Hey Ken
I built a Conoflex Nemesis SLR for my uncle a few months ago. Having concentrated solely on boat fishing for a good five years now, I was amazed at how light and slim the rod was, even when finished with guides, high build, shrink tube etc, when compared to the pairs of Greys Apollo Mk1s and Conoflex Ballistics I used to use regularly and still have.
Might be worth looking at something like a Conoflex Foo Fighter FF1 - it's 15ft long and a factory built one weighs less than 500g. Not cheap though at about £250 a go but I've never regretted spending money on decent rods.
Pretty sure Century are also now making 'continental' style rods which will be of comparable quality. Stear clear of Greys though.....not hearing much positive these days since they shifted production to the Far East.
Will pass on your best wishes to Paul. Spoke with him a couple of days ago...I'm sure we'll get him fishing again sometime in the future but won't be for a little while yet!