The End of the Hunt

At last, I found the perfect spot to be photographed for Number 21 of The 2012 Scavenger Hunt, organised by Rinda over at Gallo Organico. This particular photograph created certain difficulties: I was to appear in it; I had to stand next to something that symbolises my nation; and I couldn't cop opt out of it and use a substitute. 

As is usually the case, a photo opportunity presented itself when I was least expecting it. This red telephone box in my village has stood empty for quite some time. After our recent Church Fete, it was decided that all unsold books could be placed in the box and people could help themselves as they passed by. This has now become a free library. For every book taken, another is left in it's place.

This style of telephone box was designed by Giles Gilbert Scott when he won a competition judged by the Royal Fine Art Commission in 1924. The original box of Scott's first design still stands today by the left entrance archway of the Royal Academy. I like the artistic connection.

Red telephone boxes have a prominent position in my life. When I was young, we didn't have a telephone inside our house, not many people did. In an emergency, you received a telegram. To make a telephone call, I had to go to the red box on the corner of the road. A call cost two copper pennies that I would feed into the money slot and then I would dial the number I wanted to reach. If someone answered, I would press button A but if no-one answered, I could press button B and get my money back. I can still hear the clatter that the coins made as they fell into the waiting silver tray.

Throughout my early childhood, the red box was where I stood to speak to my beloved grandmother, my mother when she was away from home, and my first boyfriend. Arrangements were made in that box for my first ever holiday, and sometimes it was where one heard sad news. Even when we got our own telephone, if I was away on a visit somewhere, I would still use the red telephone boxes to call home. 

Going on this Scavenger Hunt has, in many ways, been an enormous trip down memory lane and I am so thankful to Rinda for organising it. I have opened my eyes more and seen things afresh because of it. And it has been enormous fun.

Enjoy the weekend!