The Hypalon attachment points on the Alpkit tarps are seriously strong compared with the ones on standard DD tarps. I’ve owned both, DD never last that long with my heavy abuse, the polypropylene webbing they use frays and pulls away from the fabric quite quickly in wind. The Alpkit Cordura fabric is also good, though I did manage to rip it eventually (as happens with all tarps I suspect, when you use them most weekends in bad weather for 3 or 4 years. DD have lasted less than half this, and on one occasion, lasted 3 minutes – that was the superlight and went back).
Just taken advantage of that Alpkit offer, and ordered a Rig 14 at the £50 price; note this is NOT the Cordura, its a fabric that is more like the one used by DD, but I am sure that the sewing and attachments will be stronger (or I’ll return it) and at that price it is too good to be passed up.
I have been waiting to see the Alpkit tarps reduced; they are good, but the full price had become too high (my Rig7 only cost about £70 I think but it was a fair few years ago)

Happy with my Garmin Vivoactive 3. Does all I need (and more). If you want to actually use the watch to communicate back to messages or whatever though, its no Apple Watch. I mostly use it to vaguely track my activity, to know when I’ve got emails or messages, to get cricket updates, and even to tell the time.

Had a Fatbut (Fitbit) a few years back. Worked well, but didn’t last and FB were entirely unhelpful when it died, suggesting it was worn out. Found lots of similar experiences online. I expect a watch to last longer than 1 year.
Had a very basic Huawei, was fine, worked, simple. Decent quality, no reason why the new smarter ones wouldn’t be the same.

I was very cynical about smart watches before I had one, but actually, it genuinely helped me lose quite a bit of weight (mostly by the fact I knew when I’d done bugger all for a day or two), but I do find the quick glance at the wrist allows me to ignore most messages until later, without having to get the phone out and check them.

Go Dorset, or Exmoor or somewhere similar then? Much nicer to explore; if that’s your main thing, I really think south Essex is a bad choice!

Work takes me on the road throughout East Anglia, and try to explore the areas I stay in. South Essex is my least favourite area; apologies to anybody who lives there! Maldon seems pleasant enough, but otherwise there’s not a lot exciting to do in any of the places I’ve stayed, and the places are quite anonymous. The seaside towns are what you would expect from most English “resorts”; a bit shabby and full of old people.

Get up the coast into Suffolk and it becomes much more pleasant.

Mainly, though, what sort of holiday is it? What do you like to do?

Yep, Sgor Gaoith is a good call, nice but straightforward walk from lovely Glen Feshie, then some fabulous views and big drops on the other side.

The walk through Rothiemurchus to the Lairig Ghru is good too, without visiting any summits.

If you just want an “easy” hill, those to the west of Drumochter are quick and you start high. A ‘Mharconaich probably the nicest. They’re not exactly sharp ridges though!

Creag Dhubh, just south west of town, is supposed to be good.

I would say, if you’re planning a day on Skye, its going to be a long one! 2 1/2 hours just to the bridge. I’d maybe be looking instead at places like Glen Affric, one of the most beautiful glens, which also has a choice of hills.
Arisaig/Glenfinnan/Loch Shiel slightly easier but you’ll still be in the car for a lot of the day (which is great if that’s what you want to do, no better place to gaze out of car windows). You could drive to Fort William and then get the train to Mallaig (2 hours each way) for a different day, really good. If you got off at Morar you could walk down to Silver Sands and hopefully get a later train back (check!).

Walkhighlands definitely worth looking at.

I used the Caledonian sleeper as part of a journey from Hove to Inverie (Knoydart) with a folding canoe. Excluding the Hove-London section, cost me about £150 three years ago. Mate travelled in the seats section, paid about 60. So I spent about £90 on 2 nights bed. On the way up, I slept poorly on and off, but woke to make sure I could watch the scenery from Loch Lomond onwards. On the way back, after a heavy weekend camping, in the Old Forge, and even a bit of canoeing, I slept like a log and was woken by knocking on the door just before Euston. (Write up here; https://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/have-canoe-will-travel-a-long-weekend-in-knoydart-t52014.html)
The main downfall was leaving my paddles in the guards van before the train split..

This was the old rolling stock, which was fairly well worn out, but it was OK. As a way to travel, it was strangely exciting. I’ve also travelled on sleepers in Norway, France (when young) and Turkey. The latter was definitely a bit rough!!! Still enjoyed it though.

