It is now approaching 10 years since I first moved onto a boat! Thank you to everyone who has joined my adventures online over the years... I may soon be setting out for the first time ever with my other half also onboard! Thanks to all the new subscribers in recent times, see you all soon!
Morning Dan & Mrs Dan👋🏻 As you can see I followed the link & thoroughly enjoyed this blast from the past. Crikey, time passes by so fast, enjoy every minute. I had actually just just been listening to this poem when your video popped up in my recommended so I thought I’d share it with you. It seemed quite apt really. It was an April morning: fresh and clear The Rivulet, delighting in its strength, Ran with a young man's speed; and yet the voice Of waters which the winter had supplied Was softened down into a vernal tone. The spirit of enjoyment and desire, And hopes and wishes, from all living things Went circling, like a multitude of sounds. The budding groves seemed eager to urge on The steps of June; as if their various hues Were only hindrances that stood between Them and their object: but, meanwhile, prevailed Such an entire contentment in the air That every naked ash, and tardy tree Yet leafless, showed as if the countenance With which it looked on this delightful day Were native to the summer.--Up the brook I roamed in the confusion of my heart, Alive to all things and forgetting all. At length I to a sudden turning came In this continuous glen, where down a rock The Stream, so ardent in its course before, Sent forth such sallies of glad sound, that all Which I till then had heard, appeared the voice Of common pleasure: beast and bird, the lamb, The shepherd's dog, the linnet and the thrush Vied with this waterfall, and made a song, Which, while I listened, seemed like the wild growth Or like some natural produce of the air, That could not cease to be. Green leaves were here; But 'twas the foliage of the rocks--the birch, The yew, the holly, and the bright green thorn, With hanging islands of resplendent furze: And, on a summit, distant a short space, By any who should look beyond the dell, A single mountain-cottage might be seen. I gazed and gazed, and to myself I said, 'Our thoughts at least are ours; and this wild nook, My EMMA, I will dedicate to thee.' ----Soon did the spot become my other home, My dwelling, and my out-of-doors abode. And, of the Shepherds who have seen me there, To whom I sometimes in our idle talk Have told this fancy, two or three, perhaps, Years after we are gone and in our graves, When they have cause to speak of this wild place, May call it by the name of EMMA'S DELL. William Wordsworth Could The Narrowboat Lad ever write poetry I wonder?I think he could write anything & it would be a success. I hope you have a lovely weekend guys🙏🏻🐝🦋🕊🦅🌈🦆🐞🍄🦊🌻🦢Su xxx
I cycle past narrow boats on my way home from work and I love the smell of coal and wood smoke. It takes my mind away from work and puts me in a great mood.
Nice one Dan, just watching this particular video really underlines how quite a few of us think. It reminds me of when I did my apprenticeship at the pit (coal mine) there was a miner who got taken into the managers office for regular absenteeism, the manager said to this chap "how come you only work 4 days a week?" The miner said "because I can't manage on 3". That is a principle that has stuck with me for many years (& I'm pleased I found a wife with a very similar mindset) like you, that miner felt the need to have time to enjoy hos life, rather than being too tied to a job of work in order to get paid more than he " needed ". I really do admire your style and courage Dan, I was brought up as a child with coal fires for cooking and heating, also with parrafin lighting as we had no electricity, and that was in the midlands in the 50s & 60s, so not too long ago, it's true what you say, if we have the right mindset, we don't need much. As you said in the video, many would not like to have to light the fire at night in the cold, but to some of us there is a certain and definate feeling of real comfort to be had from such activity (something that words can't fully describe) but you did put it over in a very realistic way. Psst" we're going to look at some boats soon, we've been looking at some online.
Eddie Stocker Hello! Wow thank you for such a brilliant comment! There really isn't much of a better way to sum things up than your "miner memory". The whole "simple life" idea is lost on many people who immediately equate it with "hard life" when to me at least, simple things like lighting a coal fire are an event all of their own! Not always convenient but rarely a real difficulty! Thanks for taking the time to write such a great comment, I am glad you enjoyed the video, and all the best for your future adventures, by boat or land!
You, M'lad, have for sure and certain found your Dream and have my congratulations on having the fortitude to grab it and run with it. All too many folk fall into the wage--slave trap and put all their energy into the 9-5 rat-race and the 30 yr mortgage with the hope that there'll always be 'tomorrow' to do all the things they'd rather be doing and all because they've convinced themselves that lifestyle is what's expected of them. The sad fact is that all too many find that tomorrow never comes and all that was promised is washed away on the vagaries of economics or health. And keep up the great work on the videos! Of all those I see on TH-cam yours are the ones I enjoy the most. Always entertaining and well thought out!
