#190 

I'm sure it's no fun to have to outrun a storm, but there's something a bit magical about living so close to nature that you adjust your daily life and movements to its rhythms.

I thought that this poem was appropriate . . . 'Resolution and Independence' by William Wordsworth There was a roaring in the wind all night; The rain came heavily and fell in floods; But now the sun is rising calm and bright; The birds are singing in the distant woods; Over his own sweet voice the Stock-dove broods; The Jay makes answer as the Magpie chatters; And all the air is filled with pleasant noise of waters.

That was a beautiful tour of the old churches and countryside. You have shown me the England I would most like to see. Thank you Vanessa, and I hope you have a great week.

This is not only documentary. This is Art! Beautiful, gorgeous, breathtaking, relaxing, and "free-living" documentary. You are doing great videos!

Love the bees comment very worrying how many people don't realise they are one of our main pollen specialists

slow and steady , riding thru the storm , you escape to the place of rose petal tea, and two biscuits. you are living free

Absolutely love your journeys, your observation and love of nature, your drawings and writings. Thank you for sharing your adventures on the Alice Grace with dear Zephyr by your side.❤

Isn’t it wonderful to feel safe and cozy in a storm? I love it. It makes me feel alive.

Handling a big boat like that on your own in bad weather like that! You’re doing an amazing job sweetheart ! You have my fullest respect! Good luck to you! and stay safe!

After living on a sailboat for three years, I always enjoyed the storm when I was safe at the dock not out in the open wate. Thank you for sharing your video.❤

It is a dream come true to live near to nature but the episodes when nature is red in tooth, claw and force 9 are hard to endure. Thanks for the reminder, we sitting on our cushioned sofas are, and the dream reminds us, so safe and cosseted by and large. Thank you for another fascinating real life adventure.

Thank you❤❤❤ for your magical life free as a bird wonderful

Rough weather but still a super calm video.

What a beautiful episode!😍🇨🇦

The name Charles Tunnicliffe rang a bell with me as he is the same C F Tunnicliffe who illustrated Ladybird books. He did “What to look for in Winter” and all the other seasons. I’m a big fan of Ladybird books, particularly the nature based ones. A very exciting vlog this week. What an adventure in all that stormy weather!

Rain pelting the portlights, wind blowing…knowing you’re tied to the bank securely…rocking gently..relaxing with a book- I’d be out like a light before I finished 1 page! I have a sailboat, so all those things would NOT be relaxing. Maybe I should chuck the sailboat and move to England or France and get a narrowboat. Well, as we sailors say, Fair winds and following seas!

Good afternoon Vanessa it’s only me ~ once again I’m waiting on medication so I will watch your Vlog/video in about half an hour - the weather this week has been awful. I’m in Kingston upon Thames on the river it was 21° on Sunday and then on Tuesday it dropped down to 9° very very windy and very rainy - I hope you have a lovely weekend - sending loads of love and loads of hugs ~ Xxx Xxx

As the stormy skies get darker, your daffodils and tulips look even brighter - hopes of calm, bright sunshiny days! 🌷🔆 Stay safe 🙏

I love the way you are living life ; on a boat, travelling through luscious countryside, appreciating art , nature, poetry and history, with a lovely Golden Retriever. Its amazing.

How resilient your outdoor flowers, standing up to hail and gale! And England looks so harmonious seen from the slow glide of the boat. It is really interesting seeing the old illustrations against the present day sites, and how well maintained some buildings and countryside have been. Thank you for sharing the experience.

I am trully glad I found your channel. It takes me to peaceful, creative and adorable thoughts. And I love your cuttie dog...

Vanneso jesteś cudowną Kobietą! Podziwiam Cię i zazdroszczę życia jakie prowadzisz To wszystko jest piękne ❤

Hello Vanessa - greetings from Poland. A lovely video. Tunnicliffes walk was superb - the avenue of trees, church and jackdaws were all beautiful. The storm looked very scary. Good job you and Zeph were not about when that tree came down!

