I followed a little red Nissan for ten miles down tiny little N Yorks 
back roads this morning.

I usually expect these cars and their owners, not to make much if any 
progress, but this one was not only making good progress, its driver 
knew how to make full use of the sight lines to maintain speed and 
safety through the bends. Little use of brakes and all the appropriate 
signals and positioning. I followed it all the way almost into Ripon 
centre, where it branched off about a mile out.

I got into the centre, to find this red Nissan rejoin me, but behind me 
and from my left. I was in shock as I took a good look at the driver 
who's driving I had not faulted for ten miles. I took a quick glance as 
I passed her on my left - it was a little old lady. She then followed 
me into local supermarket car park chose herself a spot and reverse 
parked it with amazing deterity - impressed I certainly was.

-- 
Regards,
        Harry (M1BYT) (L)
http://www.ukradioamateur.co.uk

On Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:28:39 +0000, Harry Bloomfield wrote:
> I got into the centre, to find this red Nissan rejoin me, but behind me
> and from my left. I was in shock as I took a good look at the driver
> who's driving I had not faulted for ten miles. I took a quick glance as
> I passed her on my left - it was a little old lady. She then followed me
> into local supermarket car park chose herself a spot and reverse parked
> it with amazing deterity - impressed I certainly was.

I remember once I saw a 'boy racer' type car (not sure of the model) 
racing up behind me possibly at 80mph. As we reached a queue of cars the 
driver quite dangerously overtook the queue accelerating heavily and shot 
off. 

It was the kind of thing you'd expect from a 17 year old that's just 
passed his test showing off to his mates.  But when I looked in my rear 
view mirror I saw the guy was about 70.

On Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:28:39 +0000, Harry Bloomfield hollered:

> I followed a little red Nissan for ten miles down tiny little N Yorks
> back roads this morning.
> 
> I usually expect these cars and their owners, not to make much if any
> progress, but this one was not only making good progress, its driver
> knew how to make full use of the sight lines to maintain speed and
> safety through the bends. Little use of brakes and all the appropriate
> signals and positioning. I followed it all the way almost into Ripon
> centre, where it branched off about a mile out.
> 
> I got into the centre, to find this red Nissan rejoin me, but behind me
> and from my left. I was in shock as I took a good look at the driver
> who's driving I had not faulted for ten miles. I took a quick glance as
> I passed her on my left - it was a little old lady. She then followed me
> into local supermarket car park chose herself a spot and reverse parked
> it with amazing deterity - impressed I certainly was.

Heh, I always like stories like that. My dad worked in Sweden in the late 
60s and early 70s in the steel industry. Plenty of tales of opposite 
locking grannies in old Volvos..

Mike P

On Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:28:39 GMT, Harry Bloomfield
 wrote:

>I usually expect these cars and their owners, not to make much if any 
>progress

Huh?

"Harry Bloomfield"  wrote in message 
news:mn.24187d9b8f4f992d.106911@NOSPAM.tiscali.co.uk...
>I followed a little red Nissan for ten miles down tiny little N Yorks back 
>roads this morning.
>

You will get a name for yourself!

> I usually expect these cars and their owners, not to make much if any 
> progress, but this one was not only making good progress, its driver knew 
> how to make full use of the sight lines to maintain speed and safety 
> through the bends. Little use of brakes and all the appropriate signals 
> and positioning. I followed it all the way almost into Ripon centre, where 
> it branched off about a mile out.
>
> I got into the centre, to find this red Nissan rejoin me, but behind me 
> and from my left. I was in shock as I took a good look at the driver who's 
> driving I had not faulted for ten miles. I took a quick glance as I passed 
> her on my left - it was a little old lady. She then followed me into local 
> supermarket car park chose herself a spot and reverse parked it with 
> amazing deterity - impressed I certainly was.
>

Thank God the speed limit is only 30mph and she wasn't wearing her
glasses.


> -- 
> Regards,
>        Harry (M1BYT) (L)
> http://www.ukradioamateur.co.uk
>
>

In this month's Caravan Club magazine (yes, I know - sad isn't it?!) there 
is a tale from a caravanner who, on a day out from his caravan, pulled into 
a 'pay and display' car park.

A 'kind' motorist just leaving, offered him his parking ticket which had 
several hours left on it. The caravanner, accepted the ticket with thanks 
and stuck it on his windscreen.

