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Afloat: A Memoir
Danie Couchman grew up on the move, her family never staying still long enough for her to say where she's from. At 25, and living in her 17th home, she finds herself drowning in the rush of London life and makes an impulsive decision: to buy a narrowboat and make it her home.
Surrounded by an eclectic and itinerant community in the uncharted territory of the capital's urban wilderness, Danie becomes fully immersed in this hidden world. Each day on board her boat, Genesis, is an adventure full of disaster and magic. Over five years of living off-grid, nomadic Danie learns to survive the many highs and lows of boat life alone, keeping herself, and her steel home, afloat.
A captivating debut, Afloat is the story of a young woman's desire to escape an ever more isolated city existence and reconnect with nature, discovering what is important in life.
Surrounded by an eclectic and itinerant community in the uncharted territory of the capital's urban wilderness, Danie becomes fully immersed in this hidden world. Each day on board her boat, Genesis, is an adventure full of disaster and magic. Over five years of living off-grid, nomadic Danie learns to survive the many highs and lows of boat life alone, keeping herself, and her steel home, afloat.
A captivating debut, Afloat is the story of a young woman's desire to escape an ever more isolated city existence and reconnect with nature, discovering what is important in life.
198 pages, Hardcover
First published April 18, 2019
17 people are currently reading
329 people want to read
About the author
Danie Couchman
8 books16 followersDanie Couchman is a writer, broadcaster and wanderer. She studied journalism in Nottingham and has since worked in an eclectic variety of roles, from a local radio reporter to the voice of MTV’s Official Top 40. She currently works as a voice over artist and her writing has been published in Waterfront and The Simple Things magazines.
Danie has lived in four countries, seventeen houses and three boats. She enjoys wild swimming, cooking, and adventures with her dog Mango. She has recently settled on land close to the sea in Devon.
Afloat is her first book.
Danie has lived in four countries, seventeen houses and three boats. She enjoys wild swimming, cooking, and adventures with her dog Mango. She has recently settled on land close to the sea in Devon.
Afloat is her first book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
November 5, 2019
For someone who never really had the opportunity to settle as a child as her family kept moving home, you’d think that living on a canal boat that has to keep moving every couple of weeks might not be the best way to put down roots. However, the costs of living in London mean that bricks and mortar are not an option for Couchman.
Our capital city can be a really lonely place, but with her unusual home comes a diverse and welcoming community of people who also live on the river. She learns to be self-sufficient and practical, a canal boat takes a lot of care and attention to keep it going and afloat. She also reveals a part of London that most people are blissfully unaware of.
I thought that this was an enjoyable and mostly unchallenging read. Couchman bares her souls in a couple of parts of the book and tells of her relationships and the inner strength to get through life some days. If you want to read about life on the waterways of London, I can also recommend, Circle Line: Around London in a Small Boat by Steffan Meyric Hughes
Our capital city can be a really lonely place, but with her unusual home comes a diverse and welcoming community of people who also live on the river. She learns to be self-sufficient and practical, a canal boat takes a lot of care and attention to keep it going and afloat. She also reveals a part of London that most people are blissfully unaware of.
I thought that this was an enjoyable and mostly unchallenging read. Couchman bares her souls in a couple of parts of the book and tells of her relationships and the inner strength to get through life some days. If you want to read about life on the waterways of London, I can also recommend, Circle Line: Around London in a Small Boat by Steffan Meyric Hughes
December 20, 2019
Couchman, a voiceover artist, lived on a narrowboat in London for over five years. This is an amiable tour through her personal life in those years. If you’ve ever wondered about how using the toilet works on a boat, you will learn all. In addition to the day to day and the search for love, there’s also a darker strand about confronting sexual assault from her teen years. It’s not a particularly compelling memoir, but you might like to take a look if you have a specific interest in the boating life.
August 16, 2019
Having lived close to Regents canal in London for a number of years, I would frequently wander down the towpath and dream of what it would be like to escape London's crazy rental market by joining the community of continuous cruisers living along the waterways. This is a rare glimpse into what a nomadic life aboard a narrowboat is like - mentally and physically challenging, but full of adventure. I loved this book!
