Thanks for psa, just ordered.  I ve been using the planet x workstand, which itself is good value at 25 quid.

My 90s tourer is still going strong, I just renewed the drive train courtesy of spa cycles, they rebuilt the rear wheel 10 years ago and no signs of wear.  No idea what it’s worth, it just keeps going.

I did the beacon tarn to torver leg last week and the cows are still there, a few had horns too.  Its just near the farm south of beacon tarn and they stayed in a group the other side of the field.  I m doing it in segments so can’t comment on the whole trip.

Max holding here 275 won, avg return 8% on 2 months holding.  Tax free too

I did the dales way on foot, if you follow the route from say Burneside to staveley, then the other side towards ings, you should find some quieter spots.  Maybe ask biketreks in ings if you park for a small fee.

My kitchen fitter mis measured the granite worktop, he joined a strip of the same material with a silicon type product, think it was sikka, anyway, you can’t tell now.  Colour matched in and smoothed off, you really wouldn’t notice.

Yes 2 year wait list for a builder here, at least he’s honest to tell me.  Tbh I d avoid anyone who could start immediately.  I expect to pay as work progresses.

To cover iht via life insurance you need a whole of life policy written in trust.  A normal life policy will pay out but is included in the estate on death, the former is not.  Be prepared for some eye watering premiums, you are effectively insuring a certainty in the next few years.

I recently flew with a bike, observing all the weights and linear dimensions of the box, you have to add height, width and depth to not exceed a maximum.  Anyway, not one person checked anything, it was a 6am departure and I was first in the oversize queue.

Not brilliant advice I know, as you are a bit stuck if it doesn’t fit.

I bought a 60s bungalow, a few superficial cracks but nothing to worry about.  Look at neighbours, where the water drains, roof lines, where the services are.  Just get the cheapest survey and get a friendly builder round.

The tunnels in spain have speed cameras on entry, exit and average speed.  Loads of people get caught speeding exiting, 80kmh does seem slow.

Ditto above post re STOP sign, you really do have to stop for a few seconds, or you get a fine if caught.

Good luck, don’t get hassled at service areas you ll stand out a mile in a uk car solo.

I q fancied one but read the reviews and the mk2 duster is the one to get.  Seems to do everything OK.

Ta for prompt as forgot, 1st month max holding, 400 quid.  V happy, tax free too.

Good tips, I live near the Wray end and was planning a ride up from Wray, lucky escape from the gamekeepers.  The sausage rolls at higginsons in grange are worth a detour.

Some nice lanes around Levens, though I usually go north from there, you want the west ones.

Avanti superfares are fab, I ve booked a few.  About 50% of my prebooked journeys are refunded as either late or cancelled.  I then get on the next available train or bus.

Both local operators are govt owned, must be costing the taxpayer a fortune.

I did Euston to teddington via the parks and river, got a bit lost a few times but that’s the fun.  Richmond Park in the light evenings was lovely, loads of runners and cyclists.

Done on a Brompton, each time I thought if I get tired I ll just catch a bus, but loved it.  Part of the fun was route planning, I used to cycle commute it so have a few routes, but that was ages ago.

Next time I may take the boat from Kew pier to vary it up a bit.

If you do it in summer the supercars will be in residence in knightsbridge, just parked up on the road.  Even on a Brompton I was faster than the traffic.

We had a yaris like the one posted, bulletproof.  It was written off in a no fault accident, the ins co paid exactly what the ad price is.

Check for rust though, ours was garaged and pampered, regular services etc.  I still see loads being driven around so there’s loads of life left in them.

Thinking back, in 16 years of ownership it only ever had oil changes, tyres and filters.  No advisories, mostly analogue so v little to go wrong.

I have the brompton a line, 950 quid, bought the mudguards from brompton and folding pedals from decathlon.  It’s got the reduced chain ring on by default, 3 speed.  It’s brilliant for cities and lives in car boot, any spare time waiting I m out on it.

It is heavy lugging it about, trick is to wheel it to final destination and fold it in situ on train, cafe etc.

Also, never leave it anywhere, always take it in bank, supermarket (inside trolley), cafe under table etc.

Hi Longdog I went to Kingston in 87, no national express I borrowed my mother’s car as had nowhere to live.  At the induction meeting everyone was saying hi, I was saying, hi I m poolman can I kip on your sofa.

Now a landlord in kingston, accom shortage is still as bad despite all the massive building going on.

I am in Spain ATM, last week I chipped an edge off a back tooth so went to local dentist.  She said a filling would be a waste of time so polished off rough edge,  hygienist cleaned.  I went to pay thinking maybe 100e, it was 35e all in.

I wrapped a cardboard bike box in industrial clingfilm, put ratchet straps round to help handling.  No issues at all, assembled and rode from train station.

My mother saw the cardiologist in lancaster, I accompanied her on many appointments.  I thought the service was amazing and very honest.  Even when I took her to a and e there, despite being told off many times, the service was amazing.

