Exeter St Davids Short Stay Car Park

So, there I was, rushing to catch my train at Exeter St Davids, my arms laden with bags, a coffee sloshing in one hand, and my phone ringing off the hook in the other. You know those days, right? The universe conspiring to make you feel like a human game of Tetris. As I juggled my belongings, I realized I'd parked in one of those 'short stay' car parks, and my watch was ticking down like a time bomb. That's when I met Exeter St Davids Short Stay Car Park, my new frenemy.

First Impressions: The Grand Entrance

Now, I'm not one to judge a book by its cover, but this car park's entrance was about as welcoming as a grumpy security guard at an exclusive club. It was narrow, dark, and had this eerie 'you're being watched' vibe, thanks to the CCTV cameras blinking like a thousand tiny eyes. I half expected a booming voice to echo, "Who goes there?"

But hey, I was in a hurry, so I swallowed my pride and drove in, my car's tires crunching on the gravel like they were announcing my arrival at a fancy ball. Little did I know, this was just the beginning of my love-hate relationship with this place.

Navigating the Maze: Levels of Confusion

Exeter St Davids Short Stay Car Park is one of those places that's designed by someone who clearly loves a good maze. I mean, it's not just a car park, it's a labyrinth. I drove up and down ramps, turned left when I should have turned right, and found myself in some sort of parking purgatory. It was like trying to find my way out of one of those dreams where you're late for an exam, but the classroom keeps moving.

And the signs? Well, they were about as helpful as a chocolate teapot. I saw 'Short Stay' signs pointing in every direction, like they were playing a cruel game of 'Guess Which Way'. I felt like I was in some sort of parking limbo, lost in a world where time was ticking away, and my train was getting closer and closer to departure.

Parking at Exeter St David's train station (safest spots)

Side Note: The Art of Parking

You know, I've always maintained that parallel parking is a skill that should be taught in schools, right up there with reading, writing, and arithmetic. After all, it's a life skill that's going to come in handy way more often than calculus. But this car park? It was a test of my parking prowess. I had to parallel park between two cars that were about as far apart as a pair of bookends. It was like trying to squeeze into a pair of jeans that were a size too small. But I did it. I parked. And I felt like a parking superhero.

Feeling the Pinch: Pricing and Paying

Now, I'm all for supporting local businesses, but Exeter St Davids Short Stay Car Park was about as local as a car park can get, and it was charging me like I was parking at Heathrow Airport. I mean, I expected to see a small plane take off from the roof at any moment. The prices were enough to make my eyes water, and I started to calculate how many coffees I'd have to skip to afford this parking extravaganza.

But then, I saw the machine. The parking payment machine. It was like something out of a sci-fi movie. It had more buttons than a spaceship control panel, and about as many instructions. I stood there, staring at it, feeling like I was trying to decipher a secret code. I swear, I saw a small child walk up, press a few buttons, and walk away with a smile on their face. I felt like I'd just been outsmarted by a five-year-old.

Exeter St Davids Car Park , Exeter St David’s Station – IULA

Side Note: The Art of Parking Payment

You know, I've always thought that parking payment machines should come with a user manual. I mean, they're about as intuitive as trying to understand quantum physics. But this one? It was like trying to understand a foreign language. I pressed a button, and it beeped at me. I pressed another, and it flashed a red light. I felt like I was in some sort of parking payment purgatory. But eventually, I figured it out. I paid my dues, and the machine spat out a ticket like a grumpy teller at a bank.

Parting Thoughts: Love and Hate in Equal Measure

So, there you have it. My love-hate relationship with Exeter St Davids Short Stay Car Park. It's not the most welcoming place, it's not the easiest to navigate, and it's not the cheapest place to park. But you know what? It's convenient. It's right there, next to the station, like a faithful old dog waiting for its owner to come home. And in the grand scheme of things, that's worth something.

Would I park there again? Probably. Do I love it? No. But do I understand it? Yes. It's a car park. It's not meant to be loved. It's meant to be used. And used it, I will. Until next time, Exeter St Davids Short Stay Car Park. We have a love-hate relationship, you and I. But hey, at least we have that in common.