He later returned to his car to find a 'Fixed Penalty' ticket on his 
windscreen for using an unauthorised ticket.

When he returned to the caravan site he went to see the site warden to ask 
if he had any envelopes in which he could send off his 'fine'.  The warden 
looked at the FPT and became suspicious (not explained just why) and 
contacted the local authority by phone. It transpired that no parking 
enforcement had taken place at that car park on that day and the FPT was 
bogus.

Clearly the 'FPT' had been put on the car by the same person who handed over 
the bogus ticket.

Who thinks up these things?

Kev

"Ret." <xxx> wrote in message 
news:v8idnVaf2YqAVWzXnZ2dnUVZ8tKdnZ2d@pipex.net...
> In this month's Caravan Club magazine (yes, I know - sad isn't it?!) there 
> is a tale from a caravanner who, on a day out from his caravan, pulled 
> into a 'pay and display' car park.
>
> A 'kind' motorist just leaving, offered him his parking ticket which had 
> several hours left on it. The caravanner, accepted the ticket with thanks 
> and stuck it on his windscreen.

That was common in a car park I regularly use.
Now you have to enter the cars 3 reg'n no's, before a ticket is issued.

> He later returned to his car to find a 'Fixed Penalty' ticket on his 
> windscreen for using an unauthorised ticket.
>
> When he returned to the caravan site he went to see the site warden to ask 
> if he had any envelopes in which he could send off his 'fine'.  The warden 
> looked at the FPT and became suspicious (not explained just why) and 
> contacted the local authority by phone. It transpired that no parking 
> enforcement had taken place at that car park on that day and the FPT was 
> bogus.
>
> Clearly the 'FPT' had been put on the car by the same person who handed 
> over the bogus ticket.

A bit inneficient IMO.
How many people are going to pay a FPT if their ticket shows they haven't 
overstayed?
Mike.

Miike G wrote:
> "Ret." <xxx> wrote in message 
> news:v8idnVaf2YqAVWzXnZ2dnUVZ8tKdnZ2d@pipex.net...
>> In this month's Caravan Club magazine (yes, I know - sad isn't it?!) there 
>> is a tale from a caravanner who, on a day out from his caravan, pulled 
>> into a 'pay and display' car park.
>>
>> A 'kind' motorist just leaving, offered him his parking ticket which had 
>> several hours left on it. The caravanner, accepted the ticket with thanks 
>> and stuck it on his windscreen.
> 
> That was common in a car park I regularly use.
> Now you have to enter the cars 3 reg'n no's, before a ticket is issued.
> 
>> He later returned to his car to find a 'Fixed Penalty' ticket on his 
>> windscreen for using an unauthorised ticket.
>>
>> When he returned to the caravan site he went to see the site warden to ask 
>> if he had any envelopes in which he could send off his 'fine'.  The warden 
>> looked at the FPT and became suspicious (not explained just why) and 
>> contacted the local authority by phone. It transpired that no parking 
>> enforcement had taken place at that car park on that day and the FPT was 
>> bogus.
>>
>> Clearly the 'FPT' had been put on the car by the same person who handed 
>> over the bogus ticket.
> 
> A bit inneficient IMO.
> How many people are going to pay a FPT if their ticket shows they haven't 
> overstayed?
> Mike.
> 
> 
I thought Ret said the FPT was for showing an 
"unautherised ticket", not for overstaying?

Bod

"Bod"  wrote in message 
news:7le3boF3dr2u4U1@mid.individual.net...
> Miike G wrote:
>> "Ret." <xxx> wrote in message 
>> news:v8idnVaf2YqAVWzXnZ2dnUVZ8tKdnZ2d@pipex.net...
>>> In this month's Caravan Club magazine (yes, I know - sad isn't it?!) 
>>> there is a tale from a caravanner who, on a day out from his caravan, 
>>> pulled into a 'pay and display' car park.
>>>
>>> A 'kind' motorist just leaving, offered him his parking ticket which had 
>>> several hours left on it. The caravanner, accepted the ticket with 
>>> thanks and stuck it on his windscreen.
>>
>> That was common in a car park I regularly use.
>> Now you have to enter the cars 3 reg'n no's, before a ticket is issued.
>>
>>> He later returned to his car to find a 'Fixed Penalty' ticket on his 
>>> windscreen for using an unauthorised ticket.
>>>
>>> When he returned to the caravan site he went to see the site warden to 
>>> ask if he had any envelopes in which he could send off his 'fine'.  The 
>>> warden looked at the FPT and became suspicious (not explained just why) 
>>> and contacted the local authority by phone. It transpired that no 
>>> parking enforcement had taken place at that car park on that day and the 
>>> FPT was bogus.
>>>
>>> Clearly the 'FPT' had been put on the car by the same person who handed 
>>> over the bogus ticket.
>>
>> A bit inneficient IMO.
>> How many people are going to pay a FPT if their ticket shows they haven't 
>> overstayed?
>> Mike.
>>
>>
> I thought Ret said the FPT was for showing an "unautherised ticket", not 
> for overstaying?

