That is awful about your mate. We have just changed surgeries, to one much closer and they managed to give my wife a blood test within three days of joining, whereas the previous surgery couldn't get her one for two months. Apparently the new surgery doesn't use Anima, so, we will see how we get on. I think it all started going wrong after the pandemic, now the GP's don't seem to want to see patients face to face.
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WAMT....what annoyed me today!
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That is awful about your mate. We have just changed surgeries, to one much closer and they managed to give my wife a blood test within three days of joining, whereas the previous surgery couldn't get her one for two months. Apparently the new surgery doesn't use Anima, so, we will see how we get on. I think it all started going wrong after the pandemic, now the GP's don't seem to want to see patients face to face.
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Not having Anima is a big plus!!
Part of the problem here is our nearest surgery originally had four GPs when we moved here. Now there’s only one, plus a locum who comes in occasionally. Most of the appointments are being farmed out to either a walk in centre or a sister surgery (which are literally next to each other), but they’re a half hour drive away.
Several of my immediate family work in the NHS (my wife’s a retired NHS nurse specialist too). A couple of them have got disillusioned and jacked it in recently and gone over to the private sector, where the money’s better but more importantly the stress levels are way lower. My wife took early retirement as she could see the writing on the wall for the NHS…. overworked staff, buildings literally falling apart, systems not fit for purpose. That was pre COVID, apparently things are way worse now than when she left.
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Got a call from my dad, his car wouldn't start and he's stuck in a multistorey carpark, which is pretty tight. You can't tow an AWD and a trailer wouldn't fit in there, so I believe it would have to be specialist recovery equipment.
I went over to investigate and there were no lights coming up on the dash, so went to check the fuse. Look at the state of this design. Ultra low profile fuses and buried deep at the back of the footwell. What's worse, the fuse in question was the furthest away and had a wiring loom and parts of the metal frame blocking it. Nightmare. Not something I would have expected by Honda.
The photo doesn't really do it justice as to how awkward it was to get to and the angles you had to try and get your wrist to. Ended up pulling all the trim out as well.
This fuse circled in red (that's the replacement normal profile one in).
By comparison, this is what my previous BMW F30 fuse box location was like. A breeze to work on.
I went over to investigate and there were no lights coming up on the dash, so went to check the fuse. Look at the state of this design. Ultra low profile fuses and buried deep at the back of the footwell. What's worse, the fuse in question was the furthest away and had a wiring loom and parts of the metal frame blocking it. Nightmare. Not something I would have expected by Honda.
The photo doesn't really do it justice as to how awkward it was to get to and the angles you had to try and get your wrist to. Ended up pulling all the trim out as well.
This fuse circled in red (that's the replacement normal profile one in).
By comparison, this is what my previous BMW F30 fuse box location was like. A breeze to work on.
Something happened yesterday which really annoyed me. We haven't watched TV since mid 2020 and have notified the BBC twice in that time.
Yesterday there was a knock on the door and my wife answered it. Apparently, it was a guy in his fifties/sixties, dressed in blue (no badges), who handed my wife a leaflet and didn't say a word. She asked him what it was and he just walked off. The leaflet didn't have my name on it, just the address.
When I opened it up, it was all red letters - our records show your property has no TV licence. Act now, to avoid further investigation.
What really annoyed me, was that he could have posted the leaflet and that he could have spoken.
With behaviour like this, is it any wonder that a lot of people are not funding the BBC?
Yesterday there was a knock on the door and my wife answered it. Apparently, it was a guy in his fifties/sixties, dressed in blue (no badges), who handed my wife a leaflet and didn't say a word. She asked him what it was and he just walked off. The leaflet didn't have my name on it, just the address.
When I opened it up, it was all red letters - our records show your property has no TV licence. Act now, to avoid further investigation.
What really annoyed me, was that he could have posted the leaflet and that he could have spoken.
With behaviour like this, is it any wonder that a lot of people are not funding the BBC?
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In my opinion, there are possible explanations .
The first is that, if they're going to use delivery of a warning, as evidence in a prosecution, the licence department would need evidence of delivery. I imagine that he was simply performing the delivery into someone's hand, so that in a disputed case he could make a sworn statement that he had done so.
