Alice
Grace
The Mindful Narrowboat is a series of vlogs filmed and narrated by Vanessa Thomas. She has lived on
her narrowboat, Alice Grace, for six years, accompanied by her yellow Labrador,
Zephyr.
Vanessa was
a teacher for twenty-five years, and a head teacher for the final five years of
her time in that profession. Now she travels the canals and waterways of Britain,
recording the wildlife, and sometimes domestic, farm life, and some history of
the places she visits. She also keeps a journal, in which she documents and
draws the things she has seen, accompanied by poems she composes.Her life
seems calm and measured, and obstacles are met and overcome with aplomb. Even
when the weed in the water clogs the engine, or the water level drops perilously
low, she is steadfast and cheerful, but realistic. Lashing rain and beating sun
are treated alike as part of life, to be borne and accepted.Towards
the end of each video, Vanessa makes tea in a china teapot, places biscuits
carefully on a plate and takes mug and plate to her drawing desk. She sits and writes
and draws, making everything seem so effortless.
Watching
her videos is almost an exercise in mindfulness. Each episode lasts about
thirty minutes. To live comfortably in a relatively small space takes
considerable organisation. Alice Grace is a welcoming craft, though I have to confess
that it is not a life I would embrace.Vanessa
publishes her journals periodically. The photographs I have taken are from her
2022 work.
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This looks really lovely, Janice. I watched a few moments and will be returning for more. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed it, Stephanie. It's gentle watching.
DeleteI will go & check out the link Janice - I do love to come across a new YouTube channel to watch. Her drawings are just wonderful.
ReplyDeleteShe's very talented.
DeleteHer handwriting and drawings are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThey are, indeed.
DeleteThis is a bit of a find! Thank you for sharing the link.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy her work.
DeleteAmazing! All this requires a tremendous amount of discipline, organisation, and focus. And besides that the effort to capture it all on camera and get them edited to put it out as a vlog. I checked out this link. I will go back to see some of the previous episodes. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete(My latest post: The city that went back in time)
I think she's quite extraordinary.
DeleteShe is quite the artist and rather clever, it seems.
ReplyDeleteShe is self-sufficient.
DeleteQuite a solitary life, but not lonely I think.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right. Life lived on her own terms.
Deletethe drawings are amazing, I feel like I could pet that pig.. like Yam driving all over scotland in her Grey van, this is something I don't think I could do but admire them for doing what they love. I do wish I had the talent she has for writing and drawing. thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteIt's good to share things we enjoy.
DeleteHow wonderful. I used to follow several youtube channels put up by narrow boat owners. They seem to have slipped into the ether. I shall watch Vanessa with great interest.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy her videos.
DeleteSounds a very peaceful way of life, I don't watch vlogs at all, the books would be interesting. I learnt very early on in my adult life I need outside space to keep me happy, somewhere I can cultivate and enjoy.
ReplyDeleteIt's peaceful but not always trouble-free.
DeleteI have watched her adventures with the Alice Grace the last few months. Her mostly calm demeanor as the boat enters a lock is wonderful to watch. That she was a teacher and then a head teacher is shown by those calm moments as she makes the tea and finds the biscuits and then sits down to draw.
ReplyDeleteChancing upon an interesting video makes me wonder how many others I am missing!
DeleteI have bookmarked that and will watch some. Narrowboat life is very mindful. Nothing happens quickly and it is a great lesson in being present, slowing, observing - so great material for a vlog I expect.
ReplyDeleteIt's not the life for an impatient person, certainly. I admire her steadfastness.
DeleteThese pages are fantastic. I love the drawings and the handwriting. While her life sounds interesting, I would find it difficult to live in a small space. I would start to feel trapped and claustrophobic.
ReplyDeleteI collect too much clutter, so it would never suit me, sadly. I like space around me, too.
DeleteThe artwork from her journals that you're showing here is amazing. I'm always so envious of someone that has such artistic talent. And the love of nature.
ReplyDeleteShe is very talented, I think.
DeleteHer artwork is so lovely
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for the link, one to watch at a later time :)
Enjoy your weekend.
All the best Jan
It's a gentle, relaxing programme.
DeleteThose boats ans lives on them seem so fascinating. Has any other European country kept up that lifestyle?
ReplyDeleteIt's mainly a British pursuit, though it is possible to navigate French or German canals.
DeleteLove her drawings!
ReplyDeleteShe's very observant.
DeleteHow lovely. Having lived on a narrowboat for just over a year I have huge admiration for anyone who can go it alone and also , stick it out for a few years. It can be idyllic but also hard work. Thanks for the link.
ReplyDeleteAlison in Devon x
You have my admiration, Alison. I don't think I could do it for a week, let alone a year.
DeleteTQ
DeleteAlison x
Her journals are amazing. Life on a narrowboat isn't in my wheelhouse.
ReplyDeleteNor mine!
DeleteVanessa's work sounds wonderful.
ReplyDeleteShe's very engaging.
DeleteI love Vanessa's drawings and handwritten jottings. Thank you for the link.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy the link.
DeleteThat is so cool. I wish I could draw like that.
ReplyDeleteSo do I! I can't even draw a proper circle.
DeleteThat sounds really lovely, must check out those vlogs! xxx
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you will enjoy them, Ann.
Delete