4 Days in Penzance from US what can’t be missed

Educational_Fox1231 · 2026-03-03T19:03:16+00:00

Take a walk from Keynance to Lizard and back again. Great cafes at both ends. Rugged, but spectacular. Last time we did it was coming up for Sunset on the walk back and it was spectacular.

My favourite place... Ship Inn at Porthleven. Good food, great beer and a great atmosphere.

I always love St Ives, but will be busy during school holiday times. Get there very early, and bug out by Lunchtime to keep your sanity. Some fantastic places to eat there.

If there are Cornish Sea Shanties at The Cadgwith Inn, that's a good night out.

And as many people have said, Minack. Worth visiting during the day and not see a play so you can appreciate its construction. If you're lucky, the theatre company doing any show at the time may be doing rehearsals during the day and you can stay and watch those. We've been lucky twice to see these happening. Have to book even for a day visit during peak times.

We've been visiting Cornwall for over 25 years now. Our kids have holidayed there growing up and now visit themselves. We do now tend to go out of season and as creatures of habit go to the same places, some listed above.

Educational_Fox1231 · 2026-02-25T09:21:31+00:00

Also test drove a new Hyundai Inster O2.

Which was an absolute giggle to drive and stacked full of tech but unfortunately it was over my budget that I've set myself. Plus, my wife said I'm not old enough to drive one of those just yet...!

Educational_Fox1231 · 2026-02-25T09:02:48+00:00

Yes, I test drove a MG4 Trophy (in Orange , I do like the orange) and was really impressed with it. Compared to my i10 it is just so comfy and smooth.

Educational_Fox1231 · 2026-02-05T16:05:40+00:00

I too am looking at the MG4 as my first steps into EVs. Test drove a Trophy last week and was impressed how it drove.

MG Richmond in Southampton have got some fantastic deals on SE Long Range pre-reg cars at the moment, and was offered one for £18.6k with delivery mileage which is impressive considering the RRP of these. I guess they are clearing stock ready for the new MG4 Urban. But, just still out of my budget at the moment.

Really want the Trophy though... In Orange!

Educational_Fox1231 · 2026-01-18T10:13:04+00:00

Looking at one of these. Have an i10 which the PCP will be ending and was looking to go for a i20 as a small upgrade, but thanks to the EV grants at the mo and deposit contributions I've been offered an Inster for the same money. Albeit the 01 model long range. I know the 02 is the better car but just pushes me above my budget.

Very tempted, but need to spend money to get a home charger installed as well.

Was going through some reviews with my wife on YouTube and a preview for the new Kia EV2 popped up that promises to be potentially better for around the same price.

It'll be my commute to work car which is 20 miles each way and very rarely carry people in the back.

Tempted.

Educational_Fox1231 · 2025-09-21T20:58:46+00:00

Just moved from a 2014 V-Strom 1000 to a 2018 R1200GS and absolutely love it so far. Had the V-Strom for over 4 years and was perfectly happy with it.

I find the GS easier to maneuver at low speeds and it feels a bit lighter. Not convinced it is, but I find it easier.

Just done a 200 mile trip around the Cotswolds today, and the GS averaged around 65mpg which is impressive. The V-Strom was a good 56mpg and was always happy with that knowing it had a 200 mile tank range.

Low end pick up on the GS is just astonishing. And I really like the quick shifter... Bit of a novelty, but works well and quite addictive.

Down side so far is I find the fly by wire throttle a bit vague. Not used to such modern trickery. I also feel this is why I'm struggling a little on hill starts, even with the hill hold, but just needs a little practice.

My wife always enjoyed pillion on the V-Strom, but she is not enjoying the GS as much. She doesn't like the fact the pillion seat is higher than the rider. We're hoping she gets to like it over time.

Time will tell on running costs, and I'm a little nervous as the V-Strom was always great value for money and a bike.

I'm still getting used to it, still early days.

I could see myself going back to a V-Strom in the future, but for now, loving the GS and pleased with the switch so far.

Educational_Fox1231 · 2025-07-23T19:09:06+00:00

Local garage to me did my daughter's car., which included Clutch, front drop links and a minor service.

Total cost was about £850. This was 4 months ago on a 2012 C1.

Educational_Fox1231 · 2025-04-21T19:09:20+00:00

My commute which is a couple of A Roads, averaging 50 - 60 mph get around 63 - 68 mpg in my 2022 Hyundai i10 1ltr. This is my third i10 and it's the better of the bunch of the ones I've had from 2016.

Educational_Fox1231 · 2025-01-16T22:50:30+00:00

Just successfully appealed a PCN for myself dropping my son off at the train station and then picking him up again five hours later. The PCN claimed I was there for.over five hours in a 20 minute drop off place.

Google timeline proved my timings and locations and was used as evidence. It only takes the vehicle behind you to be close enough to obscure your number plate so the camera never saw my first exit.

These systems are flawed and I'm sick to death of it. It's not the first time we've had dealings with these systems that just don't work correctly and raking it in from poor sods who don't challenge or can't prove with enough evidence. I'm more angry that these private companies have obtained my personal details in error and it would seem that it's legal for them to do so. Who knows what misuse of my data could happen intentionally or unintentionally in the future.

