Exped. I had had some issues with the Thermarest and knockoff self-inflating sleep pads, mainly in the hip area, but also with some delamination on more than one mat, including a Thermarest one.

I had read some of the reviews here about the Big Agnes and Exped mats. The Big Agnes issues with leakage put me off, so it was down to the Exped.

I should also explain that some time ago, I retried the traditional "lilo" type mattress and found it to be something closer to what I wanted, but it was too narrow and too heavy.

When we went to Canada in August, I set out to get the Exped mattresses for me and Machka, and got a good deal on them at MEC in Vancouver. The model is the Exped 7 M (size 183x52x7cm or 72 x 20 2.8 inches, weight 860g/30oz).

The trip this week was our first opportunity to try them. And I liked mine -- it was long enough and wide enough and thick enough and warm enough... it ticked all the boxes. It was even a bit noisy, but I didn't slip off it. I think Machka liked hers, too.

The one significant issue is the inflation process. The inbuilt hand compressor is not efficient by any means, and I have read that previous to this model, Exped provided a bag to help inflation. I am considering making up a bag with suitable sized nozzle to make the whole process more efficient.

This trip also was the first chance I have had to use my TW Bents single-wheel trailer (similar design to BoB) on a tour, and on the back of ostensibly a go-fast road bike (ie, not a touring bike or MTB).

I like it, a lot. It's not something I would consider taking on an overseas tour, or one that requires travel on bus, truck, plane, train, or carrying up stairs, simply because it is a hassle over using panniers which can stay on the bike when being lifted. Having said that, the TW Bents trailer is designed to fold flat, which is a feature that does help with logistics.

Because we were using our randonnee and LD Ti bike which don't have any rear eyelets/braze-ons, Machka's carrying capacity was limited to her Carradice Nelson Longflap. I also had a Nelson for my clothing, but the rest of the camping gear went in the trailer -- two sleeping pads, two lots of bags (I use two lightweight bags and liner, Machka uses one down bag), inflatable pillows, cook and eating gear, tent, seat frames for the sleep pads, and other bits and pieces. Sorry, but I don't know how much it weighed, but an estimate would be in the 10kg/22lb range.

I knew the trailer towed OK on the back of my touring bike (Fuji touring) and MTB (aluminium Avanti) after various shopping trips since I acquired it in 2008, but I wasn't sure about the lighter and, on paper, more flexible Ti Hasa/Saga frame.

As it turned out, the whole rig performed flawlessly in a broad range of sealed road conditions, from really crappy rough shoulders, uphill while I was standing to pedal, downhill at speeds up to 50km/h and even over a little bit of gravel. No feelings of shudder, swaying or lagging. I did, however, make sure there was a little more weight towards the front, as is needed on any trailer.

The TW Bents came with a large orange waterproof bag with fold-down closure. We didn't have any rain while riding, but I suspect the bag would hold up quite well in wet weather.

Another piece of equipment I have to give credit to is our Quechua T3 Ultralight Pro tent. This is a three-person arrangement which, of course, suits us fine as two occupants. We bought this tent in 2007 in France at Decathlon for around 90 euro, and it has been a faithful and durable servant ever since. I don't like having to use more than two poles in a tent, and that's all this one has -- two alloy poles. We had it set up and occupied in well under 10 minutes.

This tent has been rained on heavily (during and post Paris-Brest-Paris 2007) without a single leak, it's light and airy, has a small but useful vestibule, has oodles of room inside for us and gear, and casts a nice plum hue over everything inside. It's rated at 3kg (6.10lbs). The floor is probably not as thick and durable as it could be, but I use a groundsheet anyway, so that is not a particular issue.

Pictures to come later.