+colin biggs Fantastic! Thanks for tuning in! Wow 11 years... it is strange to think that at this point I have only passed my third full year afloat but feel like I have never lived any other way!
Dan, I first cast eyes on a narrowboat last year, when I went to the Cropredy festival, 2013. What a great view on life you have. I'm glad you are living your dream at such a young age....I admire you. I stayed in Oswestry while I was in your area....cant be too far from you.... Keep up the good work with the vids... : - ) Thanks' from Near Los Angeles California.
Just wanted to say, it was your videos that inspired me to look into living on a narrowboat, that was October 2013, and now its April 2014 and I've been onboard for six months and totally love it. About to buy my boat, cheers Narrowboat lad, bought the book too, very enjoyable read, thank you
We're about to start living life on a narrowboat and I love your video. I also have a telescope! Your is an inspiring viewpoint and I am looking forward to the life!
I've seen loads of your videos, Dan, and I've enjoyed them all, but I have to say that this must be one of my favourites. It's well edited and you certainly do come across as being quite chilled! You sound like life on the canal has had a profound effect on you as a person. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to make the leap as you have, so I'll have to content myself with watching your videos and experiencing a little bit of narrowboat life as lived by you! Thank you for opening up a calmer world for us to enjoy.
Hello narrow boat lad After a very complicated 12 years, I decided to buy a narrow boat and live the dream like you but at a more mature age. I have learned so much since then, one of which is the value of things rather than the price in monetary terms. I bought a 30 ft merlin which at the start was a challenge but like you, I now have a beautiful and thrifty way of life. Not a generalisation, but we humans push the goal posts to far out thus never achieving fulfilment. I brought my goal posts closer, made possible by boating, and I'm now liberated, fulfilled, and richer in my head and my pocket. I wish you well narrow boat lad and continued happiness. Regards Hayden and my four legged mate Reg
Fantastic! You keep living your dream!....I hope you know you have so so much more than others may think...life is not material...Life is to find your dream and live it....and you my lad have done that way before some men would know what their dream was...all your work is great, watched all your videos and enjoyed them....TFS with us all...such a pleasure......keep living that dream!
Well Dan I just watched this and loved it. It seems that you have something rare and that is the ability to be utterly content with very little. We all have moments like that by a crackling fire on a starry night with our own thoughts (I can smell the fire now) but your moment may just last a life time and I hope it does. I look forward to watching your other videos.
+Ghenghis khan Thank you for such a beautiful comment! I have been extremely lucky to do this for over three years now and I hope to do it for many more years to come!!
You seem like such a great guy. I'm really glad you're living a lifestyle that truly makes you happy, so often life brings people down and steers them off the path they want to take but you havent let that happen. An inspiration to all I think. Well done.
There are many boating videos out there and this is one of the best. I loved every min of this video and it is a great portrayal of your life. I cant wait for more videos. All the best.
You've inspired me to make the leap. The benefits both financially and spiritually are simply amazing. Thanks for all of your experience and time making your videos :D
This is absolutely amazing and quite inspiring what you have done! I say keep living this dream through thick and thin! Keep it up! Love the bike too, fixies all the way :)
Two dislikes! Omg! I loved this Dan. You seemed much more calm in this talking to camera and it was really engaging. Great editing and graphics too. Must have taken a while to put together. Informative, and a pleasure to watch.
Watched loads of your videos (lots more to go) and find them very inspirational in living life in a different way and a different pace. Who knows in a couple of years i may well make the move to living on a narrowboat. Would love to see more video's on the technical side of living on a narrowboat. love this video gives a good general incite into all aspects, even filling up with water is interesting.
+Philip Beale Thanks for watching! I am glad you have enjoyed my videos! I am currently planning the next 5 documentary episodes as well as a series of proper from the beginning boating tutorial videos!
Dan, a beautiful video, which pretty much says it all, very inspiring, you may well be on the way of becoming a bit of a cult! But please remain true to yourself, I love the simple pleasures in life which you so enjoy, I truly believe you have found an idyllic life living in harmony with the natural world.
