Lol.
I joined at the end of October so I could play it with my eldest. He’s pissed now cos I just turned to level 35 and he’s still on L30 (the age limit thing stops him getting XP from friends so progress is slooooooow).

Anyway:
9166 5571 5846

Link

FC website says From tonight we will close all recreation facilities in the woods and forests we manage.
So assume that means cafes, toilets, shops etc.?
No idea about mtb trails, but conceivably these too. Shame as I bought a year pass recently and was planning to take the dog for a run round the quiet parts of Dalby and possibly take the kids a walk (don’t fancy solo mtb tbh)

https://camitdesign.com/

I got the same one last year, but in ply (cost wasn’t much more and it’s also lighter). Mine is still in its box(es) though as my van conversion isn’t progressing as quickly as I hoped 🤦🏻‍♂️

80l tank on my van – it’s averaging 42mpg though which is pretty good considering the amount of short journeys I do (interspersed with some longer ones). I always just brim it on payday regardless (1/2 tank ish usualy) as dropping £100+ on diesel in one go would depress me 😂
I’ve just mounted a solar panel to the roof and it’s in the the process of being converted so it’ll be interesting to see what effect that has on fuel consumption when it’s fully Laden.

Does your work do any schemes/employee benefits? I get Gympass through my work and it’s great, I’m on the most basic package at £12/month (no contact). There’s only 2 gyms in the basic package, one literally 2 minutes walk from my house, the other 10 min from my work. Perfect. For £35/month I could upgrade and have a choice from a massive selection, including a recently refurbed Banatyne’s with pool/sauna/steam room etc. but the convience factor of the two mentioned above means I don’t need to spend more.
I think there’s a lot to be said about how conveniently located the gym is, if you have to battle through traffic to the other side of town then it’s harder to get motivated to go.

Try asking on a more roadie orientated forum, singletrack should be about off road, hence the name. Not trying to be a smart arse or hater, it’s a valid point.

Guessing you must be relatively new here…

Come the Zombie apocalypse we can all go and keep warm at Donald’s 😂

I’ve done the same as the OP. Standard working week at my place is 35 hrs. I do 32, initially compressed over 4 days but now over 5 (3 full days/2 half days). Primarily for childcare (school run twice a week) and also because I didn’t want to become a weekend dad.
It generally works ok from a work perspective. My work load hasn’t decreased at all despite being ‘part time’ (surprise surprise), my holiday entitlement is reduce pro-rata, but I’m actually better off because I tend to take more half days off (but get a full day off if you see what I mean). Salary is obviously less, but I’m higher tax so it’s not as big an impact as it could be. Pension wise, I’m not concerned – I’ll make it up later.
It’s a bit of a hurdle to promotion, but I’m middle management now and have no desire to move up to senior management. Not in the the next 5-10 years anyway.

I’d recommend it. No one ever said on their death bed they’d wish they’d worked more….

Couldn’t disagree with OP more. Micro-USB are too fragile and the two little spring bits wear eventually and the leads just fall out (yes, you can try to bodge a fix by bending the springs back out but it never lasts). I’ve got a few USB-C devices and find it superior in ever way. The sooner everything is type C the better. Just my 2p

I’ve just got a cheap own brand Argos one. It works well, but I mainly use it for just making the dough for either homemade pizza or small bread buns, which I then cook in the oven for ~ 20 min. I do use it to make banana bread though. Normal bread loaves made in my breadmaker are a bit of a wierd shape (square and tall) though this is less of an issue for banana bread as it doesn’t rise as much and is more cakey*

*Technical term

I only know who he is after going to see Stewart Lee on tour.
Rod Liddle, with the gravy stain

TBF OP. If it were me, I’d do the same (especially if you’re handing the car back in 6 months). I wouldn’t want to do it if they were anywhere near the tread marker, but if they had 4mm* left I’d swap them. I’m planning on doing the same with my van and then swapping all 4 at once with all season tyres.

*Apparently tyre performance drops off massively under 3mm Linky

What model is it then?

Honda CB500X?
I like them, I can’t ride a bike but if I got into it I think one of those would be top of my list.

Whatever you get make sure you have proper mudguards. And a rack. Chain guards are great too, but not essential.

I’ve read somewhere about using a thin slither of silicone grease, but that might have been for screw down cases.

I used Timpson before for a quartz analogue, I paid the extra few quid for a ‘lifetime’ battery. Glad I did as the first lasted less than a year and it’s on its 3rd – make of that what you will … I barely wear the watch (prefer automatics). I’d buy better quality batteries and a tool kit and do it myself tbh.

