Interview for CCG

I was interviewed today to test my competence for being on the new Clinical Commissioning Board. Although I say so myself, I was brilliant. The questions were unprepared, but I was on a role, man. I even impressed myself with what I was saying. I could see them thinking, 'wow, he's good' and 'I wish I'd thought of that'.
What a contrast to those idiots that I currently work with, who have no idea and take me entirely for granted. They will miss me when I no longer need them.
You see, outside the practice, things couldn't be any better. I'm achieving stuff. Making decisions. Making things better. I think my partners are jealous really. OK envious. They just don't like to think that their boring lives are carrying on just as they are.
As soon as I can I will leave that poisoned environment, and let them to rot in their own self-satisfied poo. Then they can use it to fertilise their alotments, and good luck to them. Well at least they'll have nice roses.
The sap of confidence is rising again.

Looking ahead

The greatest derby in world, the head lines blaze. Manchester United against a newly invigorated Manchester City. Spookily the league tables from the 1960s put United and City equal top of the league. Just as they are now. Still the papers may be over hyping the occasion. In other cities there seems to be genuine hatred, Glasgow, Milan, North London, but in Manchester I don't get the same sense of hatred. Sure there's rivalry, and no shortage of fervent banter, but hatred? I don't recognise that. There seems to be much more mixing of people supporting either team and the sectarian origins have been forgotten. There's a new movement spreading around the bill boards. I love Manchester, like the I love NY campaign, seems to be spreading.

Emily, Anne, Lucas and me, all went over to Leeds yesterday to see Lizzy. We had lunch in a Leeds United pub. There were photographs of the old Leeds team. Now that was a hated team.

Earlier in the week I put an offer in for a house in Chorlton. A house about half the size was going to be about the same price as I'd get for my present house. The sums didn't add up. Besides I love my present house. It has everything I need.

At work things are a little easier. I have reduced my working time to three half days a week, allowing more time to focus on other things. Principally I would like to do more writing and in due course to the Clinical Commissioning Group, and weekends in London to see Jonnie and Rachel.

Rivalry, hatred and betrayal are strong words to use in recent blogs. It's time to put those words back in their box marked 'looser', and open the box marked 'winner'. Come on you Reds! and good luck you Blues, lets hope for a jolly good contest and make Manchester the winner.

I love Manchester and my house

A dark week at work

I have lost all my trust in my partners after this week. It is difficult to put into words exactly how I feel. There is a mixture of anger, sadness, betrayal. Tim seems to dragging up everything that's upset him from the past, and all too easily believes he's put on. Avril is pretending to care and really wants to stick the knife in.
On the up side Lucas is fabulous, especially when dreaming. His little face and mouth is just amazing. He smiles and gurles to himself, and he smells just like a baby

80th on the 8th October

It was my Dads 80th birthday yesterday. We all met up in Manchester at Sacha's. Lucas was of course on show, and everyone had a fun time. These occasions don't happen that often and it's good to make the most of them. Meanwhile also I have been asked to debate with another doctor at the Renal Association in May. Quite an honour for a conservative bunch of hospital doctors. Also submitted two papers for publication. It's all go.

Winkleigh - best town in England

'It's not our dogs that don't get on with others, it's other dogs that don't get on with ours', the new publican of the Kings Arms declared without any irony. We were sitting in the beer garden of the main pub in Winkleigh. The same Winkleigh that had been on National TV as the best place in England to live, only last week. The Kings Arms has always been the centre of Winkley life and the arrival of the tattooed, blinged new cockney landlord seems to have left the locals rather apprehensive about what the future holds. Earlier Ade and I had had a beer in the other pub, the Seven Stars, which seems like a safer alternative.
This week I've been at the Primary Care Cardiology Society annual scientific conference in Bristol. I  have made four presentations, displayed three posters, and done a piece to camera for one of the Primary Care journals. It has been exhausting. I am now not just the one who talks about commissioning, but also the one who one who knows about heart rate. There'll also be some publications out of it.
So instead of coming straight home I've stayed in the South West to see Sue and Ade, and the weather is glorious. Devon is such a beautiful county, with its undulating scenery and narrow lanes, and today is about the hotest of the year.
On the day I arrived, Friday, we went for dinner in Chumleigh at the Red Lion pub. The restaurant there has been revamped, and well worth a visit. It had a good atmosphere, new decor and good value food.
Today it was time to come home. I've missed Lucas and Emily. I flew back from Exeter, so on the way we called in to Tarr Steps. The walk through the wood and by the stream was hot and crowded, but worth the detour. Then on to the airport after a pub lunch, and now I'm back home with my daughter and grandson.
Its been a long week, but a very satisfying one. I'd love to spend more time in Devon, but I love being home too.