Like your use of Broadhurst Swing bridge anti-clockwise, Lefty Loosey & Righty Tighty Very well you keep your eyes & ears open for falling trees, too close for comfort Take care & Stay well ♥

As I watch your beautiful video, the rain is falling here in Wellington, New Zealand, on a stormy Saturday morning. So magic to watch your journey from across the world. Stay safe ❤ Vanessa and Zepha. ❤

51 days until we arrive in Nuneaton for our 2024 adventure. Many thanks for continuing, each week, to inspire! Brava.

Wow, thank you for taking us with you on your journey. That was a pretty stiff rain/hail. Spring is here and summer is coming. Love the ducks. Everyone stay safe, warm, happy and healthy. From Henrico County Virginia

Yet another enthralling video, There is a soothing nostalgic atmosphere in your tours around the canals, being in the midst the nature and wildlife and historical landmarks that thankfully have not changed .. I didn't know that Jackdaws were generational in their nesting places, so fascinating, So relieved that you weren't near that tree falling down. The bridges are as magnificent as they were built and is a testimony to our great grand parents building and engineering skills. Zephyr is looking dapper, and methinks she is extra careful because she doesn't want to get wet. Either way she is a very loyal, considerate and careful companion. I love the way you make your tea, it sounds and looks divine!, I can almost smell the delicious aroma of Rose Petal tea. Thanks again for a lovely half hour of a fascinating journey.😀

It was a pleasure to join you on your calm wonderful journey, you really are a beautiful soul..x

Well every time I watch an episode, I wish I were in a tea room or pub with you, sitting beside a fire with a dozen or so new questions I am dying to ask. As an ancient American sailor I am beginning to feel that a Narrowboat should be somewhere in my future.

wow , that was one powerful storm , i'm surprised your flowers stayed on the front ,such beautiful poetry .

Am so glad I found this series! Thank you!

Again, many thanks, a lovely Friday interlude. Have a magnificent weekend and cheers!

Your narrowboat is such a cozy place to weather out the storm. Thank you for bringing us Jackdaws and Bluebells.

A wonderful magic, life thank you for sharing, keep safe. :)

Vanessa, your book just came in the mail. It will make a lovely Mother’s Day gift for my mom. Thank you so much. I hope that you, Zeph, and the Mr. have a wonderful week.

Well done! That was a challenge in those conditions, you definitely earned your chocolate biscuits.Very brave parking Alice Grace on an aqueduct in those conditions. Have a quieter week Vanessa.

What wonderful talents you have. Thank you for sharing your life with us. May the Lord bless you and keep you safe.🙏🇦🇺👍

Thanks very much for the super relaxing Video and showing us snippets of your 'Green and Pleasant Land' and Holly the 'Cafe Boat' also that seems to be back in action. Seeing you snuggled up with the fire on awaiting the storm i get this urge to put the kettle on to make us a cuppa, happy travels and give Zepher a pat for us. Love from Sydney.

I luv your penmanship! Goes perfect with your drawing... safe travels!

Thanks as always for a lovely video Vanessa. I love storms - when I'm safe and sound at home and can watch through the window! However, I can imagine that it must be a bit scary with all that "weather" going on outside when you're on a boat.

Beautiful scenery and a lucky break with the 🌳. I see all is well and that's good. Canada 🇨🇦🍁🇨🇦 says hello. Till next week

Hatton Row Terrace Houses. Another place you've shown me I'd like to live. People don't realize how wonderful some places would be to live in because living in a lovely place would I hope help you be happier with your life. I know England is full of little villages that I imagine are the best places to live and you are always showing us some of the most beautiful places on your travels. I'm Homesick again Vanessa. That was a special vlog for me as you reminded me of my homeland maybe too much. I think it was the bluebells you saw that made me a bit too emotional as it took me right back to my childhood. be safe Vanessa.

This is the most beautiful narrowboat vlog that I've seen. Amazing. Thanks for making such lovely videos. Your artwork is wonderful. I would definitely like to buy some of your journals.

My gosh all that wind and rain, the tulips and daffodils held up well. I think we are finally getting some Spring weather too here. Zephyr is such a sweatheart. Lleased you say Zero, and Holly the Narrowboat Café - they have decided to stay on their boats for another 6 months, so maybe coffee and a cake are in the offing. Delightful rose-petal tea, so fragrant. Hope your weather calms down in the next days.

