Scottish cycling advert banned over ‘no helmet’

A Scottish television advert promoting safe cycling has been banned for showing a rider without a helmet. Which does not add up, since wearing a helmet is not a legal requirement.

Check out www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-25926572 if you don’t believe me this advert was banned by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 25/01/2014

Inside the animal mind ep1 (YouView app screenshot)Call the Midwife (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 26th January 2014)

Drama about a group of midwives in 1950s London, based on the memoirs of Jennifer Worth. Jenny is delighted to be promoted to acting sister, but she soon finds herself dealing with her most challenging case yet. Elsewhere, Cynthia spearheads a new birthing practice for the expectant mothers of Poplar, Sister Winifred puts her green-fingered skills to good use, and Chummy continues to juggle her work and home lives.

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Monday 27th January 2014)

Guided by his 19th century Bradshaw’s guide, Michael Portillo embarks on a new journey from Norwich to Chichester. On this first leg he explores Norwich’s medieval heart. In the city’s Norman castle he uncovers the Victorian public’s gory fascination with crime and punishment and finds out how campaigners such as Elizabeth Fry, who was born in Norwich, worked to improve conditions for prisoners. At the city’s livestock market, Michael learns how to buy a calf at auction with a subtle twitch of his guidebook before heading west to Thetford to explore the rabbit warrens of the Brecks. He discovers how the Victorian appetite for rabbits and their fur led to special train services to London, known as Bunny Trains. After a painful encounter with a polecat, Michael heads northwest to Brandon, home of some of the best quality flint in Britain and tries his hand at flint-knapping.

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Tuesday 28th January 2014)

Michael Portillo continues his journey from the east coast to the south coast beginning in the port of Ipswich, capital of the farming county of Suffolk. His first port of call is an agricultural implement works with its own railway sidings. Michael investigates what could have earned the Victorian manufacturer a special mention in his Bradshaw’s. Continuing his journey south west into Essex Michael dredges oysters off Mersea Island before taking the train to Witham, where he discovers a model farming establishment at Tiptree. His final destination is Chelmsford and the world’s first purpose-built radio equipment factory, established by Guglielmo Marconi.

Death in Paradise (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 28th January 2014)

Detective drama series set on a Caribbean island. The murder of a local gigolo brings DI Goodman and his team into contact with the social elite of Saint Marie. The case proves particularly hard-hitting for Fidel, as the death of his old school friend forces him to face up to some past mistakes.

Inside the Animal Mind (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 28th January 2014)

Chris Packham travels the world to uncover the secrets of the animal mind. He starts off by exploring the remarkable ways animals use their senses. Focusing on dogs, he discovers how their powerful sense of smell creates a bizarre alternative reality.

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Wednesday 29th January 2014)

Steered by his Bradshaw’s, Michael Portillo heads along the Essex bank of the Thames before crossing the river into the Garden of England, Kent. He begins this leg at Barkingside, where a Victorian philanthropist called Dr Thomas Barnardo made it his life’s work to transform the lives of destitute children. From Upminster Michael takes the London, Tilbury and Southend Railway to Tilbury and finds out how the line and the old station transformed the town into one of the country’s most important ports. At the docks, Michael tries his hand at loading a container on to a pocket wagon. Over the river at Gravesend Michael discovers how one of Queen Victoria’s favourite army officers, General Gordon, left his mark on the town. Michael’s last destination on this leg is Rochester, where he encounters a host of familiar characters and explores the city which was home to one of the Victorian era’s greatest writers, Charles Dickens.

Waterloo Road (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Wednesday 29th January 2014)

School-based drama. George is caught off guard when his meddling mother shows up at the school unexpectedly. Lenny takes matters into his own hands when he suspects a local shopkeeper of people trafficking.

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:00pm to 7:00pm | Thursday 30th January 2014)

Michael Portillo continues his journey from Norwich to Chichester beginning in Faversham in Kent, at one of the country’s oldest surviving breweries, Shepherd Neame. Michael discovers how the brewery invested heavily in the railways and even ran rolling stock with its own smart livery taking beer to London. After making his own delivery to the Railway Tavern in one of the brewery’s oldest vehicles, Michael heads for the south coast to the defensive town of Dover, little more than 25 miles from the historic enemy, the French. Here he uncovers one of Dover’s best kept secrets, the sunken fortress known as the Western Heights. In the Weald of Kent, Michael finds out how the railways helped to put Tonbridge School on track for cricketing glory before heading into Surrey where he blow-dries a hen in Dorking!

