It was 1130 p.m. I was on my way to Lincoln to a metal detecting rally being guided by a "Tom Tom" and I was lost. The severity of the situation slowly dawned on me and an icy feeling gripped my heart. Sixty years old, alone with 3 dogs on a strange road and no idea where I was! The lights of a garage loomed up on my left, instinctively I turned into the forecourt. An Indian man was manning the till. "Do you know if I am on the right road to Lincoln and is it far away?" I asked as calmly as possible. "No, I am from Nottingham" he smiled.
That was it, the words came tumbling out, I told him I was lost, I must have been a sight my hair was sticking up as I pressed home my desperate plight. "You can sleep the night on my forecourt" he offered as he pointed out a spot in the corner by the air machine. "I can" I said hopefully. The forecourt was lit up, it was a simple decision as I had no choice other than going back on that dark, dark road to no-where. I stayed there cwtched up with my three dogs in my caravan listening to people filling up with petrol all night. I popped in to thank him the following morning and told him he had saved my life. I asked a customer on the forecourt if I was on the right road for my destination and set off anew in the daylight full of confidence.
It was my first metal detecting rally. I realised quickly that women are outnumbered in the sport (if you can call if a sport) Lots of men dressed in army combat gear, some with walkie talkies . I parked up but I am not strong enough to un hitch my caravan but a couple of burly men either side of me sorted out my problem.
Over the weekend I managed to find an Edward the VII farthing. A child's religious necklace and lots of nails and iron. I met lots of interesting people who had found really rare coins. In the evening 'Bingo' and 'Pub Quiz' were organised. I had a bit of a problem because everyone seemed to be a member of a local club and had come with companions. I resolved to get there early and sit on a table. I sat on my own watching the place fill up. I knew that there wasn't enough room for everyone to have a table and that someone would have to sit by "Billy no Mates" and sure enough along rolled Margaret, Ian and John. "is this table full? they enquired. We got chatting about the hobby and we passed a very pleasant evening. The following night they invited me to join them for the pub quiz.
I learned lots and lots about the art of metal detecting from the 500 people who attended that rally and I also learned that I am capable of looking after myself and enjoying myself which is an invaluable lesson as when you get older you tend to lose your confidence in social situations.
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