A fresh start

Strolling through the bustling city streets, doing the quick 15-minute walk to the train station, I knew I’d made the right decision. It was November 2018 and I’d just moved from a tiny four-house hamlet in the Slad Valley in Stroud, to a barge on the marina in the centre of vibrant Bristol. It was a huge change, but that was just what I needed.

I’d lived in the countryside for more than 15 years, first in Oxfordshire, then Stroud. I loved the sense of community, picturesque walks, and watching my two sons play cricket and rugby on the local green. It felt like the perfect way of life for a married mum of two - healthy and idyllic.

But after my marriage had ended, in 2018, I decided I needed a fresh start. And with my sons now grown-up and out of the house, I was no longer trapped by school catchment areas and the worry of moving them away from their friends.

In my early 20s, I’d lived in London, acting in the West End. I’d loved it but now in my 50s, I worried I might be lonely in such a big, bustling city.

Then, visiting a friend who lived in Bristol in summer 2018, I fell for the stunning city nestled by the water. With a fantastic creative scene and lots of wonderful restaurants, it had all the things London had to offer without the sheer enormity. It felt like somewhere I could thrive without being swallowed up.

A TOTALLY NEW HOME

Just a couple of months later I packed up my belongings and set off. I didn’t want to move into a flat, though. Instead, I was excited to live on a barge as I loved the harbourside and when I saw a boat open to rent, I jumped at the chance.

I carefully selected a barge docked in a gated marina and befriended others that lived there. It was amazing to have public transport, all manner of cuisines and art galleries right