A possible tip for you with the hot water bottle, only 3/4 fill and gently squeeze the air from the top of the bottle before putting the top in, you're less likely to burst it if you lie on it and by removing the air it will stay warm for longer. I grew up in the 60's, so this was the norm! Ice on the inside of the bedroom window in the morning. 😊

What a lovely lady and so talented. My late wife and I had a narrow boat from 2002 to 2006. We were not as adventurous as you and only went for long trips in the summer for 3 or 4 months and travelled almost the whole canal system, Your video brought back so many happy memories. Every time I see a canal I choke up as it reminds me of my loss.

Things every boat should carry:- 2 spare throttle cables and one of any other cables in use, at least 12 fuel filters in case of dirty fuel, reliable long lasting portable lights (paraffin, battery, gas or any independent power). A couple of jerry cans of fuel in case you run out (i.e. frozen in canal), boarding ladder, and salt ( you don't want to slip in winter)

I live in the States. Right on the coast in South Carolina and I’ve always been around water. I am now forever hooked on living on a boat and traveling the canals. I’m a history buff so I have read a good deal about the canals but seeing your videos I think my dog Ziggy and I want to retire to a narrow boat on the beautiful canals of Glorious England! Cheers!

“You can only find real peace where your heart is happy.” Michael Hemp Thanks for your wonderful video.

I’ve just stumbled across this video on my KZfaq feed, and what a delight. Thank you so very much for sharing your adventures on the canal in such a beautiful and atmospheric way. I love the music the camera work, the poem and artwork at the end. The whole thing was so enchanting and at the same time so peaceful. Thank you once again.

What a delight you are! I loved this picturesque viewing of the ice and snow and the beautiful golden eye.

How can you be so settled , happy...and enjoy the little pleasures around you? It amazes me.

That’s one of the secrets of a happy life…turning negatives into positives. Life’s an adventure 🤔😃🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

As an Aussie who really hates the cold I can't but admire how tough all you narrowboaters are 😊. I would hate to be frozen in on a canal, beautiful or not. Glad you saw the beautiful Goldeneye.

How lovely! The pace of life is so different in a narrowboat. I love your passion for nature and your talented drawing/poetry. ♥ Lovely dog too!

Lovely lady, dog and countryside! I enjoyed watching!

Thanks Vanessa for a visit in wonderland as a snowy/icy scene is something Magical. Sometimes things don't go the way we had hoped but as you mentioned the alternative can be much better. 💚

Beautiful and surprise-filled moments for you. Winter's absolutely lovely sunny days made more wonderful by the snow and frozen times. Zephyr's interest in just about everything you explain to her and her reactions of agreement are fun to watch.

I’m glad you’ve had your boat repaired, it looks nice and cozy inside despite the weather outside. What a bit of luck you came across the goldeneye. 😎

7:13 such a relaxing scene. The glow from your little stove; the intense radiant heat, warming you to the bone, and the feeling of being safe and secure in your boat. I am social but in the evenings become a bit of a recluse.

So I watch again and lift my spirits at your love of nature, you are a naturalist and thus nature led you to view your golden eye 😊 quite poetic don’t you think ❤

I was frozen in a few years ago during that “Beast from the East” winter, all crt taps were permanently frozen even underground as they weren’t in a brick surround or lagged properly. I was getting water in 20lt container from a local church believe it or not, the vicar said I could use there outside tap used for gardening which wasn’t frozen! Great to see Zeph enjoying your hot water bottle, bless…. Well done for persevering in the cold Vanessa… 😊

I remember stopping on my friends little Cruiser one Christmas Eve many years ago and it was a bitterly cold night no heating and ice on the inside of the windows lol..He has since moved up the ladder and has a 40 foot narrow boat now with stove and all mod cons..If you can live through a bad winter on a boat then you definitely know that boating is for you, people don’t realise the work that goes into living and running a boat…Hope you have many enjoyable journeys ahead, great video, I love our waterways and always find my peace their thankyou ❤

What a wonderful person you are iiii being natural is a precious gift for few humans, you were chosen one of them, your talent in drawing and most of all your natural words comes out poets.

What a great episode, I really especially like the drawing and the poem so much. You made my day!

