Again. And again
22 February 2003 23:45![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mandragoraSo, Wednesday my purse was nicked. Whilst I was in court. Sigh.
Whoever took it must have unzipped by bag and taken it out, probably whilst I was taking instructions from my client outside court.
Today, the plan was to drive![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
thermidor and me up to the temaris residence to go and see 'Daredevil' and then watch Buffy, Angel and Smallville vids and DVDs. I went to open the driver's door to my car, only to find that it was open. 'That's weird', I thought, because I never forget to lock the car. Then I looked over to the passenger seat where Thermidor is sitting, only to find that all the stuff that was normally tucked away was chucked onto the floor. Then I looked to where my CD collection normally is. Only there was nothing there.
Yes, that's right. At some point between Wednesday and Saturday my car was broken into and my CDs, plus map of the UK, were stolen.
Double sigh.
Great week. Not.
Oh well, at least the rest of Saturday was enjoyable. Enjoyed the film, had a good lunch, great company and lots of TV watching complete with slashy comments.
But. Still. Sigh.
Whoever took it must have unzipped by bag and taken it out, probably whilst I was taking instructions from my client outside court.
Today, the plan was to drive
thermidor and me up to the temaris residence to go and see 'Daredevil' and then watch Buffy, Angel and Smallville vids and DVDs. I went to open the driver's door to my car, only to find that it was open. 'That's weird', I thought, because I never forget to lock the car. Then I looked over to the passenger seat where Thermidor is sitting, only to find that all the stuff that was normally tucked away was chucked onto the floor. Then I looked to where my CD collection normally is. Only there was nothing there.Yes, that's right. At some point between Wednesday and Saturday my car was broken into and my CDs, plus map of the UK, were stolen.
Double sigh.
Great week. Not.
Oh well, at least the rest of Saturday was enjoyable. Enjoyed the film, had a good lunch, great company and lots of TV watching complete with slashy comments.
But. Still. Sigh.
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no subject
Date: 22 February 2003 17:12 (UTC)no subject
Date: 23 February 2003 02:59 (UTC)I don't think so. I was using 'purse' in the British sense, of being a receptacle for money, and my Switch (cashcard) only, and my keys were safely tucked away elsewhere.
On the bright side, statistically speaking, you probably won't get impacted by crime again for a good decade or so now.
*wry smile* I think I'm way overdue then. Because I was mugged (by a gang of 8 youths) last year. I lost my entire bag then, but not, thank God, my keys as they were in my coat pocket. Then a few weeks later I had my purse lifted by a pick-pocket whilst in the West End. That time I was uneasy and felt that something was up, moved away from him, but not fast enough.
So, yeah, colour me statistically operating way over the odds. But then I seem to be going through an unlucky phase which has lasted for about 8 years now when anything that can goes wrong does. Why, yes, my life mostly sucks. Oh well, at least I still have my health...
Re:
Date: 23 February 2003 10:29 (UTC)Look on the bright side, you may be operating way over the statistical odds, but at least you're enlivening my life.
no subject
Date: 23 February 2003 10:50 (UTC)*g* Thanks for making me giggle. Your comment cracked me up.
Crime has definitely increased, but on the whole the victims, as well as the perpetrators, are teenagers. People were genuinely shocked that I was mugged last year, which is to the good, the fact that it's still shocking. Car crime isn't considered to be shocking, though, that happens all the time all over the country, unfortunately.
There is also an epidemic of pick-pocketing going on, by gangs of Eastern Europeans coming across on planned and sustained 'shopping' expeditions. It's difficult to know what to do about it, because obviously the vast majority of visitors to the UK from Eastern Europe are decent, hardworking people who would never consider thieving from individuals in this way, and there cannot - and should not - be any type of whole-sale banning of individuals based on country of origin. But for every criminal who is caught and banned the gang-leaders easily recruit others who are allowed into the UK to carry on stealing.
On the more serious crime front, the UK has now introduced the requirement of a visa for any visitor from Jamaica. This is out of desperation because so much drug smuggling emanates from there and those gang members (as opposed to the mules, who tend to be women) who are involved in the drug trade are very nasty indeed. Way more violent than your average British criminal, with whom they get involved in turf battles which involve guns.
There's also a tendency now for young British males on the fringes of ciminality to carry a gun to look 'big'. Idiots!
Re:
Date: 23 February 2003 11:58 (UTC)no subject
Date: 23 February 2003 12:48 (UTC)*Eyes Raincitygirl suspiciously* Hmm, so it's all your fault is it? I shall remember this. When are you next coming to Blighty, when Revenge Will Be Mine...? *maniacal laugh*
I've never had any problems in Amsterdam, Madrid or Barcelona, but have friends and relatives who have in all 3 cities. But most of my friends haven't had any problems, even when wandering stoned round Amsterdam. So, yes, those of us who have been robbed are definitely the unlucky ones.
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Date: 23 February 2003 13:24 (UTC)no subject
Date: 23 February 2003 13:44 (UTC)Leave? *extra eeeeevil manaical laugh*
Hmm, I can feel the frustration from here, at being stuck in Twickenham drinking tea whilst in one of the world's cultural centres.
Remind me when you're coming nearer the time and I'll take a butchers at Time Out to see what'll be on and what's recommended in London for when you come over.
Good idea to check out part of Britain you've not seen before, although I share your views as to coach tours. Also, you'll probably be the youngest person there by a good 30-40 years, as well. But car hire is pretty expensive in the UK, unfortunately.
As for places to visit, I recommend the Peak District. And not just because I grew up there *g*. It is stunningly beautiful and has lots of great places to visit. Chatsworth, Hardwicke Hall, Bakewell, Castleton, Hathersage, Froggatt Edge. Ah, memories...
Re:
Date: 23 February 2003 13:54 (UTC)no subject
Date: 23 February 2003 14:25 (UTC)If you're feeling brave it's definitely an idea. Certainly getting the train from London to wherever you want to go to should be easy enough, the problem then is the links amongst the various countryside destinations.
Where I grew up, in a village of about 500 people, we had a direct rail route into Sheffield although there was only one train every two hours or so. Ditto the buses, which frustratingly were timetabled to coincide pretty much with the trains - fantastic planning on someone's part. We could also get a bus to Bakewell and from there to any Peak District village within 20 miles radius, as Bakewell was a transport hub. However, the buses were not very frequent, often only one every couple of hours or so. Advance planning was essential.
Might be fun to attempt, though, if you're reasonably relaxed about it all. You could book into a B&B in such a place as Bakewell and then go out to various places from there.
The same should apply whichever area you choose. Just make certain you get an up-to-date timetable!