A Nottingham boat owner shared his bohemian lifestyle on the canals of the city he has lived in since the 1990s.
At 67, John Ball’s lifestyle on the 64-foot boat he calls home is far from conventional.
It all started almost 30 years ago when he decided to sell everything and leave his landed property behind for a more adventurous lifestyle.
Unlike the mystical pirate boats, his exquisite waterfront home is fully furnished, including a lovely lounge area, a small fireplace, and a TV screen.
John proudly took Nottinghamshire Live on an exclusive tour of his water house.
“It’s not a comfortable life, but it’s colorful,” said John as he made a cup of tea in the tiny kitchen.
Once a gas engineer and then a trader, the now retired boatswain said he would never return to earthly life.
“I would love to end my days here, but I know that people usually move into a house after a certain age because it gets difficult.
He giggled and said, “Boating keeps me fit.”
His exquisite home in itself is a rare piece.
Black Crow – and Jack’s fourth boat – is valued at £ 100,000 and is only three years old.
On board the Black Crow boat.
(Image: Olimpia Zagnat)
He said, “You don’t normally find cream carpets in a boat, but this is something special – it has the ‘wow’ factor.
“It used to be a demonstration boat and I was very lucky to get it for £ 85,000.”
The narrow one bedroom boat is a “dream on the water” – perfect for living and navigating the picturesque canals.
Despite his spirit of adventure, John said he’d rather stay in Nottingham and not get bored with his typical routes.
“I’m usually near Castle Marina, which is pretty much like a parking lot.
“I’m a Nottingham boy, I’ve lived here all my life and I love it.
“But if you have the time and the inclination, you can travel all over the country.
“Looking to the future, this summer is open to all possibilities.”
With pubs and bars now open, the once quiet boat stop just outside the district court has returned to its lively nightlife.
While this might be a challenge for some of the boat owners in the canal, John says otherwise.
“I live alone and the last thing I want is to sit alone in silence.
John Ball, 67, pictured aboard on Carrington Street.
(Image: Olimpia Zagnat)
“I love going to pubs and interacting with people – I like it when it’s busy.”
He added, “People like me who have chosen this lifestyle are a mixed bag.
“We’re very similar to travelers, but at the same time we’re also different.
“They’ll get people to live on a boat because it’s cheaper, or maybe others who want to get out of society – and people like me who want to explore.”
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With the sunshine reflecting in the water a few minutes from Carrington Street, the Black Crow should go in search of the next adventure.
“It is a great time to live on a boat now that we are no longer locked and there is a festive atmosphere everywhere you go.