The second is that they may know that someone in the area is receiving off air broadcasts in the immediate area but are unable to get it closer than that. This may be intended to scare the guilty party into buying a licence.
The third is, perhaps, that they want to confirm that the property was occupied at the time of detection but don't want that to end up in some kind of altercation.
The fourth is that maybe he's fed up with being attacked and wanted to do his job and get away before that could happen!
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Are you sure it was genuine because it smells a little ripe to me
ancient_mariner
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We've not had interaction with the TV licensing people for a while now, but as I recall they are their own department and part of custard and exercise rather than the BBC. This kind of scare tactic is not unusual, and intended to 'encourage' the casual licence defaulter, but is obviously not going to make a difference to those who don't buy a licence intentionally.
FWIW things seem better than they used to be in terms of getting hassled for not having a licence. They used to knock on the door and tell us that their detector vans had detected us using a TV and request to inspect the premises with no warrant. This was of course untrue, since we have never had a TV. More recently it's just been a case of filling in an online form stating we don't watch any live TV and they leave us alone.
FWIW things seem better than they used to be in terms of getting hassled for not having a licence. They used to knock on the door and tell us that their detector vans had detected us using a TV and request to inspect the premises with no warrant. This was of course untrue, since we have never had a TV. More recently it's just been a case of filling in an online form stating we don't watch any live TV and they leave us alone.
woof woof
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I gather that the Beeb or the Govt., I don't know which, are trying to make it that the Beeb is on every possible service including Youtube so that escaping the licence fee is impossible. Personally I'd cut the Beeb massively and make it an opt in option as I believe their sins are too many and too frequent.
woof woof
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Something that annoyed me.
I have an MX5 which hasn't had a lot of use in recent years due to various reasons but nothing to do with the car. I thought I'd get it out, get some petrol, do some shopping and just go for a nice drive with the top down but sadly it didn't go well. I'd forgotten how much attention and grief even a humble MX5 can attract especially on a nice day and especially if you've got the top down and sadly I encountered two idiots who ruined the experience. One guy in a "hot hatch" of some sort and another in a BMW SUV. And before any keyboard worriers dive in and have a pop at me, No, I wasn't driving like a loon and attracting attention and deserving the hate. I was driving normally and responsibly and I always stick to the speed limit.
I really struggle to understand the hate for such a cheap and low powered car. Just about anyone could own one if they wanted to so there shouldn't be any envy factor so why the aggression and hate?
I only get the car out a few times a year but as I've loved small 2 seat soft tops since I was in my early 20's I've hung onto it and if and when it goes I know I wont have another but the hassle and grief I sometimes get just kills the enjoyment and I think I've had enough. Sadly.
I have an MX5 which hasn't had a lot of use in recent years due to various reasons but nothing to do with the car. I thought I'd get it out, get some petrol, do some shopping and just go for a nice drive with the top down but sadly it didn't go well. I'd forgotten how much attention and grief even a humble MX5 can attract especially on a nice day and especially if you've got the top down and sadly I encountered two idiots who ruined the experience. One guy in a "hot hatch" of some sort and another in a BMW SUV. And before any keyboard worriers dive in and have a pop at me, No, I wasn't driving like a loon and attracting attention and deserving the hate. I was driving normally and responsibly and I always stick to the speed limit.
I really struggle to understand the hate for such a cheap and low powered car. Just about anyone could own one if they wanted to so there shouldn't be any envy factor so why the aggression and hate?
I only get the car out a few times a year but as I've loved small 2 seat soft tops since I was in my early 20's I've hung onto it and if and when it goes I know I wont have another but the hassle and grief I sometimes get just kills the enjoyment and I think I've had enough. Sadly.
For many years the door to door visits have been outsourced to Capita (who have a reputation for trying to get people to sign paperwork agreeing they have been watching tv without a license).
