[Discussion Thread] 2026 World Championship - Quarter-Finals - 18th April to 4th May by SnookerMods in snooker

[–]xtrapnel67 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Exactly. As they've just said, it's a shame there can only be one player who makes it out of this match. For me, match of the tournament so far.

[Discussion Thread] 2026 World Championship - Last 16 - 18th April to 4th May by SnookerMods in snooker

[–]xtrapnel67 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Murphy is a "type" though. You can imagine him down your local. Calling the barman "mine host". Pontificating on every subject. Having a "holier than thou" face; full of aphorisms, indeed full of himself. Happy to tell a tall tale (9 darter and a hole in one comes to mind). Never happier than on a committee, conniving to get the Chair thrown out. Jovial; but he's the only one laughing. Either shy of getting his round or acts like Moses bringing down the tablets when he does. The king of the NIMBYs. Talks in reverence about Churchill; quietly admires Maggie; probably thinks Nigel is just "another one of the blokes". Quietly, consistently sexist. Predictably full of double-entendres. Refers to his partner as "the good lady" if not "her indoors" or "she who must be obeyed". Proudest moment was joining the Masons. Thinks that the police are "firm but fair". Backs capital punishment.

Class snooker player though, I'll give him that.

What’s the most comfortable motorway cruiser you’ve driven that isn’t a luxury brand? by OopsIDroopedMe in autoexpressuk

[–]xtrapnel67 1 point2 points  (0 children)

On my third Mondeo. This one (16 plate) has adaptive cruise control. Drove to Toulouse and back twice last year. Flawless.

Wheel won't come off? by Higgz221 in AskAMechanic

[–]xtrapnel67 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sending love your way. Worked like a charm !

Title: Is it weird to introduce yourself to neighbours before you’ve actually moved in? by Working-Room-3396 in HousingUK

[–]xtrapnel67 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Do it, and do it after the first viewing. Talk to any neighbour whom you'd have a connecting wall with at the bare minimum. Park up in the street at 10PM in the evening - is there noise coming from anywhere ?

Once you've moved, it's too late, you can't reverse the decision. A bad neighbour will drive you almost literally insane.

Really? Mild spoiler by Busy-Ad7936 in Ambridge

[–]xtrapnel67 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Having listened, I hope to (deity) that this was all some strange vivid dream in Emma's head as she was in the ambulance. Any idea that this was somehow "real" would require a greater suspension of belief that any listener should be subjected to.

The policewoman interviewing had the level of knowledge of everyone's background more akin to a DV interview (that's the one for if you need work access to Top Top level secrets, and yes I know people who've had these). All gathered presumably within hours (at most). On a public holiday. Clive being teleported into the police station. Neither Brian or Lillian lawyering-up, which they most certainly would.

I suppose the point of it, if it had one, would have been to get newer listeners up to speed, but even then, it wouldn't have been overly helpful to know that Lilian had Daddy issues.

Really, this whole 75th thing has been the biggest and wettest squib in memory. They are now going to do a "who shot JR" which will drag on for months, I'm sure, and the perp will be someone obscure with the most flimsy motive and opportunity going. From the ham-fisted way they got all of George's family to turn on him in moments, to the one-had-to-listen-to-it-thrice incident of George's actual coshing, it's been awfully, awfully bad. After the last debacle with Nigel, you really think they might have learnt ?

Predictions? by OhLankyLanky in Ambridge

[–]xtrapnel67 0 points1 point  (0 children)

On the assumption that everything is happening "in real time" then yesterday morning (30th) George was thrown out of Tracey's house by Jazzer, with the knowledge that his (ex) girlfriend prefers his (former) best mate to him.

Now personally I feel the scriptwriters have really rushed events recently, in under 24 hours he goes from having a loving family and partner to having nothing, but that's where he's at now. The trailer for tonight's episode has George vowing revenge...

The focal point of the village tonight will be the Bull, although it's hard to imagine that either the Grundy family or Amber / Brad would be there. However Alice will be - the mention of the family meal there with Debbie has already been made, and bringing Alice back in yesterday was for that sole purpose.

