We did a good turn today, taking old towels and a couple of picnic blankets to the Gracie Street Lost Dogs Home. R agreed that we hadn't used the picnic blankets for years and that if he sat down on one on the ground, he would not be able to get up without help.
Quelle horreur, I had to drive through the city and into unfamiliar northern suburbs. My thoughts of taking the tram and train as I have in the past was killed by the volume of old stuffs. For our good turn, I was pulled up by the police, before noon, breathalysed and my driving licence checked. The cop was polite and friendly and I really don't have a problem with being pulled up, but was I targeted? As R said, there were other cars who could have been pulled over. Why us? Are two older men in an average five year old car suspicious? Maybe, but I can't think why. Is it like Border Control in Ireland where being seen by your average person being proactive is a good thing to make the public feel safe?
There was almost a parking incident at the Lost Dog's Home where I and another driver travelling in opposite directions both saw a vacant parking space at the same time and we put on our indicators at the same time. I pulled in as I thought I had a little more right as the space was on my side of the road. It was a hard call really. I think he was a bit cross.
After leaving I managed to find a tram line and so I knew where I was. We had a very nice lunch in Errol Street, North Melbourne.
Ah, I didn't mention that I had to be at the Alfred Hospital by 8:30 this morning. In the fullness of time, but I won't be dying any time soon.
Thank you for your donations. We have given old towels to the RSPCA which seemed to welcome them.
ReplyDeleteI hope your hospital visit was painless, over quickly and went well.
EC, as I remember when I last wrote a post about giving towels to the same place. Picnic blankets would not keep the homeless warm, but ok for a dog to lie on.
DeleteThe Dog's Home will be very grateful for your kindness...good on you both! :)
ReplyDeleteLee, about the third time. It has been a nice public transport trip in the past, but there was too much to carry this time.
DeleteI feel so bad that you were harassed! What on earth?
ReplyDeleteThe only time in my life, that I can recall being "gone over" in such a way, was at the East Berlin Boarder back before the Wall fell. I was searched, held for nearly an hour. Was I a Spy? Back during the Cold War, I suppose I looked the type. LOL!
Maribeth, it wasn't really harassment, but we did feel targeted. Which way were you going? Into East Germany or into West Germany?
DeleteI was going from West into East. At the time I was living in West Berlin. Most times it was fine, but this one time I got searched so completely that I swear I wasn't touched this way on my honeymoon!
DeleteYikes, Back To The Alfred Hospital. Sure Hope You Don't Arrive To A Murder Of Ravens Waiting Out For Ya. Thanx For Thinking About The Pups.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Padre, I love dogs. Interesting that at the lost dogs home there aren't any volunteer positions available. Not for dog walking, dog behaviour or even dog cuddles. We here must love our dogs.
DeleteIt could be that the police officer spotted you, fancied you and the only way he could talk to you was pull you over.. that's my theory and I'm sticking to it 😉 Parking spaces can be premium at times, you've got to go for it!
ReplyDeleteGrace, unbelievable as it is, I took no notice of his looks. The parking was an issue because the the other driver clearly thought he had a right to the parking place, which he didn't but it was a close call.
DeleteIn NSW the police have quotas of RBTs they are meant to undertake. I think these targets are for the station/command rather than the individual police officer. It's more a management thing I think and to ensure that RBTs occur. At least that's the explanation I have seen for why you see some quite unlikely RBT setups mid-morning when you would think the chances of anyone being over the limit are fairly slim. The fewer people actually caught, the more of their monthly RBT quota they can get through before they can drop in to the Scottish Restaurant for their free lunch.
ReplyDeleteAt any time the numbers of people actually caught by RBTs are pretty small. The introduction of tests which detect even infinitissimal amounts of illicit drugs and laws which penalise on that basis without regard to actual intoxication may be changing this.
I have the same feeling of being targeted when pulled aside for those explosives trace elements tests at airports. I expect this is just a kind of psychological reaction. It's natural to feel picked on even if you've only been picked out.
I have issues with the random drug testing as, as you say, drugs can be detected but there may be no affect on their driving at all. R always get targeted at airports for extra security checks. I get targeted for cigarette smuggling.
DeleteAt very close to 11am my brother was caught over .05 on his way to my sister's wedding last year. I think they may at times catch some really hardcore people who offend. While I felt sorry for my brother and all that followed, it was no one's fault but his. But of course you are right about quotas. It is the same here.
I should clear out some of the stuff I have stored in the shed. I still have Angel's favourite blankets and the quilt he loved in summer. The RSPCA could do with them, but it's a mighty long bus trip.
ReplyDeleteRiver, I don't suppose the quilt would now be suitable for the homeless either. While I was very hopeful, I now think the worst about Angel. If he hasn't been picked by his chip at a vet now...
DeleteI know :(
DeleteWell, nice you took your old things to help the dogs. Being breathalized in public seems like would be a little humiliating. Hope you got through that psychologically sound. Just kidding, I'm sure you handled it. Bet that cop had to prove something, maybe had not pulled enough people over recently, or was the gung ho type. Who knows.
ReplyDeleteStrayer, it is random roadside testing, but how random?
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