Category Archives: Personal

“The people who fail try just as hard” – David Hepworth on Henry Worsley

The sad story of the demise of Henry Worsley  passed me by – I was probably too wrapped up in something oh so important. Here’s David Hepworth’s take on things from his blog whatsheonaboutnow.blogspot.co.uk Henry Worsley’s last message is a rare episode in the narrative of human accomplishment. It’s not often we get to hearContinue reading ““The people who fail try just as hard” – David Hepworth on Henry Worsley”

RyanAir why do you choose to be like this?

Another 90 minutes spent wrestling with the “new, improved” RyanAir website and the strictly script controlled “online chat” operatives have led me to think once again about the company. It’s too easy to just pillory them because of Fascinating Aida’s brilliant and accurate skit – go on watch it again it’s at the bottom ofContinue reading “RyanAir why do you choose to be like this?”

Two (Senior) Doctors on the Junior Doctors’ Strike

When I was a House Officer and Senior House Officer in Oral Surgery from 1978 – 81, the name Russell Hopkins was mentioned with awe and some trepidation. He was Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery in Cardiff with something of the autonomy of consultants in the post Lancelot Spratt years (without the Roller), his domain wasContinue reading “Two (Senior) Doctors on the Junior Doctors’ Strike”

Look out your window I can see his light…

In the week of David Bowie’s death there has been much outpouring of grief. Someone said to me on Tuesday, “ever since Diana the British seem to have taken to weeping and mass emotion after the death of someone / anyone famous”. A trifle cynical perhaps Mr B, but I don’t disagree. Here is theContinue reading “Look out your window I can see his light…”

It’s difficult to remember the world before January 9th 2007 – Steve Jobs launches the iPhone.

His opening statements are: “This is a day I’ve been looking forward to for two and a half years.” “Every once in a while a revolutionary product comes along that changes everything.” At the time it seemed like hyperbole – with hindsight it was understatement. Whatever it was it marked a sea change in commerceContinue reading “It’s difficult to remember the world before January 9th 2007 – Steve Jobs launches the iPhone.”

Don Henley – Cass County

I thought that during 2016 I would share more of my musical likes & (perhaps) dislikes. You can also look at The Daily Vinyl & Student Disco Tracks on Pinterest to see more of my more historical stuff. The most recent Don Henley album, Cass County, was released in September 2015. It’s very country butContinue reading “Don Henley – Cass County”

A life worth remembering

This is the time of year for looking forward, perhaps taking stock and learning from the past but not dwelling on mistakes. I was preparing to use this weekend blog to list my “achievements” of 2015, books read, films and plays seen, miles travelled, flights taken (& missed), hotels away from home and yadda, yadda,Continue reading “A life worth remembering”

The Weekend Read – The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari

My intention with the first blog of the year was to describe the New Year Swim in Glandore Harbour in aid of the RNLI. This is a great community event that I have joined in for the past dozen years or so where any hangovers are removed in the chilly water. To see the needContinue reading “The Weekend Read – The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari”

The reason I didn’t get to the UK this week – not one for nervous fliers.

If you don’t like flying – particularly in “smaller”aeroplanes – then perhaps you should look away now. No flights on Tuesday meant a knock-on and no seats available on Wednesday, so postponements and apologies all round. This was filmed on Wednesday when the gales had largely abated – or so it seemed. Wonderful moment atContinue reading “The reason I didn’t get to the UK this week – not one for nervous fliers.”