"I called QF today to find out about an intra-Europe award on BA. They said it was possible but had to include in the calculation of miles the open/surface sector."
Absolutey correct.
as it says in rule 10.4.5 regarding award travel
(g) Open Jaw travel is permitted, subject to 10.4.3. Surface Sectors are permitted, but the distance between the disembarkation point and the next embarkation point will be included in the Award Point zone calculation. If there is no re-embarkation then 10.4.3 applies
Dave