The adventures of Melaina and Graham: Boat life

As you may or may not know, we live on a little canal boat just outside of London.

It is a bit of an unusual choice for London, but it has been pretty fun! Graham's cousin lives on a canal boat, and by lucky chance, another boat became available.

We decided to try it because a) It's about half the price of renting in London and b) It's a good story to have!

It has been lots of fun when the weather is warm- we sit on the roof having picnics and drinking wine. When it gets cold, we light the fire and read some books.

Everyone seems to have the same questions- so here are some common answers:

* Yes we move it, we move it to get water every few weeks and to pump out the toilet (love sitting on the roof in the sun when it's moving!). We can move to different locations, but we have stayed further out of london because it is safer.

* Yes it has a toilet/sink and shower (with hot water)

* We have a fire place to keep it warm

* It has a bedroom, bathroom and a very open plan tiny lounge/dining room/kitchen

* There is a double bed- almost full length, but not quite!

* There isn't much electricity, you can charge your phone/laptop when the boat is running and charging the leisure batteries (lights/water pump etc) but no TV

It is a very narrow long space to get used to, and although we wouldn't do it again- it has been heaps of fun

Our boat- Alcedo is the name

The entrance/lido deck

Looking outside when we are driving along

A mystery kitty friend got on board and made itself at home

You might think swans are lovely and elegant. You would be seriously mistaken. Swans are scary/loud/aggressive and rapey. Geese are worse- they hiss and won't let you pass on the tow path, but ducks murder other ducks! The canal is like living on the scene of mafia wars or home and away.