Vigil (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Sunday 30th August 2026) ** NEW SERIES **

Crime drama following a detective investigating military murders. DCI Amy Silva and DI Kirsten Longacre investigate the murder of a British citizen in the Arctic. As Amy looks into a possible conspiracy on Scottish soil, Kirsten comes up against uncooperative Russian inhabitants. But then they discover a missing person who could set a match to this political tinderbox. Starring Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie.

Vigil (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 31st August 2026)

After the kidnap of a government minister, Amy starts connecting the dots between his policy and his abduction as she zeroes in on the kidnapper. Kirsten navigates international agendas in the Arctic in the hunt for a missing Chinese scientist. Faced with an opportunity that could help her solve the case, she must risk consequences she may not be able to come back from.

Race Against the Tide (BBC 2/HD | 7:30pm to 8:00pm | Tuesday 1st September 2026)

Iain Stirling challenges the remaining teams to sculpt ocean-themed sand art, with the duos having six hours until the tide comes in. Sadie Clayton and Jamie Wardley judge the efforts, which take in everything from dolphins and sea monsters to Poseidon himself.

Saving Lives at Sea (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Tuesday 1st September 2026) ** PICK OF THE WEEK **

The Newbiggin crew race to the rescue of three children who have been swept out to sea on a small inflatable dinghy. In Selsey, a mayday comes in from a vessel taking on water in the English Channel and on the Dorset coast, the Lyme Regis crew respond to reports of a couple cut off by a landslide on a notorious stretch of coast.

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

70,000 miles, since April 2003! TICK!!

25 August 2026

gsvalentine

That’s me now cycled…. 70,020.5 miles, since April 2003!

Here is a mini break down, of each year from 2003 to now.

2003 – 1,148.7 miles
2004 – 1,585.6 miles
2005 – 2,091.8 miles
2006 – 2,166.3 miles
2007 – 1,072.7 miles
2008 – 1,807.5 miles
2009 – 2,685.9 miles – Did the End to End cycle (JOGLE)
2010 – 4,001.3 miles
2011 – 5,066.0 miles – First ever 100 mile bike ride
2012 – 5,289.5 miles – Second ever 100 mile bike ride
2013 – 6,118.4 miles – Third ever 100 mile cycle
2014 – 5,334.9 miles
2015 – 2,341.4 miles
2016 – 4,583.8 miles
2017 – 4,147.5 miles
2018 – 3,158.5 miles
2019 – 2,357.9 miles
2020 – 4,194.8 miles
2021 – 3,106.2 miles
2022 – 1,820.5 miles
2023 – 867.5 miles
2024 – 1,265.3 miles
2025 – 2,096.6 miles
2026 – 1,711.9 miles

Total: 70,020.5 miles

Oh and give me follow at www.strava.com/athletes/gsvalentine

Now done 66% of Walk 1000 Miles – 2026

22 August 2026

gsvalentine

Walk 1000 miles Walking No Comments

That’s me done 66% of the Walk 1000 Miles challenge. So 661.05 miles down and 338.95 miles remaining!

Keep up-to-date with all my cycling and walking adventures over at www.strava.com/athletes/gsvalentine

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 22/08/2026

22 August 2026

gsvalentine

TV this week No Comments

No Ticket No Travel: Fare Dodging Wars (Channel 5/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 24th August 2026)

In north London, TfL investigators prepare to track down a suspected serial fare evader accused of using a blocked card to rack up more than £2,000 in unpaid Elizabeth line fares in just a month. In Nottingham, undercover tram officers come face to face with a known aggressive male, with the confrontation captured on bodycam. On TfL buses, inspectors crack down on contactless payment misuse as they intercept a woman using a disabled person’s freedom pass.

