The grumpy thread

[omegod]

Already got one inline, mate is gas safe registered and will "stretch" then  reconnect it, good to have mates in the trade. Kitchen has took 6 months to do due to my,sponsored by Pilkingtons, spine so glad to be on the last run

[robinmasters]

Instead of acting all 'cool' in your stupid 1960's air cooled VW Camper thing, how about you fuck off out of my way doing 36mph flat out on a back road and let me get to work?

You sound like you need a break. I recommend a week in Devon or Cornwall, in the middle of the summer.

[wuvvum]

My Allegro is being collected by its new owner tomorrow. Just taken the sheets off it in the garage and shed a tear. I've owned it since 2008 and spent thousands restoring it. Long hours at work and family commitments mean I never get to play with it and even if it was MOTd and on the road I'd never get to drive it. The lack of time I get to play with old cars has really got me down over the years so I've thrown in the towel and sold the lot. Apart from an EX BT ldv Pilot I'll be shiteless. Of course I have no time to work on the pilot so that will probably get cubed in 12 months or so.

Replace "LDV Pilot" with "Renault 6" and that will be me in a few months' time.  Although I don't have sprogs, I am working all the hours to try and get my finances back under control, so I have neither the time nor the energy to give the fleet the attention it needs, nor the money to pay anyone else to do it.  It's going to be a wrench when the Innocenti goes.  Slightly less so with the Volvo as although I've had that for 13 years, it's been testing my patience for the last couple, and with the CX which I've only had for 18 months but which, given the way prices are going, will probably be the last CX I'll ever own.  I'm telling myself that it's only temporary and that once I've got things back on track and (hopefully) a better paid job I'll be able to start buying chod again - although not anywhere near on the same scale as I have been. 

 

I'm in a frequent state of mild surprise at just how hard it is to maintain a decent lifestyle in this country on a single income, at least from a "normal" job (as opposed to a whizz-bang IT consultant or a barrister or whatever).  My salary isn't even that bad by Norwich standards - feck knows how single people on minimum wage manage.  Probably just have to stay living with their parents.

[wuvvum]

Amen to that. I used to turn the clag on in the xantia for moments like that!

My Rover 400 used to be good for that, with its slightly tired L series and the Roverron tuning box fitted.  I'd turn the fuelling right up and the boost right down, used to clag like an absolute bastard given the boot (proper thick black sooty smoke too, none of this poncey modern common rail grey shit).

[dollywobbler]

Old cars kill A LOT of time and money and in the end you often don't have much to show for it. When you're doing the married with kids thing there's always something more urgent to spend money on or someone to spend time with so any sort of time you spend spannering or spending money on your old crock can make you feel guilty, which sucks all the enjoyment out of old motors I think.

 

I rarely have lots of money, and manage to do the old car thing. Better since I at least have enough money to farm out some of the jobs. But, you do need to realise your limits. Frankly, the Daimler may yet be beyond mine - I generally avoid stuff needing quite so much. I can image it all seems like one thing too many with children to deal with though. Never looks good if you start putting old crocks ahead of them I guess. For instance, I spent pretty much two entire weeks over Christmas putting the 2CV back together. Probably doesn't count as quality family time for most folk.

 

But then I reckon I generally manage to maintain a sensible number of cars. Even with four though, there are days where I look at the To Do list and cringe. Especially on days like yesterday, where out of the five vehicles I had (Omega and Daimler overlap), the only one that I could actually drive was the 2CV. Amazing how often that has ended up being the case...

[LC Torana]

I thought it was the Belle Stars?

 

 

Stop it!

 

That bloody song had been in my ear after the first mention, now the #$%#$ video.

[cort16]

It is hard to justify the time and money but I think everyone needs a project to let them get some time away from their family. I'm pretty sure this why so many people play golf.

As for the money, if you work hard earning it then if you don't get to spend a bit of it on what you want then it can create resentment.

The only thing that occasionally irks me is the rent I pay on my lockup, could probably cover the mortgage on a small flat! However, see my first statement.