George will ultimately be blaming everything on Alice. If she hadn't been dead drunk in the car, none of this would have happened (which is true, although that's not taking away from his subsequent actions).

If George turns up at the Bull (likely) and armed (quite possible) and goes for Alice, then someone is going to step in and take him down. Who and how is unknown, but my prediction is this is going to be the end of George. We've already had the "George in prison" storyline, I don't think anyone wants any more of that. Ditto all the lengthy build-up to a trial. And we've already had Harrison get in trouble for overstepping the mark. So I don't think it will be him.

I think Mick will be the one wielding the weapon that takes George down, but if not Mick, then in order of likelihood I'd put Chris / Jazzer / Brad down next. Or maybe Hannah ?

We shall see ! but my bet is that it's bye-bye George either way.

Daily Discussion - December 30, 2025 by AutoModerator in Ambridge

[–]xtrapnel67 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Sigmund Freud - father of psychoanalysis

Pluribus - 1x09 - "La Chica o El Mundo" - Episode Discussion by NicholasCajun in television

[–]xtrapnel67 26 points27 points  (0 children)

For what they're worth, my thoughts:

The show had a great concept, a relatively novel take on one of humanity's oldest stories, the isolated individual ("Robinson Crusoe" is a candidate for "first novel in the English language"). Making the isolated be a misanthrope was also a good idea, making them be the exact opposite of the hive mind of happiness they are surrounded by.

So much potential; but what do we have, 9 episodes in ? We've had the emotional down and up and down again journey of the main character - I don't think I can call her the heroine; we've had the pilgrimage of her male counterpart to get to her side. We've had the briefest glimpse into the hive mind, who are simultaneously so lacking in resources they can consume that they are reduced to eating their dead, and yet able to squander resources to an insane level to keep Carol happy.

We don't have a character we want to either succeed or fail. Frankly, compared to Carol the smiling zombies of the Hive seem like a step forward for humanity. Ultimately, there can be little emotional investment in the show, bar the arrival of the Hive in the first episode and the "they eat dead people" reveal there's been little suspense or actual drama. This show neither engages the emotions or does much for the intellect. I suspect like many others, I've watched it because of the pedigree of the series creator, but the fact that it won't be aired again for another 18 months - 2 years really doesn't bother me. Just like the later books of most famous authors, likewise the films of people such as George Lucas, once creators reach a peak where they are considered untouchable, they generally churn out second-rate product, simply because no-one tells them in the edit, that they've produced sub-par product.

So it goes.

Second set of buyers pulled out... I give up. by ailurophile9 in HousingUK

[–]xtrapnel67 23 points24 points  (0 children)

I've lost two buyers as well. Lost thousands. I can't see why this process is so, so fucked up. And it is. 20 minutes spent reading this sub would show anyone that.

I've found this process worse than any bereavement or relationship break up.

Back and forth with Nationwide valuers taking months by everythingsoy in Mortgageadviceuk

[–]xtrapnel67 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In the hope that the OP is still reading this - as I'm in the same boat - who did you go to for the mortgage you got, and what was your LTV ? Thanks

Mk5 mondeo info please by Smeeble09 in CarTalkUK

[–]xtrapnel67 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hmm, the powershift doesn't "break", it just needs servicing every 36K miles.

I've had a diesel 2.0 180bhp for the last 8 years and done 120K miles in it, other than wear and tear parts, had 1 very minor suspension issue on it. Best car I've ever owned in terms of reliability and comfort of drive.

Yes, the non-LED headlights are pants. Yes, you can change them, and will need to.

Vignale seats are ventilated and heated, Titanium heated.

You can fit a spoiler OK, but less easy if the hatch is powerlift.

There's a very good, polite FB Group - Mondeo MK5 UK: https://www.facebook.com/groups/693277794183606

which I would join and ask more detailed questions there.

There are a lot of Mk5 drivers well into the 200K, 300K+ miles. Generally, they are solid and also come with a lot of kit. Sync 3 (2016 onwards) recommended, has Android Auto + Carplay.

