I would say

German Museum of Technology- a big old place of trains buses cars and other tech.

Neues Museum I much preferred this to pergammon. Lots of Egyptian stuff but also lots of interesting Germanic tribes.

Stasi Museum…a walk through of the 1970 and 1980s personally liked it more than ddr museum mainly as it smelt of 1970s. Ddr more interactive

Berlin zoo …never been.

Check point charlie…. tourist trap but you get the idea nearby is the topography of terror museum on the rise of Nazis …. excellent museum but maybe not for the very young.

Boxhagener Platz….we stayed nearby a couple of times and is interesting and safe especially if they have the food market on.

Great wandering city and walk were you can so you can see Brandenburg gate and walk round to reichstag.

Cool thanks for all the advice!

Monkey man – dev Patel

Thanks….re fit wheels EU we had a set of wheels from them pre Brexit, very good but put off via Brexit taxes and shenigans.

Cheers all.

She is thinking 35mm front and 30mm for back wheel.

So real world is 200 miles then? Not looking at cargo model but five seater.

Thanks for the replies….the quality on VW seems to have plummeted.

Ambleside £4.20 for a portion of chips.

Pre COVID paid around a £1.00.

Thanks so looks like the e-m1 mkii fits budget and requirements . Can I check I can use it with the lens from my old Olympus om d m10.

I think yes but checking

Thanks for all the info, sticking with om d seems a good option as I can reuse the lens.

Can I ask much difference between

Olympus EM5-iii  approx £600 to700

To

omd em 10 mark  iv. Top end £550

Weatherproof is quite important as is robustness.

Mainly landscapes and street photography that interest me ….all help appreciated.

Can I ask some advice on electric cars please, these will be very basic questions and at the start of looking around a lease car on salary sacrifice – England based and this will be NHS/public sector lease.

Looking at best option and running practicability.

I travel 70 miles round trip to work daily .. motorway and a road… In office 3 to 5 days per week depending on meeting schedule.

I require a comfortable car which will transport dog and grand children. I have never had a SUV but looking at lease offers they seem to dominate the market. Current car A6 allroad estate, which is being passed on to daughter as her car is not viable much longer.

Priorities

Range….as much as possible

Fast charge battery

Decent drive.

Comfort

Space  but not too much.

Anyone own any of these and prepared to offer a view.

BMW iX3

Mercedes EQB or even EQC

Other options?

Others like Kia ev6 which was a choice but the seat headrest is fixed and due to my neck issues is a non starter. VW and Audi platforms seem underwhelming and not the same quality as my current Audi, also looking for something with as few touch screens as possible

Charging…,we will be moving this year possibly Dec to a house with a drive, till then I am in a terrace.

Will I get by

With granny charging from a three pin at home plus top up at chargers in car park. Not most cost effective.

Can I join octopus or intelligent charging provider using a three pin option. Does it need a charge port?

I assume when I move house I will be able to move account and fit a ohme pod charger at new house?

Range anxiety….is it a real issue. Usual trip to lake district is 160 mile round trip so do able on a single charge? Big trip per annum to Somerset to see family.

Salary sacrifice…anything consider? Pension affected? 58 and planning to retire around early 60’s.

Anything else I really need to know or think on before committing?

Cheers

Last yak attack…great read

Great cover shot

Copenhagen card and nip into museums, art galleries and the planetarium. I enjoyed the planterium, round tower is a good stroll up,  oddly we enjoyed the ruins underneath the palaceLots to choose plus Tivoli gardens, which you pay for rides you want but well worth a visit for the gardens and understanding Disney’s idea.Louisana is a quick zip on the train but a good 10 minute walk from station, enjoyable.

A lot of folk have bought gravel bikes in the last few years and use them (in part) to ride what they used to use a mtb for. That has to be an example of acknowledging they’d have a bit more fun with a bit less bike

Or have bought into marketing hype….which could be said about all the bike industry from freeride to enduro, xc to down country. To ebike or not.

Know plenty of riders who bought gravel bikes and do not get on with it.

The types of bikes we ride are driven by marketing, either buying in or rejecting the mainstream see single speed or lovely handcrafted bikes.

As above ride and enjoy whatever your bike of choice is.

