Early morning in Hazelton from Ken Roberts on Vimeo.
Ken awakens – eventually – next morning to find his quite pointless bear defences in tact….
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Early morning in Hazelton
October 14th, 2011Going over to the other side
October 14th, 2011He’d been married. Many years ago. When that was the sort of thing you did. Or at least were expected to do. But now, he explained, he’d gone over to the other side. For a moment I thought he meant some sort of religious experience. The expression taking me quite by surprise. But no. He’d simply chosen to recognise his sexuality for what it was, no longer having to live a lie, trying to deceiving himself as much as others.
There were a few rednecks who were apt to make derogative mutterings. But easily dealt with, he explained. Just ask if their aggressive was an effort to mask their own repressed feelings. Worked particularly well, he added, in the presence of others. I explained I struggled to grasp the concept of same-sex attraction, but recognised that for others it was a perfectly natural thing.
We’d met when I’d pulled up at a rest stop on the edge of a small town. He’d joined me, keen to chat I thought. Friendly enough. Perhaps share thoughts he might be reluctant to part with if I were local.
Reservations
October 14th, 2011His father had come from the Forest of Dean. Did I know the place? Yes, I explained. Quite well. His Dad had married a local indigenous girl from a nearby reservation. I was curious to learn a little more, for, on the surface at least, there appeared to be some striking similarities between the issues faced by aboriginal peoples of Australia and North America, and, to a lesser extent, New Zealand.
He offered me a beer. I politely declined, explaining that, as I’d earlier seen signs of a bear in nearby bushes, I’d rather not wish to dull my senses. Leadership, he explained, of the various First Nations peoples was hereditary rather than on plain merit. Some engaged in negotiations over land rights with the Government, he added with a disenchanted look. And nobody quite understood what they exactly they were seeking, or even if they knew themselves.
Sheltering under the gazebo
October 14th, 2011Sheltering under the gazebo from Ken Roberts on Vimeo.
Ken seeks shelter from the rain under a campground gazebo. And from a bear rustling around in nearby bushes… Admire his pointless ingenuity… In Old Hazelton, British Columbia.
Fireworks
October 14th, 2011Fireworks from Ken Roberts on Vimeo.
Ken meets Terry, a man keen to flush out a bear or two.. He’s right behind him on this one. Quite a way in fact, thanks to a times ten optical zoom on the video camera…. Please don’t try this at home. Not least because the UK doesn’t actually have any wild bears…
Hot dogs in Hazelton
October 14th, 2011Hot dogs in Hazelton from Ken Roberts on Vimeo.
Ken stops in Hazelton for some information. And a couple of complimentary hot dogs, courtesy of Leo…
Going for Gold
October 13th, 2011Going for Gold from Ken Roberts on Vimeo.
Stopping briefly before entering the small town of New Hazelton, Ken seeks to impress with his knowledge of famous residents.. an Olympic Gold medallist no less. Before the camera reveals he might have cheated just a bit…
Stop at Seeley Park
October 13th, 2011Stop at Seeley Park from Ken Roberts on Vimeo.
Ken makes a brief stop at Seeley Park, en route towards New Hazelton, British Columbia. Beautiful scenery and a bit of a Carry On moment…
Mechanical noises
October 13th, 2011Mechanical noises from Ken Roberts on Vimeo.
Brief stop on the highway, the usual tranquility disturbed by mechanical noises from nearby woods. Ken contemplates what the source might be….
Games children play
October 13th, 2011The boys, Karen had explained back in Terrace, would amuse themselves on the family cycle expedition along Vancouver Island by seeing what they could spot discarded on the shoulder or in the ditches beside the highway. Lots of nails. I wondered if they’d also noticed the shredded tyres, sharp wire strands that had cost me two punctures back in Australia.
I’d my own games to play. Waving to trucks my favourite. The tooting game. First wave, arm outstretched, as the lorry approaches, a good few hundred yards behind. Let him know I’ve seen him in my mirror. Then, as he passes, another flourish of the hand, proportionate to the space I’m given. A thank-you. Waiting to see if an uplifting honk or two on the horn will follow.
Others are observational. Couples in recreational vehicles. Often striking differences in body language between driver and passenger. Left thinking Not tonight Josephine…
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