I take your point. Maybe I misunderstood.
But it does depend upon how 'unauthorised' is interpreted.
In the car park I mentioned, (before they introduced the reg'n no machines) 
the transfer of tickets was specifically not allowed.
If you were seen accepting a ticket by an attendant you would get a FPT for 
it's unauthorised use.
Mike..

Miike G wrote:
> "Ret." <xxx> wrote in message
> news:v8idnVaf2YqAVWzXnZ2dnUVZ8tKdnZ2d@pipex.net...
>> In this month's Caravan Club magazine (yes, I know - sad isn't it?!)
>> there is a tale from a caravanner who, on a day out from his
>> caravan, pulled into a 'pay and display' car park.
>>
>> A 'kind' motorist just leaving, offered him his parking ticket which
>> had several hours left on it. The caravanner, accepted the ticket
>> with thanks and stuck it on his windscreen.
>
> That was common in a car park I regularly use.
> Now you have to enter the cars 3 reg'n no's, before a ticket is
> issued.
>> He later returned to his car to find a 'Fixed Penalty' ticket on his
>> windscreen for using an unauthorised ticket.
>>
>> When he returned to the caravan site he went to see the site warden
>> to ask if he had any envelopes in which he could send off his
>> 'fine'.  The warden looked at the FPT and became suspicious (not
>> explained just why) and contacted the local authority by phone. It
>> transpired that no parking enforcement had taken place at that car
>> park on that day and the FPT was bogus.
>>
>> Clearly the 'FPT' had been put on the car by the same person who
>> handed over the bogus ticket.
>
> A bit inneficient IMO.
> How many people are going to pay a FPT if their ticket shows they
> haven't overstayed?

As I understood the letter (which lacked a lot of detail), when he looked 
closely at the ticket when he got back to the car, it wasn't for the car 
park in question.

Kev

"Ret." <xxx> wrote in message 
news:-KCdnZEP5LOAQWzXnZ2dnUVZ8tidnZ2d@pipex.net...
> Miike G wrote:
>> "Ret." <xxx> wrote in message
>> news:v8idnVaf2YqAVWzXnZ2dnUVZ8tKdnZ2d@pipex.net...
>>> In this month's Caravan Club magazine (yes, I know - sad isn't it?!)
>>> there is a tale from a caravanner who, on a day out from his
>>> caravan, pulled into a 'pay and display' car park.
>>>
>>> A 'kind' motorist just leaving, offered him his parking ticket which
>>> had several hours left on it. The caravanner, accepted the ticket
>>> with thanks and stuck it on his windscreen.
>>
>> That was common in a car park I regularly use.
>> Now you have to enter the cars 3 reg'n no's, before a ticket is
>> issued.
>>> He later returned to his car to find a 'Fixed Penalty' ticket on his
>>> windscreen for using an unauthorised ticket.
>>>
>>> When he returned to the caravan site he went to see the site warden
>>> to ask if he had any envelopes in which he could send off his
>>> 'fine'.  The warden looked at the FPT and became suspicious (not
>>> explained just why) and contacted the local authority by phone. It
>>> transpired that no parking enforcement had taken place at that car
>>> park on that day and the FPT was bogus.
>>>
>>> Clearly the 'FPT' had been put on the car by the same person who
>>> handed over the bogus ticket.
>>
>> A bit inneficient IMO.
>> How many people are going to pay a FPT if their ticket shows they
>> haven't overstayed?
>
> As I understood the letter (which lacked a lot of detail), when he looked 
> closely at the ticket when he got back to the car, it wasn't for the car 
> park in question.

