The grumpy thread

[richardmorris]

I’m not going as I need to go to work tomorrow, but I’ve just seen that brooklands entry for auto Italia tomorrow is over £30. Double what it was four years ago.

 

 

https://www.brooklandsmuseum.com/whats-on/Italian-car-day-2023

 

[JB77]

  On 28/04/2023 at 18:59, wuvvum said:

How tf can a transporter trailer be too small for a Reliant Rialto?

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I measured the bed of the plant trailer earlier and its 10 feet, the Rialto is 11 feet and a bit long. The front wheel will butt up right against the front edge of the trailer after the front panel is removed but then the ramp won't close. It should fit the other way around but the overhang will be quite noticeable.  The luck I've been having lately it would be a magnet for the old bill. 

Change of plan....the deals fallen through. 

[High Jetter]

Stick it on it's ass? Oh, no go then

[horriblemercedes]

I was in the local pub this evening. A guy who I've met once or twice before asked me, "do you have a grey BMW?" 

 

I replied, "yeah, grey or blue. Why?" 

"estate?" 

"yeah, why?" 

"I was jogging a couple of weeks ago and could've sworn it was you passing me. Around 7:30pm" (then he told me which road and where exactly it was) 

 

It was me. I was on that road at that time. But it's about 80 miles from where I live and where we were chatting. Turns out he's from there and was visiting family.

 

One of the things I like about that car is I thought it was very anonymous

[High Jetter]

You has a stalker?

[somewhatfoolish]

  On 28/04/2023 at 19:12, JB77 said:

I measured the bed of the plant trailer earlier and its 10 feet, the Rialto is 11 feet and a bit long. The front wheel will butt up right against the front edge of the trailer after the front panel is removed but then the ramp won't close. It should fit the other way around but the overhang will be quite noticeable.  The luck I've been having lately it would be a magnet for the old bill. 

Change of plan....the deals fallen through. 

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Nothing wrong with an overhang of that size, it's of no consequence and Dibble will not care. Overhanging loads only need marking if the overhang is more than 1 metre.

[Low ontime]

  On 29/04/2023 at 00:04, somewhatfoolish said:

Nothing wrong with an overhang of that size, it's of no consequence and Dibble will not care. Overhanging loads only need marking if the overhang is more than 1 metre.

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Don’t these go straight in the back of LWB  sprinters if ramps or something used? 

[chaseracer]

  On 29/04/2023 at 08:55, Low ontime said:

Don’t these go straight in the back of LWB  sprinters if ramps or something used? 

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2CVs do, so a Rialto shouldn't be a problem.  Other than accommodating the front-end arrangements...

[Bren]

My local Halfords.

Hardly any staff. Angry looking blokes stood outside in small groups wishing they could change bulbs.

Customers inside asking staff where things were rather than just looking for themselves.

In the end I put my stuff back and left.

[barefoot]

  On 29/04/2023 at 14:58, Bren said:

Customers inside asking staff where things were rather than just looking for themselves.

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That's me, that is. I always ask and am shown directly to whatever. I can't be arsed to spend all morning wandering about when the staff are there to help me. 

[Mally]

Warning, long rant.

I've been  pretty deaf. since childhood, but worse now because very old.

I've been waiting for an assessment for months, as they realise I'm worse.

Got back from Spain Wed aft. Letter today, you missed an appointment at Audiology Wed morn.

We have informed your GP, and you will not get a replacement appointment without another referral from them.

 

I received a phone call last Thurs. I know because it's a BT turn it up for deaf phone, with a light and a buzzer, but I rarely hear a spoken word on it.

Anything through a speaker is alien to my head.

It's a nice lady. but I'm catching 1 word in 5 no matter how slow she goes.  Sorry love, can't hear you, if it's important please txt me on 1234567.

It's now just dawned on me that Audiology ring people up to fill up cancelled appointments, and likely for no shows. IT WAS THEM, I'll put money on it.

I've had it out with them in the past. How can a deaf person use a 'kin Phone?

Sorry sir Audiology don't send txts. Why though? Sorry sir haven't a clue.  So they sent me a letter instead of a txt, and barred me.

