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Newport Bay Club

Top gaff well decorated. Up to the room 6240 on the 6th floor, the admirals floor. Two double beds telly in a cupboard balcony mini bar, what else do we need. Stop to unpack and chill for a bit then its off via the bus to the main park. In to the main park using the 3 day tickets picked up from the marriot desk. Disney does christmas well decoration wise. Up into the park and a whizz round lookig for eateries, fantasyland, no joy adventureland no joy at the blue lagoon round into fantasy land again back into main street and its a nugget thing at Caseys themed baseball gaff. Stays down and feels ok. Then its off to watch the fantaillussion parade. Mr D does a good parade for sure. I enjoy and take loads of pics. Then its out of the park and into Disney Village. Ally goes shopping Jean and I go for a pint in the Sports Bar. Something big in the football world on starring Beckham. Beamish 6.40 Euros. Ally joins us then a walk back in the through the rain cold and wet, tired but fun. Will continue disney as time and energy allows.
2nd day down for breakfast in the captains quarters, nice lady at desk told me it was more select holds about 60 and has a superior range of items on the buffet. She aint joking its a top gig we sit in like a bar bit after we have satisfied her we are part of the admirals floor set. Lady brings us individual pots of delicious coffee. Real linen napkins this is impressive. I skip the fruit and get straight into ham(jambon) turkey (dinde) and cheese (fromage) with a croissant. Most enjoyable. Back to the room then off to the park on the big yellow bus.
In to the park and straight into fantasyland where we do lancelots carousel, and Its a small worls - Allys fave.Top stuff.

Dlp next bit

i should just explain how we come to be at DLP. The keen blog followers will recall my success in the Nursing Standard awards. Well with the 500squid prize money I was keen to do something for Jean and Ally. We toyed with a few days away and christmas shopping. well through the door popped a note from these geezers. It oferred a three night break in DLP at the Newport Bay Club for several hundred less than the asking price. In return you had to sit through the timeshare presentation. that'll do us. Add in a couple of cheap flights from John Lennon Airport with Easyjet and you are laffing. 17 one way not sure about the other but 147 or so all told. Cool.
So we arrive we have stayed at DLP twice before both times at Sequoia Lodge which was dear enuff but this was the next gaff up. Both times we qualified as Mickeys special friends - ie the disabled. First time Jeans Knee was in Plaster and the second time I was at me worst physically. We have to report to the Admirals desk. A separate part of the checkin area. Slightly removed from the bustle of the ordinary punter. Top stuff, we get a better room, luggage service, can breakfast in our room for 8 euros can eat brekkie in the captains quarters and we get a free drink for under 12's.
Nice lady takes the info and gives me the Disney ID card tells me to leave bags with grumpy porter and room ready at 3 so oft we go to the park to immerse fully in the DLP experience. We elect to walk around Disney lake to the village then up into the main square. Then its off into Walt Disney Studios This is the new park bit which was under construction last time we was here. Almost immediately we encounter Pluto and goofy. Couple of photo opps, then it is in to the studio one building which is a few shops and a big mcdonalds style gaff. They make pretend movies in there too. Hit the restaurant as thoughts turn to lunch - Ally Double Bacon Cheeseburger - Jean Chicken burger - big boy LASAGNE this is looking good burger joint that sells lorenzo (what nanna clare calls it). it cost an arm and a leg this Euro thing is phasing me -keep thinking they are quids. Then its in to the studio we go off to disney channel france headquarters to see them making a show. Bit crap really, then into some other animation type thing bit better that. Then off on the studio tram tour. A sedate train driven thing which looks poxy till you get into this bit where there is an earthquake, a tanker fire and tidal wave and Jeremy Irons. Then its back to the hotel to claim our room.

DLP

Taxi works out at 9squid bung him the tenner as we arrive there is a queue at the checkin desk. I last flew in about 1990 and Jean last in 1988 on our honeymoon. My last flight to Limerick for work had bee hell I was wedged into the seat, permanently reclining as my massive form pressed the recline button. I kept getting knocked by the stewardesses. This flight would be monumental stepwise following surgery. Checkin Ok and hop upstairs for the cafe and then through into flight side and a bit of duty free. Ally gets stooped after the security check coz of the chain on her Jeans which could be used as a restraint. Get out to the departure gate and in true style we walk to the aircraft an easy jet 737. We take off a bt late, Ally is nervous for her first flight and to be honest I aint the best in aeroplanes. We get a three seat together and settle in. Before you realise it we are seeing Liverpool passing away to the right and turn left and head out across the Wirral and cheshire. Before you know it we are over Brighton and then its clocks forward an hour and final descent to Chaz DG airport. If memory serves it was a top gaff. Wrong we hit terminal three which makes Speke look like a thriving centre of communication. Shed best describes the way it looks. Then its outside to pick up the bus to the park. The VEA Shuttle 14 Euros a piece and sorted. pick it up outside nice newish bus and straight to Our Hotel - The Newport Bay Club.

