How exciting. It's cup final day. Manchester United vs Barcelona. A repeat of the final two years ago when we were well and truly beaten by a much better side. This time too, they are strong favourites, but I have a good feeling. We'll see. Jonny says it's the most important day of his life in a fit of hyperbole.
It is the end of a difficult week, of course, for one United player. They're all at it, but his crime seems to be to try to conseal it.
It's been a hard week for me as well. Not in the same sense, you understand. It was the busiest of my lecture tour so far.
Wednesday was 'understanding referral rates' to a group of GP in the 'Chorlton and Whalley Range' local area group. Thursday was on Chronic Kidney Disease at the end of the Primary Care 2011 conference in Birmingham, and yesterday was a cardiology talk to a group of practices in Stockport. Now I'm utterly exhausted and have been sleeping all afternoon.
It's not that I don't like giving these talks, and surprise myself at the range of issues I find I can talk about upon. It does take a lot out of me emotionally. You're never quite sure if you've pitched it right, whether you're brilliant or boring. Brilliant usually, when I run it through my head afterwards.
The biggest and most surprising one will be on 'creating capacity and capability in primary care' and the Commissioning 2011 conference in London. I've just finished the talk and sent off the presentation. That's it now until they day. I will be nervously running through it in my head, and want to change things but I'll have to stick with what I've got. Like when you finish an exam paper.
It's nearly six o'clock and time to get psyched up. I think I'll watch doctor Who first and then settle down. I'll be watching it with Ken. Jonny's going to watch at a pub with his friends. Too noisy for me.
Come Ryan Giggs, show us why you're the best.
23.47 Out played by a better team. Next year perhaps
Saturday, 28 May 2011
Monday, 16 May 2011
Averroes
After this weekend I can add Frankfurt and Zurich to my list of places I've been. Well the airports anyway. I was at our annual meeting of GPs with an interest in cardiology, in Palma De Majorca. We meet every year for a study weekend, exchange ideas, consider new studies, and above all, have fun. I don't know why I chose to go via these hubs but I did.
This year I talked about the Averroes trial. Now the trial is actually nothing to do with Averroes, for Averroes is the Western name given to to an Andalusian born Islamic scholar. He was a theologian, scientist and above all philosopher. He used Aristotelian philosophy and blended it with Islam, and somehow managed to link it all to Western philosophy. He was born in Cordoba, southern Spain and died in Marrakesh.
While I was in Frankfurt I got the call from the interview panel. Apparently they had three excellent candidate. He implied I was one of them, but didn't actually say that, and unfortunately, on this occasion, they selected someone else. Oh well, the job would have meant a whole upheaval. He offered to put me forward for a position on the committee, and I said I would really like that.
This year I talked about the Averroes trial. Now the trial is actually nothing to do with Averroes, for Averroes is the Western name given to to an Andalusian born Islamic scholar. He was a theologian, scientist and above all philosopher. He used Aristotelian philosophy and blended it with Islam, and somehow managed to link it all to Western philosophy. He was born in Cordoba, southern Spain and died in Marrakesh.
While I was in Frankfurt I got the call from the interview panel. Apparently they had three excellent candidate. He implied I was one of them, but didn't actually say that, and unfortunately, on this occasion, they selected someone else. Oh well, the job would have meant a whole upheaval. He offered to put me forward for a position on the committee, and I said I would really like that.
Thursday, 12 May 2011
A NICE interview
I got interviewed today. Now I'm exhausted. I will tell you all about it if I get appointed.
It was a telephone interview, which is a bit weird. There was the Chief Executive of NICE, some government guy and the deputy chair. The deputy chair is a GP also so that made me feel better. It was a grilling alright but I honestly think I did OK. I wouldn't have given any different answers if I'd have known the questions before hand. I even made them laugh at the end when they asked me what I would say to the press when I became famous. I said 'I'm already famous'. Ouch, may be I wouldn't have said that bit. Still it's pretty good to be shortlisted for a job like that.
Last week I gave my talk to Sheffield doctors, and this weekend I'm going to Palma to tell them about the Averroes trial, of a new drug.
The 'making it real' workshop last week also was a great success, as widely acknowledge. I think I managed to get the GPs to see the potential of working cooperatively in this new NHS adventure. Definitely those in our area are already pulling together. I'm running a workshop with them on 'understanding referrals' next week.
So all go then, well it's better than sitting in my front room on the computer and watching back episodes of Taggart. Its murrder.
It was a telephone interview, which is a bit weird. There was the Chief Executive of NICE, some government guy and the deputy chair. The deputy chair is a GP also so that made me feel better. It was a grilling alright but I honestly think I did OK. I wouldn't have given any different answers if I'd have known the questions before hand. I even made them laugh at the end when they asked me what I would say to the press when I became famous. I said 'I'm already famous'. Ouch, may be I wouldn't have said that bit. Still it's pretty good to be shortlisted for a job like that.
Last week I gave my talk to Sheffield doctors, and this weekend I'm going to Palma to tell them about the Averroes trial, of a new drug.
The 'making it real' workshop last week also was a great success, as widely acknowledge. I think I managed to get the GPs to see the potential of working cooperatively in this new NHS adventure. Definitely those in our area are already pulling together. I'm running a workshop with them on 'understanding referrals' next week.
So all go then, well it's better than sitting in my front room on the computer and watching back episodes of Taggart. Its murrder.
Thursday, 5 May 2011
In Loving Memory
Richard was cremated today.