So sent nice email.

Regarding your letter re my non attendance.

Have not received any notification from you regarding an appointment.  In any event I was in Spain 10 days before and returned after the appointment time you say you notified me of. 

I have not missed an appointment with you in 67 years.

Would be grateful if you reconsider and grant me a new appointment in the circumstances as it was around 60 years ago that my GP first referred me.

 

[Remspoor]

Censorship of the Interweb is coming very very soon.

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_2413

It is all a bit odd. Some websites are not listed and some that are are hardly going to be allowing users to spread of disinformation or allow illegal content. So many questions that are not answered in this law. But don't worry the EU is leading the world in these matters. Only time before other countries follow suit. (according to the EU)

 

 

[artdjones]

  On 29/04/2023 at 16:32, Mally said:

Warning, long rant.

I've been  pretty deaf. since childhood, but worse now because very old.

I've been waiting for an assessment for months, as they realise I'm worse.

Got back from Spain Wed aft. Letter today, you missed an appointment at Audiology Wed morn.

We have informed your GP, and you will not get a replacement appointment without another referral from them.

 

I received a phone call last Thurs. I know because it's a BT turn it up for deaf phone, with a light and a buzzer, but I rarely hear a spoken word on it.

Anything through a speaker is alien to my head.

It's a nice lady. but I'm catching 1 word in 5 no matter how slow she goes.  Sorry love, can't hear you, if it's important please txt me on 1234567.

It's now just dawned on me that Audiology ring people up to fill up cancelled appointments, and likely for no shows. IT WAS THEM, I'll put money on it.

I've had it out with them in the past. How can a deaf person use a 'kin Phone?

Sorry sir Audiology don't send txts. Why though? Sorry sir haven't a clue.  So they sent me a letter instead of a txt, and barred me.

So sent nice email.

Regarding your letter re my non attendance.

Have not received any notification from you regarding an appointment.  In any event I was in Spain 10 days before and returned after the appointment time you say you notified me of. 

I have not missed an appointment with you in 67 years.

Would be grateful if you reconsider and grant me a new appointment in the circumstances as it was around 60 years ago that my GP first referred me.

 

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Your first mistake would be thinking that any of the bureaucrats in the office care about whether you live or die. The clue would be that being an audiology department they are dealing with deaf people, but they don't change their administrative procedures to cater for them by using texts, WhatsApp or emails.

All  people like that care for is earning the maximum amount of money and pension credits for the minimum amount of thought or effort.

[Mally]

  On 29/04/2023 at 20:11, artdjones said:

Your first mistake would be thinking that any of the bureaucrats in the office care about whether you live or die. The clue would be that being an audiology department they are dealing with deaf people, but they don't change their administrative procedures to cater for them by using texts, WhatsApp or emails.

All  people like that care for is earning the maximum amount of money and pension credits for the minimum amount of thought or effort.

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The actual Audiologists that you are involved with are the finest people I've ever dealt with in the NHS.

Waiting time is usually 10 mins, you used to drop in, its phone booking now since Covid, but still easy.

They listen to you, and fix your problem, but only have a limited time of 10? mins per person.

They tell you when you are due for review and often book you there and then.

In this case there was a long waiting list.

I know the way round the system, book an appointment with a broken tube, see  a real person, explain, and 99% they will just rebook me.

I don't need a GP referral.  I'm on their register,  with 2 hearing aids. I can get to see someone in Audiology if I have a problem any time I like.

It's a standard failed to show up letter. 

Worst comes to worst, I may have to mention vulnerable. It did hint that was a possible get out.

 

[artdjones]

  On 29/04/2023 at 20:46, Mally said:

The actual Audiologists that you are involved with are the finest people I've ever dealt with in the NHS.

Waiting time is usually 10 mins, you used to drop in, its phone booking now since Covid, but still easy.

They listen to you, and fix your problem, but only have a limited time of 10? mins per person.

They tell you when you are due for review and often book you there and then.

In this case there was a long waiting list.