Wednesday - surprised at the realisation there are two 5 o'clocks

We get up mess about and book a taxi, for the trip to Speke. 7.30 we is booked for on Easyjet to Charles De Gaulle for our journey to Disneyland Paris

Tuesday mood stays low

Feelin pretty grot cancel the dietitans gig at London next week. Well somethings have to go. Touched by the outpouring of genuine human support on the website. Off to the gym for physical exercise, new program with big Steve my soul source of inspiration since Jack departed for pastures new. To be historically correct it was Steve who first oreintated me to the gym. It is a complete revamp. An amazing workout that turns my intensive cardio regime upside down. Steve says my cardio is ok at the mo. I am fitter CV wise than most geezers my age. That shocks me somewhat. Arrive home very late but feel warm and good. I have noticed marked diurnal variation of mood. I definitely have a pooh nights sleep wake up ruminating about 5am then get better as they day goes on. Go off to house group which tonight is at Mal the kitchen mans house. Cept he informs us there aint none tonight. So get home before Jean and Ally take littlepart in the packing as is usual, my contribution is to keep asking have you packed xx, have we got xxx. as ever she has and we have. Get to kip no pills got to get up early

Return from the Bear and staff

Something strange has happened the house feels odd the washing machine is on when i return, oh no clean burgulars, Jean scares the life out of me by emerging from the front room. She looks shockin, sent home sick from the place of work. What a fine couple we make.
Go to see Emily and me mum in Broadgreen she dont look well, and isnt sure what they are doing to her. There is no one there for me to ask. Nanny dont like being in there and mum does. Creates an interesting tension. Neither of them are very happy. Home and watch Merseybeat- trash telly but impressive in that I grew up by where there station is and pass it on my way to work.

Morning comes round too quick

Awoken by Alison L who was ringing to sort our lunch date. I had already slept through Jk ringing twice trying to fix the bog. He arrives at 12 and does the job. Ali picks me up and we meet Kim in the Bear and staff. Delicious lunch and excellent company as ever. They really make me laff.

Sunday

Moderators meeting and I struggle along far slower than usual. Concentration is hard and I feel like I am wading through mud. Every move is hard. But I get there. Leave for home about 12.15, we give Noreen and Tilly a lift, exceptional company. Get home and relax. Oversleep after night medication and wake up at 10 on Monday morning.

Saturday

We attend the national meet in Dudley. I aint meself and somehow the spark isn't there. I dont think many notice but I have to work hard to appear OK. It is a fine occaision old friends new friends and inspirations. I am overwhelmed during the opening bit. I really feel I have started something special here. It has touched many many lives. The hotel is fine Jean gets some flowers and Ally a book token. I go to bed earlier than usual at a gig like this and to be honest feel better the next day.

Friday

the up and down of mental health continues feeling better today but aint sure if I am slipping.

Blog

Playing up again

the friday five

the friday five
1. List five things you'd like to accomplish by the end of the year.
Sort job out
Get on a even keel mental health wise
Finances sorted
Wlsinfo future sorted
The best Christmas ever

2. List five people you've lost contact with that you'd like to hear from again.
Vision25
Gwyn the pharmacist
Glynn Scott
Colin Butterworth
Simon Frampton



3. List five things you'd like to learn how to do.
Write better HTML
Write serious reports
beg money from companies
keep me mouth shut
ride a bike again

4. List five things you'd do if you won the lottery (no limit).
Buy a bike
sort wlsinfo and emply people full time
pay off me debts
buy a gym and open a fat friendly place
buy some sclaes for Jenny the dietitian


5. List five things you do that help you relax.
read trash fiction
watch amusing tv
go to the gym
walk
real ale

Blogger on the Cast Iron Balcony

I like this one from down under, certainly makes me smile.Blogger on the Cast Iron

Wednesday Evening

Mum rings me nan has been transferred to Ward 11 Broadgreen Hospital and Kathleen wants pickin up at 6.30. i will oblige. Prepare a more basic tea for us, chicken lasagne for Jean Cheeseburger for Ally and finest beef lasagne for me. Top stuff. Off to get mum and Ally joins me. Then a nip to Tesco for essentials score some pork steaks for the girls tea. Jean shoots to house group, I watch some dreadful gender swap thing called reversals. Sleep is poor with some very disturbing dreams which make me feel I am slipping. They keep me awake for about half an hour but that time of the morning aint good. Mebbe more active steps required to manage low mood. Still unable to concentrate for more than five consecutive minutes. And old frienfd the light box is broken out. To be onest I would try anything to keep this stuff at bay.

Wednesday - the man comes to fix me plumbing

Or rather JK does. After much grunting from the bathroom, he has, after all, had a BPD/DS. In fact I think he was the firstdone in the UK. he has had top results and it hasnt affected his plumbing (skills) at all. A top job well done. He returns the Clare throne to a vastly improved measure of health and strength. Cant wait to try it under combat conditions. Yup its true bariatric surgery compounds any pre-exsisting bowel obsessions. In fact the free discussion of said stuff encourages it. Jk has fixed the curtain rail an all, top man. And he has started framing the certificates that we have won prior to showing them. Nursing standard arrives and we get some exposure in the news section. Also covered in the Gastrointestinal Journal which was nice.
Off to the gym and a top workout. A member I aint seen for a while fails to recognise me. She says it because I was running, a bit out of context for me I supose. Then a guy appears on the next treadmill. A good jogger, he recognises me from the echo - respect he says, nice guy a milkman.
Off to the caff and its mushroom soup today good for the souls some prawns which I cant finish. I engaged the chef in conversation the other day he now cements our relationship with extra food. Not good I parcel it up and feed it to a cat outside.
Off for a walk in the park to the aviary cafe, a very strange place indeed. Treat meself to a Mr Whippy.

