Think we ordered from here: https://www.garagedoorsonline.co.uk/shop/Side+Hinged+-+insulated/Carteck

Second recommendation for Cartek. We’ve got a side hung 50/50 door but they can make what you need. Paid a bit extra for high security multi point locking. It’s well mad and really solid, would take a determined effort to break though I think.

We had the door textured and powder coated to match the front door also.

Not cheap, but when compared with the cost of flimsy single skin steel alternatives, I think it’s pretty good value. Think we paid £2400 delivered, our builder fitted it but it’s diyable.

Drop some shavings into some runny honey, leave to steep. Eat with some strong/ rich cheese.

On the archipelago, if it’s your thing, hiring a kayak is a superb way to explore and there were islands with a hotels / hostels, restaurant or a shop.

I spent four or five days touring the area woth my other hlag in a double, it was 10 and a bit years ago but we loved it. Minimal tides or waves (apart from what the high speed passenger ferries leave).

Remembering from when I went to St Mary’s a few years ago for a friends birthday. All our camping gear went in special cages or containers at Penzance that got picked up from the Dock on St Mary’s and taken direct to the campsite up past the Fort. We just had hand luggage, was easy but can’t recall if we paid extra for it.

We spent a long weekend there, hired a cat motorboat and blatted about exploring and fishing all over the islands.

Fantastic trip and one day I’ll take the family back.

We’ve got a ’19 Rav4 (self charging), came from a V90. Interior is leagues behind, solid but not a patch on the big V. The Rav’s infotainment and satnav is woeful, seats not great and lack support. The worst part for me us the CVT gearbox, that with the chassis and engine remove all driving enjoyment. Plus, on long motorway trips up to 70, with bikes on the roof, we were barely getting 25mpg. It can average over 50 on shorter local trips though.

Oh, and one more thing. If you leave doors open or the stereo on for a while etc (eg if camping), it’s easy to drain the tiny 12v battery completely, leaving the car dead. We’ve got a jump pack now after doing this a couple of times.

That said, it’s spacious with a huge boot and feels like it’ll go on for mega miles. If you’re not bothered about most of the above, it does the big car thing quite well.

We’ve got Cartek side hung doors which are effectively Tekentrup rebranded. Ally frame, insulated doors, multipoint locking etc.

Very happy with them and saves a chuck of internal space too.

A couple of years ago we had a V90 lease. Was in Scotland visiting family and headed back home by myself, the family travelling later. I stopped of at glentress for a couple of trails in the afternoon, then early tea at the cafe.

Loaded up, audio book queued up on Bluetooth, I pointed it south and didn’t stop till Oxfordshire. Absolutely sublime and hopped without an ache and made last orders. Such an effortless way to drive distances.

TBH, I don’t know if I want a gravel bike or not. It’s more about understanding my options.

On the budget, no, I’d definitely expect to be spending considerably more than £1k. It was just a nod to the CR, not expecting to pay the same and get more.

Definitely explore Jericho, pubs there are generally really good and a decent Lebanese restaurant. Walton Street for Freud’s, a bar in an old chapel, but so so drinks, Raouls does excellent cocktails. Some good food there around there also.

Little Clarendon and North Parade for interesting shops, eateries and (in my view) one of the best pubs in Oxford The Rose and Crown.

Heading back into the centre from there, two nice restaurants at Gees and The old Parsonage. Lamb and Flag for a historic pub, White horse and Kings Arms also good. White rabbit for good beer and pizza.

Food with views perhaps? Have a look at the roof terrace on the Westgate centre and Roof restaurant at the Ashmolean. For something grander, the Randolph is good for afternoon tea and dinner. Gloucester Green is good for small independent restaurants of various cusines.

Can also suggest a wander from the top of Jehrico going West, over the railway, past the bottom of port meadow amd across the river to the Perch Pub, lovely place, and good food.

Seconding others, you also can’t go far wrong with a mooch round the covered market and the Cowely Road for food and there are some decent pubs tucked away between Cowley and iffley roads.

If it’s not cold, a spot of punting maybe, from the Cherwell Boathouse. Lastly. there’s a good music live scene in the city, you might find something interesting on if that’s your thing.

The three colours trilogy.

Another recommendation for the Dingle Peninsula, top 3 for us were good mountain walking with stunning views, exporing the far end of the peninsula and history (Blasket museum was great) and the Inn we stayed in at Cloughane. Peat fires, whisky and meeting new people.

Cheers, future mapping do an interesting geological one, but nothing thst close from those two sites unfortunately.

Cheers all, will head to the lbs, else might need to just take it steady. Rapha ones look good but max size is still 8cm short on the calves. Boo.

Cheers. Bumping to see if there’s any other suggestions. I’ve tried some Leatt airflex pros xxl and they’re too tight on the calf, plus short enough to bunch I expect. Mmm.

On the latter injury, might be worth getting checked out for plantar fasciitis, I’m no expert but from personal experience, sounds similar. In which case it’s possible competing will only make it worse and much enjoyable physio standing on a golf ball awaits.

I’ve been looking at quotes seeing talk about BEV insurance costs. Considering a big bev mpv type thing as a one car does it all approach in Jan.

The last vehicle I insured was a new Volvo v90, similar cost, but better performance than the prospective new vehicle and all other details stay the same.

It’s come out at over FIVE times the cost for an insurer I’d be happy using and prices still seem to be on an upward journey! Wow. Pretty big disincentive.

Interestingly, a lot of the big brand insurers didn’t crop up on the comparison search. That’s going to impact the 2nd hand market further it seems.