Love your videos! So informative & beautiful! You are an excellent artist❤ from an older couple retired in North Carolina USA

Thank you for the solitude

Nice perspective on life ! Love the pup and the boat.

Loving this vlog. The books the walk, the places, the storm. Perfection.

im hooked on your vids, thank you , ive wanted for a long time to do this, maybe one day

😊 l thoroughly enjoyed this week's episode with the old and new images, and the classic portrait of the children in their Sunday best having their photograph taken on the boat. Great scenery and wild life how we take things for granted, l saw my first Brood of ducklings swimming passed my window this afternoon such a delight to see and baby lambs bouncing and kicking nature at its best. I'm glad luck was on ur side and u weren't there when the tree blew over. Hope u have a wonderful weekend Vanessa 😊🍪🍪☕️🐕

Your videos are so relaxing for the mind. Thank you for them.

You’ve got some lovely spring flowers on the bow of your boat. I was just thinking, I think that’s near where Victor and Jo moor their cafe boat Holly and then Holly the cafe boat came into view. The Macclesfield is a beautiful canal but boy oh boy it looked very windy! Wow that tree was a close shave! Stay safe Vanessa, Mr Mindful and Zephyr, better weather is just around the corner. xxx

Your vlogs are beautiful, thank you for sharing them.

Stunning drawings and poems 💚

Great episode....i agree it's very picturesque where you are.... Bluebells, and a 5 day storm 😮 Turkish delight is made from Rose water, I believe.....

Thank you for sharing this it is a breathe of fresh air nature at its best and worse truly inspiring

Thank you, your videos are the calm amongst the storm, stay lucky, and keep 'em coming

Hi Vanessa another lovely interesting vlog, you take us to places we will never see and it’s just so pretty. Choccy bics yum yum. Have great week 😊

I really enjoy your videos and your lovely journaling keep on travelling

Simply beautiful

Just Discovered your Channel,WOW what a great one!!!!.So nice to just sit back with a cuppa and just enjoy a snippet of your lifestyle,such a talent as well.Many Thanks for sharing all this with us.

Enjoyed watching your adventures and listening to you Waffle 😊.

Your life is beautiful...and inspirens me.....I am also a traveler....peace...for you....

Wow , first time I've viewed your stuff . Thankyou for your efforts , highly enjoyable

Thank you for the reminder that it's not all doom and gloom out there.

Hi Vanessa it's Friday again and time for another peaceful and relaxing vlog. Me and my other half love them full of information and good entertainment value. You're drawings at the end are really wonderful. Thanks a lot Vanessa and Zephyr. Malcolm and Sheila from Workington in Cumbria.

Thank you! I have always wondered about the Easter bunny laying eggs . . .

That’s great your narrowboat canal life like 150 years ago. It would be interesting to see it also in Holland.❤😮😊

theres reality tv... then theres you. LOVE THIS

The weather as been really challenging just lately. The Macclesfield canal is beautiful. Just need some good weather to properly enjoy it now. The challenges make us stronger though

I am a proud owner of your journal ❤🥰😊

I really like the chocolate covered biscuits!

Hello again loved this episode, in no small part because of all the history in it. Glad you survived the storm, it looked nasty. What a beautiful view you had from the top of that aqueduct. Absolutely stunning. And I don't think I've seen Zephyr as excited as she was in that store. At least, not since that time you took her to meet your daughter at the train station. Thanks again, and best wishes, as always!

What a beautiful country, a great home, a very happy companion and a wonderful life. Amazing attitude. How very special and what a great way to live. Enjoy and, while you don’t know me, I will be along with you for part of your amazing journey.

What fun it must have been to visit the area written about in a book you enjoy. The bluebells in my front yard are blooming. Right near the door. Hello from mostly sunny Willamette Valley Oregon.

Ahh yes, the thrilling life of slow boating. 😄 There after 19:10 sounded like (and looked like) a bit of hail in that, at least according to my experience in buildings with metal roofs and siding here in the US midwest.