I’m with Plusnet, paying £22/month (all in) for ‘fast’ fibre. No idea what calls I get included as don’t use landline. My contract is up at the end of October and I can’t wait to change, I’m constantly having to reset the router and performance is really inconsistent. I want to ditch the landline too, literally never use it, but getting bb only doesn’t seem any cheaper.
MSE is where I’d start if you can’t be bothered trawling though all the comparison/cashback sites

Edit: totally endorse what people have said above about MSE Energy Club, they do all the hard work and tell you when to switch based on contract/leaving fees etc. Zero effort. Don’t get people who stick with same supplier and never shop around (if you’re internet averse you’re going to screwed over in this day and age)

My 2p. I’m currently DIY converting a LWB Proace (Mk1). It’ll be my only vehicle and I haven’t driven the car since I got it (the ex is keeping that) which is a petrol CRV.
MPG in the van is better (probably similar cost due to higher diesel cost) – just over 40pmg average so far (half round town/half longer journeys)
Insurance is really cheap (~£220 FC)
Parking the van was a challenge, but fine now I’ve got used to it and fitted windows, removed the bulkhead and fitted a reversing camera.
I actually like driving it, the driving position is a lot higher than most SUVs and it’s comfortable. It’s not suited to ‘making progress’ but the 2l diesel is perfectly adequate and it’s relaxing to drive like I’m not in a rush.
The car is a lot quieter and better spec, but the van has Aircon, Bluetooth, ESP, passenger airbag, elec windows/mirrors etc. The only thing I feel it’s lacking is cruise control.
When the conversion is complete it’ll be a big compromise compared to the old caravan I’ll selling, but I’m thinking of it more like a 2 man tent with cooking facilities and a fridge.
It’ll have a side extending bed so maintain some of its van practicality.

I’d have preferred a T5 but my budget would only stretch to a much older van with intergalactic mileage and basic spec.

I have no problem using it as an everyday vehicle. I already love it and I haven’t fitted it out yet. I can’t wait for the adventures to start 😊

Thank you Rich, Drac & Perchy. I’ve started my dad with a genuine lol 😂

Deploy the tranquilliser sausage

There’s so many places this thread could go after that comment

😂 @Perchy
I’m with Kittyr on the tent front. Nowt wrong with massive family tents, especially if you have a family. If I hadn’t gone down the campervan conversion route that’s exactly what I’d be getting.

Caravanning/Campervanning/camping are all a compromise in some way. None is better than the other, it’s just down to personal preference, costs and other practicalities (storage etc.). It’s just ace been out in the countryside and away from it all 👍

I’m going from caravan to campervan. Step down in comfort/space, but I find towing a PITA and I want to do more remote places as well as spontaneous shorter single overnighters. Caravanning is not conducive to doing this. (Hopefully an add will be appearing in the classifieds soon 🤭😉)

A word of warning – the number of insurance companies that will insure a self built camper is relatively small. Of that group the number that will then permit its use as a commuter vehicle is smaller again. We use The Insurance Factory (previously known as insurance choice) as a broker. Not a problem for us as I live at work but I did have to ‘prove’ how I got to work if it was not in my only vehicle.

Thanks, that’s worth knowing. My van is currently insured for commuting, but I live <5 miles away and haven’t driven to work in 12 years (99% cycle, 1% bus), so it won’t be a big issue if commuting is specifically excluded from the policy (though I’d rather have it, just in case)

There’s is a lot of truth in this thread TBF.
I’m rapidly approaching 40 & going through a divorce. I needed a new vehicle and the midlife crisis handbook suggested it should be either a van or a sports car. I chose a van. I’m doing a DIY conversion and the van wasn’t that expensive (not being a T5). For a while at least it’ll be my only vehicle so the extra running costs over a car aren’t really an issue. It’s definitely a lifestyle/aspirational thing though – I’m thinking of mine like:
1 – a big car with advantage of being able to sit in the back, make a brew and bacon sandwich whenever/wherever I want
2 – A small tent that doesn’t need pitching, is better insulated, a more comfortable bed and has a proper fridge and cooking facilities

Only time will tell whether 1&2 justify the financial outlay. But life is short and sometimes you just need to do it.

I’ve done something similar with this Decathlon inflatable tent it’s bit more expensive though. I’m converting my van but have slept in that wth the kids and it worked really well. When the van is converted I’m going to use it as an extra room/bedroom.