Thanks for your reply Dan. In those days there was far less opertunity to work part time, so it's understandable that an employer would be somewhat irritated by regular absenteeism. However, these days, it seems to be more a realisation that part time workers are much happier and more contented in their work, hence more room is being made for it. I have been an employer myself, so I really do understand the necessity for reliability of employees. What you are doing is taking full advantage of a more recent understanding of employees life and time requirements. You look like you have a positive work ethic and attitude, I would imagine (from the way you portray yourself) that you are a credit to your employer. Kind regards, Eddie.
Great Vid Dan, we have just bought a 35ft narrow boat for pleasure and holidays, but who knows what might happen in the future! would you mind telling us how you make your leaving, do you work from the boat, or have a part time job you travel to each day? cheers...
Absolutely brilliant Dan, I thoroughly enjoyed this video. I remember the first time I saw you on TH-cam, before you got Tilly and you were at the reviewers table reviewing some Celestron binoculars I was thinking of buying (which I did, thanks in no small part to your review) and I have followed you since then. I've read both your books and always look forward to your videos purely because you're such a down to earth guy, full of enthusiasm for life which is very infectious and inspiring. You're videos are very interesting, entertaining and you have a great sense of humour (I'm not coming on to you haha). You're a break from the norm (in the best way possible) and just as a viewer of your videos and reader of your books I can tell you fully deserve to be living your Dream. All the best Dan, have a great summer! From Dave Callighan. PS, you and Tilly should visit Yorkshire!!!!!
***** Well if you do ever make it to Yorkshire, there will be a portion of Fish n Chips with your name on it and a cup tea should you pass through my town (which was featured as the starting point for the great canal journeys TV series which started a week or two a go. I'm yet to catch up on the episode featuring your neck of the woods, but I'm disappointed Tilly doesn't make a cameo appearance!! Lol)
5:50 Red Indians are getting ready to attack. Great way to live off grid myself and wife are looking to buy a boat then next year try 12 months on the canals. Thanks for sharing the dream.
Excellent video production, and very inspiring. You are living a dream of mine which unfortunately I will likely never realize as we do not have a canal infrastructure in the US like this. If I were a UK citizen I'd be on it without a doubt. I'm curious, how to you get internet access? I assume you don't get online from your boat as your comments are infrequent. Thank you for sharing your experiences, I'll be looking over your other videos over time!
Fascinating stuff. I was going to say you are the narrowboat's answer to Stampylongnose, but it seems you have already been immortalised in that fabulous world!. I look forward to your appearance on a TV chat show, you obviously have an enganging charismatic persona about you. - not sure what any of that is, it just sounded good at the time. So, until the next video I will just go and watch the vid about security, and wish you well in your endeavours, thanks for the informative style as well as the entertainment. ps How many heart stopping, adrenalin pumping, knee wobbling sessions can you have in a week on the narrowboat?
Hey Dan not sure if you have seen it but a program on more 4 is on called the great canal journeys. I know you don't have tv but can watch it on catch up :-) saw it and thought of you :-)
Since I don’t know any adjectives more superlative than those already said, let me make a suggestion (If you are not already doing so). Put together this and 1 or 2 of your previous vids; plus the vids of Your 1st journey from Market Drayton to Chirk Bank; then go around to local residences for elderly or veterans and show them to these folks who, I am sure, would enjoy them every bit as much as your viewers do. Word gets around and groups or organizations contact you to speak before their members for which you would be paid a fee.
I've always said this Dan but the views I have seen out of our Springer window are awesome and you would have to be a millionaire to be able to live somewhere with views like that.It's unbelievable that anybody that's done what you have, could allso look out of their window and see amazing country views without being financially well off.
Hi Dan, i take it that when you decide to park up for the night along the canal, you would do so along a stretch of canal where other boaters are parked for reasons of safety & security, is this the case or do you just park where you fancy at random?.... cheers john... ps. great videos by the way!
Love the idea of boat life, but I think I'd have to find permanent moorings. For me the attraction is in the closeness to the water - sounds, smells, movement, light etc, and the nature of narrowboat accommodation, and not necessarily the nomadic lifestyle bit as I'd still have to work full time and stay involved with the outside world. One compromise would be to think of it as a holiday home and use it for extended periods, but not actually live aboard.
Daft question, but are you allowed to moor your boat on any side of the canal or is there a rule that says it must be the side where the path is? Think I'd be worried about mischeivous kids at night so would prefer to park on opposite side to the path.
