Nb as I was too late to edit, first line should be: <i>A </i><i>tough one for STW in that reducing reliance on behavioural advertising is the right to do </i>(!).

A tough one for STW in that reducing reliance on non-behavioural advertising is the right to do. For those of us who care about privacy and behavioural advertising (where acceptance of cookies on STW through very questionable consent pages allows for tracking across the web, and not just on STW), the move back to standard publisher use of ads is a good thing (showing ads that are deemed to be interesting to many readers but not reliant on personal data).

So, yes, the banners are ads, but they’re not reliant on shitty adtech, which means I’d be more likely to renew my sub’, even with  ads. Of course, don’t forget the mag’ has ads too. Not a problem when handled properly because ads offset higher issue/subscription costs.

Had an Economist print subscription for years, but cancelled recently as I wasn’t reading issues in full and it’s not cheap. Might come back to it though. FT after that which we can access through work. Guardian is OK and has the occasional piece of brilliant investigative journalism, but I’m not a fan. After that it’s Apple News and dedicated apps for stories I want to follow (eg Al Jazeera). Podcasts another world as news bleeds into analysis/commentary.

Having got 6 years out of my last phone, I went for the smaller ‘Pro’. I’d planned to go for a 13 or a 14 but, well, reviews all pointed out a much better camera on the 15 (although the smaller phone has less zoom). More than I’d planned to spend although I got a bit off buying while passing through Dubai. Very happy, especially with the camera,  but it’s just an iPhone. 

Started feeling this over the last few years, although this one not as bad having had a big international work trip earlier in December. It’s a thing though and Xmas doesn’t help. Appreciate good times are made rather than found (if we stop say “Merry Christmas”, we’re screwed!) but when you’re not feeling it, the insincerity is hard work. Lucky enough here to live in N.Wales so lots of space to escape too. (Those coming to N.Wales, don’t forget the Anglesey beaches.)

On switching off news (and social media) yes, but as Ernie notes, I think important to <i>do</i> something – donate, write to MP, or otherwise be active in trying to bringing about wanted outcome.

Surprised at the angst on this. Surely <i>most</i> are dialling in expecting to listen rather than speak, or do anything terribly important in a noisy environment? Presumably Dom Joly phone calls far more egregious as they’re two-way?

Cafe owner’s space so their rules, but it would be a curious list. No electronic devices, no phone calls, regulated conversation volume, limitations on conversational content … Or maybe leave alone the poor bugger having to whisper into a Teams call in the corner with a coffee and crumbly croissant?

Saying that, calls on trains in quiet carriage boil pee (cue aforementioned Paddington Bear stare).

No easy answer at the moment as content checkers are prone to getting things wrong.

Seems to me that we’re in a transitional phase at the moment and many will sneak through. Answer eventually has to be to work with these systems, have students debate and challenge AI (using journals/books and the “field”), and make better use in-class discussions. Landing spot has to be better equipped students that are able to dissect and solve problems (be these criminology-based or otherwise), critically evaluate AI and other sources and, hopefully(!), use the wealth of tools to come up with new and better insights and solutions.

OP, picking up on your birthday being early, is a trip to NZ possible? Queenstown?

Maybe my favourite bike holiday ever, esp. given the winter sunshine! I too went out billy-no-mates and found myself out with riders from RockSh0x. Gulp at first, but they were out for a cruisy week, so all very chill. Took me a while to adjust to the dry ground, but once dialled all good. Super rocky though so high pressures a must (I think I was riding with “Huck Norris” inserts too). The riding was definitely challenging and there were spots which were just “absolutely no F** way” – not least the river gap jumps. Brilliant holiday.

I also got lost. Some really fun bits in the middle, but yep, very peddly. Tempted to take a gravel bikes next time I’m passing through that way.

Ha, an academic here. Like other walks of life we’re not a homogenous group (and some don’t used words like ‘homogeneous’). Beyond of course join in, they’ll likely be impressed and envious of your practical skills, and be enthusiastic to share detail on C12th pottery fragments.

