Daisy Works, or Daisy Mill, is an enormous building: on the main road from Manchester to Stockport, thousand of people pass it every day. It looks much the same as it did more than half a century ago, except for the loss of a chimney. The spaces inside are enormous, and very flexible. Every floor in the various 'wings'(!) has been used differently over the years, and many are still active and buzzing. The images commissioned are for sales particulars: Daisy Works is about to enter another phase in its long and useful life.

I really enjoy my travel work, and one of the loveliest places I've photographed is Capheaton Hall in Northumbria, a glorious house set in stunning grounds; rolling parkland in the manner of Capability Brown, amazing old greenhouses, a walled garden, pigs, horses, a fishing lake and tennis courts.  I first visited for Quintessential Bed and Breakfast, whose luxury offer suits Capheaton wonderfully - and vice versa.  

The history of the Coliseum Theatre in Oldham is fascinating; built originally by local craftspeople for the Grand American Circus in 1885, it was home to live acts interspersed with silent films from 1911. Derelict by 1939, when the lease was taken up by The Oldham Repertory Theatre Club, it has had the inevitable ups and downs. Many of its productions were televised in the 50’s and 60’s; many awards have been won; records have repeatedly been broken for ticket sales. I went to the theatre to help them build an up-to-date image library and made a start with the splendid auditorium.

The Wheel of Manchester is 60m high, air-conditioned and, more to the point in this weather, heated. It’s also really beautiful lit up pinkly against a deep blue evening sky. That’s it reflected in Selfridges on the left hand side.  I wonder if it’s pink because this is Valentine’s week?

It can be such a great start to the day to get up at sunrise and go for a wander somewhere in the city with the camera. Yesterday I went down to Castlefield and had a very productive couple of hours before the reward of scrambled eggs and a HUGE cup of tea. This picture shows the 47 storeys of the Beetham Tower (well, most of them) reflected in the canal alongside some (occupied) barges. A little tweaking has taken place - I was after an 'old postcard' effect...

In London this weekend. Saturday's shoot done, I had today to drift a little and enjoy the city... In Holborn I had a look at the new development at St Giles, designed by Renzo Piano for Legal and General, which I'd looked down at from Centre Point a few years ago as construction began. It is quite something, covering an entire city block. While the inner courtyard elevations are clad in a quiet, very pale grey, the external faces are bright orange, yellow and green - absolutely glowing in the sun today. 

Manchester University is an amazing place, up there internationally in terms of quality in both teaching and research - the biggest UK educational campus outside London.

I've been out and about recently looking for some images to make a set, along with some of Manchester, for 'new' wallspace in St Ann's Hospice's Little Hulton building. Refurbishment of part of the in-patient unit has just been completed, and the hospice wanted a selection of pictures: some for the corridors to generate interest and comment, and some restful, "but not boring or gloomy" ones for side rooms. An excellent and enjoyable commission!

Manchester 235 is already pretty well-known around these parts. It's the real deal, with an impressive gaming floor, two restaurants, function room and various private rooms and lounges, open all night and uber-glam. The latest addition is a poker lounge, which I went to photograph this week. The colours absolutely glow - glorious stuff.

Well, this is a wonderful trip: the Isle of Harris has been on the 'bucket list' for some time now, and it's great to finally get here. Staying at Scarista House was a brilliant idea - if I say so myself!! It's incredibly comfortable and friendly, with fab staff and stupendous food. A former manse, situated by Scarista beach with, effectively, just wild roses and the dunes between it and the sea.