AnnieH’s blog

Well Friday saw us going to a Classical ‘Spooktacular’ for a fantastic evenings entertainment thoroughly enjoyed.  It was a freezing night and a long walk to where we had parked the car so I took a single crutch with me.  We set off for the car after the concert watching all the revellers swarming the streets of Manchester in their spooky fancy dress.  I was walking slowly because the cold weather seemed to make my leg quite stiff.  Eventually we got to the car…. well, where we thought the car was.  No car.  Walked up and down, thought we had walked onto the wrong road. 

Anyway, no car so we rang the Police to report a stolen car, very kind policewoman took details then asked where we were parked.  Lower Byrom Street I shouted to Martin as I found a street sign.  Silence then Oh Dear I know what has happened she said to Martin, at the same time I was walking back to where the car should have been then I saw it…..   a sign in the middle of the road, ‘disabled parking’.  The policewoman then told us the car had been towed away to a Council run compound and it would cost us £140 ($225) to get it back, plus taxi fare of £10 to get to the compound.  What an end to a lovely evening.

We will be going back with my camera in the near future as the markings were in the centre of the road, and most of the sign had worn away, no sign on the wall, nor in the parking bay itself, no blue or yellow markings, or streetlight saying ‘disabled parking’ .  When we parked it was dark, the road was busy and traffic was actually driving over the sign so we never saw it.  But according to the Policewoman the onus is on us to get out of the car look into the road, the pavement, street signs etc. etc. to make sure you are entitled to park.  As we said to the policewoman if we had deliberately tried to cheat the system we would have displayed the ‘disabled parking badge’ that we have in the car which belongs to my mother-in-law, plus as I was using my crutch I am sure nobody would have questioned my right to park there.

When we got into the taxi the driver said ‘Car Compound!!!’ he knew exactly what had happened as he said he picks people up there regularly, he also said the Council know the sign is not clear but the funds help towards the Council’s coffers!

Anyway, we paid the fine and drove home, pity such a great night was spoilt but we live and learn, because I had got so cold my leg really hurt and I ended up getting up in the early hours as I could not get warm, I opened a packet of biscuits and made a hot Vimto drink and felt really sorry for myself while I munched my way through the biscuits.

More bad news.  Manchester City lost to the team at the bottom of the league.

Good news.  Lewis Hamilton is Formula 1 World Chamption, well done Lewis.

Moral of the story always check where you are parking.