27 May 2022

Shireoaks

For one reason or another, I hadn't had a good long walk in several days but that changed today. I drove east to a place called Shireoaks just outside the Nottinghamshire market town of Worksop. After parking Clint in a shady lay-by right next to The Chesterfield Canal, I set off on a circular route that brought me back to the beginning after three hours.

On a leafy path in Gateford a young woman came up behind me. We were some distance from local houses with no other people in sight. I was suddenly conscious of what might be going through her mind - encountering a strange man in a secluded spot. It could easily be the stuff of nightmares.

Somehow I was able to put her mind at rest and we ended up chatting quite happily. I explained my geograph hobby and why she had found me stock still staring at a map. She told me that she had recently started working at a care home for the elderly and had been hired to enrich the residents' days with entertainment, music and art and craft sessions. We walked along together and when we split I said, "I hope that you continue to enjoy your job. You're doing something very worthwhile in my opinion".

Now I am just going to let some more of today's  photographs do the rest of the talking.






34 comments:

  1. As hard as it is to be female (and worse if you are a small female) at times like this, it is also hard to be male and have the worry you describe. Decent people of either gender shouldn't have that worry, but alas we do. I'm glad you were able to have a nice chat and contribute to the positive in the world.

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    1. You understand the dynamics exactly Jenny.

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  2. Anonymous12:26 am

    Being alone in one of our lifts with a sole female makes me feel uncomfortable. Doing something with my phone helps me to not see myself as any kind of threat and perhaps the female too. It's a tricky one.

    I would be so tempted to try and play with lock mechanisms although I know you need keys, a crank or a spike to operate them.

    The house looks very lonely and really needs a neighbour.

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    1. Fiddling with lock mechanisms is a heinous crime that could see you clapped in irons.

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  3. Great photos. You always write a well written post but you're pretty handy with the camera too.

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  4. It looks like a good spot for walking. I may be silly but I probably wouldn't have any fear of a man I approached from behind.

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    1. It was indeed the young woman's choice. She could have turned around or maybe she is a karate black belt!

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  5. During my many walks on my own, often far from any houses or other human presence, I have very rarely felt uncomfortable on seeing a man (or men) approaching or walking in the same direction, and by simply walking on, all was well.
    I love the tiny house! How far back does it extend?
    The canal path and the lock are similar to scenes along Ripon canal, where I am hoping to walk again in July.

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    1. I looked on Google aerial imagery. The house has a long thin garden that widens out. Plenty of land.

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  6. I hope your interlocutor likes her job too. Being an activity coordinator in a care home is very valuable, but tough underfunded, long-hours, low-pay work - hard to keep enthusiasm.

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  7. I like that photo with the big houses and all the little garden sheds. They are sheds, right? Not tiny homes that people live in? I like that single red brick house too.

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    1. They are allotment sheds River but occasionally you find gnomes living in them.

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  8. Funny old world, both single males and females have the same problem whilst out walking. We all need a dog to legitimise our walking;) Unless we dress as a good walker should with necessary equipment and waving a map at people passing by.

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    1. It may have helped that I was wearing my "I am not a pervert" T-shirt.

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  9. The Dukeries? I have not heard that term before now. Thanks YP.

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    1. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dukeries

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  10. You are good to consider the young lady and, as someone else said, in this day and age it is awful that we have to think like that, but it is equally a problem for men as well as women. Loved all your pictures, particularly the crocheted postbox cover. There seem to be lots sprouting round here too. I too went on a long walk yesterday and have just reminded myself it is worthy of a post.

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    1. I will pop over to read about your walk in the soft, subsidised underbelly of this nation. I guess you saw a few Rolls Royces and teenage girls on horses.

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  11. I've been thinking a lot about something I heard recently which is this- "Men are afraid that women will laugh at them. Women are afraid that men will kill them." There is a shiny nugget of truth there, I think.
    As for your walk- don't you just get exhausted walking in such beautiful countryside with so much stunning scenery? Isn't it tiresome? (I am being sarcastic. You live in a most glorious place.)

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    1. Sarcasm is one of my talents as you have probably already observed. You need to work on your sarcasm.

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  12. Excellent photos as always YP. I'm struck by the clarity of these - the deep blue sky and sunshine make a perfect backdrop.
    I'm used to walking on my own, though these days I don't normally walk in isolated places. Can't say I've ever felt threatened by the approach of a male, or males. It seems to be the norm to pass the time of day and walk on. Admittedly I'm with a dog likely to lick anyone to death, than tear them apart!

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    1. You come across as strong and self-assured Carol. I am sure this affects your attitude to walking alone with cuddly little Satan.

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  13. Thanks for the link about the Dukeries. I was going to ask what that meant. I love the yarn swans! There must be a web site out there that offers patterns for crocheting "hats" for pillar boxes.

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    1. I love the knitted additions to built up areas.

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  14. Lovely photos, especially the crocheted swans and the tall, thin house. Men sadly, are scary when you encounter them alone. I been assaulted in broad daylight in a city park, at the hospital while working, in my own home and on a date. Men scare me, especially large men which makes me cry when I write this. It shouldn't be so.

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    1. I am a large man but please don't be scared Nurse Lily. I will not harm you.

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  15. You could live in those allotment sheds.

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    1. No. YOU could Dave. When Jean chucks you out.

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  16. Oh lovely allotments! We had rain all day yesterday.

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    1. So what? I have heard that it rains in Lancashire every day.

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  17. remember this from the miners strike

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    1. There was indeed a productive pit at Shireoaks.

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