Tuesday 7 January 2020

Don’t Walk in the Road …




This was shouted out as I wandered up the old High Street, past the town hall, with the intention of going on home … 


Eastbourne Town Hall -
top of Grove Road (which was the main high street)
… but the junction by the town hall is a miss-mash (or mish-mash!): two one-way streets, one which bifurcates as it reaches the town hall, opposite a two-way street, just round the corner another road that comes in …


My mish-mash junction ... I was walking past The Grove
Experience (not sure what that is!) on the Town Hall side
of the road ... and walking on up past the Church
(see next image for the actual junction)



… so car drivers also don’t always know where to go … but the shout-out … took me a while to realise it was, more than once, addressed to me!




Town Hall on left as you look
at the image - and I was on the
pavement outside the town hall
- not quite visible in the photo ...
but the bifurcated bit of the road
in front of the town hall is -
where this electric was ...

I’d forgotten my bus pass and was wandering home and had decided to walk up on the other side of the road … knowing that ‘this junction’ might make me wait around for a few seconds – but to be ‘accosted (by shouting)’ don’t walk in the road took me by surprise – yes I was in the bifurcated part of Grove Road …





Eastbourne Town Hall
- built 1883

… but hadn’t heard a car coming up behind me, to then realise it was an electric one … as I was happily about the cross over to the middle of the road – so I stepped back onto the pavement.


I tried again … unusually! traffic in all directions – so kept stepping back …


Lewis Carroll's illustration
for the old man standing on his head
… the chap sitting on the town hall steps was now quite anxious – calling out did I need help to cross the road ………… by then I was laughing to myself.



But knew that he was being very thoughtful and was obviously concerned I was a completely incompetent old lady … so I did turn back to him and say … I’m fine thank you.

 I have to say these exchanges occurred a few times – eventually the traffic cleared and off I toddled.



The junction isn’t that easy – but it’s unusual to get held up … yet one needs to be aware of the various directions traffic could come at you from. 


I was on the bifurcated bit … and quite often it’s ignored by drivers: they get to the junction without using the bifurcation – which surprises pedestrians, who don’t expect to be accosted by a motorised vehicle turning right into their path.


Tenniel's illustration for 'turning a
somersault in at the door'


I should think I’ve lost you with my descriptions … blame it on old woman blogger syndrome!



I’m pretty road savvy and spatially aware … so was bemused to be ‘ticked off’ by a chap sitting on the cold town hall steps.  I might say he was there the next day – then I was in the bus … so in no danger of causing him anxiety!




Obviously I need to take heed … to others:




"You are old," said the youth, "one would hardly suppose
That your eye was as steady as ever;
Yet you balanced an eel on the end of your nose—
What made you so awfully clever?"


I think I need to pay attention to the first verse … where the old man stands on his head … my lack of hair might not show quite so much …


Another of Tenniel's illustrations -
thankfully I am not like that!
… and the third verse … my word for the year (not attributed to me!) is waistline … needs to be found – I am not, as the stanza says, ‘uncommonly fat’ … but a little reduction would help!


Well that’s enough waffle for me … setting the tone for Monday’s post … with the very appropriate poem by Lewis Carroll: “You AreOld, Father William” … or … You Are Getting Older, Blogger Hilary


Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

62 comments:

Linda said...

Hi Hilary, so glad you weren't struck by the silent car. It was kind of the man to offer assistance, even if none was needed. I am still not sure what a bifurcated street is. Maybe what we call divided highways here?

John Holton said...

I got halfway through this before I realized I wasn't sure what "bifurcated" meant. I looked it up, and yes, I understood it correctly.

Be careful of those "stealth" cars. Personally, I think they should make a sound so you know they're back there, kind of like the chemical they add to natural gas so you can tell when you have a gas leak.

Thanks for reminding me about "You Are Old, Father William." Always liked that one, specially "Be off, or I'll kick you downstairs!"

