Hi Everybody, I'm Don (I'm actually called Paul but I've been called Don since I was a lad). I have visited this board quite a few times over the last few months. Whilst I am not a prepper in the true sense, I am trying to live a low impact off grid lifestyle.
Since 2000 I have lived on a narrow boat on the river Severn. I started off on BW moorings (too public) then moved to a private marina (too expensive) and then (in 2005) purchased land alongside the river on which I have put my own floating moorings.
This land is both my vegetable garden and my fuel source as it has a small wood that I manage.
I am self sufficient in electricity (PV's and a small wind turbine)
Also in 2005 I purchased a butty (a narrow boat without an engine or roof just for carrying cargo) and struck a deal with a coal merchant in Worcester and now have a 'coal round' delivering coal to the other livaboards in between Sharpness and Stourport on the Severn and also on the local canal networks. This provides a small income that is enough for my needs. This is an ideal arrangement as it allows me to tend to the land during the summer months (and laze about drinking, sunbathing and listening to the cricket) and to do deliveries during the winter months. My local pub is 20 minutes down the river and if I have 1 over the 8 my bed is at the bottom of the pub garden.
It is a very free and relaxed lifestyle that suits me down to the ground. My only expenses are insurance and licence, diesel, food (meat and anything that I can't grow or barter) and waste/effluent disposal. About £3k pa.
I love the community on the river (surprisingly numerous), the freedom and the serendipitous happenings. For instance, last Christmas, I moored in Worcester where my brother lives so that I could spend Christmas day with him and his family. I moored on the river directly under the Cathedral. I was woken Christmas morning to the sound other the cathedral choir singing carols, absolutely sublime. I'm not religious myself but it was wonderful.
Anyway, glad to be on board.
SkippyDon
Hello from the River Severn
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Carrot Cruncher
Re: Hello from the River Severn
Sounds like you have things sorted Don, well and truely out of the rat race.
What do you use for energy ? i'm assuming you haven't got a hook up at your mooring
What do you use for energy ? i'm assuming you haven't got a hook up at your mooring
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the-gnole
Re: Hello from the River Severn
Welcome aboard Don,
Sounds like a good way to spend your time.
Ignore Joey, he never reads the posts properly and seems to have missed
Sounds like a good way to spend your time.
Ignore Joey, he never reads the posts properly and seems to have missed
This land is both my vegetable garden and my fuel source as it has a small wood that I manage.
I am self sufficient in electricity (PV's and a small wind turbine)
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diamond lil
- Posts: 10326
- Joined: Sat Nov 27, 2010 1:42 pm
- Location: Scotland.
Re: Hello from the River Severn
Hey Don, glad you finally made it! 
Sounds like you have an awesome set up there, and one that many here will have the green eyed monster over!
Welcome aboard!
Sounds like you have an awesome set up there, and one that many here will have the green eyed monster over!
Welcome aboard!
By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail - Benjamin Franklin
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TeeDee
Re: Hello from the River Severn
Hi SkippyDon , That sounds great , and the 'Job' sounds ideal for your situation.SkippyDon wrote:
Also in 2005 I purchased a butty (a narrow boat without an engine or roof just for carrying cargo) and struck a deal with a coal merchant in Worcester and now have a 'coal round' delivering coal to the other livaboards in between Sharpness and Stourport on the Severn and also on the local canal networks. This provides a small income that is enough for my needs. This is an ideal arrangement as it allows me to tend to the land during the summer months (and laze about drinking, sunbathing and listening to the cricket) and to do deliveries during the winter months. My local pub is 20 minutes down the river and if I have 1 over the 8 my bed is at the bottom of the pub garden.
It is a very free and relaxed lifestyle that suits me down to the ground. My only expenses are insurance and licence, diesel, food (meat and anything that I can't grow or barter) and waste/effluent disposal. About £3k pa.
SkippyDon
I'd love to see some photos of your living arrangment ,I don't know alot about Narrowboats so would appreciate some phots , facts and figures and costs.
It sound like a good method to downsize for a few years and stop to smell the roses for a bit.
Cheers
TD
Re: Hello from the River Severn
Hello and welcome to the forum! 
Re: Hello from the River Severn
Hello and welcome.
Two is one and one is none, but three is even better.
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Carrot Cruncher
Re: Hello from the River Severn
Oi !! it was earlythe-gnole wrote:Welcome aboard Don,
Sounds like a good way to spend your time.
Ignore Joey, he never reads the posts properly and seems to have missed
This land is both my vegetable garden and my fuel source as it has a small wood that I manage.
I am self sufficient in electricity (PV's and a small wind turbine)