A fixed penalty fine, is what it says – fixed. Written in stone. Immovable. Without one almighty indisputable reason, or cause. Regardless of the mitigating circumstances, it’s useless to argue your case. Even if you only want a sympathetic ear. An understanding of how, or why.
Overstep the mark by the length of your big toe, or the whole length of your foot, results in the same fine. Five minutes over, or thirty-five minutes over, it makes no difference to the regulation, the regulation setter, or the regulation enforcer. The line’s been crossed.
Day 62 – This trip we’ve broken our golden rule of not using motorways, or toll roads, more than ever. In many cases no other sensible option; in others, a question of time management. Some simple maths tells us we need to keep an eye on kilometres to Calais. Divide by the number of days left. So today we make use of the most direct route into Italy from Croatia. Cut across a small 30K corner of Slovenia using the E61 motorway – which extends from its Croatian neighbour.
300 metres from the border into Italy, Beastie gets pulled over. Strange we think. Two officers ‘in wait’. Saw our dust in the distance. Knew we were bound to show up. Trip wire tripped. We’re in the Shengen area – there should be none? Is Beastie going to be searched? No. Slovenia motorways require a vignette. Mr S forgot. Realised going. Bought a seven day pass on 24th April. Didn’t plan to come back through Slovenia.
In Bulgaria where you can’t drive for more than five minutes without seeing a roadside reminder, it’s impossible to forget. Also they have reminders at the border crossings, where they have vignette issuing machines set up.
Crossing from Croatia, the Slovenian customs officer waves us through. No ‘Get Your Vignette Here’ signs visible.
Mr S is summoned into the hi-tec surveillance vehicle. Gets shown multiple images of Beastie’s number plate. “Are you the driver? Is this your MOHO? Your seven day vignette has expired!” The atmosphere inside changes when a fixed penalty of €150 is issued. Plus a further €16 for a vignette. The Slovenian officers imply we (I) were trying to pull a fast one. Not interested in lending a listening ear to the frustration. Mr S believes that if their sophisticated system is capable of immediately recognising whether a vehicle has a vignette, or not, then the border crossing is where it should be implemented.
Sometimes, it’s difficult not to feel aggrieved, even knowing you are in the wrong.
We end the day pitched up in the ancient Roman city of Aquileia – at Camping Aquileia, where the pool cools away the feelings of earlier frustrations.
Day 63 – In Roman times Aquileia was an important thriving inland port. So before we set off, we go take a look at what remains.
We don’t have time to visit the Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta complex, so make do with a quick outer looksee.
Situated at the southern tip of Lago di Caldonazzo, Camping al Pescatore provides today’s destination.
We get to stay free of charge. A man and his mower throw a wobbly. Chew away some of our awning mat.
