downside is it's the vineyards' busiest two weeks of the year so you definitely need to pre-arrange visits. Oh hells no. I see people buying masses of presents they can’t afford to give to extended family members they often don’t like. If it is supposed to move and it does not- WD40. 46. It maybe that you want to enjoy your retirement, downsize that house and tour our countryside, and finding a simpler way of life out of the urban rat-race, or even just find somewhere cheaper to live in cities where house prices and rents are just soaring through the roof. Don’t even go there. Whenever you go to work in an office, visit a friend in a house, or have cause to use a hotel, you need an extra bag to haul along all of the things you want to charge up from their mains while you’re there. 20. Conversely, that may also make you ‘king shit’ and/ or a N00b/ ‘more money than sense joker’ out on the cut. Both the Canal & River Trust and the RBOA are working hard to educate those enamoured with the idea of living on a narrowboat or barge about the harsh financial and practical realities. However, due to a phenomenon I like to think of as ‘boat mathematics’ you learn that for every one item you cross off of said list, another two appear. She’ll HEAR YOU! All the major airlines fly from Paris which is just over an hour away – then it's a 24-hour flight back to New Zealand. The red tape depends on the waterway where you choose to live. The boat was christened Pastures Bleu; a play on the words ‘pastures green’, inspired by their pre-France life as sheep farmers in Northumberland. But you know damn well that when YOU fall in, there’ll be a group of Japanese tourists there, immortalising it on film and upping it to YouTube within the hour. It is important to appreciate the great demand for these moorings can outstrips supply in some southerly areas. 44. Our area has numerous Michelin-starred restaurants, some of which have a really affordable set menu option – a great way to access amazing dining without breaking the bank. I promise, you only need one all day hangover, complete with associated ‘vomiting over the side’ incident, to learn your lesson on home brews, boats and moderation! We hope you decide to live aboard, or not which ever is YOUR decision in the end. 47. CITY LIVING AFLOAT A magnificent mooring requires a vessel of quality - this one could be it, she is ideal as a cruising or static home afloat. See point seven. Shhhh! The first thing you do when you wake up in the morning is look out of the window and make sure that the land is still at the same level to you as it was the prior evening, and that that recurring ‘sinking’ dream was in fact, still just a dream. Another long-time fan of canal living is the actor Timothy West. But our favourite is chilling in the jacuzzi back on the boat, with a bottle of Champagne. 2. Cost of living on a narrowboat will vary from person to person depending upon your lifestyle. It is very important to have somewhere to live ashore should things go wrong. 33. We bought the boat near Dijon and in the first 18 months we cruised more than 2000 kilometres along the canals in Burgundy and the Loire before heading north to Paris. Of course if you do not move in a marina then domestic is 100 percent. For Kiwis looking to move there, which industries are seeking fresh talent? And on that note, it's also worth mentioning that an impressive number of boaters seem to produce their own elderflower (or similar) wines. Are you sure? You can cook and serve a full Sunday roast for four, with less than two square feet of counter space to work on. If you know an expat who wants to share inside knowledge of their home away from home, email travel@stuff.co.nz with Expat in the subject line. ANNUAL COST BREAKDOWN. How much is a beer? You can put up with a bit of crowding or discomfort if it is just for the summer holidays - besides, it=s warm in France then, right ? Also Paris is only about an hour away by train. You stop thinking to yourself, “there’s some funny people on the cut” around the same time you realise that you are just like them, actually. 41. We have all lived and worked on the inland waterways of France for many years and can offer the friendly, informed, personal advice that you need to choose the perfect boating holiday. 21. A: Again, it is up to preference, you have more room on a wide beam, it cost more to moor it, it can't go every where, and you have to pay and book for tunnels. Narrowboat owner Paul Smith relishes his life on the water, but warns against idealising canal boat living. The 8pm engine/ generator off collective: You’re either with them, or against them. A beer can cost anywhere between €3 and €11 (NZ$5-18) depending on the brand and the bar. 31. You become obsessed with what you can convince your stove to burn… Large, unwieldy or inflammable objects of rubbish will all be graded highly, according to your success in convincing the stove to eat them. France Afloat is unique in being both a family business and actually being based in France. What inspired your move, and how long have you been there? Narrow boat size, cruising choices and mooring options will have the biggest impact on the living costs associated with living on a narrow boat. Take my word for this one, and plan accordingly! There are regulations and paperwork involved in owning and using a boat. Expat tales: Life as a 'love refugee' in Sweden, Three struggling New Zealand towns to add to your to-visit list, Australian MP seeks prison term over Northland woman's 'heinous' Facebook posts, America's Cup: Battling Brits back from dead to secure top spot in Prada Cup final, Family 'devastated' after man swept off the coast near Raglan confirmed dead, Quiz: Afternoon trivia challenge: January 23, 2021, Covid-19: Arrival with virulent South African strain faces 39-day MIQ stay, Prince Harry blames social media for 'avalanche of misinformation,' attack on US Capitol, Eliza McCartney's comeback