I would love to live on a narrows boat but I'm too scared really. when you live in London and you are tied to a place and job, its hard to know what to do some times, the problems with city life you get chained up with working and paying the bills. I think that schools don't teach people to be independent, they just teach you to be a slave and keep the wheels turning , instead of making you want to have a better life. any way love the video, may be one day I might go for it and get out of the rat race.
Realmente es un deleite ver tus vídeos y esos paisajes admiro tu manera de vivir te encontré tu canal buscando vídeos del kayak k1 que al final me compre y pronto subiré vídeos en el los vídeos y la música de fondo esta genial un gran abrazo desde Uruguay p.d como se llama el tema musical de fondo gracias
I understand the appropriate council are making life extremely difficult for those living on the K & A canal, especially regarding moving "to another place" every 2 weeks. Why does no-one indicate what "a suitable distance" should be? Those with children or are disabled are really suffering, and they should not. These people respect the w/ways whereas the officials just seem to want to make unreasonable rules. Best wishes Dan *********** Mike
***** Fully understand Dan, it just seems that one is not always allowed to enjoy a life style which fulfills the dream - one reason why I moved out and over to Eire. Would not come back to UK, no incentive to.
+Claire Skerry It can vary wildly! Around the top end of the Llangollen I would say it is around 3 foot on average... at the sides that I can measure at least, then deeper in the middle. There are parts where I get grounded and other parts that are a lot deeper!
Dan, i don't mean to pry into your private life but do you have a job? No matter how low cost your living is, you need some form of income. You made reference at one point to 'commuting' and wondered if you work locally and simply live on the boat. On the other hand, perhaps you really are entirely independent. A rare gift for someone of your age if that's the case. Just curious.....
Your lifestyle is ferry cool . Economical and small carbon foot print. You might consider getting a solar panel,canning your own food, and gathering wild plants. You seem well poised to earning some income from the internet. You can offer your couch to travelers for a fee via internet. V.
You seem like such a great guy. I'm really glad you're living a lifestyle that truly makes you happy, so often life brings people down and steers them off the path they want to take but you havent let that happen. An inspiration to all I think. Well done.
It is now approaching 10 years since I first moved onto a boat! Thank you to everyone who has joined my adventures online over the years... I may soon be setting out for the first time ever with my other half also onboard!
Thanks to all the new subscribers in recent times, see you all soon!
P.S. I now build model railways as well!
Morning Dan & Mrs Dan👋🏻
As you can see I followed the link & thoroughly enjoyed this blast from the past. Crikey, time passes by so fast, enjoy every minute. I had actually just just been listening to this poem when your video popped up in my recommended so I thought I’d share it with you. It seemed quite apt really.
It was an April morning: fresh and clear
The Rivulet, delighting in its strength,
Ran with a young man's speed; and yet the voice
Of waters which the winter had supplied
Was softened down into a vernal tone.
The spirit of enjoyment and desire,
And hopes and wishes, from all living things
Went circling, like a multitude of sounds.
The budding groves seemed eager to urge on
The steps of June; as if their various hues
Were only hindrances that stood between
Them and their object: but, meanwhile, prevailed
Such an entire contentment in the air
That every naked ash, and tardy tree
Yet leafless, showed as if the countenance
With which it looked on this delightful day
Were native to the summer.--Up the brook
I roamed in the confusion of my heart,
Alive to all things and forgetting all.
At length I to a sudden turning came
In this continuous glen, where down a rock
The Stream, so ardent in its course before,
Sent forth such sallies of glad sound, that all
Which I till then had heard, appeared the voice
Of common pleasure: beast and bird, the lamb,
The shepherd's dog, the linnet and the thrush
Vied with this waterfall, and made a song,
Which, while I listened, seemed like the wild growth
Or like some natural produce of the air,
That could not cease to be. Green leaves were here;
But 'twas the foliage of the rocks--the birch,
The yew, the holly, and the bright green thorn,
With hanging islands of resplendent furze:
And, on a summit, distant a short space,
By any who should look beyond the dell,
A single mountain-cottage might be seen.
I gazed and gazed, and to myself I said,
'Our thoughts at least are ours; and this wild nook,
My EMMA, I will dedicate to thee.'
----Soon did the spot become my other home,
My dwelling, and my out-of-doors abode.
And, of the Shepherds who have seen me there,
To whom I sometimes in our idle talk
Have told this fancy, two or three, perhaps,
Years after we are gone and in our graves,
When they have cause to speak of this wild place,
May call it by the name of EMMA'S DELL.
