I can’t quite work out if this is genuine or parody:
Ad Sales Manager, Ross Demain added: ‘We’re planning ahead and responding to the industry’s desire for more product focussed content, as well as branded stories and innovative advertising beyond traditional display ads. It’s a great time to get in touch and make sure your brands are featured in the exciting times ahead.”

I’m now told that the Bowling Green car park is owned by the National Trust, so presumably there are similar “No Overnight Parking” signs at other parking spots on the Quantocks.

( If anyone thinks I should just park in the lane . . . no, I wouldn’t be comfortable with that. Back in the summer, my bike buddy got her vehicle hit by an idiot driver, whilst parked outside our holiday cottage in a private no-through lane. So I’m not going to leave my car on a comparatively busy public road for a week. )

“but I could not be arsed with constantly having to put the damn thing on again every time I ventured out of the dept”
Clip-on ties, like police officers and security guards wear?

Surely there are “Cyclists Dismount” signs?  In which case, they’ll not carry out any changes specifically making it safer to ride. They’re more likely to ban bikes altogether, if you tell them it’s currently dangerous.

If pedestrians are tripping and falling, that’s a very different matter.

Okay . . . so apparently the Housekeeper told the Cottage Owner who told the Property Manager who then told the Admin Team, who sent me the email . . . there’s now a sign saying “No Overnight Parking”.

I also contacted the Ranger Team (as suggested by gazzab), who replied:
     “I know that the landowners here were having problems with overnight campers and vehicles being left for periods of time and so they may well have spoken to surrounding tourist facility providers.”
and suggested I ask the holiday company (which I’d already done).

I’ll investigate further, as I really don’t wish to leave my car in the lane – nor do I want to upset any locals.

A Quantocks Hello was a very informative thread, but unfortunately is now locked.

The good news is EVERY trail on the Quantocks is lovely, and worth riding. Some are fast and grassy, others are rocky and a bit more technical.

One possible introduction is the Vertebrate “Classic route” which recommends Weacombe, Smiths and Somerton Combes as the “best” descents. PM me with an email address, and I’ll send you a gpx.

Holford Combe, and Shepherds Combe dropping from Bicknoller Post into Hodders Combe are (in my opinion) absolutely essential.

Other folks rave about Bincombe (I’ve only walked up it, in thick mud) and Frog Combe.  I particularly like the fast descent heading north off Dowsborough Hill (easy) and the Old Devils Galloping Path (rocky).

It’s all good, so have a superb weekend.  You’ll probably become a regular visitor, like me!

Thanks for the replies, everyone. Good suggestion to contact the rangers, gazzab.

And thank you for the guiding offer, oldfart – I’ve just sent a PM.

For some of you, this Even Bread Slicer might restore marital harmony . . .

“For a fancy round sour dough just eat it as it comes as the crusty end is too small to do anything.”

A better method is, once you’ve eaten around two-thirds of the loaf, place it cut side down, then slice in the other direction.

Thanks for that information, jmmtb. Sounds like there’s better riding elsewhere in the area.
(BTW, Wiki says it’s a permissive bridleway, not just a footpath)

Anyone ridden this recently? Has the signage improved? What’s the best time of year to get through the boggy bits?

“Gap jumps” ?
I sincerely hope you don’t mean those Bronze Age earthworks!

Well, I have to say I’m very disappointed in you guys.  I’ve been a devoted Archers fan for several decades, until Covid spoiled things. So now I rely on this thread to alert me to anything exciting.

However, you didn’t tell me about the Mystery Guest at the Village Fete, did you?  Luckily the episode is still there on BBC Sounds:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000ysyr

“Delicious breakfast cereal”?
It wasn’t Dorset Cereals Super Fruity Muesli, was it? Because I lost a crown, biting on a piece of dried fruit. Unfortunately, the crown wouldn’t stay in place, as I’d split the tooth through the root. I ended up with a very expensive implant.

Good luck with your appointment!

What about the Islabikes Jimi range?  Designed for older riders, who might have difficulty getting their leg over . . .
E-Jimi

Buy a thin kingsize foam topper, and cut it in half. Then use both pieces as a thick topper.

