Overview

• Barwick bought a dark green and white 48ft houseboat at Bristol Marina in May 2024 with a specialist marine loan exceeding £100,000 and kept it solo after her breakup
• She now spends £600 on mooring fees and utilities each month, down from the £1,100 she paid for rent and bills in her Bedminster flat
• Her boat’s 48ft by 12ft layout feels comparable to a small flat and features a roof deck used as an outdoor garden for barbecues
• Living aboard requires weekly manual tasks—from emptying the toilet to refilling the water tank—and brings cold winter nights and cool summers
• Moored at Bristol Marina, she has built a close-knit riverside community and has yet to learn navigation or start the engine