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
There was a news item a couple of months back about a push to have all-electric vehicles fitted with an 'engine sound' for exactly the reasons you faced! No doubt there will have to be pedestrians damaged a few times before legislation is legislated... happy birthday belated or soon. YAM xx

Anabel Marsh said...

The older I get, the less I like crossing the road! I don’t trust some drivers …

Debbie D. said...

So glad you weren't hit by a car, Hilary! I'm sure the young man had good intentions, but it's always disconcerting to realize someone thinks of us as old. And most of us could do with a little waistline reduction after the holidays. ☺

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Linda - thankfully she was driving very slowly - she was coming up to a road junction as well. My brother has an electric car ... albeit I don't see him that often - I'm aware of how quiet they are.

Bifurcated is where the road splits - this one does it in front of the town hall, and is split with a pavement island it's shown in the 3rd image above ...

A divided highway to mean ... as it's American in origin ... I'd assume it's a huge road, whereas this is just a single (one way) road until the junction comes up. Hope that helps ...

@ John - I think you've worked out what 'bifurcated' means ... sorry just a word that came into my mind ... and I did wonder whether it's meaning would be clear.

Oh this road - you can't whizz up it and I was standing at a junction ... and yes they are talking about adding a noise ... we'll wait and see. Eastbourne town centre refurbishment is probably more dangerous ... perhaps that's for another day!

Delighted the poem 'You Are Old, Father William" - love all the verses ...

@ Yam - yes I noticed the media item about electric cars perhaps to be made to fit an engine sound ... who knows what will happen. Celebrations too early for now - but thank you.

@ Anabel - some drivers I know are very dangerous ... but Eastbourne is probably easier to get around than Glasgow. This lady was driving up behind me very slowly ... and didn't hoot at me ...

@ Debbie - oh yes I'd hate to be hit by a car ... more likely in the middle of the town centre; the chap who was warning me was obviously, and nicely, a concerned citizen.

I'm being reminded more and more often of 'how old' I look ... but certainly don't act. Oh my waistline has got out of hand ... to be addressed in 2020.

Thanks to you all for commenting and being here ... great to read your thoughts - cheers Hilary

Elephant's Child said...

I am glad you were safe. Increasingly I only cross the road at 'dedicated' crossings because I am a decidedly wobbly old woman. And thanks for the reminder of a poem I always enjoyed.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I've wandered around London many times and cars do seem to come from every direction. Of course, it's worse when you're used to them on the other side of the road!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Oh no! I about stepped off a curb in a London circle and into an oncoming car when we visited years ago.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I must confess, Hilary, that I have never heard the term "bifurcate" or "birfurcation" used so much. It is, no doubt, a sign of your erudition! As for the lack of noise from electric cars, I am a little bemused by the notion that we should add sound to the engine. In a world where I seek quiet spaces and enjoy the absence of urban noise it seems to me quite hideous to deliberately add noise when we have finally innovated and have been able to eliminate it in the process. Pedestrians are routinely struck by conventional internal combustion engine vehicles and they make quite a racket. I suspect that for the population at large (those not suffering from old lady syndrome) a little less obsessive behaviour with an iPhone might be a better solution.

Victoria Marie Lees said...

Darling, I don't think of it as "being old." I think of it as being wise, of having experience, of being aware of the world. You are the best, Hilary. I love your posts. All the best in 2020, my dear!

Chatty Crone said...

Oh my gosh - my girlfriend's 18 year old grandson just hit and killed a young girl - by accident - she stepped off the street into oncoming traffic.
Be careful!
Love, sandie

Rhonda Albom said...

Ahh, those roads can be treacherous. They are not made for walkers any longer. I can understand the electric vehicle issue as they are very quiet. I had a good taste of this in China a number of years ago. Bicycles were being replaced by electric scooters. If I came to a traffic light on the street and it was red, I found 20-50 scooters lined up waiting to go. The light turns green and barely a sound. They wiz by you and you dare not make any sudden moves without looking back.

