Grasmere looking gorgeous.

Good to hear Baroness Joyce Quin at the opening of South Shields Museum's Spirit of the North East exhibition by local artist Richard Hobson. Evocative, dramatic paintings of North East industry, well worth a visit or two. I'll be back.

A day i will never ever forget. 8 Orcas alongside the boat. I definitely have the best job. farneislandstours.co.uk

With These Hands at the Laing Art Gallery is a fascinating new exhibition looking at craft and the people and places involved and impacted in the timeless importance of making beautiful, useful things, from knitted blankets to wartime machinery. Well worth a visit.

Nicholas Craig's memorial service brought back his ebullient personality as a talented lawyer, sportsman and Northumbrian. Many happy memories of writing Nicholas' Journal column for years, with his help, many lunches and even more laughs.

Fantastic night seeing Sam Fender at St James Park. First and last time I'll climb all those steps in the away end, despite amazing views from our seats near the sky.

I wrote this in The Times and The Sunday Times 12 years ago. I hate to say I told you so about HS2, but...I told you so. Although my view that the cost would balloon to £50 billion proved to be a wild underestimate. It's now £66 billion for half the line!! ... This is an article about a railway,

Turin - city of colonnades, piazzas and addictive gelatos. Hot, grand and beautiful.

Lovely #Latitude. Great music, comedians, dance and events, this time in sunshine.

🏆 Charity Leader of the Year We're thrilled to share that our Chief Executive, Abigail Conway, has been shortlisted for Charity Leader of the Year at the 2025 North East Charity Awards! 🎉 This recognition reflects the positive impact they've made across Northumberland!

So proud to be a trustee of Citizens Advice Northumberland. Good for all the trustees to be recognised this year.

More brilliant North East Museums funding news!

Sun shining at St James Park today, even after the result. Good to be back.

Glorious day Edinburgh Festival Fringe . Best bits were steve richards and Paul Merton and Suzi Whitaker Improv. Forgot phone so no photo of sun soaked city. Loved it.

Speedy Theo The Great North Run junior race yesterday. Here today to see laura holland in the big run. Very exciting.

She did it! Abi Conway, chief exec of Citizens Advice Northumberland, is Charity Leader of the year at #necharityawards. Great, uplifting night with many remarkable people winning well deserved awards.

Sunset from our balcony in Kefalonia. Watching it could become addictive.

Sunset from our balcony in Kefalonia. Watching it could become addictive.

Giant turtle at Argostoli, Kefalonia, following fishing boats into the harbour.

Explored Kefalonia's caves, stalactites, monasteries, fishing villages and beautiful, remote beaches like Myrtos today. Memorable day. Gorgeous Island.