The grumpy thread

[pogweasel]

I would rate your chances at the square root of fuck all.

[Volksy]

Yep, think you may be right, most airports in Europe are broken, majority of flights out of Frankfurt and Paris CDG are cancelled.

 

Expecting clients from Paris tomorrow, who are coming for a short break, hopefully they won't materialise as more snow forecast in Paris tomorrow..

 

Neighbours clients have been stuck at Birmingham since 6am, no sign of when or if their flight will run..

[chaseracer]

I would rate your chances at the square root of fuck all.

This assessment may well err toward the optimistic...

[RedSparrow]

The fucking adverts that suggest 'owning a Windows phone will get you laid'. I'll warrant the polar opposite is more like the truth.

 

Pointless conversations with people who you half knew at school whom you haven't seen for ages. Lets both be honest and say we don't give a flying fuck what the other is 'up to these days'.

[cms206]

ZOMG SNOKAOS etc

 

There seems to be a lot of hate for the HGV fraternity here... I'm gonna throw a spanner in the works.

 

 

I'm a coach driver (full time now, more or less) and on Thursday I had the pleasure of being in Oban on rail replacement for the best part of eighteen hours. It was clear on the way up which took me a smidgen under two hours, but the journey back took three hours and fifty five minutes purely because of ZOMG SNOKAOS etc with drifting snow on the A82 and all sorts of assorted nonsense. I have a theory... the jacknifed lorries AREN'T caused by the drivers... but... by twats who can't drive their cars in the snow. I discovered how well a Van Hool Alizee bodied Volvo B10M will drift, and how difficult they can be to stop, when the car in front of me travelling at 30mph suddenly decided that the correct course of action when signalling to turn off a main road was to stand on the fucking brakes and come to a complete halt despite the road being clear. This, as my heavier vehicle driving colleagues on here will attest, is a recipe for disaster when you don't see the four headlights behind you masking the look of sheer fear on the driver's face as he frantically tries to stop. I wasn't even tailgating, I was a good distance away and in sheer silence I could only hope and pray I could stop in time! It's grim in a rigid, but postively fucking frightening in an artic!

 

Continuing south, I chanced across another car in front of a fuel tanker approaching a roundabout downhill... I'm pretty sure the car driver will in future use their mirrors and the tanker, faced with either going off himself or pushing the car out the way, chose to push the car gently off the roundabout and drift gently around...

 

So, my grump is... car drivers - be aware of what's behind you, and USE YOUR FUCKING BRAIN!!!

[Louise2cv]

The people on the news whinging about the airports not doing enough "now I've got to go home and christmas is ruined". What the frig do these people want?

 

Oh hang on, I'll just call the Minister for Transport and get him to ring up Heathrow and make them turn the weather down.

[warren t claim]

Snow chaos!!!!!

 

For the last couple of days I've been taking the works new 10 plate RWD Transit home every night as it's a longish commute and I don't pay for the Diesel. . Alas a totally unladen RWD Tranny is totally bollocks in ice and snow so I thought I'd take a chance and drop it off at work and retrieve the Mercedes. The trip involved a drive along a road with a slight incline and the road was littered with abandoned cars, all off them were Mercs, BMWs and Jags.

 

RWD and ice doesn't mix.

[Guest Leonard Hatred]

The people on the news whinging about the airports not doing enough "now I've got to go home and christmas is ruined". What the frig do these people want?

 

Oh hang on, I'll just call the Minister for Transport and get him to ring up Heathrow and make them turn the weather down.

 

Having been stuck at Gatwick for a mere 23 hours last month I can empathise with these people - I was starting to get very ratty too, helped by not being able to sleep anywhere. It is very grim being held captive by the weather in what amounts to a shopping centre.

 

ZOMG SNOKAOS etc

 

There seems to be a lot of hate for the HGV fraternity here... I'm gonna throw a spanner in the works.

So, my grump is... car drivers - be aware of what's behind you, and USE YOUR FUCKING BRAIN!!!

 

Lorries manage to block the A95 with depressing regularity in the winter without any help from cars - any long, snow covered incline sees them stuck, and sharper corners see them jack knife. I have nothing against the drivers, just the operators for giving them no option financially but to drive in these conditions.

 

If you can't stop for cars making daft manoeuvres shouldn't you leave a larger gap?

Incidentally, Stagecoach have only just recently started fitting winter tyres to their buses here.

[Louise2cv]

The people on the news whinging about the airports not doing enough "now I've got to go home and christmas is ruined". What the frig do these people want?

