Comments on: “what’s life like on a houseboat?”

By: Amos

Amos — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:30:35 +0000

How lucky I am to have come across your wonderful blog! I really enjoyed every corner of it just as you may have enjoyed your boathouse. Could you please tell me a little bit about the space you live in? Is is a two-storie boat? Besides a kitchen, a tiny bathroom and a living room, what else does it have? How many bedrooms are there? I appreciate any information. Greetings from Brazil! Amos

By: Marina

Marina — Fri, 20 May 2011 15:05:07 +0000

Hi to the person who’s blog this is. I have been living on one of Mark’s houseboats for the past 8 weeks. It is simply amazing and concur with your comments that I have been reading and your experiences. It is simply idilic and I have loved every moment. I vacate the boat on 29th May this year and will miss it terribly, along with the ducks and my resident Heron, who I have named ‘Hector’. I hope one day to relive this experience and have enough funds to purchase my own but it would have to be in Amsterdam. I will spend more time reading your blog when I am back in the UK and missing the boat.
Best regards
Marina

By: Isabelle

Isabelle — Tue, 03 May 2011 12:51:25 +0000

Hello
First of all, I’m so happy to have stumbled across your blog. Lovely afternoon reading!

I have a question which I hope isn’t too cheeky! I’m currently in the planning stages of writing a novel which is set primarily on a houseboat. The thing is, I have no knowledge of the logistics and realities of houseboat living. I want to make this life realistic, but I lack the background! Reading your post has certainly given me a good start. But I wanted to ask two questions:
Would you be willing to exchange the odd email with me? I’d really love to have someone who I could send questions to as they come up. They’ll undoubtedly be mostly about the most simple every day things that wouldn’t take more than a sentence to answer. I completely understand if this is too much to ask…
And do you know of any other blogs of people who live on houseboats and write about their lives on the boats?
I really appreciate your time! Izzy.

By: landlocked

landlocked — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 02:48:33 +0000

My partner and I have discussed about living on a boat several times. She lives in Strasbourg and I live in the US. The times I have visited Stras I was always fascinated by the houseboats on the canal. They never moved, however. Do you move yours? I have a friend that lives on a sailboat in California, and when they get tired of the view or the neighbors, they just move. Nanci(my partner) is moving to the states in August, and we were thinking about settling in North Carolina. The biggest problem is our children. Between the two of us, we have four. That would be a bit tight on a boat, and neither of us is rich enough to afford a boat that big. I would love to see your boat sometime. I usually fly through AMS on my way to Strasbourg, and if my layover is long enough I would love to visit, if I may.

As Olga says, “With love and envy”
Troy

By: The Tiny Life , Archive » Pia’s Houseboat

The Tiny Life , Archive » Pia’s Houseboat — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 16:55:13 +0000

[...] Via Share!: [...]

By: Mr. Freelance

Mr. Freelance — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 16:44:05 +0000

Thanks for this brilliant post! We’re just looking around for something similar ourselves and this sounds great

By: Online Engineering Degree » Blog Archive » 100 Brilliant Blog Posts for Small-Space Living

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 11:00:51 +0000

[...] 98.) “‘what’s life like on a houseboat?’” at pia jane bijkerk [...]

By: Olga

Olga — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:51:17 +0000

*Phase, not face. STUPID SPELLING.

By: Olga

Olga — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:47:07 +0000

Yes thats right, Im from sweden so you won´t be able to read my blog. Most nonsens anyway. What good can a 16 year old art-student be ut to, really?
Well, to the point. Here we go. LETS TRADE LIFE. I am not kidding you here. I have had this dream of mine, ever sins I can remember, to live on a boat. The freedom you must experience very day must be… unhuman. But I am stuck here with my family telling me it will never work out anyhow, that “It is just a face, silly” and I will grow up with a wealthy family, having a good job, magically poop out babies from my vag whenever they feel like it ( Well, I think they have given up on that one now ) Every day I wake up and feel this urge to run barefoot into the snow to nearest airport and fly to Paris, London, anything but here. And I suppose most people feel like this. And It will probably pass. But SCREW THAT. I AM GOING TO FIND A FRENCH ,HANDSOME GINGER-GENTLEMAN WITH TATOOS AND A BOWLERHAT, AND WE ARE GOING TO ADOPT ORPHAN INDIAN CHILDREN AND TEACH THEM TO PICKPOCKET AND SAIL THE WORLD. ARSGFHR NOSEBLEED. SHIT.
I am so Sorry. Lets blame it on hormones, Its easier that way. You must find this outmost silly. But I somehow felt that I needed to tell you how darn lucky you are. And the fact that I now know that it is possible to live my stupid dream, makes me so exited ( that my nose begins gushing blood, yes ). Envy somehow doesnt really say it all. I wish to get to know you, and how you are currently doing what I would kill for.

RIGHT. QUESTIONS.
How do you make a living?
What is the name of your husband? ( I like how you refer to him as “French boy” )
Do you ever leave the harbour?
How did you find your boat?
Is it expensive to live like you do?
Do you know of if there is anything like chronic nooesbleed? And is i cureble?

With love and envy, Olga

By: Fannytje

Fannytje — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:26:23 +0000

hi,
found your site via creativevoyage blog. I really like it, I also live in Amsterdam, but Im from France and grew up in Sydney… so I relate to your backgrounds
Your description of the houseboat is magical, makes me want to move into one! Ive seen the inside of a friend’s houseboat, I love how ingeniously they are built:-) Enjoy the simple pleasures of your wonderful home and lovely Amsterdam!!