Dave Spencer-Barnes 🏳️‍🌈

We’re in the Downtown Park in Palm Springs and the handsome husband is preparing to bid a fond farewell to the desert after a month here in the Coachella Valley.

Lunch in Palm Springs with our friend Daniel who’s the town crier of Provincetown in Massachusetts.

There’s something magical about palm trees and snow in the same scene.
The view from Cathedral City in California.

We’re staying with a friend at Cathedral City in California who has a large private collection of RCMP uniforms and memorabilia.
I’ve always had something of a thing for Mounties and enjoyed the opportunity to play dress-up.

The 26-foot-tall 'Forever Marilyn' statue in Palm Springs seems even more remarkable by night.

The Joshua Tree is an iconic symbol of this part of Southern California.
I’ve always been fascinated by their otherworldly appearance.

We seem to keep coming back to Skull Rock which is deep inside the vast Joshua Tree National Park in California.

The Brittlebush is blooming in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in Southern California.

It’s fair to say that I look neither stylish nor sexy while reclining on an artificial grass couch in downtown Palm Springs.

We’re starting the day at Dave’s favourite coffee shop in Palm Springs.

The extraordinary Mexican inspired Fountain of Life at Town Square Park in Cathedral City.

I’ve read Marvel’s Avengers since I was given issue #68 in 1969 and now have a complete run back to 1963.
I was delighted to pick up the anniversary issue #800 from the legendary Sid Johnson at Desert Oasis Comics in Palm Desert.
It really is the best comic book store in the Coachella Valley.

The waterfall at the Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden at Palm Desert which is part of the Palm Springs Art Museum.

The four cherubs of Palm Springs.

It’s always a pleasure to visit the Palm Springs Art Museum to see one of my favourite exhibits.
The 80" Great Rhombicosidodecahedron by artist Anthony James uses internal LED lights to create an infinity mirror of cascading and deeply recessed geometric shapes.

We’re back … and we’re here in the Coachella Valley till the end of the month.
We’re looking forward to some extended downtime in the desert sunshine.🌵

After a day walking for miles around Dublin you invariably end up in Temple Bar at night.

It’s an Irish law that if you’re in Dublin you have to do the Supermac’s thing within 24 hours of arriving in the city.

Catherine O'Hara: Pedro Pascal and Meryl Streep lead tributes The Canadian comedic actress died in Los Angeles on Friday at the age of 71 following a brief illness.

I’m normally unmoved by the passing of celebrities but the death of Catherine O’Hara has hit me hard.
I bloody loved her.
I was emotional when I read the news on the BBC last night.
I’ll raise a glass of fruit wine to the memory of the extraordinary Moira Rose later.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

RURA - The Great Herdsman of Etive YouTube video by RURA

I’m listening to some great music to aid my post-operation blues.
I could listen to this on repeat all day.
When the pipes REALLY kick in at 3:20 it totally blows my mind.
RURA - The Great Herdsman of Etive
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nH2e...

I’m heading into hospital for an operation later today.
It should all be relatively straightforward.
I’ll see you lot on the other side.

I’m doing the packing ahead of us spending all of February out of the UK.
I hadn’t really taken into account that in losing 150 pounds all my shorts, jeans and t-shirts would be massively too big.
The only thing that fits is my new tweed suit which may not be the best attire for the desert heat.

I’m reading the news on BBC Radio Manchester tomorrow.
I’ve not done a lot of work here over the years but I was first on the station back in 1997 which makes this my longest run on any outlet from first to most recent appearance.

We’ve been Avanti spotting on the Settle–Carlisle line in the Yorkshire Dales.
Here’s one about to cross the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct on an extraordinarily cold day.
The historic line is being used as a diversionary route while work is being carried out on the main line in Cumbria.

Dave waits for a train in sub-zero temperatures at Ribblehead railway station in the Yorkshire Dales.

Over the last year I’ve lost 10 stone 10 pounds (150 pounds) and gone down from 25 stone (350 pounds) to 14 stone 4 pounds (200 pounds).
I can now wear my husband’s shirts which is an added bonus.
There’s still a little way to go but it’s a pretty good situation to be in after 12 months.