Friday morning saw the Hansel team at Gills Bay Ferry Terminal, waiting for the Pentalina to take us north to St Margaret's Hope, Orkney. Having watched nervously as a coach, a fuel lorry and a massive articulated removal truck reversed carefully and wheel-perfect onto the car deck, we were relieved to discover that cars were allowed to go on forwards; no entertainment for the HGV drivers today.

We had a long drive from Edinburgh – longer than I had expected, and even longer because of the tram-works and all the resulting traffic diversions. But it was good to be coming north at last.

When we started to think about which venues Hansel should visit, our long-time cinema consultant, Ron Inglis, suggested the Woodend Barn in Banchory, which he obviously admires very much. Now that we've seen it and been there, we can see why he likes it.

Up early on the MV Hjaltland so that we can start our journey to Bo'ness. Fortunately it was a really smooth crossing, as I am a rubbish sailor … but I was able to entertain the crew with my fancy reversing off the car deck.

Ucheldre is a former convent in a quiet corner of the port town of Holyhead, now a community arts centre including an auditorium, gallery, workshops and cafe. The auditorium, which used to be the convent chapel, has just been upgraded with retractable seating and a new digital projector, so the audience gets to see recent releases in unique surroundings.