The BBC have also recently started a temporary contract with a debt collection specialist called Themis recovery to provide “helpful” reminders to people that haven’t renewed - https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/themis
The BBC have also recently started a temporary contract with a debt collection specialist called Themis recovery to provide “helpful” reminders to people that haven’t renewed - https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/themis
ancient_mariner
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It's curious how some react to certain types of car. When I had the Karoq, people who were driving slowly (40 on national speed limit roads) would try to race me if I overtook. It's different with the BMW, even though the cars are very similar.
woof woof
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The thing is that it can be anyone. An elderly couple in an ordinary hatch back, a woman with her kids in the back (I kid you not), a youngster in a hot hatch. You just don't know, who it's going to be, The worst idiot magnet I had was my Lotus Elan SE but strangely my Elise attracted much less. I think the only soft top I've had that didn't attract any was my Midget or at least I don't remember any. Even my MGB attracted idiots. I remember one middle aged man who came up to me once to tell me how "s**t" my MGB was. In those days I would and that day did give both barrels and I've never met anyone who can match me for bad language and one liners if I'm in the mood to do that but these days... I just want a quiet life without all the madness. I've even had this when in my Evoque and they're everywhere. Why? There's just no reasonable answer except... They're idiots. I might calm down but at the moment I'm thinking of selling the MX5 even though I know I'll never have another.
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Nod
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When Mrs Nod had her MX-5, we had no negative interactions at all. Out on the bikes, the only comments we get are positive.
woof woof
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I think where I live could be a factor. I'm in Cleveland between Redcar and Middlesbrough (exactly half way actually) and TBH it's not the best area and nearby are some areas which even though I love the area and never want to move way will admit are nothing short of awful. That could be a part of it but for whatever reason, it's common, not every time, but common enough.
Marc
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As a wheelchair user, these people drive me nuts! I had one (van) park on the drop kerb when I was half way across the road. I had nowhere to go!
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A traffic policeman, who happens to be a close relative, once told me that pavement parkers always have "a good excuse" for their behaviour; for a given value of "good".
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I think the 'good excuse' is to allow traffic to continue to move freely and reduce the risk of their vehicle being hit. If you think about it,it's less likely to be hit if parked on the road because traffic would have to wait for a clear run to pass. Park it half on the footpath,as many do, encourages drivers to 'squeeze by' and, at least, risk the wing mirror of the parked vehicle coming to grief.
Apart from cars being parked wholly or half on footpaths are businesses that put advertising A-boards outside their shops..Cafés,pubs and restaurants. will have menus written on them. Councils just don't take any action..I assume because they don't want to appear anti-bussiness. It's something a local bobby might have kept an eye on in the 'old days' but we don't have them anymore.I think it would be 'wilful obstruction of the highway'..the pavement being part of the highway.
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Don't get me started on people who park on pavements - selfish pigs. Never does a day pass without me having to back track (sometimes a very long way) to be able to cross the road to get past them. Often it's impossible as many roads only have one pavement - then I have to give up, turn round and go home. 
Thankfully, this year Councils are being given more powers to hand out fines of up to a hundred pounds. They'll make a mint in my area if they make the effort - I really hope they do, it will be a life-changer for me.
The fine isn't enough though. The offenders should have their legs numbed for a week and be forced to use a wheelchair . . .
www.bbc.co.uk
Thankfully, this year Councils are being given more powers to hand out fines of up to a hundred pounds. They'll make a mint in my area if they make the effort - I really hope they do, it will be a life-changer for me.
The fine isn't enough though. The offenders should have their legs numbed for a week and be forced to use a wheelchair . . .
New powers for councils in England to fine pavement parkers
Councils will be able to take action against those creating "unnecessary obstruction" of the pavement.
www.bbc.co.uk
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Marc
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I've often said that it's a good idea for people to spend even just a few hours in a wheelchair, so they can really understand the difficulties. Even the slightest inclines, which feel completely flat for someone who is able-bodied, can be totally exhausting for someone in a manual chair.
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Don't get me started on people who park on pavements - selfish pigs. Never does a day pass without me having to back track (sometimes a very long way) to be able to cross the road to get past them. Often it's impossible as many roads only have one pavement - then I have to give up, turn round and go home.
Thankfully, this year Councils are being given more powers to hand out fines of up to a hundred pounds. They'll make a mint in my area if they make the effort - I really hope they do, it will be a life-changer for me.
The fine isn't enough though. The offenders should have their legs numbed for a week and be forced to use a wheelchair . . .