I suppose if it catches a few of the less observant, it could probably still 
be worthwhile until it becomes more widely known.
Mike.

"Miike G"  gurgled happily, sounding much
like they were saying:

> That was common in a car park I regularly use. Now you have to enter the
> cars 3 reg'n no's, before a ticket is issued.

I've only ever come across that once - in Kent.

It's a bloody silly idea, even more so since 2001.

Adrian wrote:
> "Miike G"  gurgled happily, sounding
> much like they were saying:
>
>> That was common in a car park I regularly use. Now you have to enter
>> the cars 3 reg'n no's, before a ticket is issued.
>
> I've only ever come across that once - in Kent.
>
> It's a bloody silly idea, even more so since 2001.

They used to do this at Leighton Hospital in Crewe - but have switched to a 
different system now. There is a park near Warrington where the car park 
machines still have this system.

Kev

"Adrian"  wrote in message 
news:7le7qfF3demjaU1@mid.individual.net...
> "Miike G"  gurgled happily, sounding much
> like they were saying:
>
>> That was common in a car park I regularly use. Now you have to enter the
>> cars 3 reg'n no's, before a ticket is issued.
>
> I've only ever come across that once - in Kent.
>
> It's a bloody silly idea, even more so since 2001

What happened to change things in 2001?
Mike..

"Ret." <xxx> wrote in message 
news:v8idnVaf2YqAVWzXnZ2dnUVZ8tKdnZ2d@pipex.net...
> In this month's Caravan Club magazine (yes, I know - sad isn't it?!) there 
> is a tale from a caravanner who, on a day out from his caravan, pulled 
> into a 'pay and display' car park.
>
> A 'kind' motorist just leaving, offered him his parking ticket which had 
> several hours left on it. The caravanner, accepted the ticket with thanks 
> and stuck it on his windscreen.
>

Usually I see a caravan and think "thick", or "DLA scam" because no ticket 
is
transferable if you read them.

> He later returned to his car to find a 'Fixed Penalty' ticket on his 
> windscreen for using an unauthorised ticket.
>

Really!  Did he read it all or is this just lifted from the top 50 Urban 
Myths
web site?

> When he returned to the caravan site he went to see the site warden to ask 
> if he had any envelopes in which he could send off his 'fine'.

Why would he just go and ask for an envelope.  None of the people take
cash or cheques.  They want credit/debit card info.

>  The warden looked at the FPT and became suspicious (not explained just 
> why)

Because it doesn't fit with the rest of this lie, I mean story.

> and contacted the local authority by phone.

Why when it was nothing to do with him.  Does he just happen to have
the number to hand!

> It transpired that no parking enforcement had taken place at that car park 
> on that day and the FPT was bogus.
>

It depends on who had the contract and they would not give details out
to just anyone on the phone about where they had been that day.

> Clearly the 'FPT' had been put on the car by the same person who handed 
> over the bogus ticket.
>

Why do you say "clearly", you have no proof of this.  Why would the same 
person
return and risk being caught out.  You need to learn when you are being told 
a lie.
I hear so many urban myths - people actually believe their friends because 
they
want it to be real to gain popularity.  Similar to all the friends of 
friends who have
had speeding tickets for going at 31mph in a 30mph limit!  Most will 
substitute the
name of a family member when relaying the story to make it sound better.
There is also the one about the dog in a suitcase and the person stealing it 
from
some old woman on a bus.  It's all very very boring to listen to.

> Who thinks up these things?
>

People who have nothing better to do than lie all the time.

> Kev

On Wed, 4 Nov 2009 18:29:53 -0000, "Ret." <xxx> wrote:

>In this month's Caravan Club magazine (yes, I know - sad isn't it?!) there 
>is a tale from a caravanner who, on a day out from his caravan, pulled into 
>a 'pay and display' car park.
>
>A 'kind' motorist just leaving, offered him his parking ticket which had 
>several hours left on it. The caravanner, accepted the ticket with thanks 
>and stuck it on his windscreen.
>
>He later returned to his car to find a 'Fixed Penalty' ticket on his 
>windscreen for using an unauthorised ticket.
>
>When he returned to the caravan site he went to see the site warden

I was expecting the site warden to be the same bloke as the 'kind'
motorist!

