What am I running from????

Hi Friends.

It is Tuesday evening 8.00pm and I am sitting here alone, as Keith has gone to bed with his cold. Mine seems to be improving little by little, not only that someone has to carryon regardless ;0).
We decided not to move today, as we both wanted to get our colds under control, not only that we are in no major hurry to be at our next port of call. The day has been very quiet, so it gave me a chance to catch up on e-mails, my business accounts and odd and ends. In my e-mails I got a message from a blogger, who felt the need to mail me rather than leave me a message on my blog, so I thought I would write a post on what she asked me.

In the e-mail I was asked "What are you running from?".
Is moving on to the canal away of escaping from something or someone?
Both of these were very good questions in their own right. I have replied to her e-mail to find out what she means. But it got me thinking and therefore this is my answer and some of the reply to her questions.

What am I running from???
I am not running away from anything, if anything I have run towards something, because this life was offered to me when I met Keith back in 2000. Keith had always had the dream of returning to the canal and having his own working boat. So when we got together, I either had to embrace his dream, or we would not continue with our friendship and then relationship, which I felt was fair enough. Keith hired a boat for a week to show me what I was I going to be letting myself in for. I was hooked, even though my first day was spent working 27 locks in the pouring rain. I loved every single moment of it and would not have changed a thing. I wanted the lifestyle and all it had to offer. At no point did I think I was running away from anything. I have run towards a lifestyle which suits me down to the ground.

Is moving on to the canal away of escaping something or someone?
I guess you could say I have escaped something and that is the rat race. But I feel this is where I belong. So in away it is a form of escapism, because I no longer have to follow others as they strive to survive in the modern world. I chose the life I lead, because I love being close to nature. I want a new view everyday and feel the wind on my face on a cold and crispy day. I love to feel the rain on my face as well. I know I am odd ha ha ha. But this is the life Keith and I have chosen and we have no regrets. I really do not need the trappings of a busy life with a house, a car etc, etc, etc. For me I feel these trappings take my freedom and sense of worth away. If I want to be a lone on the canal, I can be. Likewise if I want company that is very easy to find as well. Keith and I are so fortunate to have many friends on the canal. We probably have many more canal friends who brighten our lives, whereas our friends list on dry land was very limited.
The life Keith, I and many others lead is not of course for everyone, and you do still have to follow rules and regulations like in other walks of life. Our life is full of new adventures everyday.
I hope this answered my readers questions, and I hope that she will reply to my e-mail.

If you have any questions about my life on the canal, please feel free to ask them and I will do my best to reply to them honestly.