decisions

I am trying to strike a balance between living sensibly and living well. Obviously I don't have money to waste on anything non essential and I have to see where I can make cutbacks. So in that light, I have decided to sell my car. It sits in the carpark for six days out of seven and I just can't justify the expense. However, I have not been without a car for the last 30 years! I find it gives a great sense of both security and independence to know that I can just get in and go wherever I want.

Sensibly...

I used to love driving, just for driving's sake, but now that enjoyment is gone. The roads are so crowded and everybody else seem to be in such a hurry and so angry! And it is infectious. If someone makes a minor error in driving near me, I find myself raging at them, and yet in any other sphere of life, I would just let it go. I suspect most drivers aren't so much angry as terrified! How did we all get to live such hurried and fearful lives? Why is getting somewhere quickly more important than being courteous and forgiving or even safe? This has helped me in my decision to sell the car. I don't like the person I become behind the wheel but I do like the person I am when I have a tiller in my hand! I also like the people I meet on the towpath and on the canal much more than those on our highways. People smile and wave. They have time to say 'good morning' and if I make a mistake, other boaters just smile or comment that they also have made mistakes and not to worry about it. There is a courtesy and friendliness on the cut (canal) that I thought was only confined these days to tiny rural hamlets.

Having made the decision, I went straight out and bought a folding bike. I need something to go to the shops with and to carry my shopping home, but also I had forgotten what fun cycling can be. It also feels like it fits this new life; connected to the environment in a way that driving in a metal box can never be. I don't have to worry about parking or getting petrol and the running costs are almost nothing.

Well...

My second decision is to do with the living well rather than economically; in fact sensible people will almost certainly scold me for it. It is 7 months since my beloved labrador died and there is a hole in my heart. I feel I've got all this love to give and nobody to lavish it on, so I'm going to buy a dog. My last two dogs were of the rescue variety and although I loved them both, my regret was that I never knew either of them as puppies. I am also aware that bringing a dog onto a boat has its challenges and it will be a lot easier for both of us if the dog is trained to it from the beginning. I have been researching breeds for a while - although I loved both my Collie and Labrador, I have decided a smaller dog will fit better into my smaller living space. Finally I have narrowed the choice down to a Cairn Terrier. Now I just need to find one. I will use what I get for the car to pay for both the bike and the dog. Here ( I hope) is a picture of a Cairn terrier...

Isn't he gorgeous? Hopefully mine will be too.