Many cycle paths create a hazard to the cyclist, that's why people ignore them. I only know one worthwhile cycle path and that's the one out of Southport towards Preston.

We're going Baz, on everything from my very fine road bike to Tom's tandem and my wife's very old Raleigh hybrid........which reminds me I only have three weeks to make it roadworthy.

Never argue with a bus................................. http://www.aol.co.uk/video/cyclist-regrets-bus-encounter/517886489/

Popped down to the O&O last Tuesday. Very quiet, 12 people in of which we were 6, but I suppose Tuesday night in the middle of holiday season will be slack. I got the impression things could be slipping slightly. Menu still interesting but I felt some items looked a bit stodgy. Mrs P had Goan curry which was average, I had mackerel starter (delicious) followed by sole which was the daily special - I forget the exact name but remember thinking just plain sole would have been better. Didn't comment to others as this was a treat for the kids and didn't want to spoil their enjoyment. The wine wasn't served or even opened. The waitresses not their usual bubbly selves (I know we all have off days) and the new FOH guy doesn't quite work for me. At one point he sat with his head propped up on his elbows apparently watching something on a laptop. Took ages to get his attention. The previous guy was brilliant, this one seemed bored. First time I've left the O&O feeling anything less than delighted. I really hope it's not going to slip as it has been by far the best locally for a while.

I've never been but The Yew Tree took an absolute pasting on Tripadvisor initially and then suddenly started to get glowing praise. Quite a few people I know have asked how well the people making the more positive comments know the family??

Anyone who visits Nice seek out these people: http://www.fenocchio.fr/eng_index.html Fabulous ice cream and sorbet beautifully presented. If I spoke decent French and had the time I would seriously considered importing and distributing for them

Love it. A sport with plotlines and integrity.

Just got four tickets to see Bob Dylan at Blackpool Opera House!!!!! Excited is not the word. A tiny venue so should be a very intimate atmosphere. Cannot wait for this one. Absolutely amazed I got tickets. Springsteen next Thursday, Dylan in six months time. What a year

It's only available on screen in certain cinemas..............................

Not a movie but in a cinema. Went to watch the NT Live stream of Helen Mirren in The Audience. Brilliant, absolutely brilliant and so very funny. The NT Live streams are great value, £12 to watch a performance that would be £100+ in the West End. If you like theatre do go. Google NT Live for details.

Maggie's Farm - Bomb Dylan

Ah Frozen. I still feel bitter about the two hours of life I wasted watching that rubbish. This film is so bad yo have to keep watching in case it gets worse. Absolute nonsense. Can't remember seeing a worse film.

Anyone got views on the The Pack at Belthorn?

thenodrog is right it is rare to find a place which offers good gammon, it's the source of the meat not the cooking that makes the difference. Gammon is often a get out menu item for the person who deosn't want "fancy stuff" in a larger party. From the other side I agree about certain foods; I have never, no matter where, eaten burgers of the quality my wife makes (beef from Spout House!!). She can beat them all hands down. A very high quality curry is simple to make at home BUT you have to be prepared to source fresh, authentic ingredients, marinate for hours etc. and to prepare your own spice mixes such as garam masala. This can be very time consuming and I've spread preparing an Indian meal for eight over 36 hours or more. Fish cakes or a good fish pie (try Jamie's -= and I don't usually rate his recipes) is again very simple.

It's on Blackburn Road, Wheelton about .25 miles after Bett Lane. They mainly sell their own meat rather than farm produce. Also have good eggs. ice cream and cake!! Sometimes bread first thing on Sundays.

We went to the Royal Oak at Riley Green for the first time in years last night. Decided to go there as I knew it had added dining and it was convenient for us to jump off the M65 on the way home. The car park was full when we arrived and I didn't expect to get a table but when we walked in the drinking areas proved to be very quiet and the dining area at best 50% full. We had an excellent meal for two including drinks and desert for £42 - less than I expected by around £10, which is always a nice surprise and helps to increase the feeling of value for money. I had venison sausages with red cabbage and garlic sauteed potatoes and Mrs P had loin of pork with mustard mash. Vegetables were really good, sugar peas, snap peas, baby carrots all freshly cooked, no microwaving - a plus for me. The meal was clearly cooked while we waited and was served piping hot - I don't like lukewarm efforts which are cold by the time I've finished. All the meat is sourced via Spout House Farm which for me is a BIG plus but also a smart move. If you live local to The Royal Oak, presumably you are the target market. Anyone who lives locally will know Spout House quality (they are building a new shop at the moment). The menu is much as you would expect and will cater for all tastes including young families. The "specials" menu had five good dishes to chose from. Portions are very adequate and with a third less on my main I would have been happy, desert was easily large enough for two. Staff were very friendly and happily joined in the banter which they must have heard a thousand times before. When we left the car park was still full but the place even quieter. Strange. We had been talking in a similar vein to thenodrog re competition. For us the Royal Oak has to face up to competition from eight similar and similarily priced pubs / restaurants - only three of which are in theno's list proving how many there are!! It must be very tough, we don't eat out that often. Current favourites would be the O&O and based on last night the Oak. Wouldn't bother with the Clog anymore, it was great when it opened but has declined and I wouldn't want to run the RISK of a bad night. That is in fact worse than being bad because it means we don't consider it, if you know a place is bad at least there's a decision to be made. The other aspect is if a pub doesn't have good food why go? If we wanted a boozy night we can walk ten minutes to a good local. Driving has been out of the question for years so a place like the Royal Oak with minimal local residents is going need to stay on it's toes. Hope it does, we've planned a summer evening walk on the canal to go there again.

Life in the Fast Lane - Eagles

I think we will lose. The crucial thing is to avoid a heavy defeat

Geez I "ate" in the Preston one about 3 weeks ago. We all make mistakes.......

I has these on my hybrid and next time I get a town/city bike would definetley have them again.

You could try getting a buff http://www.buffshop.co.uk

Good grief!!!! I hope you're younger and fitter than me!! That's a big ride so early in the season, looks as though the weather will be excellent. Good luck. I had a nice spin out yesterday afternoon. I made the mistake of not eating properly and ended up feeling rubbish. Once the sun went behind the cloud it was bitter cold. I'm not sure where to head for yet but I'll be out again today. I've only one sportive in mind for this year, the Great Manchester Cycle 52 miles of closed roads through Manchester round the Etihad. Salford Quays, Old Trafford.. The best sportive I've ridden. Last year I managed 2 hours 45 minutes, 19th in age group and 625th overall (2600 entrants). I was really made up with that result, anything under 3 hours will do for this year!!

In my experience local food in Belgium, Holland and Germany tends to be rather limited and very "hearty." Sausage, schnitzels, standard salads, large steak and chips with everything!!! No vegetables. Nothing wrong with the overall quality of food but not very exciting and too heavy for my taste. Most of my trips are business and time is limited for wandering round looking for good places. If you are in Bruges for a short holiday I'd suggest keeping your eyes open during the day and you'll spot somewhere good. I can't believe in this day and age major cities like Brussels, Ghent and Bruges don't have a good range of restaurants and prices to suit all. My advice would be too look for places which appear to be run by younger people. We did this in Prague a few years back. Our first meal was a very traditional and heavy ghoulash. We then started spying out the small modern places with young staff. These based their cooking on traditional recipes but updated for today's tastes. Many very good.. Haven't been to Bruges in 20 years but memories are of a lovely city.

Going to Glasgow in a couple of weeks. I need two good restaurants and one good lunch place. Suggestions? Not the Ubiquitous Chip please