over before it begins at Potts Classic in Hastings, Bernie Sanders selling inauguration meme jerseys for charity, Live: Prada Cup challenger series - America's Cup hopefuls in action. The narrow boat is a traditional style flat-bottomed boat, of distinctive design. To see a variety of deals go here. A 50ft narrowboat can be purchased for as little as £20,000. I wouldn’t say that the feeling is better than chocolate, but it’s certainly better than sex. Some of the things you need to know. To browse a vast range of narrowboats and barges for sale click here. Q: Wide beam or narrow beam? If you’ve got the wanderlust bug … 45. READ MORE: * Expat tales: Life as a 'love refugee' in Sweden * Expat Tales: Poetry in motion in Madrid * Expat Tales: Calling all Kiwi expats. What are the greatest advantages to living there? The region has pretty consistently warm weather from June to September – perfect to escape winter at home! Reims is a big student city so has quite a buzzing nightlife. Your internet search history includes terms such as ‘shooting ducks legally’ ‘Eating wildlife UK law’ and ‘Mallards edible or not.’ Purely for the theoretical knowledge, you understand. A: It is up to preference, i like cassette toilets they are free to empty. Read more "What Are The Negatives Of Living On A Boat – Goodbye Brave iPhone" An estimated 20,000 people now live on Britain's … If you live here, a car is essential but as a tourist the train and a bike is a great way to explore. Now you own two big thick jumpers, and a bottle of Febreeze. 18. 6. To see a variety of deals. 48. ‘Online’ no longer just means that you have internet access, and committing the faux- pas of confusing the two meanings in conversation is verboten. You used to hate having pictures of yourself shown around, because you always look so gormless in them. You become obsessed with list and trim, beyond any approximation of what is reasonable. Next is diesel, this is cheaper and at the moment is about 70 pence a litre, however this can vary from area to area. See?”. on the UK’s Small Ships Register, which costs around £10). Moving back ashore can be a huge financial problem for those who have not prepared for this. A traditional narrow boat for sale would be a popular choice for boat buyers wishing to cruise inland waterways. Graeme is from Titahi Bay and Claire from Canterbury, UK. While with the RSC in Stratford-upon-Avon, he lived on a narrowboat. Or as we call it in England a narrowboat. There may well come a time when you need to give up living aboard. It’s a little bit like the first stage of getting tipsy, before the bad head and bad judgement kick in. In this article we will explain how being prepared for the bad weather and by following our good housekeeping advice during the colder month’s you can actually livaboard very comfortably even when there is ice, snow and arctic winds to deal with. The food cupboard is within reach of the sofa. Type of Mooring The options available in establishing an address and receiving post are largely dependent on the type of mooring you have. ). When other people fall in, you are never there to see it/ photograph it. 1. t is up to preference, you have more room on a wide beam, it cost more to moor it, it can't go every where, and you have to pay and book for tunnels. Here he explores the pros and cons of living afloat on England's inland waterways. 9. France Boating Vacations. Merlot is a Sagar built replica barge available to view in Northern France Some general things i am asked about living aboard. 17. The costs of living on a canal boat Living aboard a narrowboat and continuously cruising our UK canals can be a wonderful way of life, free to move and change the view from the window whenever you want, we know, we've done it since 1995! "Things they don't tell you before you buy a boat". Then the four yearly Boat Safety Check at £147.00, blacking your hull every three years £800 and servicing to your engine and equipment, £200 per year including parts. 29. Ten years living on a boat: 'It's a fun life – I'm not a watery hobo' A decade ago, Susan Smillie bought a classic ketch, moored it on the Thames and moved aboard. Some boaters keep a house or flat going just for this eventuality, and haveing it let out on a short renewable lease through property agents. There are a number of very good hire firms available. Living aboard a canal boat Many people are leaving dry land behind and living on boats on the UK canal system, and most of them do it because it is the life they choose and love. 32. Irons, microwaves, hairdryers and hoovers are all for posh people. There are a number of very good hire firms available. It is not as cheap an option as you may think, though does have some cheaper benefits. If you can’t manage to have a thorough shower, including shaving your legs, washing and conditioning your hair, and brushing your teeth in under four minutes/ four litres of water, you have failed as a boater and should probably consider moving back onto land. If you have boater visitors over for more than four hours at a time, you will find yourself spending the latter half of their visit thinking that surely they must need to pee soon/ is your bathroom so nasty that they are too scared to want to use it/ how much more tea can you ply them with as a kind of pseudo-scientific experiment, just to see what they’ll do in an emergency. Good things about living on a boat? Yes, I know the website is called ‘Narrowboatinfo’ but it would be remiss of me to ignore a large (no pun intended) section of the boating community just because their boats are bigger than mine!Widebeam boats (and they come in a variety of shapes and types – more of that later) offer a prospective boater a much larger living space on board. [Case study: Tony Jones lives and works on The Watchman narrowboat] Buying a narrowboat - the initial investment. Do not fall for this! The RBOA has produced a 96 page book – Living Afloat – which provides a wealth of expert advice to those looking to take the plunge. The commitment to life on board is not a decision you want to make lightly. In summary, if there’s a residential mooring available in the right location and the right price then this would suit you if you have land ties in that particular area. The food cupboard is within reach of the sofa. Upon hearing ‘man overboard!’ you reach for the camera first, and the life ring second. Today, he and his … How easy is it for you to get back to New Zealand? ‘Townies’ fill gaps in conversation by talking about the weather. For your first two weeks of living aboard, it feels like the ground is swaying, even on land. It also look like under the 2018 review of CRT licence fees, the present system of charge by length only, maybe changed to an boat area in square meters charge. Reims is unmissable, particularly the stunning gothic cathedral, the art deco Villa Demoiselle and the museum commemorating where General Eisenhower received the German surrender in 1945. I found this just now lurking on a hard drive, and after 2 years afloat, it still makes me smile. They have a very interesting and informative website. ‘Living on a boat’ – or more specifically, ‘Living on a narrowboat’. No one can teach you how to avoid your own personal initiation into boat toilet hell, you’re just going to have to grit your teeth and wait for it to happen. A boat is not a house Browse our narrow boats for sale. 12. When we aren't out cruising we offer B&B accommodation in our home port at Sillery, a Grand Cru Champagne village about 12km from Reims. But living on a boat is not that simple, we explain the essentials. If you own any white, cream, or pastel coloured clothes, they will soon take on odd black smudges, regardless of how careful you are about keeping them away from the stove, hod, or anything else coal related. The narrow beam up to 60 ft can go every where, with a few minor exceptions on the canal system with no extra payments. Living aboard on a canal narrow boat when you have never done so, can seem to most almost idyllic, conjuring up images of brightly painted boats, cruising alongside sunny country fields, visiting those places you have never seen. Visits from other boaters will seldom exceed four hours without them either departing/ needing to go back to their boat for a minute/ having to ‘pop back to the car for something,’ see point four. 11. Spare time – what spare time? I always remember Christmas during … “We live in Burgundy full-time now that we’ve retired, and we’ve enjoyed numerous holidays on the boat,” says Martin. Pies, rugby, L&P, food courts, Pad Thai and the coastline, especially driving around Wellington's south coast to work every morning. (I will discuss this matter in a later item as it involves a lot of mathematics). The canals are all man-made and look like this. Besides family and friends, what do you miss most about home? Plus a bag to keep each pair in, separately. These can be ordered from the RBOA or picked up at some marinas. We have many more that may suit your requirements and your budget, go to the link below and you will see what we have available. But also visit some small vineyards – we take people to one just six minutes' walk from the boat, where they make award-winning 100 per cent pinot noir champagne. 13. You will also need an International Certificate of Competence, which can be obtained from any recognised sailing school in France or elsewhere, and your boat must be registered (e.g. By your third week therein, you have experimented with how that burns on the stove (see point 10) and roll your eyes and snort derisively at the fresh faced wannabe’s who have taken your place in committing aforementioned fashion faux-pas. I went too far, didn’t I. When you move on board you must look at costs. Widebeams – a brief explanation. Most full time narrowboat dwellers live on board with a partner in what, to many, is a very small space. The boat is a converted cargo barge so there is plenty of space with three en suite guest bedrooms, spacious saloon and large sun deck. When you started out with the boat, you had a little list of about five things that you needed to do/ buy/ sort out. For serious retail therapy we head to Reims which has a great mix of international brands and local boutiques. So you must think the thing through very carefully before you decide to commit to your luxury life afloat. Barging is one of the world's best kept secrets. 25. Since 2016, we've been based here in the Champagne region. All of your clothes will smell faintly of ‘real fire’ or coal, regardless of how recently you washed them. When visiting another boater, it is uncouth to ask to their toilet, unless you are at least a fifteen minute walk from another toilet facility (for women) or a wooded area/ bush (for men.). You start to wonder why the hell everyone owns a key float, when they don’t actually float after you’ve attached your bunch of keys to them. Narrowboat Living. Here's our useful breakdown of typical costs you should consider when deciding to living on a narrowboat. Ecofans. Q: What is the best toilet? I find the gas lasts very well when used for just cooking, up to 3 months on a single bottle at £28.00, as on our boat we use coal and diesel to heat it. You thought you’d save money in winter by using the open bow as a fridge/ freezer for your food… Until you realised just how much alcohol you could actually store there if you stacked it all up right. Your mailing address is the same as your parents, for the first time since you were 16 years old. 43. 19. Spring is a wonderful time of the year to live on the inland waterways. New post added at Living On A Narrowboat - The Life Of An Occasional Continuous CruiserI’m not a big fan of Christmas. 8. 39. I suggest you seek advice from the experts who you can join for free, and they are The Residential Boat Owners Association. 4. 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