My suburb doesn't have a lot of streetlights. This bothers me. Especially when JW is away and I find myself walking the dog after it has fallen dark. Which is most days, as I don't generally get home from work until after five or so.
Rationally, I know that a streetlight offers as much protection against would-be assailants as a garlic bulb necklace. But you know, a bit of light never goes astray.
I have a theory that the lack of streetlights is due to the fact that the residents of this posh suburb don't believe in crime. After all, such a safe and welcoming part of the world shouldn't need streetlights, right? And anyway, everyone is rich enough to afford cars. And dogwalkers. So one never needs to wander about after dark! Anyway all the womenfolk stay home and tend to their children in the daytime when dogwalking opportunities abound. Or something.
And indeed, very few people do wander about after dark, except for me, and the dog. Who, might I add, is terrified of everything and is of no use as a guard-dog whatsoever.
I have thought about getting up at 5am to walk the dog, but it will still be dark then, and cold, and most importantly, 5am. When anyway who is not a dairy farmer or a baker, ie me, should be tucked away in bed.
Tonight I actually took the long route down to the DVD store to return some movies, and give the dog and myself a bit of exercise, so I could walk down the better lit streets.
A part of me thinks my fear of walking around after dark is quite silly and really, it's not like I'm going through a stroll through Karrakatta at 3am or anything.
Still, I can't wait 'til the days start to get longer though and I can go for a walk at 6pm and not feel like I should be carrying a can of a mace and one of those personal alarm thingies.
Do you have footpaths? I find a lot of Canberra streets have a bit of street lighting (quite dodgy unless it's a major thoroughfare) and absolutely no footpaths, so you are forced to stumble along people's verges or on the road itself. Canberra being Canberra, all the roads are turny, and walking on the road can be a bit dangerous. So I sympathise. I have thought about taking Padge with me for a walk for protection, but he's just too lazy.
Posted by: ampersandduck | July 10, 2007 at 06:50 AM
Even though she is a sooky dog, she is a large dog and most people would think twice about going near someone with a big dog. Also, I suspect that if someone did try anything that she would get protective pretty quick.
Posted by: Mindy | July 10, 2007 at 07:09 AM