I know the way round the system, book an appointment with a broken tube, see  a real person, explain, and 99% they will just rebook me.

I don't need a GP referral.  I'm on their register,  with 2 hearing aids. I can get to see someone in Audiology if I have a problem any time I like.

It's a standard failed to show up letter. 

Worst comes to worst, I may have to mention vulnerable. It did hint that was a possible get out.

 

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Clinicians are usually ok. Except that they don't control the clerical workers, who often aren't.

[Metal Guru]

  On 29/04/2023 at 21:26, artdjones said:

Clinicians are usually ok. Except that they don't control the clerical workers, who often aren't.

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There are too many who think because they work for the NHS they are superheroes. Yes some are, but lots aren’t , including GPs who basically shut up shop during covid . 

[sierraman]

  On 29/04/2023 at 14:58, Bren said:

My local Halfords.

Hardly any staff. Angry looking blokes stood outside in small groups wishing they could change bulbs.

Customers inside asking staff where things were rather than just looking for themselves.

In the end I put my stuff back and left.

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Halfords seem to just employ children, it must be a stipulation on the interview process ‘do you have no interest or knowledge of cars?’ to make the grade. I believe ECP have a similar question is that ‘can you demonstrate on a daily basis that you’d much rather be somewhere else and display a really unhelpful attitude?’ to get through their gates. 

[myglaren]

Flat panic as I consulted my spreadsheet and looked at the car sheet to find that it is over a year since I renewed my insurance. I never normally think about it as I get a reminder a couple of weeks in advance of renewal. Looks like I have been driving uninsured for a month http://unaboard.coalgoddess.net/images/smilies/eek.gif

And then it got worse. Unable to log in to the insurance company site.
Looked in saved emails and there was one saying that insurance had been declined and to download the .pdf, but there was no .pdf attached.

The only recourse was to phone them, something that I despise having to do. I have a number of calls that I should have made, going back six months, I just can't pick up the phone unless it is a dire emergency, which this was as my son uses my car more than I do.

Wound myself up and managed to press the buttons. Got a very pleasant young chap on the phone who looked at my account and said it wasn't due for renewal until June.

Panic over but does this mean that I will make those other calls. Probably not.

Still have to sort the boiler service, six months overdue, and three doctors appointments and MRI at the UK Biobank.  Tried to book a Covid re-jab, all the walk-in centres are over 70 miles away, despite the fact that I can practically see on from my house.  Same with pharmacies.  There was one five miles away but all booked up and I have lost the link to them, their own website offers nothing.

[Metal Guru]

  On 30/04/2023 at 09:24, myglaren said:

Flat panic as I consulted my spreadsheet and looked at the car sheet to find that it is over a year since I renewed my insurance. I never normally think about it as I get a reminder a couple of weeks in advance of renewal. Looks like I have been driving uninsured for a month http://unaboard.coalgoddess.net/images/smilies/eek.gif

And then it got worse. Unable to log in to the insurance company site.
Looked in saved emails and there was one saying that insurance had been declined and to download the .pdf, but there was no .pdf attached.

The only recourse was to phone them, something that I despise having to do. I have a number of calls that I should have made, going back six months, I just can't pick up the phone unless it is a dire emergency, which this was as my son uses my car more than I do.

Wound myself up and managed to press the buttons. Got a very pleasant young chap on the phone who looked at my account and said it wasn't due for renewal until June.

Panic over but does this mean that I will make those other calls. Probably not.

Still have to sort the boiler service, six months overdue, and three doctors appointments and MRI at the UK Biobank.  Tried to book a Covid re-jab, all the walk-in centres are over 70 miles away, despite the fact that I can practically see on from my house.  Same with pharmacies.  There was one five miles away but all booked up and I have lost the link to them, their own website offers nothing.

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Put your insurance on auto renew, that way if you forget you’re still covered. You can still change it when they take the piss on prices but at least you’re not going to done for driving without insurance which will cost you a fortune in the long run.

[myglaren]

It is, I thought that they had forgotten.  Happens.

 

Also, it is taking about ten minutes to post.  Included a smiley from another forum that didn't work but the edit time was up so couldn't delete it.

