I have just returned back from a photoshoot walk with Chris. We’re away in America at the moment, and with yesterday’s snowfall on the ground and the sun shining, we made the most of it and went for a walk at Montgomery Pinetum, packing a couple of outfits and photography equipment with us…
It was such a lovely day, that it was no wonder we passed several people in the woods and around the large lake. Most of them had a dog for company; a couple were jogging, and a few were with friends or partners and enjoying a Sunday afternoon walk. However, there was one man who was just plain creepy!
After posing about on a pretty stone bridge, we noticed him coming out of a nearby birdwatching hide. We thought, therefore, that he might be there for a spot of birdwatching. However, when we walked up to the ruined house on the hill, he was about forty metres behind us, and he just stopped for a cigarette. No camera, no binoculars, so it was unlikely he was birdwatching after all. He just stood, smoking, and looking the other way.
We went about our business, ie posing about around the ruins and taking photos, and then we saw him lurking ahead of us on the path, seemingly watching us from a distance amongst the trees. He wasn’t out for a walk, he wasn’t birdwatching, he wasn’t taking photos, he didn’t have human company and he didn’t have a dog. It was weird.
He was actually really creeping me out, and then something occurred to me. I was thinking just the other day, how, now that Loki is too old to join me for walks in the countryside, I might take myself out on my own. I enjoy a walk – as long it’s not too long; not too difficult; not too wet; and ideally with not too many people about so that I can natter to myself – and I can definitely imagine pausing every now and then just to breath in the nature around me. So maybe that’s all this man was doing.
Am I wrong for assuming that man was up to no good somehow? Am I wrong for being glad the park was busy so weren’t alone with him hanging about? Maybe he was just out on a pretty, snowy, sunny day to spend some quality relaxing time in nature. On the other hand, maybe my hackles were up for good reason, and if you’re out for a walk alone in Montgomery Pinetum and spot a slender man in his thirties wearing a red and grey anorak, maybe tag along with a friendly dog walker!
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