The Lollipop Lady

I heard an interview with a lollipop lady on the radio the other day, saying that the council had installed tiny cameras on both sides of her lollipop sign to catch out motorists who refused to stop for children crossing or who were abusive and aggressive. I thought she was joking for a moment. Then I realised she was serious - it seems there really are people who begrudge a few minutes to wait for kids to cross the road safely on their way home from school.

This morning, I threw the dogs in the car to set off into the countryside for a lovely walk in the sunshine before settling down to work. I opened the window in the back to give the dogs some air and it wouldn't close. It was stuck in wide open position. Annoyingly this only happened a few weeks ago and the electric part was replaced. So, another visit to the garage and it was replaced again (the last one was faulty apparently). Which meant that I was running late all day.
But I was perfectly calm when I stopped for this lollipop lady on Newmarket Road on the way home. Later, however, on my way (late, of course) to a parents' evening, I could barely contain my road rage when a drake and two ducks decided to amble across the road from the village duck pond and then BACK AGAIN as if they had ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD and NO ONE was in even the tiniest hurry. I was about to politely suggest they might like to waddle a bit faster when it occurred to me they might have miniature cameras hidden in their beaks. I'm not sure I want to watch myself as the Duck Rage Lady on the next series of Britain's Worst Police Chases.

[Darrell Soper]

It is a shame that the council has had to go to such lengths. You should of grabbed your camera to shot the ducks to help vent your rage.

[Shannon Pitton]

So funny. You are probably safe from beak cameras, but not the cell phones of all your fellow motorists. It's sort of a crazy world we live in.

[Susan McIntyre]

It is so hard to waddle fast! I love the title lollipop lady. Great shot.

[Judith Greenwood]

I also think it's a bit sad that a) you have to meet very strict requirements to get a lollipop lady b) you're not allowed to use your own school staff and c) they seem to have to double up lollipops and traffic lights. And if you think I'm getting on my high horse then wait till I start on road-crossing ducks!!!

[Janna E.]

Great capture! Funny story ;)

[Judifff]

Haha Duck Rage! Love it ;o)

[Isla Wight]

Ha ha - excellent story (not the bit about the impatient drivers - what wallies - to use a mild form of what I'd really call them ... ) but love the duck story - the nerve of them ...