[jakebullet]

The Mrs went to specsavers who dilated her eyes.  Which made the pressure go mad and a hospital appointment. They gave her some magic pills. Side effects include may* cause anger.

Oh yes! Went to asda and someone went in the trolley tills without a trolley. So she had a scream at them then shouted at till minder and was then giving the security guard the point n shout treatment that the sign needs changing if they allow people in without trolleys.

Afterwards she says do you think they're making me more angry? Just a little dear.

[sierraman]

Just seen another candidate for Co-op Funeral Care working on his car, sat on the trolley jack as he’s hammering the cunt out of something underneath. No stands or even wheel under the car...

[Jazoli]

  On 30/04/2023 at 14:05, sierraman said:

Just seen another candidate for Co-op Funeral Care working on his car, sat on the trolley jack as he’s hammering the cunt out of something underneath. No stands or even wheel under the car...

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People are stupid really, I've had cars slip off jacks before but I've always had at least another prop and a wheel underneath, I have a huge 3t trolley jack now and 4 stands but send anything that requires getting fully under the car to the mechanic with a lift.

[Pat Earrings]

Wasted 2 hours of my life removing/refitting the bastard front bumper all to try and update the front indicators to LED. Only to realise this takes some obscure HP24W bulb and not the PWY24W that was suggested on the bulb checker sites. What an absolute fucker this is. You can’t even reach up from the arch liner side, as there’s nothing to really grab onto properly at that angle. 
 

I think I’ve reordered the correct kind but just in case they’re not I’ll visit a dealer. Seems like a dealer only part although a couple of reseller types do sell them online. What a waste of time.

plus point is managed to fit the EGR blanking plate though so all isn’t lost.

[cobblers]

it's a bit sunny now, so every single fairweather dickhead with a shiny sportsbike in a 200 mile radius has decided to come and just rev the fucker up at the traffic lights near my house.

It's a really lovely place to live for 8 months of the year.

 

[ruffgeezer]

My folks decided to take the aged Peugeot Expert (ex- @Alan_Green) to Bristol on Saturday,   they got 40 minutes unto the journey before the brake pedal went soft.

This is concerning as I had recently serviced the rears (drums; no leaks from the cylinders) to prepare it for it's mot.  When I finally got to see it the next day, the brakes were all behaving.

I can only wonder if somehow it'd boiled the brake fluid?

[Low Horatio gearbox]

The petrol station cash point eating my card  and the Volvo having 20 miles of range for 10 miles of journy tho it decided to go to  from  10 miles to zero miles  about 4 miles from home.  It was mostly downhill luckily  and even made it half a mile later once I'd begged some money off the GF.

 

[RoverFolkUs]

  On 02/05/2023 at 11:19, ruffgeezer said:

My folks decided to take the aged Peugeot Expert (ex- @Alan_Green) to Bristol on Saturday,   they got 40 minutes unto the journey before the brake pedal went soft.

This is concerning as I had recently serviced the rears (drums; no leaks from the cylinders) to prepare it for it's mot.  When I finally got to see it the next day, the brakes were all behaving.

I can only wonder if somehow it'd boiled the brake fluid?

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Does it have ABS?

There's a vague memory in my mind of a faulty ABS pump causing this, it intermittently malfunctioned and ran continuously - boiling up the fluid eventually. Can't for the life of me remember what car it was, and as I say, it's vaguely in the back of my mind from a quite a while ago! 

Anyway, more likely is aged fluid. When was it last changed? No signs of any corners binding? 

[Yoss]

  On 29/04/2023 at 19:53, Remspoor said:

Censorship of the Interweb is coming very very soon.

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_2413

It is all a bit odd. Some websites are not listed and some that are are hardly going to be allowing users to spread of disinformation or allow illegal content. So many questions that are not answered in this law. But don't worry the EU is leading the world in these matters. Only time before other countries follow suit. (according to the EU)

 

 

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Why aren't we on that list? 

I'm on here longer than all of those put together. Are you telling me I'm in a minority? 

[horriblemercedes]

I've never heard of Zalando