My choice would be the Mercian - totally scrummy!
Though I would have them put sus forks, and disk mounts too (but thats just me being wierd
)
Why would you want to use bar end shifters?
There should be no shame in making a bike up exactly how you want it, not to conform with some sandals and beard notion of what a touring bike should have.
I recommend the following though process.
1) What do I want?
2) Can I afford it?
3) Slight tweaking of what I want so I can pay for it.
4) F*ck you guys, I'm building
my bike, if you don't like it, go build your own.