Alison Mackenzie reflects on the Midlands campaign

"Escaping the bubble"

Reporting day to day from my ringside seat in the Westminster bubble can be exciting, but being out on the campaign trail in the Midlands during this - one of the most unpredictable elections in a generation has been a privilege.

My memories - Firstly the sunshine that greeted us in early April as we began following the key players chasing votes in the marginal constituencies. An early assignment was to cover the visit by Nigel Farage to Dudley where Ukip MEP Bill Etheridge was bidding for a Westminster seat. No pints were served - only cupcakes.

Ed Miliband and David Cameron favoured factory tours as they both competed to present an image of getting the Midlands moving on the economy. Pictures for the assembled tv crews, a chance to pose questions for the workforce. Very rarely do leaders these days take the risk of walkabouts in town. Quite a contrast to the time John Prescott once waited for me to "go live" into a lunchtime bulletin for ITV Central before timing his exit from the battle bus perfectly so that he could appear in the back of my shot. That was the old days.

Nick Clegg came twice to Solihull - on the first occasion he shared the stage with a hedgehog - the second time he starred alongside an animatronic dummy being used for trainee nurses at a college. All the politicians are aware of our need for pictures, however George Osborne may regret agreeing to cook a curry at a restaurant in Wolverhampton - he burnt his fingers.

For me personally it's been the sixth election I have covered for ITV Central. For my 13 year old car it's the 5th! Luckily I have an excellent garage I use in Derby - so the car stayed on the road and did not let me down. On the last day I parked it alongside the Conservative battle bus when we were granted a final five minute interview with the Prime Minister for use on the eve of poll.

We didn't have a Gillian Duffy or a Prescott Punch moment but seeing the politicians in the flesh outside of Westminster is a good way to see who might have the stamina for government. They will return soon to the familiarity of the Commons - I will be back watching their every move!