BLOGGER - Knowledge Base - How Not to Get Fired Because of Your Blog

BLOGGER - Knowledge Base - How Not to Get Fired Because of Your Blog
We do like this.

Tuesday Afternoon

Off to the Bear and Staff in Gateacre with Kim and Andy, stalwart companions from the finance team in the matchworks. A pint of prawns works well for me in the absence of soup. I repair to Tesco Woolton to cah in my script and shop for tea. Back home and I retire to bed for an hour and half sleep comes quickly and is refreshing. I awake and prepare the meal. Steak and chips for Jean and Cheeseburger and chips for Ally. Salmon and prawns hot with a garlic butter sauce suffices for me.
Mother rings with the news that Nanny Banks is negotiating A&E at RLUH " the Royal" as it is known. Not good and mums scrambler is set maximum encryption so I elect to wait till a personal meeting can sort it. I arrange to meet her at 7 at the front entrance. Nanny still aint been admitted, and I whip mum home. I go in and chat and after fearsome interrogation it would appear that me Nan has cellulitis, though this is on top of chronic acopia.
Off to cell group via Tesco for petrol and a satisfying time with Romans 5. Arrive home ten past ten they are a fine bunch there and most uplifting. My private meditation focuses around release from fear and fund raising to pay for Saturdays meeting.

Off to the doc

I help JK load Big ken into his van for necessary repair work and transport to Dudley. It has been decreed that bigboy and I cannot travel in the same vehicle for fear of accident, bit like the royals. I away to see Frank for a 11am slot. Arrive at 5 to the hour. Frank did once confuse me by being ready on the dot. This guy is quality primary care writ large you dont get the allotted 10mins with Frankie. I had taken the Guardian and the Bible JK gave me and read the excellent letters to Mr Bush in G2 Online here as well as an Amusing Steve Bell. top stuff. Get in about 12.05 and given 25 mins top listening, diagnosing treating holistic primary care.
Whilst waiting the demons have worked overtime I think of the many times I have sa in this waiting room feeling worthless and wretched with a fear I am slipping down that road again. Frank recognises this phenomena well, and drills down beyond it to get to where I am at. He postulates two theories
1) I am exhausted anxious stressed and reacting normally and actively managing meself.
2) I am at the start of a depressive phase.
We agree to agree on option 1. Which on reflection feels like where I am. Its a bit like a steep sided pit with greasy inclining walls feeling like it has drawn me in. The very fact I have taken the steps I have convinces him and I that I have hold of some rail at the side and am crawling back up that wall. No psychotopics save for a script for sedatives. A dependency for which he would prefer to my current alcohol induced sleep pattern.
The spectre that I may have Bipolar Affective Disorder still looms large and the very fear may actually do more harm than the real disease. I seem to have retained my cognitive behavioural techniques in managing my depressive thoughts. We pray together and discuss at length the balances necessary between work, family, self and God. Cell group tonight.
I have messed my zinc up as well I have been self medicatin with 30mgs a day and he prescribes 250mg. Dunderhead I am.

JK's visit

The lad and I share the inevitable WLS conversations, and we share thoughts on fluids and appearance of urine. His level approach is much appreciated. He has arrived bearing gifts a small bible and a witty book about management. I encourage him to drink more and we plan a walk later in the week. He is also helping in some practical ways, repairing the leaking bog and the curtain rail in the head office of wlssinfo (small bedroom). Both are key bariatric tasks. The bog for obvious reasons - I wonder if he should set up as a bariatric plumber, the market is there and their needs are very special. No beast would frighten that boy. The curtain rail equally important as it will protect me from the prying eyes of the local community as I don novelty headgear for Kencam.
He is also undertaking some framing projects. Top stuff. He commences on site tomorrow.

Plan for today

Arisen, and wait for JK to come round an inspirational figure with I believe the most visually dramatic effects of WLS I have seen. He also has the dubious honour of being (we believe) the first NHS open Bilio-pancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch. We are still looking for others but whatever way he was the first in the pool. This is now the Rolls Royce of the Bariatric world. With the laprascopic version being the gold standard. It has a far more malabsorpitve element that my Ford Escort RNY. still more of that later and here is pulling up in the great white van.

Tuesday - chemical hangover

Assessing the quality and quantity of your own sleep is notioriously difficult, what seems like an age at night might just be moments. I remember early morning wakening from when I was depressed and I aint got that. Jean wisely as ever sums it up with - you didnt switch the light on, meaning I didnt do that bad. Inevitably at times like that I turn to man fiction, Andy Mcnab, chris Ryan, Tom Clancy that sort of genre. Escapism done large, no great literary shakes but diversion in extremis. Worrying vibes about the cost of the November meet, once again WLSINFO teeters on the financial knifeedge though hoping that Rebeccas letters will bear fruit, she wisely tells me not to worry as she will sort it out, which once again means one of us shelling out cash till we can recover it later. What we need is a member to touch the jackpot on the lottery or whatever its called. Set us up for life and sort these petty worries. Had an interesting talk with a geezer at the gastro gig last week. He couldnt believe it wasnt a suscription service. I decided day one it would forever be free while I was involved. The obese have already been mugged too many times by scamsters. Besides I know we have helped many people who have never even joined. People say even a tenner, well I know how much a tenner can be, and how little when you are well off. I have also been touched by the generosity of members and friends in the past.
Sponsorship now there is a can of worms, there is internecine strife about whose shillings we should take, me at the mo - anyones, so long as its legal decent honest and minimal sponsorship. The thought that some one would miss out on something coz I was too principled to take a ton off say slimfast or Macdonalds sticks in the craw. So plan, charity status to be sorted and Kim my mate who has experience in such professional scrounging will help sort us.