Forgot to say. The other thing is to make sure that travel, timings, etc are not part of the stress that day! Plan your route, allow lots of time, and if early, already have the knowledge of a nearby cafe or something you can go and sit in, relax with a coffee/tea or whatever, and if you feel the need, read through any notes you’ve had one final time to remind yourself you’re prepared. Just by doing this, I guarantee you’re already ahead of many candidates I’ve come across when sat on the other side of the table!

Some great advice above.

You’ve been chosen for interview. So you already know you have something they’re interested in.

The interviews I’ve been successful in were the ones I actually enjoyed, which was because there was some sort of chemistry between me and the prospective employers, or because I loved my “subject”. If there wasn’t one of those, why would I want to work there anyway? That helped me. Also, I’d done my research, on the job and on the company, so was more confident. That doesn’t mean I was actually more experienced compared with all candidates, but I made sure I was fundamentally positive, and to come across as approachable and human. All you have to do is a bit more than the other guy.

Also, remember that not being selected isn’t a problem. Just wasn’t meant to be. With every interview you do, you get better at it.

Those that I found were harder, or I was more nervous in, tended to be for jobs where I was “winging it a bit”, not having researched as much as I should have. With a huge amount of life experience and lots of transferable skills, which anybody who has followed your career path obviously has, you’ll likely turn out to be more able to react well, and to answer more intelligently than many candidates.

There have been numerous interviews I’ve attended with no real wish to get the job, or no expectation of having a chance. I’ve seen these as practice sessions, but also as a way to find out more about the people and the company just out of interest; an enquiring mind will always impress. Given that during some of these I was unemployed, I also viewed each as a “day out” and planned other interesting things to do that day near to the location of the interview, which helped me just be happier just to be out of the house and in a positive frame of mind.

Not bikes, but travelling solo with my folding canoe (20kg big bag), week’s paddling gear (same weight but not much bigger than normal backpack) and day sack is something I’ve done a few times. Travelling with big stuff is doable, but needs extra time.

The main thing is to get the things booked in quickly. Go to loo at last services before airport so you can go straight to queue.

Some airports/airlines insist you queue for the bag to be looked at (won’t fit on scales!) at normal check in, then send you to oversize. Others you can go straight to oversize if you checked in on line and then printed out your labels. Occasionally you’ll meet a jobsworth who quizzes you about your massive bags, but actually I’ve found staff generally more helpful with them than normal bags, including taking my word for the weight to save time when it wouldn’t fit on scales, and letting me off a slight overweight bag (as the canoe gear was still wet inside I think!).

Once airside, you will feel even more of a sense of relief. However, baggage collection is somehow far more nervous when waiting for a canoe/bike…

Take electronic scales if you’re close to the limits. Check them for consistency.

The oversized bag pick up isn’t always obvious and can be a fair way from where the rest of your bags will be. Go to the loo immediately upon landing to avoid needing that again.

Do NOT, under any circumstances, forget to bring a pound for a luggage trolley at Gatwick. Carrying 49.7 kg (i cut it very fine with all 3 weight limits!!!) across an airport is not fun and people will not be helpful. Using the valet parking service actually made it worse then, as it was about 300m from the doors extra than the bus pick ups.

Came back yesterday. Almost no snow left then. However rained low down yesterday, don’t know what happened on tops but was quite mild so doubt masses up there, just a dusting I would imagine, and as above, forecast not great (one factor to us deciding not to extend the trip). I’d be taking the bike and doing a route that keeps below 600m, unless you really like blustery, showery walks in the clouds.

Yep, Quest, and it was indeed, simply a few cameras attached to the train in different places, shown in one continuous journey on a glorious sunny day, no commentary, and all the better for that.
I followed it on OS Maps as it went along. Strangely, couldn’t look away from the telly, despite nothing really happening.
A good thing.

2 is indeed ideal, but its the first one that matters. It needs to tell them at a glance why you’re interesting and relevant enough to talk to. I re-visit it for every role I apply for, and make changes as necessary.

If specifically asked for additional roles than fit on two pages, just list them with at most a very brief summary of any relevant ones.

