Oblivious to surroundings

[TwickenhamCyclist]

I was in the car (tut, tut) in Manor Rd, for those that know it, when the barriers came down. This very elderly gentleman started to walk across after the lights and bells started, don’t know if he knew or not. By the time he had got to the middle of the tracks the barrier in front of him had come down, he turned around and saw the other barrier lowering, and clearly wasn’t going to make it back. I got out of my car, and a man on the other side got out of his – the other man jumped the gates and lead the old man towards my side of the railway. He held the old guy (who by know was more than a little confused) while I grabbed the barrier and pushed it up – which to my surprise wasn’t that difficult – held it there while they both ducked under it. The old goy just carried on, not even a thank you. Chatted with the other bloke at the barrier while we waited for the trains to pass – joking about not seeing that kind of thing every day. I said something like “you do know the minute the barriers go up they’ll all be beeping your car for not moving.” We were both laughing as the barriers raised and the inevitable concoffany of angry mentalists vented their spleens in sheer anger at the lack of immediate movement…

 

[HJ]

... On a lighter note, that level crossing marks the Norfolk/Suffolk border. When I was a child, I used to think it was the Norfolk customs/ checkpoint ! In fairness, I was very young, though I guess this was the beginnings of my urge to join NIP (Norfolk Independence Party!)

Sorry but I have to ask, have you joined NIP and there any prospect of Norfolk breaking from the oppression of Suffolk and becoming Independent any time soon...

 

[Glow worm]

Sorry but I have to ask, have you joined NIP and there any prospect of Norfolk breaking from the oppression of Suffolk and becoming Independent any time soon...

Thass noo need t' mention Suffolk in yer mardle bor, thems furriners!

 

[JamesAC]

I'd so love to walk across the bonnet of such a car one day... the look on their face would be priceless.

I almost did, once. There was a car parked right across the pavement. Goodness knows why. I was wheeling my daughter along in her buggy, and as I got to the car, I stopped, and glared at the driver. He looked at me, and gestured that I should wheel the buggy around him, INTO THE ROAD!! I said, very quietly and calmly, "If you don't move your car out of the way I'll drag the buggy over it!" He glared a bit, but as I started to lift the buggy, he drove forward into the road. I walked on, and then he reversed back across the pavement!!!