This is a difficult short summary to write because since retiring from pathology and the NHS around 10 years ago, professionally, I have been happy to be away from the madness. I briefly returned during the pandemic but found it all too depressing.
Beth and I live in a small village in North Yorkshire together with two black labradors, a number of cats, mostly feral, 20 odd ducks, half a dozen geese and a clutch of chickens. Beth, A GP still works at the Friarage Northallerton. She brings home tales of fascinating clinical problems (anonymised of course)
and the continuing madness that is NHS management.
We have a couple of cottages in an isolated part of the lake district which our families love as do we. But we don’t spend half as much time there as we would like to.
My three grown-up children and six grandchildren are within reasonable travel distance. Whether it is taking them to the theatre, a holiday to the Faroe Islands to see where the great grandmother was born or a family skiing holiday they are all an utter joy.
I still managed to get out and do stuff, small DIY and refurbishment projects. Regrettably, I can’t manage the more challenging Mountains, but I’m still able to “ramble” In Scotland, and the smaller fells. I do a regular curry club with some of the old boys from school days plus a weekly couple of hours early doors Friday in the village pub with a group of similarly old blokes comparing medications hip and knee replacements, etc. Healthwise, I’m reasonable I think. A half knee replacement a couple of years ago. A small stroke shortly after catching Covid – mostly completely recovered now.
After sailing trips to North Norway and Svalbard, I’m looking forward to a slightly more adventurous sailing trip from North Iceland to Greenland later this year.
My final comment involves the photograph submitted – it’s a photograph that Beth took demonstrating her sense of humour – That is not one of those cat hats that I’ve got on my head, ha ha.