OMG what a beautiful vlog, the snow, the Goldeneye and the cormorant. And your poem and drawings at the end, just lovely. Thank you 💖

Wow! The narrowboat, the nature, the weather, the poetry, the illustrations. Such a beautiful video. When younger I thought of doing this but I worried that people might think that I was strange. I realise now that it is society that's strange and this is clearly one of the most calming & rewarding ways to live.

Never saw any of your videos until now....but I love your content and I think you're amazing....😊

Wow, that was a wonderful experience. Love your journal and that poetry gave me chills. ❤🤗

You are remarkable in so many ways...always a joy to be a part of your family's life from a great distance...Paul Thomas, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

Oh my gosh that was so beautiful seeing that goldeneye! I live on a lake in East Tennessee USA and I am always looking for the wildlife here. So fun to spot something you haven’t seen before.😊

Hello, I have never added a comment to any u-tube posting before so I hope this goes as intended. I love, love, love what you post and your everyday positive outlook on what you do! I try to live my life in a simple mindful way and when I see other people that also practice mindfulness it really inspires me. I look forward to your postings both in the future and in the past. Keep up the great work, you have a wonderful lifestyle!

Ah, I can't start to tell you how much I am enjoying your Channel and only having found it a couple of days ago. It is so lovely, so very beautiful, and thank you ...🙏 I can't stop watching (and nor do I want to 😊)!

Part of why I love KZfaq is it often spring s a surprise here and there which offers a perfect antidote to life. I purelynstumbled upon thos video of yours and it is simply perfect! I will indulge why. My two favourite things are canals, and notebooks. The canal looks absolutely stunning in two settings - rural summer, and rural winter. Whilst everything looks beautiful and serene all batued in sunshine and the true colours come through, the winter scene I find speaks a little more in terms of serenity, ruggedness, it just has that appeal that summer doesn't (if you get what I mean). I ask myself "how can a scattering if snow makes everything look so beautiful when in fact it makes everything look white lol I love how wonderful your journal looks! All the drawings look amazing!!!! You're clearly talented! I also love how the collection of drawings brings a richness to the pages, makes you want to delve in and read every word to discover what's within those pages. Simply magical when combined with the discovery, the journey you travel on your wonderful narrowboat. I'm hooked already! ❤ Season's Greetings!!! 🎅🏻🎄☃️❄️

I just happen to come upon your channel. I love watching anyone who is from England or Ireland, those are my where my ancestors are from. But, I got so much from you, not only your everyday lifestyle, but the beauty that you see in so many things. Well, and let’s face it…I would’ve never seen a “Golden Eye”, had it not been for you! Your poetry and artwork was so beautiful, I had tears come to my eyes. What beauty you must experience everyday❣️

Loved your video your very good. An artist to. Managing a narrow boat on your own. Many many talants. Well done you 😊I had a chocolate labourer still miss her today beautiful beast bless her Molly xx😢

How wonderful, we lived in Brocton in 1986-1988, and would go to Penkridge market. Thank you for bringing back memories and for your lovely videography🙏🇳🇿🇦🇺

I find your life style very calming and adorable. Just like hearing you chat about your life. Makes me feel inspired to do something. My best wishes for Christmas.

So beautiful. I love how excited you get over the small things. They are the stuff that makes life wondrous.

Watching your intrepid efforts to keep your Narrowboat comfy, reminds me of a story I loved as a child ; a Chippewa Indian Tale, about Little Brown Duck, Shingebiss. No matter how the North wind raged, he waddled out across the ice, and found the food he needed. In the evening, he would sit by his warm fire, and sing : "North Wind, North Wind, fierce in feature ; You are still my fellow creature ; Blow your worst, you can't freeze me ; I fear you not, and so I'm FREE!" 🦆

what a lovely experience for you , your a super positive person .

Absolutely beautiful footage and your artistry is amazing!!! Very talented lady and love that lab🦮💫🌟✨✨

Love your drawings and writings! I have a new favorite channel! I’m an art historian specializing in works on paper, so getting to watch you draw is a special treat.

Gorgeous filming, wonderful light... frost and snow are just magic . And what a talented film maker you’ve become!

