Turf Zone – DobbysSock
Yes, Turf Scotland Advent Calendar 2023 again, this time it’s Task No. 11 – Turf Gear which goes as follows:
Easy Option
Take any 5 zones that meet each of the following criteria. One zone for each.
- Where you can see a white van.
- That cannot be reached by a motor vehicle.
- Where there are no motor vehicles in sight.
- That can be taken from inside motor vehicle.
- Where you can see a public service vehicle.
Challenging Option
In addition to Easy, take another 5 zones that meet each of the following criteria. One zone for each.
- Where you can see 5 or more motor vehicles.
- In sight of an emergency services vehicle.
- Where 3 motor vehicles are parked together.
- Where you can see a heavy goods vehicle.
- In sight of a bicycle other than your own.
I must say I was surprised how enjoyable this one was. Felt kind of like a treasure hunt where you have to actually track something specific down. It was easy and challenging at the same time, though a little frustrating as well. That last part comes from posting the task online and the inevitable barrage of usually daft questions. To my mind a vehicle would be a car, van or lorry, not a bicycle. But there’s always someone who just has to have things clarified to the atomic level. You even include something in your info page, for example:
“And remember, try not to get too serious, though I know some of you will find that exceedingly difficult. Just enjoy attempting the various tasks, don’t worry about rules and regulations or correct interpretations. It’s all flexible and meant to be fun. “
Yet they still cannot grasp that the overall task should be fun. For me as well! I really feel like pulling my hair out sometimes, and there’s little enough of that these days. In fact, I just want to scream, “just get the f*** on with it like everyone else”. Oh, and no, there will not be another Planet Gary Turf Advent next year, well, probably not.
Anyway, rant over. On with the game. Started off well. Zone WayOfBaird, only minutes from the house gave me “Where you can see a white van.” Not surprising really as there’s a construction site adjacent and also a few houses with white vans in the driveways. My next success was zone Wishart, for “Where there are no motor vehicles in sight.”, followed by Slytherin, where a narrow footpath with handrails both sides gave me “That cannot be reached by a motor vehicle.” I decided that is seemed common sense to say that even if something like a motorcycle could get there, it was be acting illegally, so would not be in keeping with the overall theme of the task.
Next stop was zone WayOfLeary, where I was hoping to catch sight of a public service vehicles (a bus, coach, taxi or the like) for “Where you can see a public service vehicle.” I used the Lothian Buses app to check the schedule but need not have bothered as an HGV appeared moments later. So, I bagged “Where you can see a heavy goods vehicle.” instead. Of course, a No 31 bus did appear soon after but as I’d already used the zone it could not be counted. TongueSpatula was my next destination. I knew I had sight of the car park from the zone and might get either “Where you can see 5 or more motor vehicles.” or “Where 3 motor vehicles are parked together.” I was lucky enough to bag the former. Always busy at the health centre on a Monday.
Next, I decided to head towards Bonnyrigg town centre, hopeful for a passing emergency service vehicle, and also fairly sure I’d catch sight of a PSV or public service vehicle if I waited long enough. Again, checked the Lothian Buses app and noted a No 46 was due in 3 minutes. So, I waited at zone Bonnyrigg but didn’t have to wait that long as a No 31 East Craigs appeared. Item “Where you can see a public service vehicle.” ticked of the list.
With 6 down and only 4 remaining, I thought my best option would be to head for Dalkeith town centre, ever hopeful of a passing emergency vehicle. Grabbed a few zones on the old railway path but no luck at any, at least until zone A7View. Not only did I get police car after waiting a few minutes, but also an ambulance, an HGV, a public service vehicle and a bicycle. The police car was first so bagged me the item “In sight of an emergency services vehicle.” Cannot use any of the others as the rules state “One zone for each.”
The e-bike stand at CollegeZone gave me “In sight of a bicycle other than your own.” So, another ticked off the to-do list. Zone BikeSlooowly, at the police station, also offered up a police car but no longer needed. The parking area did not offer up the correct set of vehicles for “Where 3 motor vehicles are parked together.” However, the next zone, Beatles, did, with three cars parked next to each other in a small parking area. And that just left on final item to fulfil, “That can be taken from inside motor vehicle.” For this one I decided that zone HolyDalkeith, located in the entrance to Dalkeith cemetery would be ideal, as cars are permitted to enter. Mission accomplished.
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