Spirit Free
The receptionist in the hotel we are currently 'living in' has just said to us that the weather we're having here at the moment is very unusual...
Over the past few days the air has become warmer and warmer, and running today along the prom was like being part of a busy summer's day....
There were many many walkers, runners, cyclists and swimmers...
So it does look like the sun is following us!
On the way back we saw a group of bare chested, be shorted men about to play a beach volley ball match...
My standing man in the underpass has not burst into song again, and as we ran past today it made me wonder if I had dreamt the whole thing up...
But I wanted to give him money anyway - as I had resolved - so I dropped a five euro 
note into his collecting box...
He smiled at me as I made the move to put something in, but I did it on the run, and so didn't see his face on receiving it...
Anadi who was running just behind me, told me that my 'standing man' looked 1) delighted and 2) like he couldn't wait to pocket it, so that only the loose change remained in this money bowl...!
Our hotel receptionist went on to encourage us to go out and see the City... We assured her we have; that we have run her City, that we love her City... And that in fact we live here at the moment!
She was delighted with the idea of travelling the world and working as we go...
'I would love to do this' she said, two of three times, as we stood chatting with her, she repeated that she would love to do this....
'Nearly everyone who we tell of our lifestyle to, says that they would like to live like this', I said to Anadi as we went up the stairs....
'True' he said 'but maybe there is a difference between the idea of it and actually doing it...'
Some people have said they like the idea but they wouldn't want to leave their home or to not have a base to return to... Others have said they would like to do it, but feel afraid...
But it is true, that many people have said to us when we describe our lifestyle, that it appeals to them...
Our essence and true nature is one of freedom,
As the words of 'The Waterboys' song 'Spirit' remind us...
Man gets tired
Spirit don't
Man surrenders
Spirit won't
Man crawls
Spirit flies
Spirit lives
When man dies
Man seems
Spirit is
Man dreams
The spirit lives
Man is tethered
Spirit free
What spirit
Is man can be
But the earthly journey is a challenging one, and the need for shelter, and food and warmth, is of course paramount for us all. Lifetimes of survival are no doubt etched in our very being...
But now there is a gradual recognition that we can create different ways, that we will still be warm and dry and have food... And that we can make up different ways of living.
I am imagining that in years to come, with technology as it is, and with more and more people living as Anadi and I do, that it won't be such a different thing. Maybe it will even be one of the 'standard' ways of choosing to live...!
As we journey we have met many people who have sold up; who are living abroad, or living on a boat, or travelling and exploring different lifestyles...
I haven't owned a property since 2001 anyway, as I preferred to 'feel free' by renting...
I rented the same flat in Eastbourne for many years, and in that time my landlord and I went through a regular dance, which we both became used to!
I would call him every so often, and say, 'please may I buy my flat...' He would say 'yes', and then give me a price and I would start the process...
And then I would call him again and say 'I've changed my mind, I want to be free' and we would have a chat about freedom...
He was a surfer, as well as a property developer, so he understood my nature...
So really and truly 'renting as I go' around the world is not so very different...
