Were you previously aware of the narrowboat lifestyle? Would it interest you?

Were you previously aware of the narrowboat lifestyle? Would it interest you? Why or why not?

Yes, and when I was much younger I aspired to taking a trip on a Narrowboat with my sister, with whom I often travel. Alas, time has gotten away from us and the rigors of maneuvering the locks is beyond our ability. Not much of a tour person but think I could love this tour

No, I knew nothing of the narrowboats and that people have turned them into living quarters. While it might have appeal as a vacation, I would not choose to live on one year-round.

No, I was not familiar with the narrowboat lifestyle or canals. I think it would be a fun trip. I doubt I would want to do it longterm. The locks part seems like that could be hard to do. I would want to have someone along who knew how to maneuver the boat through the locks. This book made me want to explore the possibility of a narrowboat vacation sometime.

No this was all new to me. I did some research when I finished the book and it looks so fun. Maybe when I retire I will talk my husband into trying this out for a short trip. Doubt we could do it long term. It would be nice like you say catherynez to have someone along to show you how to do things!

I had never heard of it, but after finishing the book I asked my husband if we could try this for a vacation. It sounds really cramped for full-time living, but with tiny houses going up and people living in an RV or van this would be a similar concept.

I was introduced to the lifestyle long ago by the novel of Katie Fforde's The Rose Revived, it's a classic. Fforde focuses on one central character who the reader can identify with. Narrowboat Summer does a nice job with an ensemble of women who are easy for a wider range of readers to relate to.

No, I was not. It sounds lovely for a short vacation, with someone who knew what they were doing and was a good instructor!

I feel like I should have been aware of narrowboats but I wasn't. It reminded me of life aboard a houseboat. I agree with others who've said it has some appeal for a short period of time, but I think I'd get bored with it, long-term.

I first learned about narrowboats in Deborah Crombie’s book Water Like a Stone. It appeals to me for a vacation or short term. Like others I’d love to find a tour to help with the logistics and physical challenges of getting through the locks so we could just enjoy the experience of living on the water.

I also first read about narrowboats in Deborah Crombie's Water Like a Stone. While I think I'd like life on the boat, I'm not at all sure I could manage the physical work involved.

I visited Lockport, NY, with a glimpse of the locks on the Erie Canal in the summer of 2019. I was enthralled and picked up all available literature regarding a boat trip and planned to do it summer of 2020. Well, Covid messed that up. Still on my bucket list - even more so after reading this book!

No, I have never heard of the narrow boat lifestyle. The camaraderie was appealing, but the thought of living on a boat does not appeal to me at all.

One of the highlights of reading this book was learning about the canal system running through the UK and the narrow boats that navigate them. Quite fascinating! I could definitely see this as a fun vacation. As for living on a boat like this as a permanent resident, I think back to when I was working in downtown Chicago and a friend had her boat docked in the harbor. She would sleep there at night instead of hassling with public transportation to and from home every day, and visiting her boat, you got a real sense of camaraderie and community between all the boaters. So yes! I’d be willing to give permanent residence on a boat a try! But with a disclaimer that I’d definitely need someone a lot younger and stronger than me to work those locks! :)

No, I was not familiar with the narrowboat lifestyle or canals. I think it would be a fun trip. However, I doubt I would want to do it longterm.

I was not aware of the narrowboat lifestyle but not surprised it exists. Like many others the narrowboat lifestyle appeals to me as a vacation and I would also need help at the locks.

Not in England. I have been to Amsterdam a couple of times and was aware of the extensive canal boat community in that place. I enjoyed learning about the narrow boat lifestyle in England.

Yes, I was aware of narrowboats in England, although the book provided more details and a better understanding of what it might be like. We are planning to downsize to a smaller home soon, so it was interesting to think about the difference between those plans against the idea of paring down to a narrowboat space. I think I would enjoy traveling like that for a summer holiday.

My husband and I have talked about boating on the Canal du Midi in France, and we’ve biked along paths beside and intersecting with canals in the Netherlands. This book opens up yet another possibility for us. Some day.

My previous knowledge of canal boats was from a book by Ngaio Marsh called a Clutch of Constables about an unknown murderer on a canal boat tour.
Also the book Three Men on a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome.

I think those of us who think this would be great should get together and go--wishful thinking but nice to dream about