Big fan of Howies generally, but have never tried their bibs, however…
Do like the Rapha bibs, just seem to feel comfortable and have lasted well.
Other choice would be Chapeau.

I’d be looking for the nearest engineering workshop.
It’s a pretty straightforward job for them and I’m fairly sure you’ll be happier with the end result.

Not quite Cornwall now, but having lived on the border for a while I’ll chip in.
We lived just outside Bude in the last couple of houses, but when time came to move we opted for Holsworthy rather than Bude based mostly on value for money. Realistically I would say you can add 25-30% at least to get the similar sort of place. Also to avoid the high summer mayhem if in any of the main towns.
Where we are now is 20mins to the beach so can easily pop down for an evening or early morning in the summer before it gets too busy. We sat on the beach last week with a BBQ & friends just as most visitors were leaving, watched the kids playing as the sun set.
Would agree that there are plenty of parts of Cornwall that are pretty run down. We prefer the North coast to the South. BiL/SiL in Looe would agree I think.

Think he earned that!

Bjork – unmatched for range.
Chris Stapleton – Love a bit of Raspy Country
Daltrey is great, but think he’s a tW@
Aretha – Unparalleled

Just the right amount of enjoyable nonsense!
Both the kids, 10 & 12 thought it was the cheeseiest thing that they had ever seen, with 12 taking a particular dislike to Pointless Penny. Probably due to diversion from burgeoning interest in boys and kissing. However, when pressed, both admitted to enjoying it. As did Mrs Snr & I.
And we went to a new cinema, with a ‘spoons across the road. There’s some parallels there. Nothing life changing, but perfectly enjoyable value for money fare.
Just right for a bank holiday afternoon.

Bude!!
Cracking town, plenty of choice for beaches, quick trip down to Bodmin moor, loads of great cafe, bars, restaurants & camp sites. Plenty of live music in the bars.
Canal & Tamar lakes for paddle boarding.
I moved down here from N Devon 6 years ago and much prefer it.
Just a much better community feel to it vs. N Devon.

Currently re reading For Whom the Bell Tolls and really enjoying it, but by a distance the two authors I would recommend are
Owen Shears – I Saw a Man
and whilst it is a long form poem, Pink Mist. Both made me think, and I flew through both.
Max Porter. Lanny and Grief is the Thing with Feathers. Quite unlike anything I’ve read before, and again, couldn’t put them down. Have bought copies of both for friends & family.

Manage the bakery for a small, artisanal (sorry..) Cornish biscuit company.
Although it seems we can bake them quicker than we can sell them, down to 4 day week, so time for a change I think.

David Bowie – Glass Spider tour 1987
Wembley
It was shocking!
Not helped by the fact that we’d travelled up to Wembley from North Devon on a scorching hot day, in my dad’s 1500 Allegro automatic…

I’ve not read the thread, but wanted to pitch in with my own experience.
I was a dad at 28 and enjoyed every moment. Great relationship with my daughter, not so much with her mum so ended things when I was 46, probably about 5 years later than I should have but stayed in the relationship due to my own misguided fear of the affect it may have in my daughter and it’s relationship.
Realised I wanted to be with someone and started dating. Soon realised that I missed being a dad, so when I met a widow with two amazing young kids I was so happy, got married and am now coming to what is hopefully the end of the adoption process.
Age difference between me and the kids will be pretty similar to yours. It’s never really crossed my mind, but I like to think of myself as a youngish 54, and I’d like to think that I’m doing a pretty **** decent job as a dad 2nd time around.
What can I say, it works for us, love spending time as a family, or with any of kids in their own. Whilst I see parallels between the eldest & middle daughter, they are each all very different.
You’ll never be ready, it’s never the right time, but we all find a way.
And it’s wonderful. I wouldn’t change a thing. Maybe I’m lucky. Maybe we make or own luck.
I’m not sue that any of this helps, but wanted you to know it can work. Very well it would seem!!

