I MET two very keen Wirral fans this week, who were making what they called their "annual peninsula pilgrimage".

Each year, Des and Lynn, from South Shields, visit Wirral and love it for the walks, wildlife, waterways and now they say the warmth of the people.

I chatted as they put down their backpacks in a New Brighton cafe.

They told me that they regarded the area as one of the country's best-kept secrets and couldn't understand why the rest of the UK didn't know about it.

Their biggest sadness was that they couldn't stay around long enough for what they termed a "Bidston bonus".

Bidston Hill was where I spent a lot of my youth and was one of my docker dad's favourite places, and he would take us five Grant boys on the ferry across the Mersey "on holiday".

Now, from March 26 – Easter weekend, Bidston Lighthouse – built in 1771 – will be open to the public until August.

Guided tours start on the hour at noon, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm – first come, first served said the inspirational and charming owner, Dr Stephen Pickles.

Why not fit in a visit the windmill in the morning and the lighthouse in the afternoon.

Check out the good doctor's website on bidstonlighthouse.org.uk – a contender for the Inferno Tourism Gem award.

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ALEXEI is on Sayle again.

On Thursday, Alexei Sayle is playing Liverpool's Philharmonic Hall to read from his fab and funny new book, Thatcher Stole My Trousers – a sequel to the famous Scouser's autobiography, Stalin Ate My Homework.

Alexei is remembered for his ranting standup work in the '80s, but when I met him, he was surprisingly quiet and thoughtful, and told me of all the elements of fame he disliked being interviewed the most.

Alexei remains one of the area's most inventive of writers and satirists, and I will never forget his classic sketch when he featured a report on how gag writers at the BBC had gone on strike.

In this spoof, the government sent in the troops to write the jokes.

The way the cash-strapped BBC is going, it looks as though it could come true.

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IT MAY be just under a year off, but it is great news to hear that the Kinks-themed musical Sunny Afternoon is coming to Liverpool next February.

The band won't be reforming but this musical is the next best thing.

I interviewed the leader of the group, Ray Davies, many years ago at a Little Chef.

Have tape recorder, will travel is my motto.

Ray told me he loved Merseyside and exclusively revealed that his song Waterloo Sunset was originally called Mersey Sunset.

He changed it because Gerry and the Pacemakers and Brian Epstein's Mersey sound bands had stolen his thunder.

It remains one of his own favourite songs. Thank you for the days, Ray, now bringing sunshine to the region.

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I WAS saddened to hear the death of a dear friend this week called Larry.

He was a pal who helped me rebuild my confidence after two operations a few years ago.

We once went on a never-to-be- forgotten day trip around Meols and Leasowe.

He was saddled with me. You see, Larry was a horse.

He lived at the wonderful Park Lane Liveries and the Joe Mason School of riding.

It was my BBC pal Roger Lyon who broke the news to me.

Roger said: "I loved him to bits as he was the horse that effectively taught me to ride."

Facebook comments have flooded in.

I am happy our four-legged Larry went off to the stables in the sky after eating a box of his favourite doughnuts.

I have only ever taken one selfie and that’s with him. So, hats off to Larry.

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AND finally ... there was a time when going on a cruise meant getting away from it all. Now, people are going all at sea to see the stars come out.

Ant and Dec are taking their Takeaway on the ocean waves. I feel seasick already.

I would not go on a cruise again. I would hate to bump into smug Rob Brydon telling me "this is the life".

Nice work if you can get it.

Peter Grant