[chaseracer]

Stop it!

 

That bloody song had been in my ear after the first mention, now the #$%#$ video.

 

Oooops...

 

[dave21478]

If I sacked off all the cars and just kept the pickup for work, I would be a fair bit better off financially, but I would probably top myself due to having no other hobbies and sitting watching tv every evening doesnt really appeal to me, so I stay poor.

[Guest Hooli]

I wish I had time for hobbies between fixing shite.

[tooSavvy]

I wish I had time for hobbies between fixing shite.

Aye, my biggest mistake was getting out of IMP and into ToMM©.

 

.... suffering 'rusty spanners'

 

 

TS

[Captain Furious]

The 'safety' camera partnership have finally agreed to drop my speeding ticket after just 2 months of stress and providing pretty irrefutable evidence I was nowhere near the place...so why the grump, well this means I never get to see their evidence, so now I don't know whether there is actually a cloned vehicle out there or whether they just fked up and didn't want to admit it.

 

So whether to waste £250 on some shite 'personal plate' or take the fact that no other offences have occurred in the last 8 weeks as sufficient evidence that it was probably a cock up rather than criminal intent..

[Guest Hooli]

I'd forget about it after filling all that paperwork where you can find it if needed.

[Mr A Lawrence]

Fucking football.

 

All season my team, Leeds United, have been in the top six in the championship.

 

They've been as high as third and recently flirted with an automatic promotion spot to the premier league.

 

Well... Today it all went to shit and it looks like a 7th place finish and out of the playoff places.

 

Unless they beat already relegated Wigan athletic at least 13-0!!!

 

Fuckers!

[Negative Creep]

The 'safety' camera partnership have finally agreed to drop my speeding ticket after just 2 months of stress and providing pretty irrefutable evidence I was nowhere near the place...so why the grump, well this means I never get to see their evidence, so now I don't know whether there is actually a cloned vehicle out there or whether they just fked up and didn't want to admit it.

 

So whether to waste £250 on some shite 'personal plate' or take the fact that no other offences have occurred in the last 8 weeks as sufficient evidence that it was probably a cock up rather than criminal intent..

 

 

Here's something that will annoy you even further - driver who turn round and rams another car head on will face no charges because the CPS can't confirm who was driving. Unbelievable.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-39706672

[hairymel]

went to the my unit this afternoon for a potter about with perhaps a bit of actual work on a vehicle.

overjoyed to find the cars outside with their windows put in and bonnets forced open.

most of the cars were unlocked so no need for the vandalism.

 

at least 3 of the more decent cars are now probably only fit for spares/frag. and the spares cars can't sit outside looking like that either. 

apart from the anger, i am in despair as i have so much self imposed stuff to deal with without stripping and binning 5 or six cars.

 

 

 

all so some cunt can weigh in £30 of batteries.

 

 

also my brother in law borrowed my fiesta for one evening. three weeks ago. he has just phoned me to say its misfiring below 2.5k revs.

 

maybe when he breaks it properly i can have it back.

 

sigh.

[Captain Furious]

Here's something that will annoy you even further - driver who turn round and rams another car head on will face no charges because the CPS can't confirm who was driving. Unbelievable.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-39706672

Wonder why it doesn't work the same as a speeding fine, as I have recently found out in graphic detail if you don't admit to driving the vehicle then you must say who was, failure to provide driver details is 6 points, a fockin huge fine and an MS90 conviction that insurance companies *really* hate

 

Guess there is no payday for them at the end of it, not that money is anything to do with it, of course...safety n dat..

[Noel Tidybeard]

Fucking football.

 

All season my team, Leeds United, have been in the top six in the championship.

 

They've been as high as third and recently flirted with an automatic promotion spot to the premier league.

 

Well... Today it all went to shit and it looks like a 7th place finish and out of the playoff places.

 

Unless they beat already relegated Wigan athletic at least 13-0!!!