I am so glad that I stumbled onto your site, you are so talented and interesting, I really enjoy watching and listening to your tours😊

I really do look forward to a Friday when there is yet another relaxing Vlog from yourself. Thank goodness no-one was hurt with that fallen tree. Looking forward to next Friday... 🙂

I just happened upon your video this evening and am impressed that as a woman, you own a narrowboat and guide it through different canals....... And you are very gifted in your drawing ability......and quote poetry, which I love. What a wonderful life you have and I love that you share stories of places you visit. I live in northern Calif and have always loved the English countryside. Thank you for generously sharing yourself and your journeys and lovely dog with your fans.....I am now one of them.

Another great vlog,the peril of winds and storms,the way you take whatever the elements that are thrown at you in your stride, is a joy to observe,and the relaxing moment of you inside the boat was so calming.Adventure at its best

Glorious winds, rain, lapwings and Jack Daws. How wonderful to think that these Jack Daws are the descendants of the ones that Tunnicliffe saw. The different sorts of locks, swing bridges and bridges is so interesting. Glad you and Zephyr missed the falling tree. Thanks for another lovely vlog Vanessa. Safe journeys :)😍

Wow. What weather we've all been having... Lovely to see you all set up and cosy while it battered us all. Take care. We love your love of all things nature and the countryside. Xx

Lovely

Another wonderful and very interesting journey ,so nice to hear the rain/hail on the roof reminds me being in a caravan as a kid on holiday ,the chocolate biccies looked enticing after hearing the reassuring whistle which is a signal to the start of my weekend ,thank you so much

Sometimes we all need a break, but must be honest and let you know I'm gutted there does not seem to be a blog this week. I do hope all is good and that you and Zeph and the family are well. Sending hugs.🙏

That was a really lovely trip. I felt like I was there. Even the stormy weather was enjoyable. Thank you for sharing this trip with us.

So informative and interesting!

Makes a proppa mellow sound that kettle to pot and pot to mug! Civilised!

I love your work in making these vlogs, they’re incredibly well shot, narrated and edited. Your boat handling in those winds is impressive too. 👍💪 Have a great weekend.

Nice vlog Vanessa. Fancy your dog more safety conscious, than you lol, Good to see you "chilling" on your sofa, that's a first. Will we ever see you doing any D.I.Y. on your boat, or cooking. We're always outside with you. But we do love you whatever, see you soon 😊 ❤xx

Every week you consistently come up with another pearl of truly amazing and spectacular photography.the lovely wildlife is so brilliantly captured in stunning form.I love your narrowboat interior layout.to me it’s an enchanted Aladdin cave of wonder. The pleasant ambient lighting in your cabin .makes it look so cozy and extremely inviting to one’s eyes.no wonder the both of you totally embellish your enthusiasm for your nomadic lifestyle on the picturesque canal.it’s just total freedom from the every day living on terrafirma.a good chance for you personally to study the beautiful wildlife and your real bottiaist vocation at your leisure.your a remarkable naturalist.❤

Oooooh Vanessa, I like your tea pot 😀👍

Thank You for sharing your talents and experiences...😊

Wow! lucky escape with the fallen tree! Keep safe. x

Lovely drawings

Another good vlog very intresting luv watching your vlogs keep them coming,

Hello there, thank you for sharing this video with me. I’m very grateful. [Warning - waffle ahead] I just wanted to say that I live in Sydney, New South Wales. Australia. I live close to the CBD (about a 15-20 minute walk) in a suburb called Camperdown. And, EVERY year we have a pair of lapwings arrive. One day they are there, happily pecking away together on the lawn. I live in a low rise apartment building alongside other apartment blocks. The lovely thing is, we have a large central “green”. Surrounded by trees and mass native plantings. I’ve been here for over 10 years now and the “village green” is used for community gatherings at Christmas and other public holiday celebrations. But without fail, every year, the lapwing pair will show up. I might only see them half a dozen times, when they visit, but I’m always happy when I do. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts and adventures (especially those Bluebells, they were great and those Jackdaws were AMAZING). 🙂🐿🌈❤️ P.s if you had actually found one of his sketches....I was going to scream 😂❤

Another great, interesting video, you should have an Oscar for the great work you do.

I love the way your tulips glow juxtaposed against the gloom.