Shut off tap

[racket]

Hi,
I need to shut the water off to a property and I asked the owner where the shut off tap was and he told me it was outside with the water meter. I found that next to the water meter was a plastic rod sticking up which I thought you just turned to shut the water off, it wouldn't turn and It felt like this plastic rod was going to snap. This rod would lift out and i could see a hexaginal nut shape that the rod fitted in to. Can somebody tell me how I turn the water supply off as i don't want to break anything. Sorry no pic.
Cheers
Chris

 

[Tibbot]

Plastic rod fits into hex-nut then clockwise turn to close. It's not 1/4 turn like the blue lever type but many (like a stopcock). There is usually some resistance, enough to make the rod bend slightly as it's turned.

 

[racket]

Cheers for that, I'll give it a go tonight.