2. Buying a Narrowboat - The long slog to living on the canals . . . 

Did you know I have a "Buy Me A Coffee" page buymeacoffee.com/countryhousegent Perfect for when you'd like to contribute to the channel, or simply want to buy me a coffee/pork pie/beer/lamb vindaloo (delete where applicable). Cheers,

My friend sent me this video earlier. Have you seen this guys channel? He asked. I saw this video years ago and I've watched again since then. In my opinion, this is still one of your best videos. You can see how raw and emotional you were. I don't blame you. I'd be exactly the same. You've done well Sir 👏 . You and Aslan are like a double act. It's hard to imagine you on a shiny new boat . Aslan has a lot of personality.

And the rest is history. Best choice you ever made I bet. A beautiful home.

Thank you for sharing yourself, your boat, your countryside. I never saw UK like this.

We have truly enjoyed watching your NB videos. As my hubby and I near retirement, we dream of different lifestyles. Narrow boats have always intrigued me. I really want to try one out someday. You are witty and easy to watch as you go about daily tasks. I particularly like that you show the good, bad, and ugly stuff along the canals. It's important not to skim over the reality of life along the canal banks for those of us who are wishing we could live there. I will be traveling to the UK for the first time in June. I'll be with an education group, so it's unlikely that I will get a chance to check out the canals. I just wanted to let you know that you bring joy to a couple from the U.S. with your calm and humorous take on life. If...IF we get any where near the canals and I see Aslan - we will be in Oxford a day or so - I will give you a shout out. I'll be that redheaded, left-handed, wildly-waving American...:) Cheers!

Best of luck pal. Looks like you've been though alot, I really do wish you the best

I've just discovered you and thankfully I started watching from the beginning! I'm in Sacramento, California so am watching your travels vicariously. I'm so jealous! After a few days afloat you started looking happier and well rested...a week in you looked 20 years younger! Can't wait to continue travelling with you!

I’m at the same place as video 2 hope to end up on a journey as successful as yours !

Hey just been watching your vlog when you took the plunge and moved to your boat im at thevstage now og buying one so good to hear your rtales good luck 😅

Your videos are very watchable Kevin, I like your style. Good Luck and Best Wishes.

Have loved all your videos...came back to this one as we are moving on our narrowband tomorrow!!! Sitting in my house right now in the emptiness and cannot wait x All the best to you.

Very good video. It's not just about canal boats, it's an allegory for anyone embarking upon a huge change of lifestyle. Well presented and watchable. It has a hidden depth - a bit like a John le Carré novel.

keep your chin up . steady away, and day by day, you,ll get there cheers mick.

I watch from your future...and wish that you knew then of the support, Love and Cherished Community that will soon surround you. You have such engaged and exciting community journeys to come. I doubt you knew how envied you will become. Just discovered you and am binge watching to catch up. When you put your head down on your pillow at night, please know that you are not alone. The people that surround you are real and tangible and give you cake. God Bless Maureen. Can't wait to find out all about you and the people you call home.

You not alone mate,you got lots of friends and support out here.

Good luck Captain, looking forward to seeing your boat.

Well done CHG! I bought "Mary" a 1980 Hancock and Lane 40 footer last September. Best thing I have done in years. Permanently moored on the Rochdale Canal, she's about to be converted to solar electric propulsion.

I love your videos. I love in Nashville and dream of living in England. I so enjoy the little hamlets you visit and you can't beat the scenery.

Cracking video, the quality of life yes mmm or money and the graft you have to do to get that money the quality of life seems the best option peace of mind and the time on your hands to me you definitely Nailed it buying the boat looking forward to your next video and I intend to watch all of your video's ☺👍

Epic journey so far!!! Good luck captain!!

You are doing a fantastic. Life changing choice. You'll look back and smile on all you. Have been through best wishes xxx

It’s so neat to see this after watching 3 full seasons of watching your unbridaled life on the narrow boat, countless cups-of-teas, more than a few pork pies, old fashioned meals prepared,; while most of those calories were burnt off from the business of opening and closing so many water locks.....lol My wife is British, and I suspect we will bump into you at some point on the canals, when we retire. Cheers from Florida....

I've just watched this again after keeping up to date with all your vlogs. What a difference a year makes, you look like a different bloke now! Well done dude you made it

Wow, Kevin, having followed you throughout this popped up into my feed - whilst I had watched it at the time, I had forgotten how "tired" you were. Amazing transformation over the years which has been good to see.....looking forward to more canal shenanigans in your next Season (hope you found a nice place to Winter after Oxford!) Keep well mate ......

Look forward to an episode every evening....very interesting adventure and love the cooking. On the last season please keep it going.

It's great watching this video after you've been on the boat for a while now. Inspiring stuff . I've watched season 1 of the video series. Excellent. Anyone considering purchasing the series it is well worth it .

well done fella,you'll have a lot of fun once your settled,keep the updates coming.cheers. Al.

What a great show! I watched all 6 seasons on Amazon over three days. I hope you see some financial award from this series...you earned it. It's amazing that you were able to put all this together as a one man production.

