The grumpy thread

[Bobthebeard]

A hawthorn tree at the end of my drive has been causing various problems, so decided to get rid. It was a spiteful bugger. The roots were lifting up the public pavement, the roots were lifting up the end of my drive, it spiked me/Mrs Beard when we got in or out of the car with sharp thorns, was leaning against a joint fence... Etc. Just generally in the way.

So, decided to remove it. Cut the tree down to approx four feet high (kept the wood and split it into logs for 2017 winter warmth on the log burner) and called in a mate with his mini digger. Mate arrived at 0800 on Saturday and proceeded to gently remove the stump. No one around, quiet as you like in the street. Pushes and pulls on the stump a bit with the digger and movement! So we poke around at the roots and hand saw through the biggest. Look up, and people have appeared... An audience. Hmmmm. One guy says " Hoy, you are lifting the pavement, that's council property that is".

Explained that I was removing the tree precisely because it was lifting the flags... I was doing it to prevent further damage and that I would be re laying the paving stones, all three.

Another guy turns up..... "Isn't that Council property you are vandalising? Should you be.... Etc"

Explains again.

Some random bloke on a bike stops to comment...

Explains again.

All this on a shonky uneven 1950's pavement that I was actually trying to repair.

 

Removed the stump, re laid the three paving flags on the public bit and cleared up. Bloke across still twittering about damaging Council property... Damage that the tree roots had done before I bought the house, that I had repaired at my cost....

Grump.

Sorry to go on a bit. Guess you had to be there!

[The Moog]

That's not going to involve much work, it looks very wet to me.

 

 

Serious question though, why a wet room?

So that when we have invalid mums visit they don't have to cope with steps.

[chaseracer]

One guy says " Hoy, you are lifting the pavement, that's council property that is"...

 

Another guy turns up..... "Isn't that Council property you are vandalising? Should you be.... Etc"

 

Some random bloke on a bike stops to comment...

 

Bloke across still twittering about damaging Council property...

 

The nature of the relationship between 'council' and 'taxpayer' seems to have been forgotten...

[3VOM]

Fair enough, I just tend to find the vast majority of people who ask me for such things don't need them nor want to pay the extra have them.

What he said. Not in the business any more but wet rooms are like >£5k and that's for a council house, concrete floor, been there done that, team set up to just do bathroom conversions as a subcontract to the Local Authority.

[The Moog]

Fair enough, I just tend to find the vast majority of people who ask me for such things don't need them nor want to pay the extra have them.

If it was just us then we wouldn't bother. But both of the mother units struggle with steps and like to visit.

 

I don't expect it to be cheap!

[The Moog]

Are you going to do it yourself?

Nope. Too big a job for me.

[dave21478]

I have the Metro advertised for sale or swap for other retro/classic car.

 

Swap for job lot of non functioning r/c model boats?

Swap for Megane DCi maybe needs a new turbo?

Swap for Mercedes 300 6 cylinder diesel? I replied to this guy saying thanks but no thanks as he seemed genuine but its just not what I am looking for.

And finally over the last couple of days some fart sniffer has been very interested in it and has been asking me for photos of this, photos showing that, photos of other stuff, taking ages to reply to my messages and has now decided that since I have no absolute proof of the mileage being genuine, he doesnt want it. Well good luck finding one with FSH....no wait, good luck finding one full stop since mine is literally the only Metro Sport listed on any site in the whole of of the country.

 

 

I have got a nasty feeling that this car might be really hard to sell.

[danthecapriman]

I've just had 2 weeks off work on Holiday. Tomorrow is my first day back at work, Fucking place!

The last couple of weeks seem to have passed so quickly. Oh well, only another 33 years until retirement!

[Kiltox]

I have the Metro advertised for sale or swap for other retro/classic car.

 

Swap for job lot of non functioning r/c model boats?

Swap for Megane DCi maybe needs a new turbo?

Swap for Mercedes 300 6 cylinder diesel? I replied to this guy saying thanks but no thanks as he seemed genuine but its just not what I am looking for.

And finally over the last couple of days some fart sniffer has been very interested in it and has been asking me for photos of this, photos showing that, photos of other stuff, taking ages to reply to my messages and has now decided that since I have no absolute proof of the mileage being genuine, he doesnt want it. Well good luck finding one with FSH....no wait, good luck finding one full stop since mine is literally the only Metro Sport listed on any site in the whole of of the country.

 

 

I have got a nasty feeling that this car might be really hard to sell.