Roger wrote:
> "Ret." <xxx> wrote in message
> news:v8idnVaf2YqAVWzXnZ2dnUVZ8tKdnZ2d@pipex.net...
>> In this month's Caravan Club magazine (yes, I know - sad isn't it?!)
>> there is a tale from a caravanner who, on a day out from his
>> caravan, pulled into a 'pay and display' car park.
>>
>> A 'kind' motorist just leaving, offered him his parking ticket which
>> had several hours left on it. The caravanner, accepted the ticket
>> with thanks and stuck it on his windscreen.
>>
>
> Usually I see a caravan and think "thick", or "DLA scam" because no
> ticket is
> transferable if you read them.

I think everyone is aware of that - but most drivers will accept a part used 
ticket if offered one. I left a hospital car park the day before yesterday 
and handed a ticket with 2 hours left on it to the driver waiting to get 
into my space.

>
>> He later returned to his car to find a 'Fixed Penalty' ticket on his
>> windscreen for using an unauthorised ticket.
>>
>
> Really!  Did he read it all or is this just lifted from the top 50
> Urban Myths
> web site?

You may wish to think so but I left out some details for brevity. The letter 
writer states that he was staying at the River Beamish site and the car park 
in question was in the fishing village of Craster. The car park was full 
but, as they drove slowly through, looking for a space, the driver of a 
black Mitsubishi 4x4 drove out of a space and offered his 'all day' ticket 
to him.  How many drivers, accepting a friendly gesture like this, would 
scrutinise the ticket? He states that he glanced at the ticket and saw that 
it was valid until 5.30 pm.

When he returned he saw the FPT on the windscreen (£60, reducing to £30 if 
paid within 14 days). He then states that he spoke to the couple parked next 
to him and was told that this was not the first time this had happened in 
that car park and the tickets were different to those issued in Craster car 
park.

>
>> When he returned to the caravan site he went to see the site warden
>> to ask if he had any envelopes in which he could send off his 'fine'.
>
> Why would he just go and ask for an envelope.  None of the people take
> cash or cheques.  They want credit/debit card info.

 Of course they take cheques.

>
>>  The warden looked at the FPT and became suspicious (not explained
>> just why)
>
> Because it doesn't fit with the rest of this lie, I mean story.
>
>> and contacted the local authority by phone.
>
> Why when it was nothing to do with him.  Does he just happen to have
> the number to hand!

Clearly you don't know caravanners and site wardens. Most caravanners and 
site wardens are only to ready to give a helping hand when required. He 
specifically states in his letter to the magazine that 'Heather' (one of the 
site warden's) looked up the council's telephone number in her directory.

>
>> It transpired that no parking enforcement had taken place at that
>> car park on that day and the FPT was bogus.
>>
>
> It depends on who had the contract and they would not give details out
> to just anyone on the phone about where they had been that day.

The letter writer states: " He (the site warden) then phoned the council, 
relating the story, and asked if the penalty notice was legal. Within five 
minutes we had a call from one of the traffic people who look after that 
area. He told me that they did not call at Craster on the day the penalty 
had been issued, and said he would check the computer on Monday and call me 
back. This he did, and confirmed I had been tricked."

>
>> Clearly the 'FPT' had been put on the car by the same person who
>> handed over the bogus ticket.
>>
>
> Why do you say "clearly", you have no proof of this.  Why would the
> same person
> return and risk being caught out.

OK - it may have been a couple of scammers working together - does it really 
matter?

You need to learn when you are
> being told a lie.

Bearing in mind that this letter writer states where this occurred, and (in 
the Caravan Club Magazine), gives the names of the site wardens who helped 
him, I find it hard to believe that this tale is untrue. Unless you believe 
that this is a conspiracy between the caravanner and the site wardens on the 
River Beamish site to pull the wool over the magazine readers' eyes?

> I hear so many urban myths - people actually believe their friends
> because they
> want it to be real to gain popularity.

I don't disagree with you on that - but I don't believe that this particular 
story is made up.

Similar to all the friends of
> friends who have
> had speeding tickets for going at 31mph in a 30mph limit!  Most will
> substitute the
> name of a family member when relaying the story to make it sound
> better.

