UK TV programmes to watch this week : 24/03/2018

RAF at 100 with Ewan and Colin Mcgregor (BBC 1/HD | 8:30pm to 10:00pm | Sunday 25th March 2018)

To celebrate the centenary of the Royal Air Force, Ewan and Colin McGregor take to the skies in some of the world’s most iconic planes. These are the planes that were involved in aerial combat at every stage of the RAF’s story, from the biplanes used in the early days of dogfighting in World War One to the beautiful Spitfire of the Battle of Britain, the plucky Lysander and on to the mighty Vulcan nuclear bomber, as well as the Chinook helicopter and supersonic Typhoon that are still in service today. It is a story of amazing machines and epic battles, but above all it is the story of the men and women whose courage and ingenuity have been at the heart of the RAF for 100 years. On their journey Ewan and Colin meet people from throughout the RAF’s history.

Extreme Winter Road Rescue (Channel 5/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Monday 26th March 2018)

Documentary series following the emergency services who come to our aid when winter weather causes chaos. In the week that Storm Emma hits, the UK’s road network is brought to its knees. The heavy road team get to work to help a food delivery truck which is stuck in the snow to a local shop which has run out of food.

Paddington Station 24/7 (Channel 5/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 26th March 2018)

Behind-the-scenes documentary series about one of the UK’s busiest transport hubs and the western rail network it serves. When the Beast from the East and storm Emma collide, Paddington’s managers debate whether to close the station completely, something that has happened on very few occassions since World War II. There is excitement among the staff as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle board a train to Cardiff, but a rail defect at Didcot threatens to upset their journey.

Secrets of the National Trust with Alan Titchmarsh (Channel 5/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Tuesday 27th March 2018)

Alan Titchmarsh reveals the history, human stories and the hidden treasures of Britain’s historical estates. Alan explores Cragside, a unique estate in Northumberland masterminded and landscaped by the Victorian inventor and pioneering industrialist Lord William Armstrong and filled with the most advanced technical advances of his day. Peter Purves visits Castle Drogo on Dartmoor, Miriam O’Reilly walks through the vast Cragside woodland and Angela Rippon visits the Red House in Bexleyheath, home of William Morris.

Wild Britain (Channel 5/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 27th March 2018)

Wildlife series. A look at some of Britain’s wildest and wettest corners, and their inhabitants. Beavers display their skills as landscapers, a water spider constructs its own air tank, and starlings put on a head-turning display to keep a peregrine falcon at bay.

Still Game (BBC 1/HD | 9:30pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 29th March 2018)

Comedy series in which lifelong friends cope with everything modern life has to throw at them. Jack and Victor persuade Navid to lend them his caravan for one night only, but end up spending most of their precious time tracking down an unwanted guest.

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

First 40+ mile cycle of 2018!

Well done me! Just back in from the longest cycle of 2018, so far! I ended up doing 44.17 miles!

Like always you can check out the route, I took on Strava over at www.strava.com/activities/1466160671

Team KATUSHA ALPECIN 2018

Team KATUSHA ALPECIN 2018

Team KATUSHA ALPECIN 2018

Photo gallery spam CAPTCHA fixed!

I know, I left it a bit late!!! But I’ve just fixed the spam CAPTCHA. So you can now comment freely again on my photos! And not have to worry about seeing this…

You should now always this instead…

Please head over to my photo gallery and get commenting at www.gordon-valentine.com/zenphoto/me/2018/

Middle of March 2018 most popular photos

Below are the top three most looked at photos on this website so far during March 2018.

Number 1 (70 views) : Wetsuit + straitjacket
Wetsuit + straitjacket

Number 2 (56 views) : Cannondale Pro Cycling Team 2014
Cannondale Pro Cycling Team 2014

Number 3 (53 views) : Team KATUSHA ALPECIN 2018
Team KATUSHA ALPECIN 2018

Walked 350.44 miles so far this year! #walk1000miles

So far I’ve walked 350.44 miles this year, so in other words 35% of #walk1000miles or just 17% of #walk2018miles.

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 : 17/03/2018

Top Gear (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 18th March 2018)

Matt LeBlanc tests the world’s fastest accelerating car, with a little help from NASA. Chris Harris pens a heartfelt love letter to the Citroen 2CV, while Rory Reid samples some exciting cars from South Korea. Dara O Briain and Ed Byrne are the studio guests.

