Ro, I thought you'd gone to bed.

Put the shovel down.

Good night.

No Beer,

6ft 7 here and I'm a big fan (you see what I did there) of 'Big Agnes' bags. Clever design and BIG (length and width) as the name suggests, although end up packing smaller than a conventional.

They do a range of synthetic and down bags, I'll not bother trying to recommend one or another as there's loads to choose from.

http://www.bigagnes.com/Products/SleepingBags

An American company, but they are now imported into UK.

Good luck and it's always good to hear from other tall chaps how they get on with kit, so keep us posted.

G

Oh and someone mentioned Snug pack – Many years ago, I contacted them and they made an extra long bag up for me (basically stitched an extra panel in bottom). Only downside was that it tapered right off to minimal width at feet end. No good If you've got size 13s on the end of your legs!

Roger,

"I'd be particularly interested in any suggestions for community groups in the Highlands who may benefit."

I know that The Mountain Assoc. have work parties throughout the year. They can involve hiking kit in, or helping install stuff that's been helo'd in – roofs, windows, new sleeping platforms, etc. Always glad for help too.

If you could get a crowd together from work, maybe include a stay over in one, a bit of 'team building'!

Try this, if you're interested:

http://www.mountainbothies.org.uk/events-plannedworkparties.asp

G.

I get on very well Keen for walking shoes. Good arch support and nice and wide.

Also Salomon 'off road type' trainers have been good too.

Superfeet insoles have helped me out in walking boots too, not cheap, but have stopped niggles on multi day walks.

I'm 6ft 7ins and this fits me no bother. Packs down small.

http://www.nomadtravel.co.uk/catalog/view/travelproof-tropical-hammock-xlong

Or a mate used one of these in S. America for 6 months (they do an XL) and liked it (It's a bit more than just a hammock!).

http://www.hennessy-hammocks.co.uk/buy.shtml

"I dont know what your capable of throwing at a bike, but a decent hardtail is perfect for trail centres or "big" mountain days. You could get some sort of cotic built up for about £1500, then you can spend the rest of the money on something fun (not bits of metal and plastic)"

"no way would I go from a Rockhopper to a £3.5K bike without having ridden a few. Each to their own!"

"Just get one £2k bike and spend the rest going to great places to ride. I can recommned Moab, Utah."

"£3.5k on a bike is a waste of money."

"I personally think that the law of diminishing returns comes in heavily past about £2000-£2500"

'Nuff said. Wise words chaps. +1 to all y'all.

MrsG had similar trouble for a long time over the last few years and tried all sorts of conventional and alternative treatments, untill the docs were even talking about possible surgery.

Then she was recommended 'Bowen Therapy' by a friend.

http://www.bowen-technique.co.uk/

After the first session she could feel a difference and within 3 the pain was gone. She'd tried all sorts – massage, chiro, acupuncture, etc and nowt touched the pain. This worked for her.

Good luck with whatever you try.

Sorry to hear your news, I hope that you are able to think about good times you had.
Best Wishes.

Another fan of the ME ones from Cotswolds here – handy pockets, good shoulder straps that are removable on the bigger capacity ones and 40% off!!

Sorry to Hijack the thread, but I'll be up in the Dumphries area later this week. Wondering if Kirroughtree is also rideable / mostly free of ice?
Thanks.

+1 For coromandel peninsula. IIRC the scollop festival is sometime around the times you're talking about. It is what you may have guessed. A festival where many scollops are eaten!
+1 Hot Water Beach (coromandel area), get there early to get a good spot – try and match your visit with a high / low tide that is around sunset / rise. TAKE A SPADE!! Really good gallery by car park for beach which has lots of nice contemporary and 'reasonably priced' NZ produced jewelry / carvings / paintings etc. MrsG loved it.
-IMHO it's a long drive up to Cape Reigna / 90 mile beach. Bay of islands is a great spot to visit – do the parasail for great views.
– Waitangi treaty grounds up that way are a must if you are at all interested in the history of NZ and how we Europeans treated folks there 'back in the day'. Twas quite an eye opener.
– If you can only do one full on 'cultural experience', then Te Puia outside Rotorua has it all. Hotsprings, a trad skills school, a maori village (with Haka, full ceremony, etc), loads about the origins of Maori people / beliefs, etc. Not too 'touristy' either.
+ Tongariro Crossing is awesome, but tiny chance of weather window in winter.
Enjoy!!!!!

Loads already been said and repeated, but really really recommend Lake Tekapo.
+1 for Wanaka vs Q town (2 or 3 good resorts close by)
+1 for Abel Tasman – if tight on time a 1 day walk/ hike out to seal colony and then walk on AT track is a goodun.
+1 Nelson Lakes NP – Hut to hut walks difficult in snow, unless you're all geared up though.
Franz Joseph Glacier is nice, and very accessible. The full day glacier walk is good VFM, and if you can afford it, then the Helihike is awesome.
Loads of small ski fields all over S Island if you want to save some dosh and get on some less crowded slopes too.
Don't know about riding near Auck, but some lovely riding around Taupo and Rotorua (good bke shops for routes / rentals too – esp Rotorua).
I could go on, but it's all been said.
But seriously, Lake Tekapo is amazing. walk up to observatory, hot springs on the way back. Nice.
Enjoy!!!!!!!!

I asked a similar question myself before Christmas. Lots of good advice here:

http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/kids-wooden-bikes-advice-needed

Many thanks to all who offered advice here. All helpful stuff, I particularly enjoyed the video link and pictures!

I'm going to hang on till his birthday early next year and avoid getting an ebay special, by combining xmas and birthday in a oner!

Thanks GW I'll try Aldi.

I've already had a good look on ebay and amazon. What I should have said was, I've seen a few different ones, does anyone have a specific recommendation.

I've seen quite a flash one in the bike shop at Whinlatter, which looked expensive. Are the cheaper ones just as good?

Yup and I have to say, it choked me up. Very pleased that this subject has been exposed, for those of us that haven't thought about it, to see.

Oh and +1 for Witter.

Paid just under £200 to get tow bar fitted, and got one of these, from, yes, halfrauds.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_172555_langId_-1_categoryId_165477

They were even cheaper in store. Can't fault it.

There's someone on ebay selling a couple of what look like DX / HK equivalent type lights on fleabay, that are left overs from a group order.
Going for about £55 – £65. Good deal?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/P7-LED-Bike-Light-Ultra-bright-3-mode_W0QQitemZ250544135025QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_SportsLeisure_Cycling_Bike_Lights?hash=item3a55981b71

Anthony, just looked, great starting point for a planning a ride on Bicyclemania, thanks v much. Will try and pick up an OS map. Cheers.

Thanks v much Anthony, will do.

Swift, I'll be near Binbrook, unsure of availability as I'll have 2 dogs and a pup to walk too, but if I have more than just an hour or two here or there, I'll get in touch?

Similar to CWC / Traser, but a few different styles. Really well made, look smart enough, more importantly v hard wearing.

http://www.nitewatches.com/

Read this thread yesterday and only just remembered the name of an 'ethical' down bag maker. Thought it might be of interest for future purchases.

http://www.tundrasleepingbags.com/Ethics.asp