The one that got me the current role had a one line summary at the top beneath my name. The main page was then dedicated to recent and relevant roles, but with a vertical side panel on the right which listed contact info, specific skills, education and qualifications. By putting that panel on the right, all the relevant stuff was visible instantly, and I could fit all my employment history on the two pages, the earlier roles just being dates and job titles.

I’ve normally found covering letters needs to be quite short, and sometimes need to fit into a specific online form anyway these days. In many ways, this is more important, and possibly harder to get right than the CV.

I love the misty mornings of autumn
I love the crispy cold days of winter.
I love the newfound joy of spring
I love the warmth of a summer’s day.

Mostly though, I like daylight, so summer gets my vote!

An ex’s grandmother once gave her a ball of string for Christmas. Wrapped neatly using Sellotape. Not string. Apparently they are useful.

I received a particularly hideous purple-ish T-shirt once, in an almost insulting large size that I have never been. (My family do generally believe that you might as well go big with clothing in most situations). I have yet to wear it, but being a present, have no doubt kept it somewhere…

I gave my brother a penknife, mostly as I worked in outdoor shops and panic bought on Christmas Eve. The third time, he pointed out that I’d already given him two. I had no idea, and am pretty sure I gave other people at least 2 or 3 head-torches for similar reasons.

It took all the members of my then team (about 8) to talk one of the older chaps out of giving his misses a new vacuum cleaner as a surprise Christmas present. I suspect he still did but kept quiet.

The waterfront area is basically where to head. Take a boat across for a beer or something to get a view from the water. The city is compact enough to walk most places, but public transport is pretty good.

The views to the mountains from around the area are excellent, I’d be looking at finding somewhere to get out for a wander on the local hillsides above the lake, ideally the west shore, so you can see the Alps proper.

The other thing you should do….start saving up for the price of a meal!!!

Tamarack Outdoors near Garstang is an awesome place for the more bushcrafty outdoor stuff, Tony and Mike are excellent, and the little room at the back with used stuff is a dangerous place to visit.

I was going on holiday a couple of years ago and realised everything I was wearing was from Decathlon, apart from my underpants. I was a bit embarrassed, but I’ve got some Decathlon underpants now, so I can hold my head up with a properly co-ordinated ensemble wardrobe.

This is worryingly familiar. I too have bought the pants.

I once bumped into a chap on a trail in France. We were wearing the same shirt and shorts, both from Decathlon, but my Merrells were a different colour to his!

Today, a working-from-home day, followed by a walk to watch the barn owls this afternoon, I am wearing;

Decathlon socks
Decathlon soft shell over ancient holey Patagucci base layer bottoms
Alpkit base layer top
Decathlon grid fleece pullover.

And that’s just the outfit I went to the cafe in, not the stuff for the walk later…

When it gets too warm in the flat later, I shall probably just remove the top layer and prance about in my base layers…the joys of being old enough not to care. And single.

Absolutely awesome! Thanks for bringing a bit of cheer to us all and Merry Christmas, Happy New Decade!

Hit by a double whammy whilst driving today, the 2 second warning just wasn’t long enough…

…I’m out. Still, lasted a week.

Still in….

Still in. It can’t last, I’ve heard most of the rest of ’em…

Still in…

Narrow escape on the drive up this morning, but Zoe Ball gave a Whamageddon warning!

Given that I have to visit retailers and shopping centres for work right now, I give myself little chance of getting to the end of tomorrow….but what the heck, I’m in.
Normal town centre trips are almost over for the year, it’ll all be down to the music choice of a certain out-of-town outdoor retailer I’m helping re-fixture for the next 10 days.

Oh shit, I listen to the radio in the car too.

I am rubbish at buying clothing that fits. However, I’ve always found M&S have stuff that fits me with enough faffing around and trying stuff on. For something actually important like this, I’d take a friend who is good at this stuff (might take some finding in my case!) and can help me find something that fits properly before I get stressed and just buy something rubbish.

bikebouy’s Auvergne photo is very clearly taken in a ski resort! As with all ski resorts, wilderness may well be just “off the back”.

Nabbed off the internet innit. What lies behind the camera is just as beautiful.. I’ve been there a good many times.

The tracks are mainly from animals, yeah some are human, most are animals.

You need to check the place out, I’m serious. If you are looking for somewhere secluded with a smattering of medieval villages that pretty much consist of two cafes, a bar and a barber then this is your place.

It’s 5hrs by car, and a lifetime away from the UK.

