Jinks was booked in for a 'winter trim' at the dog groomer's yesterday. Only a very short drive but I set off in thick fog.
I knew that the narrow and long lane where Upham Pet Clips is located was closed at one end because of roadworks so took the roundabout route to the other end. On arrival I found that the road was barred at that end with a council employee on duty.
Wound down the window to find that I could not access the dog groomer's from there and now needed to go back to the other end of the lane. I suggested I might park my car and instead walk along the lane with Jinks. So Rob, as I later found his name to be, gave me a bit of assistance getting the car into a suitable place.
Before Jinks and I set off, I thought to tell Rob about my strangers' portraits and asked if he would participate. He was quickly agreeable and I said I'd take my camera and portrait lens with me when I collected Jinks. The walk was not too pleasant, foggy, wet road, some bits of the surface dug up etc but we arrived and I left Jinks for his 'toilettage'.
Rob had promised to see me out of the lane which is on a blind bend. When I returned to the car, I remembered my little Lumix in the glove compartment so took a few shots just in case Rob was working somewhere else on my return.
He said it made a change from photos often sent in my irate motorists claiming workmen had been rude to them etc. For protection to provide evidence in case of disputes, workmen now each have their own video camera on their jacket.
I learnt it's not unusual for council workmen repairing roads to be subject to verbal and physical abuse. Rob himself has had sticks and golf balls thrown at him, also been shot at twice with an air rifle, all by motorists incensed that they could not have access to a road which they normally use.
Rob has been in a team of workers repairing roads for around 10 years. He told me that the money is good but the hours are long. On that day he had started at 4 a.m. and would finish at 5 p.m.
I asked about leisure interests and Rob told me that he flies radio-controlled helicopters. He said this could be quite dangerous as a lot of space is needed and he has just treated himself to two mini helicopters. I think he said he can fly them in the lounge.....
He and his wife are currently kept busy by their black labrador puppy, which they recently acquired, their previous dog having died a little while ago.
I found a bit of card to write on and Rob found a pen so he gave me his email address for a photo.
At home I put the shots from the Lumix on the screen and really liked one of Rob smiling so thought I would probably use that.
Jinks was due to be collected at 3.30 so I set off in bright sunlight here at home, only to find, a few hundred yards up the road the fog still as thick as in the morning. Now both entrances to the lane were completely closed with barriers.
At Rob's end there was at least a space to get the car off the road. But just ahead red-hot tarmac was being put down. He phoned through and arranged for me to be escorted to the dog groomer's from the other end.
We decided not to take more time getting more photos as I was already late to fetch Jinks.
So there I was, following a highway maintenance lorry, orange lights flashing. Unfortunately the road ahead was blocked again so I had to park in a field gateway and the last part was a rather dirty rough road walk with a workman, Daniel, as escort. I was foolishly wearing my new red boots.
At Upham Pet Clips, Jinks was fast asleep. I was determined not to let him, freshly bathed and trimmed, walk through all the mess on the road. Katie offered to carry him to the car. But Daniel, waiting at the gate, insisted on taking him so he was passed over. I insisted that he knew Jinks is an escape merchant and asked him to hold the lead as well as holding the dog!
When we reached the car I remembered the a6000 I had taken with me and got a quick shot of Jinks with Daniel, before I put him in the car.
The completion of a somewhat surreal day including a very unexpected strangers' portrait of Rob.
What a tale Hazel!! I bet he had one too when he got home about the lady in red boots! That's a long day to be outside especially in this weather. A kind face and a gold tooth!! Things we do for 365 eh?
