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.

Family Doctor

My father, George, was the first Dr Sloan.

QEGS

I had a wonderful morning yesterday. I contacted my old school after I was awarded the MBE in this June's Birthday Honours (I will write up that experience on my Professorpavov blog later). Neal Rigby, retired history master and President of the Old Savilians' Club, took me on a tour. He was absolutely great. The last time I nosed about the school was in 1980. I was a pupil there from 1953 to 1963.
What fantastic changes have been made. However, I could picture the biology and chemistry labs even though they were in other use. I remembered all the other classrooms I had been in. He gave me the latest tie and a fascinating book on the history of the school to celebrate its 400th anniversary in 1991. I note that my headmaster, Mr E J Baggaley, is the only head since 1591 not to have gone to Oxbridge and the only head with a science degree!!! I am so grateful to the school for setting me up with my education.

Easter Sunday 24 4

We had a great lunch with a friend at Monk Fryston Hall Hotel. The first photo is of Kath there today and the second in 1966.

22 4 2011

Friday 22nd April 2011
Fantastic weather here day after day. A week of firsts. Yesterday I went with the group of retired G Ps and locums on a tour of an estate of the ECO houses that are being built near where we live. I manage these monthly meetings which have been held for about 4 years) It is the biggest such estate in the United Kingdom. The houses are very heavily insulated and heated by a huge communal wood burner. The ash from that can be used as a fertilizer. Each house has a cleansing device so the bath and washing up water can be cleansed and used to flush the lavatory.

I found, a couple of weeks ago, where one of my ex trainee doctors was working in California. Adrian Rawlinson. My second favourite trainee!! I could not be obtain his email address is so I posted him a letter. I got a great he email back with photographs of his lovely wife and children. He told me what he was doing and wants to talk to me for 30 MINs about of project. He wants is to use Skype. He also wants to be a patron of the Castleford Choral Society!! I have this on my computer but have never used it. I contacted Martin Smith, our relation in Leeds and asked him if I could try it out with him. He phoned me this morning and told me to set up a video link with him. We had a chat while he was eating his porridge for his breakfast before going to church. What an amazing facility. The other thing I’ve done this week is to speak to publishing company based in the USA. I have written about 6000 words about my experience of the first 18 months being a medical student. I’m not sure anyone will be interested. The publishing company has an editing facility and looks good to me and makes me think of writing a book about what I think has been my fascinating life. Have I got delusions of grandeur?

20 4 2011

Wednesday April 20th
For the last few days we have had wonderful weather with temperatures warmer than Greece. Kath and I have twice been for walks. We went to Stanley Marsh in Wakefield at the weekend which was a new discovery. Yesterday we went on a 2 mile walk near the river Aire at Fryston. Lots of new paths have been made and there is a map of the walks there that I have printed. We are having loads of work done on the inside of Hill House – decoration and new carpets and bedroom furniture. The bedrooms have not been touched for decades. The lounge carpet was successfully cleaned yesterday and we have had to walk about wearing blue shoe protectors until it dried. Yesterday I met Liz Moulton for coffee at the Deanery in Leeds University. I was the first associate director of postgraduate general practice education and Liz is now the deputy director. We had a good catching up session. We have had a great professional relationship for many years. It was good to meet Esme again. Head from Katia in Italy that our cleaner of our Italian house, Luisa, has had an operation on her knee but all has been sorted out for our forthcoming visit.