New owners… it’s not gone well

We are well served with some great pubs in the area, although worth checking as a few have decided to have a bit of a break due to staff & reduced customers about.
Preston Gate Inn – great pub grub.
Old Wainhouse Inn. – more traditional pub grub
Barneys – burgers & dogs
Potters – amazing restaurant food.
Widemouth Manor. Good food, service & views.
Life’s a Beach. Nice seafood, views & breakfast.
Bay Leaf Indian – best of town Indians.
And Chungs. Chinese takeaway from mid 80’s
North Coast Wine. Lovely little bar.
Rebel Cinema – nice little, independent cinema.
Walk around Upper Tamer Lake.

Avoid the Bay View Inn. Ok for a sunset pint, but shocking food & service.

I’ve got a couple pairs that I really love.
Danner Bull Run are my main day to day boot and would definitely recommend.
Red Wing Iron Rangers. Great boots, but took a bit of fiddling with insoles / socks to get the right fit.
Don’t buy boots at lunchtime and then spend an afternoon walking around London before dancing all night at a gig. By 1am and walking back to the hotel I was convinced they were trying to kill me!

I just wanted to thank you for your input here. The best & my go to voice of reason.
No agenda thought/writing is a rare and valuable resource.

That’s beautiful TJ. Good man.

Love my Danner Bull Runs.

This has come up on the local FB listings for £250. Would it do to get him started?

I5 2400 cpu, 4gb RAM, GeForce GT710 2gb graphics card, 120gb SSD and 3Tb hard drive, dvd writer, windows 10 pro. Dell 24” Full HD G-sync monitor, mouse, keyboard and cables.

Early eighties on a small, side stage at Glastonbury, and then wandering around the site for the rest of the weekend.
Two years later in the main stage amongst the While of the Moon high.
Both times, brilliant.

Sorry for your loss.
Be kind to yourself. x

I’ve picked up the guitar properly for the first time in a while and really enjoyed it. That said the creep back to normal has seen it wane a little.
The other big change was in my work.
After 20+ years as an engineer / production manager, I’ve changed and am now running a small bakery producing savoury biscuits. So far I’m loving it.

Does this have Giants OD2 headset?
If so would be interested in which Angleset you’ve used?

A lad i work with runs a Dubstep label and they put on events as well.
I know next to nothing about their scene, but it has astounded me the price that people are prepared to pay for their vinyl plates.
They are producing short runs, 300-500, and these are selling out in less than 15mins. at £10ish + p&p.
Copies are then appearing on Discogs for anywhere between £60-£80 over the next few days.

Local to me, and rather good.
https://www.cornishcharcuterie.co.uk/

I didn’t post anything when I first read this thread because mini is older, 2011
I actually used it toady rather than the family estate, and reminded myself just what a grea little car it is.
Mini is 2ltr Cooper SD, loads of fun, ride is ok on broken Cornish A roads, but have replaced run flats with standard tyres. Sport button to firm up the suspension & stiffen the steering, makes it fun.
Average MPG for (mostly) steady 60 mile round trip commute on said A Roads, plus a spot of local running about is usually around 52mpg.
I’ve put a Thule roof bike carrier on mine to leave room for Me + 1 + 2x gear inside.
Not sure how relevant any of that is for new cars vs. 10 years old, but i would definitely have another when it comes time to replace.

Based primarily on this thread, had a little think about what I was going to wear when I got back from my ride.
That and the comment up thread about having a partner that always looks wonderful, and wanting to look smart for them. No pressure, she would of been quite happy if I’d spent the rest of the day in ride kit!
Anyway. A few key things for me (53)
Must haves…
Good boots. 2 pairs. Red Wings & Danners
Good jeans. I’ve got 3 pairs. Hiut Denim & Albam. 1 smart pair that I’m running in. 1 part worn. 1 just the comfortable side of tatty. There aren’t many occasions they font cover between them. There are trousers for when they don’t.
Shirts. Lots. Finisterre, Howies + few others.
I live just outside Bude so see plenty of board shorts, tees & hoody. It’s not always done well.
I’d like to think I look ok most of the time, but it’s easy to just get a little lazy, especially through the summer we’ve all had.
For me, there no question that I feel better when I’ve made a bit of an effort. Maybe that’s vanity, but I do hope not.
As with most things, I’m happy to spend a little more to get something i really like, but each to their own.