William Wordsworth
Could The Narrowboat Lad ever write poetry I wonder?I think he could write anything & it would be a success.
I hope you have a lovely weekend guys🙏🏻🐝🦋🕊🦅🌈🦆🐞🍄🦊🌻🦢Su xxx
I cycle past narrow boats on my way home from work and I love the smell of coal and wood smoke. It takes my mind away from work and puts me in a great mood.
+Olaf Pain Yes, it is about as calming and cosy a sight as I can think of at the end of the day!
Nice one Dan, just watching this particular video really underlines how quite a few of us think. It reminds me of when I did my apprenticeship at the pit (coal mine) there was a miner who got taken into the managers office for regular absenteeism, the manager said to this chap "how come you only work 4 days a week?" The miner said "because I can't manage on 3". That is a principle that has stuck with me for many years (& I'm pleased I found a wife with a very similar mindset) like you, that miner felt the need to have time to enjoy hos life, rather than being too tied to a job of work in order to get paid more than he " needed ". I really do admire your style and courage Dan, I was brought up as a child with coal fires for cooking and heating, also with parrafin lighting as we had no electricity, and that was in the midlands in the 50s & 60s, so not too long ago, it's true what you say, if we have the right mindset, we don't need much. As you said in the video, many would not like to have to light the fire at night in the cold, but to some of us there is a certain and definate feeling of real comfort to be had from such activity (something that words can't fully describe) but you did put it over in a very realistic way. Psst" we're going to look at some boats soon, we've been looking at some online.
Eddie Stocker Hello! Wow thank you for such a brilliant comment! There really isn't much of a better way to sum things up than your "miner memory". The whole "simple life" idea is lost on many people who immediately equate it with "hard life" when to me at least, simple things like lighting a coal fire are an event all of their own! Not always convenient but rarely a real difficulty!
Thanks for taking the time to write such a great comment, I am glad you enjoyed the video, and all the best for your future adventures, by boat or land!
You, M'lad, have for sure and certain found your Dream and have my congratulations on having the fortitude to grab it and run with it. All too many folk fall into the wage--slave trap and put all their energy into the 9-5 rat-race and the 30 yr mortgage with the hope that there'll always be 'tomorrow' to do all the things they'd rather be doing and all because they've convinced themselves that lifestyle is what's expected of them. The sad fact is that all too many find that tomorrow never comes and all that was promised is washed away on the vagaries of economics or health.
And keep up the great work on the videos! Of all those I see on TH-cam yours are the ones I enjoy the most. Always entertaining and well thought out!
+Vern Hall Thanks for such a great comment! I really can't add anything at all to it!
Hi Dan. Enjoy your videos. I have been a liveaboard on the K & A for 11 years now. My boat is slightly longer at 38 feet, home sweet home.
+colin biggs Fantastic! Thanks for tuning in! Wow 11 years... it is strange to think that at this point I have only passed my third full year afloat but feel like I have never lived any other way!
Dan, I first cast eyes on a narrowboat last year, when I went to the Cropredy festival, 2013. What a great view on life you have. I'm glad you are living your dream at such a young age....I admire you. I stayed in Oswestry while I was in your area....cant be too far from you.... Keep up the good work with the vids... : - ) Thanks' from Near Los Angeles California.
Just wanted to say, it was your videos that inspired me to look into living on a narrowboat, that was October 2013, and now its April 2014 and I've been onboard for six months and totally love it. About to buy my boat, cheers Narrowboat lad, bought the book too, very enjoyable read, thank you
Great, Dan.
We may see you in May. We are going to Worcestershire for a narrow boat cruise. I hope that we run into you. You are an inspiration to us.
What a great trip down memory lane to when it all started.
Love there's old videos Dan
Just going through all of them
Bloody brilliant young man
Excellent narration and your best editing yet! Very nice video! Thank you!
We're about to start living life on a narrowboat and I love your video. I also have a telescope! Your is an inspiring viewpoint and I am looking forward to the life!
+Simon Poulter Thanks, I hope everything is going well for you!
Going slowly but surely. Not in the water yet...
I've seen loads of your videos, Dan, and I've enjoyed them all, but I have to say that this must be one of my favourites. It's well edited and you certainly do come across as being quite chilled! You sound like life on the canal has had a profound effect on you as a person. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to make the leap as you have, so I'll have to content myself with watching your videos and experiencing a little bit of narrowboat life as lived by you! Thank you for opening up a calmer world for us to enjoy.
