UK TV programmes to watch this week : 29/11/2014

The Railway: First Great Western - 04-12-2014 (YouView app)Wild Weather with Richard Hammond (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 1st December 2014)

Richard Hammond travels the globe in an attempt to reveal the hidden world of weather. Richard investigates how wind actually starts. He joins up with an American meteorologist called Reed Timmer and a bizarre vehicle known as The Dominator III. Their aim is to fire a probe into a tornado to measure its speed where it is at its fastest – right next to the ground. Richard also visits one of the few places on the planet capable of duplicating a real-life tornado. The 23 million dollar WindEEE Research Institute in Ontario hadn’t even opened its doors when Richard asked them to take part in an experiment. He also braves the winds and temperatures of -50 degrees fahrenheit to take a trip outside on top of Mount Washington in New Hampshire. On April 12th 1934, that station measured one of the highest wind speeds ever measured on land – 231 mph.

Waterloo Road (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Wednesday 3rd December 2014)

Allie convinces Vaughan to send Justin to a boarding school in an attempt to keep him away from Tiffany but the young lovers have plans of their own. Darren isn’t happy when Rhiannon considers a career as a plus size model.

Great Continental Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Wednesday 3rd December 2014)

Following his 1913 Bradshaw’s guide, Michael Portillo ventures beyond Europe to the Holy Land. His journey begins in Haifa in modern-day Israel, where he is shown how to cook a takeaway – middle-eastern style, before heading to Haifa’s original station to find out about its branch line to the famous Hejaz Railway. In Tel Aviv, Michael marvels at the city’s futuristic skyscrapers and railway lines, threaded along the centre of modern highways. On his way to Jerusalem, Michael hears how the Jaffa to Jerusalem railway was the first line to be built in the Holy Land. In Jerusalem, Michael visits the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and finds out about a surprising Holy Land tradition. Michael then heads for Bethlehem where he meets the embroiderers of the Arab Women’s Union. Heading south, Michael arrives at the lowest point on earth – the Dead Sea, and then, in the Negev Desert, he learns about a celebrated British military hero with railways in his sights.

George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Thursday 4th December 2014)

George travels to Macclesfield to visit a first time builder who hopes to transform an allotment shed into a Doctor Who-style, multi-functional play den for less than £300. George visits a spectacular live-in treehouse in Scotland. Will and George dig for iron to create a medieval style lock for their wood cabin. And George’s Italian road trip takes in a holiday lodge made almost entirely from glass in the Dolomite mountains.

The Railway: First Great Western (Channel 5 | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Thursday 4th December 2014)

Documentary series following the working lives of the staff of First Great Western, one of Britain’s largest train operating companies. The railway is in crisis as the worst weather for a century batters the country, pushing workers and passengers to the limit. Steve Hawkins and his team of engineers have time and tide against them as they get to work repairing one of the most beautiful stretches of track in the country after the mainline at Dawlish gets washed away, and Dave Slater and his team at Network Control have to battle the elements to keep trains running as storm after storm floods the network. A tube strike creates a headache for Ealing Broadway manager, Dean Haynes, as the extra pressure placed on overground trains into the city looks set to bring the morning commute to a standstill.

Ice Road Truckers (Channel 5 | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Friday 5th December 2014)

Reality series. For two months every year, a group of exceptional men and women find their way to the Canadian tundra to undertake one of the most dangerous jobs on earth. Alex retraces his route and Lisa wants to get back into the running for the most loads. Hugh and Vlad decide to keep Art Burke.

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

YouView adds new Internet channels to some boxes

YouView logoSome YouView users are now able to access some of Freeview’s streamed Internet channels in a long-awaited development.

Motors TV on channel 240, Vintage TV on channel 242 and RT Documentary via channel 135 are now available on Humax Retail Boxes and BT YouView boxes.

This is on top of YouView adding the Netflix app a number of weeks back.

More information can be found @ www.a516digital.com/2014/11/youview-adds-three-of-arqivas-connect.html.

 

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 22/11/2014

Channel Patrol - 25-11-2014 (YouView app)Channel Patrol (BBC 1/HD | 11:30am to 12:15pm | Monday 24th November 2014)

Documentary series following life on the English Channel, the busiest waterway in the world. The RNLI team from Newhaven, one of the busiest stations on the channel, rush to answer a mayday call from a teenager on a stranded yacht. Trawler skipper Mike Young struggles with strict fishing regulations and mechanical breakdowns while trying to earn a living from the channel’s waters. The Royal Navy’s underwater bomb squad, the Fleet Diving Squadron, are called out to blow up a hazard in the Solent.

Loch Ness Monster: The Missing Evidence (Channel 5 | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Monday 24th November 2014)

Documentary series investigating conspiracy theories. Does the Loch Ness Monster really exist? This programme looks back over the history of the sightings, considers a variety of theories and explanations and re-examines the available photos and footage using modern technology and the latest scientific research.

Channel Patrol (BBC 1/HD | 11:30am to 12:15pm | Tuesday 25th November 2014)

Documentary series following life on the English Channel, the busiest waterway in the world. The RNLI team from Newhaven rush to the aid of a casualty having a suspected heart attack on board a charter fishing boat out at sea. Solo swimmer Nick Young battles tides and massive freighters in his attempt to swim to France. Nick’s motivation is a cause close to his heart – he is hoping to raise money to help his 12-year-old niece, Bel, who was paralysed four years before after falling from a climbing frame. Plus a team of volunteers rush to rescue another of the channel’s inhabitants – a baby seal washed up on the beach.

