Finally fitted the plastic end-cap thingies to the SKS mudguard stays on my winter/touring bike, having ridden around for a couple of months risking nasty flesh/clothing wounds from the over-long stays. I first fitted the 'guards rather hastily in the summer, but the end-caps will only fit after the stays have been cut to length. Come on, SKS, you can do better than this, surely?
Anyway, job now done, all neat and tidy. Now need to think about fettling the summer bike - which, thankfully, does not need mudguards.