Liz A. said...

Sounds like the road was very confusing. Glad you got yourself sorted.

Hels said...

Eastbourne Town Hall is a fantastic building, I hope preserved on the inside as well as the outside. It was designed to be impressive and distracting :)

Jz said...

I'm very glad your cautionary tale had a happy ending. When I initially read the title, I had visions of the first line being, "Don't ask me how I know this..."
I'm glad there was no tale of actual woe, only minor irksomeness.
Perhaps what the world needs is more cowbell?

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I've heard more than one story of a pedestrian being surprised by the approach of one of those quiet electric cars. Drivers are so often distracted that they forget that pedestrians have to right-of-way.
I need a little of that reduction also. LOL

Sandra Cox said...

Walk on, young woman, safely.

Botanist said...

Glad you escaped unscathed! And I had to look up that poem, it brought back memories because a friend at college wrote a parody lampooning one of his very elderly tutors.

Joanne said...

Aahh Lewis Carroll. Maybe you were in a "Hilary in Wonderland" situation and didn't know it. This post was quite amusing despite the danger. Very glad you are safe at home and posting this. I love the idea of you toddling along...
Your language just brings me joy. And I thank the bloke for shouting at you and worrying - that's just darn nice.

Powdered Toast Man said...

I had to look up bifurcate. You used it too many time to me to ignore.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ EC – one really shouldn’t be knocked over by a car in Eastbourne … it is a quiet town! But the refurbished town centre is going to challenge a few. I rarely cross at dedicated crossings – as I get so cross people push the ‘stop’ button and then walk … never waiting for the pedestrian lights to go green. The poem often comes into my head … and did yesterday …

@ Alex – oh London is challenging … but now car traffic is quite reduced due to regulations, lots of buses and vans though. Yes I struggled a bit in Duncan, Canada – with the wrong side of the road … nearly copped it a couple of times – usually when driving!

@ Diane – being abroad with different traffic directions is not easy, London particularly – so glad you survived …

@ David – thank you … it was the only way I could see how I could explain the top of Grove Road, where it junctions into South Street.

Re adding noise to electric cars … I can see where it’s come from … pedestrians are almost oblivious to motorised vehicles … so completely oblivious to noiseless electric vehicles … and we need to give protection to the drivers who could quite innocently run into someone.

iphone syndrome or not, I don’t think will improve our lives around towns – though it would be great if people didn’t walk around with phones up to their noses! – for pedestrians, as well as drivers …

@ Victoria – nor do I think of it as being old … thankfully I’m so young at head level … but the years tick by, experience has been acquired! Delighted to read your comment – thank you …

@ Sandie – oh dear that sounds a very sad accident – I am pretty careful … just not expecting ‘rush hour’ at that moment outside the town hall!

@ Rhonda – traffic can be a nightmare … but we are in a relatively quiet part of England.

I think I’d be completely daunted walking in China … especially with silent electric scooters … but interesting that they’re not using petrol or diesel … thanks for that update …

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Liz – the roads muddle a few … but I’ve lived here quite a long time … I just wasn’t expecting quite so much traffic …

@ Hels – the Town Hall is pretty amazing isn’t it – yes they have preserved it quite well inside … I’ll check again – as there was asbestos in the basement: they were clearing out. I’ve been to Town Hall meetings and to talks – but very few … the rooms are impressive: as you’d expect of a Victorian building …

@ Jz – oh it was fine … I was just bemused at being advised by someone sitting on the Town Hall steps. No troubles … thankfully.

More cowbell – for the cow – me?! Or for the cars? We’re not that slow down here, nor herded – especially me … hate being herded!

@ Susan – yes it’s becoming more common as cars and buses et al become electrified. We have a challenging situation in the middle of town, where only buses can go, the refurbished parts are just flat – there is a bus lane, but no real delineating and no pavement as such. Ah yes the reduction … must start!

