Tomorrow Alastair Sawday's new book, Go Slow France, is published, for which I made four trips to France last summer...talk about a dream commission! I visited and photographed 21 of the amazing places for the book, which has a foreword by Jean-Christophe Novelli. Go Slow France is the third book in Sawday's hugely successful series, and includes 47 of France's most exquisite châteaux, B&Bs and hotels chosen as places to 'go slow'. Sawday's say: "Fresh writing, beautiful, professional photography and detailed maps to help plan your Slow journey through France.

The Chief Executive of the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority needed a new headshot yesterday for a publication going out next week. My 15 minute slot was carved out of his very busy diary, so I arrived early to have a quick scout round for locations so that we'd waste no time.

I thoroughly enjoyed my travels in France for Alastair Sawday Publishing in 2009, and in England and Wales in 2010, for the two latest books in their gorgeous "Go Slow" series, which were published in April and November 2010 respectively.  They're really lovely books, and truly do showcase some very special places to stay.

"Luxurious, contemporary, even unique, describes the enviable accommodation offered by Banks Farm in two individually designed suites, Daffodil and Daisy, set within a working smallholding in the Northern Fells of the Lake District National Park. Ducks, geese, chickens, sheep and rare breed pigs abound. Inspirational views of the Lake District’s evocative landscape surround you."

I'm delighted to have three images in an exhibition this week and next…it's in Southport, in the lovely, light, bright Wayfarers Arcade in Lord Street, opposite the Town Hall. The exhibition is called "Infinite Variety" and celebrates the beauty of the ageing female face. The original idea came from Dame Harriet Walter, who started collecting images to challenge perceptions of what we consider beauty to be.

I’m SO excited - this picture of mine, taken in France in the summer of 2007, is on the cover of a book published this month! The book is the very latest edition of “French Bed and Breakfast”, one of Alastar Sawday’s Special Places to Stay series. The picture is one of three - it may not be huge, but that’s not stopping me smiling from ear to ear! You can (just!!) see it on Amazon  if you click here.

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.

Alice Robinson continues to develop her show, and is taking it on tour in the north-west. Tonight I photographed her performance at the Adelphi Studio at Salford University, where she once studied herself.  The show - ‘Alice’ - is both gripping and surprising, so I’m being careful not to give too much away with this picture. But I can say that it’s visually stunning and bursting with energy . You can see her at: Rose Theatre, Edgehill University on 15 October Lowry Studio, The Lowry , Salford on 24 October Unity Theatre, Liverpool on 30 and 31 October

Businesses need pictures of their teams, to help them show the personality behind the company, and this company CX hadn't had a new picture taken in several years. When she booked me for her portrait session,  Sue explained that she needed a variety of pictures for different uses - website, annual report and to illustrate a profile of her in a business magazine next week.  We talked through how best to approach it, and she brought a bag with different outfits to the studio. After a strong cup of tea, we got started, using costume changes and varied backdrops to get what we needed. Job done!

Had a great chat yesterday with Jill Burdett, Homes Editor of the Manchester Evening News. There are few people in the city who know the local property scene as well as she does - she’s something of a legend! I must admit to having got up at the crack of dawn to clean the apartment for her visit - and then hoped I looked relaxed and as if it was always this tidy when she arrived! Jill wrote a really upbeat piece; a double-page spread as well as the cover of the Homes section.

I lived in Bolton a very long time ago, and used to love going to the fish market with my friend Sue on a Saturday morning. Sue was lodging with us while her house in Altrincham was being renovated. There were things on those market stalls that I'd never seen before, didn't know the names of and didn't have the first idea how to cook. Luckily, Sue did. She acquired a book of classic fish cookery and worked her way through it - it was wonderful! Market in the morning, fabulous home-cooked dinner that night. I still remember her skate with capers.