I live out in the countryside
Which means that 1. There are no serious weirdos here and 2. I know all the troublemakers (such as there are) and I know full well they're all shit-scared of being out alone after dark. The combination of these things means that I'm not scared to go out for a wander on starry nights to relax and have a think. A couple of years ago, I was walking across a bit of common land at midnight in early May when I heard a loud snuffling grunt from one side of me, then a quick succession of them from the other side. I'd been walking without a torch to improve my night vision but I had one with me. I took it out and flicked it on, expecting to see a bush rustling or maybe a fox or badger.

I saw, at head hight and slowly approaching, a pair of glowing red eyes too widely spaced for any human.

Motherfucking cow shaved at least six months off my life expectancy. The farmer had put the cows onto the common earlier in the day, and I hadn't known about it.
( MatJ LOOK, Fri 8 Apr 2011, 1:03, Reply)