The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.

[Mr Larrington]

The smoke from burning cod doesn't leave either

[T42]

We used to have a neighbour who barbecued sardines every Sunday, with his barbecue up against the hedge which divided our gardens. The smoke would permeate the hedge and the stench last for hours.  It took years to persuade him to move the damn thing to the other side of his terrace.

[Mrs Pingu]

I live in a steep-sided valley (or on the side of it, anyway) and it seems every single house in the town is currently having an extension added. Be nice if they all take day off.

Oh, and the smoke from burning leaves doesn't, well, leave. But I kind of like that smell. Which is good, as next doors chimney is level with our living room.

Why are they burning leaves indoors?

[ian]

Well, smoke in general. Though I think she'll burn anything. I think she burned up half our house during the refurbishment. Oh, unwary TV licensing operatives, you name it. She may be smelting aluminium.

It's not that bad, but yes, the perils of living on a slope mean the top of her chimney is level with our ground floor.

[ElyDave]

maybe she has to burn stuff indoors or the yetis will get her?

[T42]

Well, smoke in general. Though I think she'll burn anything. I think she burned up half our house during the refurbishment. Oh, unwary TV licensing operatives, you name it. She may be smelting aluminium.

It's not that bad, but yes, the perils of living on a slope mean the top of her chimney is level with our ground floor.

Well then, if she can be obnoxious up the chimney then you can be obnoxious down it.

[ian]

I don't think the yetis will come down as far as her garden. That's mostly bear territory. You can't smoke a bear. Unless you're Finnish.

(I'm not complaining anyway, the smoke mostly blows away and she will happily dispose of anything I need to get rid of, no questions asked. It's a lot less effort than burying them under the patio.)

[Guy]

Officer Cadets.

Our conference room looks like somebody set off a bomb in a transport cafe. You'd think we'd just played host to a chimps tea party rather than a group of "young gentlemen" from Sandhurst.

[Torslanda]

Same thing innit!

[Tim Hall]

Officer Cadets.

Our conference room looks like somebody set off a bomb in a transport cafe. You'd think we'd just played host to a chimps tea party rather than a group of "young gentlemen" from Sandhurst.

Ooh! I was there today. Sandhurst, that is, not Guy's conference room.

[ElyDave]

Lurgy - FOAD
at least it gives me an excuse to drink lagavullin, medicinally of course.

[Veloman]

Officer Cadets.

Our conference room looks like somebody set off a bomb in a transport cafe. You'd think we'd just played host to a chimps tea party rather than a group of "young gentlemen" from Sandhurst.

I thought Sandhurst also trained "young ladies".

Perhaps soldiers would be a better description.

[Jakob W]

I don't think that would quite convey Guy's feelings about the baby Ruperts; perhaps 'young gentlepersons' or 'young gentlefolk'?

[David Martin]

The amazon locker on campus is full. Oiks, get down there and pick up your parcels, I want to order some stuffs.

[Guy]

Officer Cadets.

Our conference room looks like somebody set off a bomb in a transport cafe. You'd think we'd just played host to a chimps tea party rather than a group of "young gentlemen" from Sandhurst.

I thought Sandhurst also trained "young ladies".

Perhaps soldiers would be a better description.

These were all male, and I wouldn't put any of 'em in charge of a dead match, let alone a platoon of squaddies!

[Canardly]

Ah Ruperts, as they are affectionately known.....

[mattc]

Ah Ruperts, as they are affectionately known.....

Should that be "affectionately" ??

[arabella]

Peeps wot's diggin up the roads.  When you say the road is blocked, could you be so kind as to specify whether that applies to motor vehicles only or to pedestrians as well?  It takes rather longer to divert at 3mph than it does at 30mph.  10 times longer, in fact.  So it would be good to know if I reeelly needed to divert, given there's no handy footpaths going the same way ...
Not everyone who uses said road is local enough to 'just know'.
eh?
I was sorely tempted to leap over offending barriers.

[Kim]

Peeps wot's diggin up the roads.  When you say the road is blocked, could you be so kind as to specify whether that applies to motor vehicles only or to pedestrians as well?  It takes rather longer to divert at 3mph than it does at 30mph.  10 times longer, in fact.  So it would be good to know if I reeelly needed to divert, given there's no handy footpaths going the same way ...
Not everyone who uses said road is local enough to 'just know'.
eh?
I was sorely tempted to leap over offending barriers.

We had a diversionary discussion about that recently in some thread or other, in which I suggested the very same.

I work on the principle that as a cyclist, it's usually worth trying your luck with an unknown closed road, as most of the time you can push your bike past someone digging a hole.  It's only rarely a missing bridge or similar.

[ElyDave]

Peeps wot's diggin up the roads.  When you say the road is blocked, could you be so kind as to specify whether that applies to motor vehicles only or to pedestrians as well?  It takes rather longer to divert at 3mph than it does at 30mph.  10 times longer, in fact.  So it would be good to know if I reeelly needed to divert, given there's no handy footpaths going the same way ...
Not everyone who uses said road is local enough to 'just know'.
eh?
I was sorely tempted to leap over offending barriers.

I'm generally a leaper, also following Kim through on bike. it's never gone wrong, yet!

[T42]

My leaping days are done but I usually get round without bouncing. Usually.  Didn't yesterday, though, 'cos road-closed sign was 2 km before site of blockage and it was all downhill.  Shifted my destination and discovered a nice new road instead: nice rolling hills.

[Kim]

I don't think I've ever had to leap over a road closure.  I save that sort of nonsense for Sustrans adventures.

[essexian]

Taking a bike on a train can be so stressful, so when I discovered it was very straightforward on the Scottish Sleeper service, I was most pleased.....however, the tickets for the journey have now arrived and there is no reservation ticket for the bike as I normally receive when travelling on Virgin or other services where booking is required.

So.... in a bit of a worry as I have spent a lot of money on this trip, I phone their helpline.

Guess what...."our lines are very busy: please hold for the first available operator...." 15 bloody minutes worth of hold music before I gave up and emailed them. I suppose I will get a reply but until I do, I am going to worry!

I suppose its down to there being so few unemployed now days* the company are finding it hard to obtain staff to operate their helplines.....






*May contain traces of not believing official figures. 

[Ham]

Bloody Waltham Bloody Forest. Why is there no left turn from Blackhorse Lane into Forest Road? And why didn't I notice (or take enough notice) of it? (at 21:30 at night) Bet that camera collects a few bob for them. And, given I got caught in the middle of the shockingly complex car trap outside Walthamstow Central I reckon I can expect another penalty from them. Grrrr.

[Mr Larrington]

'twas ever thus, or at least as long as I've been living in these parts.