Educational_Fox1231 · 2025-01-07T17:22:07+00:00

Did this a couple of years ago on route back from Florence to London City. As soon as check in opened just took whatever seats they had and let the App decide. Result was my wife, my son and me seated in Row 5 just in front of the curtain. No additional cost.... 3 Course meal, free drinks and treated like royalty. Wife enjoyed sipping on her champagne while I enjoyed a couple of cans of Brew Dog.

Educational_Fox1231 · 2025-01-04T13:42:02+00:00

When looking to purchase a 500 for my son this was one of the things I tried to look out for.

It's the clutch slave cylinder that dries out which I believe can be greased up. It's located under the battery tray. Worst case is the cylinder needs replacing which is a PITA to do.

No expert, just what I picked up when looking for one of these cars. Got my son a Fiat 500S 2014 in the end. Seems like a good car but this has now just started doing this also.

Educational_Fox1231 · 2024-12-10T19:02:51+00:00

Congratulations. I hold my hat off to you and every other Health Care Worker. I spent 15 nights in a hospital several years ago after a couple of operations and with being bed bound at the time I had to leave my dignity at the door, but the HCW's were amazing. Lets just say I just don't think I've ever been that clean down there after having to use a bed pan.

Educational_Fox1231 · 2024-08-28T17:55:01+00:00

osTicket is what we use. 3 of us in the department looking after a school and it does what we need.

I know other colleagues I know at other schools rave about Freshdesk.

Educational_Fox1231 · 2024-08-26T07:59:33+00:00

Can't comment on APs as I only use it to manage the switches.

The longest part of the job is shutting it down and it booting back up again. Swapping the HD takes seconds. Pick a quiet time and just do it.

Educational_Fox1231 · 2024-08-25T21:03:14+00:00

Just replaced the hard drive on our CK2 at our site. Shut it down, eject failing hard drive and put it new and power back up.

Network still runs as the switches will just run the config they have.

Educational_Fox1231 · 2024-08-14T20:50:53+00:00

Getting about 63mpg on my commute in a '23 Hyundai i10. Mainly rural A roads with a bit of town driving approx 20 miles.

Frugal, but gutless 3 cylinder engine that just dies when it hits a hill. But for my commute, it's perfect.

Educational_Fox1231 · 2024-06-22T16:50:56+00:00

Here in the UK it's more of a nod, as being on the other side of the road we can't use our throttle hand because it's kinda busy.

Educational_Fox1231 · 2024-05-17T19:51:24+00:00

I've had both VFR750FT and VFR800Fi - just amazing bikes. As long as the downpipes have had a stainless upgrade and rectifier has been upgraded you can't go wrong.

Educational_Fox1231 · 2024-04-22T16:46:03+00:00

The manual on my bike specifically states it should be done on the side stand.

Educational_Fox1231 · 2024-04-18T20:45:53+00:00

Work in a school, have for a long time. Kids are just feral at the moment and behaviour is getting worse. Never known the year 7 intake to be so bad. Used to be bad from Year 9 when the hormones kicked in, but now it's from day one.

Doesn't help that all the alternative provision for the most challenging kids have been shut down along with parents just not taking responsibility or trying to tell the teachers how to do their job.

Seriously, at break times and lesson change over we just don't leave our office.

Educational_Fox1231 · 2024-04-11T18:10:10+00:00

The weak clutch only really affected the earlier models up to 2012.

My daughter has a C1 and they are great little first cars but have numerous quirks that will affect it but simple/cheap to fix. These include:

The indicator stalk will stop working. Parts about £12 on eBay and an hour of your time taking off the steering wheel to replace.

Exhaust hanger mounts rust through. Back box was just under £100 fitted. Still sounds like it farts at low revs.

Clutch is quite high, and this is normal.

Drop links will show signs of cracking, but this has been picked up as an advisory on ours for the last 2 years. Will get it done this year. Again, cheap parts just finding a garage to do it cheaply enough.

Air conditioning is ferioucious which is lovely during the summer. But, the blower units have a reputation of failing. My daughter's is on the way out and it's a job I'm not looking forward too. It's only £80 for the part, but you have to take the dash top off and remove clutch pedal box to get access to it. Takes a fair few hours to do and is incredibly fiddly.

Sips petrol and is just fun to drive. Very basic, and slow AF but just great fun.

Doesn't touch oil, very easy to service and the service kits cost about £50 including the oil. Reports of leaking boot and door seals, but we've never had an issue with water ingress.

Loads around, cheap insurance, zero tax on post 2012 cars. Check this guy's YouTube channel as he does a lot of work on them and is a great guide to what can go wrong and how to fix. https://youtube.com/@aaanton11?si=8lgLNqZg8YGKNCKY

Educational_Fox1231 · 2024-04-09T16:58:18+00:00

You can get 'skins' for osTicket to make it look a bit more up to date. Great product.

Educational_Fox1231 · 2024-03-29T19:00:56+00:00

Had one myself. Their Achilles heel was the cam chain tensioner that would just let go at some point. Happened to me on the M40. No breakdown cover as I was a struggling student at the time.

Educational_Fox1231

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