Few things we loved 15 or so years ago, hut to hut on the routeburn track, relaxed biking on the Queen Charlotte track. Rotatua and Wellington trails. Kayaking the doubtful sound. Coromandel peninsular (quick gap fil decision to go). Forests, scenery, activity park type place with a joyfully relaxed approach to h&s and parking the van on a huge beach, totally alone, wine, bbq, sleeping to the sound of the surf. Bliss.

We used an Osprey Poco soemthing or other, built in sun shade and rain cover thst doubled up as an excellent windbreak – think that’s as important for the passenger.

Very possible to walk all day with it (many breaks for the kid) as the fit and comfort was that good for us.

Ours is with set of kids no. 2 with a second family now and wearing the miles very well by the looks of it.

We used to have someone local that did this kind of thing. Went round the house outside and in with a thermal camera in the winter, to spot cold walls, ceilings, bridging etc. Didn’t use them but was effective I think.

To a degree I think you can do something similar with a flir heat cameras which plug into your phone (buy 2nd hand on ebay, survey then sell on again).

Might not be quite what you’re after but The Fat Cat. Steak pie and pint for I think less than £10, very much hit the spot a few months ago.

Best bet will be your water company. We’re with Thames and I’ve visited their office in Reading to view drainage plans on a computer there (wasn’t available on line or in hardcopy).

Thanks again for the recomendations.

So, some mixed results. Spoke, whilst being rather nice, just come up as skinny fit jeans, but scaled for bigger legs. They just don’t suit me / fit properly.

Any other options for jeans out there?

Never imagined it’d be such a task to replace some great but knackered 5 year old jeans from WS!

Cheers again. Kukl jobs have just arrived. Lawles I think. Seem to fit pretty well. Smart enough to pop out for food or a drink etc.

Silly fastener though, will need to wear a belt with them.

Spoke looks promising, ordered. Ta all.

Some experience with a much earlier version years ago. Worked well for technique development and control but found it harder to nail a session to a split or set a time. But, I was always best in the middle of an 8. Depends what you’re looking for, a water rower may offer another element of the experience.

Also spent some time exploring the Stockholm archipelago. Really chilled paddling and a lovely area. Several islands have hostels, hotels, bnbs, restaurants etc, as an alternative to camping (which I’d like to go back and do).

We were travelling light, so was part of the reason we chose there. Ended up with a couple days exploring the city, which was a great way to finish.

Only caution would be to avoid when everyone goes on summer holiday, apparently it gets a little interesting when all the motor cruisers and speed boats are out in party mode.

Edit to add was pretty easy to book our own kayaks, accommodation, transfers etc and route plan.

Have a look at evohome by honeywell. We’ve controllable TRVs on each rad. Works really well, only heating a room when it’s needed.

Excellent info, many thanks all. Took the decision not to rush it and will pick something up in the new year. Currently between a number of rigid options and a s/H Creig, as its circa 10kg with forks and hydraulic brakes.

Also spotted quite a few manufacturers only do cable disk on 24ers.

Bought a halfords advanced one in the summer, cause our hybrid tank will empty its tiny led acid battery in no time at all as its so easy to leave the ignition on position 1 or with doors open and the radio on etc (think camping set up).

It’s rated to 3.0 d&p and cranks our 2.5l into life three or four times on a charge. Got us out of bother a couple of times. Cables aren’t thick but only 50cm or so long, so less transmission loss I guess.

Cheers, will check out the suggestions. Not considered Rapha before, though suspect they don’t have me in their sights as a customer. Their XXL goes to 46 chest, I’m 48 and legs are 28.

@ayjaydoubleyou & Harry, with you completely.

Fs260 shorts, four or five years ago, they were superb and lasted fantastically, I don’t hold out much hope for the latest version in my drawer. Such a change in quality.

Singletrack gloves, only worn when cold but now falling apart after 5 rides.

I’ve gone right off the company now.

Cheers both, will probably give the shoe goo a go. Easier for me to do.

It’s also not hard to lay it yourself. The right preparation amd adhesive and you’d probably get nearly the same finish, unless the room has any complicated features.

Just had a set of these installed.

https://www.garagedoorsonline.co.uk/cataloguedetails/Carteck-Centre-Ribbed-(20-Colour-Options)–garage-door-Steel-Carteck/g/589

Made by Tekentrup, took over 10 weeks to deliver but are I think quite excellent, look smart and very solid / feel secure (security upgrade) and no garage space lost.

Was also looking at Lathams but these were discounted due to looks. N. B. The price for both shot up when specifying what we needed.

Had a similar challenge when buying a dozen or so 3m oak sleepers for the garden.

If your license allows, cheapest could be hiring a 7.5 truck with a hiab (don’t forget rope to secure the load) or similar man with van type service.

Yep, different perch installed, same effect. Hence, either the clamp is at fault or I’ve got a serious frame issue.

Even dismantled my DUB bb and crank to check that wasn’t playing up.

So, gone through it all. Cleaned, lubed, taped, de taped, de lubed and torqued everything that can be. Creaking still as bad as ever, certainly feels this the saddle is able to move about in the clamp / the clamp head moves on the post.

So, tldr, where do I look for a dropper with a more robust clamping arrangement?

Look out for Easter eggs at main marque stands. Went 8 ish years ago and managed to drive an off road course in an volvo estate 4×4, blat round a field course on a mx bike, do a drift course in a gt86. Got to get in and get your name in early. if they’re still doing thst kind of thing.

Yes and no, will try later. Thanks.