Today I'm happy about......

[LeverEnd]

Well done to her Clapton.

[Worthy4England]

Trafford College Business Training Awards tonight where our lass won Apprentice of the Year in child care. I really could not be more proud!

Good for her and congrats to you both.

Well done to young Clappers. Even more impressive whilst in child care...I blame the parents.

[clapton is god]

Trafford College Business Training Awards tonight where our lass won Apprentice of the Year in child care. I really could not be more proud!

Good for her and congrats to you both.

Well done to young Clappers. Even more impressive whilst in child care...I blame the parents.

AND.... even more impressive if you consider that she herself is in care! She has done fantastically well. I don't think I have ever met a more self motivated person and it has been a privilege to be part of her life this last 18 months. She is 18 in a month so her status changes with us but she will be staying on here for up to another 3yrs, which is great.

[thebish]

^ absolutely fab!

[clapton is god]

When I retired from my last job, through outright maladministration by the Government Actuary Department, I and many other emergency service staff were cheated out of a goodly portion of our hard earned pension (around 20%). After a seven year legal battle through the courts the Pension Ombudsman has just decided in our favour. We have a ways to go yet but it looks like I might finally get the pension I paid for instead of the pension they thought I should have had and would never kick up a fuss about.

[Bijou Bob]

When I retired from my last job, through outright maladministration by the Government Actuary Department, I and many other emergency service staff were cheated out of a goodly portion of our hard earned pension (around 20%). After a seven year legal battle through the courts the Pension Ombudsman has just decided in our favour. We have a ways to go yet but it looks like I might finally get the pension I paid for instead of the pension they thought I should have had and would never kick up a fuss about.

I just hope your Ex hasn't also read the same article............................

[clapton is god]

When I retired from my last job, through outright maladministration by the Government Actuary Department, I and many other emergency service staff were cheated out of a goodly portion of our hard earned pension (around 20%). After a seven year legal battle through the courts the Pension Ombudsman has just decided in our favour. We have a ways to go yet but it looks like I might finally get the pension I paid for instead of the pension they thought I should have had and would never kick up a fuss about.

I just hope your Ex hasn't also read the same article............................

No, that's nicely boxed off. I gave her the house but kept my pension.

[Bijou Bob]

Well played sir. Over the past 8 years I've made CSA payments to my ex for the kids, every month without fail - never late and never short. I don't regret a single penny of what is a frankly enormous sum, but today they tell me that despite my son finishing college this week and earning a decent wage himself now, I still have to continue paying until September. That has pished me off enormously.

[Montreal Wanderer]

When I retired from my last job, through outright maladministration by the Government Actuary Department, I and many other emergency service staff were cheated out of a goodly portion of our hard earned pension (around 20%). After a seven year legal battle through the courts the Pension Ombudsman has just decided in our favour. We have a ways to go yet but it looks like I might finally get the pension I paid for instead of the pension they thought I should have had and would never kick up a fuss about.

I just hope your Ex hasn't also read the same article............................

No, that's nicely boxed off. I gave her the house but kept my pension.

Exactly what I did, Clappers, gambling my pension funds would rise faster than house prices (my pension was a defined contribution not defined benefit so compounded over the years). Turned out to be a virtual tie in value terms, but I'm cash rich and asset poor while the ex is the opposite. No regrets since she has to maintain the asset while I just count dividends....

[Montreal Wanderer]

Well played sir. Over the past 8 years I've made CSA payments to my ex for the kids, every month without fail - never late and never short. I don't regret a single penny of what is a frankly enormous sum, but today they tell me that despite my son finishing college this week and earning a decent wage himself now, I still have to continue paying until September. That has pished me off enormously.

I've been paying those for 13 years every month, BB, but my youngest (still in college!)just turned 25 and I'm finally off the hook legally. I got the judgement last week. Who decides the date in the UK, and why September? Here it is the courts (my ex and I made a joint application which is a lot cheaper). I still support the child but not through payments to the ex.

