I think Dr J makes a good point about the difficulty of navigating the health system, but I’m also going to complicate the replies and advice so far. I work in emergency medicine, and unless there’s a rapidly developing infection/sepsis etc we are not best placed or set up for dealing with minor surgical procedures on long standing problems- we would have hoped for your GP to refer you to the appropriate surgical specialty. A&e has become the default access point to specialties for a range of non-emergency conditions, and it makes for a frustrating and inefficient process for the patient.

Reyt good issue- really like the articles I’ve read so far, especially Amanda’s adventure, Jura and the tales of Chipps in the Pyrenees. Keep it up!

I’m mostly devoid of felines

Deserves more recognition- bravo sir, and very quick too!

North Lakes

I think the point is that BP haven’t done anything innovative or clever, but instead made obscene profit on the misery of thousands who are struggling to keep themselves warm this winter. While the government is having to write cheques to keep the heating on for people, it’s difficult for me to heap praise on big energy firms for their ‘success’.

The man in seat 61 website is my go to for all questions like this, worth a look!

Generally released 3 months in advance, except for things like Eurostar. Not surprised that tickets aren’t available yet, unfortunately that’s how it is.

Sail beck- nice ‘old school’ mountain biking as a way to get through to Buttermere but not techs or interesting really. Rigg beck, heading the other way from where you joined it, is a hoot.

Causey- little scramble down off the summit then good steep tech, rideable if you’re lucky with route choice and skilled (I have never linked it in a one-er). From the flat area (sleet hause) on the ridge I take the main path, just a high speed hoot, the path you have marked over Rowling end is not at all rideable for me- several sections of hands on rock when ascending that way.

Edit: save it for a dry spell. The ride west to east along scar crags to Causey is also lovely ridge riding, easy access from Stonycroft.

I was up on top of Skiddaw little man today (flying not riding) and it was clear of all snow and ice, so the high fells generally should be fine. I like Braithwaite- force crag- coledale hause- whiteless/rannerdale- gasgale gill- grisedale pike loop.

Loved his work on Fantasy Island

That, sir, is genius. Have a thumbs up 👍

Given your weather requirements, Scotland may be as close as anywhere to achieving what you want. Alps in August is often very hot, especially recently.

Weather station says 52%, located in the kitchen. No real condensation problems, sometimes bedroom windows a bit wet.

I love my Skoda Superb from the same family as the Passat, SEL exec trim gets heated seats and adaptive cruise, but when I bought it had less of a VW tax so better value. Huge boot.

Chuck in a tour of Tiree, some beauties facing all directions.

Inov8 sale on now, they have sent me emails with ROCLITE PRO G 400 GTX 40% off from their direct sales shop, if that helps anyone?

We’ve been to messini twice, and it’s great, I think with your family’s interests you’ll all be happy. The standard road bikes were absolutely fine, and the road riding is excellent, with a good range of guided rides. Water sports, tennis, swimming pool all great, reliable afternoon wind for exciting sailing.

I remember the boozed up Uni netball team on the shared mini bus back from an away fixture taking it in turns to stick their bare arses out the back window at 60 mph on the motorway, showering unsuspecting cars as they passed. This was 1994 so not sure it’s a new phenomenon.

Is this the modern version of leeches?

Dogs are weird. My dog is scared of mornings, and I’ve no idea why. Hides away, shakes, generally scatty. Fine all other times, I’m putting it down to doggy dementia (she’s nearly 10).

North east off Robinson takes you down a 3 small scramble crags (not rideable) and loses most of its height on grass whichever way you go. Wouldn’t recommend.

Fergal the East ridge of Bowscale fell isn’t what I meant, but I’ll have a look at that next time….I’m talking about the east ridge leading directly to Bannerdale Crags summit. No path on the map.

Hindscarth- the climb up Robinson from Newlands is tough in places, tricky short scramble sections to take care while shouldering the bike. Hindscarth is brilliant but lower down has 2 or 3 little craglets that for me are unridable. I’d probably recommend going there via dale head summit, a better route across to Hindscarth. I don’t think Robinson adds much.

