In Portsmouth the ships used to shine searchlights into the night sky and sound their horns. That's enough to wake even the heaviest sleeper.

Fridge freezer rage this time.

We had a full LG fridge freezer on Christmas Day. Then the motor started whining. Couldn't hear it much over the shrieks of Ukrainian children running around the house (that's another story, in the Happy Thread). Boxing day all was quiet. We had power to the fridge but the motor was dead.

We arranged use of someone's freezer for half of the frozen food.
We managed to juggle the rest of the frozen food into the second freezer, taking out the unnecessary things, like ice for the Gin and Tonics.
We emptied the spare fridge (wine fridge) to make way for the food in the main fridge (The wine is more than sufficiently chilled just by being left outside).

So on 27 Dec we contact Domestic & General who insure the item.
We complete an on line form and book a visit from a local electrician for 30 Dec.
Local = he lives in Leicester. We live 20 miles from Leicester.
He doesn't turn up. Doesn't answer the phone. Doesn't respond to emails.

Today (31/12) we try to contact D&G. You can only do this by their website.
We can't book a new appointment as the old one hasn't been signed off.
They have not returned our complaint.
They continue to take our monthly insurance fee.

We continue to have a shiny fridge that's as quiet as a showroom model (and its only 3 years old).

Moral of this tale. I'm going back to Bosch/Siemens. You get what you pay for.
Oh and aftermarket insurance is a scam because they just want your money and don't offer any aftermarket support.



At least we have enough prosecco to be going on with.

Bob G

EDIT: We have a new appointment for 5 Jan. 10 days after our first booking was made.

Don't fret, Mick - 9.40pm as I type this, and I'm in bed already!

It's been many years since I could drink more than 1 pint without my heart doing strange things but, by then, the vast majority of pubs sold NYE tickets and, if you didn't have a ticket, you weren't allowed in. That really put a stop to pub crawls/staggers.
Maybe in the current economic climate for the pubs they've relaxed that now.
All I know is I'll be likely to be in bed by 22.30 ish with a good book and then hope to be asleep before all the firework malarkey starts.
Yep - je suis un boring old fart

"Stupid boy Pike!" 

I've got a story to go with that.

In 1972, a young Bealman was in-between parties in Fence Houses. Yes THE Fence Houses as in the 2mm layout.

It was raining. Anyway, the bloke I was with, Alan Wilson saw headlights coming and jumped out in front of them, acting like a lunatic.

I thought this was really cool, so gave it a try when the next headlights showed up across the railway line.

Unfortunately these headlights belonged to cops, who said New Year's over for you, mate. Get in the back

My tutu wearing days are long gone as well 

Don't think I've been to a pub on New Year's Eve for over 10 years now. Just looked on line and our local pub (only one for miles around but pretty big) shuts at 10.30pm tonight. How times have changed.

"Crash a party rock!" for the youngsters round 'ere methinks. Those were the days 

that sounds familiar, just got home after an afternoon at Stomping Ground brewery with the 2 daughters and freinds.

7pm New Year's Eve here. At club but going home. Sorry, but I'm over the NYE crap.

All these old people dressed up and going to dance around blowing streamers and stuff at midnight.

No thanks.

Happy New Year!

Thanks all, much appreciated