Also found the following error in forge 1480 log:

[12:41:48] [Client thread/ERROR] [NotEnoughItems/]: Missing container for randomthings

Its a error message from Forge - I'm not sure if it significant or not.
Since I wrote the issue I'v learnt that some of the errors in the log isn't real errors.
I have 25+ add-ons loaded and the message is only logged for two add-ons.

Next time I play I will check if NEI actually have a problem or not.
(I did get a crash opening the achievement panel, not sure what add-on though).

What do you mean? What is not working?