Bannerdale- the track down the tongue that runs down it’s south side is fast and not technical. There is a possibly fun route off bannerdale crags east ridge (marked disused mine workings on OS map) that may go, but maybe too tricky, worth a walk up to have a look, quick hike a bike to gain altitude that way and could always head to the tongue or down the glenderamackin to mousethwaite Combe instead.

3 pages in and people are ignoring the correct stuff on page one.

Are you new here? 😉

I’ll copy my reply from the same question on UKC for the non- rock climbing cyclists…

The Keswick area passes are great as you can choose how far and steep you want and make a route accordingly. I would rank them from hardest to easiest as :

Honister from Buttermere

Honister from Borrowdale

Newlands from Buttermere

Newlands from Braithwaite

Whinlatter from Lorton

Whinlatter from Braithwaite

You can do them all in a long ride without repeating any, or choose a combo to suit.

Fred Whitton is a great day out, don’t underestimate the hilly bits that aren’t major passes, especially Cold fell area.

There is a cycle path following the danube that we are looking to do as a family. Well known route with hire providers including e bikes, trains could get you to start and back from the end.

Less driving, Newcastle-Amsterdam ferry and lots of pan European train routes from there. Its a great way to arrive in Europe.

I’ve just been for a fell run in pissing rain and wind. I now feel great, although type 2 fun at the time. There’s something great about getting tired, cold and filthy in the autumn then coming home to the wood burner , armchair and cup of tea. Get out while it’s still light, go on!

It was great that all Rich’s hard work has paid off (although I think there is an opportunity for objections before it is formally ratified). He demonstrated years of regular use by cyclists with evidence from both written statements from those of us who ride it regularly, and, interestingly, Strava. If anyone is looking to campaign for similar it is worth seeing what Richard did to get his case across. He’s on FB as Mtb Guides.

It goes before the ROW committee this week, fingers crossed they agree with the planning officers recommendation for change to BW: Link here

Local rider Richard has been instrumental in organising this campaign, so hopefully it gets signed off.

I did Robz’ route last weekend, it’s a classic. Get up early to get to sa colobra before lunch buses and heat make it less fun if you can, I think it’s about 85km all up.

Steady racks are good if you want to be able to pivot the bike and are easy to load- saw them in a bike shop in mallorca and look good, but are significantly pricier than a simple wall hook. Merlin have them discounted at the moment.

Christopher Walken as Capt Koons in Pulp Fiction.

Left BC this year, no regrets….

If you fancy a drive to the lakes, park at the bowness side of the chain ferry, take the ferry across windermere and ride the lakeshore north to wray castle (national trust, big playground, cafe), returning same way. Or elterwater to skelwith bridge (cafe) and back along the river, very flat well made path.

12:23, half an hour quicker than the record- incredible!

The French extended family where Grandmere produces an incredible 6 course lunch every day, laid out on an enormous family table, table cloths, comfy chairs, massive salads, wine, and everyone comes back from beach/pool/forest about 2pm and settles in for long lunch- wish my family was French……

Is there a reliable objective professional who I could pay to assess my house and suggest most effective/best value improvements? Don’t want an EPC or a builder who has a vested interest in the work.

Get dropped by car at top latrigg carpark (gale road). Worth a ride/push to the viewpoint overlooking Keswick near Latrigg summit along a well made track (designed for wheelchair users but a bit steep in places for 6 yr old to ride maybe). Then return and head left where the path splits and head down the BW towards Keswick (spooney green lane). The bottom of this is steep, but can head off left just as it steepens to either go out and back avoiding the main steepness, or continue along to pop out above Calvert Trust stables.

The pump track in Fitz park in Keswick is great for all ages.

Good piece in the Guardian, with some insight into why this case is not he same as those quoted by the awful Liddle (a Katie Hopkins for the red trouser brigade- see his remarks on fuel poverty the same day as the archie piece). This child had no prospect of recovery, and I hope his family can find peace eventually.

Rachel Clarke article