I set out eearly yesterday to get to the Wirral in time to visit the Lady Lever Art Gallery in Port Sunlight. Half an hour into my journey, on the M50, there was a bang and the steering wheel went funny. I managed to slide over to the hard shoulder and found that my front tyre was shredded.

I don’t carry a spare! The garage told us that it’s the modern way. I carry a bottle of sealant and an electric pump. fine for a puncture, but not for a ripped open tyre!

two and a half hours later I got taken toCheltenham where a brilliant crew sorted me out with new tyres and tracking. It took me seven and a half hours – I was so pleased to get to my hotel!

I had a great day today at Seacombe, Wallasey and Bromborough Libraries. In Wallasey I was assisted by a young lady called Freya, the name of Viking Vik’s step sister. She was wonderfully helpful in providing all Freya’s actions. As her Dad is Norwegian, we had the odd bit od Norsk conversation, which confused everyone else!

I got to the Lady Lever Art Gallery after my sessions today as the Library was only five minutes away. What a lot of stuff. Lots of pre raphaelites – proper paintings! a wonderful collection of watercolours and drawings by Turner and an original Kate Greenaway, never seen her work before – lovely. Well worth a visit if you are in the Wirral/Liverpool area.

I’m now in Ruthin in North Wales in a lovely, comfy hotel for two nights before going on to Burton on Trent for two days – Shoo Rayner on tour! I should sell tshirts!