The Auvergne is a great place to visit, and to explore. Wandered up the Plomb du Cantal and other peaks, and its not hard to find a route away from the scars of man. A meadow I sat in there was startlingly alive, full of insects, flowers, birds; something we have sadly, largely lost in the UK. By the way, there was an epic looking DH run from the summit to the NW along a ridge avoiding the obvious winter ski trails, a couple of lads on it were absolutely flying.

To the southwest, the Causses de Quercy, and the valleys of the Lot and the Cele, are a limestone plateau that contains an enormous amount of ancient history. Quieter and less well-known than the Auvergne, the villages are even older. I’ve wandered there for many hours without seeing a soul, and the villages are well spread. The mountain biking is also excellent, form an XC perspective at least! The language is as indecipherable to Parisiens as thick Glaswegian is to Londoners, for it contains a large smattering of the older Occitan. Another of those “old” feeling parts of the world.

It should also be remembered that much of the “wilderness” in the Scottish Highlands is relatively recent. Signs of human habitation can be found almost everywhere. Of course, many of the straths and glens were forcibly depopulated during the Clearances (ignore that dickhead Neil Oliver, he’s not even a qualified historian) but when you read AE Robertsons accounts of his Munro bagging adventures (mostly between the wars} you find that there were still folk in many isolated places even then.

Very true. On our trip across Inverpolly, we spent the night at Clais, where the ruin is of the classic shape between fallen gable ends. We re-roofed the windward end with a tarp as our living room for the night, likely where the livestock were kept not that many generations ago, as they were always put to windward. In these places, and in the bothies I also frequent, there is a real and tangible link with a past way of life that was only given up around the time of my grandparents’ young adulthood. At its most extreme, St Kilda, with a way of life almost unchanged for centuries, was only evacuated 7 years before my dad was born.

The winter before last, we spent a few nights at Uags on the tip of the Applecross peninsula, and there the gap between those that lived here and ourselves seemed incredibly close, especially whilst huddled round the fire on a very cold winter’s night (the rock pools froze over); an amazing spot to spend time and ponder the lives of people who eked out a living in land we now use for leisure. I like to think they will have derived much pleasure from living in such beautiful places, though clearly they endured much hardship.

This “wilderness” of ours, is a new thing. It is, though, still an amazingly special landscape.(ends mildly drunken off-topic waffling. Which is surely the definition of a true forum post)

Flippin’ ‘eck! How anybody can look at that, see a line and tell themselves “yeah, that’ll go” is way beyond me. Balls of steel.

Best time to visit west of Scotland? Probably the early eighties, as the roads had improved enough to get there quickly, yet not many people had “found it”!

Otherwise, agree that May is as good a time as any. I used to say May or June, but the midges have infested the latter more and more over the years.

I’d forgotten Jura. Completely agree, the west coast is amazing, and the terrain extremely rugged! We found a fantastic cave to sleep in, on the raised beach above a wonderful cove with views out over the distant isles. The floor was dried goat dung, which smouldered slightly when we built a fire!

Much of Scandinavia, as others say, is closer to wilderness than we have in the UK. Generally, their right-to-roam is as good as Scotland. The main difference is, perhaps, that its actually bloody tough going to leave the trails, which are often marked (paint splashes etc).
We went to Rogen (Sweden) and Femunden (Norway) a couple of summers ago, for a 12 day canoeing trip from 1 to the other. In 110km (including long portages) we crossed no roads until near the end. Halfway through the trip I climbed a hill, off trail which was tough walking and made me consider how alone I was in the middle of nowhere (mates stayed in camp), and looked out over an enormous expanse of country in which there were virtually no settlements at all, certainly none visible.

IMG_5730-Pano by Mal Grey[/url], on Flickr

I’ve also been to southern Sweden’s forests. These are managed, but not planted, and are full of lakes to paddle on. However, they don’t feel as “wild” as the north.

Both areas are described via links on my blog site if in interested; https://www.wildernessisastateofmind.co.uk/scandinavia

Iceland certainly feels wild, and its possible to escape from people in the centre for weeks. It seems to have become rather busy in the more accessible areas (I’ve not been since 1986!)

