See inside a writer's historic houseboat that travels England's canals. The nights are cold, she's always covered in coal oil, and the lifestyle can be dangerous, but she wouldn't have it any other way.

Jordan PandyApr 6, 2023, 20:05 IST

Earle with her dog, Leela.Elizabeth Earle

Warwickshire, England, native Elizabeth Earle lives on a narrowboat and chronicles her adventures.
Her 100-year-old narrowboat is outfitted with a fireplace, a kitchen, and even a shower.

Elizabeth Earle's life almost sounds like the stuff of fiction.

The author and illustrator from Warwickshire, England, has lived on a 70-foot narrowboat that traverses the country's canal system since April 2022.

Earle purchased the narrowboat from a friend for £35,000, or about $43,620, and is still funneling money into renovating the century-old vessel she nicknamed Maggie.

"This boat's absolutely rinsed me," Earle told Insider. "I've barely got enough money to buy tea bags."

Earle, 34, chose boat life for a few reasons, chief among them the savings over a traditional mortgage. "This is why there's a stereotypical view of the starving artist," she quipped.

Earle is also in it for the adventure.

"I just want to lead an extraordinary life," she told Insider. "My story won't be better by getting a two-bedroom flat or a three-bedroom semi-detached house in the country."

See inside Earle's unique and historic living quarters.

Earle bought Maggie in April 2022 and has been living on the historic boat for a year.

Elizabeth Earle

Earle sold her previous 32-foot boat and used the proceeds to buy Maggie. With more space, she's able to travel with relative comfort through England.

Earle bought "Maggie" for £35,000.Elizabeth Earle

Earle has been boating since 2017 and believes that the adventure of living on a boat is too rich to give up just yet.

Elizabeth Earle

Earle decided that a more traditional home-owning experience was not for her. Because of her career, it would be hard for her to pay — or even qualify for — a mortgage.

Earle is happy living on a boat and has no current plans to settle on land.Elizabeth Earle

Earle decided that a more traditional home-owning experience was not for her. Because of her career, it would be hard for her to pay — or even qualify for — a mortgage.

Instead of docking in a marina, Earle goes for a more adventurous style of living on the canal. She has to move every two weeks.

Elizabeth Earle

While on a sailing trip from South Africa to Brazil in 2017, Earle made a stop in the Caribbean and picked up a co-captain: her dog Leela.

Elizabeth Earle

Leela is not the biggest fan of sailing, Earle said, so she compromised and opted for the narrowboat. It's a steadier ride.

Elizabeth Earle

While Maggie is the most spacious boat Earle has lived on solo, there are still renovations that need to be done. But she's back-burnering those for now as she recoups from the purchase.

Elizabeth Earle

While Maggie is the most spacious boat Earle has lived on solo, there are still renovations that need to be done. But she's back-burnering those for now as she recoups from the purchase.

Maggie is equipped with some of the same living amenities as a home ashore like a stove, a shower, and even a fireplace.

Elizabeth Earle

The boat was built in 1928, and was used to transport goods from wood to food through the canals.

Elizabeth Earle

Even though Maggie was historically used to transport materials, Earle is not the first person to live onboard.

Elizabeth Earle

Today it's just Earle and Leela on board, so the two of them have plenty of room to stretch out.

Elizabeth Earle

Maggie is long enough to house separate rooms, like a living room, a bedroom, a bathroom, and even a kitchen.

Elizabeth Earle

Earle is able to fit a decently sized bed onboard.

Elizabeth Earle

Nights on the canal can get chilly, so Earle is grateful for her coal fireplace.

Elizabeth Earle

Earle is a freelance author and illustrator, specializing in watercolor, and has a dedicated space onboard to write and paint.

Elizabeth Earle

Earle's never in the same place for more than two weeks, so she must be mindful when grocery shopping.

Elizabeth Earle

Earle said she's faced misogyny from male captains and other dangers as a solo traveler.

Elizabeth Earle

She chronicles her journey on her YouTube channel for her over 23,000 subscribers.

Elizabeth Earle

She isn't letting the naysayers stop her from fulfilling her dreams while on The Cut.

Elizabeth Earle

Earle's alternative lifestyle is one that she made by choice, and she's very happy with her decision.

Elizabeth Earle

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See inside a writer's historic houseboat that travels England's canals. The nights are cold, she's always covered in coal oil, and the lifestyle can be dangerous, but she wouldn't have it any other way.

Earle bought Maggie in April 2022 and has been living on the historic boat for a year.

Earle sold her previous 32-foot boat and used the proceeds to buy Maggie. With more space, she's able to travel with relative comfort through England.

Earle has been boating since 2017 and believes that the adventure of living on a boat is too rich to give up just yet.

Earle decided that a more traditional home-owning experience was not for her. Because of her career, it would be hard for her to pay — or even qualify for — a mortgage.

Instead of docking in a marina, Earle goes for a more adventurous style of living on the canal. She has to move every two weeks.

While on a sailing trip from South Africa to Brazil in 2017, Earle made a stop in the Caribbean and picked up a co-captain: her dog Leela.

Leela is not the biggest fan of sailing, Earle said, so she compromised and opted for the narrowboat. It's a steadier ride.

While Maggie is the most spacious boat Earle has lived on solo, there are still renovations that need to be done. But she's back-burnering those for now as she recoups from the purchase.

Maggie is equipped with some of the same living amenities as a home ashore like a stove, a shower, and even a fireplace.

The boat was built in 1928, and was used to transport goods from wood to food through the canals.

Even though Maggie was historically used to transport materials, Earle is not the first person to live onboard.

Today it's just Earle and Leela on board, so the two of them have plenty of room to stretch out.

Maggie is long enough to house separate rooms, like a living room, a bedroom, a bathroom, and even a kitchen.

Earle is able to fit a decently sized bed onboard.

Nights on the canal can get chilly, so Earle is grateful for her coal fireplace.

Earle is a freelance author and illustrator, specializing in watercolor, and has a dedicated space onboard to write and paint.

Earle's never in the same place for more than two weeks, so she must be mindful when grocery shopping.

Earle said she's faced misogyny from male captains and other dangers as a solo traveler.

She chronicles her journey on her YouTube channel for her over 23,000 subscribers.

She isn't letting the naysayers stop her from fulfilling her dreams while on The Cut.

Earle's alternative lifestyle is one that she made by choice, and she's very happy with her decision.