I can see how they can attract the shitehawk tag

It's Kites that were sometimes called that Dave.

What is snow like on the HT550?

Same as anywhere really - white, cold and sometimes slippery. However, being Scottish means that it's completely free to settle on the floor wherever it likes.

I'll just add here that when using a lightweight bivvy with netting, I never bother to tie / hang the thing. I simply get in, zip it up and go to sleep. As a side sleeper I rarely notice the netting resting on my head. Next question. Where the hell do I buy a Borah bivy in the post brexit minefield ...

Really depends on the cage and what's in them Tony. Most have a weight limit but if ever I use cages, I always try to pack the least weight and most bulk in them. You can sometimes have problems catching them on tight trails and I've found they do a reasonable job as acting as a wind brake.

I'd buy a Borah or similar. Very light and roomy.

Whilst driving to the vets yesterday afternoon, a Merlin came out of the trees and flew a few feet ahead for 50 yards or so before veering off back into the trees - lovely she was.

.... and yeah, that's a rare Welsh Panda. You can tell because it looks grumpy.

I'll just leave this here for a while.

Yes, my understanding is that they're one and the same. The GNT is simply a combination of existing routes.

I think over the course of something that long and especially within the UK, there'll always be a few dull bits (subjective), it's just par for the course.

I'm thinking I've obviously missed summat.

EDIT: found it.

Was it still alive or was it dead She was very much alive. It's not unusual to hear them calling here but this one seemed very loud (when I was sat indoors). Climbed on the roof the following morning to find her happily sat on a ledge down the chimney. Thought I'd give her a few hours (they often f...

Glad it's in a box Hux and not down the chimney like the one I had last year

(cos I am not actually that short)

Compared to what?

I always used 3/4 mats and found that as long as it stopped below my knees, the sudden transition wasn't an issue ... obviously someone taller may have more issue finding something suitable.

What's a peak vent? It's a vent located near or at the top. What about the Lunar Solo or Lanshan 1? Can't speak for the Lanshan but the Lunar Solo is a cracking shelter. For many, it's perhaps near perfect for lightweight duties. Won't be as roomy* as a Mini Peak but considerably lighter. *but room...

I've just watched the first swallows of the year return ... always a good day

This looks similar to the DD Super light pyramid tent?

Does that have any peak vents V?

Corvids don't like buzzards and will mob them to drive them away.

They'll mob any large Raptor Bob. I can usually tell where the owl is should he escape due to the noise the other birds are making.

It's true, I would often suggest a Gatewood Cape but in this instance, I reckon you'll find it cramped. Instead, I reckon you'd be well served by a Luxe Mini Peak. They have a separate inner which clips in (not a faff to fit) yet with that in place they still provide loads of room for cooking / stor...

We have very few here. I don't think they like the buzzards and Kites.

I can't believe you haven't got loads of scrap carbon Shaf.

This might sound odd but have you tried giving real thought to simply relaxing more when riding? Rigid tends to make people grip the bars harder and even when you think you aren't, it can take some conscious thinking to make to loosen your grip ... it's also quite counter-intuitive especially on rou...

Isn’t it just the way of things? It’s the same as cars and bicycles. There’s a period of experimentation before everyone discovers the same basic designs are ‘best’.

That might be it. Maybe we've all lived through the golden age of tent design and are now seeing the results

What saddle bags would people suggest for limited clearance?

A little one.

Travers Prong is one of the nicest riding carbon forks I've ridden.

Maybe 50/50 Tony. Take a small stove and a mug and at least you'll not be stuck for a brew.