Our Springer is now 8 years old, he’s had a fairly mixed regime as he’s grown up, from pup to approx three 3 years old he had my other half for company as she was a mature student so was at home pretty much throughout the week, he then had a shortish period where he had 2 days a week at home whilst we were both out 8am-5pm and a day in the middle at a doggy day care thing. Since that he’s then had mixed bag of cover between maternity leave, dog walkers, my parents etc…. now, with decent morning and evening exercise, play time and two young kids to keep him on his toes, I think he welcomes the peace and quiet he gets when we all clear off.

Can’t believe I missed the initial thread….  but anyway. Yeah I’ve had two…. sold the 1st one too quickly, came back again a few years later for a 2nd one. Yes they’re a bit plasticy, a bit fragile, a bit slower than (insert other warm hatch name here), but who cares when they’re so much fun!

I got a late model, low mileage, well looked after one, and plan to look after it. Last year it clocked up 5k between MOT’s and in about a year it’ll drop to 3rd car status and maybe even get squeezed in the Garage or under cover. Might be unrealistic to think it’ll really appreciate in value under my ownership, but who knows, there never were that many registered for a mass market car, and there are going to be less and less every year.

Happy Motoring!

Stayed in Semur-en-Auxois a few years back – lovely place for a mooch and not too far out of the way by the look of it

Could you fly to Malta, buy the van there, insure and drive the home leg 1st van empty, then return with the full Maltese registered van, and sell on after that? No import tax, Maltese history, etc….

You could look at Saddleworth (Greenfield in Particular for the train station, Uppermill & Grasscroft within walking distance of the station). It’s one stop further out than Mossley which has been mentioned by train, but still only 25mins ish from Victoria for the Arndale.

Nice area, good local riding on and off road. Good pubs, eateries in Uppermill and surrounding villages. Ignore the ‘Oldham’ moniker…

Some great ideas on this thread, currently trying to sort mine out, good to read peoples comments on vertical storage as this is how I am hoping to sort mine.

Already have a stack of carpet tiles, and a lot or white paint for the walls.

I have the boiler in one corner, contemplating a small additional radiator and some clothes airing/drying solution…. anyone got similar?

Ta

Another thumbs up for Tenerife and Lavatrax – been out riding a couple of times whilst over there, great routes, great scenery.

if you can cope with a smaller unit, you might be able to hide it in a corner with something like this:

Linky….

EDIT: beaten too it

My car is black and white…. put it’s a Panda, so I guess that’s normal ;)

and it’s anything but boring

(borrowed image)

I reckon with a bit of haggling….. Mmmmmmmaserati

Another thumbs up from me, ridden with Lavatrax/Darran a couple of times in the past. Well recommended.

Another Salomon wearer here – currently sat at work in a pair of their ‘trainers’. With two pairs of mid goretex boots on the go at home, my dog walking pair are about 3 years old, pretty worn out, but as comfy as slippers.

Last time up there we found ourselves in the Strawberry Lounge, down a little passage of one of the main shopping streets. Food and drink were good, Scones were amazing!!

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g504032-d2429560-Reviews-Strawberry_Lounge-Alnwick_Northumberland_England.html

I’d seen these a while back when looking to add a second cage to my bike.

Zefal Gizmo

Reviews on Amazon seem pretty good too. I’ll probably give them a try soon as the weather warms up

Another vote for Lavatrax, been out riding with Darran a couple of times, great guy, nice choice of routes/abilities catered for. Excellent loan bikes now if you ride with him.

From my experience he’s always been very professional and arranged pickups from hotels in the resorts etc.

I know you ruled out the Twingo as they’ve dropped the 133, but there is a 90bhp version, throw in the rear drive and it may still be an interesting little motor.

In the past I’ve had a Panda 100hp and Yaris T-Sport, both excellent, but both sadly out of production. Having said that, if I had a spare few grand I’d bag a good condition Panda 100hp for the weekend.

Why just have a building when you can have a whole island? Necker in this instance for Mr Branson

or Ile Gagnon, Quebec for Canadian warbler, Celine Dion

I’ve had the 26″ ones before now, never had any issues…

They are even cheaper at Merlin too…

https://www.merlincycles.com/mavic-crossride-mtb-wheelset-2016-88174.html

I’ve got a Grumpy Mule Seasonal Decaf one at the moment, been using it in an aeropress and it tastes good. Their caffeine inclusive one’s are nice too for pre-ground lazy brews.

Wiggle DHB Windslam[/url] might be a bit more roadie in cut though, £20 cheaper…

Cheers. sounds like a plan, weathers looking iffy… Will folks still be out?

here you go… £1, yes, one whole pound!

Wilko’s budget dinger

it ding’s when you ding it, and doesn’t when you don’t.

Go to any trail centre on a dry weekend.

Early morning dog walk – empty paths, fields and lanes.

then, too many hours later

Coming home from work to a smile and cuddle from my little boy

I’m in. Thanks for planning this chaps

Such sad news, such a lovely guy, words kind of fail me still. So I’ve done as others did and dug out a couple of pics.

I’m sure in the group pic Chris wasn’t really saying “bad bike, naughty bike, you must learn to climb faster” it’s just how it looks!

Top of Holme Moss is expected to be one of the largest crowd spots of the 2 days… I’ve had a few people suggest spots around Ripponden for watching as again the access from Manchester side is fairly easy (and a scenic ride).

Similar symptoms to what happened to my parents dog, only happened once (so far). The vet put it down to something he’d eaten whilst out walk, and commented that sniffer dogs (theirs is a springer cross) have been known to sniff out drugs left in spots where people will hide them for ‘collection’.

Fingers crossed for you that it’s nothing serious.

The tyres should be one with the amber/skin wall and one black wall

The rider should be obliged to skid to a halt at any given opportunity, then pop a wheelie when setting off again

How about a generic budget/pound-stretcher helmet, but worn back-to-front as seems to happen all to often in the real world?

seem to remember this from a pack of top trumps as a kid

Grumann X-29

How about the ‘Dream’ sculpture by the M62/St. Helens

or ‘the pen1s in the park’ as my OH refers to it.

I don’t really haggle much, but if a place advertises that they’ll price match (i.e. Evans) then I’ll happily stand in the shop comparing prices. We did this for baby related stuff on the weekend and saved a small fortune.

Another vote for Kefalonia, and Skala as a resort, only place I’ve been back to two years running. Hotel was called 9 Muses.

Worth hiring a car for a few days if you go as the island is well worth exploring.

We used this place:

Home

Went to have a look as it was pretty local, ordered, they delivered and built it… went for one with no windows for security. Been up around 3-4 years, no issues, dry as bone.

Cheers, don’t mind it being a bit CAMRA, so long as the beer’s good, and pie would suit my northern tendencies!

Cask sounds spot on, but the tight time frame would rule that one out. Been to The Harp… spot on!

Yeah, stick it on the roof, bikes will go in the back, both wheels off, but it’s not pretty!

Any excuse to dig out the old piccies!

This was my old one… great fun, I’d have happily done long journeys in it… regular passengers may have had other ideas. I think it helps to have a steering wheel to hang onto 8)

Chablis
Macon Villages