January 7, 2021
why do i find it impossible to give any memoir i listen to as an audiobook by a woman doing something cool less than 5 stars?
this fuelled all my canalboat living dreams
this fuelled all my canalboat living dreams
February 6, 2021
I enjoy watching Youtube videos of people who live in small houses, motor homes and canal boats so I was drawn to this memoir.
Although most people who embark on this type of lifestyle do so to escape the 9 to 5 routine but Couchman still has to get to work as a Voice over artist from various moorings in the London area.
As a continuous cruiser which means she cannot moor in the same place for longer than two weeks. Life is a struggle to empty the toilet, get clean water and dispose of rubbish. The author pulls no punches in how difficult it can be especially in winter.
But she does shows us the plus points, making the time to do what you want, the friendships you make, the change of one idyllic scenery to the next and not least being able to afford somewhere to live in the London area.
You get the feeling however throughout the book she is never really settled and this comes to the fore towards the end of this memoir.
One thing I found disturbing was the reveal of some child hood traumas which had nothing to do living afloat, but it is part of her and maybe she wanted to get it off her chest.
An interesting read of living afloat on the waterways and anyone wanting to try it should read this.
Although most people who embark on this type of lifestyle do so to escape the 9 to 5 routine but Couchman still has to get to work as a Voice over artist from various moorings in the London area.
As a continuous cruiser which means she cannot moor in the same place for longer than two weeks. Life is a struggle to empty the toilet, get clean water and dispose of rubbish. The author pulls no punches in how difficult it can be especially in winter.
But she does shows us the plus points, making the time to do what you want, the friendships you make, the change of one idyllic scenery to the next and not least being able to afford somewhere to live in the London area.
You get the feeling however throughout the book she is never really settled and this comes to the fore towards the end of this memoir.
One thing I found disturbing was the reveal of some child hood traumas which had nothing to do living afloat, but it is part of her and maybe she wanted to get it off her chest.
An interesting read of living afloat on the waterways and anyone wanting to try it should read this.
November 26, 2019
Great book well written that made me want to live and play on rivers ;-)
March 16, 2022
This included more than I expected as I hadn't read other reviews at all (CW: ), so those parts were uncomfortable and heart-breaking to listen to. Hearing about the life and community on London's canals that most of us are probably unaware of was really interesting - a lot less chilled at times than I had expected, but in terms of community, a lot more heart-warming too!
May 7, 2019
I got the audio version of this book when I was feeling sick. It was the perfect book to listen to while I was lying in bed staring out the window--fascinating, adventurous, kind, and reflective. I loved hearing her stories of canal life.
April 13, 2021
A beautiful and reflective story featuring some very important topics. Listened on Audible which was an incredible experience - makes me want to seek out more water and nature.
June 5, 2021
An enjoyable read that will somewhat make you want to live on a boat. Big tw for sexual assault (described in fairly graphic detail).
December 30, 2022
A look into the world of life on the canals and rivers around London, with honesty, care and wonder, the hazards, the skills, the life essentials, the friendships and the family.
It completely brings to life how living on the water and the constant cruising, 2 weeks mooring is a special world, both in parallel and so different to all the land dwellers. Its an amazing world to get a glimpse of and certainly cast it's magic on me, feeling that longing for the water, for seeing that different world and being a part of that community.
The change along the waters edge, of development, crawling urbanisation pushing out all the people that make it vibrant. Also the huge increase in those living on the water and the issues that has caused, along with the decrease in basic facilities, like water taps, rubbish bins and toilet emptying.
I wonder how much the waterways have changed with the numbers, but it's still a wonderful otherworld, so close, so fundamentally being in the world, part of the weather changes and temperature, the constant necessity of things that need doing to maintain life and safety and shelter.
It's a wonderful journey getting to learn something of Danie's life, I'm very glad she got the inspiration and drive to complete this book. Brave, painful, enlightening, inspiring.
It completely brings to life how living on the water and the constant cruising, 2 weeks mooring is a special world, both in parallel and so different to all the land dwellers. Its an amazing world to get a glimpse of and certainly cast it's magic on me, feeling that longing for the water, for seeing that different world and being a part of that community.