Thanks All!
Decision made. Standard tyres, spending the same as the run flats would of cost, but hopefully getting a better tyre.

Im with OTS, have had a Gerber Suspension for a number of years now, usually in my pocket or bag. Still feels good and is very handy to have on you.

Did you carry a sealant/pump kit, or use a space saver, or just trust to luck & carry a phone?

might be worth a look at Tamar Lakes

Let me check in the box tonight.

If I’ve still got it you’re welcome to have it.

I’ve changed mine out for a shorter thompson stem.
I have machined a 1 1/8″ out to 1 1/4″, not difficult, but need to check that there’s sufficient metal in the thing first.

Any options for Giant OD2?
Trying to slack my 2012 Anthem.
The bike is far better than I & I don’t really ride enough to justify spending too much.
That and I like meddling.

Capt. Cyril Frisby.
Springer!
and not quite working…
Our neighbour breeds for shooting and they kept Frisby back from a large litter, but wether he’s stupid, or highly intelligent conscientious objector, he just wouldn’t go into cover and flush birds. They are quite hard nosed about it, decided he was of no use to them, so asked us if we’d do them a favour and have him as a pet.
He is quite simply **** amazing. Very well behaved, and i suspect that given some encouragement he would work quite well now. Their loss.
2 1/2 yrs now.

Graylings, Fremington. Fight!

Can’t disagree, Graylings was my chipper of choice & less than a mile away for 15+ years, but Sylvester’s is closer for the OP.

Best Curry in Bideford?

Pick up some burgers or steaks from F Heards in WH! Get yourself a small BBQ, or a disposable and head along the coast path to Abbotsham Cliffs / Greencliff. in the early evening. Bit more room / less people. sit and watch the sun go down.
Fish & Chips from Sylvester’s in Appledore.
If you’re at or around The Big Sheep, pop in & see Simon @ Country Life Brewery and try some of his ales brewed on site. Tell him Jeremy sent you. Also pick his brains for endless MTB and road Bike routes.
Hockings Ice Cream. With Clotted Cream on top.
Be very careful in the sea as lifeguard coverage is stretched at the moment and there are some pretty unforgiving tides & rips all along the coast.

If you need anything road bike related Craig and Alan at Cycles Scuderia in Bideford are great.

I’ve not checked if any of the stores are actually open at the moment

TAKE YOUR RUBBISH HOME!

Sex workers…

I guess on-line side of things is doing ok.

I grew up in North Devon and absolutely loved it. The space, the pace, the sea, the moors, all wonderful. Raised my eldest there and was pretty happy.
Anyway, time moved along a bit, change of circumstance and i’ve committed the cardinal sin of moving 30 miles south, over the border. I have to say, it’s better. difficult to define, but overall it just seems more chilled.
I live right on the border now in a strange little pocket of the boundary and actual address is in Devon but Cornwall is 1/2 mile if I go North or South.
If you can sort out some work then you will be fine.
Disadvantages.
It’s miles from anywhere you want to go. Always an hour or two in a car.
Could also be thought of as having a lack of culture. Gigs, Galleries, Theatre etc. I would say that’s true for larger events, but there’s plenty there on a smaller scale. There’s loads of riding, and of course, the sea. I’d be looking at North Coast, Bude to Camelford as best value.
Do it!!

Bialetti Stovetop, cheap Delonghi grinder that i accidentally modded to give a supper fine grind & a milk whizzer.
The grinder didn’t seemed to grind particularly fine & whilst fanning about I managed to break one of the limit stops so that it now does what I want.
Fresh Beans, ground as required and fresh milk.
I turned myself a tamper at work so that I can pack the ground coffee in fairly tight. Just boiled water in so that it doesn’t leave the coffee on the heat for too long, simmering plate of the Aga with the lid open and remove as soon as it starts to sputter.
Works for me, at least it works well enough to stop me looking at espresso machines.

I’m in the market for similar. First time pad wearer.
How about the SixSixOne Comp AM Knee Guards on offer on CRC at the moment?
Nay advice on sizing?

That’s a fantastically written letter Ewan.
Well Done!