I’ve been in touch with the Haldon Rangers to try to clarify things. They said that the trails were closed Cafside due to harvesting before the vandalism took place, not because of it.

As far as St Andrews lane is concerned they have said:

“We’re just in a meeting discussing all matters regards cafe side, amongst other things. Unfortunately, access to St Andrew’s Lane via our land and the harvesting site is not authorised during operations.

As you’ve already hinted at, there are other access options but I’ve been advised that we can’t condone use of these and that they would be used at your own risk.”

That was at 4pm today. I expect that the Rangers will be able to give the best information from tomorrow on.

There is a growing market out there but I think the price I’d have to let it go for is significantly less than I would buy it for and I just can’t justify that loss.

I also know people who have bought a bike because it looks nice and not because it fitted! However, as it’s quite an outlay for me I shall be taking my sweet time to decide.

Yeah, that’s what I’m concerned about. Oh to be that bit taller, hey ho!

I am willing to see if anyone has a better trade rate than is given in the UK, yes. I made a mistake by saying that some places sell below cost. I meant to say trade – apologies.

I don’t want anyone to make a loss on selling one, trade is not the same as cost. Sellers get different trade rates for all sorts of reasons, but I guess you know that.

I have seen the Doss but I’m looking at either the Reverb or the Lev. Reverb because I have had faultless performance from one for 3 years or the Lev because of the fixed actuation point.

Cheers.

I have a slight confession, as I work in the bike industry I am able to get them at trade but that is still loads (especially compared to a Reverb, which some places sell below cost!!) but I really like the fixed actuation point on the KS plus all the mechanics I know rage about them, in a good way.

I’m trying to see if I can get it below trade anywhere. Not looking positive though.

And I’m back in the room!

Just done a quick search on flex hone and that looks just the job. Anyone have experience using one to ream out a seat tube, and if so which did you go for as there seems to be a fair few different types.

It is just for 0.1mm but I’d like to get it right.

Thank you lovely people, first chance I’ve had to check this post.

Yes I have tried a 30.9mm, no it did not fit, not by quite a way.

I have considered wet and dry inside the seat tube but wondered if there was a cheaper 27.2 option out there.

It would appear I am a snob though as I really don’t want a post with a gaiter, and running it without seems a bad idea stw rsp discussion, cheers anyway.

Can’t afford a Thomson either, sigh, looking like wet and dry and a 30.9 or hope for an eBay special.

Just found out the news. Got teary eyed reading Tom’s piece and, whilst I can only manage a short ride to and from work tomorrow, it will be on a hardtail and my thoughts will be with all Jenn’s friends and family.

Sorry, was at work and logged off so unable to read your replies.

Nivens looks nice – Thanks cbmotorsport as does does Caravan kings cross – cheers Andy_B. That’s the sort of thing I’m looking for.

I have no idea about Cereal Killer Cafe (been a bit out of the loop recently) but a quick search suggests that no, we won’t be going there!

Loving the look of Borough Market too, so thanks for those ideas. Will do a bit of in-depth research as it’s always good to at least have an idea where to go, instead of walking aimlessly which we usually seem to end up doing!

Oh that’s just pants. Thoughts are with you and yours.

Not a faff for me either, not now I have just bought the recommended Oxford gauge. Reviews read well too. Hopefully happy rider! Cheers for all your help.

Just ride at your ‘normal’ psi on the road?! Far easier.

That raises the next question: Does a low tyre pressure make road riding harder? Roadies would suggest yes.

Apparently the gauges on mini pumps are notoriously inaccurate and anyway I have 2 of them and would rather not buy another.

Does the Topeak have a bleed valve that works without having to take it off and put it on again?

We’ve just stayed here with my folks so, 4 adults and 1 child plus dog.

Near Hay on Wye

Lovely big place with nice grounds and also has other cottages (barn coversions really) available on site too.

Close to Brecon Beacons for riding and River Wye if you fancy doing some canoeing. Walking distance to number of pubs and great cafe called the Bridge Cafe. It’s on the bridge!

Just wondering if any late evening forumites have anything to offer on this subject?

Cheers, I’ll not boost this again if I get no replies.

The Z3C is waterproof up to 30mins and some depth or other but they say that using it whilst diving in or vigorous underwater activities may cause the small covers to loosen and let in water.

The Z3C is also dust-proof not dust-resistant so a bit of an upgrade on the Z1.

How much was the cost for the screen at Timpson?

I will get insurance through Virgin as that is my provider, but it’s a pain in the arse to have to do that if it breaks.

