Concurred, bonfires are great. Fortunately “my” explosion wasn’t motoring related so it’s not tainted my vision too much!
Theory does sound a good option...

As a fellow chemist, same (less the possibility of an explosion - been in one and it wasn’t fun)!

As above, I'll unfortunately continue to be unaware of what I'm missing until the market shifts more heavily towards electric and I can find something that suits the ranges required, space requirements and budget.
When that time comes, I'll be sure to consider an electric car.
I should also have specified, I'm S. W. Wales, so far further West than Cardiff. Though that can still go to Carlisle in around 300 miles, it's through the heart of Wales where I'm sure electric chargers are more scarce. S. W. Wales to Reading would be a shade over 150 miles each way which I'd do non-stop.

I think you're right there. I think it'd be tight to Reading and back in a day, too, unless there was charging at the site in Reading.
Same goes for Warton, might be a bit tight.
I think for the similar space I'll need going forwards the price of the motor itself will be too high for me. Given my necessary jump from a hatch to an estate.

I'm at around 17-18,000 per year currently but oftentimes have to do reasonably large round trips, sometimes from W. Wales to Reading and back, have done Warton with an overnight stay and Lake District with an overnight stay in the not too distant past. Granted that's shorter right now so is reasonably feasible if things stayed as is but I doubt that's going to be the case.
Initial outlay would still be the major hurdle, as above, so missing out is my current option. It'll be broached in future for sure.
How has yours been for you, so far?

As much as I’d like to, with some of the mileage I have to do (and the increased outright costs) it’s not feasible right now, rather unfortunately!
Perhaps in due course! I’ve a few years before thinking about that anyhow!

New (actually second-hand) car seems to be on the cards with my new-from-factory car going back to the dealer after almost a year and a half of use.
Second-hand car is bigger, more power/torque, petrol, auto, estate but returns very nearly the same miles per gallon as my current petrol, manual hatchback, as well as coming to the same insurance costs and same tax per year. Hatch has a smaller engine, is slower/less powerful and the effective power range is in a much narrower band. Also far more comfortable than my little around-town-type hatch. Had a good drive around in it for the test-drive; had about half a tank of fuel and I was given the nod to 'take it for as long as I liked'. 45 minutes later after some motorway, back-road and city driving I was coloured impressed. The auto box has a neat function where, in 'eco' mode, it coasts where it can so saving fuel. Same goes for when cruising on flat planes it'll turn off two of the four cylinders in order to save fuel. Gearbox changes were seamless.
Despite being 1/2 a year older than my current vehicle, it's done 1/3 of the mileage.
A worthwhile swap despite the slightly higher monthly outlay.

Looking forward to the upgrade.

AHH! Why are you doing this to me?! I’ve been keeping an eye on a Porst branded one that’s been taunting me enough as it is...

With the idea in hand I think a marginally wider slit would be better, for the not-so-obvious tree trunks to act as a bit of a frame. With the slit as thin as it is, it's too minimalistic (in my unprofessional opinion) to really understand any of it. That background, between the trunks, is teasing... which almost works here.

Looks very clean! I think I might keep an eye out for one myself.

Also, apologies for derailing the thread. I hope you find a suitable, inexpensive fix soon.