 

Oh hang on, I'll just call the Minister for Transport and get him to ring up Heathrow and make them turn the weather down.

 

Having been stuck at Gatwick for a mere 23 hours last month I can empathise with these people - I was starting to get very ratty too, helped by not being able to sleep anywhere. It is very grim being held captive by the weather in what amounts to a shopping centre.

 

The being stuck on the plane/in the airport bit I can sympathise with, but this guy was at home ranting about being out of pocket, having no Christmas etc etc. I imagine the companies involved would rather not be grounded either.

[cms206]

 

ZOMG SNOKAOS etc

 

There seems to be a lot of hate for the HGV fraternity here... I'm gonna throw a spanner in the works.

So, my grump is... car drivers - be aware of what's behind you, and USE YOUR FUCKING BRAIN!!!

 

Lorries manage to block the A95 with depressing regularity in the winter without any help from cars - any long, snow covered incline sees them stuck, and sharper corners see them jack knife. I have nothing against the drivers, just the operators for giving them no option financially but to drive in these conditions.

 

If you can't stop for cars making daft manoeuvres shouldn't you leave a larger gap?

Incidentally, Stagecoach have only just recently started fitting winter tyres to their buses here.

 

 

I take the point, but how far back should we be? I was about three bus lengths away and still couldn't bring the bus to a halt.

 

As you say that, operators give us no option but either go out or go without... I'll leave my grump there, I think!

[warren t claim]

Lenoard wrote..."

Lorries manage to block the A95 with depressing regularity in the winter without any help from cars - any long, snow covered incline sees them stuck, and sharper corners see them jack knife. I have nothing against the drivers, just the operators for giving them no option financially but to drive in these conditions."

 

This is true. I've knocked back plenty of work this weekend because the journey they wanted me to do was pure stupidity in this weather.

 

Many modern HGVs are automatic but the transmission works differently to autos we get in cars. A truck is capable of rolling backwards when in drive because you need to press the accelerator to engage the gear, when it does engage you can feel it jolt. If you had to come to a halt on an icy incline there is little chance of pulling away due to you being unable to gently feather the throttle. Scania are the only truck maker to overcome this by combining an automatic transmission with a manual clutch, an excellent system.

[M'coli]

You've also got to take into account the car drivers that will nip into the gap that you've left to stop as they think there's plenty of room in front of you.

[dollywobbler]

BBC I-Player. What a load of bollocks! I was really pleased to spend two hours downloading a programme only for it to decide it didn't want to play it with a stupid "please try later" message. What, try later to play the programme that's already downloaded?! Needless to say, waiting achieves nothing.

 

Twice in the past month I've had it decide it doesn't like a programme I've downloaded and just delete it, no options. Gone. When you're on shit broadband and it takes hours to download stuff, this is beyond annoying. Especially as I'm on a 10Gb monthly download limit - I can't really afford to just start downloading the show again.

 

I really, really hate computer programmes that don't work. Yes, this makes me grumpy a lot of time and explains why I no longer work in IT! (that and the fact that despite making two successful careers (IT support and IT project management) I didn't have a clue what I was doing at any point).

 

And I'm grumpy because I'm trapped in the house by snow. Just walking is hard enough because in places, the snow is over the top of my wellies. I think I'm going to go out tomorrow just to stop myself from going mad. All house and no cars makes Dollywobbler ANGRY!

[trigger]

Another snow grumble.

 

We had to go to the In-laws today for lunch which i wasn't happy about due to the weather, First we went to Sainsburys where Mrs. Trig ran in whilst i waited, Sitting on the phone to my dad i felt my car shake, some bint in a Fiesta had cut the corner to sharp and hit the rear of my car and then just drove off!, I saw her do it, Luckily there was only a slight scuff that will T-cut out.

 

Then whilst on the A14 i have a young lad in a Blue Ford Focus over take me sideways where he lost it driving to fast, He luckily caught it again before hitting me or anyone less though, Then had a young girl in a Kia pull out of a service station right in front of me on the A12, Luckily i swang into the fast lane without spinning as it was a sheet of ice on that lane.

 

Then after dodging dumped cars and spinning Audi's i managed to bump of a kerb outside my In laws in Colchester, and luckily with no damage, The drive home was a bit better apart from the dozen or so BMW drivers that past driving like prats.

[dollywobbler]

Must admit - the snow does seem to turn some people into complete numpties. Within minutes of setting off from our hotel in Cardiff on Friday, a Honda Jazz decided to turn right at a set of traffic lights - from the left hand lane.