Hello narrow boat lad
After a very complicated 12 years, I decided to buy a narrow boat and live the dream like you but at a more mature age.
I have learned so much since then, one of which is the value of things rather than the price in monetary terms.
I bought a 30 ft merlin which at the start was a challenge but like you, I now have a beautiful and thrifty way of life.
Not a generalisation, but we humans push the goal posts to far out thus never achieving fulfilment.
I brought my goal posts closer, made possible by boating, and I'm now liberated, fulfilled, and richer in my head and my pocket.
I wish you well narrow boat lad and continued happiness.
Regards Hayden and my four legged mate Reg
Fantastic! You keep living your dream!....I hope you know you have so so much more than others may think...life is not material...Life is to find your dream and live it....and you my lad have done that way before some men would know what their dream was...all your work is great, watched all your videos and enjoyed them....TFS with us all...such a pleasure......keep living that dream!
Well Dan I just watched this and loved it. It seems that you have something rare and that is the ability to be utterly content with very little. We all have moments like that by a crackling fire on a starry night with our own thoughts (I can smell the fire now) but your moment may just last a life time and I hope it does. I look forward to watching your other videos.
+Ghenghis khan Thank you for such a beautiful comment! I have been extremely lucky to do this for over three years now and I hope to do it for many more years to come!!
Keep it going son, its the best possible use of the most valuable commodity any of us possess. Time.
You seem like such a great guy. I'm really glad you're living a lifestyle that truly makes you happy, so often life brings people down and steers them off the path they want to take but you havent let that happen. An inspiration to all I think. Well done.
You are a positive man. Thanks for the video and good luck!
Your life is so fascinating!!!
There are many boating videos out there and this is one of the best. I loved every min of this video and it is a great portrayal of your life. I cant wait for more videos. All the best.
I've been following your videos pretty much since the start on "good old narrowboat Tilly", so it was good to see this one again from back in 2014.
I love these old videos... but also can hardly bare to watch them as I cringe myself inside out!
@@SortOfInteresting 🤣🤣🤣
You've inspired me to make the leap. The benefits both financially and spiritually are simply amazing. Thanks for all of your experience and time making your videos :D
This is absolutely amazing and quite inspiring what you have done! I say keep living this dream through thick and thin! Keep it up! Love the bike too, fixies all the way :)
A great video. I certainly could handle this lifestyle. Good stuff. Will watch out for more of your vids. Thanx Dan.
Hi Dan, great video. You're a brilliant example of how living a simple life pays back many fold. Keep up the good life and lang may yer lum reek!
as always love the vids,and this one was one of the best,well done
Thank you Dan
I'm going to be living my dream in a couple of months and guess what.
It's doing exactly what you are doing wish I was there now
A great video, thanks for sharing.
+Robe Lee Thanks for watching!
Another really good video from you Dan. Props to you for laying it all out for everyone to see.
Two dislikes! Omg!
I loved this Dan. You seemed much more calm in this talking to camera and it was really engaging. Great editing and graphics too. Must have taken a while to put together. Informative, and a pleasure to watch.
Watched loads of your videos (lots more to go) and find them very inspirational in living life in a different way and a different pace. Who knows in a couple of years i may well make the move to living on a narrowboat. Would love to see more video's on the technical side of living on a narrowboat. love this video gives a good general incite into all aspects, even filling up with water is interesting.
+Philip Beale Thanks for watching! I am glad you have enjoyed my videos! I am currently planning the next 5 documentary episodes as well as a series of proper from the beginning boating tutorial videos!
I really enjoy all of your videos. Thanks for making them. I'm sure it's hard work. But they are great. Keep it up .
Still enjoying your videos Dan. Really appreciate your efforts. Thanks
Dan, a beautiful video, which pretty much says it all, very inspiring, you may well be on the way of becoming a bit of a cult! But please remain true to yourself, I love the simple pleasures in life which you so enjoy, I truly believe you have found an idyllic life living in harmony with the natural world.
I wanna live like this
Awesome Dan! Thanks for sharing your life with us!
Thanks for your reply Dan. In those days there was far less opertunity to work part time, so it's understandable that an employer would be somewhat irritated by regular absenteeism. However, these days, it seems to be more a realisation that part time workers are much happier and more contented in their work, hence more room is being made for it. I have been an employer myself, so I really do understand the necessity for reliability of employees. What you are doing is taking full advantage of a more recent understanding of employees life and time requirements. You look like you have a positive work ethic and attitude, I would imagine (from the way you portray yourself) that you are a credit to your employer. Kind regards, Eddie.
