I am heartened that controllers wish to have a call from GA operating close to their boundaries (Ive always understood this to be the case) but of recent I've had not such positive experiences:
Luton politely told me to get off their frequencey when I called to let them know I was heading north close to their western boundary; and Essex ignored my 3 calls when close to them in the LTN/STN gap (and no it wasnt wrong frequency or radio failure - I heard them ignore someone else and a few minutes later Lakenheath received me strenght 5).
In both cases it did not make much difference to me as it was good VMC etc and my calls were really for their benefit - does'nt encourage one to maye a voluntary call another time tho......