Your rants here.

elbowloh

NitrousOxide wrote:

Must remember to tell family/friends not to name me on their insurance nd there by possibly save some cash, but let me drive their cars, because the police think that's absolutely fine! :roll:

My wife saved loads of money by putting my name and her dad's name on her car insurance. Was way less than if it was just her for some reason (she's never claimed either).

tgotb

To be fair, if the police/CPS have limited resources (and given that bringing a successful prosecution for driving without insurance is presumably a bit more onerous than spending 2 mins filling in a form) I'd rather they go after people like that moped gang.

Give the OP lost the letter in a house move, it clearly wasn't his top priority (wouldn't have been mine either), so you can't be *that* upset when the police choose to deploy their limited resources elsewhere.

slowbike

£300 and a 6 point penalty - and that's without going to court ..

https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-insurance/dr ... -insurance

surely that's not too onerous for a quick win ...

tgotb

Slowbike wrote:

£300 and a 6 point penalty - and that's without going to court ..

https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-insurance/dr ... -insurance

surely that's not too onerous for a quick win ...

Depends on the standard of proof required to issue a Fixed Penalty (and I don't know the answer to that). Do they need to have been caught in the driving seat by a police officer?

I'm guessing here, but what happens if the perpetrator receives his FPN and then starts denying having been the driver? Does the whole thing then have to go to court, with a risk of being thrown out because the evidence that he was driving the car is insufficiently robust?

slowbike

TGOTB wrote:

Slowbike wrote:

£300 and a 6 point penalty - and that's without going to court ..

https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-insurance/dr ... -insurance

surely that's not too onerous for a quick win ...

Depends on the standard of proof required to issue a Fixed Penalty (and I don't know the answer to that). Do they need to have been caught in the driving seat by a police officer?

I'm guessing here, but what happens if the perpetrator receives his FPN and then starts denying having been the driver? Does the whole thing then have to go to court, with a risk of being thrown out because the evidence that he was driving the car is insufficiently robust?

True - but depends if they can issue the FPN - then drop it if challenged ...

tgotb

Slowbike wrote:

True - but depends if they can issue the FPN - then drop it if challenged ...

But if word gets out they dropped their whole prosecution just because the FPN was challenged, that's a big can of worms...

redvee

Been in my current job 6 1/2 years and before that was with an agency, after being in my current job for 3 months the agency called me asking if I wanted any work. Told them I was fully employed and didn't need to earn their pittance of a wage which was £2/hour less than I was earning back then, I also told them to remove my number from their files.
Tonight I had a spam SMS from them saying I've been opted into their pension scheme so obviously they haven't removed my number from their files as asked. Within five minutes I had reported the SMS to the ICO and left a glowing Google review.

cruff

Against my better judgement, did a hilly TT last night. Me+Hills=Pain

Coming down the descent of Sheephouse Lane (anyone from up North knows it, off the back of Rivington Pike, down towards Horwich) there's a cattle grid. I'm doing 55k/h - car ahead coming up the hill pulls in to let me pass over the grid safely. It was only the look of horror in his eyes and his mouth wide open that made me feather the brakes - as a car whistles past me, overtaking, and squeezing between me and the stopped car, over the grid, with less than six inches between us. Absolute, total, utter, ****ing c***. I'm still raging now. If he'd had to stop at the bottom I would have torn him out of his car, ripped his f***ing arms off and beaten him to death with them

jgsi

Cruff wrote:

Against my better judgement, did a hilly TT last night. Me+Hills=Pain

Coming down the descent of Sheephouse Lane (anyone from up North knows it, off the back of Rivington Pike, down towards Horwich) there's a cattle grid. I'm doing 55k/h - car ahead coming up the hill pulls in to let me pass over the grid safely. It was only the look of horror in his eyes and his mouth wide open that made me feather the brakes - as a car whistles past me, overtaking, and squeezing between me and the stopped car, over the grid, with less than six inches between us. Absolute, total, utter, ****ing c***. I'm still raging now. If he'd had to stop at the bottom I would have torn him out of his car, ripped his f***ing arms off and beaten him to death with them

Horrible.
I never 'trust' a car (driver) allowing any leeway for my progress, usually it means it's the car behind that has the centre of attention.

pangolin

Close passed in a pinch point near the end of Portway in Bristol, just before it reaches town. He gestured in his rear window that I was weaving around and made some other ruder gestures. I responded in kind, and caught up with him fairly soon after for a chat.

He was first annoyed with me that I had almost hit a car because I had gone through some traffic lights "just after they'd gone green" (his words). I did come close to a car, because 2 of them had jumped the red and were still going over the junction (I went around the back of them though, I didn't hold them up further in the junction). This was naturally my fault.

Then he was annoyed I was weaving around, I said there were loads of potholes and this was why he should leave more room.

With his fake concern for my safety rapidly becoming exposed as exasperation for having to wait 10 seconds to join the next queue, he decided it was time to inform me that he was a cyclist too, and he put up with abuse from motorists all day long. At that I told him he should know better than to give it out himself then, and left (though we exchanged a few more polite words as I left).

rick_chasey

Getting fed up with the lack of care for homelessness.

From the odd guy last year there are now maybe 10-15 homeless guys I see most days around where I live.

I’ve had to call the emergency services five times in the last two weeks to help these guys. Three were unconscious in the newly laid flowerbed on the corner (all are alcoholics) and two were clearly having psychotic episodes and were also drunk.

They all happen to be big lads so I’m in no position to help myself plus I’m often with the pram and baby.

I’ve mentioned to the councillor and MP (both Labour) and they just blame Tory cuts, which may well be true but doesn’t really solve anything.


Oh and my daughter has bad allergies but the Dr at hospital cancelled the appointment to have all allergies tested as they are not *urgent*.

I’ve meanwhile been exploring going private as the original appointment was in late August and found one who will do it for quite a lot of money. They’ve said of course it’s important to do the tests ASAP.

Turns out it’s the same Dr for both.

Not impressed.

rower63

Rick Chasey wrote:

I’ve meanwhile been exploring going private ... Turns out it’s the same Dr for both.

Not impressed.

I've been having tests and consultant visits for a condition, and elected to go NHS rather than private. I asked the consultant about this, and he said that the only difference "going private" makes is I'd get to see him quicker. Otherwise I'd see the same person and get precisely the same care.

rick_chasey

rower63 wrote:

Rick Chasey wrote:

I’ve meanwhile been exploring going private ... Turns out it’s the same Dr for both.

Not impressed.

I've been having tests and consultant visits for a condition, and elected to go NHS rather than private. I asked the consultant about this, and he said that the only difference "going private" makes is I'd get to see him quicker. Otherwise I'd see the same person and get precisely the same care.

Well yes but if hes cancelling one appointment on the basis it’s not urgent and that if a reaction happens *just go go A&E* but happy to see me if I pay him £500 odd, I sense a conflict of interest.

shirley_basso

It's usually the same doctors for private and public.

Also they probably allocate an amount of time for each, and the NHS decides what conditions to prioritise while he works on their clock.

redvee

pangolin wrote:

Close passed in a pinch point near the end of Portway in Bristol.

At the bottom of Clifton Rocks Railway? I always ride wide when getting near that part and start riding further out as I pass under the canopy under the bridge cause of the road surface but it's quieter for me on the Portway than for you as I'm riding it from 22:15 most nights. Best time of day is to leave Avonmouth at 17:00 and note the cars which pass you before you reach the Portway then try and spot them 4 miles later as they sit in the queue of traffic that you are sailing past in the bus lane.

DrLex

^ From experience, you could have shortened that sentence to “Best time of day is to leave Avonmouth.”

pangolin

redvee wrote:

pangolin wrote:

Close passed in a pinch point near the end of Portway in Bristol.

At the bottom of Clifton Rocks Railway? I always ride wide when getting near that part and start riding further out as I pass under the canopy under the bridge cause of the road surface but it's quieter for me on the Portway than for you as I'm riding it from 22:15 most nights. Best time of day is to leave Avonmouth at 17:00 and note the cars which pass you before you reach the Portway then try and spot them 4 miles later as they sit in the queue of traffic that you are sailing past in the bus lane.

Exactly there, that short stretch where it's just 1 lane with no space to the left. I did ride it a bit wide, which annoyed him and made him close pass me as it opened out a bit and I started to come back left.

I quite like having a truck behind me at that point. They are more intimidating but they always seem much better behaved than cars there and are willing to wait until it's 2 lanes again.

triggersbroom

pangolin wrote:

redvee wrote:

pangolin wrote:

Close passed in a pinch point near the end of Portway in Bristol.

At the bottom of Clifton Rocks Railway? I always ride wide when getting near that part and start riding further out as I pass under the canopy under the bridge cause of the road surface but it's quieter for me on the Portway than for you as I'm riding it from 22:15 most nights. Best time of day is to leave Avonmouth at 17:00 and note the cars which pass you before you reach the Portway then try and spot them 4 miles later as they sit in the queue of traffic that you are sailing past in the bus lane.

Exactly there, that short stretch where it's just 1 lane with no space to the left. I did ride it a bit wide, which annoyed him and made him close pass me as it opened out a bit and I started to come back left.

I quite like having a truck behind me at that point. They are more intimidating but they always seem much better behaved than cars there and are willing to wait until it's 2 lanes again.

Given the general state of the roads in Bristol I'm surprised that all cyclists aren't forever in the middle of the road. I normally come into town via the Gloucester Road and then go home via the Portway for a longer ride. Roads in both directions are sh1t - so much for Bristol being the UK's cycling city. Perhaps someone ought to take the mayor out for a ride one day.

pangolin

TriggersBroom wrote:

pangolin wrote:

redvee wrote:

pangolin wrote:

Close passed in a pinch point near the end of Portway in Bristol.

At the bottom of Clifton Rocks Railway? I always ride wide when getting near that part and start riding further out as I pass under the canopy under the bridge cause of the road surface but it's quieter for me on the Portway than for you as I'm riding it from 22:15 most nights. Best time of day is to leave Avonmouth at 17:00 and note the cars which pass you before you reach the Portway then try and spot them 4 miles later as they sit in the queue of traffic that you are sailing past in the bus lane.

Exactly there, that short stretch where it's just 1 lane with no space to the left. I did ride it a bit wide, which annoyed him and made him close pass me as it opened out a bit and I started to come back left.

I quite like having a truck behind me at that point. They are more intimidating but they always seem much better behaved than cars there and are willing to wait until it's 2 lanes again.

Given the general state of the roads in Bristol I'm surprised that all cyclists aren't forever in the middle of the road. I normally come into town via the Gloucester Road and then go home via the Portway for a longer ride. Roads in both directions are sh1t - so much for Bristol being the UK's cycling city. Perhaps someone ought to take the mayor out for a ride one day.

Portway going into Bristol is ok. Then you go through Hotwells and it's like a country lane. There are probably 1 or 2 other good roads in Bristol too, not sure why you're exaggerating

triggersbroom

pangolin wrote:

TriggersBroom wrote:

pangolin wrote:

redvee wrote:

pangolin wrote:

Close passed in a pinch point near the end of Portway in Bristol.

At the bottom of Clifton Rocks Railway? I always ride wide when getting near that part and start riding further out as I pass under the canopy under the bridge cause of the road surface but it's quieter for me on the Portway than for you as I'm riding it from 22:15 most nights. Best time of day is to leave Avonmouth at 17:00 and note the cars which pass you before you reach the Portway then try and spot them 4 miles later as they sit in the queue of traffic that you are sailing past in the bus lane.

Exactly there, that short stretch where it's just 1 lane with no space to the left. I did ride it a bit wide, which annoyed him and made him close pass me as it opened out a bit and I started to come back left.

I quite like having a truck behind me at that point. They are more intimidating but they always seem much better behaved than cars there and are willing to wait until it's 2 lanes again.

Given the general state of the roads in Bristol I'm surprised that all cyclists aren't forever in the middle of the road. I normally come into town via the Gloucester Road and then go home via the Portway for a longer ride. Roads in both directions are sh1t - so much for Bristol being the UK's cycling city. Perhaps someone ought to take the mayor out for a ride one day.

Portway going into Bristol is ok. Then you go through Hotwells and it's like a country lane. There are probably 1 or 2 other good roads in Bristol too, not sure why you're exaggerating

True, after all who needs silky smooth tarmac? The road condition breeds great handling skills and Jedi like anticipation. I'm fully expecting the next tranche of Cyclocross champs to be coming out of Bristol anytime soon.

elbowloh

So , 6 week old baby means not a lot of sleep.

Got PT into work because i'm fecking knackered and don't trust myself to cycle or drive.

Changed trains at Blackfriars.

Left bag on train, containing car keys, house keys and work phone. Frantic return to Blackfriars when i realised i didn't have my bag. Booo

Lots of lovely staff who tried to help me find my bag, phone calls, radio messages, checking of CCTV (wasn't sure if i left on platform or on train). Yay

Bag not on platform. Boo.

Whilst i'm waiting for my train to leave. Station Manager (Kevin - who was so nice before) came up and gave me a Cafe Nero giftcard to help make up for a shitty morning. Yay.

Phonecall from Blackfriars control room, telling me that they'd found my bag at Bedford. Yay

Unfortunately I have to go to BEdford to pick it up. Boo

rick_chasey

Haha welcome to the club elbow.

Hope yours sleeps better than mine. 7 months in and i've done one night more than 5hrs, and i'm not even having to get up to help mid-week...

elbowloh

Rick Chasey wrote:

Haha welcome to the club elbow.

Hope yours sleeps better than mine. 7 months in and i've done one night more than 5hrs, and i'm not even having to get up to help mid-week...

Compared to others (guys in our NCT class), we've been getting off fairly lightly, but still...

He'll generally sleep for 3 hours (at most) at a time, feed, then sleep again, so not the worst. However, some nights it's considerably worse. Yeah, midweek Mrs Elbow is trying to let me sleep, but it doesn't always work out like that.

shirley_basso

What? I have been getting 7 hours from 3 months onwards. The odd bad night if poorly but no real dramas.

Bath, feed and bed 630-730. 'dream feed' at 10-1030. Sleep till 5.30, wakes and grizzles. Sleeps till 7.

Best trick is to get the bairn into their own room ASAP.

cjcp

elbowloh wrote:

Rick Chasey wrote:

Haha welcome to the club elbow.

Hope yours sleeps better than mine. 7 months in and i've done one night more than 5hrs, and i'm not even having to get up to help mid-week...

Compared to others (guys in our NCT class), we've been getting off fairly lightly, but still...

He'll generally sleep for 3 hours (at most) at a time, feed, then sleep again, so not the worst. However, some nights it's considerably worse. Yeah, midweek Mrs Elbow is trying to let me sleep, but it doesn't always work out like that.

Caffeine.

Main-line it. It's the only way.

Tbf, though, my kids slept liked logs. Still do. Had a few issues with "night terrors" with the eldest which, one morning, caused me to just lie down on the dining room floor in the hope.of going to sleep, we got off very lightly.

slowbike

Don't think it'll get any better Elbow & Rick - we're nearly 4 years in and still get amazed if we get an un-interrupted night. Of course, at this age it's more "Can I sleep in your bed" or "I want someone to sit with me" - and the old "let them scream" sounds ideal - but the pain of having to go through that with the No Sleep for the whole house that accompanies it is just a bit too unbearable ...
Apparently it does get better - once they've left home ...

anonymousblackfg

Slowbike wrote:

Don't think it'll get any better Elbow & Rick - we're nearly 4 years in and still get amazed if we get an un-interrupted night. Of course, at this age it's more "Can I sleep in your bed" or "I want someone to sit with me" - and the old "let them scream" sounds ideal - but the pain of having to go through that with the No Sleep for the whole house that accompanies it is just a bit too unbearable ...
Apparently it does get better - once they've left home ...

Lovely to see this on the thread having been woken at 5am by mini ABFG 1 telling me very proudly he had got himself dressed, only to wake mini ABFG 2 who had migrated into our bed, then for the pair of them to head of into the spare room to empty shower gel over the clothes lying out to be packed for holiday. Four months out from Mini ABFG 3, means I should be celebrating this as a successful night's sleep.

slowbike

anonymousblackfg wrote:

Lovely to see this on the thread having been woken at 5am by mini ABFG 1 telling me very proudly he had got himself dressed, only to wake mini ABFG 2 who had migrated into our bed, then for the pair of them to head of into the spare room to empty shower gel over the clothes lying out to be packed for holiday. Four months out from Mini ABFG 3, means I should be celebrating this as a successful night's sleep.

Seems reasonable - at least they amused themselves for a bit - with just one - before it's time to wake up - any suggestion of "go and read a book or play with the toys in your room" are met with wails of protest - which of course, just wakes us up more and any thought of another 1/4hr sleep goes out the window ... not sure having another would make it any easier - as you've just shown

I think we're deviating from the thread subject though

rick_chasey

Shirley Basso wrote:

What? I have been getting 7 hours from 3 months onwards. The odd bad night if poorly but no real dramas.

Bath, feed and bed 630-730. 'dream feed' at 10-1030. Sleep till 5.30, wakes and grizzles. Sleeps till 7.

.

No-one likes a show off.

pangolin

Shirley Basso wrote:

What? I have been getting 7 hours from 3 months onwards. The odd bad night if poorly but no real dramas.

Bath, feed and bed 630-730. 'dream feed' at 10-1030. Sleep till 5.30, wakes and grizzles. Sleeps till 7.

Best trick is to get the bairn into their own room ASAP.

This should result in a ban. Daughter will be 2 in July and I do not recognise this description of a night at all.