 

I still need to get the BX home, but can't see the point at the moment. We're due to head to Devon and Sussex over Christmas - so I'm a little alarmed that more snow is forecast for Thursday (and before then, sub-zero temperatures all the way, so none of this snow is going anywhere).

[warren t claim]

Must admit - the snow does seem to turn some people into complete numpties. Within minutes of setting off from our hotel in Cardiff on Friday, a Honda Jazz decided to turn right at a set of traffic lights - from the left hand lane.

 

I still need to get the BX home, but can't see the point at the moment. We're due to head to Devon and Sussex over Christmas - so I'm a little alarmed that more snow is forecast for Thursday (and before then, sub-zero temperatures all the way, so none of this snow is going anywhere).

 

I would of thought a 2cv was GR88 in the snow.

[dollywobbler]

2CV is good in the snow, but I've not encountered snow this deep before. It's really a 'chain only' job. If I can get out onto the road, I'll be alright. Might have a go in the morning - I've dug some space out in front of the garage. We bought the last bottle of milk from the village shop this morning, and when a man's cup of tea is threatened, he'll drive anywhere!

[Mr_Bo11ox]

I bought a set of Wallander DVD's from sweden (much cheaper than Amazon) now theyve arrived, theres no f**king english subtitles!!! so now I am gonna have to learn Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish or fuggin danish

[myglaren]

I bought a set of Wallander DVD's from sweden (much cheaper than Amazon) now theyve arrived, theres no f**king english subtitles!!! so now I am gonna have to learn Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish or fuggin danish

 

How much did you pay, if you don't mind my asking?

If you don't want them I may make you an offer, as I speak Swedish and prefer not to have the subtitles obliterating half the screen.

[retrogeezer]

PMSL....@ bollox ^^^^^^^^

[autofive]

I bought a set of Wallander DVD's from sweden (much cheaper than Amazon) now theyve arrived, theres no f**king english subtitles!!! so now I am gonna have to learn Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish or fuggin danish

 

google SRT files for the DVD

 

(although when i looked a couple of months ago, there wasnt any English SRT files for wallander

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Whats an SRT file then? I am clueless in this area, i have only just learned about DVD regions, just in time to stop me buying a set of US-only dan tanner 'Vega$' DVD's

[Guest]

The fucking adverts that suggest 'owning a Windows phone will get you laid'.

On the other hand, when I pull out my Nokia 3210, there isn't a dry gusset in the joint. Wahey!

 

Bollox, what sort of DVD player have you got? You can probably unlock it with a code, I've got loads of Region 1 only stuff including the Tom Selleck smash-hit "Runaway".

[autofive]

srt files are subtitles

 

try a google search for Wallander SRT english DVD

[Marshall]

The people on the news whinging about the airports not doing enough "now I've got to go home and christmas is ruined". What the frig do these people want?

 

Oh hang on, I'll just call the Minister for Transport and get him to ring up Heathrow and make them turn the weather down.

 

You are totally right Louise. I was ( ) watching a re-re-run of Airline on ITV3 or summat the other night and its was filmed when 9/11 had just kicked off. I couldnt believe the number of people complaining as if the airlines or airports where able to prevent a terrorist attack and the loss of several lives. I don't know how some people had the sheer selfishness, and, above all, total lack of respect to complain. I know the weather is a different thing but, like you say, are airports in control of the weather or something?

 

Tossers!

[trigger]

It makes me laugh all these people that been going on about how great a white christmas would be, and now it's looks like we will have one they are all moaning about the "CHAOS" it brings.

[Guest Leonard Hatred]

They are probably the same people who moan about the "nanny state", yet want everything to run as if it was summer.

[Mike D]

Ice + ABS + in a rush = Fail! I am grumpy with myself for stuffing the Merc into a post Good excuse to finally replace the bumper though!

[RedSparrow]

So the US government are suing BP over the oil spill. So this should pave the way for the Indian government to sue Dow chemicals over the 15,000 human deaths and 500,000+ lives ruined due to their negligence before you even mention the environmental damage......?

[wuvvum]

I am due into Norwich airport from HK via Amsterdam on Wednesday afternoon. What do you think my chances are?

Norwich airport is open AFAIK. Schipol is still in OMGSNOKAOS mode at the moment, but I would imagine they would have things sorted by Wednesday - they're losing too much money not to.

 

I am due to fly out from Stansted at 11.40 tomorrow morning. Could be interesting. Especially since the forecast is set for freezing fog all day in Essex.