I know this will sound wrong .because I am interested in all that goes on on the FOG
But
I'd like to un notify myself on a couple of threads that are not really relevant to me being in the uk
All threads should either have a "notify" or "unnotify" button depending on the status of your notifications. Individual posts do not have this option. So, be sure you look at the top right corner of the page before the first post.
The replies button shows you threads that have new posts in which you posted. So, they are replies in a topic you've participated in. Since that's what that is designed to do, it cannot be turned off. The forum doesn't have an "ignore thread" capability.
The notify link is to get email notifications when there's a new post in a thread you want to watch.