@ Sandra – yes still young thankfully …

@ Ian – glad you looked up the poem … it’s one of Lewis Carroll’s best … as it takes us along. Excellent it reminded you of your friend’s parody – how talented to be able to write those … perhaps you can remember it ….

@ Joanne – by the time I’d been ‘verbally advised’ I was pretty much in my own world and it was a sunny afternoon … could have been Kinky?! (after The Kinks). No danger to any of us. I do toddle intentionally though. Just delighted you enjoy the posts … and yes I realised he was being kind and thoughtful – we need more like him.

@ PTM – it’s interesting that you and others made the effort to look ‘bifurcate’ up … thank you!

Cheers to you all – and thanks so much for visiting … I cannot tell you how gloomy, dank and misty it was yesterday and is today … it may be ‘warm’ – but miserably foul!! All the best Hilary

T. Powell Coltrin said...

You are not alone and it has nothing to do with age. I've walked out in front of cars all my life. Never hit, but hey there's always today. :) I am always distracted and looking at the sights and not the dangers in life.

Teresa C.

Heather M. Gardner said...

One day I will try my best to get the chance to cross some streets in London! That would be an awesome trip!

Thanks for the laugh and for coming to visit me on my blog!

Happy new year!

Heather

Judy Croome | @judy_croome said...

Glad to hear you survived the bifurcated junction Hilary! How casually you spoke of electric cars - the technofuture is upon us! Have a wonderful 2020, with plentymore roadside adventures!! :)

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

Hi-ya. Yeah, it was a lot easier keeping track of the vehicles on the road when they make some NOISE. Those electric cars are downright sneaky...

Alas, we're all getting old. Our bodies may not be what they used to be, but thankfully, we're still kicking. (Albeit not nearly as high!) And we can always remain as young at heart as we dare.

Happy New Year, sweet lady. May 2020 bring you many new joys.

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

The roads here in Bucerias are narrow, and sometimes when a bus speeds pass from behind, the hair on my arms stands up as the bus brushes my skin. I don't believe getting hit by any vehicle would be fun. What am I saying! I was once hit by a truck and I'm here to say it HURT! Haha.

Chrys Fey said...

I'd be nervous crossing a road like that.

Julie Flanders said...

I had to laugh at the guy sitting on the steps asking if you needed help. I'm like Chrys as I know I'd be nervous crossing a road like that. Just reading the description made me a little nervous and I was glad I wasn't the one trying to cross LOL.

Happy 2020 to you, Hilary!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Teresa – I’m usually pretty astute – but the electrification of those petrol/diesel carriers need to be so carefully driven, and I know so often people don’t use the bifurcated lane …

@ Heather – that’s great to know … better off trying some of the quieter town streets … but London is fabulous to visit. Pleasure to see you on the blog and to give you a laugh in January!

@ Judy – how lovely to see you again – it’s great. I guess there’s a lot of them here … or at least talk of them (and the public service vehicles) … and I experienced a few out in Canada … I hope I can steer clear of roadside adventures – well not report them!

@ Susan - yes at least one is aware of the sputters etc from the exhausts … and as you say any electric vehicle is very sneaky!

Kicking high has never been one of my attributes … but being around – that I intend to be for a while. Definitely young at heart … while I live on …

@ Joylene – I can imagine the roads in Bucerias would be narrow … while the buses would ‘pile’ along – getting hit by a vehicle is one of my ‘please not me thoughts!’ Gosh I bet that truck hit was awful … and I’m glad you’re here to tell the tale …

@ Chrys – it’s a very quiet road … seriously (usually!) …

@ Julie – it’s really usually a fairly easy junction to get over … one just needs one’s wits about one?! I don’t often cross the road from that position – often coming the other way … or diagonally opposite – where it is definitely easier … but more people around!

