IT'S THE final series of Ashes to Ashes and the return of Gene Hunt tonight on BBC1 at 9pm.

Given the chance, what period of time would you go back to? I'm thinking of a time when The Sound of Music appeared on our screens for the 'first' time.

Stacy and I travelled to Buckinghamshire to see friends this week. They proudly showed us around their 'hood' which is the backdrop of many a Midsomer Murder. We were lucky to get out of there alive. We didn't meet DCI Barnaby, but a bit closer to home we were introduced to Opposition leader David Cameron.

He visited Meca Services on the Sowton Industrial Estate and, although overdressed for a garage, he came across as genuinely interested in what the mechanics had to say. Me? I fake it.

Jenn, the owner, introduced us and I admit I was a tad nervous. I had listened to all the clever journalists' questions. Theirs were deep, probing and intelligent. It was then my turn. Trying not to dribble profusely down my chin — note to self, remember to swallow when in the company of potential country leaders — I chirped up "Congratulations on your baby news," my brain frantically trying to remember his wife's name. "Thank you" he replied.

"Do you know the sex of it yet?" I asked.

"No, but the kids keep putting their heads to Samantha's tummy trying to hear, if they can. Our daughter thinks it's going to be a girl," he said as he moved his head down to my stomach as if to mimic his children. My tummy chose that precise moment to make a loud, disconcerting grumble. "I'm having an donkey" I thought of replying, but let it go and stared at Stacy's midriff accusingly!

The last time we came that close to a 'leader' was when Stacy and I were in LA. The six-lane road was deserted expect for speeding police motorbikes. All sane people were sheltering indoors from the sun and ours were the two lone figures standing there.

One of the bikes drew up beside us. "What's happening?" I asked. "The President of The United States is coming," said the officer. Without prompting, he continued: "He'll be in the third black limousine, sitting at the back near the window on this side of the vehicle."

"Great," I said. "You weren't on duty that day by that grassy knoll in Texas per chance?"