Alternative Living Chat

Host Maxine chats with Amy and Will about leaving rented life to live on a 36ft narrowboat while building a custom 55ft hull. They share stories of cruising, marina life, wildlife encounters, and the freedom of life on the water.

The episode covers DIY refit work, electrics and solar plans, choosing diesel, painting challenges, documenting the build on social media, and practical tips like getting a survey and asking for help.

List...

Maxine chats with Andy — known as Four Boys on a Boat — about life aboard a 50ft narrowboat with his three sons. He describes the transition after the boys moved on board, how the family copes in a small space, and the strong canal-community support that helps them thrive.

Andy also covers homeschooling decisions, earning a living through photography and social media, the boat’s solar and lithium power setup, and why the nomadic fr...

In this episode of Alternative Living Chats, host Maxine welcomes Paula, a liveaboard boater, who shares her inspiring journey of living on a narrowboat with her husband and their dog, Daisy. After experiencing the profound loss of her eldest son, Paula made the courageous decision to re-evaluate her life priorities and embark on a path filled with freedom and self-reliance.

Paula opens up about the challenges and joys of living on...

Join Maxine on this captivating episode of Alternative Living Chats as she reconnects with Roz, who shares her ongoing journey aboard a narrowboat with her husband and two playful cockapoos. Having lived on their narrowboat for over three years, Roz opens up about the changes and challenges they've faced since first appearing on the podcast.

Discover the highs and lows of winter cruising, including being frozen in before Christmas ...

In this episode of Alternative Living Chat, Maxine delves into the adventurous life of Alex, a former software engineer who has turned his passion for music into a full-time career. They discuss his unique journey from the tech world to living in a 2006 Vauxhall Movano van, previously a speed camera police van, and his experiences as a musician on the road.

Alex shares insights into his new lifestyle, including the challenges and ...

Welcome back to Alternative Living Chat — the podcast where we explore the paths less traveled and the people living them.

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Sarah Kent, a transformational coach who’s embraced life on the water. From the cozy charm to the daily challenges, Sarah shares what it’s really like living on a narrowboat — the joys, the woes, and everything in between.

Whether you’ve dreamed of ditching the house keys for a...

In this week’s episode, we’re joined by Keith and Claire, the warm-hearted duo behind Lola, the charming café boat serving up fresh pizza, coffee, and cakes along the canals. They share what it’s really like to live and work on the water — from firing up the pizza oven to finding community on the towpath. Come aboard and hear how they turned a narrowboat into a floating slice of heaven.

lolathecafeboat.co.uk

Welcome to this week's episode of the Alternative Living Chat podcast! Join us as we dive into the captivating journey of Tracy, a former occupational therapist who, together with her husband, traded a traditional home for a life aboard a narrowboat. Discover the adventures, challenges, and joys they encountered as they embraced this unique lifestyle.

From surviving winter floods with her pets to building a vibrant community on the...

In this episode of the Alternative Living Chats podcast, we dive into the inspiring journey of Sue and her husband Ian, who spent 20 years renovating a derelict farmhouse in Spain and living off-grid. Situated two hours south of Barcelona in Tortosa, Sue shares the hardships and joys of their unique lifestyle, from enduring cold winters in a caravan to thriving in their self-sufficient home powered completely by solar energy.

List...

Join us in this captivating episode of the Alternative Living Chat Podcast, where host Maxine welcomes Sandra Willis, an inspiring individual who has embraced an unconventional lifestyle. Having lived on a narrowboat for 13 years, Sandra shares her unique journey from the bustling life of running an events company to the tranquil existence on the waterways of Ireland and Great Britain.

Discover the challenges and joys Sandra encoun...

Join host Maxine on the Alternative Living Chats podcast as she explores the unique lifestyles of those who have chosen to live differently—from narrowboats to tiny homes, and everything in between. Dive into the adventures of living on the water, hear firsthand accounts of embracing the off-grid life, and discover the pros and cons of stepping away from the traditional. Learn more about Maxine's personal journey, her inspirations,...