Thanks everyone – so glad you enjoyed my little outing … it made me laugh … I probably should have had a chat with the chap – but as usual … I was looking forward to getting home. Cheers to you all - Hilary

Lisa said...

Thank you for introducing me to a word I didn't know: bifurcated! I looked it up. What a complicated name for something usually so simple. Your experience showed just how complicated a bifurcation can be! Happy New year Hilary, and thanks for dropping by my blog and commenting. I especially liked your commiseration with my uncertainty...

Jacqui said...

Hilarious post and chock full of info as usual. I have started to enjoy the 'doddering old lady' card and play it whenever it seems to fill the need. I've wondered about electric cars not making noises. That's a big problem! I suppose some government somewhere will pass a law to fix that.

H. R. Sinclair said...

Those electric cars are sneaky! And the drivers haven't quite figured out how quiet they really are to others. They remember being heard.

I read somewhere they were considering making them make noise on purpose to prevent that very thing from happening.

C. D. Gallant-King said...

I found this incredibly funny. I'm glad you weren't actually hit by a car, then it wouldn't have been so funny. Presumably.

Dan said...

Maybe you should have yelled back "get a car that makes some noise."

Marja said...

Happy New Year Hilary That's a bit of a scare and strange how you become aware when they think of you as old. I had a client saying to me yesterday "Old people like you...." lol My waistline needs work too after all the festivities and visit of family :)

Sandra Cox said...

You are always 'growing' my vocabulary, Hilary. I learned another new word today. Bifurcated. Now if I can just remember it. Heh. Heh.

Arlee Bird said...

getting older does have a few advantages. Now I can act as crazy as I want and it can all be dismissed as being an old man. I'm okay with that.

Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out

Jo-Anne's Ramblings said...

Electric cars are good, silent cars can sneak up on a body.........lol
Watching someone attempt to cross a road can make others anxious, especially if the someone walks as slow as me,........lol

D.G. Kaye said...

Holy crap Hilary. Take care of yourself. As always though, entertaining in your telling :) xx

Rebecca M. Douglass said...

I hate it when the roads don't make it easy to be a pedestrian! Glad you weren't flattened by the electric car :)

cleemckenzie said...

Those sneaky electric vehicles are out to get the elderly and the inattentive. At least mine has a beeping sound that tells me when I'm in reverse. Thank heaven for that because otherwise, I'd likely run over someone's foot, thinking I was silently rolling forward in stealth mode when, in fact, I would be reversing. It's all too confusing and silent really. I need to hear an engine to know if I'm underway.

bazza said...

You used one of my favourite, rarely-used, words - bifurcated! The last time I used it was when describing the Starbucks logo - it's a mermaid with a bifurcated tail.
CLICK HERE for Bazza’s unexpectedly uxorious Blog ‘To Discover Ice’

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Lisa – at least an Englishman further down knows its meaning … I was getting a little worried. It has an interesting history as a word. Your uncertain future must be daunting … but I’m sure all will be well …

@ Jacqui – well I certainly don’t want to be a doddering old lady … but it’s given to me – and I definitely don’t fall into that category. But I do use it …

They are certainly looking at electric cars/vehicles and noise … something will happen, I guess …

@ Holly – yes they can be sneaky … especially at a junction like this where there’s so many areas the cars can come from … this driver was driving very slowly and I’d have stopped when I got to the top (a few steps) to see if I could safely cross.

In Brighton they were going to introduce some electric (better for the environment) buses, but realised it’d be difficult re the no-noise aspect … so the council opted for ‘noisy’ diesel buses …

@ CD – The car driver (a woman, of course!) was driving very carefully – obviously aware of me – though I’m sure I checked for vehicles coming up behind me before I started cutting the corner by walking into the road. Glad you found it funny … I was totally bemused … but it’s made a good post. If I’d been hit – I’d have been very upset!

