Living on a Tiny House Boat for 5 Years Saved His Life #Video


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Video Description:

Living on a narrowboat in the UK has provided Dave with the home and tranquility he needed to recover from the sudden loss of his wife, and the depression that followed. But after 5 years of continuous cruising on the canals, he is now thriving and living in the moment in part thanks to his connection with nature. As an amateur filmmaker, he's been capturing and sharing the stunning scenery and wildlife all around him on his Inspired by Nature social media project here:
https://www.youtube.com/@inspiredbynature3
https://www.facebook.com/inspiredbyNature4
https://www.instagram.com/inspiredbynature5/

Dave's boat is a 57-foot-long Liverpool narrow boat that was built in 2005. The interior was already exactly as he wanted it, but the exterior needed some TLC and he spent two months sanding down the exterior so that he could treat the rust, prime it, and re-paint the boat.

He says this lifestyle isn't all castles and roses, and there's a lot of hard work that goes on behind the scenes of living off the grid while on the water. For example, Dave has to move the boat every two weeks according to the Canal and River Trust rules, he has to fill his water tanks and empty his cassette toilet by hand, he has to collect groceries and wood on foot using a trolley, and he services the diesel engine himself as well. Not only that but the boat is only heated with wood, so temperatures can drop below freezing in winter if the fire goes out while he's away.

We appreciate Dave sharing his story and his struggles with mental health so openly. We all need help sometimes!

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please know that you are not alone, and help is available. We've included some resources on how to get help below:

Canada
Suicide Prevention: https://talksuicide.ca/
Kids Help Phone: https://kidshelpphone.ca/
Battered Women's Support Services: https://www.bwss.org/resources/transi...

USA
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org/
Crisis Text Line: https://www.crisistextline.org/
The Trevor Project: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-...

UK
Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/
NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/menta...

Thanks for watching and take good care :)
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Category
Variety Video Of The Day!
Tags
living on a narrowboat, narrowboat, narrow, boat, life, boat life, living on a boat, liveaboard, full time, cruiser, cruising, continuous, mooring, moored, UK, Canal, River, Trust, cost, fees, budget, expenses, Inspired by Nature, Exploring Alternatives, water, steel, hull, off, grid, off the grid, wood, stove, gas, cooker, cassette, toilet, tanks, filling, dumping, supplies, towpath, Dave, man, documentary, nature, photographer, wildlife, scenery, story, 2023, 2024, new, inspiring, minimalist, minimalism, simple, diesel, engine, interior
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  • ioTus2

    I have some friends who go to England and houseboat live every other summer. They love it!

  • Lynn

    great story. Glad he found happiness with his life style .

  • Mari

    What a wonderful life for him, but not for me. I would miss my animals!! At the very least, I would have to have a dog.

  • Lola

    What a wonderful story! God Bless that gentleman and keep him safe and healthy~

  • dixie doodle

    Ready to live a life like his!

  • maureen w.

    What an inspiration this man is. He found a new way of life. He has little, but he needs little, as he says. Living off the grid, he has found true joy. God Bless him.

  • Su B

    I'd need internet access as I am a volunteer and paid tax preparer. I'm not sure living off the grid would help me with all the losses if I also lost that function. Thanks, Mel!

  • Ham Todd

    Nice going!

  • Judy

    eye opening speaks to simplicity

  • Merridy

    Yaaaa Dave

  • Randy Ferguson

    Interesting video!

  • mercedes

    WOW-----What a interesting video!

  • Paul

    Kind of a wonderful way to live !!

  • Sher

    Wonderful video. And, what a GREAT life he has. :)

  • Deb

    So few of us find that internal peace & enjoy life's simple pleasures! Dave, you are a true trail blazer. My heart is with you as you continue your journey! CARPE DIEM,

  • Patricia Yager Delagrange

    Fascinating. I have never heard of a narrowboat nor did I know about all the canals in the UK. Thank you for sharing this with us.

  • Kathy

    So sad that he lost his wife so suddenly. Glad that he found his niche in life and is enjoying it.

  • Linda

    loved the video

  • Annette

    So glad that he found the perfect solution for his life after the death of his wife. So inspiring and resourceful. Thanks for sharing this with us!