Notes from a small curate

John Davies - About me As a spirituality fix i check out Johns site. Top geezer did me mate Peters funeral. Nice blog too.

50 bar pump

Pump Pics 30 This fella gets worse. This is another pic of the New Mercedes Atego RP's from South Yorkshire.
They are very powerful machines and drive like a sports car.
This one (Y483 HWE - Mansfield Road) is showing off it's wears with all it's lockers open.
The pumps on these monsters are able to pump at 50 bar whereas the more conventional and
more widely used pumps only pump around 35 bar!

Welcome To Fire Appliances UK

Welcome To Fire Appliances UK This is a cracker the poor webmasters photos are all mixed up as well and I like the captioning.."This is a Special Rescue Unit (SRU) or also known as an Operations
Support Unit (OSU) from Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Service. It carries some
large and heavy rescue equipment. It has a large hydraulic crane on the rear which
can be used for a number of uses (use your imagination!)
It is a Mercedes Benz appliance. "
Use your imagination .....these pictures send my imagination running. Before the reader thinks I am a sad also ran who fantasises about being in the emrgency services - I was a retained firefighter for over three years. Its a long amusing story which I have recounted after good dinners. The trauma has subsided with time but Winwick Hospital Voluntary Fire Brigade was a serious business.
I attended hundreds of false alarms some serious waste paper bin fires and a couple of big shouts. but though we were trumptonesque in appearance and deployment. We got to ride in the county boys big red engines with what is now called Blues and Twos - and I defy most blokes to say they dont fancy doin that.

index

Red watch I much prefer free fire engine sites like this

Lorryspotting.com - The UK's BIGGEST Lorry Database

Lorryspotting.com - The UK's BIGGEST Lorry Database I have to make do with this no way 25 quid I'll content meself with shouting Eddie and Nobby as I drive around. Its like one of these tantalising porn sites I get sent to my hotmail account. Flirtatious shots of some serious vehicles with the promise of great stuff available inside - no thanks.

Crane spotter blues

drivin home on Friday I heard a dhow on Radio 4 about crane spotters and the pointed here Ainscough spotters its been given a 404 everytime I been there. Now as a webmaster with a penchant for publicity I know how much that must sting. Poor sad souls.

I never felt more like singin the blues............

Feels a biy fuzzy here at the moment, a good day on reflection but there feels like an awful lot I have to do, like email people at work with details of stuff left undone, and feels like so hard to do it. I have listened to upliftin music - Relayer possibly me fave album of the mo. Been to the gym and worked hard, with a tangible set of shape changes going on. Noticed the appearance of a clearly delineated muscle in my right bicep. Not very remarkable you may think but for a boy who had sand kicked in his face and dreamt of a Bullworker its a funny feeling. Something about PE at school gave me an allergic reaction, I think it was the rapidly changing bodies, the smells, the hint of suggestions about the teachers sexuality. The fact the PE teachers were bullies didnt help with SO eddie joe and JP and tom lacey watch out, tom lacey was a music teacher who just enjoyed the ridicule aspect. Anyway Ken Clare 1 gyms 0 for the first time in this boys life.
Lots of reflection and a bit of soul searching today, feel a chemically assisted (POM) slumber will assist greatly.

Monday

Speak to Caroline from HR about my health, she is a cool dude and dead supportive. Feel so much better just by taking a bit of control. Go to the gym and have a great workout workin on the theory that endorphins are good for the soul. Nice crew in there and Cath as always is delightful. Lunch at the gym mushroom and asparagus soup with some prawns top gear and 3.60. Head over to Tesco to purchase some spuds an onion gravy gear as the basis for a good meal for the girls tonight. Ally will revolt at the thought of mash so I buy some oven chips - less than 5% fat. Sossies in the fridge bangers and mash good soul food. I'll have lasagne. Feelin jaded and need to work at this gig with frank tomorrow at 11. He will sort me out. The news of Tom Kierans brother law has upset me. Suicide is such a waste, and the fact I once contemplated seriously still sends a shiver.

Shopping nightmare continues

Need to go to tesco to get the stuff the previous two shops didnt pick up. End up in Tescos Old swan an altogether better Tesco exxperience. Dinner goes well we cok chilli and salmon and prawn pasta. Pudd is ice cream, black forest cake, rice strudel and any old mix. Paul as ever is a treat. They scoot and its on to the website. Jean takes a kip its smoked salmon and prawns for tea. Chat room at 6pm and a relaxing evening during which I sign off protem from WLSINFO. I am tired and stressed anit coping well at work. Too many bits of the job that dont suit my skill set. I am messing up big time and it is in serious danger of dragging me down. So the plan see Frank ASAP, get to the gym, look after meself and rest.