@ Dan – well who was I going to yell at … the anxious guy who’d interrupted my careful walk, or the driver of the car – to whom I was going to apologise … but moving on took me beyond range of doing either of those things, without creating more havoc outside the town hall!

@ Marja – it was actually fine – the traffic and walking aspect. But I know more and more people are adjusting to my age – not sure how they know really … grey hair, yes … but I don’t act it. Oh my waistline after next week … there’ll need to be some major adjustments!

@ Sandra – that’s great … and it’s good to know you enjoy the words you come across …

@ Lee – yes we can all have our moments can’t we – and we can just declare … we are old, Father William …

@ Jo-Anne – yes they do tend to creep up on one … and I’m usually fine – but this time = no! I’m sure he was right – I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt … and people do get anxious – I’ve a friend who’s much more nervous than I am … I just keep going, but when I’m with her – I need to remember that she’s not spatially aware …

@ Debby – it’s all fine … I was a-wandering along, relatively awake! Thanks for the care thought though …

@ Rebecca – living in little old England with its myriad of byways, roads, lanes etc – it can get a little muddling. But I do not wish to be flattened by an electric car or vehicle – so glad I survived … to walk another day!

@ Lee – yes they must be quite difficult for older people, or people who’ve become deaf, have trouble with their sight, or who are slow to think and react. I think the cars with lots of bells and whistles must be great … but they do then make a lot of noise. I’m sure one needs to be aware one is setting off – that I can understand … I guess it’s getting used to the new car …

@ Bazza – well thank goodness you’ve heard of bifurcate … good heavens I’d have never thought of looking closely at the Starbucks logo … but I will now to see the Mermaid and her tail – bifurcated or otherwise!

Thanks so much for coming by … I keep thinking of little additions I could add to this story … but another day – when I’m even older! I think I must occasionally do a word post to keep us occupied! Cheers and lovely seeing you here - Hilary

Deborah Weber said...

Amusing post Hilary, and I'm glad to hear you were safe from any actual harm while managing to cross. Time marches on and we get older every day, but I'm now adopting the idea to frame it as saging rather than aging. Don't you like the sound of that?

Mark Koopmans said...

Loved the post and Happy New Year to you and yours, Hilary!!

Like many others, I think the Electrics have to have some noise on them, and not just coming from the potty-mouthed drivers who think they own the road.

PS: If you ever do EC's Words for Wednesday (again??), I know of one word that begins with a B that you simply must now include :)

Suzanne Furness said...

Hi Hilary, so very glad you are alright. The cars can creep up on you for sure. I'm sure the young lad was being kind but incidents like this can be disconcerting. Love the poem. Happy New Year to you.

Rhodesia said...

They need to add a sound to electric cars they are dangerous. I have noticed out cycling and walking that they are on you before you realise they are even on the road. Glad you were safe though. Take care Diane

Denise Covey said...

Hi Hilary! I'm glad you weren't struck by the silent electric vehicle. I've never heard of a bifurcated road before. So that man on the cold steps, maybe he sets himself up there every day for entertainment. Take care...

Janie Junebug said...

Someone would probably have good reason to shout at me in such a situation.

Love,
Janie

Deborah Barker said...

As my then young son once said to me, "Mummy, you aren't really old are you? It's just your hands look old..." he was three, I was thirty-seven...have used lashings of hand cream ever since! Go carefully Hilary...those metal machines are quite ferocious! :-) X

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Deborah – thank you, I don’t think I was ever in any danger. Yes … time does move along doesn’t it; That’s rather a good idea … saging rather than aging … yes I do totally like the sound of it … brilliant I shall use it!

@ Mark – thanks. Something will happen re electrics – they’ll give them some noise. This was driven by a woman, who was driving really slowly and sensibly … she knew the road. I’ve never given EC the words … but I do write up an entry … pushes me to quickly find an answer …

@ Suzanne – I don’t think the man was young … definitely getting on – not as ancient as this blogger!! The Lewis Caroll poems are delightful aren’t they …

@ Diane – our roads are so tiny … especially out in the country … as you know. Good for you for the cycling – must be fun, especially when the weather is decent.