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 30th January 2014)

Forensic crime drama series. Following the shocking discovery of a 15-year-old girl’s body, DI Dale Carter fixates on his prime murder suspect, Ryan Kelvin. However, Jack’s personal connection to Ryan presents a conflict of interests, leading Thomas to replace him on the case with forensic scientist Helen Ferguson. But in his quest for the truth, Jack is instinctively drawn into the investigation, alienating him from Nikki and the team. Hannah, the distraught best friend of the victim, becomes consumed with grief and guilt over the murder, leading her to take drastic action.

Dan Snow’s History of the Winter Olympics (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 30th January 2014)

Historian Dan Snow looks back at 90 years of the Winter Olympics and shows how the political upheaval of the 20th and 21st century had an impact on the Games. He embarks on an epic journey across nine countries meeting some of the key people who helped shape the Winter Games. He tells the disturbing story of the Winter Olympics in Nazi Germany, the tense Olympic rivalry between East and West during the cold war, ending with the Miracle on Ice and the unforgettable Olympics in Sarajevo.

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Friday 31st January 2014)

On the final leg of his journey between the cathedral cities of Norwich and Chichester, Michael Portillo discovers the history behind the extraordinary Pavilion at Brighton and learns that Queen Victoria was not an admirer of the Prince Regent’s flamboyant taste. Michael finds that while above ground the railways brought day trippers to frolic in fashionable Brighton, underground, Victorian engineers built a magnificent network of sewers more than 40 miles in length, which are still functioning today. At Bramber, he discovers at the time of his guide tourists flocked to the town in huge numbers due to a Victorian museum of taxidermy. Michael’s next stop is the impressive castle at Arundel and he’s pleased to find that the Duke of Norfolk was a great supporter of the railways. His rail journey ends in Chichester from where he heads up into the South Downs for a taste of life in the fast lane at Goodwood.

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Friday 31st January 2014

Forensic crime drama series. Jack’s world is blown apart by the discovery of Hannah’s dead body. Nikki uncovers the truth behind Jack and Ryan’s strained relationship, but Jack’s attempts to find evidence put his job at risk. While an angry Thomas wrestles with hiring forensic scientist Helen as Jack’s permanent replacement, Dr Christy Nash fears for his marriage and business when DI Carter learns of his relationship with 15-year-old Katie. As Jack’s suspicion of Ryan grows, his lone investigation puts him in grave danger and life will never be the same again.

The Last Leg (Channel 4/HD | 10:00pm to 10:50pm | Friday 31st January 2014)

The award-winning gang show returns live to Friday nights with a joyful, offbeat take on the week. Returning as host is 2013 British Comedy Award winner Adam Hills and co-hosts Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker. The trio take a look at the weird and wonderful talking points of the week including the stories and highlights from the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. Each week, Adam, Josh and Alex are joined by a live studio audience and a weekly special celebrity guest. The show also sees the return of the all-encompassing question: Is It OK? Viewers at home and the studio audience are encouraged to ask this question about anything from the week, without fear of judgement, and the three hosts attempt to step into the minefield of sometimes difficult and delicate areas and answer the questions with their own unique insight.

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

First 30+ mile cycle of 2014

That’s me just done my first 30+ mile cycle of the year. Which takes my total up to 300.1 miles so far this month. Already done 121.7 more miles, than I had done by this point last year! But still got 5,818.3 more miles to overtake last year’s record!

I will now leave you with the route map, elevation graph, route statistics and photos.

Route map:-

21-01-2014 bike ride

Elevation graph:-

21-01-2014 bike ride elevation graph

Route statistics:-

  • Start time: 12:09 pm.
  • Distance: 38.35 miles.
  • Time: 3:21:05 (h:m:s).
  • Elapsed Time: 4:19:06 (h:m:s).
  • Avg Speed: 11.4 mph.
  • Max Speed: 25.7 mph.
  • Elevation Gain: 543 meters.
  • Min Elevation: 31 meters.
  • Max Elevation: 164 meters.