Saturday Night strange nightmare stuff

Go to pick me mam up. Nanny looks shocking and I am worried. She fell asleep on the stairlift and woke up a 4am. Mum looks dreaful toand her stools indicate further liver probs. Stop at Sommerfielsd then off to Tesco.
It is the Winwick hospital staff reunion at the Winwick club. I pick Mickey and adair up and we wander that way. Car park is full club is full. The 12 saturday night regulars aint impressed.
It appears to have been organised by Terry Flaherty who was a young nursing officer when I started there in 1979. I am one of the youngest there it would appear. Some names to conjure with Dot Dicks doesnt recognise me - till I speak. Infact no one recognises me. Wally Gomersall Dave McKendrick malcolm price pat price Rocky McAuley brenda henderson Frank carroll
Nell gwynne, pam someone and Jackie Maguire. Jackie and I were an Item many years ago - she aint seen me for 20odd years she thought I looked ill. She should have seen me a year ago. I take Mickey home and leave adair pressing the flesh he is a few years older than us.
get home and chill with some red wine watching the repeated BAFTA tribute to Billy Connolly.

who says I am predictable

Saturday Morning – a change from the usual routine. The girls seem content to lie in, I rise from my slumbers about 7.30. Site is kewl and a bit of a mooch later and the girls get up. Becky from NGFK the pr darrrlings has forwarded my press pack on.
Fo a break in tradition I declare it necessary to hit the gym before noon. In a new found enthusiasm I am determined to get my full routine in. It’s a while since I managed this so it proves to be interesting. Perhaps it would be timely to list the current workout.

30minutes on the treadmill, go like billy-oh to do 3k which I achieve in a PB 26.50.
12 mins on the top xt a device you pedal with your hands.
12 mins on the bike 5k covered.
Machine you sit in and lift a bar with your legs 2x15 sets 35kg
Machine you sit in and push a bar with your legs 2x15 sets 35kg
2x15 sets of free standing squats, I perform a squat holding two dumbbells and hold. This is cunningly designed for max humiliation also to make you feel like you need a pooh.
Then its on to the lat pull down 2x15 – my favourite machine always makes me feel like I can lift weights.
2 x 15 on a machine you push a bar forward
2x15 on the vertical row – like that one.
2x15 on the pec deck – that hurts.
2x15 on the triceps press.
Then its down to the end of the gym for my benchwork – see I even know the lingo.
2x15 6kg arms at the side then straight out and hold
2x15 8kg arms at side then lift and hold directly in front of you
2x15 8kg sort of dumbbell lift – my fave coz you can see the muscle.
A good time on the way round talking to jimmy, ex-soldier and tennis champeen. And Kath part time gym worker part time learning disabilities student. She’s a cool dude.
Lunch in the restaurant, is tomato and basil soup and six griddled prawns – good stuff.
Then back home and whip Ally to Borders for a read – it is the busiest I have ever seen it. Saw Shirley who used to work in the team she is a Ggrade on the IV team at Garston now.

miserable journey home

terriible night on the m6 stop in tesco woolton on the way home. good to be back. Girls go out to allys school prizegiving.

Friday

Woke at 7.20, feeling a sense of trepidation. The hotel is pretty cool and the telly alarm goes off at 7.30. Wander down for breakfast, see Dawn and Paul on the way in and sit with Brian and Jane, and another RCN events lady.
Drive over to the international conference centre, parked up, suss out the registration desk and check in. Scoot round the exhibition. Suss out the RCN publishing desk and pick up some copies of the gastroenterology mag. Get interviewed by a journo from Nursing Standard. I have decided to launch the national support line on the back of the presentation today. Chill with a coffee whilst waiting for the 11o’clock gig.
Nip out to the car and pick up cardboard Ken. He causes a wow factor as usual.
Top set up twin screens mike lcd screen for speaker and fully miked. Paul helps to reassure me by telling me he always panics before speaking.
Dawn Elliot the chair of the forum gives me a really good introduction and I step up. Cardboard Ken gets the wow and there seems a genuine warm buzz. I am playing for laffs and getting them. I also slip in several pooh jokes and even the Labrador gets an airing. A chunner from Paul and Dawn looks mortified. But I get a top reception and I feel sorry for the joint award winner Gill who is following me.
I sit down and feel terrified. Went well and bit of a buzz to be honest. Jills talk goes down well and she has done some top stuff with the faecally incontinent. Having ridden that way before but fortunately avoided frequent flyer status I feel real empathy and sympathy with them.
Slow transit constipation is a an interesting one.
Then its own for the main man Liam Donaldson impressive geezer and good talk like his thoughts on expert patients. After his talk he asks will I have me foto done with him and cardboard Ken. No danger jimmy.Full media whore strikes again top[ stuff. I then get invited into a secret room where we get a yukky lunch but a chance to meet the man. He seems to be very interested and to be honest I am impressed. I OF COURSE BABBLE RUBBISH BUT. i do me best. Apols for the caps lock but I am too tired to correct. Whip down to the hall then and get engaged by a few people top stuff. A lady wanted to speak to me on a issue for a relly. I was whisked off to speak to the CMO. I hope she emails me. Then a frankly odd presentation from someone at the RCN some very odd attitudes on display. Then a top nurse from Sheffield who is doing a biut there. She scoots off before I could contact her and I need to collar her, email jobbie me thinks.

