Cycling in the dark with only reflectors is never clever. Doing it in Vietnam amongst mopeds, motorbikes, vans, all going in random directions is insanity. Add to that following a young guide who, it turns out 'doesn't know the law' and tries to make you turn into the fast moving heavy traffic, that was my nightmare and I'm grateful to still be alive. But what an experience!!! I'd set the alarm for 7am forgetting that it was still set for 5.30 too. Oops! After a solid sleep I was fully awake and the local cockerels were determined to be heard again and again and again. So Glyn and I both got up and took advantage of having the place to almost to ourselves - although there were a few people about sweeping up. I was filming ... read more

Doha: a hazy mix of dust and concrete settled on the edge of the desert by the sea. Whether you look at it from the sky or the ground, it's a gradient mesh of pastel blues and browns with the occasional colour pops from tourist buses and taxis. And it is so very hot, a muggy heat where the sun is constantly battling with the thick dust clouds and both are winning as the humans sweat over burning concrete underneath. We weren't even meant to be there. Our flight was cancelled in Manchester and the following one was due five hours later. Because of the incompetence of the staff who waited until the flight was due to take off before they started to process some of us through, this flight was over three hours late. I've ... read more

If you really want to believe in the Loch Ness Monster, whatever you do, don't go to the Official Loch Ness Exhibition because they kill the myth before you even step in. You see people, the loch doesn't sustain enough marine life to feed one large animal, or so the signage says. You would think that as the mystery of the monster supported a healthy tourist industry and that millions of pounds and effort had been spent looking for it, that there would be some insinuation that something exists. We saw the beardy guy who spent much of his life searching for the elusive monster knocking around, but he obviously isn't bothered that every room in that place proves that his life has been a waste of time. However, the exhibition was interesting and gave a ... read more

Polar bears or European bears? That is the question. I like a European bear, they have friendly faces and dance like no one is watching. However, polar bears have self-assured attitude and it was cool to see them today, even though they got so muddy they were as brown as your standard bear. To see polar bears in Scotland, we had to leave Edinburgh at 7.30 am after bidding adieu to Helen, Saul and adorable baby Maisie. We drove up north to the Highland Wildlife Park near Kincraig. The enclosures at the park were massive and we had to walk about a fair bit to see the animals, who didn't let us down. The majority of them were running about despite the mad weather, from strong sunshine, to gale force winds, driving rain and hail - ... read more

It was my grand idea to leave for Edinburgh at 6am so we could fit in as much as possible. I let Glyn drive first and promptly fell back asleep, you would think I'd planned it... After a 4.5 hour journey, we arrived in Stockbridge, Edinburgh. We were to be staying with Saul, Helen and baby Maisie in their flat for a couple of days. I'd briefly met Saul at a Ministry gig many years ago and he didn't even remember meeting me! However, we have conversed online for many years on Ministry related forums. After meeting Helen and Maisie (the cutest baby in the world), we all walked the short distance up the cobbled streets into the centre of Edinburgh. Saul works in the tourism industry so was able to very kindly sort us free ... read more