I had an emovis one and a T5, absolutely brilliant. The only thing to add is that it seemed to struggle to register on the first trip down to the alps and didn’t always work. Cue some angry beeps from people stuck behind as I had to reverse… Worked fine on my return trip and on every other trip thereafter. Not really much I can suggest other than if that does happen you can know I share your pain.

Thanks. 👍

I’ve done the route you’re talking about a few times, including once with my 10 year old son. That’s not to say its easy (we took ages, I was right behind him, we had rests on slings etc), but it isn’t bonkers IMO.

I’d 100% do it, it’s a beautiful route with good condition wires/bolts. There are 3 sections, increasing in challenge and each has a retreat walk you can take if you don’t fancy the next section. As such the first section is a good qualifier.

It does get very hot and very busy so I’d aim to start really early, so it’s nice and cool and quiet. You won’t be rushed then by faster people Catching you up, with my son we started at 8am and had it to ourselves until the very top. Its about a 10 min walk from the huge car park.

If you enjoy it then the one up the other side of the valley, at the Cormet de Rosalend) is amazing, it’s on/called the Rock du Vent. Again an early start makes a massive difference and you definitely need good weather, but on a good day it will be the best thing you do on holiday. This has a longer walk in, about 45 min from memory.

I’m jealous! Have fun.

I’ve been to BSM with the family loads, it’s a great place. The swimming pool was recently refurbished and is great for kids, it’s only a short walk from the campsite. There’s also a lovely swimming lake (plan d’eau) down towards Aime (about 10 bmin drive). Nice little sand beach, lifeguard, a bar and trampling etc.

Definitely get up to tignes for the blues and greens, longer and easier than Les Arcs. I’d recommend the epicly long blue (Val Bleu?) From the top of the Olympic lift. Absolutely brilliant for kids.

Have fun, am jealous!

EDIT: Olympic lift is from VDS, bit same pass as tignes)

+1 for the decathlon tight running boxers. It’s all I wear (under trousers/shorts obviously).

Thanks all. Have emailed Tado to see what’s required 👍

As above. Cicerone guide and IGN map. I did it as a 3 day trail run with some mates and we used a bag transfer service which was excellent, it meant they picked up your bags from the hotel in the morning and dropped them off at the enxt hotel before you arrived. Genius. Wasn’t that expensive and made the running much easier. Can’t remember the name but pm me if you’re interested and I can dig it out of some emails.

September seemed to have the best western historically and was certainly less busy than other times I’ve been to that region.

I’m jealous, I’d love to go back and walk it over a week or so. You’ll have a great time!

All the running research that I’ve read says that if a pair of shoes is comfortable to run in then they’ll probably be ok. Of course the challenge is running in shoes at the shop so the advice above is worth following.

I too have wide flippers and would recommend trying Altra. They are super wide and transformed my feet after 20 years of thinking blisters and injuries were normal, turns out that’s not necessarily the case.

@p7eaven. This is how I ride to ledbury.

http://www.plotaroute.com/route/1923097

Not flat. But nice quiet roads (as much as possible). Happy to help with others if you need.

I tooky son at 6. Not sure what I was thinking. It was a bad idea but he rode down ok.

At 8 he loved it.

At 11 he dropped me.

That looks lovely!

I’m a bit late and it seems the OP is sorted but since I’m very often late in the other server (as my son calls real life) then I may as well be late in this one too… +1 for pocket casts. Also recommend by a family member who is high up in the international world of commissioning podcasts.

Also, I assume your on a road bike? If so you should ride the D177 south of Venasque (and explore Venasque) then come back via the D4. Amazing road loop.

I’ve spent lots of cycling holidays in that area. I’d second Sault too, the climb is easier than the other two, but you can easily ride to Bedoin via the south of the MTN (take the road via the Gorges de Nesque) or to Malalucene via the north of the mountain.

Sault is also quieter.

You’ll have a great time! 🙂

Sonicare here. 7 years old. Charge lasts a week (2 mins, twice per day). Cheap unbranded heads from Amazon last 3 weeks. I’d get another.

