She was parked near a clearway sign that means no stopping. She assumed that because lots of cars were parked on the road she could do the same.
She admits parking near the clearway sign, but blames the road authorities for not building more car parks or adding extra road signs.
There are several responses to that. Firstly, she should have obeyed the road sign and not copied the other motorists. Secondly she should have realised that all the parked cars were narrowing the road and it was highly likely that her car could be damaged by a large vehicle. And thirdly, there are plenty of places to view a sunrise and she didn't need to drive to Derbyshire from her home town of Milton Keynes, a 250 mile round trip.
No wonder so many places are blighted by over-tourism if people don't have the common sense to go somewhere that's not already far too popular and plagued by thoughtless visitors.
There's no need for more car parks or extra road signs. What's needed is a bit more savvy about where you're planning to go and the havoc caused by hundreds of day trippers like you descending on the latest trendy beauty spot.
Jenny and I are fond of Castlerock, a seaside village on the north coast with a population of around 1160. Usually there's hardly anyone about and it's wonderfully quiet and peaceful. But everyone flocks to nearby Portrush, which in the summer is overflowing with visitors.
Nowt so queer as folk.
Pic: the summit of Mam Tor
Yes, she deserved the ticket for disobeying the traffic sign. But I’m not going to fault someone for wanting to watch the sunrise in such a beautiful location. There’s always a reason that spots like that become so popular!
ReplyDeleteBijoux: There are plenty of beautiful sunrises and sunsets in East Belfast, and you don't need to drive 250 miles to see them!
DeletePlenty of lovely places to visit in
ReplyDeleteCosta Rica...but the tourists all follow the well trodden paths, eco lodges, white water rafting, ziplines, all inclusive beach resorts....
Following the traces of the mule path which was the only trail leading from the centre to the Pacific coast in the 16th and 17th centuries takes you through magnificent countryside....but the tourist board has no interest in promoting it whatsoever, nor trails round the victorian style churches built as the country was 'colonised' by farmers in the 19th and early 20th centuries...just a few examples of visits which enchant our visitors, but totally under the tourist radar.
Fly: Yes, tourist boards do seem to over-promote the already well-known attractions and overlook the many other scenic locations. There are quite a few Northern Irish highlights that get much less publicity than they deserve.
DeleteIt's a catch 22. When you promote beautiful places they become less beautiful. That why many people who camp out in the boondocks in the USA don't tell others where they go.
ReplyDeleteLinda
Linda: We're glad that so few people visit Northern Ireland that all the beauty spots are relatively quiet and peaceful. We wouldn't want too many people deciding NI was the place to visit.
DeleteIf the sign says no parking and you park there and your car gets some damage, that's your own fault.
ReplyDeleteMary: Agreed. Ignoring road signs is a mug's game.
DeleteHmmm, not as much interest in this story as I thought there would be. I never can tell what will fire people up and what won't. Which is half the fun of blogging!
ReplyDeleteNick, I wonder how stupid one can be. I can admire the sunrise on a little bridge near my home. Not respecting simple rules , but asking for money for a damaged car. This woman lacks logical thinking.
ReplyDeleteHannah
Hannah: Exactly, you can view spectacular sunsets anywhere, and they don't have to be at some trendy beauty spot.
Delete