TODAY’S RADIO

Happy Birthday Neptune

6.30AM, RADIO 4 EXTRA It’s still early summer on Neptune, and will be for quite a while – the seasons on this massive planet last for 40 years. We Earthlings have only recently, thanks to images from the Juno space probe, had a chance to observe a little of one of these seasons. Tracey Logan shares some findings about this distant planet.

The Anatomy Of Rest

9AM, RADIO 4 How do we define rest? In this new, three-part series, Claudia Hammond meets psychologists, neuroscientists, historians and sociologists to hear their thoughts on the difference – if there is one – between resting and loafing about.

The Pigeon Tunnel: Stories From My Life

9.45AM, RADIO 4 John le Carre met the French humanitarian Yvette Pierpaoli in 1974, and was mightily impressed by her. Yvette’s childhood nickname had been ‘the pest’, as nothing would stop her from getting what she wanted. In this second of a week-long series of extracts from his memoir, he recalls his meetings with this indefatigable woman.

Natural Histories

11AM, RADIO 4 Albatrosses have the largest wingspan of any bird on the planet. These magnificent white birds circumnavigate the Southern Ocean many times in their lives, and mate for life. Brett Westwood hears how these birds used to fly for days on end over the old sailing ships, and finds out why many sailors thought the albatross to be a bird of ill omen.

Costing The Earth

3.30PM, RADIO 4 Oslo is planning to ban all private cars by 2019. Other cities are increasing their car-free days, and the pedestrianisation of many urban centres is under way. Chris Ledgard hears these plans, and wonders if it would be possible to remove cars from Britain’s cities.

Listen To The Band

11.30PM, RADIO 2 Black Dyke, Cory and Foden’s were among the top bands in Birmingham’s Symphony Hall last Saturday, competing in the Open Brass Band Championships. Frank Renton reports on the event.

An albatross (11am, Radio 4)