The change along the waters edge, of development, crawling urbanisation pushing out all the people that make it vibrant. Also the huge increase in those living on the water and the issues that has caused, along with the decrease in basic facilities, like water taps, rubbish bins and toilet emptying.
I wonder how much the waterways have changed with the numbers, but it's still a wonderful otherworld, so close, so fundamentally being in the world, part of the weather changes and temperature, the constant necessity of things that need doing to maintain life and safety and shelter.
It's a wonderful journey getting to learn something of Danie's life, I'm very glad she got the inspiration and drive to complete this book. Brave, painful, enlightening, inspiring.
January 6, 2021
This book is a life-affirming pleasure which shows that dreams, however unrealistic they may seem to others, can come true.
I marvelled at Danie's courage - purchasing a narrow boat as one's home with no knowledge of boat upkeep and no previous experience of boating of any kind is quite a step to take, especially when it involves changing mooring every fortnight! I loved the way she gave credit to the members of the narrow boating community who helped her and taught her the ropes, her willingness to explain the difficulties of the cramped conditions and the itinerant lifestyle, her relief in having a place of her own to live and her absolute joy in the feeling of belonging and the sense of community offered by her fellow narrow boat owners. Then there were the descriptions of nature, which her lifestyle allowed her to observe more closely than ever before. I imagine it would be useful reading / listening for anyone intending to buy a narrow boat but do not be put off if you are a non boat owner with no intention of giving up your land-lubbing ways. It is a story of self-acceptance, self-discovery and the ability to reflect on bad experiences as well as exult in the good.
The audio version is superbly read by the author, who is a voice over artist.
I marvelled at Danie's courage - purchasing a narrow boat as one's home with no knowledge of boat upkeep and no previous experience of boating of any kind is quite a step to take, especially when it involves changing mooring every fortnight! I loved the way she gave credit to the members of the narrow boating community who helped her and taught her the ropes, her willingness to explain the difficulties of the cramped conditions and the itinerant lifestyle, her relief in having a place of her own to live and her absolute joy in the feeling of belonging and the sense of community offered by her fellow narrow boat owners. Then there were the descriptions of nature, which her lifestyle allowed her to observe more closely than ever before. I imagine it would be useful reading / listening for anyone intending to buy a narrow boat but do not be put off if you are a non boat owner with no intention of giving up your land-lubbing ways. It is a story of self-acceptance, self-discovery and the ability to reflect on bad experiences as well as exult in the good.
The audio version is superbly read by the author, who is a voice over artist.
March 2, 2024
Trigger warning: This book includes an account of the author's rape and sexual abuse as a young teen, which is not hinted at anywhere in the blurb.
Danie Couchman had a nomadic upbringing, so when the pressure of finding affordable and safe housing in London becomes too much, it seems sensible to move onto the river. She 'impulse buys' a narrowboat, Genesis, and becomes a continuous cruiser.
Couchman's memoir is very level-headed - she writes heart-warmingly about the joy of life on the river, the sense of community and the privilege of living closer to nature. But she is also realistic about the challenges involved such as finding somewhere to empty the loo, hunting for a laundrette and commuting to work from a continuously changing mooring. It was also lovely to see how her life aboard and her own bravery in facing past trauma result in her gradual healing.
The book is beautifully illustrated and the front cover is stunning.
I defy even the most confirmed landlubber to read this and not have at least a twinge of longing to try life aboard!
Danie Couchman had a nomadic upbringing, so when the pressure of finding affordable and safe housing in London becomes too much, it seems sensible to move onto the river. She 'impulse buys' a narrowboat, Genesis, and becomes a continuous cruiser.
Couchman's memoir is very level-headed - she writes heart-warmingly about the joy of life on the river, the sense of community and the privilege of living closer to nature. But she is also realistic about the challenges involved such as finding somewhere to empty the loo, hunting for a laundrette and commuting to work from a continuously changing mooring. It was also lovely to see how her life aboard and her own bravery in facing past trauma result in her gradual healing.
The book is beautifully illustrated and the front cover is stunning.
I defy even the most confirmed landlubber to read this and not have at least a twinge of longing to try life aboard!
August 16, 2020
Not what I was expecting, I was hoping for a book that led me through canals and the experience of the author.
