So into May we go with our collective fingers crossed that some decent sunshine finally arrives, we’ve waited long enough I’d say.

And if the weather does improve – or even if it doesn’t – there’s plenty to get out and do on Lothian Buses during my favourite month of the year.

So why is it my favourite month? Is it because it usually coincides with decent weather arriving? Is it because every other weekend tends to be a holiday weekend? Or the fact that it’s my birthday month?

Or even the fact that I can barely contain my excitement of the all Edinburgh Scottish Cup Final right slap bang in the middle of the month.  One thing’s for sure, the Cup is coming back to Edinburgh and I cannot wait to see if Lothian Buses will be supplying the all-important Green or Maroon and white open top bus for the parade on Sunday 20^th May.  I know which colours I hope are on the parade bus that day and I’m sure you’ll have your favourite as well, but one thing’s for sure, it’s going to be a great day for Edinburgh!

I’ll let you decide that one but there’s lot’s to do if you are out this month enjoying the weather, the holiday Monday or even your birthday!

And first on my list of recommends is the new Edinburgh World Heritage Official Tour.  This was officially launched last month and I was invited to give my own little impromptu narration on one of the brand new open topped buses.  Let’s just say I didn’t do the history of Edinburgh’s magnificent heritage justice and perhaps best leave it the professional guides.  But if you do want to explore more of our fabulous City which is away from the more “touristy” parts of town then this is the one which will enlighten you on how and who designed our magnificent new town including George Street, St. Andrew Square, Charlotte Square and beyond. They say every day is a school day and this was the case for me on the tour as I discovered how Princes Street got its name and how the person whose statue stands proud on George Street inspired a well-known Nursery Rhyme! Find out more at www.edinburghtour.com.

Here's my top 5 things to do in my favourite month:

Whether you are a football supporter or not, this is the first time in 116 years that Edinburgh’s two clubs – Hearts and Hibs – have come face to face in the Scottish Cup Final. Celebrate the achievement by waving the winning team as they take a tour on the Parade Cup bus on Sunday 20 May.

if you fancy stretching those legs then why not take a walking guided tour of Leith? Edinburgh Bus Tours, in partnership with the charitable heritage organisation, Leith Trust, launched the downloadable audio and map offering us Leith lovers educational and entertaining audio commentary to guide us through Leith.

Produced for the Leith Trust, whose aim is to regenerate Edinburgh’s Historic Port and promote it as a tourist attraction, the unique ‘Leith Tour’, offers locals and visitors alike the opportunity to enjoy two walks that capture the fascinating and colourful history of Leith over the past 700 years. Now that is my kind of tour! www.edinburghtour.com.

3. Edinburgh Marathon Festival

4. Bank of Scotland Imaginate Festival

This festival gives school children and their families, teachers, family and industry professionals the opportunity to see the best children’s theatre the world has to offer! Each year the Festival presents around 100 performances of productions from the UK and abroad in theatres and arts centres across Edinburgh. Find out more about this fun and creative festival for children of all ages at www.imaginate.org.uk/festival.

Now to give the adults and parents something a little different to enjoy this month – why not try The Edinburgh Whisky Stramasha. It’s a fantastic event for people to enjoy Scotch and other worldly whiskies in new and innovative ways. Held at The Surgeon’s Hall in Edinburgh, you can sample an amazing range of around 150 different whiskies including Macallan, Glenfiddich, and some you’ve probably never heard of before! Get buses  3/3A, 5, 7, 8, 14, 29, 30, 31, 33, 37 or 47 straight there and leave the car at home so you can really enjoy the tipples available. For more information visit www.thewhiskystramash.com/edinburgh

Have a great month.

So, it’s April and spring is definitely in the air – and not before time if you ask me! And as we get ready to welcome the sun, the daffs and the Easter bunny, it’s also the perfect time to introduce a new friend to Lothian Buses – their first ever Charity of the Year. We selected the Lothian Autistic Society and what a great bunch they are. I met the whole team at the official launch last month and got a full insight into the work they do to help autistic children and, of course, their parents. From organising clubs, trips, get togethers and respite breaks to vital support for parents, the work that they do (and have done for the past 20 years) is remarkable and I’m hoping to get to know them more over their year with Lothian Buses. I must also mention Luke Baillie, aged 9, from South Queensferry, who helped me with the photos on the day and how brilliant he was at getting his picture taken – a real star and his smile was so infectious!

It’s also a big month for Edinburgh Bus Tours as I also helped officially launch a their new tour at the start of the month! These tours are briliant.  They give us a chance to learn and see even more of history that our fabulous City has to offer..... all from the comfort of a seat on a bus. I’m Edinburgh born and bred but always love finding out more about the history of my City and this is great way to do it – especially when you have a free afternoon or day to kill during a weekend or the holidays!  See what they have on offer at www.edinburghtour.com.

Talking of holidays, the kids are now on a  break from school for Easter and just to give a wee suggestion or two of how to occupy the little uns without the aid of a large chocolate egg, here are my top 5 things to do:

1. Hippity Hop

Get right into the Easter spirit by taking part in the Hip Hop Easter School at Dancebase. Kids between 7-9 and 10-12 can enjoy a full week of breakdance and street dance between Monday 2 and Friday 6 April – plus there’s a show for family friends on the last day. Take the bus there and back to save on pesky parking down in the Grassmarket!  Buses 23, 27, 41, 42, 45 or 67 will take you to George V Bridge or Service 2 will take you straight there.