 

Fuckers!

 

RED CARD

 

HOW VERY DARE YOU mention football on autoshite!

[STUNO]

Wonder why it doesn't work the same as a speeding fine, as I have recently found out in graphic detail if you don't admit to driving the vehicle then you must say who was, failure to provide driver details is 6 points, a fockin huge fine and an MS90 conviction that insurance companies *really* hate

 

Guess there is no payday for them at the end of it, not that money is anything to do with it, of course...safety n dat..

In this corner of the universe the ticket is issued to the owner of the vehicle, there is no points penalty for camera fines because the camera does not necessarily identify the driver. It is entirely up to the owner to pay and it is the owners responsibility to find the offender and get that person to pay. Works well and is uncomplicated. The owner can get a copy of the photo if they want one.

This is the reality and NOT a vote for cameras ! There is also at most times a leeway of 10kmh built into the cameras, i.e. speed limit 100 k fine issued at 111kmh

[jon928se]

Wonder why it doesn't work the same as a speeding fine, as I have recently found out in graphic detail if you don't admit to driving the vehicle then you must say who was, failure to provide driver details is 6 points, a fockin huge fine and an MS90 conviction that insurance companies *really* hate

 

Guess there is no payday for them at the end of it, not that money is anything to do with it, of course...safety n dat..

About 15 years ago we got a ticket at work for the pool car. There is/was no legal requirement to have a log book for usage of the pool cars so the fleet manager sent back a list of all the possible drivers (about 250) and requested the photographic evidence to help us to determine who was driving. Surprisingly the photo turned up clearly identifying 2 people in the front of the car wearing high vis vest over big jackets (cos winter) , but no clear shot of their faces, could have been anybody male or female. Never heard anymore.

[andy18s]

About 15 years ago we got a ticket at work for the pool car. There is/was no legal requirement to have a log book for usage of the pool cars so the fleet manager sent back a list of all the possible drivers (about 250) and requested the photographic evidence to help us to determine who was driving. Surprisingly the photo turned up clearly identifying 2 people in the front of the car wearing high vis vest over big jackets (cos winter) , but no clear shot of their faces, could have been anybody male or female. Never heard anymore.

Back when I worked as a night shift petrol station attendant,a high vis jacket was ideal for completely overpowering the cctv as they couldnt cope with the high contrast at night....

Ended up having anyone suitably dressed being made to come to the windoe,just for a clear mugshot..

[doobietoo]

This weekend is totally fucked up...worked yesterday on a lovely sunny day... today grand prix and footie on the telly and rain the perfect pyjama day...but no MrsD has invited friends over to go to a fete...in the rain ..fucksticks I know the chances of not seeing those results before Monday is zero so will have to watch them in the evening that then puts Monday's garage day in jeopardy  too as no doubt I will have "go somewhere cause she had to put up with your programs on telly last night" fuck fuck fuck #firstworldproblems

[adw1977]

Reversing into a narrow space between two rough concrete pillars last night:

 

 

Conclusion : I am a parking idiot.

 

Also, where did those rust bubbles on the edge of the wheelarch suddenly come from?  The car is only 8 years old FFS.

 

[Guest Hooli]

Hmm, I'm not sure you fully understand the meaning 'in between'. bad luck.

[Lankytim]

Working on the Pilot post bus, it's finally all together after it's engine swap, although I can't quite get it to run.

 

MIL, " and what are you going to do with it when it's fixed?"

 

Drive it around, what else?

 

"But you already have a nice car, finally!!"

 

I'm thinking of turning it into a bit of a day van

 

"You can't do that, it's hopeless" etc etc etc for 5 mins basically telling me it's a heap of shit and should be scrapped. I had to bite my tongue as we all round the dinner table.

 

I've cut my shite collection (aka, the pleasure

I derive from life) to the bone. Minor, gone. Allegro, gone. Maestro van trailer, weighed in. All so I can spend the extra time and money on family stuff, all very noble, but it's still not enough!