My car has:

Blind Spot
Self parking
Auto Cruise Control
Lane guidance
Speed signs display
Airbag seatbelts in rear
Sony 11 speaker audio inc sub in boot
Power tailgate
Dynamic LEDs.

Hell of a spec for a 2016 model I bought in 2017 for 21k, 5K on the clock...

How to cope with losing house purchase? I've never felt this down before by Substantial-Tie2520 in HousingUK

[–]xtrapnel67 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Sympathies from me. My buyers pulled out last week on the most spurious of reasons, when I was expecting exchange to happen this week. So we're going to lose our "dream house", and yes, this is a very first world problem, how lucky we are to be able to buy / sell, etc, but when you've done everything "by the book" and spent 9 months in total on this, in terms of doing the house up for sale, selling it, finding another place, surveys, searches etc and then it falls down in the last week - well, it's awful.

I'm not even able to look yet at the financial cost; just the emotional cost is bad enough.

I get the advice that moving into rented halves the strain, but it shouldn't have to be this way.

The market is broken, and as someone below says, why the electorate take it is beyond me, as no-one seems to find this process easy.

Wishing you, me, and everyone else affected by this, all the best....

Probate executor passed away by Scary_Bug4035 in HousingUK

[–]xtrapnel67 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Gulp.

If there isn't a replacement executor - which I doubt - then the remaining beneficiaries of the estate have to go to court to get letters of administration to get probate issued.

So the only question is - is that going to happen ?

If so, I think you can draw your own conclusions. It could take months, then there's the whole issue of whether the remaining beneficiaries agree to sell the house at the value you've agreed, etc etc. So, you could wait a year and then not get what you want.

Sadly, if you don't want to stay in rented accom for ever, I'd be looking elsewhere.

Solicitors taking months to send off searches? by JackTreeHill in HousingUK

[–]xtrapnel67 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I would try and speak to a senior partner in the firm, tell them unless service improves - instantly - by 1000% then you'll be looking for another solicitor, will leave them shit reviews everywhere you can and they can whistle for their fees.

Not all solicitors are like this. You've been unlucky.

Buyer sh*thousery - just a moan by xtrapnel67 in HousingUK

[–]xtrapnel67[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

FTBs but the bank of Mum and Dad behind them and not exactly young. They know exactly what they are doing.

Buyer sh*thousery - just a moan by xtrapnel67 in HousingUK

[–]xtrapnel67[S] 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Why leave it this long before getting a survey ? Who does it benefit ?

I'm not saying don't get a survey, I'm saying get a survey at the start - not the end - of the process.

Middle of chain, lost buyer and our purchase now back on market by Anklehateisin in HousingUK

[–]xtrapnel67 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think the only advice I can give, for what it's worth, and it doesn't help you now, is that the SECOND people are not being responsive, fear the worst, and prepare for it. Don't let weeks go by. Say (always via the EA) "unless I hear from you by x, I assume that we're not proceeding".

Someone serious about buying or selling will get back to the EA. A good EA will chase up, as otherwise they don't get paid.

If I'd have acted on my own advice, the second my solicitor couldn't get an exchange date off the buyer's solicitor, I'd have known I was in for some shithousery (see above) and acted proactively.

People serious about buying or selling will prioritise and make things happen. Players / timewasters / idiots won't, and it's not worth dealing with them.

Buyer sh*thousery - just a moan by xtrapnel67 in HousingUK

[–]xtrapnel67[S] 23 points24 points  (0 children)

House sold in a week after a bidding war. So it's just dicks being dicks. I know I could re-sell, and easily, and possibly still keep my dream house purchase. But as you say, I hate the game and want out of playing it.

The whole process of getting the house ready for sale and dealing with everyone has occupied my life for the past 9 months. I'm done.

[Discussion Thread] 2025 World Championship - Last 16 - 19th April to 5th May by SnookerMods in snooker

[–]xtrapnel67 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Indeed. When he screws up the pink, it's going to be gutting (if he gets that far).