This was an experience of the author, however do not expect to travel far. That said, it was very interesting to read about the canals in London and the experience of the author. I must have walked past many of these locations without ever realising they were there, or the type of life the occupants of the canal boats led under my nose.
I enjoyed the book.
It does concentrate very much on the life of the author and her life experience. there are parts that are very moving and parts from my own life experience I could relate with. I do not want to add a spoiler, however I was reduced to tears at one point.
This was an experience of the author, however do not expect to travel far. That said, it was very interesting to read about the canals in London and the experience of the author. I must have walked past many of these locations without ever realising they were there, or the type of life the occupants of the canal boats led under my nose.
I enjoyed the book.
It does concentrate very much on the life of the author and her life experience. there are parts that are very moving and parts from my own life experience I could relate with. I do not want to add a spoiler, however I was reduced to tears at one point.
December 21, 2023
I really enjoyed her style of writing. It’s both straightforward and descriptive in an effortless way.
The story is intriguing for someone who hasn’t spent any time in London or on many boats. I appreciate the honesty of what it takes to be a young single female caring for a boat without any experience. I appreciated the vulnerability of the things that were great and the things that weren’t so great instead of romanticizing the experience.
There is detailed discussion of sexual assault, which I wasn’t prepared for. This part of the story was a little more surprising than well-integrated into the story, but I understand that this is a key piece of her story and I appreciate the honesty and bravery to write about something so painful.
I hope we see more books from Danie!
The story is intriguing for someone who hasn’t spent any time in London or on many boats. I appreciate the honesty of what it takes to be a young single female caring for a boat without any experience. I appreciated the vulnerability of the things that were great and the things that weren’t so great instead of romanticizing the experience.
There is detailed discussion of sexual assault, which I wasn’t prepared for. This part of the story was a little more surprising than well-integrated into the story, but I understand that this is a key piece of her story and I appreciate the honesty and bravery to write about something so painful.
I hope we see more books from Danie!
January 29, 2020
25 year old Couchman has to move out of her house-share in London – what to do? Soon to be homeless, she makes a leap of faith….and buys herself a canal boat! “Afloat” is about Couchman’s adventures as a canal boater, learning to operate and maintain her new home, and, licensed only as a continuous cruiser (without a permanent mooring), moving every two weeks. Embraced by a community of fellow boaters, Couchman is never truly alone – a helping hand, a party, or a shared meal is just a shout away.
A great read I especially enjoyed the day to day adventures and the descriptions of the different areas around London. Made me want to be a Canal Boater!
A great read I especially enjoyed the day to day adventures and the descriptions of the different areas around London. Made me want to be a Canal Boater!
October 4, 2020
Absolutely loved this book from beginning to end. Listened to it on Audible and it was gorgeous to hear it read, with pashion, by the author.
The feeling of friendship and support from the narrowboat community is a joy to hear about. The story covers every emotion, from the author’s loves (boat, dog and boyfriend) to the anguish and trauma of being raped as a teenager and trying to come to terms with that.
I left with a feeling of respect for those trying to live a more nomadic life, on the water and awe for the author’s braveness in telling the world about the terrible things that happened to her in her youth.
The feeling of friendship and support from the narrowboat community is a joy to hear about. The story covers every emotion, from the author’s loves (boat, dog and boyfriend) to the anguish and trauma of being raped as a teenager and trying to come to terms with that.
I left with a feeling of respect for those trying to live a more nomadic life, on the water and awe for the author’s braveness in telling the world about the terrible things that happened to her in her youth.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2023
This was very well written and really kept my interest the whole time. I felt like I was living the author's life while reading it.
Danie Couchman writes about the first couple of houseboats that she lived in and the people she established kinship with during those times. It has a bit of a traumatic experience mentioned that may trigger some sensitive people, but I found it to be a beautiful way to show how she had need of healing and growth in sharing the experience. Very sad but great.
I loved the book and am so glad that I read it.
Danie Couchman writes about the first couple of houseboats that she lived in and the people she established kinship with during those times. It has a bit of a traumatic experience mentioned that may trigger some sensitive people, but I found it to be a beautiful way to show how she had need of healing and growth in sharing the experience. Very sad but great.
I loved the book and am so glad that I read it.