Whilst the Highlands aren’t as remote or a true wilderness, I agree with TJ that they are amongst the most remarkable landscapes I have visited. And if you make an effort you can escape from it all; last Easter a group of us undertook a canoe trip with lots of portages that crossed Inverpolly for 9 days, and only on the 7th day did we meet another soul. That’s a whole week in Scotland, during a holiday period, without meeting anybody. It did take a rather imaginative route though! More here; https://www.ukhillwalking.com/articles/destinations/across_inverpolly_by_canoe-12352?fbclid=IwAR0Tg1Cv5Iytsns4mg14d552eB6KHQ_25qwEshrSnw4xxqcyAMl9TxDxOc8

I always say that the landscapes of Assynt, Fisherfield and Torridon are not bettered by anywhere else in the world for beauty. Its a combination of hills, lakes, moors and that fabulous, intricate coastline that do it for me.

I’ve not really been to the Alps other than short ski (drinking) trips, but whilst the higher parts no doubt have many quiet corners, it doesn’t appeal to me in a “wilderness” way. The Pyrenees feel a little wilder, in my limited experience.

I’m intrigued by the forests and rivers of Poland and other bits of eastern Europe, and have looked at paddling trips there.

I’ve also been attracted by the look of the landscape in the Balkan countries, and I suspect there are some pretty wild and untouched places there.

America has some amazing wilderness areas, not just the National Parks. Even there, only the central parts are busy, but there are rules and regulations that apply. Some of the best areas seem to be those near to National Parks, but not actually in them.

Canada remains very high on “the list”, and has to be the ultimate “western” country for true wilderness travel, if only for the fact that it is enormous and everybody lives huddled in the southern parts.

Loads of excellent suggestions, especially Rumours, Nevermind and Graceland. Hysteria is a good call, which I must revisit.

I’d add;

The Killers – Hot Fuss
REM – Green
Silly Wizard – Wild & Beautiful (bet nobody else says that one! Tad obscure, and about places as much as music)
Maybe Mumford & Sons first album for me, but they’ve gone downhill and spoilt it a bit.
If a live album is allowed, Alchemy

@whitestone

Good points, especially about the pegs. I upgraded my tarp pegs to the Alpkit y-shaped ones, and always carry more than the minimum, one of the main factors that affects the weight I guess.

So true about the wildlife watching. I sometimes lie and watch the barn owls gliding through camp at first light, or watch a fox wander past.
The downside is that I was also once woken by a chocolate labrador in my face…

We have had up to 7 canoes, full of people, tents, tarps, fireboxes, pans, custard, bacon, spuds, whisky, logs, wine etc, etc on several occasions, so 16 isn’t that far off the mark!

This thread has inspired me to take the tarp tonight, not the tent.

Tarp camping is wonderful, because you are fully engaged with the outdoors, not sealed off from it. Its fantastic to wake up and watch the world come to life around you. However, not if its eating you, so I actually tend to do more in autumn/winter than summer.

A few other points.

Low headroom protects from the weather best, but is more likely to attract condensation that can drip.
A bit of lightweight Polycro or similar can be used as a groundsheet.
Practice set ups, especially bike ones, so you can do them in a hurry when the weather turns. Setting up tarps is not, generally, quicker than tents.
It you use a bike set up, try not to use one where the mud-covered drive train is 6 inches from your face for the 16 hours of darkness you get in winter…
By the time you count poles and maybe a sheet to sleep on, tarps aren’t necessarily the lightest set up. My little 6 Moon Designs Lunar Solo tent weighs less than my smaller tarp, plus pegs, guy lines and the Polycro sheet.
Set up correctly, you can get really sturdy, well protected shapes that will resist all but the very worst weather.

The other major advantage, to me, is that in more sheltered areas, you can set up a high “lean to” type space that is not only comfortable to sleep under but also makes for a fantastic, relaxed, sitting area during the evening, looking out over the wilds, whilst still protected from the elements. Something that is hard to do with a tent you can carry easily. This turns camping in less than perfect conditions into a relaxed and enjoyable experience rather than a “bored staring at the inside of a tent” experience.

For this reason, as a group we always have a few tarps for “living rooms” even when using tents for warmth/weather protection. Then again, we do normally have 16′ canoes to carry it all in.

Patagucci remain the best I’ve tried, and the jacket I’ve had from them has lasted years and years (like all my other Patagonia stuff). However, my go to softshell trousers are now the Decathlon softshells; either the thicker versions for winter use (not that water resistant after a while, but I use them lots and wash em most weeks), or the thinner stretch versions I’ve just ordered my second pair of, which repel water very well. Fit can be a bit weird, normally have to go up a size, and don’t work for longer limbs apparently so definitely need to try them on.