Thursday

couple of catch up meetings. Veronica confides that she uses the blog to keep up with what I am up to. Then off to Hammy for a meet with EMIS.
Over the waater to the wirral and head for the M6 arrrive telford about 6.30. The telford branch of The holiday inn. top gaff free slippers and a lady calls to turn you down (bed actually) but as i is starkers she makes do with passing me two chocs as I pour meself into the dressing gown. Dignity maintained at all times. Then a walk over to the conference venue.
Meet the delightful Dawn ans her partner Paul top pair and they inform me I am on the top table cool. Sit next to paul a cool dude ex RAF energetic geezer, with a raft of good ideas. Angry old git though so we get on well, till he tells me he used to drink at the marquee with Yes. We take a few tinctures together and are soon old friends. Other side of me is Brian RCN events man - top fella. Feel a bit out of it when the dancin starts and paul and i retreat to the bar. True old gits we sit at the side moaning about everything a soul mate. I convince him of the therapeutic nature of blogging. Back to the hotel bar where we are joined later by Dawn, they retreat to bed I aint far behind. Minor incident in that I couldnt get in to me room but soon sorted.

Wednesday

Strategic planning & primary care directorate meeting this am. First meeting with Eileen the new Modernisation person. Then a gang of people from Sheffield come across to talk about a computer system interesting with Linda and John in attendance. Then off to tescos with kim to pick up lunch.

Tuesday

Meet with Dabe who is going for a new job and has approached me for advice, do the best I can for him. Rest of the day spent catching up.
Off to cell group at Jacks this evening a very pleasant two hour and an oasis in the middle of a busy week.

BLOGGER - Knowledge Base

BLOGGER - Knowledge Base And the official blog response.

The Onion | Mom Finds Out About Blog

The Onion | Mom Finds Out About BlogIts a bit rude but it made me smile.

Monday Morning

A busy day ahead. I start with a early morning heads and fran, useful stuff, but we over run and I cancel finance Andy. Finish off PEC paper and thanks to Kim for impccable proof reading skills. Off to lunch with Lesley, a delightful lady I have for a long time we reminisce then talk about tele medicine. The Bear and Staff is fine. Vegetable soup and prawns. Then back to the works for a sparsely attended Informatics working group. Still goes well and Bob is pleased with my strategy paper. We retire to Starbucks/ Borders for an americano/latte. top stuff. he makes me feel enthusiastic about informatics and valued. He surprises me with an enthusiasm for Jazz, but the fact he likes Michael Moore does not shock. Off home and then fish for tea. Website business and a couple of funny emails.

Roosters Yankee

products I engage in several pints of Yankee which is delicious. Fruity and yup lychees. Jk and I laff out loud. Heaven knows what any eavesdropping punter thinks of our conversation. We must do this more often. I pledge to make the Liverpool Bariatric Real Ale Society a reality.

Ship & Mitre, Premier Real Ale Pub in Liverpool

Ship & Mitre, Premier Real Ale Pub in LiverpoolSpent a pleasant evening here with JK and great news to see the web site is updated at last.

Sunday

Chill in the mornin then its off to Mary and Johns to install the new Dell. Top gear with a 17"TFT - kewl. Takes a while to set up and I had forgotten the joys of downloading a three meg Norton patch via a 56k dialup. Sweeeet delight. Delicious lunch cooked by nervous sister, concious that pre-op bot would have been quantity focusse she provides a toothsome meal and a delightful Beef in red wine. Most enjoyable.

Saturday

News of the day
Jog 3k in 27mins - which impresses me. But break the 17 stone barrier I am now at a lean 16st 13lb thats 17 stone gone. officially halfthe man I was. Top banana. Take the award memorobilia to show me mam and me nan. Nan looks a bit rough really tired and drowsy, not good at all. Pick Ally up drop mum off and then off to Borders/starbucks. BAd news the GPRS signal in there is pants. Not good.

Friday

Off to hammy and the excellent fran - respect helps me put the PEC paper to bed. I hit the LIS portal news section dated 07/11/03. Infamy.

Wednesday

Caught up in the office and thought throyugh a lot of things. Team meeting, they are a gret bunch. Then its up to North PCT looked for a website for them but cant find one. We go off to the glass and bottle or bottle and glass out near rainford. Top banana. I have a pint of prawns, Paulis doing the atkins so goes for a caesar salad. I should know more about atkins really coz people often assume I am an expert on things diet related which I aint. Met a dietitian at the NOF gig who had wrote Diet trials as promised I got a copy in the post today.
After an intense and high level of strategic intent with Paul I end my day at Aintree. David is of course late, weare talking to a bunch of GP's about Bariatrics. They are a bit of a tough audience, more interested in the free freebies than anything, he gives a good talk which me and a few others enjoy. He cunningly doesnt mention that I have had surgery so the first pic is a pre-op of me and me nan. They are impressed, no one slept through my talk. Then its off home.

HONcode: Principles

HONcode: PrinciplesGotta start adhering to this.

HONcode: Principles

HONcode: PrinciplesGotta start adhering to this.

Back to work

Woke late 7.20 back to work team meet and a Paul Turner catch up today.