I love this! I may move to London but I was trying to find other living alternatives. This was eye opening. Thank you!
Good for you Dan, good for you.
Minecraft Tilly!! He-he. Hysterical. Fantastic. Thanks again.
wow this is just my dream. just me and a dog :)
Great video Dan & i love keeping up with your antics :)
Great Vid Dan, we have just bought a 35ft narrow boat for pleasure and holidays, but who knows what might happen in the future! would you mind telling us how you make your leaving, do you work from the boat, or have a part time job you travel to each day? cheers...
Absolutely brilliant Dan, I thoroughly enjoyed this video. I remember the first time I saw you on TH-cam, before you got Tilly and you were at the reviewers table reviewing some Celestron binoculars I was thinking of buying (which I did, thanks in no small part to your review) and I have followed you since then. I've read both your books and always look forward to your videos purely because you're such a down to earth guy, full of enthusiasm for life which is very infectious and inspiring. You're videos are very interesting, entertaining and you have a great sense of humour (I'm not coming on to you haha). You're a break from the norm (in the best way possible) and just as a viewer of your videos and reader of your books I can tell you fully deserve to be living your Dream. All the best Dan, have a great summer! From Dave Callighan.
PS, you and Tilly should visit Yorkshire!!!!!
***** Well if you do ever make it to Yorkshire, there will be a portion of Fish n Chips with your name on it and a cup tea should you pass through my town (which was featured as the starting point for the great canal journeys TV series which started a week or two a go. I'm yet to catch up on the episode featuring your neck of the woods, but I'm disappointed Tilly doesn't make a cameo appearance!! Lol)
Good on you bud - Kudos.
Keep up the good work Dan live you dream all the best
What a nice bloke, keep er lit mate.... im gonna do somethin mad like this one day.....love it.
I saw your other vid with the tour of your boat, fine vessel Dan.
This was really interesting! Loved it. :D
5:50 Red Indians are getting ready to attack. Great way to live off grid myself and wife are looking to buy a boat then next year try 12 months on the canals. Thanks for sharing the dream.
Brilliant video Dan. Well worth the effort to show everyone a great insight into narrowboat life. Enjoyed it ;) ..Donny.
***** I know the feeling Dan!
nice video dan, keep up the good work
Just finished your book, Im Sooooo jealous of your life!!!
Excellent video production, and very inspiring. You are living a dream of mine which unfortunately I will likely never realize as we do not have a canal infrastructure in the US like this. If I were a UK citizen I'd be on it without a doubt. I'm curious, how to you get internet access? I assume you don't get online from your boat as your comments are infrequent. Thank you for sharing your experiences, I'll be looking over your other videos over time!
What a fantastic dream fair play to you .........
Sounds like, you are living the dream, good for you!
Good luck to you fella!
Wow i loved this video thanks for making it
Fascinating stuff. I was going to say you are the narrowboat's answer to Stampylongnose, but it seems you have already been immortalised in that fabulous world!.
I look forward to your appearance on a TV chat show, you obviously have an enganging charismatic persona about you. - not sure what any of that is, it just sounded good at the time.
So, until the next video I will just go and watch the vid about security, and wish you well in your endeavours, thanks for the informative style as well as the entertainment.
ps How many heart stopping, adrenalin pumping, knee wobbling sessions can you have in a week on the narrowboat?
video's getting better so keep it up.
Cool as, I look forward to seeing them :)
LIVE THE DREAM DAN
Hey Dan not sure if you have seen it but a program on more 4 is on called the great canal journeys. I know you don't have tv but can watch it on catch up :-) saw it and thought of you :-)
well done dan!
Great video Dan! How do you go on uploading videos, do you have internet on board or is that too difficult.
Great tips ***** - thanks for sharing! :)
Great video's enjoyed every one, also I have just finished your book on Kindle, keep up the good work.When can we expect the next book?
Great vid, where do you sleep, where's the bathroom?
