Ooosh, well in opposition it’s very difficult to say as they haven’t had a crack of the whip so to speak. I don’t think we can really see a leader or what they are about until they’ve taken power. So much is based upon trust and promises before they do so. Prior to 2010 I was young and not very politically engaged. I joined during Miliband’s time, subsequently voted for Corbyn (leadership), and then also for Starmer in recent years. Ultimately though, for me it’s always about the party and its values. The leader can influence which way it sways of course, but leaders will come and go. The party and what it does for society (or against at present) is what gets my vote.

And also, just that if we didn’t have this type of mindset in society, would our minds be more free and open to working together? I think that’s probably the most important thing.

I completely agree with you. It’s dismal. My angle is that I see how it affects how people act towards and even supposedly with each other online. It inhibits any real activism. I’ve written a fair bit already, most recently in my blog post, ‘Grave new world..’. Basically, it makes people self absorbed and competitive, but that’s largely derived from insecurity and fear. I see digital capitalism as a great cage in modern day life. We seem to be too immersed within it to really see it, we seem to become so disinhibited. Honestly, the things we do for likes and status, the things we share about ourselves and at times people we love. It's surreal and blinkering. So, for me, it's thinking about questions such as, are people truly together online (socials) or is everyone just trying to boost their visibility to accrue economic and social capital for themselves? If that is the case, what could be changed about it? If we lived in a world where jobs, housing and access to other essential resources were readily available and secure, would digital capitalism have such an effect on our minds and behaviour? Would that kind of individualistic status still be sought after if we didn’t need it? These are the kind of questions I ask myself.

And as for capitalism and what it does to us (including digital capitalism), I daren't unleash my views on that here!

It's relevant to start having these discussions for sure. '24 is not far away even if it is dragged out until the end of the year. I completely understand where you are coming from, it's difficult to feel represented because ultimately, each party needs to play its game to have a chance at getting into government. To do that means that they need to target their focus, they'll never please everyone at once. The problem is, as a nation we are now so divided and the demographics associated with specific parties of the past now no longer exist. Hence why we see so many hung parliaments today. There's a really good book that covers this better than I could begin to explain, 'A Nation of Shopkeepers: The Unstoppable Rise of the Petite Bourgeoisie' (Dan Evans). I'm a Labour Party member, personally that is always where my vote goes. I know many people have their issues with Labour, but for me staying in the party is important. Nothing can be changed from the outside, ranting on Twitter and the like. I know Starmer isn't everyone's cup of tea but that's half the problem. Too much emphasis on people and identity politics. For me it's about the party, its values and what sort of life that party will create for everyday people, those of us with disabilities, people struggling to make ends meet and so on. When it comes down to it, it's a two party race and one of those is very different to the other as recent years have shown. So, that's my outlook.

Today's ride was a relief. As you know, I've got some quite heavy stuff happening in my life right now. Throughout the last few rides I've found myself more anxious, especially in busy areas, and trying to avoid even the most benign of interactions with motorists and pedestrians. Most of our usual routes are clogged with traffic right now which was starting to worry me, as I was beginning to come back feeling pent up, stressed and at times completely overwhelmed. Exactly the opposite of what cycling usually does for me. Today we took a different approach, avoiding all of the coastal roads, and we found some 'new' rural lanes which were much quieter - one was even tarmaced which is a rarity here. So all in all, what this has taught me is that your mind can really affect how you ride but also, location is key. These lanes gave us both just what we needed today. Finally, a peaceful ride.

Thanks Mike, J is just sorting out his back wheel spokes. He has a full spreadsheet calculation of the pressure for each individual spoke lol. Hopefully, will make for a smoother ride. As for Barry, I can only imagine it’s similar to our local beaches right now. Roll on the end of the summer holidays

Sounds like a good plan Andrew. They need a fair bit of maintenance etc. Hopefully, now the school holidays are coming to an end you’ll get to enjoy some relaxing weekends away

Bore da Mike, Lovely view. Looks so peaceful, just what is needed to start the day. How is everyone’s bank holiday looking? Me and J are planning a quiet back lane ride out, avoiding all of the coastal stretch!

Completely with you Mike, I think once you have a Mac, iPad etc., it’s so seamless isn’t it. We’ve got a bit of an Apple obsession between us both, it’s expensive initially but it’s tech that stands the test of time. I work from an iMac now, but my MacBook Air is years old and still works perfectly. Don’t want to start an Apple v All else debate here, but like you, my preference is Apple all the way.

They really are. I have a 12 pro max that was an Apple refurb. It’s great, but I’ve got tiny hands so it’s too big for me and gives me strain! I will look to go to the pro when I can afford to.

Sim only is what I do too Mike, I can’t justify an £80pm contract. I remember the days when a contract would be around £30-40 with the handset. How times have changed

It is, especially with my car insurance shooting through the roof too. All comes at once doesn’t it!

I doubt there'll be many campers over our way tonight!

Another weekend, another storm. It's picking up here in the Wild West, we're in for a rough night in Pembrokeshire. How's it looking over your way?

Technically I just travelled there alone, which was actually easier than with company as I only had my own needs to consider. I find air travel in a group extremely stressful (well, actually anything in a group is stressful really). I’ve not visited Nairn but me and J have been to Moray. I was over near Fraserburgh as a child. Silent beaches are the best. We get them occasionally in the winter here in Pembs. This time of year, not a chance. …and I’m with you on the Highlands. They have my heart for sure.

Me and J in Milan. Hell it was funny. We were on the train enroute, police came aboard and asked J for his passport. Long story short he looked identical to someone on their 'wanted list' (we saw the picture 🤣). On the way back, we got stuck on a different train in this tiny village in the middle of nowhere. It broke down or something. It was just us and the locals, they were staring at us and we could hear them saying "Ingels" whilst pointing at us, both sat on the floor. So embarrassing but was funny too.

Caravaning is great. My dad keeps his at a local site which is within cycling distance from home so it's great for us. I'd highly recommend a spring trip to Pembs, lots of great sites here in the north of the county. Just avoid the summer as everywhere is booked up or generally too busy.

I've visited a few places when younger, but same as you, Andrew, I find the act of travelling quite stressful unless it's in my own car. I actually find holidays really difficult, it can take weeks to adjust once home - I wrote about this after our break away in Scotland during the winter this year: https://www.auntysocialworld.com/post/from-break-away-to-breakdown-a-story-of-post-holiday-depression-and-self-realisation One trip I'll never forget though, was travelling to Germany on my own at 19. I was meeting someone out there but taking a connecting flight through Schiphol with just 45 minutes between them was a bit wild. I made it but my luggage got left behind in AMS. It all got sorted out thankfully, and Germany was stunning. I've visited two different areas of the country, both amazing. My home from home is east Scotland though, away from the crowds of the west. My grandparents had a farm in Aberdeenshire when I was a child so spent lots of summers and winters there. Such a special place.

Ah that's awful Andrew, your poor neighbour. What's your relationship like? As in could you approach her now to inform about your experience?