Data from: Garmin Connect.

Photos from the cycle:-

DSC02696DSC02701DSC02705DSC02712DSC02714

Second 50+ mile cycle of 2014

That’s me just done my second 50+ mile cycle of the year. It was bit a bit less than my last 50 mile cycle. Not that a care at all. Just happy that I am already doing 50+ mile cycles :).

I will now leave you with the route map, elevation graph, route statistics and photos.

Route map:-

19-01-201 bike ride

Elevation graph:-

19-01-2014 bike ride elevation graph

Route statistics:-

  • Start time: 12:58 pm.
  • Distance: 50.33 miles.
  • Time: 4:26:40 (h:m:s).
  • Elapsed Time: 5:14:44 (h:m:s).
  • Avg Speed: 11.3 mph.
  • Max Speed: 26.5 mph.
  • Elevation Gain: 717 meters.
  • Min Elevation: 25 meters.
  • Max Elevation: 164 meters.

Data from: Garmin Connect.

Photos from the cycle:-

DSC02679DSC02680DSC02685DSC02686DSC02689

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 18/01/2014

Speed with Guy Martin - ep 4 (YouView app screenshot)Call the Midwife (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 19th January 2014)

Drama about a group of midwives in 1950s London, based on the memoirs of Jennifer Worth. As Jenny struggles to care for exhausted mother Merle Vickers and her two sickly sons, it is Sister Monica Joan who holds the key to the diagnosis of their mystery illness. Meanwhile, Chummy calls on her royal connections for the official opening of the new ante-natal and baby clinic, and Nonnatus House welcomes a new resident, Sister Winifred.

Speed with Guy Martin (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 19th January 2014)

Motorcycle racer and lorry mechanic Guy Martin loves pushing the boundaries of speed in search of a buzz. He claims that nothing can match the adrenaline rush he gets when he’s racing on public roads around the Isle of Man TT course at 200mph. Now he wants to see if he can find anything that can give him the same kick. In this new series, he creates four-speed based challenges, exploring the boundaries of physics and learning about the science of speed. Guy sets out to break the record for the world’s fastest gravity powered sled. With the help of top sports science engineers, athletes and experts in composite engineering, Guy builds a toboggan to ride on the unforgiving slopes of the Pyrenees as he attempts to claim the record from a group of thrill-seeking Germans who set it three years ago.

Don’t Look Down (Channel 4/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Sunday 19th January 2014)

This documentary explores one of the world’s most dangerous and most terrifying new crazes. Urban free climbers are a new breed of daredevils: young men and women who illegally climb cranes and buildings without any safety equipment, then hang from them, hundreds of metres above the ground, one slip from certain death… Having originated in Eastern Europe, urban free climbing has recently spread to Britain. James Kingston is a 23-year-old who lives with his mother near Southampton.

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Monday 20th January 2014)

Assisted by his Bradshaw’s guide, Michael Portillo embarks on a new journey from Southampton to Wolverhampton. On this first leg he learns to set table aboard the luxury liner Queen Elizabeth before she sets sail and discovers how Cunard steamers began by transporting post across the Atlantic. He then heads to Netley, where he discovers the remains of an extensive military hospital built by order of Queen Victoria and from there to Basingstoke, where he finds out about a pitched battle between townspeople and the Salvation Army.

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Tuesday 21st January 2014)

Michael Portillo continues his journey from the Hampshire coast to the West Midlands in a distinctly military vein. At Winchfield, he discovers the vast carriage which carried the Duke of Wellington’s coffin to his state funeral at St Paul’s Cathedral in 1852 and hears how the Duke’s chestnut stallion also received full military honours when he was buried at the Duke’s seat, Stratfield Saye. Michael then heads for Farnborough and the army camp at Aldershot, where he joins the regulars to be put through his paces under military instruction. Sanctuary is not far away in Farnborough North at the Benedictine Monastery of St Michael, where Michael visits the tomb of the French Emperor Napoleon III and his family. He ends this second leg of his journey in Crowthorne, where in the year his Bradshaw’s was published, there opened a notorious new institution: England’s first Asylum for the Criminally Insane, Broadmoor.

