passed lock | alice elgie

That winter, with ice cracking around our ears as we slept, we found beauty in simplicity, strength in embracing limited resources, and thrived coming up with ingenious ways to get through, such as ferrying rubbish and waste on our young daughter’s sled down to the nearest towpath facilities station, or working together with neighbours to join up hosepipes so we could each connect to the nearest unfrozen tap. Community is something that always stands out whenever I talk to fellow boaters about life on the water and I can attest that there’s nothing like a harsh winter to bring out the best in people.

Nowadays though I’d like to think I’m a more seasoned winter boater, knowing how to get prepared well in advance for these colder days, how to keep the fire burning through the night, and also how to ensure my boat is safe, especially if it’s being left alone for a cold spell. For a start, you’ll find me stocked up with wood and smokeless coal before there’s even so much as a nip in the air so that when it’s time to bring the coal bucket out of summer storage from the front well-deck, I’m ready to go. Kindling and logs might also be gathered throughout the year and stored on the roof, but be aware that they will need to have dried for approximately one year before you burn them. Wet wood in a small boat does not create the kind of toasty, cosy atmosphere I like to go for in this season!

passing lock in winter | alice elgie

Curious about how warm it is on a narrowboat? https://www.foxboats.co.uk/narrowboats-is-it-cold-in-winter/

It’s also important to remember that the canal freezes so if you’re a continuous cruiser you’ll want to make sure you’re where you’re happy to be for a time—ideally close to a water point and facilities but also with the realisation that water points freeze too so start as you mean to go on with water conservation! I like to channel our industrial past and those bargees who worked historic boats through all conditions, often crammed into a boatman’s cabin with their entire family. You might not agree, but I think there is a romance to sink washes and basic meals cooked on the fire…and if you’re lucky enough to work from your boaty home it can feel like permission to switch off, hunker down and forget about the world ‘out there’.

Mood-boosting tips to beat the winter blues! https://www.foxboats.co.uk/three-foxy-mood-boosting-tips-for-this-winter/

On a practical level, make sure you’ve topped up your engine and heating system with antifreeze otherwise you might end up with a cylinder head cracking or a radiator pipe splitting. Also ensure you’ve paid some attention to any gaps in hatches, portholes and doorframes, and if you’re planning to leave your boat for a time but aren’t confident to winterise it yourself, you could ask a marina to carry out the draining of your water system and radiators and turning off of water pumps to avoid burst pipes and seals.

Whilst my 15 years on the water haven’t been without the odd hiccup, once settled into the rhythm and quirks of boat life you’ll find that winter—whilst sometimes a challenge—can be the thing that sets your life at the helm in stone…although I for one am hoping this winter won’t be quite as bracing as 2010!

Photo credits: Alice Elgie

Alice Elgie is a nature-loving writer who shares words about her wandering lifestyle through hold-in-the-hand letters and recorded reflections. aliceelgie.com

The post Narrowboating Through Winter appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.

Read: How Winter Threatens to Damage Your Narrowboat – 3 Ways to Protect Yourself

So here are our top three tips for enjoying the winter months

1) Exercise

We all know that exercise can help to boost our mental health, so if you live near to a canal, running, walking or cycling on the towpath can offer a workout in the sunlight. Being close to nature can also lift your mood; not just the water and plants, but the busy ducks, swans, moorhens and geese can cheer you up. When you’re on a narrowboat holiday interesting exercise options are included, such as, operating the locks, walking between the locks, and pulling ropes and hammering pegs when mooring the boat up.

canal tow path cycling with family

2) Festivities

There are some happy occasions to look forward to in the winter. Halloween offers themed events, or paranormal investigations. This year Oliver Cromwell’s House offers some walking tours themed around ghosts and witches.

Oliver Cromwell House. Photo by Gwendraith at English Wikipedia

This offers special events and house tours throughout the year, and you can visit by boat when travelling on the River Great Ouse. Ely is claimed to be one of England’s spookiest cities. (Read more in The Spooky Truth About Cruising to Ely.) The strange and compelling landscape of the Fens, with their huge skyscapes, reclaimed marshlands and scattered and isolated villages can be very eerie at this time of year. Peterborough Museum, claims to have eight resident ghosts. They include a First World War soldier and a ghostly kitchen maid. This museum can also be visited by boat if you are taking the March to Peterborough cruise. This 12 hour return trip is ideal for a short break.

Fens Wetland. Photo by Sam Forson

It wouldn’t be winter in England without Christmas, including festive markets and a trip to church. The ancient architecture, candlelight, holly and ivy, and special services such as carols, advent, christingles and nativities can brighten up a dark day. If you’re planning a narrowboat holiday for next year check out Four Churches to Visit When it’s Not Even Christmas. Even Christmas shopping can be fun if your friends and family are into boating: Read Thoughtful Christmas Gifts for the Narrowboater in Your Life. Our local attractions usually host special Christmas events: Father Christmas will be at Wicken Fen Nature Reserve, and the Winter Lights at Anglesey Abbey offer a beautiful, sensory after-dark journey.

3) Plan Ahead

Nothing beats the winter blues like planning your next holiday though. A narrowboat holiday can be particularly good for boosting a low mood, as you can travel slowly through stunning scenery, under our spectacular Fenland skies, away from the noise of modern life. On a waterways holiday you may find that you are outside more than you would be on some other types of British holiday, getting that all important dose of daylight and vitamin D.

Outwell Fox narrow boat moored by the shops

You may also like: Feeling Stressed? 5 Ways This Unknown Village Can Soothe Your Soul

We are in no doubt that our narrowboat holidays can chase away the blues because of the great feedback we get from our customers. Check out the kind words we’ve received in our customer reviews.

So, if you want to go narrowboating next year, choose your favourite narrowboat and plan your ideal cruise. Fox Boats are ideally situated on the uncrowded east Anglian waterways, near Cambridge, Ely and Peterborough.

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The post Three Foxy Mood-Boosting Tips for This Winter appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.