I can see a tunnel at the end of all these lights

Well, this is a cracking start to spring. A whole week of the golden stuff to lift the hearts of the nation in these depressing times. It certainly put a smile on most people's chops, and did its usual magic of making even we Brits spring in our steps. It also made the story of my new appointment as Thomson's Dr Sunshine eminently newsworthy, and I spent all Friday talking to radio stations up and down the country about why sunshine makes us happy, and what being Dr Sunshine involves.

That's Dr Sunshine. Not 'Mr' Sunshine, as one presenter - I forget which in my whirlwind tour and indignation - termed me. I was that close to retorting, in Mike Myers' Dr Evil Voice: 'That's Dr Sunshine. I didn't spend 6 years in sunshine school to be called Mr'. But I didn't. The thrill of live radio for me is the risk that I might just say what I shouldn't, but I managed to rein that retort in, and do a credible job of bestowing due dignity to my important new post.

I also feel I need to make perfectly clear that being Dr Sunshine doesn't mean I'm suddenly of a sunny disposition. A few friends thought it hilarious that this curmudgeonly old so and so, was now called Dr Sunshine, as there was generally precious little of it shining from any part of me for most of the year. Therefore I would like to clarify: my role is to explore it, assess it, grade it and help promote it. It's possible that in the process the high-grade sunshine may very well dispel the cloud-like melancholy that envelopes my sensitive soul. It remains to be seen. Until then, I hope you all enjoyed spring. Let's just hope that wasn't our summer, as so often happens. I for one, am taking no chances, and look forward to my first consignment...

The Sun Blog returns in style

Rejoice sun-lovers. Today (March 20), is the Spring Equinox, when the sun gains ascendancy over the darkness, and the days start to be longer than the nights. Our ancestors celebrated it with all kinds of exciting pagan shenanigans. But I mark the occasion with the return of LoveSunshine for its scorching summer season, and to announce an exciting new development: my new role as Dr Sunshine, Thomson holiday's very own resident sunshine expert.

What does that involve? Well, the best bit involves my going to all kinds of sunny destinations to assess their product, and help them give their customers what they really want. And what they really want is sunshine, it would appear. I helped Thomson devise a survey, which revealed that 97% of their sample considered the weather an important factor in their holiday choice. And three quarters stated that sunshine makes them feel happy. A whopping 92% considered sunshine the best way to beat stress. Sunshine is the ultimate feel-good tonic, and people considered at least one foreign holiday a year as essential, even in these straightened times. They were saving for a rainy day, literally, and that's what we generally get instead of a summer here. Which is good news for Thomson, and supports what I've been promoting in this blog and in my book - our fundamental need for sunshine, especially if we have another summer like the last two. Forget the financial climate, the real scandal is the meteorological one, and it's gratifying to see we Brits are still determined to flit off abroad to access the real stuff. The pound might be prostrate against the Euro, but the best news is sunshine is free.

And the best news for me, is my new role as Dr Sunshine. They will look to me for expert advice; I will help them understand the importance of sunshine from numerous perspectives; help shape their product offering, and its promotion. But, best of all, I get to sample it. It's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it. And you can see, I'm up to the task and ready to start assessing. Lab coat over my Speedos, clipboard and flip flops at the ready. It's my dream job (oh, and my book Sunshine is out in paperback in May). Here's to sunny days ahead... If you don't believe me, check out the press release; and if you need some instant sun check out Thomson's sunny delights here.