Bex and I have just returned from a wee tour of the Sarf Island. And very nice it was too. (Details may appear in the appropriate sub-forum).
But meanwhile here's a little story that happened in Blenheim this morning.
We had arrived in Blenheim in good time to reach Picton for the 1.15 InterIslander, so we decided to park up and go find some reading matter for the sailing. I parked the bike at the end of a row of metered spaces and wandered off with Lyn to look for a bookstore. By chance having wandered aimlessly for a few mins, I decided to return to the bike and shift it closer to where Lyn was headed. As I approach the bike, I see what looks like a thirty something housewife noting the bikes rego. The conversation went something like this...
Me, "Hi, can I help you, love?"
Parking Warden (not in any particular uniform)"Is this your motorcycle, Sir"
Me, "No... I always dress like this when I go shopping"
(At this point, sense of humour failure from said warden (dressed as housewife) fails to ignite a glimmer of a smile)
PW, "You do realise that you are illegally parked?"
Me, "No, I'm sorry, I didn't"
PW, "You mean that you assumed you could park here?"
Me, "Yes...show me the signs or yellow lines that tell me I can't"
PW, "There aren't any"
Me, "Precisely, so where's the problem"
PW, "You should have used a metered space"
Me, "Why, when I can squeeze the bike in here?"
PW, "Because the metered spaces are for parking"
Me, "Yes, but I thought it more considerate to car drivers to park here rather than occupy a meter space with a motorcycle"
PW, "But you are just as entitled to park in a bay, Sir"
Me, " I wasn't prepared to pay the (parking) fee for five minutes in a shop. Besides, there is nothing to say I can't park the bike here. Are you going to give me a ticket?"
PW, "Yes"
Me,"How much is it?"
PW, "$40"
Me, Dont you think you are being unrealistic? And how are you going to fix the penalty notice to the bike?"
PW, "No I don't, Sir. I shall fix it with an elastic band around the handlebars. Or, I can hand it to you personally"
Me, "No thanks, I'll watch you affix it to the bike"
PW, "Very well, Sir. Are you now going to move it?"
Me, "No, I'm not...I'm going to get my $40 worth!
PW, " Very well, Sir. Thank you.
At which point I walked away and went to look for Lynda. (who by this time had wondered where I was!)
Then this bloke (gawd knows who... a local by all accounts) comes up to me and asks if I just got a ticket. I told him, yes, and he told me that he too had been incorrectly ticketed yesterday. He then gave me directions to the Fine Payment Centre in Blenheim and suggested I stood my ground and contest it. So I returned to the bike and bugger me if she hadn't returned to it too. (Must like big Hondas!). I then proceded to produce photographic evidence of my "alledged crime"... including the warden herself...looking very fetching indeed. Then I went along to said parking fine payment centre and remonstrated with the "head of complaints" and offered him the evidence. He instantly sympathised and said that there was only one thing to do...at which point he stamped the ticket as cancelled.
Result! And we still made the ferry check in in Picton.
So just beware if you are in Blenheim. But stand your ground if you are confronted by Lovely Rita Meter Maid (below)... she hasn't a clue about the legalities of parking motorcycles.
Update: Having just uploaded the pics, I can't help but wonder who the other lady is. She was there during my conversation with Rita.
Maybe she was a newbie warden following for training purposes, or maybe Rita was under supervision herself? Who knows? Who cares? lol
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Originally Posted by ceebie13
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