I'm with you 100% there. As a retired police officer I know full well that 
no-one but no-one is going to get a speeding ticket for 1 mph over the 
limit.

There is also the one about the dog in a suitcase and the
> person stealing it from
> some old woman on a bus.  It's all very very boring to listen to.

I haven't heard that one.
>
>> Who thinks up these things?
>>
>
> People who have nothing better to do than lie all the time.

See above. I do not doubt that this particular incident is true.

Kev

"Miike G"  gurgled happily, sounding much
like they were saying:

>>> That was common in a car park I regularly use. Now you have to enter
>>> the cars 3 reg'n no's, before a ticket is issued.

>> I've only ever come across that once - in Kent.
>>
>> It's a bloody silly idea, even more so since 2001

> What happened to change things in 2001? Mike..

Simple. Every car registered new in the UK within a six-month period had 
the same digits in the registration plate...

Periproct wrote:
> On Wed, 4 Nov 2009 18:29:53 -0000, "Ret." <xxx> wrote:
>
>> In this month's Caravan Club magazine (yes, I know - sad isn't it?!)
>> there is a tale from a caravanner who, on a day out from his
>> caravan, pulled into a 'pay and display' car park.
>>
>> A 'kind' motorist just leaving, offered him his parking ticket which
>> had several hours left on it. The caravanner, accepted the ticket
>> with thanks and stuck it on his windscreen.
>>
>> He later returned to his car to find a 'Fixed Penalty' ticket on his
>> windscreen for using an unauthorised ticket.
>>
>> When he returned to the caravan site he went to see the site warden
>> to ask if he had any envelopes in which he could send off his
>> 'fine'.  The warden looked at the FPT and became suspicious (not
>> explained just why) and contacted the local authority by phone. It
>> transpired that no parking enforcement had taken place at that car
>> park on that day and the FPT was bogus.
>>
>> Clearly the 'FPT' had been put on the car by the same person who
>> handed over the bogus ticket.
>>
>> Who thinks up these things?
>>
>> Kev
>
> I could well be wrong but I thought the scam was that the person who
> offered the ticket received a couple of quid as a 'thank you'.
>
> To make that worthwhile you'd have to aquire a lot of unexpired
> tickets from somewhere.

AIUI, the tickets were not actually for that car park. If the scam works, 
then buying a batch of 'full day' tickets from another car park may be well 
worth the cost.

Kev

[This followup was posted to uk.rec.driving and a copy was sent to the 
cited author.]

In article , "Ret." <xxx> 
says...
> See above. I do not doubt that this particular incident is true.
> 
Don't worry Kev, sounds like a very plausible scam, and quite simple.

You just got Rogered though. Don't take it to heart, he is the kind of 
cunt who would have fallen down the steps on the way back from the 
interview room.
-- 
Carl Robson
Get cashback on your purchases
Topcashback http://www.TopCashBack.co.uk/skraggy_uk/ref/index.htm
Greasypalm http://www.greasypalm.co.uk/r/?l=1006553

On Thu, 5 Nov 2009 07:45:22 -0000, "Ret." <xxx> wrote:

>>Similar to all the friends of
>> friends who have
>> had speeding tickets for going at 31mph in a 30mph limit!  Most will
>> substitute the
>> name of a family member when relaying the story to make it sound
>> better.
>
>I'm with you 100% there. As a retired police officer I know full well that 
>no-one but no-one is going to get a speeding ticket for 1 mph over the 
>limit.

<cough>

Bollocks.

-- 

Ian D

On Nov 5, 6:15 pm, Elder  wrote:
> [This followup was posted to uk.rec.driving and a copy was sent to the
> cited author.]
>
> In article , "Ret." <xxx>
> says...> See above. I do not doubt that this particular incident is true.
>
> Don't worry Kev, sounds like a very plausible scam, and quite simple.
>
> You just got Rogered though. Don't take it to heart, he is the kind of
> cunt who would have fallen down the steps on the way back from the
> interview room.
> --
> Carl Robson
> Get cashback on your purchases
> Topcashbackhttp://www.TopCashBack.co.uk/skraggy_uk/ref/index.htm
> Greasypalmhttp://www.greasypalm.co.uk/r/?l=1006553

Aye, and I expect you're the kind of cunt who helps him do it, but I
bet your only hard when in the uniform.

Twat