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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To lock the jackass in (parking thread)

999 replies

BlueEyesWhiteDragon · 31/07/2021 10:57

I live in a rural location which is very popular with walkers / bikers / horse riders etc. It's heaving today for some unknown reason as the weather is rubbish!

We have 2 driveways. One which was with the original cottage then a small bit of garden then a second which leads to the additional land we have. The second driveway the forestry commission have a ROW over as the track continues up into the forest. Next to that driveway is a footpath. Both driveways have gates at either end and both say private property/dogs running loose. (Diagram attached - not to scale!)

I have just had a straw delivery and so opened the second driveway gates to let the farmer in and trundled round the back to show him where to put them. He's unloaded and driven off and I've gone to lock the gates back up. Literally as he's driven off and I'm walking down a guy has pulled in the gates and parked up and 3 kids have jumped out and he started unloading their bikes.

I politely ask him to move as he's on private land and he says there are no signs he thought it was a parking spot. I say they are on the gate and it's clearly an enclosed piece of land that is not a parking space and he says he couldn't see them as the gates were open but he'll only be a few minutes. No problem, I say, I'll pop back and shut the gates in 5. Off I toddle.

I have returned and his car is still there and he has gone. He has left a note on the windscreen which says "had to park here no other spaces". I mean WTF?!

WIBU to shut the gates, padlock the fucker in, block the gates with my truck AND then disappear for at least 48 hours?

To lock the jackass in (parking thread)
OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
JustJustWhy · 31/07/2021 13:45

Please don't do the dog thing. I'd honestly just let it go now. This could end up being far more of a headache for you than just a bit of CF-ery.

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 31/07/2021 13:45

Even if you don’t get an apology you’ve made him sweat, probably caused a marital argument and ruined their day and hopefully he’ll think twice next time.

No, HE has ruined his own day and singlehandedly caused all of those potential consequences himself.

Fernando072020 · 31/07/2021 13:45

C sounds lovely, op! But I'd only do this if you have CCTV.

Otherwise, I'd stick with A! It's good to know your DB is there as well for any back up :)

GojuRyuLover · 31/07/2021 13:45

I vote C.
I would make sure the dogs are safe, ensure CCTV is working, take a picture of his car and reg in case the police need it, then I would go out.

MyGrassIsBrowner · 31/07/2021 13:45

Ahhh what a fantastic thread for a Saturday afternoon... 😏
Hope he gets the balls to come and give you a massive apology OP. People genuinely astound me!

Ninkanink · 31/07/2021 13:46

@GojuRyuLover

I vote C. I would make sure the dogs are safe, ensure CCTV is working, take a picture of his car and reg in case the police need it, then I would go out.
This.
Jumpingintosummer · 31/07/2021 13:46

Honestly I would go out, the man is a first class chancer!

AOwlAOwlAOwl · 31/07/2021 13:46

B and C. Why not. He can't move his car anyway.

Is the carvery far? You could leave a note telling him where you'll be and then he can come and apologise to you in front of everyone there.

TheAwfuITruth · 31/07/2021 13:47

I'd do C regardless of whichever of A and B is chosen Grin

frazzledasarock · 31/07/2021 13:47

Go to the carvery have a nice long leisurely meal.

pigeonhole · 31/07/2021 13:48

C

I would put the dogs in but then Go for c

takealettermsjones · 31/07/2021 13:48

I wouldn't release the dogs (unless they need that space of course) but definitely go to the carvery. Don't let him ruin your day. Stick a note on the car saying "Fly tipping is a criminal offence. I can only assume you need my help in arranging proper disposal of this scrap metal; please contact me so that I can invoice you" and then your phone number. Then go to the carvery Grin

AmayaBuzzbee · 31/07/2021 13:48

I’d say B too. Just being curious, what breed are the dogs?

Original poster
BlueEyesWhiteDragon · 31/07/2021 13:48

@HaveringWavering

Tbf not locking the gate wasn't an option. I've got loads of really expensive stuff up in the yard my insurance stipulates it must be behind locker barriers.

When you eventually do speak to the CF OP I suggest that you explain this in a very measured and calm way. That will 100% give you the moral high ground.

I’m not 100% sure that you need to keep the truck in front though, do you genuinely believe he might try to drive forward and smash your gates open?

No I don't think he would. The truck is an overkill but i was in a proper rage. I'm less angry more befuzzled now because honestly who does that!
OP posts:
CaveMum · 31/07/2021 13:49

Don’t do the dog thing. The last thing you want is him, potentially, calling the police and saying there are dangerous dogs on the loose. He may be in the wrong in doing so but the police will respond very quickly and the consequences could be horrific.

ivykaty44 · 31/07/2021 13:50

If he does knock can you ask him

why did you block yourself in like that? seems a strange thing to do....

I mean he'd been warned it was private land did he think others don't want to park on their drive/land

MotherofTerriers · 31/07/2021 13:50

Put a note on the windscreen saying gates locked for security purposes, will be reopened when workers return on Monday

JudgeJ · 31/07/2021 13:50

@MrsExpo

Lock him in, leave a note and (if you're worried about him having kids with him) add that you'll be back in 4 (5/6?) hours - or whatever timescale you feel is appropriate "punishment" for his c.f. behaviour.
Why should the OP be concerned about his children, he clearly isn't, he's chosen to place them in a potentially dificult situation?
LakieLady · 31/07/2021 13:50

I wonder if he would be equally understanding if op rocked up outside his house and parked on his drive

He'd probably start a thread on some internet site, moaning about the CF who'd parked on his drive.

anon12345678901 · 31/07/2021 13:50

I would choose C. He's got some cheek to behave as he has, so let him have the consequences of his actions. Maybe he'll think twice about parking on private lane again.

RandomMess · 31/07/2021 13:50

B&C

Note:

"Have visitors for the weekend , gone to carvery, back in 5 minutes"

Sorebum · 31/07/2021 13:51

Shameless place making

Mochudubh · 31/07/2021 13:52

I second turning the Landrover the other way so he thinks you've been out and back and he's missed his chance.

TheLittleRedToothbrush · 31/07/2021 13:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

IveGotASongThatllGetOnYNerves · 31/07/2021 13:53

If you open the gates before he's actually plucked up the courage to knock then he's won. Quite apart from the genuine issue of open gates invalidating your insurance why the hell should you do anything to help him avoid the consequences of his decision to knowingly park on private property and not give a fuck what you said.
Fuck 'being the bigger person'. Fuck 'the moral high ground' and double fuck with bells on 'be kind'. Selfish bastards walk all over others because they are encouraged to write wipe here on their foreheads and lie on the ground.

And yes. I do practise what I preach.