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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Desperate for help (Birmingham, Twitter, car keys, NCP)

406 replies

LostCarKeys · 04/08/2023 13:06

AIBU to beg for help from strangers on the internet?

I’m on holiday in Birmingham with three kids. I parked in an NCP car park on Monday night and we’ve been staying in a car park since.

We checked out this morning to leave and head home (Brighton) via Coventry to see my Nan (90 years old).

I can’t find my car keys 🤦🏻‍♀️

OP posts:
Original poster
LostCarKeys · 04/08/2023 13:28

Davestwattymissus · 04/08/2023 13:15

I know this is probably a daft question so apologies in advance, but you didn't stash them somewhere Very Safe that you wouldn't normally think to look when you got to the hotel and forget? I've done this before, but I appreciate not everyone is as dizzy as me

Thanks @Davestwattymissus, not daft at all. My brain is exhausted from being in crisis mode for several hours so I’m grateful for all suggestions.

I got to the hotel on Monday evening and I haven’t looked for them until this morning.

I have no recollection at all of what I did with them. When I looked in my handbag for them this morning, they weren’t there.

OP posts:
HeritageBlooms · 04/08/2023 13:30

Ok deep breath. close your eyes. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth 10 times.

visualise the last time you saw your car keys.

Original poster
LostCarKeys · 04/08/2023 13:30

AHugeTinyMistake · 04/08/2023 13:26

Do you have a spare at home? Can you get national express coach home & come back for the car later?

Massive faff I know ☹️

Home is 150 miles away so not easy to travel there and back unfortunately @AHugeTinyMistake.

OP posts:
HeritageBlooms · 04/08/2023 13:31

Posted too soon. Think about the last time you were holding your car keys, then post here of exactly what you did after that until now

TwoManyKids · 04/08/2023 13:32

I'm the queen od losing keys. Check bins and shoes! Are you being charged for parking?

PurpleButterflyWings · 04/08/2023 13:32

Sounds like a shit situation, but I am not sure what anyone on mumsnet can do to help. Confused

GaspingGekko · 04/08/2023 13:33

Try and visually walk through what you did after parking the car.
You walked to the hotel, you checked in, you went to your room.....
What were you wearing, what bag were you using, did you use the hotel safe, put them away somewhere......

Yarnorama · 04/08/2023 13:33

LostCarKeys · 04/08/2023 13:21

Yes, I popped back this morning. The car is where I left it and locked.

Show quote history

Did you look under your car?

And under the car next to it?

MaggieFS · 04/08/2023 13:34

After you got out of the car on Monday, where did you go? Did you stop anywhere on the way to the hotel? Have the hotel reception looked under any papers etc on their desk?

Original poster
LostCarKeys · 04/08/2023 13:35

HeritageBlooms · 04/08/2023 13:30

Ok deep breath. close your eyes. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth 10 times.

visualise the last time you saw your car keys.

I’ve got something @HeritageBlooms.

I was reaching for something and I pulled my car keys out in error.

I remember commenting to the kids that car keys wouldn’t be useful to me in that situation. It’s vague, I’m working on it…

OP posts:
Duckduckie · 04/08/2023 13:35

When I did this turns out I had put the keys down on the bed and then wrapped them up those stupid bed runners which I put in a ball and threw down in the corner of the room. Fingers crossed you find them soon!

Istanbulnotconstantinople72 · 04/08/2023 13:37

Is the car park connected to a shopping centre that might have a lost property? Or are there any big shops nearby where someone might have handed them in?

AlisonDonut · 04/08/2023 13:38

Is there a safe in the hotel room?

I take it you asked the hotel staff to see if they have been handed in and aren't in lost property.

Fizzadora · 04/08/2023 13:38

Coat pocket?
Jeans pocket (what were you wearing on Monday - is it packed in your case?
Inside an umbrella.
Shopping bag
Kids bags.

Have you tried searching for an auto locksmith near you?. We had to do this for my son once. It was £90 but it was a few years ago now

redastherose · 04/08/2023 13:40

How old is the car? Is it only lockable from the outside with the key fob? If not could you have locked the keys inside? If so it would be worth ringing a few small garages near to the car park and ask if anybody could pop to open the car for you. If not you are either going too need the spare keys brought to you. Can you ask a friend or relative to get them from home and drive to you? Cheaper than the breakdown people by the sound of it even if you pay them for petrol. Alternatively you'll need to ring the nearest dealership for your car and see if they can send someone out to help but that may be more than the £250! Worth asking though.

Original poster
LostCarKeys · 04/08/2023 13:41

MaggieFS · 04/08/2023 13:34

After you got out of the car on Monday, where did you go? Did you stop anywhere on the way to the hotel? Have the hotel reception looked under any papers etc on their desk?

Walked to the hotel @MaggieFS . Lots of bags. Short walk, we went the wrong way initially.

OP posts:
Toffeesgirl · 04/08/2023 13:43

I assume you've checked the hotel reception in case they were handed in.

Original poster
LostCarKeys · 04/08/2023 13:44

redastherose · 04/08/2023 13:40

How old is the car? Is it only lockable from the outside with the key fob? If not could you have locked the keys inside? If so it would be worth ringing a few small garages near to the car park and ask if anybody could pop to open the car for you. If not you are either going too need the spare keys brought to you. Can you ask a friend or relative to get them from home and drive to you? Cheaper than the breakdown people by the sound of it even if you pay them for petrol. Alternatively you'll need to ring the nearest dealership for your car and see if they can send someone out to help but that may be more than the £250! Worth asking though.

10 years old @redastherose. Can only lock the car with the key.

I don’t have anyone who could bring them to us. Three hour drive is a big ask.

OP posts:
Original poster
LostCarKeys · 04/08/2023 13:44

Toffeesgirl · 04/08/2023 13:43

I assume you've checked the hotel reception in case they were handed in.

I have @Toffeesgirl but I’m sure there’s something I’ve missed.

OP posts:
rainbowlou · 04/08/2023 13:45

It may be worth seeing if you can get someone to get the car open in case your keys are still in there.
My car automatically locks after a certain amount of time.
or join some local fb groups/Nextdoor and ask on there?

HeritageBlooms · 04/08/2023 13:45

LostCarKeys · 04/08/2023 13:35

I’ve got something @HeritageBlooms.

I was reaching for something and I pulled my car keys out in error.

I remember commenting to the kids that car keys wouldn’t be useful to me in that situation. It’s vague, I’m working on it…

Show quote history

@LostCarKeys

well done! Discus on that memory and keep doing the deep breathing - in through your nose out through your mouth.

keep posting here on what you remember next, we’re all here willing you to find them. You can do this!

HeritageBlooms · 04/08/2023 13:46

Discus??? Focus on that memory

Ap24 · 04/08/2023 13:47

Did you check on top of the tyres? I've heard of people finding keys and leaving them there, no idea why.

QuestionableMouse · 04/08/2023 13:47

What car is it? Maybe we can find you some help.

Dreamingofthree · 04/08/2023 13:48

So you’ve dropped it maybe? Have you called where you’ve been? Retraced your steps?

where have you been? Where is the NCP? Is it city centre? And the NCP opposite the cinema?

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