Well done mate - have a great life on you boat 🙏enjoy the experience - this is all your choice it’s your adventure

It was really fascinating watching you go through all the different emotions at each stage, leading to that look of satisfaction as you stand by your boat. Looking forward to catching up with your outpourings.I am a few months behind but I will have a bit of a binge watch.

The 2 best days of your life ae when you buy a boat, and then when you sell it!

sometimes you have to make strong decisions that feel a bit uncomfortable, especially if your on your own, look at the grand scheme of things and everything will work out ;) you look happier in the final shot, some sun, boat scraping & blacking and cruising your boat will sort you out.

Love the video, it takes some bottle to do it, but nothing ventured......, I'm hoping to buy one in the near future, love the colour of your boat, looking forward to more videos.

Well well, small world! Came right along the GU Leicester Section on a hire boat holiday from Napton to Foxton Locks and return 20th - 27th May 2017. I recall it was busy heading back as it was the week leading up to the Crick Boat Show. I have a cheeky photo I took of a small silver hatchback teetering on the edge of the ABNB Marina ‘query’ entrance having almost reversed into the water. Lovely stretch of canal…and to think, you and Aslan were probably right there in the Marina beginning your adventure together! 🙂

I have subscribed to your channel because you BOUGHT A NARROWBOAT!!! Looking forward to coming along for the journey! Cheers and God bless

Enjoyed your video and hope it works out well for you. The boat looks great, looking forward to seeing more.

Congratulations on buying your Boat. Looking forward to the next video!

it's very interesting to see your face from these videos and your most recent, you look stressed and unwell in these first, now on the latest you look relaxed, well and happy.

Hi Kevin! I love, love, LOVE your series! I recently found myself sidelined and couched for the most part and was searching travel videos and found you quite by accident on Prime. I will admit, the first video was rough to watch. My heart went out to you but bless you, you turned yourself around and I am absolutely hooked! I just finished Season 1 and had to get on RU-vid to comment after you met Kevin and Marie. I had tears. His joy in meeting you was so contagious. I also wanted to let you know that I've just added another item to my(I'm not sure my hubs is so keen. lol) England bucketlist. Thank you so much and best of luck to you!

Hi Kevin, have just found your channel....most enjoyable, you have a good style of presentation! I could go on for hours, but won't (phew!)... my wife and i lived on boats in the early 80s near London (Cowley) and, coincidentally, Chester for 3 years, but in the basin and on the Dee arm. In those days it was very relaxed, we managed to 'towpath it' for lengthy periods. so your videos have brought back lots of memories.....still miss the life altho' nearing 70, (pipe)-dreaming of returning to the cut, but currently enjoying life in VW LT camper and rented appartment in Corsica. Keep up the good work, will look out for your future productions!! "Chameleon"

Am a big fan of boats and I love canals so much I would definitely live in a canal

Hello, I'm a new subscriber :) I love the outdoors and canal boats and it's my dream for someday to own one:) Wonderful storytelling in your video, real and raw, I'm very much looking forward to catching up with your other videos. All the very best on your canal boat adventure!

Just came across your channel. Really interesting. I have heard of canal boats in Europe but never found a channel on living on a canal boat. We don't have that on this side of the planet. Wishing you the best of luck in your new life. Don't let it get you down, looks like a great new chapter in life, full of new adventures. Put the past behind you, and look to the future. Best wishes.

after watching the third vlog, I had to watch your your earlier vlogs, so envious of your new lifestyle no canals here in Australia, nice watching the stress just ease away.Cheers Geoff

Watching your videos on Amazon prime , need to tell you how to do the oxo cube , unfold the corners of the cube which makes the envelope bigger letting you break the cube up inside when is crumbled open foil and pour out

Congratulations!!! You will enjoy all of it!!! I haven't looked back! Enjoy

I'm going back and watching these first videos as I didn't ever see them. I really appreciate your honesty on your feelings. It's totally ok to feel anything, as long as you just keep putting one foot in front of the other. I think you were/are very courageous for beginning this unknown way of life and adventure. And aren't you so much better off now (well, aside from the current idiocy we are all in)?!

Hi CHJ. thanks for telling me about the fire fest logs from home barging thay are stunning .but don't tell anyone all the best Andy and Jules .boat georgeana shardlow t and m..

Living the dream eh, great video, look forward to joining you on your travels. All the best.

Just watched your vidio so firstly best of luck on your adventure, I dont own and NB but have been hireing for 14 years, later this year I hope to buy my own, and I am researching watching listening to get as much info on the process of finding and buying a NB, It is a nerving thought of buying a NB, so I I am greatfull that having watched your vidio what I need to know, look at, including the final process once a boay has been chosen again good luck and thanks

I have binged on your vlogs ...TWICE! How about some more? GlennFHoward Gainesville Florida

"I've bought ... ... a key." :D

Empty, what is full; Fill, what is empty; Lock to lock, the CHG is on a spiritual journey.

I' came across your channel and thought I'd give it a go, well I've been binge watching.lol. You look very stressed, I guess when you do live on your own you don't have the luxury of being able discuss important life changing events or get reassurance that what you are doing is the right thing for you, no matter how confident you are. Happily your future videos show how right you were to make that choice. Keep filming and thank you for sharing, I love the scenery.

