Was I dreaming?

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Wed 2 Mar 2005 10:48
Was I dreaming? - helicopter
Driving through the centre of Croydon last night on a three lane wide road ,I was seriously cut up by a car in the right hand turning lane changing lane and forcing me to swerve into the inside lane and brake to avoid an accident.

I sounded my horn as he pulled away from me and then he had to stop at the next set of lights.

I pulled alongside him on the inside. I looked across and saw the car had two young couples in it and then his passenger window came down and the driver said something, I was spoiling for an argument and getting into 'baseball bat' mode when I wound down my window and said 'What did you say' , assuming it was an insult.

His reply ' I'm sorry - I'm a stranger to the area'.

I was gobsmacked - I didn't think an Audi driver did things like apologies.
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Wed 2 Mar 2005 14:13
Was I dreaming? - runboy
Stolen motor, didn't want to cause a commotion and draw attention to himself.....

A bit like cycles-so many have no lights on, its the norm. A bike with lights on must mean they are feeling guilty-stolen bike.

Only joking before I'm shot down in flames!
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Wed 2 Mar 2005 14:20
Was I dreaming? - volvoman
Hi H - not surprised he was confused - if there is a motoring hell, Croydon must be it!

He was probably trying to take in and disriminate between all the complex road signs, full/part time restrictions, bus lanes, tram tracks, enforcement cameras etc. etc.

Am surprised he apologised but then he might not have done so had you reacted more aggressively and thereby upped the ante. I wonder how many road range disputes escalate because of a reaction from the victim which is out of all proportion.

Anyway Mrs V is trying hard to entice me to take her there on a driving lesson this week so we can visit a friend's new restaurant. I'm really not keen but how am I going to let her down gently? I quite like being enticed :)
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Wed 2 Mar 2005 14:36
Was I dreaming? - helicopter
V'man - Don't do it - don't let her anywhere near Croydon with a 'L 'plate, even for a meal and some enticement.

Finding somewhere to park that doesn't cost a kings ransom and braving the traffic hell is just not worth it.

I went there a few months back and trying to go my usual way home late Saturday found the road closed , diversions and police cars everywhere, thought it was an accident but it was the scene of a double murder.

Croydon is not a nice place at night - I keep the doors locked.
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Wed 2 Mar 2005 19:21
Was I dreaming? - volvoman
Thanks for the feedback H, it'll come in useful when I try to explain to her it's not the best idea she's ever had. I hate driving there and if it wasn't for that temple to far eastern cuisine - aka Wing Yip - I wouldn't bother :)
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Wed 2 Mar 2005 19:25
Was I dreaming? - somebody
Croydon's like the Bronx. If you spoil for a fight there, you're likely to find it.
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Thu 3 Mar 2005 12:19
Was I dreaming? - Tornadorot
I was gobsmacked - I didn't think an Audi driver did
things like apologies.


I think you may be confusing us with BMW drivers ;-)
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Thu 3 Mar 2005 12:23
Was I dreaming? - helicopter
I think you may be confusing us with BMW drivers ;-)


Oh no I wasn't....... :-)
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