Fairburn Ings 27th December 2011

A bank holiday and mild and sunny weather. We went to our local bird reserve, Fairburn Ings, in the afternoon. It was packed with people and there were more birds that we have ever see. It was teaming with birds. We saw robins, sparrows, green and gold finches, ducks coots. We saw a woodpecker and a jay. There is a relatively new kingfisher viewing area. Kath saw one. I missed it as it flew off. What a great facility to have near where we live.

Visit to Abdul

Yesterday three of us who were at University College with Abdul (Steve, Grahame and I) drove in my car to North London in the morning to spend some time with Abdul, another fellow medical student. I had not seen him for many years and the others had seen him more recently. The three of us from Yorkshire had a good old catch up in the car. The round trip for me was 375 miles but I was grateful to Grahame
e who shared the driving. We all have our medical problems at our ages now and it was good to see Abdul in such good form despite a complicated neurological condition. He is a really talented artist and we looked at lots of his excellent work . Above is an example of his work that he emailed me a while ago.

We had a great lunch at an Iranian restaurant in Finchley. Beautiful food. Then back to Abdul and Yasmin's house (she was at work, unfortunately) for a quick coffee before setting off back home.

We must not leave it so long next time.

Abdul was so generous. He had already posted me one of his works. He gave Steve and Graham a painting each and insisted on paying for lunch. Thank you, Abdul.