Kirkby Stephen railway station : 30-Sep-2014

During my drive on the way back from Scotland. I stopped off at the Kirkby Stephen railway station, which is on The Settle-Carlisle Railway line. Which is on my list of railway lines to do to in the UK.



The full set of these photo’s can be found @ www.gordon-valentine.com/zenphoto/railway-stations/kirkby-stephen/

Cyprus tour : September 2014

Had just another great holiday in Cyprus with the some of the family. Just wish my younger brother Craig and his wife Alison, could have made it out. Also Happy Birthday to my Dad who turned 70 on the 20th September and my older brother Douglas, who’s Birthday is on the same day.

We had great weather the whole of the holiday, was around 28C to 30C every day. No rain at all! Also went swimming in the sea, not once but twice! So sorry about the topless photo, you are about to see!

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The full set of these photo’s can be found @ www.flickr.com/photos/gsvalentine/sets/72157647721826370/.

Spider-Man @ Loch Lomond

When you go to Loch Lomond in the evening, the last thing you think will happen is walking into Spider-Man. So no, it’s not me in this suit! Which id what happened today!

So wish, I owned a suit like that, would never want to take it off!

Spider-Man @ Loch Lomond
Spider-Man @ Loch Lomond
Spider-Man @ Loch Lomond

More can be found at www.gordon-valentine.com/zenphoto/days-out/28-09-2014/

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 27/09/2014

Our Zoo - 01-10-2014 (YouView app)Doctor Who (BBC 1/HD | 8:30pm to 9:15pm | Saturday 27th September 2014)

Science fiction series about the adventures of an alien time-traveller, known as The Doctor. He explores space and time, solving problems and righting wrongs.

Grand Tours of the Scottish Islands (BBC 1 Scotland/HD & BBC iPlayer only | 7:30pm to 8:00pm | Monday 29th September 2014)

Far from the Madding Crowd. Paul Murton sets out to experience island life on the myriad of islands that lie off the Scottish coast. In this edition, he explores the Isle of Mull and its satellites to discover why they have boltholes from the freneticism of modern life. He begins his journey on the tidal island of Erraid which inspired writer Robert Louis Stevenson before heading to the Ulva, the final resting place of Lachlan McQuarrie, one of the first governors of New South Wales and the man credited as the father of Australia. Paul then explores Mull in the company of rally driver Louise Thomas, who frequently competes in the renowned Mull Rally. On the mysterious island of Inch Kenneth, he discovers how Nazi sympathiser Unity Mitford, from the Mitford family that once owned the island, was sent there to recuperate from a self-inflicted shooting during the War. His final destination is the remote Treshnish Islands where he enjoys a spot of puffin therapy.

The Motorway: Life in the Fast Lane (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 30th September 2014)

Documentary series following the workers who keep the traffic flowing on one of the busiest stretches of road in Britain, where the country’s longest motorway, the M6, meets four other major routes. This episode looks at the work of the highways agency, motorway police and other agencies making the nation’s motorways safer and explores the environmental, economic and emotional costs of accidents that occur on Britain’s motorways.

Bad Education (BBC 3/HD | 10:00pm to 10:30pm | Tuesday 30th September 2014)

It is the summer term and Alfie Wickers is back as the self-styled maverick of Abbey Grove. It is Abbey Grove’s sports day and Fraser has hired the most inappropriate new sports teacher to oversee events – Preet. Alfie sees this as the perfect opportunity to challenge Miss Gulliver’s ex-boyfriend to an endurance event, which Preet offers to design.

Our Zoo (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Wednesday 1st October 2014)

Drama series based on the true story of the Mottershead family who, in the face of staunch opposition and huge personal sacrifice, founded Chester Zoo in the 1930s. The devastating news that planning permission for the zoo has been denied threatens to tear the family apart and destroy George’s dream. However, Lady Katherine’s connections in Whitehall give the family a lifeline. She and George embark on a trip to London to convince the deputy minister of health to grant an appeal, while the family deal with a shocking new arrival at Oakfield.

Grand Designs (Channel 4/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Wednesday 1st October 2014)

Tracy Fox and her husband Steve want to build an ‘urban shed’, featuring two studios, three bedrooms and a double-height space with a walkway, made out of industrial-style materials, including corrugated cement fibre board and 20-foot panels of polycarbonate sheeting. All the basic building materials are to be left deliberately rough and exposed, with inside walls sporting naked breeze block. Having discovered an old milk yard tucked away behind some flats and shops in south east London, their long-held desire to build a highly unconventional family home and workspace begins. But the choice of unorthodox materials proves challenging and costly. The yard remains untouched for over a year until they meet Romas and Remi, a young firm of builders, who boldly decide to take on the challenge of building it for just £300k. As the shed-like house takes shape, Tracy and Steve are determined to keep faith with the minimalist industrial design they’ve set their hearts on.

Have I Got News for You (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 9:30p0m | Friday 3rd October 2014)

The popular news quiz, with team captains Paul Merton and Ian Hislop, guest host Jennifer Saunders and guest panellists Armando Iannucci and Peter Bone MP.

Big School (BBC 1/HD |9:30pm to 10:00pm | Friday 3rd October 2014)

Comedy series set in a secondary school. When a popular member of staff passes away at Greybridge School, it takes all of the ingenuity of Mr Gunn, Mr Church and Mr Barber, as well as a wheelie bin and a ride-on lawnmower to get the deceased to their maker. Meanwhile Miss Postern thinks she has found the perfect poster boy for her Stand Up to Bullies campaign when disabled pupil Dean starts at the school. However things are not as simple as they seem.

All TV guide information taken from DigiGuide — www.getdigiguide.tv/?p=1&r=15119.

My favourite bit of the Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony

While in Cyprus we got chatting about our favourite bits from the Glasgow 2014, Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony.

I love the bit filmed in George Square, when Amy MacDonald sings – Rhythm of my Heart.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIYO_zN-uvE?rel=0

Video : Peterborough Greyhounds Happy Dance

I am sure that many of you, will have seen the, many Happy Dance videos about in the net. Here the one that the Peterborough Greyhounds (my place of work) filmed. Yes, even I can be found in the video!! Click here, to skip straight to my part!

Please check it out! Comment here and let me know what you think of it!

Scotland Tour : September 2014

Neil and myself set off on a mini tour of the Scottish Highlands today. At first we were only going to drive from Killearn up to Glen Coe. A one way trip of around 80 miles. But by what point it was only around 11 miles to Fort William! So we ended up doing that also! Ended up doing, just over 200 miles by the time we got back to Killearn.

It was a great road trip! Nice lots of the road followed/went very near the West Highland Line, we kept stopping at stations along the time to get photos! Which was great fun, since I number of weeks ago, I did the line by train. Then going by train, you don’t have the time to have a good look at the stations. So was nice getting to walk around some of them.

Also loved the drive, since back in August 2009, I cycled the same route while doing the End to End cycle.

Myself at Ardlui railway station
Myself at Bridge of Orchy railway station





Myself at Upper Tyndrum railway station

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