The everyday blog of Richard Bartle.
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8:23am on Saturday, 11th July, 2026:
Anecdote
As I reversed out of my drive yesterday, I hit a stationary vehicle (a van). There was no-one in it at the time.
I'd switched the radio on, but it wasn't making a sound — and neither was the reverse proximity sensor. The camera that shows what's behind when I'm reversing wasn't on, either, although I'd only glanced at it anyway; I was looking in my mirrors, because there was a car coming up the road.
Anyway, after having struck the van, I returned to the house to assess the damage. It wasn't all that bad on either vehicle: a couple of scrapes on the corner for me and a dent on the wing for them.
As my handwriting is so bad, I wrote a note saying I'd hit the van and invited the driver to knock on our door to discuss the matter. I also said I was sorry.
Then, I went to buy some chips, which is what I was reversing out to do in the first place.
When I returned, the vehicle's owner was talking to my wife. He said not to worry about the damage, as his vehicle was always being hit down his road. He was only parked outside our house to do some plumbing work nearby. He didn't want to claim on insurance, or to accept any money for repairs; for him, it was just one of those things that happens to his vans. He said he was impressed by my honesty, because I didn't have to own up to having hit his van at all, he'd never have known.
I tried to give him some money anyway, but he wouldn't have it. We left on very good terms.
It''s good to know that there are still some really nice people in the world.
I didn't even get his name. If I had, I would have called him next time I needed a plumber, for sure!
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Copyright © 2026 Richard Bartle (richard@mud.co.uk).