[Bijou Bob]

The child support agency decide the date Monty, which is apparently dictated by the date child benefit ceases. In my ex's case, that date is this September. I'm going to be substantially better off as my eldest finishes uni next month too. I'll still obviously support them both, although not via my ex.

[Montreal Wanderer]

The child support agency decide the date Monty, which is apparently dictated by the date child benefit ceases. In my ex's case, that date is this September. I'm going to be substantially better off as my eldest finishes uni next month too. I'll still obviously support them both, although not via my ex.

Over here it is the courts (well a single judge actually) and can be changed on application any time if, for example, the financial situation of the parents changes. Otherwise, it stops when the child is 18 or, if still in college, 25. Our child support agencies - basically public or private social workers - can only make recommendations (thank goodness).

[Dujon]

Good luck with the outcome, Clappers. In my case it was my wife's underpayment of her superannuation investment when she left work (1973) prior to the birth of our first child. When the cheque arrived in the mail it didn't look right so I sat down with all her bank statements and pay slips to find out whether or not we were right. There were about twelve years of records through which to wade. It took a couple or three evenings to complete the exercise after which we knew we were right. Fortunately we didn't need to resort to legal action as, after a bit of to-ing and fro-ing, the organisation admitted the error and remitted the balance due. The amount involved escapes me but I do recall that the underpayment would have purchased half a new and decent family car.

[Abdoulaye's Twin]

At the weekend we rescued a couple of kittens as there are so many abandoned/abused here. So here is Indy:



He's 5 weeks old and was tossed out of a car 3 weeks ago.

An here is Bubbles, who was found in a factory and is 7 weeks old:



Both are Arabian Mau's and a pain in the arse! Mrs AT is happy, which is something I suppose

[Montreal Wanderer]

They certainly have big ears and thin faces - I'm not sure I'd seen the breed before. Unwanted cats are a problem everywhere. July 1st is moving day for apartment dwellers in Montreal and many just leave their pet behind for a variety of reasons. These wander around and are either adopted or become feral. It breaks the heart of animal lovers.

[Abdoulaye's Twin]

They certainly have big ears and thin faces - I'm not sure I'd seen the breed before. Unwanted cats are a problem everywhere. July 1st is moving day for apartment dwellers in Montreal and many just leave their pet behind for a variety of reasons. These wander around and are either adopted or become feral. It breaks the heart of animal lovers.

With summer temperatures what they are here it is a major problem. So many people just throw them out the door when their contract is up and head home.

Arabian Mau's have big ears and long bodies. They are also noisier than your average tabby. Currently trying to get them to play nice together and not trash our new sofa

[Bruce Rioja]

Not sure why but it appears to be Be Nice to Bruce Day.

Up to now, my mate's Mrs has called me "An absolute star", girl from the travel agents who sorts all my travel shite out called me "Way too nice", and favourite colleague has told me that she "Lurves" me.

I could get used to this.

And you lot can all go feck yourselves

[Gary the Enfield]

Not sure why but it appears to be Be Nice to Bruce Day.

Up to now, my mate's Mrs has called me "An absolute star", girl from the travel agents who sorts all my travel shite out called me "Way too nice", and favourite colleague has told me that she "Lurves" me.

I could get used to this.

And you lot can all go feck yourselves

But Brucie Baby, we love you too!

[Bruce Rioja]

Not sure why but it appears to be Be Nice to Bruce Day.

Up to now, my mate's Mrs has called me "An absolute star", girl from the travel agents who sorts all my travel shite out called me "Way too nice", and favourite colleague has told me that she "Lurves" me.

I could get used to this.

And you lot can all go feck yourselves

But Brucie Baby, we love you too!

[Gary the Enfield]

Not sure why but it appears to be Be Nice to Bruce Day.

Up to now, my mate's Mrs has called me "An absolute star", girl from the travel agents who sorts all my travel shite out called me "Way too nice", and favourite colleague has told me that she "Lurves" me.

I could get used to this.

And you lot can all go feck yourselves

But Brucie Baby, we love you too!

What fecking page is THAT on!!!!!?????