Race Against the Tide (BBC 2/HD | 7:30pm to 8:00pm | Tuesday 25th August 2026)

Iain Stirling challenges the six remaining teams to create sand sculptures on St Andrews beach that reflect what home means to them, with the duos having six hours until the tide comes in. Sadie Clayton and Jamie Wardley judge the efforts, which take in everything from Welsh valleys and family legacies to artistic studios and symbols of rebirth.

Saving Lives at Sea (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Tuesday 25th August 2026) ** PICK OF THE WEEK **

Sandbank Shipwreck. Series 11, episode 2. When a mayday comes in from a yacht breaking up off the Norfolk coast, both the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston RNLI crew and Caister’s independent lifeboats race to the rescue. In Pembrokeshire, the St Davids crew are alerted to two paddleboarders in distress. Just off the coast of Scarborough, a fisherman has slipped and has a suspected broken ankle.

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

Middle of August 2026 most popular photos

16 August 2026

gsvalentine

Below are the top five most looked at photos on this website so far during August 2026.

Number 1 (84 views) : Hunter inline skinsuit Team Britain 2018

Number 2 (78 views) : Hunter inline skinsuit Team Britain 2018

Number 3 (77 views) : Synergy Red Cycling Skinsuit

Number 4 (74 views) : Hunter inline skinsuit Team Britain 2018

Number 5 (72 views) : Hunter inline skinsuit Team Britain 2018

Love these photos? Many more at www.gordon-valentine.com/zenphoto/me/2026/

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 15/08/2026

15 August 2026

gsvalentine

TV this week No Comments

No Ticket No Travel: Fare Dodging Wars (Channel 5/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 17th August 2026)

In London, investigators hunt for a woman thought to owe more than £2,300 in unpaid fares, and attempt to stop her at Chadwell Heath station to question her about ‘short faring’. On TfL buses in London, there’s a tip-off from a driver about a potential fare dodger, but before she can issue a penalty fare the woman takes flight and exits the bus.

Race Against the Tide (BBC 2/HD | 7:30pm to 8:00pm | Tuesday 18th August 2026) ** NEW SERIES **

Iain Stirling challenges seven teams to create seaside-inspired sand sculptures against the ticking clock of the incoming tide, beginning on St Andrews beach. From nostalgic caravans to cheeky seagulls, creativity meets chaos under the watchful eyes of judges Sadie Clayton and Jamie Wardley.

Saving Lives at Sea (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Tuesday 18th August 2026) ** NEW SERIES **

Man Overboard. Series 11, episode 1. The Porthcawl crew respond to a 999 call about a local fisherman who’s fallen overboard. As they discover the casualty’s identity, their search becomes increasingly desperate. Out in the English Channel, there are reports of a dangerously overcrowded small boat in the shipping lanes. In North Berwick, a call comes in from a woman whose husband has been blown out to sea on a kayak that has capsized.

Ann Droid (BBC 1/HD | 9:30pm to 10:00pm | Friday 21st August 2026) ** PICK OF THE WEEK **

With Michael living back at home and unemployed, he really can’t afford Linda anymore, so he decides to return her. Linda had made this week especially busy for Sue as it would have been her 50th wedding anniversary, so she leaves Michael with Sue’s itinerary and onward care instructions. But when Sue’s friends and Michael all let her down, she questions whether she can live without Linda.

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

Now done 64% of Walk 1000 Miles – 2026

13 August 2026

gsvalentine

Walk 1000 miles Walking No Comments

That’s me done 64% of the Walk 1000 Miles challenge. So 640.41 miles down and 359.59 miles remaining!

Keep up-to-date with all my cycling and walking adventures over at www.strava.com/athletes/gsvalentine

Went a cycle wearing this adidas Lycra skinsuit…

11 August 2026

gsvalentine

blog Cycling Gear Lycra 5 Comments

I went on a great 23.58 mile cycle wearing this adidas Lycra skinsuit… But I need your HELP! I can’t find that full name of it anywhere! Even done a google image search and used IA…. But no luck! Can you help?!?!

You can check out route at www.strava.com/activities/19697797308