Just a quick update:
We were supposed to move house in August, but the solicitors we were recommended in Birmingham turned out to be a bit of a nightmare, had to be constantly chased up for action, so we did not get completion and arrive down here in Darzet until 7th September.
The next problem were BT, who completely mucked up our order for the installation of the landline and broadband services, and eventually only got around to connecting us to the internet middle of last week. I could write pages about the number of times I phoned them and they promised to phone me back to update me on progress "before 8 p.m. tomorrow" - but then failed to call! In fact I have written pages and they've gone off to the Complaints Department in Durham. Not that I've had the courtesy of a reply, mind you.
I made sure their front line operatives at the 150 Call Centre knew I was very unhappy, and formally raised a complaint and demand for compensation with them. Eventually they offered me £15. I told them that was an insult. 40 minutes and three different operatives later, I'd got it up to £35! I told them to go away and reconsider, and to bear in mind I was a BT shareholder; see you at the AGM, suckers! The latest is that they have said a senior complaints wallah will phone me back by next Friday. We'll see ....
On top of that, both PC and laptop have been infected by malware since mid-July. In consequence, my internet time has been strictly limited to checking emails, no browsing or social media as that was triggering the malware. To cut a long story short, my computer guy concluded that somehow it was residing in our TP-Link router and thus re-infecting both machines every time they'd been cleaned - a very unusual occurrence, I'm told, but not unknown with TP-Link routers. I've now got a different hub so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
I think I'm going to be lurking rather than actively posting (on all social media) for a bit until I'm sure the malware has definitely disappeared.
Message for Kaz - there's an item in this week's Western Gazette down here about Mick's brother's commendation. If you'd like a copy of the article, I can scan it and email it to you - let me know!
Message to Ally - do not trust any football club that describes its burgers as "gourmet". This is merely a device to put the price up by £2 ..... Salisbury FC 5 Barnstaple Town 0 this afternoon, plus a happy hour before the game watching the skydiving at Old Sarum Airfield next door.
And best wishes to everyone!
Ossie