A term use by some to judge and pigeon hole you as a individual to a ‘norm’ and conformity of expectation. Often added is skill compensator or steamroller.

But this post

Oh, and run what you brung. Be happy. And don’t believe anyone who tells you what you should be riding. It’s your ride!

This!

Personally I have ridden 100mm full suspension on a Fred whitton, ridden a full suspension up col de tourmelet, ridden a rigid fat bike downhill ( very slowly) all the time being told I was on the wrong bike by 80% of people, the other 20%got it

What you ride is up to you, I have had significant skeletal issues and sometimes needed a sofa or skillzz compensator to feel.ok riding. So the person out on the road with the 170/160 mm full suspension maybe recovering from something, o only have one bike or is wonderfully and blissfully happy.

Roach tops and shorts.

Litespeed Kitsuma ti……. precursor of all the hardcore hardtails. I regret selling mine

Kona kileau…..just lovely.

This

. Very flat, quite pretty, bit boring really

We did with kids by bike when they were young , all between ages 8 and 11.

They keep reminding me how flat and boring it was.

Are your interests Putsch or Rally?

Both.

Cool thanks Munich it is then!

I was ill for a few days, no coffee in those days, the headaches lasted about 14 days, truly savage. Been coffee absent for 3 months no headaches or pants to return to drinking coffee.

Recommendation or rather what has not worked for me in last three years dog walking and hiking. 100kgs human. Moors, fells north of England plus  lake district

Adidas…. destroyed two pairs of Skychasers. Each pair went after 300 miles same place. Best all round grip, best feel the terrain but limited cushioning. AX models lasted well in the past.

Hoka….loads of pairs …..often too soft, lots of odd wear , soles falling off. Lots of heel issues. Max miles 600 from a pair least 130ish Always trick me as they feel good out of the box.

Salwea – comfy but lethal sole vibram soles. Died after going through a fell bog, went rock hard did the outer but lethal soles

Sauncony, soles lethal and sizing odd.

La sportiva….dies after 215 miles, delaminated and ripped. Horrendous quality. Model lycans.

Salomon –  Quest boots on third pair….one pair died after 15 months second pair on way out but they went to Iceland as well. Ultra x had in the past and did some decent walking in them including a couple of big hills.

Brooks cascadia…non goer text with waterproof socks. Surviving and working, decent sole, rock plate and ok heel drop.

Lots of sales especially sports shoes.

Good luck

So far baking soda in various compounds not worked.

Pet odour took the edge off.

IPA bath currently in progress on strap.

Trough of Bowl and

https://www.forestofbowland.com/star-gazing

Take your bikes, ride day and night. Stargaze 

Then or whenever head to a gastro pub….

Parkers Arms

Spread Eagle

Finisterre because of Dominic Cummings.

As above westies are prone to skin and ear sensitivity,  my mum had westies when I was growing up.

As above try and work out the cause, takes some doing. My current Dalmatian goes neon pink, first one with skin issues so  took him to get … associated bill of £250 and a injection…..through a long process worked out it was sweet potato causing the problem.

So your bill is not unusual and get some pet insurance ( get third party as well on it in case your dog causes a accident) if you need the vets but try a find the root cause if at all possible.

Last train to Busan

The Host

Parasite

Ran

Jackie Brown

Dredd

Logan

District 9

Oh I have a couple of those army surplus , genuine ones and new, really good for spring and autumn, lighter and wear well but there are a variety of copies that are not great.

Just got rid of my 1991 buffalo…..still using it this Feb.

Alpkit Jura partner has one and it is lighter and not as warm as the buffalo….not hem cord to pull in velcro tabs and no strap to pull it in round your gut, so looses some heat. Pit zips though.

I have a snugpack copy of the buffalo, was a gift, pertex outer not as good as the buffalo, fleece very good and warm. Velcro tabs on the hem.

Montane I struggled with sizing, large.was too small across my shoulders, XL was huge in chest and stomach area. Excellent quality but heavy though.

Oddly the Montane hydrogen direct jacket is the item I replaced the buffalo with. Alpha fleece and good quality….fit is good for me and it is light.£80 I paid for mine.

Changgyeonggung

Gyeongbokgung Palace and the boulevard leading up, but the whole area was worth a walk.