I do love your vlogs. They're so soft and your observations too are delightful. I guess, being an artist goes hand-in-hand with observation. Thank you

Winter on the canals looks quite difficult…please take good care of yourself and your pup 🐶

Love ❤️ the beautiful pictures of the snow and ice .🤓

What a beautiful video. Thanks so much for sharing. What starts out as being something of a nuisance (getting frozen in when you need to be moving) ends up as being such a beautiful experience, getting to see the goldeneye among all the other things. What we need to remember is that we are in exactly the place where we are meant to be at any time!

Some great videography again. Nice to see you getting excited and your love for nature showing through.

I have just discovered your beautiful videos. I grew up next to the canal and have very fond memories of noticing the changing seasons alongside the water. I'll now be going back to to your first video and working through them all! Thank you 🙏🐾💖

I live in a part of Spain where winters are cold and humid , I bought an electric blanket and that was a game changer , uses about 100-160 watts , not sure if you can do that on your boat but works great .Amazing way of living and very nice channel ,greetings from Spain!!

People miss so much when they don’t go out Winter. One of most beautiful times of the year!

Beautiful handwriting, poem and drawings!! 😊😊❤❤

I’ve just found your channel and am stunned by your beautiful journal with sketches and poetry. Wow! 😮

Lovely winter wonderland 💙 We went to the UK in 2019, in early February, and I saw snow for the first time in my life! I was so excited I kept going outside to stand in the falling snow, it was really beautiful. Thank you for braving the cold to take beautiful videos for us to enjoy 😊😊

Thank you so so much for sharing your beautiful life. I love your beautiful dog. Love from ireland 🇮🇪

A very unique lifestyle living on a narrow-boat, thanks for sharing!

WOW! I'm so glad your channel popped up in my feed! Looking forward to exploring your videos. I like you art and poetry journaling. I am an artist and nature lover that moved to the Pacific Northwest of the US two years ago. I have come to love winter so much after living my whole life in a nearly desert climate further south. WInter can be a challenge at times, but the beauty and wonders it holds make it worth it.

It's the first time I'm watching from Mississauga, Ontario Canada. Love your story, you are an incredible artist.

Vanessa your blog shows How bleak and desolate it can beon the lonely canal on your own! yet you have shown how beautiful the countryside in winter can be.

Wonderful winter scenes in a beautiful location!! Hope you have a great Christmas and a good New Year. Looking forward to following you on your adventures in 2024!!

Always looking on the bright side of life 😎 Well done

I'm getting old, love personal life stories, brings the world together ❤😁🇦🇺

Im Australian and melting at 3.00am in the morning, still 28 degrees Celsius. 😢 hot summer down under. I wish i had gone on a long boat adventure when i was in UK some years ago with my husband. The wintertime is a fairytale to me. Loved Urquhart Castle in the early spring, daffodils and snow magic.❤❤❤ new subscriber. Louise . Your drawings are exquisite. Thankyou for making me smile today.😊

Thank you for showing me the realities of houseboat life in the winter. I haven't seen this on any other hb vlog.

What a lovely woman! God bless you and your nice dog!

Thank you I love winter your vidio showed it most beautifully.

Your drawings are amazing,you are so talented!!I love this video…

I love the frost and snow too, so beautiful. Oh to be walking with you listening to your lovely narrative and seeing the things you do xx

I love your connection to nature! I guess you live closer to nature than most Brits living on the narrow boat. Love the drawings too! Stay warm and safe!

Watching you now on Tele. Beautiful snow falling. And a blanket of white, it is gorgeous. Thanks for sharing its .

Thanks for the beautiful video. You are a great woman! All the best for you and your dog.

Hello again! And thanks for yet another beautiful episode. One filled with winter scenes and Zephyr! Enjoyed this very much, really hope to see Alice Grace put right again soon. Hope you stayed warm, glad you chose the safe option of staying put. Fingers crossed that you make your Chritsmas arrangements in time! Best wishes, as always!

