I have a slightly different dilemma and was wondering what might happen in the next time I apply. Passport control offers at my entry (Italy) and exit points (France) did not key in information into their computers. They just stamped the passport. What's worse is that the stamps are barely (at best) readable on both occassions.

As I used Eurostar to get to London from Paris, the UK border staff there stamped my passport indicating the checkpoint Paris. But this is the UK's database, not the Schengen's. My question is how can we overcome any problems arising from this? How can I prove that I stayed in the Schengen zone only within my allowed period?