For what it’s worth my dentist says my gum health is ‘excellent’ now, 7 years ago he tutted. Although, what he can tell in the 30 seconds he actually spends looking in my mouth every 6 months is anyone’s guess… But I hoping I’m getting something for my £38.

Don’t do anything until you’ve both had legal advice. Work really hard to stay on good terms but It’s never ever as easy as it looks. Good luck.

I love custard in all its magical forms. However I did once fall (briefly) out of love with it after consuming an entire family sized Flan from a beautiful French patisserie just before riding up Mt Ventoux in the middle of summer. What was I thinking? I ruined a nice climb, a nice flan and my digestive tract in one Flan-induced moment of madness.

Thanks @welshfarmer. 👍

I’ve used loads of snail rotors. s I type this I’m sure I’m still alive.

I’ve signed up but am super cautious for the usual selfish reasons (someone in my space) but more because I’m a single dad and my 12 yr old lives with me half the time. Him wanting to stay here is critical so I’m wary of that being impacted. (Have discussed it with him and he’s keen to help)

But… I know it is both the right thing and potentially a really rewarding experience for my son. I guess it hinges on the person who’d be here.

I haven’t read the whole thread, but from your OP my advice from experience is solicitors letter every single time. If you’re dealing with someone that makes demands based on their wants/needs rather than the children’s wants/needs then you use the law every. single. Time.

(Yes I appreciate there is infinite nuance around the situation but my experience is, to misquote, that positive change only comes from speaking softly and carrying a big solicitors letter)

Yup, same experience. But I think there’s probably some point at which they’ll say you should have booked a flexi. I’m guessing at the point a cheap fare turns into an expensive one and they think you’ve deliberately missed your booked one.

For me (I know nothing about cars) i view it in a risk-reward basis and that’s dependant in the value of the car I’m buying.

So £2000 car from a mate with a service history. Zero checks other than the basic HPI on a website etc.

£6000 car from a stranger, AA check (or once paid a mates mate £100 who was a mechanic)

🤮

That is all I have to say.

@5lab if one person says they brought assets into the marriage and it can be shown/argued they have not ‘intermingled’ then that can be an argument for not splitting equally. There may be other reasons. IANAL… Just a recipient of solicitors letters.

Lots of good advice here, and the best is from those that have got through it (DrP and judetheobscure for example but thanks to everyone for chipping in). I’m 20 months separated and only just edging closer to a financial settlement.

(Edited as I probably should get a different username to do this. )

Frankconway is correct. Believe me, it’s the only way.

And then listen to your solicitor, that’s really important. It’s so easy to try and do the ‘right’ thing, which in my case meant almost giving away lots of money for zero benefit and no goodwill. The law says 50% for a reason.

3 weeks for me in December. 3 weeks for my son’s in January.

That. Is. Amazing.

Chocolate raisins, jelly babies and hot cross buns are my three major vices.

You are me and I claim my £5

Definite ‘best thread’ contender. Laughed all the way through it.

Thanks both. Good reality check. I’ll pass on it. He’s got an Xbox, it’s more for a new experience and he’s interested in computers. Cheers.

Image not showing for me, so assume no one else can see it. Sorry.

This? https://photos.app.goo.gl/mfeZg4qdCYA7BrpX9

@welshfarmer91. Hah, that’s very reassuring, thanks! (If only I reached as high as average).

Yup, mine is bomb proof. I’ve had pretty much every type of power meter going and the p2m is the best IMO.

@cougar wins this for me with

“We don’t take cards,” well, you’ve had thirty years to work it out, frankly you deserve to go out of business. Add 5p onto the price of your Mars bars like everyone else, problem solved, next question?

And

Electronic forms exist. Digital signatures exist and are a swearword of a lot more secure than a scribbled signature that even I don’t recognise any more. Is it the 1900s again already? For the money I’m paying you, this shit should not be challenging.

The second especially as I’m trying to buy a house.

Success! Taking fuses out and putting them back in fixed it.

Happy days! Thanks to everyone 🙂

@longdog drove home for 2 hours afterwards. Would love that to be the cause.

All fuses in dashboard bit are ok. Check ones in engine bay too?

Ok, thanks both. A blown ECU would be pretty tedious. I’ll go and look a the fuses now, assumed I’d need a multimeter.