 

Does anyone else feel that they're not a real person? EVERYTHING I do in life is meant to live up to other people's expectations, do what they think I should do, say what they think I should say. Eventually you're 100% someone else and 0% you. OK, the van is crap, but it's the last little bit of my life that's actually "me" it's like you have to fight just to exist.

 

In other news, neighbour over the back that we don't speak to doesn't like us using a fence post to hold a washing line so pushed it off said post and dumped a line full of washing onto the freshly cut grass. Great.

[Tamworthbay]

Working on the Pilot post bus, it's finally all together after it's engine swap, although I can't quite get it to run.

MIL, " and what are you going to do with it when it's fixed?"

Drive it around, what else?

"But you already have a nice car, finally!!"

I'm thinking of turning it into a bit of a day van

"You can't do that, it's hopeless" etc etc etc for 5 mins basically telling me it's a heap of shit and should be scrapped. I had to bite my tongue as we all round the dinner table.

I've cut my shite collection (aka, the pleasure

I derive from life) to the bone. Minor, gone. Allegro, gone. Maestro van trailer, weighed in. All so I can spend the extra time and money on family stuff, all very noble, but it's still not enough!

Does anyone else feel that they're not a real person? EVERYTHING I do in life is meant to live up to other people's expectations, do what they think I should do, say what they think I should say. Eventually you're 100% someone else and 0% you. OK, the van is crap, but it's the last little bit of my life that's actually "me" it's like you have to fight just to exist.

In other news, neighbour over the back that we don't speak to doesn't like us using a fence post to hold a washing line so pushed it off said post and dumped a line full of washing onto the freshly cut grass. Great.

Bollocks to her, my MiL used to make snide comments but then found out that my wife's last car was bought entirely from profit on a car sale and now says nothing. It happens that it was a mini and the prices just went stupid between me buying and selling it and it's the only car I have ever made money on but as she doesn't know that it won't hurt her.

[Supernaut]

Working on the Pilot post bus, it's finally all together after it's engine swap, although I can't quite get it to run.

 

MIL, " and what are you going to do with it when it's fixed?"

 

Drive it around, what else?

 

"But you already have a nice car, finally!!"

 

I'm thinking of turning it into a bit of a day van

 

"You can't do that, it's hopeless" etc etc etc for 5 mins basically telling me it's a heap of shit and should be scrapped. I had to bite my tongue as we all round the dinner table.

 

I've cut my shite collection (aka, the pleasure

I derive from life) to the bone. Minor, gone. Allegro, gone. Maestro van trailer, weighed in. All so I can spend the extra time and money on family stuff, all very noble, but it's still not enough!

 

Does anyone else feel that they're not a real person? EVERYTHING I do in life is meant to live up to other people's expectations, do what they think I should do, say what they think I should say. Eventually you're 100% someone else and 0% you. OK, the van is crap, but it's the last little bit of my life that's actually "me" it's like you have to fight just to exist.

 

In other news, neighbour over the back that we don't speak to doesn't like us using a fence post to hold a washing line so pushed it off said post and dumped a line full of washing onto the freshly cut grass. Great.

Lankytim, tomorrow:

 

[cort16]

It's the invertible fade to beige as you get older rather than going to gigs, staying up until it's day light, playing guitar and driving around in old cars you find yourself sweeping up coco pop, trying to rescue a lost sock from the 7th story of a giant soft play and looking on Which car trying to find out if the model of Volvo you're looking at has DAB radio (yes I just did that 2 hours ago).

You just have to do what you can to push back and watch out for the day you find yourself ironing a crease in your Jeans.

[outlaw118]

An ex work colleague died yesterday.

 

Still kept in touch with him on faecesbook, he was only two years older than me, but looked about ten years younger. (Those of you who have met me will know I've not aged well....)

 

Farewell Yogi you old queen. Smarter than the average bear. And gayer. #FUCKCANCER

[bub2006]

Sorry to hear that mate. Thoughts with you.