October 7, 2023
Looking for a thrilling aquatic adventure? Afloat might float your boat. The author's journey of living on a narrowboat in the waterways of England is just so endearing to read, especially when it's about freedom and simplicity. Danie's decision to leave her conventional life to live on a narrowboat is bold, inspiring and leads to personal growth and self-discovery. Her encounters with fellow boaters, the challenges of maintenance, and the idyllic descriptions of the English countryside kept me hooked. A wonderful travelogue that is as much about traveling as it is about life.
May 4, 2020
An interesting memoir. I live in London and I see so many boats at the canals all over the city and I am always thinking how would it be living on one of those. The author doesn't disappoint, she explained well her life living on a boat by describing her own experiences. Some times the book was very personal - I guess it's a memoir after all - and other times it was difficult to follow the characters. All in all, a good read.
July 17, 2022
Really lovely account of Danie's 5 years spent living on a houseboat on London's waterways. She writes honestly about boat life, detailing the highs and lows - everything from lovely walks with her dog Mango and balmy summer days spent messing about on the water to darker days spent struggling through harsh winters and sharing scars from sexual abuse. Recommend reading this one if you like candid memoirs about finding yourself, choosing a slower pace of life, and connecting with nature.
November 22, 2022
this was a real through the keyhole look at nomadic canal boat living and the authors life.
i throughly enjoyed this book and found the writing gorgeous and enchanting yet honest.
i have to mention the cover design, illustrations throughout and front map as they are all so pretty and really make the reading experience.
side note and spoiler ** chapter 7 talks in detail about sexual assault. **
i throughly enjoyed this book and found the writing gorgeous and enchanting yet honest.
i have to mention the cover design, illustrations throughout and front map as they are all so pretty and really make the reading experience.
side note and spoiler ** chapter 7 talks in detail about sexual assault. **
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2023
Beautifully written and gripping, I read it in two days. A fascinating look at narrowboat life and also touching on her healing process from sexual abuse as a young teen, which is described in fairly graphic detail towards the end of the book, but is not the main theme. Her bravery to confront what happened and willingness to step out of the 'normal box' is inspiring, and may help fellow survivors to see that despite difficult childhoods in many different ways life can get better.
August 26, 2019
Beautiful life story straight from the heart
Descriptions of canal life in all it's day to day living and surrounding nature really bring it all to life. Back to basics living with like minded people helping each other really gives you some faith in humanity when there is so little around at times. Truly inspiring read.
Descriptions of canal life in all it's day to day living and surrounding nature really bring it all to life. Back to basics living with like minded people helping each other really gives you some faith in humanity when there is so little around at times. Truly inspiring read.
February 28, 2022
I genuinely wasn't sure about this book for the first 3rd of it, but then I became caught up in the lives of those it portrays and the glimpse into a way of living so different from my own. It's worth the read for the insight it gives into a lifestyle that is simultaneously an echo of ancient traditions and a response to modern housing constraints.
November 3, 2019
I love a memoir and Danie’s descriptions of her life aboard her barge(s) are wonderful - such an interesting book even if you don’t know London’s waterways - me daughter and I even walked a part of the canal after she’d read the book. A brilliant read.
June 24, 2020
The great title encapsulates what this memoir is about - narrowboats are incidental. In turns harrowing and informative this a reflective study of what is means when we try to escape from... ourselves.
September 20, 2021
Listening to the author read the audiobook was like curling up with a blanket at a towpath party late in the evening to hear her story. Loved it. Additionally fuelled and confirmed my bucket list France/Belgium barge 12 month escape - one day!
October 19, 2021
An absolutely fantastic read, a life wonderfully lived; despite the darkness inflicted on the author’s innocence at an earlier time & you will of course fall in love with Mango 🥭 & Genesis ♥️♥️. I love this book from the first page to the last♥️
January 24, 2022
I really enjoyed this book It reads like a pleasant stroll through the countryside where you just happen across a happy bunch of revellers.
It was a bit of a shock when the author disclosed some of the dreadful things that have happened to her. I wish her a long, happy and well-loved life.
It was a bit of a shock when the author disclosed some of the dreadful things that have happened to her. I wish her a long, happy and well-loved life.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews