Random Irritations

[Golfmmad]

That was probably Grays Court Hotel. Lovely boutique hotel, stayed there last Easter for a couple of nights. It used to be part of the University and my wife had lectures there, some in the actual room we stayed in

Funnily enough we asked a guy working on a house, he was very helpful. He even called his wife and was told, Greys Court Hotel! We still couldn't find the place, even using Google walking map, which I always struggle to get my head round.
But as mentioned earlier, still enjoyed a lovely glass of wine later.

 

[AmandaJR]

Packing up the Qashqai for our trip to Scotland, trying to fit all the baby stuff, suitcases and golf clubs into the boot - it's not as big as we thought. Then we realise there's a little shelf type thing in the bottom of the boot that you can remove and it frees up an extra 3 or 4 inches below it. What the hell is that for other than wasting boot space??

Edit: found pictures online what I'm on about. Those two bits of board lift out revealing more depth. What is the point? Just have the full depth in the first place?

I have OCD about a clean boot so I use those areas to keep scraper, window de-icer and other bits and bobs all hidden away and neat...

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Anyone selling an item into the EU that contains chemicals or has hazard warnings will be familiar with this, but bear with me. The EU has brought in legislation requiring each product containing a hazard chemical to have a 16 digit code, Unique Formula Identifier or UFI. Firstly, trying to create a code is made out to be simple, but is not. Secondly, instead of registering with 1 EU wide body, Poisons Authority, you have to register with each individual country . What is a very simple idea is made overly complicated and I am bouncing my head against a wall.

Once set up I can forget about it but it is currently a hot topic and the set up is painful.

 

[rudebhoy]

HMRC and the process for paying additional NI contributions.

I phoned them a month ago to do this. After over an hour on the phone, I finally got through to someone and told them what years I wanted to pay for. They confirmed the figure, which I already knew. I got my bank card out to pay it, only to be told it doesn't work like that.

Instead they give you a 18 digit reference number and tell you to pay it via your bank. I took a note of the reference number, account and sort code, and asked them to send me an email confirming it as I was a bit worried about making a mistake writing it down. They said they couldn't do that, but would send me a letter confirming the details, and said that would take 7-10 days to get to me.

It's now 30 days since I spoke to them, and no letter. I am reluctant to make the payment with the details I scribbled down, particularly as they said the payment takes 8 weeks to show up on your account, so I would have 2 months worrying I had made a mistake with the 18 digit ref no.

So I'm now back waiting on the phone to try to get the letter, 40 minutes so far and no sign of a human.

It's almost as if they designed the process specifically to be difficult and off putting.

 

[Neilds]

Why does the whole of the BBC have to decamp to Liverpool for the week to cover Eurovision? The One Show is there all week, half of R2 shows will be from there - including Jeremy Vine (?). I am bored with the coverage already and it is still a few weeks away. Does the listener experience change if the presenters are all in a studio in Liverpool claiming expenses for hotels etc? Another waste of our licence payers money

 

[Piece]

Packing up the Qashqai for our trip to Scotland, trying to fit all the baby stuff, suitcases and golf clubs into the boot - it's not as big as we thought. Then we realise there's a little shelf type thing in the bottom of the boot that you can remove and it frees up an extra 3 or 4 inches below it. What the hell is that for other than wasting boot space??

Edit: found pictures online what I'm on about. Those two bits of board lift out revealing more depth. What is the point? Just have the full depth in the first place?

We find it useful to hide kids presents and first aid kits!

 

[GB72]

Why does the whole of the BBC have to decamp to Liverpool for the week to cover Eurovision? The One Show is there all week, half of R2 shows will be from there - including Jeremy Vine (?). I am bored with the coverage already and it is still a few weeks away. Does the listener experience change if the presenters are all in a studio in Liverpool claiming expenses for hotels etc? Another waste of our licence payers money

Not one to defend BBC jollies but aren't a lot of them based in Manchester now anyway and so the cost may not be as great.

At least it is in the UK, when they all used to head off for a few weeks in Ibiza in the summer, that wound me up. On the UK side of things, sending just about every show and presenter to Glastonbury is another bug bear. Then you have the Big Weekend that was meant to take a festival to areas that do not get much live music and then proceed to hold it in or near significant urban areas whilst ignoring the rural areas that literally get nothing.

 

[Piece]

James Skeet

 

[GB72]

Packing up the Qashqai for our trip to Scotland, trying to fit all the baby stuff, suitcases and golf clubs into the boot - it's not as big as we thought. Then we realise there's a little shelf type thing in the bottom of the boot that you can remove and it frees up an extra 3 or 4 inches below it. What the hell is that for other than wasting boot space??

Edit: found pictures online what I'm on about. Those two bits of board lift out revealing more depth. What is the point? Just have the full depth in the first place?

HAte to be praictical but I always thought it was set up so as you had a flat entry to the boot so could slide heavier objects in and out. Removing the panels have more space but without that easier method of access. Also allows items to be transported flat that need to.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Not one to defend BBC jollies but aren't a lot of them based in Manchester now anyway and so the cost may not be as great.

At least it is in the UK, when they all used to head off for a few weeks in Ibiza in the summer, that wound me up. On the UK side of things, sending just about every show and presenter to Glastonbury is another bug bear. Then you have the Big Weekend that was meant to take a festival to areas that do not get much live music and then proceed to hold it in or near significant urban areas whilst ignoring the rural areas that literally get nothing.

R2 are in London, as is the One Show. BBC Breakfast is in Manchester as is the sports dept but otherwise they are in London still.

They like to do this de-camp thing and I'm with @Neilds , it adds nothing to the broadcast but costs more.

 

[GB72]

R2 are in London, as is the One Show. BBC Breakfast is in Manchester as is the sports dept but otherwise they are in London still.

They like to do this de-camp thing and I'm with @Neilds , it adds nothing to the broadcast but costs more.

Then I agree with both of you. If they are sending shows up from London then it adds nothing and yet the BBC cannot find ways to cut costs

 

[Neilds]

Then I agree with both of you. If they are sending shows up from London then it adds nothing and yet the BBC cannot find ways to cut costs

Maybe they need to be in Liverpool so we can hear yet another 'interview' with an over excited Scouser telling us great it is for the competition to be in their City and how they are super excited and super looking forward to it

 

[GB72]

Maybe they need to be in Liverpool so we can hear yet another 'interview' with an over excited Scouser telling us great it is for the competition to be in their City and how they are super excited and super looking forward to it

They have BBC local radio, why can they not use them to broadcast and then syndicate it to the national BBC stations. Same wtih TV

 

[IanM]

They have BBC local radio, why can they not use them to broadcast and then syndicate it to the national BBC stations. Same wtih TV

That would be a sensible use of resources... so no chance

 

[HomecountiesJohn]

R2 are in London, as is the One Show. BBC Breakfast is in Manchester as is the sports dept but otherwise they are in London still.

They like to do this de-camp thing and I'm with @Neilds , it adds nothing to the broadcast but costs more.

I'm quite certain it actually does add to the broadcast other than costs.

Those calling the shots at the BBC dont just sit round a table and think" sod it lets take everyone on a right old knees up free for all jolly because we can".

Anyone who works in that industry will tell you its not as great as people make it out to be.

 

[Orikoru]

I have OCD about a clean boot so I use those areas to keep scraper, window de-icer and other bits and bobs all hidden away and neat...

Good thinking. I mean I never even knew it was there so I'll be using it for all sorts now.
Thanks to you others who explained the purpose of it as well.

 

[Fade and Die]

HMRC and the process for paying additional NI contributions.

I phoned them a month ago to do this. After over an hour on the phone, I finally got through to someone and told them what years I wanted to pay for. They confirmed the figure, which I already knew. I got my bank card out to pay it, only to be told it doesn't work like that.

Instead they give you a 18 digit reference number and tell you to pay it via your bank. I took a note of the reference number, account and sort code, and asked them to send me an email confirming it as I was a bit worried about making a mistake writing it down. They said they couldn't do that, but would send me a letter confirming the details, and said that would take 7-10 days to get to me.

It's now 30 days since I spoke to them, and no letter. I am reluctant to make the payment with the details I scribbled down, particularly as they said the payment takes 8 weeks to show up on your account, so I would have 2 months worrying I had made a mistake with the 18 digit ref no.

So I'm now back waiting on the phone to try to get the letter, 40 minutes so far and no sign of a human.

It's almost as if they designed the process specifically to be difficult and off putting.

Could you not just make a small payment of say £100 and see if it ends up in your account before paying the full amount?

 

[rudebhoy]

Could you not just make a small payment of say £100 and see if it ends up in your account before paying the full amount?

That’s not a bad idea. The downside is it takes 8 weeks to show up on your record which takes me very close to the cut off date to make the full payment.

I did eventually get someone on the phone and they have promised to send me a letter with all the details. They said it would go out tonight so I should have it within 5-7 working days. I had to stifle a laugh at that!

 

[backwoodsman]

HMRC and the process for paying additional NI contributions.

I phoned them a month ago to do this. After over an hour on the phone, I finally got through to someone and told them what years I wanted to pay for. They confirmed the figure, which I already knew. I got my bank card out to pay it, only to be told it doesn't work like that.

Instead they give you a 18 digit reference number and tell you to pay it via your bank. I took a note of the reference number, account and sort code, and asked them to send me an email confirming it as I was a bit worried about making a mistake writing it down. They said they couldn't do that, but would send me a letter confirming the details, and said that would take 7-10 days to get to me.

It's now 30 days since I spoke to them, and no letter. I am reluctant to make the payment with the details I scribbled down, particularly as they said the payment takes 8 weeks to show up on your account, so I would have 2 months worrying I had made a mistake with the 18 digit ref no.

So I'm now back waiting on the phone to try to get the letter, 40 minutes so far and no sign of a human.

It's almost as if they designed the process specifically to be difficult and off putting.

I'm guessing you're probably paying AVC's? Which I did last year. System does seem rather bizarre and not user friendly. I just double checked the various numbers with them before I put the phone down - then got on with it & paid. Six weeks later I got in touch again (as advised) and it was confirmed all OK. A bit nerve wracking (paying blind as it were) but it does work

 

[rudebhoy]

I'm guessing you're probably paying AVC's? Which I did last year. System does seem rather bizarre and not user friendly. I just double checked the various numbers with them before I put the phone down - then got on with it & paid. Six weeks later I got in touch again (as advised) and it was confirmed all OK. A bit nerve wracking (paying blind as it were) but it does work

That’s good to know. I don’t see why they can’t use your NINO for the reference number rather than a random 18 digit number!