Shetland (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 20th March 2018)

Crime drama set on the remote Scottish islands. The personal and the professional collide for Perez, as he finally closes in on the truth.

Secrets of the National Trust with Alan Titchmarsh (Channel 5/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Tuesday 20th March 2018)

Documentary series. Alan Titchmarsh reveals the history, human stories and the hidden treasures of Britain’s historical estates. Alan visits Southwell Workhouse in Nottinghamshire and experiences some of the Dickensian conditions that the inmates endured. Jenni Bond learns how a workhouse runaway was punished in Lavenham, Nigel Havers visits back-to-back houses for the poor in Birmingham, and at Sutton House in Hackney Angelica Bell discovers the legacy of squatters in the 1980s.

Wild Britain (Channel 5/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 20th March 2018)

Wildlife series revealing the hidden lives of both the familiar and more unusual animals with which we share our island home. From sandy beaches to soaring cliffs, Britain’s coastlines are one of nature’s wildest habitats, where hardy creatures are battling to survive.

Sport Relief: The Big TRY-Athalon (BBC 1 Scotland/HD & BBC iPlayer | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Wednesday 21st March 2018)

Documentary following comedian Des Clarke, who cannot swim, drive or ride a bicycle, as he attempts to do all three for Sport Relief by competing in three very special events. Joined by a team of celebrity supporters – including Sir Chris Hoy, Susan Calman and Joe McFadden – Des travels to Scotland, and amongst his many challenges, attempts to swim Loch Ness, cycle the Forth Bridge and drive to the top of a mountain with Top Gear’s Rory Reid.

Zoe Ball’s Hardest Road Home (BBC 1/HD not BBC 1 Scotland | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Wednesday 21st March 2018)

Documenting an inspiring charity challenge, TV presenter Zoe Ball attempts to cycle over 300 miles, all to raise awareness about mental health and raise money for Sport Relief.

Still Game (BBC 1/HD | 9:30pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 22nd March 2018)

Comedy series in which lifelong friends cope with everything modern life has to throw at them. With Boabby out of the game, Jack and Victor gather a team for the walking football tournament. They absolutely must win, but will they be match-fit or have to employ other tactics?

Sport Relief 2018 (BBC 1/HD | 7:00pm to 10:00pm | Friday 23rd March 2018)

Some of the biggest stars come together to raise money for good causes in the UK and overseas. Gary Lineker, Davina McCall and Ore Oduba start the evening with a live performance from Kylie Minogue and a special footballers’ edition of Strictly Come Dancing. Magician Ben Hanlin goes behind the scenes at Sports Personality of the Year, and Salford Quays plays host to a clash of the channels. Claudia Winkleman and Paddy McGuinness then take over hosting duties as John Bishop tries to help the England football team prepare for the World Cup finals. Sir Andy Murray gets the shock of his life when Michael McIntyre and celebrity friends wake him up to play a very special edition of his Midnight Gameshow. Rob Brydon and the cast of Swimming with Men feature in a comedy sketch, celebrities go head to head in the ring for the evening’s Celebrity Boxing battles, and Big Shaq makes a special appearance.

Sport Relief 2018 (BBC 1/HD | 10:35pm to 1:00am | Friday 23rd March 2018)

Davina McCall joins Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff as Sport Relief 2018 reaches its conclusion. There are two more big Celebrity Boxing bouts and the climax of the non-stop football marathon, with Robbie Savage’s All Stars completing 12 hours of play against teams from the FA People’s Cup. There is also the climax to A Question of Sport Relief and live music from Rae Morris. Plus a special edition of Pop Star Penalties from A League of Their Own, and more from John Bishop and the England team. s

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

50,000 miles of cycling, Tick ✅

That’s me now cycled 50,003.4 miles, since April 2003! Which I am, well pleased with! Just wish my records went back even longer.

Here are some photos from this afternoon’s 27.68 mile cycle, which took over over the 50K mark!

Cannondale Pro Cycling Team 2014

Cannondale Pro Cycling Team 2014

Cannondale Pro Cycling Team 2014