A room with a 'lovli viu' / the incident with the gate

We found this hotel by clicking on a google earth/maps flag and the booking was confirmed with the promise of a room with a 'lovli viu'. In reality the room has a reasonably lovely view, due to its location on a bit of a hill and is set apart from the main hotel. We are on the end of a row of six (all others unoccupied) rooms, accessible via the back entrance driveway which is very steep. At the bottom of the said driveway is an electric gate, of a not particularly speciali variety. Don't log off yet - as the best is to come - believe me!

We have a little hire car which isn't named yet, although the registration starts with BV - Beverley or Bovine don't seem to accord with this geographical location, so am still working on it. However, this morning we had planned to take her out for the day (which turned out v. sunny and lovely), which necessitated driving her down the drive and out through the electric gate. As it had been something of a struggle getting her up the driveway when we arrived, I decided to walk down the driveway (don't log off), press the button on the room key to open the gate in advance, in readiness for the car to be driven competently down the steep incline and out through the gate.

And now for the interesting bit.... I walked on ahead, opened the gate and waited for the said unnamed car to appear - which it did. Not being terribly spacially aware (or generally aware!), I hadn't realised (not being familiar with such sophisticated technology), that such gates operated on a timer system. Believe me, this one doesn't look sophisticated, with rust and accompanying rustic scenery. Anyway - as the car was entering the zone of the gate (yes, you've guessed), the gate started to close (yes, sophisticated timer system) and I stood transfixed as the said gate, with sticky outy piece of metal confidently closed upon the said car which didn't quite make it through. You can probably imagine the rest (!) - especially the sticky outy bit of the gate engaging with the said car - as it was still moving.... hence the 'embedded' scar in its side. Fortunately it fell short of the petrol tank (just), and a somewhat hasty manly pressing of buttons set the car free.

The whole incident has awakened a phobia which has obviously lain dormant - a fear of driving up or down very steep inclines, and obviously electric gates. It doesn't bode well for our trip into the mountains which begins tomorrow!