New powers for councils in England to fine pavement parkers
Councils will be able to take action against those creating "unnecessary obstruction" of the pavement.
Despite all the politics, I'm not anti-pavement parking because of how things have evolved with cars, population etc, but I am very much anti-pavement blocking and drop kerb blocking.
The blanket ban thing was a silly (and lazy) broadsword approach and now they are having to assess individual streets because of how narrow the roads can be. It has become time consuming, messy and probably expensive. Furthermore, it causes more traffic jams with all the cars fully on the road, despite there being very wide pavements, and the stuck cars, lorries and buses sit there chugging out pollution - which the councils keep bleating on about being against. It also makes it more dangerous to cross the road.
The guidance for vans is when parking on the pavement during deliveries they need to leave 1.5m free, so the easy thing would have been to make it that all vehicles adhere to this. It's easy enough for the majority of drivers to ensure they leave this as a minimum, the Vitruvian Man proportion makes it pretty straight forward, give or take. A traffic warden only needs lightweight telescopic pole that extends to 1.5m and they can simply walk down the pavement and anything that obstructs gets a ticket. Lemon squeezy.
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Slightly different, but I have to admit that it wasn't until I started cycling again that I realised just how crazy, idiotic, dangerous, blind and selfish so many car drivers are when it comes to cyclists.
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It seems to me that most people are reasonable and obey the advice to "first do no harm".
The problem that enforcement faces every day, is that the small minority of the selfish and the stupid have an effect out of all proportion to their numbers. They're the ones that the rules need to deal with. If the rules include the word "reasonable", those are the people who, offered an inch, will insist on taking a yard, like this bloke...
If I was 45 years younger, then given the way most drivers treat cyclists, there is no way I would have taken up cycling, let alone cycle racing.
Nod
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At a guess, that's an Amazon (or similar) van who is delivering which is a reasonable excuse. TBH, I'm only surprised that it's on the pavement since it looks like the road is wide enough for something to pass if it was on the road.
Had to walk out into the road yesterday because there was a car parked on the pavement across double yellows and double yellow pavement stripes. There was a blue badge on the dashboard...
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Exactly. Rather than punish everyone lightly, surely it's better to simply punish the actual offenders harshly?
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I consider it much more important that such, very stupid, behaviour could cause a serious or fatal collision between a vehicle and a pedestrian.
Someone whose ability to move or respond quickly is compromised, forced by that driver's stupidity to walk on the road, could be knocked down by another driver. That is why, in my opinion, pavement parking should be outlawed nationally and dealt with by a sufficiently severe punishment, perhaps confiscation of the vehicle.
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Years ago my mother,who had impaired sight..macular disease, tripped over after walking into an A Board on a narrow footpath in the centre of Stroud ..six miles away from Gloucester and suffererd a nasty bruise. The shop owner was, at least, very concerned. Looking back on it we should have maybe sued the shop owner.Don't get me started on people who park on pavements - selfish pigs. Never does a day pass without me having to back track (sometimes a very long way) to be able to cross the road to get past them. Often it's impossible as many roads only have one pavement - then I have to give up, turn round and go home.
Thankfully, this year Councils are being given more powers to hand out fines of up to a hundred pounds. They'll make a mint in my area if they make the effort - I really hope they do, it will be a life-changer for me.
The fine isn't enough though. The offenders should have their legs numbed for a week and be forced to use a wheelchair . . .
New powers for councils in England to fine pavement parkers
Councils will be able to take action against those creating "unnecessary obstruction" of the pavement.
I see that local enforcement officers can now issue fixed penalty notices for any obstruction to a footpath. That's re vehicles but I suppose it can apply to any obstruction. It has to be reasonable because 'obstruction' isn't defined. It seems that where vehicles obstruct some of the footpath to allow vehicles, especially the police,fire or ambulance services, to get by then that's acceptable Also, the council can keep the money but it must be spent on traffic-related issues/projects. I don't understand why the issue has been ignored for so many years considering the inconvenience to people like yoursef who have to use wheelchairs and those with impaired sight.
"However, some motorists are likely to look upon it as another means to attack the nation's drivers with penalties to bolster council coffers."
As Marc suggests, people who complain need to spend a day in a wheelchair ......or be blindfolded.
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