A second for the Puma Velocity Nitro 2. Bought on @lunge’s recommendation. Absolutely nothing to report about them, meaning they’re doing their job without fuss or incident.

I see OP already has a Bose set, but the QC Earbuds II are well reviewed. Any thoughts about which are best for someone who otherwise uses Apple devices (and seemingly has massive ear holes!)?

Depends on your tastes: above ride is an option. You can also look towards Carneddi across from Tregarth over Bethesda. Id suggest out and back to keep it simple. You could also head up to Ogwen Pass and off-road to Capel Curig and back. If thrills more your thing, have a look at Myndd Llandegai and DH trails, just above Tregarth. Other option is Braichmelyn, again with DH trails and steep stuff.

Its 25 quid a year for ad free.

If it were, I’d be in. The site’s consent management tool makes it impossible to avoid adtech though, so on that basis I stopped paying. Not sure why you mean by the coffee shop analogy, but a better one is whether you’d be happy to have your television automatically raise the volume every time you lower it for an ad-break. It’s annoying and irksome for to have one’s devices interfered with.

It’s an interest in politics, which is a good thing. I have family who, IMV, have been seduced by populism (e.g. Farage) but it means that they care about issues. I see it as an invitation for reasoned debate, but also to have my own views challenged. On media, not easy. Sky news for middling centre ground?

Perfect, thanks Lunge. Yep, an all round trainer. Lots to go at there at some much more reasonable prices. Hard to look past the Pumas at those prices.

New shoes time for me. Any suggestions? Currently on Nike Pegasus which have been great. A little spendy though, so any other suggestions a little lower in price but with same fit and comfort? On needs, I’m out three or four days a week for 7-10 mile outings mostly on road (some trail too).

Love these threads as I find out about new cafes and stop-offs on my Anglesey doorstep! There’s a good cafe and big cake at the Oriel gallery just outside of Llangefni, on the 2nd half of your route. https://www.orielmon.org/en-gb/whats-on

If not well I’d just pause the trip for a week or two. I’m sure the site would be very happy to accommodate this. On the Covid part, well, having stayed at Dalby, I’d be peeved to meet the sputtering guy from STW with Covid. I get the “living with Covid” posts above, but I’d reorganise.

Lol, definitely not Snowdon this weekend. If you like Whites Level at Afan, you’ll enjoy Coed Y Brenin, Marin or Penmachno (the latter delightfully XC with some ace fast bits towards the end). If you’re DH/enduro inclined, I’m sure someone at the Marin will point you in the right direction of the spicy stuff (or see Strava).

Will there be less Arlo Parks as a result? It’s inoffensive, but still…

Upvote for Pencelli: brilliant site with good riding (and running options) and pubs nearby.

If in the area for 2.5 days and you don’t want to do maps, I’d do a DH day at Antur Stiniog in the middle. Not as full-on as it sounds and lots of different trails. Other tourist stuff also on same site and pretty close to CyB if you’re staying nearby. I’m local so have soft spot for the Marin, but Penmachno is also a fave. New revamped section 4/5 of the way through also a lot of fun and feels very un-UK (alpine bike parkey), which can be easily looped.

@Ally, I had to pull a fellow rider up the bank after going off the edge further around. A brown shorts moment for him I’m sure. Gawd know what stories SteveO, BikeVillage and the TrailAddiction teams have!

Not entirely sure whether I enjoy riding La Varda, more a sense that I came through unscathed! For tech, the Sick Track in Cham’ would be up there. Lots of other steep pick your way down stuff too. After that it’s all about cruising and flowy tracks for me (there’s a lovely trail that drops into Switzerland, from Argentiere, I think). Haven’t been for years, but would love to ride in Chamonix again. Really good mix of steeps and, relatively speaking, pootles.

As per Northwind, yep, complain and simultaneously support the strikes.