London trip

Left in a taxi for lime street, in plenty of time. Saw Jonesy getting the train to Manchester. Great bloke ribbed him about putting on weight. Then Ruth bumped into us outside Costa Coffee. Then we saw Cath from Greenbank on her way to uni. A bit of shopping for essentials, then on to the 9.15 from Limes street. RCN had booked us in 2nd class coach A seats 1&2, as far from the buffet as was possible. Surprisingly ok as an experience Jean was cold had a bit of a kip and I played with various gadgetry. Only glitch was the trolley service running out of hot water aas it arrived at our seat. I comforted meself with a bag of crisps, which made me feel a bit sick. Arrived at Euston on time and made off to the Lancaster Gate Hotel. First mistake get told we aint stopping there. Meet twogeezers from Leeds in the same boat so we are told we are staying in the thistle round the corner – no sweat. Get to the thistle hydepark and told no it’s the other thistle round the corner. Getting a bit browned off with this now. They haven’t heard of us at all. Not good leave the luggage and hotfoot it back for a media briefing at the Lancaster. Arrive late and hungry, get squeezed into a green nursing standard t-shirt and walk to hyde park for a photoshoot. 14 of us looking total lemons (or mebbe limes). Approach a kiosk in the bar but the only fare on offer was fried or big docker butties. Manage to pinch two prawn butties off clare the RCN publishing lady and events co-ordinator.
Then asked would I speak to the Daily mail, nice journo but definitely not taking the angle I fancied. Try to convince her of the message but who knows it’s the daily mail after all.
She is interviewing a cross section of us – most of the speculation amongst the winners is interpreting every event into a view about who has won. Suppose I am thinking that way too. Some geezers are kipping in the Lancaster gate whilst the majority of us are in the thistle. The other gastro lady winner is in the Lancaster gate with four guests all paid for by the sponsors, nice work. Still Jean tells me she uses their gear in her clinical work. Mebbe I could get some sponsorship for the site?
Then into a briefing by Jean the editor of Nursing Standard then into the main hall for a rehearsal. Linda editor in chief of RCN publishing gives us a pep talk. She is one shrewd dude – I warm to her immediately. She gives us a run through and tells us what to expect. She also talks about what to do if you are the winner. Don’t get rooted to the spot. We have a walk through and I walk the wrong way down the steps.
Jean has meanwhile go to do battle over the room and succeeds though we have to change our name by deed poll to Clark. Several other cock ups in there as well. The arrival of coachloads of Russian football supporters just makes things worse.
We get finished up and then Gareth(mens health Sally Army boy) and Elly (leg ulcer club lady) and I walk back to the thistle.
Manage to stop Jean dropping off and we chat and she falls asleep. I amuse myself on the laptop and trying to get their broadband working with me laptop. Doesn't work so GPRS for me.
Wake Jean at 5.30 and start getting ready, leave at 6.15 and if I say so meself we look a fine couple. Arrive at the place and it’s the real mccoy.
Red Jacketed toastmaster lady greeting at door then introducing you to the Prez,Gen secretary of the RCN and editor of Nursing standard. Unfortunately toast lady takes a baccy break as we pull up and I say Hiya to Sylvia and Bev meself. Introduce Jean and get a drink. We are on table 1 the top table with John Reid, Sylvia El Presidente, Bev General Secretary, Linda chief editor lady, Jean Editor lady, some doc who can salsa Who turns out to be a Prof, and another award winner who was nurse of the year in Bermuda some time ago. Wahoo we have arrived. Meet with Gareth and his missus who look as uncomfortable as us. Joined by Jan Sneddon from South Sefton. Jenny and Chris Sudell join us and I shocked by how il Jenny looks, she is zonked on analgesics and has taken to a wheel chair. She is splendidly irreverent as ever. She tells me her ploy is to claim she has Tourettes and shout random abuse throughout the evening. She nominated me for this and wants me to win more than I do.Speculation then about which table you are on and how that effects yer chances. Our location is seen as a good omen. I try desperately not to hope too much but its hard as I have already mentally spent three times any prize money. Get some photos done with Nursing student commendee who is brickin it more than me, two other confident ladies. It is the geezer from the daily mail whom is a nice bloke but has dirt on his shoes. The geezer running the stage aint impressed and follows him with a big piece of sellotape. Out comes big ken, for a photo, well the girls are impressed for sure. Then back into the drinks and toastie lady calls us in. Most just sit down but we follow the lead and stand behind our chairs till madame presidente sits down. I am sat next to Linda, she seems one top geezer and is doing the work presenting the gig. She tells me she don’t take any sauce before, but tells me it is my solemn duty to stash some liquer for her for afterwards – sorted. She goes off and starts the show. Have to confess to being close to tears at her and sylvias words. They say some really nice things about the award winners and how special we all are.
When she sits down I tell her she done good, and through the meal she confirms my suspicions that she is one top geezer. She gives me loads of encouragement to use this year to do all sorts and she wants to be kept informed.
Starter was a big mushroom with chopped mushrooms and parmesan didn’t float my boat. As the mains are being served I get called out to get some more pics taken. Daily mail man had got back to the ranch and his pictures had disappeared, he aint happy.
Go back to the table and its Lamb noisettes and spuds for me. First time I had lamb since the op methinks. Don’t eat much and am finding it hard to relax. Lemon tart for pud with a red coulis that’s nice. Coffee later then on with the show. John Reid joins us at this point he has been home to see his wife - he seems a good laff and soon has us all at ease. He is MP for Belshill, which is where Kierans wifes family live.
Linda introduces him and he gives a helluva introduction. Really pitched it well I as most were was dead impressed. Then its into the awards, surgical wound care cancer and all sorts. All the award winners looked like overall winners. Heres the form Someone in my case Janet one of the judges reads out a sort of citation as pictures of your work are displayed on 2 big screens. I look up to see my mate JK about 12 foot tall smiling at me. They play music as you go up . Mr Coloplast tries to leave the stage after giving rectal lavage lady her gong and clare has to encourage him back to give me mine. Neither Jean or I can remember what music they played. Linda brought cut out pre op ken on stage at this point and John was gobsmacked he took time to chat with you and say he was dead impressed with the look of me – asked me if I could still take a drink – good he said when I replied positively.
To be continued later

I sat down and took a deep breath and a gulp of water. Whoops it all feels a bit real now. Bloomin eck I have been workin hard but its all been mightily worth it. Who would have thought from the messin about in January that this would have happened – feel a bit gobsmacked.
The overall winners were the international award category winners, one of the winners had been died earlier this year and her daughter turned up to collect it. It was really moving and they deserved it. I sat and thought well I done real good just getting this – It will do for me.
After the meal things got real relaxed, it was a party atmosphere loads of people coming up to us saying hello well done you must be proud. Got pictures taken with the great and the good. Evidence here..

