The Forth Bridges

That was a totally amazing day. Which started with us getting a train from Stirling to Edinburgh. Then another train from Edinburgh over the Forth Bridge to North Queensferry. Think it’s only the second time, that I’ve been over the Forth Bridge. It’s got to be one of the short best railway trips, you can do in the UK!

Then after having a look around North Queensferry and of course getting many photos of the Forth Bridge. We (hey, Neil) then walked over the Forth Road Bridge, which is something, that I’ve wanted to do for a long time. Last time, we went to do it, the weather was that bad (very, very wet), we only walked part of it, then give up!

So was, really happy we walked whole of it! From North Queensferry to South Queensferry. You get great views from it!

Then we had a mini look around South Queensferry. Then walked to Dalmeny railway station, to get train back to Stirling!

Oh and I can now tick North Queensferry and Dalmeny railway stations off my list! 🙂

Forth Bridge
Forth Bridge

Forth Road Bridge

More photos can be found over at www.gordon-valentine.com/zenphoto/days-out/27-12-2018/

That’s me in Scotland for Christmas 2018

That’s me now in Scotland for Christmas! At one point, it was looking like, I was not going to make it!

Since on Friday, I come down with a bad cold/flu bug! So spend all of Saturday in bed!

But I am here now, which is the main thing!

? UK TV programmes to watch this week : 22/12/2018

Up (BBC 1/HD | 3:25pm to 4:55pm | Sunday 23rd December 2018)

Animation telling the story of 78-year-old Carl, who ties thousands of balloons to his house and floats off to South America to fulfil his lifelong dream. Only when he is up in the air does he realise he has taken onboard a hitchhiker – an eight-year-old boy scout who was knocking at his door at the time.

The Queen’s Christmas Broadcast (BBC 1/HD | 3:00pm to 3:10pm | Tuesday 25th December 2018)

HM Queen Elizabeth II delivers her annual address in the Christmas message to the nation and the Commonwealth.

Call the Midwife (BBC 1/HD | 7:45pm to 9:15pm | Tuesday 25th December 2018)

As Poplar prepares for Christmas, the nuns leave for the Mother House to vote in a new mother superior and to help care for a group of Chinese orphans. Meanwhile, Trixie returns to Poplar refreshed and is shocked to discover that many mothers no longer want to give birth at home.

The BFG (BBC 1/HD | 5:40pm to 7:30pm | Wednesday 26th December 2018)

A ten-year-old girl embarks on a great adventure when she meets the Big Friendly Giant. Their friendship, however draws the unwanted attention from other mean giants.

Roads Less Travelled: Atlantic Way (BBC 2 Scotland & BBC iPlayer only | 7:00pm to 8:00pm | Thursday 27th December 2018)

First of a two-part documentary in which Cameron McNeish journeys up the western seaboard from the Mull of Kintyre to Mallaig. Starting at the Mull of Kintyre, Cameron heads up the long and winding road made famous by Paul McCartney. He boards a restored fishing vessel for a trip on the Crinan Canal and explores the ancient monuments around Kilmartin, before finishing the first part of his journey on the waters of Loch Awe. Along the way, he meets an artist, a storyteller and a ghillie, and, most surprisingly of all, he discovers how our ancestors created their music.

Roads Less Travelled: Atlantic Way (BBC 2 Scotland & BBC iPlayer only | 6:30pm to 7:30pm | Friday 28th December 2018)

Second of a two-part documentary in which Cameron McNeish journeys up the western seaboard from the Mull of Kintyre to Mallaig. This episode begins in peaceful Glen Orchy and sees Cameron travel over the wild, yet beautiful, wastelands of the Rannoch Moor. After exploring the hills above Kinlochleven, he continues up the secluded west side of Loch Linnhe before following the sun to his ultimate destination at Mallaig. Along the way, Cameron joins a military historian, an author and an expert on Gaelic culture.

Paddington Station 24/7 at Christmas (Channel 5/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Thursday 27th December 2018)

Documentary series going behind the scenes of one of London’s busiest transit hubs. Station assistant Richard handles a medical emergency that may not be what it seems, engineers work round the clock to finish before bad weather hits, and the staff sit down for a Christmas lunch – of curry!

Michael Palin in North Korea: Special Edition (Channel 5/HD | 9:00pm to 11:05 pm | Thursday 27th December 2018)

Following the success of his world exclusive two-part series, this feature-length special edition is a chance to show Michael’s extraordinary journey in its entirety, and includes new footage which hasn’t been seen before.

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

My main goals for 2019…

These are my main goals for 2019. These are not in any order at all…

  • Turn 40! Not, that, I really I want too! But it’s better than the other option!
  • Spend more time, seeing friends and family.
  • Cycle 100 miles in a single ride! Done this before, but not for a number of years!
  • Cycle at least 4,000 miles.
  • Visit many more UK railways stations!
  • Walk 1,000 miles again in year!
  • Climb at least, two more mountains.
  • Finish off walking the Grand Union Canal. So far walked from London to Wolverton.
  • See more of Scotland! So many more parts, I still need to see!
  • Been single for 10 years, maybe time to fix that!
  • Make more money! LOL!

If, I can think of anything else. I will update this post! 🙂

What are you’re main goals for 2019? Why, not post them here!?!?!?

Think the website is back to normal!

I am sure, that my website is running 100% again!

Oh and big thanks to someone from 34sp.com emailing at me 8:00pm, last night, just to check that it was still running, like it should! Doubt many other hosts, would do that!

Reserved seat tickets + I do miss GNER

I can’t be the only one, that takes the reserved seat, tickets with me when I get off the train! Of course, I only do it, if no one else has same seat reserved has me!

I do really miss the GNER days, when you could get more than one train a day direct from Peterborough to Glasgow. Also they had by far the best service of any of the train operating companies. None of the currect ones come even close to them!