 

Swap 4 a rusty mx5 m8? shud fly thru mot wiv bit of welding

[Station]

DIDNT NEED IT ANYWAY M9 :(

 

[dugong]

DISLIKE

[HillmanImp]

I just walked a few miles to pick up the MR2 and when I got there the battery was flat. FFS.

 

Started walking back and decided to get a cornish pastie from a bakery in Shipley, but it was sodding awful and I had to bin it.

 

Losing my enthusiasm i decided to get a taxi back and couldn't find my jump leads, so I grabbed a spare battery and drove the Jag back to the MR2 by which time the traffic round Shipley and Saltaire had come to a complete standstill.

 

When I finally got through the traffic KAOS which was parked across all the junctions so nobody could get anywhere, I realised I had left my spanners at home and couldn't get the fucking flat battery off and was close to topping myself but I popped down the road to a garage who kindly lent me some spanners.

 

Despite the way my day was going, the spare battery was actually charged and the car fired up.

 

I took the roof off, put on some aviator shades and started singing some house tunes in my head as there's no stereo.

 

Once I got through the traffic i finally got the car home, which is a grin but the prolonged affair has left me in a bit of a grump still and unsure if I will be able to deal with doing repairs today as if something goes tits up, I might just commit hari kari with a tyre iron.

 

I am in a bad mindset but need to get it done and back to where it lives especially as the Jag is now over there.

 

[xtriple]

I think we all get days/weeks like that. Say one wrong fucking word and an explosion WILL occur!  I remember many years ago being in a mood like that (and had been for a while) and I HAD to do the front trunnions on a poxy Scimitar (SE5 if it matters?) and the bastards were seized in grand style - I had one in a vice and I was knocking it round with a hammer (it was moving, but very slowly) so I could strip and clean it out (they clog up with old grease - clean it all out and good as new) and someone called me mid swing, the hammer left my grasp and hit me in the shin! I exploded into incandescent rage instantly and everything went flying and culminated in a trolley jack going across the workshop at head height and through a window.

 

I calmed down/cheered up after that!

[Kiltox]

I just walked a few miles to pick up the MR2 and when I got there the battery was flat. FFS.

 

Started walking back and decided to get a cornish pastie from a bakery in Shipley, but it was sodding awful and I had to bin it.

 

Losing my enthusiasm i decided to get a taxi back and couldn't find my jump leads, so I grabbed a spare battery and drove the Jag back to the MR2 by which time the traffic round Shipley and Saltaire had come to a complete standstill.

 

When I finally got through the traffic KAOS which was parked across all the junctions so nobody could get anywhere, I realised I had left my spanners at home and couldn't get the fucking flat battery off and was close to topping myself but I popped down the road to a garage who kindly lent me some spanners.

 

Despite the way my day was going, the spare battery was actually charged and the car fired up.

 

I took the roof off, put on some aviator shades and started singing some house tunes in my head as there's no stereo.

 

Once I got through the traffic i finally got the car home, which is a grin but the prolonged affair has left me in a bit of a grump still and unsure if I will be able to deal with doing repairs today as if something goes tits up, I might just commit hari kari with a tyre iron.

 

I am in a bad mindset but need to get it done and back to where it lives especially as the Jag is now over there.

 

IMG_20160815_104306.jpg

 

Crap series of events - might I suggest investing in one of these https://www.amazon.co.uk/Suaoki-Portable-Starter-Battery-Charging/dp/B019GCENC8/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1471261820&sr=8-7&keywords=suaoki+jump+starter or similar to prevent this problem in the future?

[vulgalour]

Just caught up here and feel the need to express sympathy in Cavcraft's general direction.  Not a lot else to do.

[Station]

DISLIKE

Flashed a HGV out this morning on the motorway, and headlight cover decided to take to the air while everybody behind me then tried to evasive manoeuvre avoid it as it landed just outside of the hard shoulder. I'm hoping it's somehow survived intact but I think it's now been flattened by 1000 HGVs.

HGV didn't even want to pull out, grr.

[Supernaut]

Have you got his email address? If yes then http://www.mailbait.info/

 

Bookmarked that. That's brilliant. I may use it for a few things, like next time a fucking contractor's van is parked across the gate into the back lane...

[HillmanImp]

Just caught up here and feel the need to express sympathy in Cavcraft's general direction. Not a lot else to do.

I hadn't seen that. Puts my pastie problems in their place. How horrible.

 

Thoughts are with the nearest abd dearest as it must be grim times.

[dugong]

First of all: condolences to Billy (also PM'd on Facebook). 
 

