it would have to be a reasonable thickness, so it wouldn't bow in the middle.

1.5mm should be plenty I think. The plate would not be that big anyway (remember I want it to fit inside the pannier). And it is not like I will be sitting on it either ;)

To qualify my "how much space do you need" comment, this is two people having dinner off the top of a single Yamaha pannier:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._4243704_n.jpg

The other one made quite a nice side table for bread and wine bottle(s) :D

But if you want something bigger and more civilised, why not just carry one of these for �20:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_165669

...and use the panniers to sit on?

looks very cosy Dave, I like...:

1. The Blue and Pink Wine glasses :toothy1:

2. Thats one of 'em tarps that everyone's been on about....

We have matching waterproof oversuits as well (but not pink or blue) :D

Yes it has work for us as well. But I figured that if I could bodge something up that would hardly take any space in the panniers and provide some extra comfort, why not try it :D

We have a similar table already. Use it only when we go camping with the van. Even folded up it still takes up quite some space. And I'll already need to convince the missus not to bring half her wardrobe ;)

go 3mm minimum I think.

Fair do's. Not trying to be negative, honest. Will be interested to see what you come up with.

no worries, wasn't interpreted as such. Just trying to clarify why I am looking at this option in particular ;)

If you have linked across the two panniers, what do you sit on?
Crusty