That’s me just ordered some new walking boots! Since it’s getting, way to cold and wet, to wear my summer ones. It will be nice, having dry feet again, during my long walks with Cooper.
Getting them from Millets. Full price is £135. But getting them for just £79.20. Since right now, they have an extra 20% off all sale items.
That’s me completed another Strava challenge. This time “The ROKA N+1 Challenge“.
Please do check out my profile at www.strava.com/athletes/gsvalentine and better still follow me. Oh and do remember, if it’s not on Strava, it did not happen! FACT!!!!
WOW! What is going on with the weather right now in the UK? At least, I had a wetsuit on and hood to keep me nice and warm!
Since it was wet and cold, I had to put a wetsuit on, along with my new rubber pup hood and go a walk!
More pup play photos be be found at www.gordon-valentine.com/zenphoto/pup-play/
Great Australian Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Saturday 9th November 2019)
Michael Portillo embarks on an adventure aboard the transcontinental Indian Pacific Railway, from Adelaide to Perth. Along the way he hears the story of an enterprising 19th-century Briton with a murky past who made his money growing vines, strikes it lucky in one of the most lucrative goldfields in the world and pays a flying visit to the doctor to hear how patients in remote Western Australia are cared for. He also hears how Edward VIII was caught up in a train accident near Bridgetown and learns about a child migration programme that cast a dark shadow on the history of both the UK and Australia.
Roaming in the Wild (BBC Scotland/HD & BBC iPlayer only | 8:00pm to 8:30pm | Monday 11th November 2019)
Situated in Lochaber, Loch Morar is the deepest loch in Scotland and a place teeming with mystery, while its surrounding mountains are both rugged and remote. Wildlife film-maker Andrew O’Donnell and his friend Mark Taylor explore this stunning wilderness by foot and by packraft.
Steam Train Britain (Yesterday | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Thursday 14th November 2019)
At the East Lancashire Railway, the annual Race the Train event gets under way – with athletes of all abilities taking on the 11-mile course from Bury to Rawtenstall.
The World’s Most Scenic Railway Journeys (Channel 5/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Friday 15th November 2019)
Bill Nighy narrates a trip through Wales’ highest peaks and deepest valleys. Starting in Pwllheli in the north west, the route heads along the lines that were built during the slate industry’s heyday. At Porthmadog, the journey briefly switches to the reconstructed steam trains of the Welsh Highland National Heritage Railway to Minffordd station. Nearby is the village of Portmeirion, famous for its role in the classic TV series The Prisoner. Rejoining the Cambrian Line, local farmers reveal what the railway means to them, before the route takes in the seaside resort of Aberdovey.
All TV guide information taken from DigiGuide — www.getdigiguide.tv/?p=1&r=15119.
It’s about time, I did a vlog along with my amazing dog Cooper. Oh and yes, I am wearing a wetsuit again.
WOW! It’s now November. So with Halloween and Guy Fawkes Night over, the next big thing, is of course Christmas. Since it was cold, and wetsuit… I had, to go out walking Cooper, wearing a wetsuit!
Sad to know, that in the next number of weeks, all of LNER’s HSTs will be coming off the ECML. Really going to miss, seeing and of course hearing the Class 43’s, powering up and down the line.
Many more photos can be found at www.gordon-valentine.com/zenphoto/trains/class-43/
Since 2020, is getting very, very close. Here is a mini list, of railway stations, that I really want to tick off, next year!
Any others, you think I should visit? Plus, please give a good reason!!
Great Australian Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Saturday 2nd November 2019)
Michael Portillo explores New South Wales by train, travelling 570 miles from Sydney to the mining city of Broken Hill. He explores the origins of Sydney as a penal colony, visiting the Hyde Park barracks where many of the first convicts were housed. He also tours the city’s iconic opera house, and volunteers for the lifesaving club at Bondi Beach. In the Blue Mountains, he learns about people’s relationship to the land from his indigenous guide, before reaching Katoomba, where he rides the steepest railway in the world.
Steam Train Britain (Yesterday | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Thursday 7th November 2019)
On the Welsh Highland Railway, trainee Claire Oates takes her driving test, while chef Alex and manager Michelle prepare a dinner for 130 people on the East Lancashire railway.
London Calling: Cold War Letters (BBC 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Thursday 7th November 2019)
On the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, this documentary reveals how for more than 25 years, the BBC gave voice to the silenced people of the former communist state of East Germany by inviting them to secretly write in to a radio show called Letters without Signature. Broadcast on the BBC’s German Service, the programme gave voice to ordinary citizens who wrote about life under the repressive communist regime.
The Fall of the Berlin Wall with John Simpson (BBC 4/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 7th November 2019)
To mark the 30th anniversary of the collapse of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, John Simpson, the BBC’s longest-serving correspondent, goes back to his reports on what he believes to be the most important story he has ever covered. Back then, John thought the even would change the world for the better, for ever. Three decades on, he looks at how history has actually turned out and whether he was wrong to have been so optimistic.
Gareth Edwards’ Great Welsh Adventure (BBC 1 Wales/HD & BBC iPlayer only | 7:30pm to 8:00pm | Friday 8th November 2019)
Rugby legend Gareth and wife Maureen reach the final leg of their round-Wales adventure by canal, one which has a personal connection for them. The narrowboat novices grew up at opposite ends of the same street in the village of Gwaun-cae-Gurwen, near Neath. As children, they would play in the areas by the derelict canals, but knew very little of them and their history. The Swansea canal and the Neath and Tennant canals reveal a story of industry that once dominated the area, getting coal and iron to the docks. Now virtually impassable, there are plans afoot to give them a new lease of life.
The World’s Most Scenic Railway Journeys (Channel 5/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Friday 8th November 2019)
A stunning journey in New Zealand, through the heart of South Island’s best scenery. It starts in Greymouth, renowned for its coal mining past, moving on to Arthur’s Pass National Park – with its historically important Maori hunting grounds. The train passes through Cass, made famous by Kiwi artist Rita Angus and onwards to the Waimakiriri gorge and its 15 tunnels and four viaducts. Rail engineers recall how the line has been affected by earthquakes before the journey arrives in Christchurch, a city sitting on a volcano. Narrated by Bill Nighy.
Caravanning with Shane Richie (Channel 5/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Friday 8th November 2019)
#The Isle of Wight is where Shane holidayed as a child, and where he began his career, staying in a unique, rock ‘n’ roll-themed caravan complete with its own hot tub. On his first day, Shane revisits his past with a visit to the pier at Sandown, where he did his earliest professional performances. Back at the holiday park, Shane enjoys an evening at the park’s outdoor cinema, meeting both the holidaymakers who have come along and the staff keeping them entertained. He is later joined by TV chef Tony Tobin to forage along the shoreline for edible seaweed.
All TV guide information taken from DigiGuide — www.getdigiguide.tv/?p=1&r=15119.