"What time is it?" Hubby calls down to the gymnast from the bathroom. She looks at the clock in the kitchen. "I don't know" she says. "I can't tell analogue time."
Well that is certainly a sign of the times I say. She might not be able to tell it yet, but I didn't even know there was such a thing as analogue time when I was 8!
Time of course was on my mind. Yesterday, I went into Ross on Wye to do my banking for my Stage School. It's not my money any more, as the schools have belonged to the franchisor since December. I work for them though, and so do all the banking of the termly cheques. It's a long job, and by the time I had nearly finished in the bank, I realised that my parking was about to run out. It was a sensible break point in the procedure, so I split the job into two and gave the "working progress" so to speak to the cashier and asked if I could just leave them with him to process, while I ran and moved my car. "Oh it will only take a couple of minutes. Hang on there. There could always be a problem with one of the cheques". And of course there was, naturally, which took at least another two minutes to sort.
I ran back to my car. Now bear in mind that with my somewhat wonky knee this is not an easy job, or a pretty sight. It's a sort of slightly straight legged run. It probably looks like one half of a three legged race, but I only have two legs if you get the gist......
The traffic warden, the likes of which should probably join all call centre operatives, insurance companies and banks in their order of esteem, must have been waiting on the job......... 12.10 I parked the car. Half hour bay. 12.47, he placed the ticket onto the car. £30! Yes, I know I was in the wrong, and I know I'm always late, but............... I do have a slightly not quite right leg at the moment, and I was just trying to do my job, and .........................
it was a very expensive seven minutes!
I wondered though. Do you think that I could possibly claim that I can only read analogue time and that as such I couldn't read the digital clocks in the bank?
20 comments:
No but I wonder if you can complain because of your leg. Seems a bit harsh to fine someone because they have a temporary disability. Personally I always put more time on the car park than I expect to use to give me a bit of flexibility. Can be a costly way of doing it at times, but at least it means I can stop for coffee if I'm ahead of time.
Not sure why they use pay and display systems still. It seems so out of date having to guess how long you are going to be somewhere and pay in advance. It also means you have to have the change before you go shopping and no one ever does. Totally illogical.
Where were they yesterday when I needed them - that is what I want to know!
Hi Ignorminious
I know you are right. It was actually a free half hour bay, with no flexibility. I thought it would be enough time - but I guessed wrongly.........
I'll maybe appeal on my leg! I ahd just come from my physio appointment!
Slimmerof the yea...........
Over the water, harrassing people like me instead!
Oh what rotten luck! That's the kind of thing that happens to me, all the time.
I'd appeal it, actually, based on your leg problem.
OK so I know I shouldn't laugh at the image of you with your gammy leg but I am!
I totally think that you should go for the refund on the basis of said gammy leg. It's worth a shot.
HeHe!! Twinky defense never works with the Law!!;D
You could blame it on your leg brace,if you still have it,might help.Good luck!:)
Our Mother's day is on this Sunday,happy Sunday to you Sally.
They're bastards traffic wardens. Out just to piss you off and spoil your day. Once I was clamped when i went to pay a cheque for £50. Came out of the bank to see a very spurious looking young man calmping my car. £50 to release it. I hope my sobbing made him feel ashamed. I'd literally just popped out as my son, then a baby was really very poorly and a girlfriend was sitting with him whilst I paid the cheque in. The bloke in question just didn;t give a flying f...
Haven't you got your disabled badge yet? "Can I claim?"...No.
Sorry.
Poor Sally! Unfortunately those of us with compassion, grace and mercy are not working for the council so I guess your ticket will remain!
Do what I did! Frame it and next time you see that someone has just run out of time on a parking meter, stick another coin in and praise God!
Dear Wendz
I'll give it a go!
Dear Beccy
I know - the sight is funny I think!
Dear Ahsa
Happy mother's day to you too. Funnily enough i tried to leavea comment on your blog this afternoon to say just that, but it wouldn't go through to the commnets box for some reason! Will try again later!
Dear Alice
I know they don't do they!
Dear John
Oh well..........
Dear VNM
I guess that rewards come in Heaven!
Follow the warden home and put a bike lock on his wheels.... under the cover of darkness of course...
Dear Meredic
Now there is a ood idea!
Meredic - "Good"!!!
Poor you, it's always worth a try but I don't think you'll get far: they are hard hearted when it comes to squeezing money out of motorists; once you'd got the fine you should have made the most of it and done some more shopping or do they tow the cars away. That happened to me once when I was taking my mother shopping and we parked on a yellow line with her disabled badge which she assured me was OK. I was dubious but did as she bid and we got a ticket so I let her go into one more shop and in the ten mins we were away the car disappeared and it had been towed away it cost me over £300 and my mother wouldn't pay a penny. Apparently what I didn't know was that in this particular spot you can't park even with a disabled badge. Expensive lesson I never trust my mother now when she says 'you can park here!!'
Yes, show them your leg. Beg for mercy.
I had heard that digital watches/clocks might cause that problem, and I guess the time has come.
you could always say watch broke down on you - 10 mins before your parking's up! ;-)
Dear Chris,
Poor you!! Your tale is far worse than mine. That's very bad luck.
Dear Norma,
I might do! I'll see.
Dear La BM
I somehow don't think they would wear it! Nice thought though. And welcome to the blog!!
hi sally - enidd thinks you should charge the bank - it was their fault, and would be a nice bit of revenge for when they charge you.
Dear Enidd, What a good idea. I could charge them £35, as i would need the extra £5 for admin costs - of course......
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