2. Family Racing

A family day out is always a good idea during the Easter holidays – so why not take the kids along to Musselburgh Racecourse for exactly that? Fancy a day at the races? The Easter Sunday Family Race Day will keep everyone entertained and it starts at 11.30am so you better get the bus there early to avoid disappointment! You can get there on buses 26, 30 or 44.

3. Cadbury Easter Egg Trail

There’s nothing I like more than a lovely chocolate Easter egg – and now you can spend the day trying to find them! There’s a Cadbury Easter Egg Trail taking place in at the Geoegian House in Charlotte Square on the 8 and 9 of April. Why not leave the car and make a day of it in the City Centre?

4. Ceilidh Culture Street Fair

As part of the Ceilidh Culture Festival the streets fair is in its eighth year – it’s a great day out for all the family with Scottish made crafts, fashion, jewellery, knitwear, music, food and drink. And even better it’s absolutely free!  Visit the festival in Castle Street 6 - 9 April.

5. Edinburgh International Science Festival

This wonderful festival runs until the 15 April and is a great Easter holiday adventure!  There are junior chef challenges, street science, a manic monster hunt and even the world of bubbles, to name a few! The events take place in venues across the city – so you could buy a DAYticket and take the bus everywhere and anywhere for the whole day for just £3.50 for Adults and ! Now that’s magic!

And finally as we’re in the mood for talking about the nicer weather, this will also be the time I get on my bike! I must confess that I’m by no way a hardy cyclist – very much of the fair weather variety – if it’s cold the bike stays in the shed! But I was delighted to see Lothian Buses acknowledging their responsible attitude to cyclists (of which there are many) in our area.  There is a new video called “See and Be Seen” on the Lothian Buses website which is shown to new and existing bus drivers training them to look out for – and be considerate to – the cyclist!  It’s also interesting from a cyclist’s point of view getting an insight into what a driver has to think about when driving alongside someone on a bike! If you’re out and about on a bike, or if you know someone who is, have a look at the video!

So, that’s it from me for another month – have a Happy Easter and remember, chocolate is always better straight out of the fridge!

February is a quick month isn’t it? I had a very nice month with a wee week-long holiday in the middle – didn’t go anywhere just had a few days in and around Edinburgh which included doing something I hadn’t done in ages – a wee bit of Thursday late night shopping up town! I took the ever reliable Service 42 as we decided to go the whole hog and grabbed a bite and some drinks on George Street once we were done! But I think it’s safe to say the dark days of winter are behind us now as things are lighter, romance is certainly in the air, and spring is just around the corner.

This month, however, is all about the mums. The one day of the year when you can show your appreciation for the most important lady in your life, is Sunday 18 March and Edinburgh has lots of different options for you to ensure she is spoilt rotten! How about some afternoon tea in one of the many fine establishments in the city? Or maybe some retail therapy in the shopping districts? Even a day at the spa would make her day! Whatever you do, you can take the bus there and back and save some pennies on parking – put them towards the present! Mind you it’s Derby Day in the Capital on the same day, so I envisage some delicate negotiations going on so some Dad’s can watch or go to the game!

So after all that motherly pampering, why not take some time out for you and the rest of your family? From the grand opening of the new Commonwealth swimming pool, to a trip back in time to Ancient Egypt at the National Museum, there’s loads of great stuff going on that’ll keep you occupied. And if you want to visit all my Top 5 all at once, why not buy a DAYTicket to give you unlimited access to all services for one whole day?

And don’t forget to put your clocks forward on 25 March!

See you all in April!

Top 5

1. Royal Commonwealth Pool

The highly-anticipated wait for the reopening of the Royal Commonwealth Pool (or Commie Pool as it more commonly known) is nearly over! The major refurbishment will be unveiled to the Edinburgh public on 21 March and it will be a major splash for sure. Make sure you get down there by bus for a great day out. You can get there on Services 2, 14, 30, or 33.

2. Fascinating Mummies

Don’t worry, this isn’t another reminder that it’s Mother’s Day this month! Right now at the National Museum of Scotland, there’s an amazing exhibition that will take you back in time to Ancient Egypt with a collection of significant treasures from the world famous Egyptology of the National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden. Buses 3/3A, 5, 7, 8, 14, 23, 27, 29, 30, 31, 33, 35, 37, 41, 42, 45, 47, 49 and 67 will all get you to the Chambers Street venue!

3. St Patrick’s Day

This is a great day of celebration which stretches across the world and even Edinburgh! Get some Irish flair at the Edinburgh Playhouse when Riverdance takes to the stage from 3 – 7 March. You can take buses  1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15/15A, 16, 19, 22, 25, 26, 34, 44/44A or 49. There’s a St Patrick’s Day Parade on the Royal Mile on 14 March too! Take the bus and enjoy the celebrations in style!

4. International Women’s Day

To mark International Women’s Day, the Surgeon’s Hall Museum is holding an event to look at several of Edinburgh’s valiant medical women, some well known and others who have not been paid the attention they deserve. The perfect Mother’s Day treat! Visit on 5 March from 6- 8pm and make a day of it with lunch and a glass of bubbly – leave the car and take the bus! Services 3/3A, 5, 7, 8, 14, 29, 30, 31, 33, 37, 47 & 49 will all take you there.

5. Ceilidh Culture

Ceilidh Culture marks its 10th anniversary this year and runs from 16 March until 15 April with a huge selection of contributors from all over Edinburgh for a real celebration of all that is wonderful about the grassroots traditional arts in Scotland. With more than 30 contributing organisations, Ceilidh Culture proudly showcases local talent alongside international acts. Check out www.ceilidhculture.co.uk/index.asp for all the events and don’t forget…you can get to the venues by bus!