Re private tests, I m in Spain ATM and paying for private blood tests, all routine but for me, well worth the investment.  I could ask I suppose in uk, but q happy to go to private doc, get him to decide what I want, and get him to explain result.  Paying, I can go tomorrow.

My private doc here in Spain refers to me as the worried well, I m q happy to take it and see it as a compliment.

Just quoted 339 by esure, new to me aygo I have no ncd.  Upped the xs to 1k and Inc breakdown, seems OK. Some of these big suv s must be eye watering.

Omg that’s bad, clearly desperate people.  Whereabout are you?

I do the Tim spector 30 plant type diet, lost 10kg.  Adding fasting at 12 12, I lost another 5kg.  Binned off the fasting so back up 5kg, but carried on the plant diet, so 10kg down.

Best tip is keep a diary of weight and regime, you can track progress, or lack of.  When I lost 15kg my ribs stuck out, my friends thought I was getting ill.

I wrapped my bike in inner tubes to go stealth so I could leave it at gym.  Zip tied at c10cm intervals, innerbtubes laid along frame.  Looks really good…not been nicked yet.  However, any cyclist knows its a decent bike underneath, been asked loads what it is.

Yes tough one, but if its what you want and can afford it go for it.  Construction costs are eye watering, in London it must be even worse, so probably best to buy someone else’s refurb.

My old boss was sacked about 6 months after my exit interview.  He was the only person stupid enough to take the role, loads more hassle for a few quid extra.  Watching a failing manager was like a car crash in slow motion.

I just fessed up in the interview, the guy was useless.

I used to have lightly battered fish and half a portion of chips for c8 quid.  Far too many chips, not been for 2 years.

Actually, cycled to keswick last month so went to the one in the square, 15 quid sit in and they gave me about 4 pints of chilled water to rehydrate.  That alone warranted a fiver tip, may be 16 quid and 4 quid tip but it was good.

I can’t see the point but see loads in the lakes, at least vans can go stealth.  The layby at southern end of coniston was full of car tents 2 weeks ago.  As they are obviously overnighting I wouldn’t be surprised of some restriction coming in.  Near me at the beach where overnighting is prohibited, the odd stealth van gets overlooked, but a car tent the locals would be knocking on your window and sending pics to council.

I tried on the van rysel today, 28 euros, bargaintastic.  Packs into a pocket, nice hi viz, bit tight on arms but OK on chest so I ll size up, must be my shape.  Also did it in black but prefer hi via.

2.75 asda, download app you get 5 quid free credit…nearly 2 cans free.

I did the london to Brighton ages ago with 2 others, 1 chap was fair skinned, it wasn’t even hot I d say warm, c20s.  He wasn’t hydrating though but pretty fit.  We all finished but he started mumbling rubbish on the train back.  We took him to a n e, he was put on a drip and kept under observation overnight.

I m in Spain, its 31 today, its like a wall of heat stepping outside the door.  At 40 it’s oppressive.

Loads of good ideas.

My litter picking group find new clothes dumped outside the local supermarket, scrotes had nicked the wrong size.  Clothes get washed and donated to charity shops.

I won’t name the shop, but I was telling the security chap on the door this, and he said it was company policy not to chase thieves if they ran off.

Above post re Arnside Silverdale is a good shout, a bit dependent on 1 rail line though.  I d go Kents bank though, rail station on the same line so you can get to Manchester and airport, incredibly peaceful, really nice houses and views but no supermarket, you have to go to Ulverston.

Problem with any seaside town, soon as sun comes out everyone piles in, even morecambe, you can’t park, takes ages to drive through.

How about Lytham.

Yes I understood natural causes just ruled out anything sinister.

I always remember being with an uncle, a medical professor, we saw a chap running in the heat of the day, he said, that chaps doing himself more harm than good.

Lesson learned, another top tip, always start hydration the night before.  Bad bit is the toilet visits in the night.

It’s really difficult looking for someone when there are no clues, I ve been out a few times here in Spain when someone walking has gone missing.  I know all the local tracks as walk them regularly, however, missing person could be off piste, in a well sheltering, may not even be in the local area.  Add in snake bites, wild dog attacks, fall down well looking for water, not wanting to be found, something more sinister.  His family must be distraught.

Hotel manager on Jo marler podcast said hotel gets 50% of portal selling price.  Always book direct, never had a problem.  I d be really miffed at a late notice cancellation as short notice hotel prices have risen.

I like his podcasts he s covered some fab subjects.  The path he took runs alongside the sea, clear and only 20 mins apparently.  It was hot though, 40 degrees.  Must be awful for his family.

Madonna was 500 quid in barcelona, I thought how nice 500 for a gig, accom and maybe travel….errr 500 a ticket.

Max I ve ever paid was 80 for james in Edinburgh, well worth it.

Royal opera house is 30-40, though you can pay 200 if you want.