I think your artwork and record books are superb. What a talented artist you are. Love your dog. Very best wishes for the future and please take great care

Ive spent 5 days on a canal boat with me daughter son-in-law and grandson and 2 dogs. I must say your journey brought back memories. Very sweet , Thank you. I remember 27 locks to open and close. And pub or 2

After a 42 degrees C day here in Sydney and still 26 at 11pm it nice to watch this to cool down

No biscuit challenge, love the Christmas tree ours goes up this weekend, Great to see a Goldeneye have a good week and stay safe and warm.😊

I truly enjoy your videos, your writings, and your art work. You have a God given talent and you use it for good and we truly enjoy them and thank you for sharing 😊

-------------- " I literally just tripped purely by accident on to your video and I am so pleased I did. What a wonderful journey you have shared with us you obviously are a multi-talented personality as a artist, photographer, bird watcher and of course a nature lover and all so beautifully done and for that I thank you. Well done and God bless. " ------------

Beautiful vlog ( as always), lovely snow and ice scenes. You do very well battling the cold, a real trooper.

Lovely video, thanks for sharing. Your camera skills are definitely something to be proud of.

Electric blanket really helps me on my boat in winter. An electric heating vest is great, too.

No matter what delays you have good or bad you always have a positive attitude, keep plodding on 😊

How did i end up here 🤔 but watched this video from start to finish and thoroughly enjoyed it, we both have a love of the countryside and nature my job brings me into contact with both on a daily basis. I love your lifestyle and passion, have a great Christmas and keep doing what you are doing 😂😂

First visit to your channel. Here in the US I would call that bird an eagle. When I see buzzards they are large black birds circling over carrion on the ground. I'll keep an eye on your channel, there are no canals here, and nothing like a narrowboat.

Sew some magnets into the lining of the curtains to hold the edges against the window frames to help seal them from draughts. A warning about cold weather. Its Hostile and Dangerous to human life and although you may think it's not affecting you while you walk in it, it will affect you later when your under cover.

Been 2 years since I’ve watched your videos. So good to see you, Zephyr and Alice again. As always your videos are relaxing and you capture some great moments. XX

Just found your channel. How amazing it must be to live this free. God bless and have a merry Christmas.

I loved the video but I also loved your poetry & art! Thanks so much for sharing!

I discovered your KZfaq channel only a week ago and have been happily travelling with you ever since. I love your view of all the beauty and treasures around and the peace that has filled your life. Thanks so much for letting us in to discover with you. Your artwork is wonderful, your poetry, refreshing. I love it all and will continue to travel with you and watch the birds.

Absolutely lovely! Thanks for sharing. You radiate happiness:)

Watching this was just what I needed after a stressful day in the office, thank you!

That water barrow on wheels is fantastic, saves your back cheers NZ

Surrounded by Winter beauty. Thank-you for sharing these experiences with us. 🙂👍

A lovely uplifting vlog Vanessa. Thank you for taking time to record such wonderful scenes. Nature can be beautiful!!

Beautiful lady enjoying the beauty of nature and the gorgeous British countryside. I'm in USA but remember as a child walking up the canal to get to town " Newbury" Berkshire. Dieing to come for a visit i left in 1981 I was 11yo. Still have family there Newbury and Portsmouth. Take care of yourself and enjoy your travels.

I’ve never seen any of your views until tonight and this video captivated me. I admire your freedom of being in a boat and making it your own. Your photography skills are beautiful as well as your choice of music. You are incredibly intelligent when it comes to the birds and scenery. I hate the cold but there is so much beauty in the cold as you’ve shown us. Your dog is amazing. Things happen for a reason and you were meant to have your boat frozen over. Thank you for taking me on your journey. I would love to experience being snowed in a house boat some day lol. Maybe. I’m. Your talents are remarkable. I’m jealous. I love your book. I have cancer and I’ve had 2 organ transplants so it’s nice to get to turn on KZfaq and see others live their beautiful lives for us. Thanks my friend.

Seeing the aqua-roller and the ice gave a bit of a chilly reality check. Our hire boats don't have stoves and one doesn't think about ice while afloat in June. Thank You! Bill and Liz

How lovely and peaceful , I shall look forward to finding more of your videos

Bravo for creating this lifestyle! Many thanks for posting this!

My first visit here , lovely a very talented lady with many skills

This sounds like a great adventure!❤

It's true what they say..."Life is an attitude' and I admire your spirit! Respect. Great video.

Awww so glad your boat is fixed must have been stressful and you still threr showing nature and lovely scenes with such a smile you do so well tc now the oldies 👍🥰