Lives less ordinary
Downsizing – and uprooting – their lives gave these women a whole new perspective
‘We just enjoy the now’
Fran Pike, 59, is from Essex. She lives on a 58ft narrowboat with her husband, Rich, 61, and their rescue dogs, Archie and Jess.
By the time Rich and I got together seven years ago, we were both tired of the rat race. We met on our allotments and were both professional gardeners.
After 35 years of working for other people, we wanted to break free. We bought a cottage in Norfolk, a dream home with a big garden. With land to grow veg and raise chickens, we sold produce at markets, but I was getting up at 5am to bake bread to sell, so we were still working hard.
Then Rich discovered YouTube videos about narrowboating. ‘We can do this!’ he exclaimed. We booked a week on a Norfolk Broads cruiser to help us decide if we could live with each other in a tiny space. Within a week, the house was on the market, and in 2018, we bought an old 50ft boat.
We only had hot water when the engine was running, and the shower was tiny – it was pretty basic but we loved it. Our first adventure took us down the Kennet and Avon Canal, and life felt beautifully simple. Rich pursued his artwork and updated our YouTube channel and podcast, Floating Our Boat, while I weaved blankets and scarves.
It can be challenging in winter when we have to pad outside at 6am to refill the coal bucket. Initially, I found steering and navigating the locks intimidating but, with practice, I’ve become the better driver, although we still take it in turns.
After three years, we designed a boat to suit our needs. Laura Maisie is 58ft long with a big deck, solar panels, a stove, a double bed, and a dinette area that converts into a guest bed.
We have very few electrical gadgets and no toaster, microwave or electric kettle.
Everything is done manually where possible, and that means life is slower, which is good. We grow salad, tomatoes and herbs on the roof, and forage for food and wood for the fire. As our waste water goes directly into the canal, we don’t use chemicals, so as not to harm the wildlife.
We have the best shower I’ve ever had in any house, a saloon and living area. There’s a washing machine and fridge too.
Most of our mail comes electronically and we use family addresses for things such as driving licences. We can see a GP anywhere as a temporary resident, and prescriptions can be sent to a chemist wherever we are moored.
Our bills are a Canal & River Trust licence, which includes water and waste disposal, plus insurance to keep the boat on the water. Add to that gas, diesel, coal for the fire and internet and phone bills, and it all works out at about £300 a month to keep us floating and moving.