Death in Paradise (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 21st January 2014)

Detective drama series set on a Caribbean island. When DI Humphrey Goodman and his team are called to investigate a murder on a film set, they are left baffled when they realise the wrong person has been killed. The team have to work fast to solve the case before the murderer strikes again.

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Wednesday 22nd January 2014)

Steered by his Victorian guidebook, Michael Portillo heads north from the south coast towards the West Midlands. The third leg begins in Wokingham, where Bradshaw’s reports the proprietor of The Times newspaper resided and where he was a great benefactor. Michael finds out how demand from a growing number of rail commuters fuelled the development of the modern printing press and learns how to print on an iron press. He then heads to Newbury, where he encounters a Tudor captain of industry, who manufactured cloth in enormous volumes. Michael’s next destination is Trowbridge, where Sir Isaac Pitman invented his famous shorthand. He ends this leg of the journey in Bradford on Avon, where he hears from a local manufacturer how his Victorian forebears were the first in Britain to be licensed to vulcanise rubber. They supplied springs, buffers and hoses for the locomotive industry and now make rubber suspensions systems for bicycles.

Waterloo Road (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Wednesday 22nd January 2014)

School-based drama. Gabriella sees a chance to drive a wedge between Imogen and Dynasty’s friendship when she offers to take Imogen on a wild night out. Meanwhile, Simon is busy organising an event to promote the Resilience Camp, but he has forgotten to clear it with a preoccupied Christine.

The Restoration Man (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Wednesday 22nd January 2014)

Recession-hit builders Ian and Jayne Hall Edwards have brought a five-and-half-thousand square foot derelict Victorian school in the village of Pencader in Carmarthenshire, with the aim to turn it into both a place of business and their family home. Having failed to win a grant to help finance the build, they are left battling through harsh winters while living in a caravan on site, and with their family business hanging in the balance.

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Thursday 23rd January 2014)

Michael Portillo continues his journey from Southampton to Wolverhampton beginning today in Chippenham, where at Lacock Abbey he discovers how the world’s first photographic negative was made and learns how to make a print. He travels on to Bristol to visit the Victorian Clifton Zoo, where he finds tigers and polar bears before him also arrived by train. Next stop is Severn Tunnel Junction in Wales, where he explores an extraordinary piece of Victorian engineering with its own pump house pumping out millions of gallons a day to keep it dry. Michael then heads for Gloucester to find out why the station became infamous for lost luggage. At the city’s cathedral, Michael meets a stonemason who bravely invites him to chip away.

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 23rd January 2014)

Forensic crime drama series. When the body of a pregnant Northern Irish girl is discovered, the team face the urgent task of finding the baby snatched from her womb. The child’s father, married man Simon, is the prime suspect in DS Sally Kirchner’s eyes. Meanwhile, Thomas uncovers the teenage girl’s connections to a criminal underworld. Nikki and Jack encounter her addict boyfriend Nuri and ruthless drug dealer Bekir, suspected of masterminding the killing of a Drugs Squad cop. The dead detective’s partner, DI John Brooke, is out to avenge his colleague’s murder.

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Friday 24th January 2014)

On the final leg of his journey from Southampton to Wolverhampton, Michael Portillo’s first destination is the elegant spa town of Cheltenham, where he discovers a very early locomotive carriage which ran not on rails but on the road and is lucky enough to get behind the wheel. His next stop is the medieval town of Tewkesbury, scene of a grisly battle during the Wars of the Roses. Armour-plated and sword at the ready, Michael joins a group of re-enactors for a taste of the action.

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Friday 24th January 2014)

Forensic crime drama series. Martin, the sole eyewitness in the murder case, is found dead in suspicious circumstances. Threatened by an angry Bekir, Nuri grows increasingly desperate to find the missing drugs, with tragic consequences. Nikki helps grieving William come to terms with his daughter Alice’s death and his missing baby granddaughter. Under pressure from his wife Ellie, DI John Brooke finally comes face-to-face with his nemesis, drug dealer Bekir. However, Jack’s growing frustration over DI Brooke’s meddling in the case unearths a new line of enquiry.

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