The ceremony at the Manchester Crematorium was simple and moving. I've never travelled in a funeral cortege before and was humbled to be there. I had been given the great honour of being one of the pall bearers and there I was in the back of the black limousine edging gently from Chorltonville to the Cemetery. Anne, Margaret, Steve and John in the back, with Barbara in the from. Uncle Basil was also in the car. 'He was a rum one in his time' Anne whispered.
I was surprised by the reaction of people and deeply moved. Most people look on solemnly, and at least half of them cross themselves as the coffin went by. It was a sunny early afternoon and the children at Chorlton Park juniors were out in the park playing. The whole scene was touching.
We arrived at the Crematorium a little early to be met by the slightly comical sight of the previous mourners being hurried away to fit us in. Richard would have found in amusing, as he did many things about funerals, having conducted countless himself.
Afterwards we had a wonderful memorial service at Manchester Road and then food and mingling. People had come from far and wide, but also many of our friends from Chorlton were there. Richard had touched their hearts too. It was a warm and affirming moment.
It was a memorable occasion.
The ceremony at the Manchester Crematorium was simple and moving. I've never travelled in a funeral cortege before and was humbled to be there. I had been given the great honour of being one of the pall bearers and there I was in the back of the black limousine edging gently from Chorltonville to the Cemetery. Anne, Margaret, Steve and John in the back, with Barbara in the from. Uncle Basil was also in the car. 'He was a rum one in his time' Anne whispered.
I was surprised by the reaction of people and deeply moved. Most people look on solemnly, and at least half of them cross themselves as the coffin went by. It was a sunny early afternoon and the children at Chorlton Park juniors were out in the park playing. The whole scene was touching.
We arrived at the Crematorium a little early to be met by the slightly comical sight of the previous mourners being hurried away to fit us in. Richard would have found in amusing, as he did many things about funerals, having conducted countless himself.
Afterwards we had a wonderful memorial service at Manchester Road and then food and mingling. People had come from far and wide, but also many of our friends from Chorlton were there. Richard had touched their hearts too. It was a warm and affirming moment.
It was a memorable occasion.
Sunday, 1 May 2011
Bluebells at Buckland Abbey
I am here in Devon with my dear friends Ade and Sue. We came down on Friday for the long weekend and to miss the 'Royal Wedding', which meant also that the roads were clear. Then yesterday we went on a bluebell walk.
I love this time of year, and down in Devon all the blossom is out, the gorse is out, and so are the bluebells. Knowing my love of bluebells Adrian has looked out a bluebell walk and so off we went yesterday. It was an hour's drive but worth it.
Buckland Abbey is an old Cistercian monastery which later became home to Sir Richard Grenville (must be someone famous) and Sir Francis Drake (definitely someone famous). The wooded walk was a two mile gentle path through carpets of rich blue flowers. They are so blue they have an almost purple hue. Through the trees you can see the undulating Devon countryside. Marvelous, just what you need to remind you that there is life away from the bustle of weekly work life.
We came back home via the Castle Inn and then a nap. I woke up just in time for the Chelsea Tottenham game followed by dinner. Civilised, conversational and excellent.
Xante and new puppy Pebbles were sufficiently badly behaved to be cute, although a loud thunderclap frightened them briefly. We watched a couple of episodes of Lead Balloon and an early night. I love this pace of life.
I told Ade about my thoughts on twenty four hour retirement. Oh yes, I'm thinking of doing that in a few years. Apparently I've earned too much in my career to make it worth working longer, but twenty four hour retirement means you can collect you pension and then work again if you want. I'd like that, and draw back a bit on the humdrum and perhaps stick to my cardiology stuff, we'll see. It would even be nice to retire down here, but I miss too much, I think, and my children.
It's not been possible to avoid the Royal Wedding altogether, of course, every news paper has the 'happy couple' kissing, on their front pages, and Chelsea managed to scrape a win from Tottenham. Apart from that it's been a lovely weekend so far.
Today it's a local walk and United Arsenal. It is also one on my own wedding anniversaries, so I offer her a thought and a prayer, and hope she is happy and well.
I love this time of year, and down in Devon all the blossom is out, the gorse is out, and so are the bluebells. Knowing my love of bluebells Adrian has looked out a bluebell walk and so off we went yesterday. It was an hour's drive but worth it.
Buckland Abbey is an old Cistercian monastery which later became home to Sir Richard Grenville (must be someone famous) and Sir Francis Drake (definitely someone famous). The wooded walk was a two mile gentle path through carpets of rich blue flowers. They are so blue they have an almost purple hue. Through the trees you can see the undulating Devon countryside. Marvelous, just what you need to remind you that there is life away from the bustle of weekly work life.
We came back home via the Castle Inn and then a nap. I woke up just in time for the Chelsea Tottenham game followed by dinner. Civilised, conversational and excellent.
Xante and new puppy Pebbles were sufficiently badly behaved to be cute, although a loud thunderclap frightened them briefly. We watched a couple of episodes of Lead Balloon and an early night. I love this pace of life.
I told Ade about my thoughts on twenty four hour retirement. Oh yes, I'm thinking of doing that in a few years. Apparently I've earned too much in my career to make it worth working longer, but twenty four hour retirement means you can collect you pension and then work again if you want. I'd like that, and draw back a bit on the humdrum and perhaps stick to my cardiology stuff, we'll see. It would even be nice to retire down here, but I miss too much, I think, and my children.
It's not been possible to avoid the Royal Wedding altogether, of course, every news paper has the 'happy couple' kissing, on their front pages, and Chelsea managed to scrape a win from Tottenham. Apart from that it's been a lovely weekend so far.
Today it's a local walk and United Arsenal. It is also one on my own wedding anniversaries, so I offer her a thought and a prayer, and hope she is happy and well.
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