Channel Patrol (BBC 1/HD | 11:30am to 12:15pm | Wednesday 26th November 2014)

Documentary series following life on the English Channel, the busiest waterway in the world. A mammoth cargo freighter makes its way through the channel’s hazards to Southampton in thick fog. Guiding it safely is one of the many challenges faced on a daily basis by the team in Vessel Traffic Services in Southampton, who help to park up huge cruise liners as well as massive freighters like this. Meanwhile a team of swimmers are hoping to raise money for a children’s intensive care unit by swimming to France and back again, but the thick fog in the Channel could put their whole attempt in jeopardy.

Waterloo Road (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Wednesday 26th November 2014)

The police descend on Waterloo Road as the hack on Wiredata Systems is traced to the school. Floyd confronts Tiffany and Justin about their relationship, and Sonya’s magazine story causes trouble around the school.

Great Continental Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Wednesday 26th November 2014)

Armed with his 1913 Bradshaw, Michael Portillo explores a very different Spain from the one he knows best and ventures across its border with Britain’s oldest ally, Portugal. Beginning in Galicia, Michael discovers the elegant city of La Coruna, a fashionable destination for Edwardian Britons, for whom the principal attraction was the tomb of a British military hero. Michael uncovers the Celtic roots of the Galician people and tries to master the bagpipes but finds himself upstaged by a six-year-old. On the pilgrims’ trail to Santiago de Compostela, Michael meets walkers from all over the world heading for the magnificent cathedral. His Bradshaw in hand, Michael is led into the archive to see one of the world’s first guidebooks, dating from the 12th century. Aboard the West Galician Railway, Michael hears how a 19th-century British railwayman sought his fortune in Galicia and ended up running the company.

Channel Patrol (BBC 1/HD | 11:30am to 12:15pm | Thursday 27th November 2014)

Documentary series following life on the English Channel, the busiest waterway in the world. The RNLI fight to save Eastbourne Pier when it catches fire. HMS Tyne, part of the channel’s fisheries protection squadron, patrols the waters ensuring commercial fishermen follow regulations to protect fishing stocks. A young naval officer on board is hoping to complete his qualification as a marine enforcement officer – but Hurricane Bertha is approaching the channel. At the height of the summer holidays, the crew of a cross-channel ferry load and unload up to 1,000 passengers a time on a tight schedule. Meanwhile two old rivals battle it out in the channel’s most famous regatta, Cowes Week.

George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Thursday 27th November 2014)

George meets a couple in Worcestershire who have taken the plunge and given up the rat race, selling their town house to buy some land in the country. With just £50,000 they set out to build their own home from the most unlikely of starting points: four old office portable cabins. Schoolteacher Lauren recently bought a house and unexpectedly discovered an enormous pond hidden under decking in the back garden, and sets out to transform this unwanted pond and her neglected garden into a beach-themed holiday retreat. As George’s Italian road trip continues, he travels to the old town of Mathi just north of Turin where he finds a modernist gem of a home. What was once a crumbling, neglected barn has been transformed into a home full of Italian flair and ingenuity – with a floating swimming pool on the first floor taking pride of place.

Underground Britain (Channel 5 | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Thursday 27th November 2014)

Documentary series in which engineer Rob Bell explores the UK’s subterranean wonders. Rob explores a mystical cave system that altered Victorian Britain’s view of human history before entering a once top-secret bunker that was constructed to be Britain’s nerve centre if the bomb had been dropped during the Cold War. He also follows an underground seam of tin in a mine that stretches out several miles under the Atlantic Ocean.

Channel Patrol (BBC 1/HD | 11:30am to 12:15pm | Friday 28th November 2014)

Documentary series following life on the English Channel, the busiest waterway in the world. The crew of navy destroyer the HMS Duncan are put to the test to prove they are ready for battle. The channel plays an important role for the Royal Navy’s fleet of 90 ships and submarines by offering them a base but it’s also the training ground where ships and crews can be prepared for combat. A team from Southampton harbour patrol work to keep the busy port running smoothly when hundreds of luxury yachts descend on it for the 45th annual boat show. Meanwhile a couple of rookie sailors learn the ropes at Cowes Week.

Ice Road Truckers (Channel 5 | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Friday 28th November 2014)

Reality series examining the lucrative, but highly dangerous, job of driving trucks on Canada’s notorious ice highway. After an argument with Hugh and Vlad, new guy Art Burke finds himself stranded when his truck breaks down. Meanwhile, Darrell Ward is the first on to one of the most dangerous roads in Manitoba.

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

38,000 miles of cycling (since April 2003)

Can’t believe that I have done 38,000 miles of cycling since April 2003!

Here are some of my favourite cycling photos from each year…

2003
Adidas full body suit

2004
Team Saturn cycling lycra skinsuit

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010
Pearl Izumi Team Garmin-Chipotle team kit

2011
Wetsuit cycling

2012
Wetsuit cycling

2013
Pearl Izumi Team Garmin-Chipotle team kit Prudential RideLondon FreeCycle 2013

2014
PBK Team Long Sleeve Skinsuit 2009 Cannondale Pro Cycling Team 2014