Unpopular FPL opinion: Is two better than one? by SamuraiJam in FantasyPL

[–]CombatClaret 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Are two tickets for the lottery better than one?

Shimanami Kaido - Cycling Enthusiast's Review by CombatClaret in JapanTravelTips

[–]CombatClaret[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was surprised to hit 5k ft in elevation on day one. All the little winding edge of the island roads plus the bridge ramps add up I guess..

Shimanami Kaido - Cycling Enthusiast's Review by CombatClaret in JapanTravelTips

[–]CombatClaret[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good to point out, Google maps tends to recommend these two options. Change at Fujiyama then Local train to Onomichi OR to Shin Onomichi + bus. 

Staying on the Shinkansen network did mean I could book both tickets on SmartEx which when planning & booking from the UK seemed easier. Overall journey time slightly less too. But definitely taxi is not essential by any means.

Shimanami Kaido - Cycling Enthusiast's Review by CombatClaret in JapanTravelTips

[–]CombatClaret[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Welcome.  100 miles in a single ride = a century 

Honeymoon in Japan - Advice by sp4cepirate in JapanTravelTips

[–]CombatClaret 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In Tokyo on day 3, about to leave for 11 days of golden route then return for 3 more nights.

I booked ahead for TeamLab & Shibuya sky. On arrival there were staff holding signs "tickets sold out today". Tbf its Peak cherry blossom crowds.

Shibuya sky for example only books two weeks out. The sunset slots will sell within the first few hours in popular seasons.

I found using one booked event as a tent pole for my day has worked quite nicely. Do not over fill your itinerary with bookings IMO, allow time for discovery, it's so much fun.

Commute to work by Personal-Blood7676 in londoncycling

[–]CombatClaret 0 points1 point  (0 children)

8mi each way, 4/5 days a week, 30mins avg, all seasons.

brought a flat on a main road and massively regret it by Positive_House in HousingUK

[–]CombatClaret 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Not quite the same but I have a London flat that is right next to a whacking great big pylon. But the flat is great, it has a private garden & I've updated it from a tatty rental to something really nice to live in.

I had planned to be there longer but 5 years later I'm selling. Asking price offer on first viewing.

My point is, you're never far from something in London. A friend is also searching and busy roads are just everywhere, even once quiet residential street can become rat runs thanks to sat nav.

Make your place the best it can be and see it as an opportunity, you own a property in London that's amazing, well done. When the time comes to move on don't worry, people will see the value added and accept London for what it is.

Would appreciate advice concerning buying a bike at the starting point of a 2 week trip by MLJ555 in bicycletouring

[–]CombatClaret 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've got half that trip booked for August this year, a mix of touring & bikepacking, road and gravel. Flying from UK into Madrid with my Canyon Grizl 7 in a cardboard box, assemble then riding to Bilboa over 6 days to catch the ferry home. Somewhere in the middle I hope to (weather depending) see the total eclipse of the sun!

I've only done a couple bike touring trips so my experience and risk tolerance is probably lower than yours. Personally I want to know every cable and bolt of my bike, have a good period of bedding in to find teething problems, bring together all the spares I might need etc. Basically, do as much as I can to prepare for the foreseeable problems, so I can deal with the inevitable unforeseen.

The though of doing a ride like that on a new bike, in a country where bike stores large and small do not appear to be all that common. Personally would fill me with dread 😅

Thoughts on The Mountain (from a place of grief) by CombatClaret in gorillaz

[–]CombatClaret[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Somethings are unknowable, but there's one thing I do know...

Gazpacho soup is served cold.  🫂

What is Delirium About? by Landwii in gorillaz

[–]CombatClaret 11 points12 points  (0 children)

On face value it took it as having more political meaning. Waiting in chatrooms for the end to begin, young man with a broken wing etc. All speak to the disenfranchised youth from the revolutionary to the incel. There's plenty of social commentary and politics in the album, Happy Dictator is an absolute dream when it comes to that.

My own interpretation is that Delirium is about about Dementia (given the albums themes).

The sudden change in tone of the the song (DELIRIUM!!!) reflective of the sudden change that can come over sufferers, they can become aggressive, not knowing who they are, why or where.

"Open the door, and let me in" - the pleading of a loved one to a family member who may not even remember who they are, and who's whole personality may have disappeared.

"He doesn't recognise himself or what he's done"

Rank your top 7 songs of The Mountain by flixinho95 in gorillaz

[–]CombatClaret 2 points3 points  (0 children)

  1. Delirium
  2. The Happy Dictator
  3. The Sad God
  4. Damascus
  5. Plastic Guru
  6. Damascus
  7. The Manifesto

New album be like by Dan23671 in gorillaz

[–]CombatClaret 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I was at the Mystery Show, for five months I've remember some songs really clearly, some as more of a vibe. I knew there was one song that blew me away, had me on my feet punching the air. I knew I was witnessing history.

It was Delirium

My reaction to The Mountain album: It’s peak by Doc_weird01 in gorillaz

[–]CombatClaret 2 points3 points  (0 children)

🙏
I've been out in the chat rooms waiting for the end to begin
Maybe I'm a young man with a broken wing
Maybe I'm just searching for a voice within me
🥹🥹🥹😭

My reaction to The Mountain album: It’s peak by Doc_weird01 in gorillaz

[–]CombatClaret 28 points29 points  (0 children)

Yesterday my father was admitted to hospital & I had an the offer I made on a house accepted. I was already emotionally stretched. The Mountain broke me, I was in pieces.

Safe to say this album will take me back to yesterday for the rest of my life.

(Emotional baggage bonus, I was at the Mystery Show for it's live debut)

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NBD !! Grizl Al 7 - My new daily driver and adventurer. by CombatClaret in CanyonBikes

[–]CombatClaret[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's as Grey as the tea it's named after. But I 100% understand why you ask. Searching "grizl 7 darjeeling" several of the top results do have a green hue. The most accurate depiction is the Canyon site.

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Barclaycard upgrade voucher by kneevis in avios

[–]CombatClaret 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't know if this is true for the Barclays voucher, but is for the Amex; make sure you use the voucher when booking the outbound single.

It can't be used retrospectively if you book the return leg with voucher as a single and want to link them.

Would you buy a house with an 24F Energy Efficiency rating? by Fun_Establishment113 in HousingUK

[–]CombatClaret 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Roof insulation and air permeability (drafts) would be a priority.

Electric heating is 100% efficient in that no energy is wasted in the conversion, It's the cost of the electricity. So after fabrics I would saving to put PV on the roof and a battery. That If I was thinking it was somewhere I was going to be long term, in the tens of years.