I would have dropped you an email by response Willard, but I'll risk the wrath of STW by posting my response here as there isnt an addy in your profile:
The Stumpjumper FSR is a great 'bit of everything' bike. You can race it cross country, spend the day on it in the lakes or whatever. It is very good at most things, and one of the best all-round trail bikes I reckon. The Pitch is excellent down hill, bearable up hill, and ridable all day, but only the down hill bit is really fun, and the rest of it is alright.
For general riding, I'd certainly go for the Stumpjumper – and objiously I'd go for the one I'm selling 😉 instead of spending twice as much on a bike where you don't get to choose your own spec.
If you're in Ipswich, you're not far from me in Norwich. Drop me an email if you'd like to take a look or know anything more.
Incidentally, I really wouldn't go for an xxl if you can avoid it. The problem is that the bigger they get, the longer the wheelbase, which makes them less chuckable. I'm sure at 6ft5 you'll be fine on an xl.
Hardtails are often cheaper – really depends what you want. I usually ride a hardtail now because I find them more fun for the sort of riding I mainly do, but a full susser will be more forgiving, often faster, and a lot less of a handful on more technical terrain. Again – a second hand stumpjumper might be just the right price/bike compromise?