Felt the same - brought my first boat 3 days ago and felt anti climax / non ceremonial. However really looking forward to starting my boat life.

Good luck, you can look forward to a great and relaxing lifestyle, well done :o)

I'm really enjoying your commentary... your humor is too much.... don't know about you but I'm smiling with an occasional snicker...😂😂. looking forward to more of your documentary videos regarding your new narrow boat adventure..love it.

Very good luck with it! I've just put an offer on a 48 footer and am waiting to hear back if it's been accepted- very nerve racking but very exciting!

Oh yes, I recognize the process. I went trough the same insanity last of mach 2017 buying the 41 ft steel motor sailor in my thumbnail.

So is it just you on your lonesome now Kev? No more Mrs CHG? I get where your coming from though it is all about quality of life ;) Best of luck and I am looking forward to the next one :) Jodie :)

The boat is very good. And no you are definitely not Mad. Kind gentle

Well done fella.

Nice one mate.

New life, stuff stuff and a big man cry, I hear ya !

Have you checked all the batteries for water level? If you have to add water make sure you use distilled water as there isn't any minerals in distilled water to screw up the batteries as they will last much longer using distilled water.

where's the disco? good luck with the new venture :-), Rob.

Just finished watching your series on Prime. Well done, though you do need some cookery lessons! LoL.

Give us an update,,,ignore the worthless haters...

5:21 my birthday 🙂hooray.

well done you its a long process

hey fella...I can help you out with a few quid if you need help. Keep at it.

Do you mind if I stow away and come along in your adventure? Greets from Regina Canada

A minor but disconcerting fact, what we humans call dust is in reality dead skin cell particles which we humans tend to shed at a consistent rate, these particles are small and light enough to be blown around by normal air mevement caused by humans moving around.

So in one episode you where wearing a rush tee shirt! I am a huge fan ! I’m from moxee Washington state and love your vids . Drop me a line sometime

I've heard about the Old Dears Club (sorry, not ageist really - I hope to be one myself one day) but I thought it was at Yelvertoft. Perhaps it's just the Leicester line group.

Hi Kevin. I've been watching all your early videos and enjoyed them all over Christmas 😊 you have probably been asked this before but I was wondering what was the moment you decided you wanted to sell your house and buy a boat ? Did it all happen gradually over a few years ? Did you get fed up of your job at the time ? Anyway hope your well and look forward to any new videos you bring out 😊

Hi Kevin, hope you are keeping well. I remember the first airing of this video and have been addicted ever since. I originally subscribed when you had your TD5!, yes along time ago. Hind sight being a great thing, would you have done anything differently as regards the purchase of Aslan and do you have any regrets?, take care, Paul & Lyn NB Emily.

Hi. Wouldn't you pay a deposit after survey completed? What happens if survey shows some problems after deposit already paid? Thanks

Hi CHG, nice to watch your progress with the narrowboat.... if you do more "videos" could you please number them to make it easier to view them in chronological order.... thanks in advance mate from South Australia

G day Been watching your series on netflix.. can h one hire a narrow boat without a licence? Do you need one? I'm a Chester born girl who grew up in Australia but now living in the USA.. I really enjoyed your chester visit on the canal.. loving it but would love to see more towns and pubs if you can.. off to watch another... the grapes of wrath. Ty for sharing your journey

liked

Depressing...but good luck to you mate.

Why did you have to pull your boat through the tunnel? Is that two cylinder that much under powered. Why would you buy a boat with such a small diesel?

Are you the CountryBoatGent now?

🙏✝️🕊🙏

Man doesn't live by his own company as woman completes him. But don't go running out to the online dating services. In time you will meet someone who tickles your fancy, likes being a house mouse on a boat and doesn't want to go shopping until one needs to restock the larder and wants to know where you've been hiding all her life. Now I will grant you that's like trying to win the lottery but you can always dream can't you? Cheers

hya buddy, have you ever seen any sailboats on the canals/rivers in the UK on your travels???? I'm buying a little one to live on & was hoping to take it inland! I can't find an answer anywhere & no ones replied yet so asking everyone! pls help😇😇😇

Watch you tube to show how you do oxo cubes

how much dosh for boat?

What happened to your Camper Van, I presume you sold it?

Yo, Aslan! Didn't know you did these vids - cool. Spoke to you when you was painting your boat. We;ve been living on Adagio for 2 yrs now - all the best! We sometimes do vids but stick em on the blog vivatek.co.uk/ . Hope to see you around. Still in Yelvers until 4th July. Off to Chester! Cheers Mate . . .

COUNTRY HOUSE GENT IS YOUR REAL NAME STUART MCGEACHY

You don't seem very happy .☹️

Can,t make up my mind if this gentleman is happy or sad.He comes across as non enthusiastic about his life Changing decisions.Sleepy eyed at the beginning of the vlog then goes go on about his possessions in the camper van.Three quarters of the vlog was devoted to getting to the narrowboat.Waste of my time!