Is there strange/odd threads lately, or is it me?

Yes. There are definitely profiles that come and go. I have also noticed that many replies get deleted. I understand that the poster can do this, is that correct ? I mean completely remove a reply as if it never occurred ? Also I have just received an alert telling me that my post created has been reported as spam or abuse and removed when I did not create the discussion. I simply replied to it but absolutely could never be taken as a abuse or spam.  In either case, I'm sorry to say, that the forum is badly managed and run. There doesn't seem to be anyone here on a regular basis that knows the forum or can deal with anything. Everything seems to be expected to run by itself. I appreciate that the pm facility was eventually sorted but the whole technical side could do with an overhaul and someone should be here as a mod on a regular basis. 

Yes. There are definitely profiles that come and go. I have also noticed that many replies get deleted. I understand that the poster can do this, is that correct ? I mean completely remove a reply as if it never occurred ? Also I have just received an alert telling me that my post created has been reported as spam or abuse and removed when I did not create the discussion. I simply replied to it but absolutely could never be taken as a abuse or spam.  In either case, I'm sorry to say, that the forum is badly managed and run. There doesn't seem to be anyone here on a regular basis that knows the forum or can deal with anything. Everything seems to be expected to run by itself. I appreciate that the pm facility was eventually sorted but the whole technical side could do with an overhaul and someone should be here as a mod on a regular basis. 

do the mods get paid?

Turtle said:

someone should be here as a mod on a regular basis.

If you look at the traffic on this site I'd be guessing at less than 200 total posts per day-  that's not enough to pay someone to look after it - we are a tiny forum with very few active regulars.