Growing old is inevitable. Growing up is optional.

Don’t, well not too much anyway!

Talisker Skye has been at £25 in a few supermarkets recently (certainly in Sainsbury’s, can’t remember if the other was a Tesco or Morrisons)

If the weather is calm, paddling to the islands on Loch Maree is wonderful. It does, though, get weird winds very quickly if it changes.

We rode up from Gruinard to Loch na Sealga. Good Landrover track, though a ford got me when I tried it full pelt!
You can ride up towards Fionn Loch, a wild spot with amazing views into the Fisherfield Forest, though the ride itself is relatively ordinary.

The Barn cafe at Sands Campsite is outstanding, more restaurant in the evenings. Might be worth exploring that direction then calling in.

The hills around are, of course, fabulous. Just pottering about in amazing scenery will fill several days.

My brother lives in Clifton Hampden (small village really), and a good mate lives down in Wallingford. The latter is, IMO, a nicer place than Abingdon or Didcot, and has plenty of places to eat and drink.

Didcot is a dormitory town based on the railway going through it, and is mostly modern, so is much as you would expect. Abingdon has a bit more of an older town feel in the centre. Neither are particularly exciting! Can’t comment on eateries etc in either, as we tend to visit country pubs when up there.

Oxford obviously has stacks of accommodation and masses of pubs and restaurants, but is bad for traffic (though you should be going the right direction if you’re work is to the south as it sounds from your locations). Friends tend to use the bus network for nights out in Oxford, which seems to work well for Wallingford and prob would for Abingdon.

Wantage always looks quite pleasant, over to the west. Dorchester to the SE is a lovely village.

There are lots of nice villages, but not sure how easy it would be to find accommodation (assuming you are needing to do this rather than it being sorted for you). If you look at these, try and avoid relying on commutes that use the A34 or Oxford bypasses. The A34 is on every traffic report ever broadcast it seems, and its always between the M4 and M40!

Biking wise, both road and MTB, the Chilterns are key. Very pleasant XC riding in the summer, wet mudfests in the winter! Aston Clinton has a DH course.
The immediate countryside is quite flat and mostly fields. Pleasant enough but not exciting. You also have the downs to the south, more open than the Chilterns but with similar slippery winter fun. For a shorter wander on foot, there are lots of nice options, for something more exciting, less so.

If you’ve access to a canoe or kayak, the Thames is on your doorstep and is surprisingly rural and quiet.

I have a 67 plate Focus Zetec 1.5 diesel estate as a work pool car (soon to be replaced by the new version as a proper company car). I also own a personal 62 Octavia, until the company car arrives.

Good stuff
Easy to drive, decent handling, good gearbox, totally reliable so far at 36000 miles. Not that its relevant to your current choice, but the engine is excellent, smooth and surprisingly powerful and returns excellent economy. Rear seat space seems quite adequate.
Unaffected by carrying a 16′ canoe on top on regular occasions.
Easy to park.
Ford dealer servicing (a surprise!)

Less good
Still haven’t found a truly comfortable driving position after 20k+ miles in it, this is the only car I’ve ever had that problem with.
Weird clutch at first (high and “bitey”) but that has improved no end as the car was run in.
Boot is small (compared to other estates, the new one is MUCH bigger or I wouldn’t be getting one) and the hatchback is more comparable with other makes.
Sat nav is simple and clear but the data in it is poor and I can’t update it currently.
Small mirrors.
The ride is a bit fidgety at times, and it tramlines a bit on our dodgy roads.
Interior plastics of a lower quality than VW Audi group stuff, inc Skoda.

When the next company car choice came up, initially I thought “not having another one” if I’m completely honest, and was going to change for, you guessed it, an Octavia estate. Even though its older, less well equipped, and battered on 126k miles, the Skoda is still more comfortable to drive.
When I looked at the new one, the additional size and reports of class-leading ride and handling, made me look again. Then they removed Skoda from my choice list, but instead I can get a high end Titanium X rather than what would have been an average specced Skoda (or Vauxhall). The interior is still inferior in terms of quality and plastics, but everything else seems a big step forward and I’ve ordered one.