Here you go:
Hebden Bridge Easy Gravel Routes

Yes, the Lon Las Ogwen trail is nice. And you can visit the unusual 10-seater “communal lavatory” at the end:
Porth Penhryn

Don’t forget there are some prints in the Singletrack shop!

For any roadies in the Peak District, I like some of Clare Allan’s prints. For example:
Over the tops
Windgather Rocks

Yup, have a browse through Binner’s website – some lovely cycling (road and MTB) prints on there.  He’ll even change the colours for you, to match your wife’s colour scheme!

Unfortunately, every one of us who has been bereaved will have a tale of corporate insensitivity.
My contribution:
A final bill from British Gas, saying “Good news, you’re using less electricity compared to this period last year”.

Errr, yes, dead people tend not to watch much TV or turn on the lights.

Since the bill was addressed to me, as my late mother’s executor, they KNEW she’d died six months earlier.

“Your friend would be shot”
Well, in that case, my friend won’t be spending money on a cream tea in the Duke’s tearoom (unless it’s just a flesh wound). That’ll teach His Graceness a lesson, won’t it?

But seriously, having just read Hannah’s excellent article on Access Law, I feel it’s my civil duty to trespass.
Be Nice Say Hi Ask Why

Thinking of the current problems at Bolton Abbey:
https://singletrackworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/the-duke-the-bike-ban-and-the-taxman/

Interesting subtle patterns, from a graphic designer.  I’ll look forward to their women’s range . . .

Another fan of MyFitnessPal – even if you only use it for a week or two, to get an better understanding of your calorie intake.

I’ve found it very accurate on food values, but it seems overstate the effect of exerccise.

And yes, it’s worth measuring everything, at least in the early days.

I’m pretty sure I watched a red kite on Holcombe Moor in 2012.

I nearly wrote “a couple of years ago” – but it was on the sad day that two police officers were murdered in Mottram, so that dates it to September 2012. How time flies!

Happy Birthday, Hannah!

What time would you like us to come round, to help you eat all that food? ;-)

Sorry, I’ve no idea about cooler pads . . . but my bike buddy is happy to ride without a pad. She must have an incredibly comfortable saddle!

“. . . but can anyone explain why so many cycling jerseys (not just Rapha) have different coloured sleeves? Is it a roadie thing?”

Apologies, I didn’t explain myself properly. I meant why is the right sleeve different to the left sleeve on so many cycling tops? For example:

(That said, Rapha is fairly discreet, with just a coloured hoop on one sleeve)

I’m sure this is all top quality kit . . . but can anyone explain why so many cycling jerseys (not just Rapha) have different coloured sleeves? Is it a roadie thing?

We’ve done a bit of exploring in this area, and – as others have said – it’s really difficult to create an off-road loop.

Because we travelled from opposite directions, we were able to ride a linear route, linked by a car shuttle. So maybe your best bet would be to ride a couple of out-and-backs? At least the view will be completely different!

So that gives you:
Salters Way, from Slaidburn
BW from Chipping to west of Dunsop Bridge
BW running north from Dunsop Bridge, and up onto the fells

Many thanks for these additional suggestions. I shall bear them in mind for next time I’m down that way.

I decided on a walk, initially around Winchester waiting for the weather to improve, then SDW to Cheesefoot Head, Fawley Lane to Morestead, and back on the Pilgrim’s Trail to St Catherines Hill. It was quite wet and muddy!

The various streams and watercourses (anabranches?) in the town were rather intriguing!

Or here’s another good one, again using a bit of the Mary Towneley:
Hilly Hebden

There’s a circular route on the National Trails website, which might suit your GF
Hebden Loop
Basically it’s a short chunk of the Mary Towneley Loop, between Walsden and Hebden Bridge, linked by a section of the Rochdale canal

“Just so i can say hi if we cross paths!”
If you cross paths, surely one of you is going in the wrong direction?

Thanks all, for the advice and suggestions. A walk is probably the more sensible plan.
So, the next question is . . . boots or wellies?

Monday . . . and it looks a bit damp between now and then. The rest of the week should be lovely!

I wondered about QE, but I’m not keen on trail centres. I’d prefer to just walk.

Or I could take the fatbike – it loves “brown snow”!