FWIW I’m a striking lecturer and it totally sucks: being in the classroom is the best part of the job, and no lecturer is enjoying disrupting students and their studies. Of course, we don’t get paid for the days we’re striking (I guess most know that, but just in case!). The dispute isn’t intractable and there’s a clear landing spot as far as I can see (a moderate increase on pay [6/7%?], commitments on workload, and reexamination of pensions where UCU has been proved right). With Labour coming in this will prove an ideal time to look at student caps too, to stop abuse by the Russell Group (over-crowding/under-serving) and begin to secure income for all universities.

Evolution in both Bangor and Colwyn Bay very professional, although always busy. Not cheap either. Cycle Wales looks interesting. I’d meant to do a course with them as I’m even more hopeless than OP, but hadn’t clocked they do routine repairs.

One to gauge by degrees of need, I reckon. If folk are depending on you, then realistically I would. If it’s a “nice to catch up” sort of event, then I wouldn’t. Would any colleague be pleased to have someone hacking and spluttering next to them? If management are putting pressure on and you’re coerced in, sit next to them.

The top section is mega steep but it becomes ridable a little way down.

Have ridden each turn but never in one take! One day! Just to add that this is very cheeky riding and not agreed/maintained terrain like the trails in S.Wales. No groups, please.

Moel y Ci forest itself (very close to the peak that JonJones mentions) is easier to navigate than Braichmelyn (which is very much follow your nose and see what happens, and even then stuff will be missed). It’s way less cheeky and has fun stuff in there

Dinorwic slate mines also good: up to the reservoir from near Moel y Ci, down the fast bit and when you reach the old storage buildings and clearing area, point downwards at the pedestrian gate. This will bring you to the old hospital, from which you can climb back up or explore the lake side that also has some spicy bits (lake side best ridden out of holiday season).

Definitely yes, but I’ve only found decent reds in Australia and not at the £3 end of the market. Still, it is possible.

It does speak to a wider point though in that while alcohol free (AF) is coming on, there’s a way to go yet for the UK. Even Ireland is much better set up with Lidl for example having a much wider array of AF beers than the UK. So, there’s a hope for a good AF red in the UK but I haven’t seen one in the shops yet! The white sparkling is better though (at Aldi) and while still too sweet, it’s nice enough for a glass and to have a “social glass” with those drinking proper wine.

I’ll take that as an invitation to revisit both! :)

Aphex Twin ‘Selected Ambient Works’ a good shout but not sure it reinvented music as posited above (Brian Eno might lay that claim though). Still, deffo one for the honourable mentions.

Scrolling through, I don’t see Underworld’s Dubnobasswithmyheadman. Surely worth an honourable mention?

Maybe, just maybe, Massive Attack’s Blue Lines pips this and other excellent suggestions above.

Likely the instant coffee of kitchen knives, but I’ll say it: Kitchen Devils! Tried a few of above brands and, while great for a while, they soon dull. Kitchen Devils totally ample for my needs.

Interested to see where this thread goes. I asked similar, in that link esp. interested in tax/accounting implications.

the constant nagging worry

That was when things tipped for us, when it wasn’t just a few heavy days in Winter but some super-heavy rainfall at the end of a recent summer. Of course, possibly a one-off, but…

We moved out of a place that was at moderate risk but had never flooded. What’s very pretty over summer can turn into a source of anxiety over heaver rains, which seemed to me to increase during our stay there. I guess I lost my appetite for risk, was mindful of climate changes, and was concerned about who would buy if the proverbial hit the fan. As @ads above says, it may not be direct risk either: there may be water coming from different directions, which has nowhere to go because of the nearby [high] river. There may be solutions, but I’d spend a few quid and find out what they are before I buy.

One of the older BBC articles under the one posted above says ‘The company behind the scheme, Northern Powerhouse Developments, has Center Parcs UK founder Peter Moore on its board.’ Dunno if involved with the Salamanca group though, that is behind the most recent initiative. Looks like a 2027 opening.

Mixed feelings: unlikely better/more advanced trails, but probably more accessible, and perhaps better for local area overall. Would have loved to see this up in North Wales.

Blimey, not exactly an n+1 bargain. Mudguard also like to be “should form follow function” divisive.