I dragged Dave into Manchester on his birthday to see the Piccadilly Radio exhibition at the Central Library. It didn’t manage to convey the excitement of working in commercial radio in the 90s but I appreciate the effort that went into it. I did, however, get a little thrilled by the merchandise.

The extraordinary interior of St. John's Anglican Church at Lunenburg in Nova Scotia. The building is the second oldest continuous Protestant church in Canada.

Hanging out with my friend Stephen Findlay, the town crier of Lunenburg, on board Bluenose II on the Atlantic Wharf in the town. Lunenburg is really magnificent. It’s one of only two urban communities in North America designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The two oldest soldiers on parade at the Halifax Citadel in Nova Scotia.

When I get a free moment and if I happen to be on the right continent, there’s nothing better than getting into uniform and coming down to defend the Halifax Citadel in Nova Scotia.

Dave’s got the keys to his new ride.

Marvin the Mastodon reminds us that we’re standing on the 45th parallel which is halfway between the Equator and the North Pole. Mastodon bones were found in a quarry near here at Stewiacke in Nova Scotia in 1991.

Thanks to Emma of 94.1 The Breeze and Alex of Q 97.9 for showing us around the local radio stations for New Glasgow and Pictou County.

I seem to have snuck into yet another radio station.

I really appreciate the progress pride rainbow on this crossing in downtown New Glasgow.

Dave in the big chair celebrating New Glasgow’s 150th anniversary down by the East River of Pictou.

The full-sized replica of the Ship Hector here at Pictou in Nova Scotia. The original ship arrived in 1773 with 189 Scottish Highland immigrants on board. The town contains many stone buildings constructed by the early settlers with clear Scottish influences.

We’ve had an amazing time at the International Town Criers Competition at New Glasgow in Nova Scotia. It was a great honour to be asked to judge the weekend’s proceedings. It was marvellous to see so many old friends and we were blown away by the kindness we were show by the local community.

We’re at New Glasgow in Nova Scotia where I’m judging the International Town Criers Competition to mark the 150th anniversary of the town. There really is no finer group of people to hang out with.

Greetings from Peggy’s Cove in Nova Scotia. It’s marvellous to be back in Canada 🇨🇦

Since January I’ve lost 10 stone in weight (140 pounds / 63 kg) which meant it was time that I got some new Scottish tweed.

We had a good time visiting Culzean Castle on the South Ayrshire coast. It stands on the brink of 150 ft cliffs that drop sheer into the Firth of Clyde.

Happy anniversary to my handsome husband. We’ve been together for 27 amazing years today. I didn’t start really living till I met you.

We’ve taken an early morning walk to Ossian's Hall to view the spectacular Black Linn Falls at The Hermitage in Dunkeld.

I always love coming down to the Firth of Forth at North Queensferry.

The world's smallest working lighthouse and one of the world’s greatest bridges at North Queensferry on the Firth of Forth.

I was scheduled to have an operation today but due to a lack of anaesthetists it’s been cancelled at the last minute. It’s disappointing as I’d psyched myself up for the procedure. I’ve not accepted any freelance work for the next two weeks so I’m losing a fair amount of money just to sit at home.

Welcome to my favourite spot at Lancaster University.

Happy Manchester Pride!

Tonight is my last night reading the national network news for BBC Local Radio across England and the Channel Islands until early October. Next week I’m due to have an operation and then we head to Scotland and Nova Scotia in Canada. I’ll hopefully speak to you on the radio from 7pm.

Under the iconic Castlefield Viaduct in the oldest part of the city of Manchester.

We’ve been out foraging for blackberries. Apple and blackberry pie will soon be served.

We know Jedburgh in the Scottish Borders pretty well but this was our first visit to the Mary Queen of Scots House in the town. The Queen came here with her entourage in October 1566 to hold a court which lasted for a month. The museum shop had a rather lovely hunting flask which I couldn’t resist.

We’re back in my happy place. The remote fishing village of St Abbs in the Scottish Borders is surrounded by jagged cliffs and old fishermen's cottages. It’s extraordinarily wonderful.

Our friends Scott and Bear are here in Scotland from California and we met up with them in Edinburgh. We took them to North Queensferry to see the world’s smallest working lighthouse and the spectacular Forth Bridge.

I’ve always believed that Wemyss Bay railway station in Inverclyde is the finest station in the country. It’s still looking rather magnificent today.

We’re at Ardrossan Lighthouse on the Firth of Clyde in North Ayrshire. Ardrossan was the home of my birth father and I often wonder how life would have been different if I’d grown up here on the west coast of Scotland rather than in the Black Country.

I’m still working on my performance history project on the life of Keir Hardie who was the first parliamentary leader of the Labour Party. The best place to get inspiration is to dress as the great man and visit the Keir Hardie room at the Baird Institute at Cumnock in East Ayrshire.

Greetings from Sanquhar in Dumfries and Galloway which is home to the world’s oldest working post office. It opened in 1712 and has been in continuous operation for over 300 years.

Messing around down by the River Wyre.

The iconic view of Edinburgh Castle from the Ross Fountain in Princes Street Gardens on the first day of summer.

We’re home after a month in California. Thank you to all the lovely people we met and stayed with while we were there. I’m now back reading the national network news for BBC local radio. I hope I can remember how to do it.

I’m in Palm Springs where I’m attempting to channel an Ernest Hemingway vibe.

Happy 19th wedding anniversary to us. People still ask if we’re brothers 😀

There’s nowhere on the planet that looks like the Joshua Tree National Park. It’s extraordinary and I never tire of it.

We’re back at Joshua Tree in California. It’s absolutely our favourite national park.

Welcome to the Hi-Desert. Smokey says that only you can prevent wildfires!

There are some odd attractions along the road in California and none odder than this one. Dinny the Dinosaur and Mr. Rex are visible from Interstate 10 at Cabazon near Palm Springs. The pair have been featured in numerous movies and music videos.

We’ve reached the end of the road.

We took a trip to Santa Monica to meet up with our friend Sean who played the Cruel World Festival in Los Angeles at the weekend. It was a lovely sunny day and it’s always good to dip a toe in the Pacific.

The Palm Springs spaceman joins me to wish a happy Eurovision to all those who celebrate.

The last time I bought a pair of trousers I had a waist size of 54. I’ve been getting new clothes while we’re here in Palm Springs and I now have a waist size of 42. I really can’t express how happy I am about that.