North Seoul Radio Tower

We went pre COVID to S Korea and had a great time….the above are what stuck out to me but just a great city to walk around. 

Try and read some of the history before going, truly fascinating.

Enjoy.

 

This

Spank vibrocore aluminium bars were a revelation for me

I have the 777 bars and the Spank are as brilliant for my knackered hands and neck.

Stooge fat bike in titanium. My favorite.

Mk1 stooge that the family has  used as a training bike, bike packing, going to the shops, hybrid gravel cross thing 

It is probably the most used bike in the family 

Hoka have lasted longer than

Adidas…..sky chaser? 220 miles split at crease on bunion area. Great soles dire shoes

Hoka speedgoats 350 miles

Alta… Maybe 200 ish

Sauconry …400 ish inside cushioning disentagrated

ASICS…..miles and miles and miles 10 years plus….but so old skool they hurt.

Salomon…..quest been good more than a year….xds/ultra good did Mt Kinabalu in pair that had done York’s three peaks in the same year.

Most running shoes or walking boots I am getting less than 400 miles.

I find the more traditional leather shoes uncomfortable in my aged years.

Salwea great pair of boots but the nubuck turn rock solid after a hard winter on the fells.

Altras….I found the opposite to the hoka…..I did not get on with them at all, drop, fit or feel.

Daughter has a pair and loves them. Fell running walking dog.

Two pairs owned here…..ten nine the one with huge heel support sticking out the back. Some good miles in roughly 1k walking on everything from Berlin to lake District. Lugs wore quickly but evenly, no delamination and waterproof. Down side huge heel makes some decent a tricky.

Second pair sky Kaha… around 600 miles leather gore tex mix, had to stick soles back onin places several times.  But good for firetracks and fell paths.

Both are supportive with good cushioning, not the usual hoka marshmallow approach….I have three pairs of trail or running hoka including speed goat, lasted 350 miles. Enough feel for the terrain and enough protection. Vibram sole not a sticky as Adidas continental but far better than they used to be in a range of conditions….wet grass on fells or rocky stuff.

I like both and would buy again.

I have Salomon quests…on Third  pair….second pair still going but thin on the ball of my foot. Been round Iceland in third pair and comfortable. For me good all round boot.

21 years since first diagnosed with C5 disc herniation aka rugby neck. Now on issues C4 C5 and c7. Limited or no feeling in right hand, pins and needles for me I suffer from headaches due to the impingement, they are the worst.Over the years had bouts of not Riding, current one since 2020, just doing some rides now. Also had really good times, 2x Fred whitton, riding in Pyrenees, lakes district,.

I would never use a chiropractor….I did and worse decision I made.

Acupuncture absolutely works for me, recommended.

Osteopath is my regular treatment.

Developing a mobility programme helps as does a strength regime. Not 200kgs strong lifts

Keeping the blood flowing is essential I would say, anything active helps.

Pillows and comfortable position absolutely essential.

Holding your neck out of position due to restricted movement will throw out your alignment so other things will hurt., So consider how you are holding or positioning yourself.

Riding wise, my bike set up would be mocked by some but I have to adapt to my range of motion. I cannot ride a hardtail or rigid but I was up to 2020, listen to your body and not fashionistas. Bar end on risers …..if it helps do it. Low stack heights not working for me.

Good luck and keep moving.

Ps remember work need to accommodate your needs re your health issues

Size wise

A6 two X 29 in with front wheel off both large can get three in there but get a towbar and rack

330d two x29 small and a large.

330 is not a large estate…..but adequate…. biggest issue is ride height….low to the ground, great in handling but crap at speed bumps or lakes car parks with dubious surfaces.

Everything we use the A6 all road for we had a MK1 golf GTi for ….. Everything is easier in the A6 but nothing was unmanagable inThe  golf.

Audi A6….3 litre diesel….allroad if possible. On my third allroad, other two are on 161k and 188k. All serviced accordingly, one had to have suspension airbags replaced rear.

Volvo great seats …Audi great

BMW 330d m sport in the house , fast efficient and had three recalls. For me dire seats.

Rudi, my Dalmatian with my daughter’s cockerpoo, Flynn.

Citing committee in session.