Not a Newbie to forums, but see a few familiar friends around here!!.. even some from Wales, indeed… (nobody perfect! 
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Hi Bob, a warm welcome to OFF 
I hope you enjoy your time here with us!
Hello bob and a very warm welcome to you.
Thanx Mags…xxx
( Wot’s a Global Mod???)
Hello, welcome to Off’ers, hope you like it here 
Hi Bob matey, welcome to the forum. I’m from the South East too - Brighton to be precise - are we neighbours???
Hello Bob welcome. I look forward to chatting with you.
Welcome to the Forum
Hello Bob, hope you enjoy the forum
Hi Bob
Welcome to this friendly forum.
Hi Bob, welcome.
Rather distant Uncle… used to be one hour drive some years back,… too many speed cameras nowdays… two and half hour would do it!!!.. 
Other side of Guildford.
Bob my friend - two & half hours to Guildford??? - some years ago I drove down from West Yorkshire to Brighton in under three & half hours. Today to Guildford, as you say have to be wary of the speed cameras but shouldn’t take two & half hours.
Welcome Bob(Bora dah) you sweet talker you, I hope you are going to be good on here now (chance would be a fine thing) LOL
Uncle… well, I did say OTHER SIDE of Guildford!!!
But the time would depend on how many Pubs you use as waypoints!!!
Nowdays, with GPS and POI’s it is AMAZING how many you can find!
Dave…I hope you aint suggesting I have a reputation???..LOL
at least I use the same handle wherever I go…how more upfront can that be? 
Hi Bob and welcome, always good to see a new face…
Welcome
Hello and welcome to a great place 