Friday 6 May 2011

The end of a chapter..

I first have to apologise to everyone who reads my blog that I have not written for a very long while. When I last wrote, we were at Whixall Marina heading to the Forest of Dean to run a few errands. After we returned to the boat, we made a life changing decision. With all the uncertainty of future employment we decided to stay here in North Wales. Scott has already found a job with someone we met here and I am being a ‘boatwife’ for a while and doing some voluntary work for the Red Cross.

It was not an easy decision to make and I still cannot believe that we are not heading back to Uxbridge. It is also very sad to think that our year of travelling is over. It is however very exciting to start a new chapter in the countryside.

When I reflect on our year I have such happy memories. I think that not only have we come along way along the canals, we have learnt so much about each other and especially how to get on 24/7!. I really have developed the skill of relaxing and to enjoy and appreciate my surroundings. I think I have become a happier person.

I am unsure if you can be proud of a cat, however, I have been very impressed on how Matilda coped with moving from place to place. She also has come into her own. At home, she never hunted and she hardly went out into the garden. Here as soon as the boat stops she jumps off the boat to explore and bring us presents.

We have also had many welcome visitors who kept us company along the way. I think that my parents enjoyed popping up to the many different places and staying in an array of B&B’s. We were also visited by many friends, who brought a little bit of Uxbridge to us. I have been thankful for all the visits and hope that they will continue.

My final thanks is to Scott, who really was the driving force for this adventure. I would imagine it is very rare that a married couple would spend so long together (unless retired!) and I have been very lucky to build such a happy memory.

I am unsure if I keep blogging, I guess to blog is an incentive to do ‘stuff’ so that I have something to write about! But to end this chapter of our ‘journey’ I would like to thank you all for reading. It has been an honour and a pleasure to have shared this adventure with you..…