Flashed a HGV out this morning on the motorway, and headlight cover decided to take to the air while everybody behind me then tried to evasive manoeuvre avoid it as it landed just outside of the hard shoulder. I'm hoping it's somehow survived intact but I think it's now been flattened by 1000 HGVs.
HGV didn't even want to pull out, grr.

 

I assumed it had been ripped off by a local scrote. What a pisser.

[anonymous user]

I think we all get days/weeks like that. Say one wrong fucking word and an explosion WILL occur!  I remember many years ago being in a mood like that (and had been for a while) and I HAD to do the front trunnions on a poxy Scimitar (SE5 if it matters?) and the bastards were seized in grand style - I had one in a vice and I was knocking it round with a hammer (it was moving, but very slowly) so I could strip and clean it out (they clog up with old grease - clean it all out and good as new) and someone called me mid swing, the hammer left my grasp and hit me in the shin! I exploded into incandescent rage instantly and everything went flying and culminated in a trolley jack going across the workshop at head height and through a window.

 

I calmed down/cheered up after that!

See also Austin Gypsy/lump hammer interface, after the clutch slave cylinder replacement didn't work (I'm a lot calmer these days)

[anonymous user]

A minor* grump, it's my own fault and I have yet to find out what the consequences may be. I am normally meticulous with paperwork; however since some insurance companies no longer send paper certificates and you can tax online I don't always print them off and keep them with the V5. Which is how I forgot to cancel the insurance on the Smart. I only remembered I hadn't when cancelling the insurance (where I did have a paper certificate) on the TR7.

 

I then rang and cancelled the insurance on the Smart, explaining my error and thought that was it. Today I had a phone call from the insurer advising that they believe it was involved in a collision in July. I explained the situation again and have emailed them a copy of the slip from DVLA showing I was no longer the keeper, together with the details of the garage that had it back.

 

It is showing as taxed until May next year (It went from me in March, but I last drove it in Dec2015), I am wondering if it does have a new "owner" or whether it is still floating around in the trade. I am holding off contacting the garage until I hear any more from the insurance people.

 

i am aware that there may be unpleasant consequences for my stupidity. but it's my own fault

[BavarianRetro]

You (and in reality your insurance) are only responsible for the accident and its repercussions if you were driving or the person who was driving was covered to drive under your insurance.

 

Just having a car insured doesn't, of itself, make you liable for any actions of somebody driving it.

[Cavcraft]

Thanks, gents. Went to see my sister-in-law yesterday, 44 and she hasn't got long now. I think it must be easier just to go to a funeral to be honest, the heartache of seeing someone slowly passing away is just horrible. Not that I regret going and getting the chance to talk to her, of course. Thats selfish though, it's her and my brother who are suffering.

[RobT]

Puts things in perspective, my thoughts are with you Billy.

[fordperv]

It is sad cav i went through watching mrs fp's nan in the same situation, it killed me to see, the only thing that comforted me slightly was the fact I got to say my goodbyes, she had a fantastic life and was a ripe old age, it must be even more horrible to see it happening someone of no age at all,

 

sorry mate

[jakebullet]

Asda credit card set a trap, and I fell for it

 

I pay it off in full every month, only got it for the cashback lols. New statement came today, interest charge of £10. Eh? Phoned them up, and then sussed it. Page 1 of the statement was only printed to halfway down the page and said £350. Sneaky fuckers then put another £80 of transactions on page 2, so I only paid the £350.

[xtriple]

So sorry to hear this Billy?Cavcraft. I read something on facebook and twigged something was amiss but wasn't sure what. This sort of clarifies it. Really shit for all concerned.

[purplebargeken]

44? FFS, that is no age at all. Damn, damn and damn.

[Tamworthbay]

Just got back from holiday and found out the lad I know with meningitis died last week. He was 16 and a hell of a character. Can't begin to imagine how it must be for his family.

[MarvinsMom]

a minor car related grump, considering some of the issues other members are having to deal with at the moment....

 

but,

 

had to change the back brake lamp on the rover.

 

so what?

 

how hard can it be?

 

if it is the estate, friggin' hard. as the lamp is held on by 2 screws, and then 2 sorta ball joint things. and the lamp is held in a doulbe skin sealed compartment in the back panel. 

 

so go and find that the screws are both rusted solid, when i DO get them loose, it turns out someone else has already been in there and the skinny, fragile mount things that the screws go through are broke and the unit has been mastiked on....

 

bugger...

 

so guess what, that is what i've done, mastik bodged it back onto the car. i hope i don't need to go back in there anytime soon!

 

and the twit ant Rover who "designed" such a cheap shit fixing, i hope that someone gives him a good stiff talking too

 

with a cricket bat!!