Author: gsvalentine

About gsvalentine

I am a 44-year-old guy, who lives in Melton Mowbray, in the East Midlands, England. I was born in Lancashire, England, during September 1979. Most people don’t believe me that I was born in England due to my strong Scottish accent. My star sign is Libra. I am 5’9” tall, 30″ waist, with blonde hair, which is sometimes short, sometimes long. I have light brown eyes. Which most people think are very sexy. I just don’t see it, myself.

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 24/05/2014

50 Years of BBC Two Comedy (YouView app screenshot)50 Years of BBC Two Comedy (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 11:00pm | Saturday 24th May 2014)

As part of BBC Two’s 50th birthday celebrations, the channel has a two-hour comedy extravaganza lined up. Featuring some of the greatest names in comedy, this packed programme showcases the channel’s remarkable output over the last 50 years. From The Likely Lads and Not Only… But Also in its first year in 1964, up to W1A and Rev. today, this is a romp through the funniest bits of BBC Two.

All Aboard: East Coast Trains (Pick TV | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 25th May 2014)

Stress levels rise as staff members face the last day of the Premier League football season. Plus, a radio problem causes chaos for hundreds of passengers.

Commonwealth City (BBC 1 Scotland/HD & BBC iPlayer only | 10:40pm to 11:40pm | Monday 26th May 2014)

Documentary following the fortunes of some of the residents in the deprived Dalmarnock area of Glasgow in the aftermath of the successful bid to host the Commonwealth Games. The manager of the Dalmarnock community centre begins a campaign to secure a stake of Games legacy for her local community after she learns that the council will not be rebuilding a replacement centre following the Games. Steven’s future looks uncertain when his job working on the Sir Chris Hoy velodrome comes to an end. And Darren receives some devastating news.

Coast Australia (BBC 2/HD | 9:10pm to 10:00pm | Wednesday 28th May 2014)

Series exploring Australia’s coastline. Neil Oliver begins a stunning journey through the world’s largest coral reef in the hands of the Australian Navy, sailing in the wake of James Cook. Brendan Moar uncovers the living history of Australia’s hidden slave trade. Xanthe Mallett dives a spectacular wreck in search of answers about its calamitous sinking. And Tim Flannery is granted rare access to a scientific research zone to examine coral history.

Clydebuilt: The Ships That Made the Commonwealth (BBC 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Thursday 29th May 2014)

Documentary series in which David Hayman explores the stories of four ships built on the river Clyde, that helped forge links with countries throughout the Commonwealth of Nations. He travels to Australia to uncover the links the Cutty Sark forged with this Commonwealth country and to reflect on her legacy. It’s a story of adventure, money, mutiny and murder. Ravaged by fire in 2007, the Cutty Sark has been restored and today stands as a testament to the craftsmanship and ingenuity of Scottish ship designers.

Have I Got News for You (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 9:30pm | Friday 30th May 2014)

The popular news quiz, with team captains Paul Merton and Ian Hislop, guest host Alexander Armstrong and guest panellists Victoria Coren Mitchell and Joe Wilkinson.

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

Updated National Cycle Network section : 23/05/2014

I have just updated the National Cycle Network sub section of my website. By adding more photos of NCR 74.

I took these photos while driving up to Glasgow on 18th May 2014. I did, of course cycle this section of the National Cycle Network, while doing the End to End cycle, back in August 2009.




Falkirk Wheel, The Kelpies and The Forth Bridge

Yet another fun filled day in Scotland. Today along with Neil and Jamie (thanks to Jamie for driving), we went to see The Falkirk Wheel, The Kelpies and The Forth Bridge. Neil and myself have both seen the Falkirk Wheel before. It was James first time! Then we drove to see The Kelpies. I really liked them. Don’t think Jamie and Neil was a fun of them.

Then we drove down the M9 to South Queensferry. So we could go and look at The Forth Bridge. In all my years of living in Scotland, I have never been The Forth Bridge. Been on the road bridge near to it. But till now, never been right next to it! Till today that is!

We also had a very nice meal while at South Queensferry at a place called The Railbridge Bistro. If you are ever in the area and looking for somewhere to eat. I would check it out!

 Forth Bridge

I had so much fun in Scotland, already making a list of places and things, I want to do when I am next up!

Had a great day driving to Oban!

I had great fun driving up to Oban today! I went up with two friends. Neil and Jamie. We left Killearn around 11:00am and did not get to Oban, till gone 2:15pm.

Would have got there sooner, if we had not taken a wrong turn! Oh well these things happen. We did not mind that much, since still got many good photos on the wrong road, before turning around. Just meant we only had 1 hour in Oban. Since I had to be back home by 6pm! To go and see my bother and his wife in Glasgow in the evening.

Also can’t believe for the third day in the row it’s not rained! What is going on??

Driving up to Oban

Kilchurn Castle

Myself at Kilchurn Castle

Kilchurn Castle

In Oban!

More Oban photos can be found at www.gordon-valentine.com/zenphoto/scotland/oban/

Mate wearing my Cannondale Pro Cycling Team gear

While up in Glasgow, I got a mate to wear my Cannondale Pro Cycling Team gear. Not that he needed much talking around to trying it on!

He also wore my sleepsack! Photos of that to follow…

Cannondale Pro Cycling Team 2014

Great day in Glasgow!

I had a great day in Glasgow getting lots of photos and seeing friends! The weather also turned out to be that nice, I am getting to get a tan!

Bridge to Nowhere (Anderston Footbridge)

The first 4 photos show the ‘Bridge to Nowhere’. Check out www.sustrans.org.uk/news/bridge-nowhere-finally-going-everywhere-1 to see to see why it was called the ‘Bridge to Nowhere.’




Various photos around Glasgow




I made it to Scotland in good time!

I can’t believe just how good the weather was during the drive up to Killearn today. It was so nice, I had about had the sunroof fully open the whole time.

So good weather also made, me stop a lot and take photos of photos. I took 45 in total. You can check out a small selection of them below.

Driving over the A66

The first four photos are taken while driving over the A66, which is one of my favourite roads in the UK.

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B7076 (NCR 74)

The next photos are taken along the B7076, which runs along mainly next to the A74(M). I use this road, mainly to get me off the motorway for a while. Also love this road, since I used it while doing the End to End cycle back in August 2009. Since National Cycle Route 74 (NCR 74) follows the road.

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