Years ago I had to visit an engineer occasionally to discuss finances in his department. Pretty simple stuff as he didn’t spend much. He was ~10 years my senior so late 50’s. Our pension allowed us to take the full amount at 60 but for every year before that you took the pension there was a discount...

I have been put off going for all that has been said above. On top of that on my first visit 30 years ago on a trip with 7/8 colleagues (for fun) I was pulled to one side and questioned due to my Irish passport. I had two cousins there at the time illegally! On my last trip I was also questioned. I ...

Last time I rode those tunnels was in the summer a couple of years ago when I was broadly following the route of Further East that I had started in Mkt Harbrough. Due to a train strike I stopped just before the tunnels and finished the next morning. I seem to recall some mud in the tunnels when I wa...

@Shaf noted

I often ride parts of NCN6 down from Clumber towards Market Harborough, and an old rail line to Northampton. I have ridden further south on occasion. It may not be a divide but it is quiet with fairly easy off road sections which help with speed over a long distance. If you want any assistance let m...

Happy, thanks.

In my corner of Derby, hopefully not damaging Mart’s ears or sensibilities, I have been listening to a chunk of Ren Gill. ‘Hi Ren’ was played on BbC Newsnight some 16 months ago but I got more into his stuff after visiting the Freckled Angels restaurant in Menai town. Freckled Angels is also the nam...

I read that earlier this afternoon with difficulty. The write up was just fine but I was supposed to attend but got ill a couple of weeks earlier and missed it. Tried to cycle today and nearly lost it twice in 5 minutes so longer rest required.

Dorsetshirelad - up here in Derbyshire, about an hour way from home, is a platform overlooking a pond that otters habitate. Thinking of a bivvy there in a couple of months. Otters, might be easier to spot that beavers,I think I’ll have to go back again! I meant to write beavers, not otters! Why did...

We are not dead yet! Who knows in the future

Dorsetshirelad - up here in Derbyshire, about an hour way from home, is a platform overlooking a pond that otters habitate. Thinking of a bivvy there in a couple of months.

The link works, but can't get the actual photo to upload onto the thread, too old for all this modern nonsense.

Thanks Reg.

So this image may or not appear but it is supposed to be of the premises where both me and young Reg were born about 5 weeks apart. Does it work? https://pxscdn.com/public/m/_v2/8000396 ... G2KfYP.jpg

Happy birthday young Reg, got my first pension a couple of weeks ago. 5 days after my birthday I went down with shingles and not been on a bike since. Take care of the ould body.

Not an app, but you could load statshunters webpage which does show you if you are in your square or not.
Beware, I am 53x53 on VV and 40x40 on the stats…

AndreR wrote: ↑Mon Jan 27, 2025 12:47 pm offer you mine but it’s gone to the extended family

Thanks Simon, I am sure I can track down a real life or Kindle copy.

Lomo Watersport have a sale on with their 13l saddle pack just over £25. Always been happy with mine and first choice if looking a bit damp out

Rich, I bought a ticket to ride and to camp but won't be attending. Last week I caught shingles and yesterday I went a bit downhill on my balancing, wobbly on my feet. Even if I am well enough to drive up there is no way I am fit to ride round. Somewhat annoyed as the summer event I entered, pre cov...

Simon, parts of the Gone Fishing was a bit too detailed for me and an audio version would have been better. I wasn’t aware of the Ted book but will look it up. At the moment easy reading is all I can cope with as my one eye is swollen and a fairly constant headache.

I read those two Askwith books some years ago, agree with your take. This week I have read The Satsuma Complex but Bob Mortimer and am now about half way through Gone Fishing that he wrote with Paul Whitehouse. Not too taxing and enjoying them. I was under the weather on Monday and Tuesday and it tu...

Phew!

Sorry to hear but sounds like it is for the best. I remember remarking a year ago that I was yet to miss a WE through illness or weather stopping me getting there. Sorry for you and Dee for all the work you will have put in. Hope the cake will not have gone off! I have entered a 200km audax on 1st F...

Hi boxelder, benp1 sent me a pm about them as he plans to be at the WE. If he drops out for any reason you will be first reserve.

Taylor, yes, it’s yours.

These items are too big to post but I travel about a bit and will be at the Winter Event next week. 2 full size self inflating Thermarests. They date back to 2000 and are a bit hefty for bikepacking but would be great for family stuff. Always stored fully inflated and never had a puncture. I have us...