I like the idea of a small phone and feel a case, especially a flip cover one, makes it bigger than I’d like. The whole waterproof thing I feel is great, but not so much if the rest of the phone isn’t robust. I don’t tend to throw my phone about so a drop is usually rare, and the smashed screen isn’t unexpected when you drop it onto a road, landing at an angle.

There is some history of the whole Xperia range cracking, but that also seems to be limited to those manufactured 2014 Week 36-38.

I’m just after some actual UK users who might use their phone like me.

One a slightly different note, how does the whole phone feel like to touch? Slippy due to the glass back?

Qualified as a sparks over 20 years ago but haven’t been one for many years so I’m not P certified. When I rewired our house 6 years ago I had to put in Building notices to our local council. I also supplied my qualifications, detailed plans of what was going where and with what cables. Once finished the council came out and inspected it, there were no visits during the rewire but as I was terrified they would ask me to remove plaster or lift floorboards to check it all I took loads of photos.

The guys who tested it said it was one of the neatest and over regulated installations they’d had to test and was I looking for work! I put all light switches and sockets at new regs height even though I didn’t need to, showed my calculations for where to drill joists and what size hole to use, amongst other things.

Oh yeah, we were quoted 5k to do the job and no P certified sparks we spoke to said they sign off another person’s work even if all we did was chase walls and pull cables. Going the council testing route only worked for me because I was qualified albeit from years ago.

Apprentice electrician (Company a – 3 years)
Store keeper (Outdoor ed company 1st season – 10 months)
Electrician (back at company a between seasons – 2 months)
Tuck shop keeper (outdoor ed company season 2 pt 1 – 2 months)
Outdoor Ed instructor (outdoor ed season 2 pt 2 – 5 months)
Electrician (back at company a after season – 2 months)
Book packer (temporary in new city – 2 months)
Maintenance assistant (18months)
Leisure centre attendant (2 years)
Maintenance lady/caretaker (3 years)
Residential support worker (supply bank – 5 years)
PE teacher (temporary and supply – 6 years)
Various roles but now Assistant Product Development (same company 3.5years)

All that in 25 and a bit years. I have moved around a lot, spent some time unemployed but not much, and went to uni to get a degree and then PGCE. Would still be teaching but found the last job more flexible and permanent once Kip Jr came along. Looks bad but I can justify all the moves and changes!

Just did the Vote for Policies survey linked earlier on.

Turns out I’m mostly Green then equal Red and Yelllow. Blue last. It would seem my constituency feels the same way.

Really interesting but time consuming as you do have to read all the policies, like you should when thinking of voting!

The problem here is the our local MP is labour but very good on a local front. He is vocal and active on local issues and seems to really care about his constituents.

I however do not wish to vote for the larger picture of the Labour Party. I voted Green in the last local elections after being let down by the Lib Dems in the coalition and finding I agreed with more of the Green policies than any other party.

I like the option of “none of the above” on the ballot sheet as I feel voting is my duty (FFS people died so I could vote) but I’m finding it harder to work out who to vote for.

My parents have an aged rescue German Shepherd cross called Frank.

He was called Flank but they changed it in the rescue shelter.

That’s it!

At the risk of a slating…

The first thing I noticed was that (if the cam was a helmet cam) the rider did no shoulder checks to see the whereabouts of other road users, and to make them aware that he was aware of them.

Not that this warrants a beating, I’m just saying!

Feel free to ignore this remark if it turns out it wasn’t a helmet cam.

After the realisation that I really have trouble hearing Kip Jr when she faces away especially with ambient noise (plus annoying tinnitus) I got referred via GP.

Turns out I have familial deafness, high frequency but not so bad they’d recommend hearing aids. Have since discovered that 3 of my female cousins all have hearing loss, one so bad she needs hearing aids but won’t wear them.

I’m curious how they have helped others with tinnitus as I thought you just had to put up with that.

Oh, and I’m 41 so not bothered by vanity anymore!

That looks familiar!

Luckily did mine in South Wales and went to Abergavenny hospital where the consultant suggested either surgery or waiting to see if it healed. When pressed he said if it was him he’d have surgery. Got it fixed back in Devon where it turned out that the break was worse than first x-rays suggested and it would never have fixed itself and I’d have needed a bone graft to fix it!

The plate is pretty visible though and if I do it right you can see the screw heads!

I love my slow cooker and use it at least twice a week. It’s a winner for all sorts of stuff. Invest in some good books or time on the internet to get the best recipes. A particular fave is Cashew Chicken which is yum.

My pulled pork goes thus:

Slice onions and fennel and place in base of slow cooker.

