UK TV programmes to watch this week : 09/04/2022

Rock Family Trees: The Birth of Cool Britannia (BBC 2/HD | 10:15pm to 11:15pm | Saturday 9th April 2022)
** PICK OF THE WEEK **

Sara Cox reveals the story behind the birth of Britpop and how a handful of like-minded musicians paved the way for a revolution in British music. The programme explores the intricately connected lineage of Suede, Elastica and Blur, featuring interviews with Brett Anderson, Justine Frischmann, Mat Osman, Justin Welch and numerous other key players to chart the friendships, fall-outs and changing line-ups.

Thatcher & Reagan: A Very Special Relationship (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Sunday 10th April 2022)

Charles Moore concludes his examination of the alliance between UK prime minister Margaret Thatcher and US president Ronald Reagan in the 1980s by looking at how their mutual trust was tested to the limit as they sought a way to end the Cold War. With contributions by Bernard Ingham, Malcolm Rifkind, Peter Robinson, Dov Zakheim, Charles Powell and Ken Adelman.

Should I Buy An Electric Car? (Channel 5/HD | 7:00pm to 7:55pm | Wednesday 13th April 2022)

Alexis Conran takes an in-depth look at electric cars as he asks all the questions that motorists looking to make the switch from petrol to electric are asking.

Grand Designs: The Street (Channel 4/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Wednesday 13th April 2022)

Kevin McCloud returns to Graven Hill in Oxfordshire, the UK’s largest mass self-build site, to witness the trials, setbacks and successes of those who are designing and building their own, highly individual homes. First up are Carlos and Maite, who have ambitious plans to build a bold, Spanish-inspired home. But Maite does not just want to live in it, she is also designing it – without any professional qualifications. Meanwhile, co-presenter Natalie Huq follows the birth of a new street in Glasgow, where the local council have given six families an opportunity to construct their own homes on a small plot – beginning with an American-style ranch.

Meet Joe Black (BBC 1/HD | 10:40pm to 1:30am | Wednesday 13th April 2022)
** FILM OF THE WEEK **

Death takes over the body of a recently deceased young man, and embarks on a mission to claim the life of a powerful media tycoon, but ends up falling in love with his daughter instead – leaving him on the horns of a dilemma. Remake of 1934 romantic fantasy Death Takes a Holiday, starring Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins and Claire Forlani.

Cornwall: A Year by the Sea (Channel 5/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Thursday 14th April 2022)

In a bid to extend the season and entice guests to Cornwall in winter, Veryan and Richard make sure the Headland is as festive as possible, deploying an army of volunteers to decorate the hotel. Winter is about sardines for Tom, as he crews on another boat for his friend Will.

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

Website statistics for March 2022

Below are the main website statistics for March 2022.

  • Unique visitors: 6,498
  • Bandwidth: 8.29 GB
  • Browsers: IE (1.8%), Firefox (21.9%), Chrome (56.4), Safari (9.9%), Opera (0.1%)
  • Operating Systems: Windows (36.4%), Macintosh (25.4%), Linux (28.8%)
  • Most viewed blog entry: Some very, very sad news… Cooper has passed away (445 views | Posted: 06/03/2022)
  • Most viewed photo: JOCKMAIL Jockstrap (82 views | Taken 09/01/2022)

Data from AWStats.

March 2022 cycling statistics

Well March, was yet another bad month for cycling! Also was a very bad month in other ways… After the love of my life, Cooper passed away.

Remember you can follow my cycling adventures over at www.strava.com/athletes/gsvalentine.

Here is the data from March 2022:-

  • Total cycles: 4
  • Total Distance: 70.27 miles
  • Total Time: 06:01:54 (h:m:s)
  • Avg Speed: 11.7 mph
  • Max Time: 01:46:37 (h:m:s)
  • Max Speed: 33 mph
  • Avg Distance: 17.57 miles
  • Max Distance: 20.23 (Single cycle)

Data from: Garmin Connect.

Here are my favourite cycling photos from the month:-

Hunter inline skinsuit Team Britain 2018

Hunter inline skinsuit Team Britain 2018

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 02/04/2022

Thatcher & Reagan: A Very Special Relationship (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Sunday 3rd April 2022) ** PICK OF THE WEEK **

Part one of two. Margaret Thatcher’s authorised biographer Charles Moore explores the formr prime minister’s extremely close relationship with US president Ronald Reagan in the 1980s. The two leaders came together in the shadow of the Cold War and nuclear Armageddon, and Charles meets the people who were in the room with them as they faced the great challenge of their age.

Falklands War: The Forgotten Battle (itv/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 7th April 2022)

Ben Fogle uncovers the untold story of a small garrison of British Marines and the battle they fought against near-impossible odds during the Falklands War. Throughout the programme, Ben hears from veterans of Naval Party 8901 who, with fewer than 70 lightly armed men, were left to face an Argentine invading force some ten times that number.

Cornwall: A Year by the Sea (Channel 5/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Thursday 7th April 2022)

Autumn presents an opportunity to take stock on the farm. Matt is training Moose, his young sheepdog, and the pregnant ewes are being scanned to see how many lambs they can expect next year. Meanwhile, Charlie is trying hard to encourage and protect grey partridges on the farm.

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

March 2022 most popular photos

Below are the top five most looked at photos on this website during March 2022.

Number 1 (82 views) : JOCKMAIL Jockstrap
JOCKMAIL Jockstrap

Number 2 (35 views) : adidas Varilite Down Hooded Jacket
adidas Varilite Down Hooded Jacket

Number 3 (30 views) : Hunter inline skinsuit Team Britain 2018
Hunter inline skinsuit Team Britain 2018

Number 4 (29 views) : Wetsuit walk with a mate!
Wetsuit walk with a mate!

Number 5 (24 views) : The Park Tunnel, Nottingham#
The Park Tunnel, Nottingham

Love these photos? Many more at www.gordon-valentine.com/zenphoto/me/2022/

So far got, 52 Trophies on Strava during 2022

So far during 2022, I’ve got 52 Trophies on Strava! Still a long, long way to go beat the 288, that I got during 2021. Then we are only 90 days into the year…

Please, do give me a follow at www.strava.com/athletes/gsvalentine

2022 travel map : update 31 March 2022

So far 2022, has got off to a slow start, travelling wise! Had so many big plans, they all got put on hold after losing the love of my life Cooper… Will restart them all soon, now that Bugsy and myself are starting to bond.

Of course, also need to start getting out on bike way more! Just about lost interest in that and well just about everything else. After losing Cooper… It’s been now close to 4 weeks and still can’t get my head around it!

Of course, Cooper would want me to be happy again! Trying my best, just finding it hard going!

Here is mini map, of some of places, I’ve been too so far in 2022…

Please do check out www.gordon-valentine.com/zenphoto/me/2022/

VeloViewer Infographic : 31 March 2022 @veloviewer

Going by my VeloViewer Infographic, I’ve had 90 active days so far in 2022! Which means, I’ve done at least one cycle or walk each day so far this year!

Still hard to believe, that I’ve done more walking so far in 2022, than cycling! Only cycled 170 miles, but I’ve walked 350 miles! Really do need to fix that one and SOON!

Where it says running… That’s my walking data!

Now done 35% of #walk1000miles – 2022

That’s me now done 35% of #walk1000miles. So 350.50 miles down and 649.50 miles remaining!

walk1000miles - 2022

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