Who did we speak to well who didn’t we –
Sylvia the prez.
Beverley the General Secretary.
Ian the Prof.
Prof lady from Wales one of the judges
Karen Birmingham who wrote an article about me for the gastroenterology journal.
Steve Flanagan – RCN NW guy.
Mike Travis – RCN steward in Liverpool – he was wearing a medal.
Janet the chief exec – a judge.
Linda the editor
Loads of general well wishers
Prof Justus
Jean the editor
Got pics done with John Reid
Several people who thought I was Tom – who works in RCN publishing. Then a band come on. I like live music usually in any form I have had crackin nights listening to some terrible acts but these lads were different. I suppose it was a whole sort of acoustic salsa thing in a different language. But I wasn’t the only one not very impressed once they got off and a bit of dance music came on things livened up no end.
Bit of Boogieing then retired home. Met the girls from the hotel debacle having a pint on the bar so enjoyed a couple of bevies with them and retired far too late.
Awoke breakfasted, and went for a walk in Kensington Garden. Went top the paper shop but there was nowt in the telegraph or Mail. Taxi to the station and then coffee and a wireless surf, by sitting under the first class travel lounge. Nowt in evening standard. Train home delayed by 25 minutes good to be back in the pool.

Call Centre Confidential

Call Centre ConfidentialOne cool site but a little rude in parts made me laff out loud.

Monday monday

Get up late for me which is good news - 5 to 7. Ally aint well and its jeans first day at CLPCT. So I am stopping here. She seems to have a bug which is bubbling away and keeps bubbling over. Decide against the doctor and then press on with writing a startegy. Several contacts throughout the day re Nursing standard gig. Sorted out gastro gig I think and start to make sense of strategy. getting there. I need to nip out at teatime when jean gets in I shophappily and then starting my act together for the trip. Busy evening preparing then enjoy prunella scales as victoria. Tired.

Sunday mornin

Im up with the lark and down to the pool again most enjoyable. request kippers and eggs end up with smoked mackerel hot, not good makes me very very ill. I need to stop the car several times to chuck not good. Foul weather up the M1 stop at Hartshead Moor, weather over the pennines is terrible. Back home and then off to Ruth and Pauls for dinner Plenty of emails an a few to follow up. Chill on the site, the time away has given me the opportunity to think a few things through. Plent to do and need to start thinking about things.

Later the same day

Then back to the hotel, and another pool session with Ally while Jean has a kip. Very enjoyable time till a swedish footy youth team take over the pool. Talk to a nice lady about the site in the steam room. Off for dinner. I have cream of vegetable, salmon and coffee caramel cheese cake top stuff. Ally goes up to the room jean and I chill in the bar playin a quiz machine top laffs.

Mamas and Leonies Restaurant, Sheffield, UK

Mamas and Leonies Restaurant, Sheffield, UK turn up here for lunch -top gaff. Excellent Lasagne, Jean has a feta salad and Ally has a calzone. Really impressive excellent food.

Saturday.

Got it bad now its off to the gym at 8.10, meet an interesting radiographer and tell her about the site, then to the steam room sauna jacuzzi I aint never been so clean. Kippers and eggs for breakfast and off to Sheffield. Enjoy a good walk through the town and visit record shops a gogo. top stuff seeing the price variation in Yes albums. Struggle looking for somewhere for lunch.

Friday

Breakfast fruit juice poached egg and kippers. Off to Meadowhell as a local tells me its called. Get Jeans outfit for Tuesday must admit its the first time we been clothes shopping together and its hard. Debenhams come up trumps eventually. Ally has a dinkum time wandering round alone, she is truly happen here. We meet for lunch in a family pub it was crap - big time. Lasagne for me. Then back to the otel, all of us off to the pool kewl. Eat at 7.15, tomato soup, and salmon and prawn terrine for me. Dissapointing cheese and bics.

Thursday

Girls go for a haircut, I chill on the site. We set off about 11 ish, stop at Hartshead Moor services for a toilet break then Wooley edge for lunch. I end up with Chicken broth and roll the girls boogie on down to Harry Ramsdens. A treat to find but we get there in the end. Our destination its a modern gaff set back off the main Chesterfield/Sheffield road. Room 217 triple non smoker on the second floor. We are staying three nights paid for by ourTesco clubcard. Dinner Bed Breakfast 50 squid that'll do for me. Chill out round the otel and get off to the gym. Do some good cardio work and then its down to the pool, steam room jacuzzi and out. The girls didnt show they turn up in the bar so I have a mediocre pint of Boddys. Back to the room chill out and down for dinner, girls go fo mixed hor'dourves (spelling) I have salmon mains and caramel cheescake. Then upstairs to watch the Bill 25th anniversary live show. Bit dissapoining really then back down to the bar.