(sounds like it should be a crossover TV drama written by Dennis Potter)
For the past few weekends there’s been a chap poking about in the fields behind the house.
He’s not been cagey or surreptitious about it; his bright yellow waterproof jacket has made him an easy spot.
What was especially odd about him was his transport, which was always parked in the field: a motorbike.
The other day my curiosity got the better of me, so I walked the dogs in that field (we usually walk through fields the other side of the house), and went for a look at his motorcycle.
It was a Chinese 125cc, which explains how/why he could ride it across a stubble field; keeping a lightweight machine upright over stubble would be quite easy. My younger brother and I rode a 125cc Yamaha Trials bike over some very off-road territory.
While I was checking out his bike he came over for a chat (probably in case I was going to cause him any problems – which I didn’t, obviously).
We had quite a natter about his detectoristing, and he showed me a selection of his discoveries of the day. There was nothing super exciting, but there was some interesting stuff – as far as relics of a bygone age go.
But frankly, I was more impressed with his ability to ride a Chinese 125cc bike across a field of stubble, whilst loaded down with his bags and his detectoriser.
Hah! Like you, if I spot someone ‘up to something’ I will often go and investigate in the guise of an innocuous dog-walker who just happened to be passing by.
I liked talking to the guy. He was a bit of an odd fish but totally dedicated to his hobby.