@ Denise – I wasn’t going to be struck by the electric car … she was driving really slowly and respectfully! The chap on the steps was passing the time of day, as someone else said he’s often there … he’s probably homeless, but able to cope – going to a shelter at night. I made up the term bifurcate for a road description … I could have used ‘fork’ in the road – I suppose … not so much fun … as it happens!

@ Janie – I’m sure he felt he was doing me a favour … and in a way he was – he got a blog post.

Great to see you all – and thanks for enjoying the word ‘birfurcate’ and the funny story line … happy weekend ahead – cheers Hilary

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Deborah - you popped in before I picked it up ... so thanks so much. Yes I remember the 'hand' concept of looking old ... it's a great fun memory. I know metal machines are dangerous ... so I try and steer clear of being hit - that would be uncomfortable. Cheers and thanks for coming by - Hilary

Anonymous said...

Thank goodness for the "shout out." I've been there too. I can only imagine what it would be like if people were on their phones and distracted in that intersection. Yikes! That would be a recipe for disaster. Have a beautiful weekend!

Elsie

Pradeep Nair said...

I am glad you weren't hit. As one gets older, our sensory perceptions get weaker. And crossing the road gets riskier as years go by. I have faced very similar situations.

mail4rosey said...

I love having to look up words. Bifurcated was a new one for me!! The road sounds confusing! I was in London once and didn't realize how fast the vehicles go even if pedestrians are in the road. We actually saw a man get hit by a bus when we were there (he got up, exchanged unpleasant words with the driver and got in the bus to go about his day, color me astonished). At one point, I was crossing a one-way street, a car was swinging around the turn way too fast. My then-husband (what a weird thing to write) pulled me back in time so I wouldn't get hit. I can understand the man on the steps worry, lolol.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Tricksy quiet electric cars!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Elsie - thanks ... it was fine and it's not a particularly busy area. My phone is usually here ... but I can't believe how many people walk around glued to their phones ...

@ Pradeep - it's fine ... and I'm pretty lucky as far as health etc goes ... so theoretically am not losing the plot! I'm usually the one helping others ...

@ Rosey - oh great ... perhaps I'll add a few more new words in to my posts. It probably is a little confusing ... but the lanes (now roads) were there before traffic ... and they've stayed as the town has grown up around them.

Interesting about your chap and his bus interaction ... love the phrase colour me astonished! (spelt properly!). London is another place though ... and I don't often jay-walk when I'm up there. Also other memory snippets for you ...

@ Lynda - yes they are ... but I'm now used to thinking about them ...

Cheers to you and thanks for commenting ... traffic and pedestrians - who knows why they invented 4-wheel, or even 2-wheel vehicles?! Happy days - Hilary

DMS said...

I am glad you made it across safely. I can imagine the scene and the man's concern, even though you knew what you were doing. Nice that he offered to help. :)

Electric cars are so quiet. Good reminder to look out for them, since they are hard to hear.
~Jess

Lynda Dietz said...

I hope you don't think I'm a terrible person, but even as much as I was worried for your street crossings, I was laughing at your colorful description of the entire event. That man undoubtedly is convinced that he saved someone's life that day. He probably went home and told everyone what a hero he was.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Jess - yes it was nice that he was concerned ... I appreciated that. I make sure I turn my head to check when I want to cross a road - as now we need to make sure there are no vehicles of any kind in the road ... bicycles too ...

@ Lynda - glad you were laughing and that the 'intention of post' came across - sadly I suspect he was a homeless man ... but I hope he rode his luck with his story telling! I'm sure he'd be tickled pink to know I wrote 'the tale' up ...

Thanks for enjoying the post - cheers to you both - Hilary