Rub dry mix of cumin, chilli, paprika, plus any other spices you particularly like, and brown sugar on to pork. Place pork on to onions and cook on low for 8 or so hours.

Take pork out and shred.

Drain onion and fennel mix and put liquid into pan on stove to reduce down.

Mix shredded pork with onions and fennel in cooker, add reduced liquid, mix again.

Eat in brioche buns with whatever sides you like.

Nom, nom, nom, nom, noooooooooommmmmmmmmm!

As for thickening, I tend to add flour and mix it in with meat and veg before adding any liquid.

Bolognese works a treat but you do need to pre fry the beef so it breaks up and mixes into everything if you’re going to leave it to cook all day.

I lived, and therefore commuted, in Edinburgh and Belfast (1995-1999) and never wore a helmet, never had an accident, never even considered wearing one, it just wasn’t an issue. In 1999, after moving to Exeter, I discovered that people here drive like loons and I had a couple of incidents where it was obvious the car drivers had no idea I was there. Fortunately I do tend to assume most drivers haven’t got a clue I’m there and so I was able to slow or stop or whatever, however I did also decide that a helmet was in order.

I now always wear my lid and on the one day I forgot to take it with me for the commute after dropping Kip Jr at school I felt naked and vulnerable without it. I rode slower down the fast hill and was paranoid about being hit by a car. It was the strangest feeling!

I know it’s totally irrational but there you go!

I don’t like coffee so don’t drink it, but by gum I used to get through a lot of tea in a day. After a very heavy, and much regretted, drinking session the Friday before Christmas, I couldn’t keep any fluids down for 24hrs and couldn’t face tea for closer to 60hrs. My headache was a killer but couldn’t keep painkillers down. Once I could drink tea again I decided to cut right back. One or two a day with a decaf after tea time.

I have had a thyroid lump/function scare, (found out today the lump is benign and function fine too, phew) but had heard caffeine could have an effect hence continuing the enforced cutback. I think I’ll see how the cut back goes and see if it makes a difference to anything else.

Just had chance to check this thread and I’m really glad to hear Mrs Peterfile is ok. Never met her or know either of you but still it brought home how small a world we live in now that I was as concerned as I was for a complete stranger.

My heart goes out to the family that lost both a child and their parents especially.

Also, exeter mtb club have women’s only meets on Wednesday nights at Haldon. Contact Gemma ingle and hazel Townsend for details if that floats ur boat. They occasionally go to Woodbury also.

Depends how far east in East Devon you are!

Exeter Wheelers have regular rides but not sure of the days. If you are in Exeter call into The Bike Shed and ask there. they’ll be able to point you in the right direction.

The Devil went down to Georgia by The Charlie Daniels Band (you may need lyric sheets though).

Stand by Me – Ben E King

American Pie – Don McLean (lyric sheets again possibly)

Lean on me – Bill Withers

And loads more I can’t think of right now that were very popular pub sing along songs back in my youth!

Good luck on this. I’d love to know how it turns out especially as more Ebayers are using other parcel companies and I’m getting the impression that your rights are not as good as with the bigger companies.

I had no intention of moving anywhere until I read this post. Now I want to live in Glasgow!

Did you pay by paypal?

If so call them or email them and let them know the situation and their opinion. I have raised an issue with them before and they were amazing.

Contact Police and inform them of a theft or ask them for their opinion on what you should do as believe it has been taken by person/s unknown. It may have been delivered to the wrong property but that is not your issue. If someone else has your property it is theft regardless of how they came by it.

Doing the above will show your serious about it not arriving. The courier should be responsible and should have to prove delivery as you are disputing it.

A well known courier (stuff it…Hermes) stated that a parcel had been delivered and left in the porch. We don’t have a porch. I had tracked it online and got my neighbour to check. It had been stuffed behind the bin and was lashing it down. Luckily caught it before it got damaged.

Blimey, it’s a bit dusty this morning isn’t it?

Thank you so much. Saw some of these a year or so back up at Haldon and couldn’t identify it for love nor money. Now know I can kill them with impunity, Mwah ha ha haaaa!

The Fall was top notch. Made even better by some scenes being shot up the road from my in-laws house. They could see the cameras from their front door and had letters around about scenes involving gunfire. Really looking forward to series 2.

This is the sleeping bag we use (can’t get clicky to work hence whole link) http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/vango-wilderness-convertible-junior-sleeping-bag-82710024?id_colour=2024

As has been noted, the cover on it’s own isn’t really enough unless it’s proper scorchio! We used it during that really nippy spell in August, out on Dartmoor in the van, she was toasty, I spent all night trying to find a warm spot!