I wonder if the women who own narrow boats say "Does this canal make my barge look big?"
looks great but thinks cost money and if u don't have pennies it must be struggle.
but love ur positive chilling at night.
subbed ya mate, enjoyed the video
Since I don’t know any adjectives more superlative than those already said, let me make a suggestion (If you are not already doing so). Put together this and 1 or 2 of your previous vids; plus the vids of Your 1st journey from Market Drayton to Chirk Bank; then go around to local residences for elderly or veterans and show them to these folks who, I am sure, would enjoy them every bit as much as your viewers do. Word gets around and groups or organizations contact you to speak before their members for which you would be paid a fee.
Time flies. Doesn't it?
It certainly does, it almost feels like an era completely lost to time now!
I've always said this Dan but the views I have seen out of our Springer window are awesome and you would have to be a millionaire to be able to live somewhere with views like that.It's unbelievable that anybody that's done what you have, could allso look out of their window and see amazing country views without being financially well off.
Hi Dan, i take it that when you decide to park up for the night along the canal, you would do so along a stretch of canal where other boaters are parked for reasons of safety & security, is this the case or do you just park where you fancy at random?.... cheers john... ps. great videos by the way!
Love the idea of boat life, but I think I'd have to find permanent moorings. For me the attraction is in the closeness to the water - sounds, smells, movement, light etc, and the nature of narrowboat accommodation, and not necessarily the nomadic lifestyle bit as I'd still have to work full time and stay involved with the outside world. One compromise would be to think of it as a holiday home and use it for extended periods, but not actually live aboard.
Daft question, but are you allowed to moor your boat on any side of the canal or is there a rule that says it must be the side where the path is? Think I'd be worried about mischeivous kids at night so would prefer to park on opposite side to the path.
I would love to live on a narrows boat but I'm too scared really. when you live in London and you are tied to a place and job, its hard to know what to do some times, the problems with city life you get chained up with working and paying the bills. I think that schools don't teach people to be independent, they just teach you to be a slave and keep the wheels turning , instead of making you want to have a better life. any way love the video, may be one day I might go for it and get out of the rat race.
Hey Dan,im John. Your videos are very good! I just wanted to ask you if it worth buying the kayak k1. Im considering to buy it.Thanks in advance!
Realmente es un deleite ver tus vídeos y esos paisajes admiro tu manera de vivir te encontré tu canal buscando vídeos del kayak k1 que al final me compre y pronto subiré vídeos en el los vídeos y la música de fondo esta genial un gran abrazo desde Uruguay
p.d como se llama el tema musical de fondo gracias
I understand the appropriate council are making life extremely difficult for those living on the K & A canal, especially regarding moving "to another place" every 2 weeks. Why does no-one indicate what "a suitable distance" should be? Those with children or are disabled are really suffering, and they should not. These people respect the w/ways whereas the officials just seem to want to make unreasonable rules.
Best wishes Dan
***********
Mike
***** Fully understand Dan, it just seems that one is not always allowed to enjoy a life style which fulfills the dream - one reason why I moved out and over to Eire. Would not come back to UK, no incentive to.
I don't know who you are personally but I wanna come with you even just for a day. Can't imagine living on a boat.
Oh average, how shallow are the canals you go through?
+Claire Skerry It can vary wildly! Around the top end of the Llangollen I would say it is around 3 foot on average... at the sides that I can measure at least, then deeper in the middle. There are parts where I get grounded and other parts that are a lot deeper!
does burning coal offer more btu's than wood ? i like your bike is it a fixie or a freewheel.
groovy
You really are who I want to be
:) wise words from a wise guy :)
Dan, i don't mean to pry into your private life but do you have a job? No matter how low cost your living is, you need some form of income. You made reference at one point to 'commuting' and wondered if you work locally and simply live on the boat. On the other hand, perhaps you really are entirely independent. A rare gift for someone of your age if that's the case. Just curious.....
Haha, it may have taken my three years to reply, but yes I have a job in a supermarket... and a new boat!
Thanks Dan - I hope you are just as enthusiastic as you were back then.
what do you eat!
👍
Your lifestyle is ferry cool . Economical and small carbon foot print. You might consider getting a solar panel,canning your own food, and gathering wild plants. You seem well poised to earning some income from the internet. You can offer your couch to travelers for a fee via internet. V.
Is that a hickey on your face from your "friend"? lol :P
Four years later I am here to reply! Sadly it is just a birthmark! 😂
You seem like such a great guy. I'm really glad you're living a lifestyle that truly makes you happy, so often life brings people down and steers them off the path they want to take but you havent let that happen. An inspiration to all I think. Well done.
Still enjoying your videos Dan. Really appreciate your efforts. Thanks