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...

A family photoshoot in Manchester City Centre - a sunny day, with lots to see and climb on - great fun. And when you're a kid having fun, you haven't got time to be distracted by a woman with a camera - you just get on with the fun!  Having meandered through Castlefield and along the canals around Deansgate, we popped up by the Bridgewater Hall, where there's  a great big marble stone. Quite a challenge for a 10 year old to get onto - and then to stay on - given that it's as smooth as glass, and your brother is literally pulling your leg!

Well, perspective is indeed a wonderful thing... Was up on 47th floor of the Beetham Tower tonight, photographing an event for the local charity Forever Manchester - who are just SO amazing. It's a buzzy, down-to-earth, local, and exceedingly practical outfit that recognises reality, connects with human beings, rolls up its sleeves and gets on with it. Refreshing? Just downloading the pictures now - this is an odd one I took for me - I liked this goods train snaking through Castlefield. More to follow, in due course.

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. 

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!

In a week of the worst weather since last winter, I've been struggling to fulfil a brief for a favourite transport client: I have a list of locations and have discussed and understand what the shots are needed for, but have had to endure grey skies, high winds, hail and general unpleasantness for several days. Last night, the "Blue Hour" came to my rescue, and despite rain and wind I got some shots at Media City that hit the spot. Phew!  Here's a couple. I should add that I really, really love the yellow Metrolink trams. There's just something about that new shape and great colour.

I'm working on a commission for a client campaign to encourage urban commuter cyclists, so am covering quite a bit of ground at the moment capturing images of bikes and their riders. Walking back early this morning from Chester Road, I detoured through the Castlefield Basin. The morning light very briefly flared, just as I was coming across the bridge. I caught a shot of the the unfinished Potato Wharf reflected in the water - there are a couple of geese in there somewhere, up at the top!