Personally I really wouldn’t bother with the ones where the prescription lens sits behin a polycarbonate outer (if that makes sense). I just could not get on with mine, I think because the prescription bit is closer to the eye I found my depth perception was totally shot. I had some free prescription safety glasses from work and they were exactly the same. YMMV. My first pair were from Boots and not exactly cheap

I just wear contacts for exercise now, but I know that doesn’t suit everyone.

Still lives a champagne lifestyle. No idea how she affords it.

Maybe it’s Cava?

I’d love a pop top, but the cost is prohibitive at the moment – it’s probably 50% of what I paid for the van. And not being a Transporter, I’m not sure how much of that I’d ever see back (not that residuals is much of a concern).

I’m going down the pull-out bed route, though I may swap that out for a proper M1 crash tested rock n roll bed if I find I need more than 3 seats in the future. I’m hoping to get the full conversion done for around £3k, but am expecting that might turn into nearer £4k.

I bought that cheap (£200) Decathlon inflatable awning linked above. I’ll be sleeping in it next weekend (it’s that or in the back of a windowless uninsulated van). I’ve only put it up in the house so far but it looks great for the money. It doesn’t come with a pump, so factor that in (<£10). Inflating takes a couple of minutes (max) using one of those cheap large capacity stirrup pumps. Seems a good option if you’re keeping costs down.

Roof lights seems a good addition but some of us dont like the thought of cutting holes in the roof. I have a vito conversion and recently fitted solar. It broke my heart to have to drill a hole in the roof for the cables.

I have twin side doors too. Both have sliders and I wouldn’t be without. Depends on your van size and layout but if you plan to have the cupboards down one side and r &r on the other it can be a lot easier when in bed to open the window away from the cupboards and sink. Simple things can make lots of difference. I use mine with my daughter and she always sleeps on cupboard side. I always want window open so I can do so without her waking up.

Thanks for this – sounds like 2 opening windows is the way to go. Mine is a Mk1 LWB Proace (same as Citroen Dispatch/Peugeot Expert) so probably similar size to yours. I’m less worried about cutting holes for the windows because every window is going in an opening door (so not terminal if it goes wrong).
The first thing I’m going to do is fit the windows and remove the bulkhead. If it seems gloomy in there I’ll reconsider fitting a roof light before I start the insulation (I’ll take some detailed measurements before insulating so I can retrofit if needed).

Other than a small hole for cable to the solar panel I don’t want to cut any more holes in the roof, so roof vents/lights are out.
Windows will be bonded/flush fitting with curtains/blinds for night time (and maybe fly screens).
I’m probably leaning towards a pair of opening ones, not fully decided

No idea, but I feel your pain. I got one when my dog was younger and ran full speed on the extender lead when I wasn’t paying attention so I wasn’t prepared for the jolt. It took about a year before it felt normal.
I’ve had similar sensation (but not as severe) in my other shoulder when playing squash and trying to hit the ball too hard with being fully warmed up – lesson learnt there. Not sure how that translates to biking though? Maybe some sort of compression top might help?

Shania Twain – Man, I feel like a woman

I won’t buy another Sony TV, purely because the two I have are so infuriatingly slow to turn on/react to inputs/bring up menus/load apps etc. It’s like they’re fitted with the computing power of a 1980s calculator. I don’t know if this is common across other ‘smart’ TVs though (?)

Ooo, I love a van conversion thread. It might just be the camera angle but that new van looks huuuuuuge inside.

Swap to Yorkshire Tea, job done.

What else do you need? Some money for buying nice beer when you’ve realised you’ve made 36 pints of pish. Or maybe that was just me.
I’ve given up on homebrew in case you haven’t guessed, this was after:
1 – IPA – drinkable (just)
2 – Lager – horrible
3 – St Peter’s Pale Ale – As above, very disappointed as it for good reviews
All were kits using the big plastic brewing bucket. Instructions followed to the letter. Bottle conditioned. 🤷

I did make homebrew Ginger ale from scratch using a demijohn, that was awesome stuff but came out at 12-13% 😬 , mixed 50:50 with lemonade it tasted just like Crabbies, but was much higher abv. It’s smelled delicious when boiling up the ingredients too.

Good luck OP, hope it works better for you.

Divorce and move out.

I think the £250/month for livery would pale into insignificance…

Horses are bloody expensive. My MiL and SiL both have/had horses that they really couldn’t afford, I just don’t get it. Can’t really offer any advice, but in your position I’d feel exactly the same.

What’s it’s worth on webuyanycar? Worth cutting your losses?