The Onion

The onion is a tasty veg,

In red and white and green.

The Spanish type is big and round, 

And often to be seen,

The flavour strong,

And never wrong, 

To use in anything.

It has a scent that fills the nose 

And makes the eyes to stream

The biggest ones are sweeter yet, 

And make a soup of dreams.

The red are mild,

And sweeter still.

They bring a subtler flavour,

In salads, breads and

Sandwiches,

A food that's made

To savour.

The green are fine,

A hearty bunch, nor

But the root is wasted.

In stir fry, salad, snack

Or lunch,

 A fine thing to be tasted.

Shallots are small and tasty too,

And so are lovely chives,

All are types of allium,

That brighten up our lives.

The humble onion everywhere 

They even sprout fine flowers,

Across the world 

They bring us taste

They keep us well,

A vegetable of Power!

😂

Crunchy warming, nutty, toast. 

Pumpkin seeds give out the most.

A scrumptious tasting malty treat.

Just the thing at late of night,

The grill gives out an ember light.

The kitchen warms with nutty flavour,

Some butter adds a snack to savour.

Since times gone past and fire made

A hunk of bread cut by the blade,

Whether by a blaze, or glowing grill,

The toast will all your hunger fill!

Not a good week really..
my son has been off school with a very virulent gastro intestinal bug. left him very weak and really strained his abdo muscles. He still isnt right now.

Yesterday I went to see a woman who is becoming increasingly demented. I re-booked an appointment after she claimed  to have been bullied into going shopping by her controlling neighbours. I return to see her as per aranged and she says 'this has got to stop' ! Well, it certainly has, thats it, goodbye! Stop wasting my time!
I had to arrange someone to sit with my son, who has been ill to see this woman, when I would rather have been with him.
People treat you like S**t if you are self employed.
Thankfully, most of my patients are good people who really appreciate my long years of experience and good patient skills.
I hope my son starts to feel better soon.. he is is looking pale, but is eating a tiny bit now.

Car park stress!

Car park stress!

Had a nasty moment today: I had dropped Ben off at school, and his kit. Then after shopping, I had this awful idea I had lost my wallet. Had not put it back in usual pocket, so it was there all the time. 

However, it is one of those car parks where you get a ticket on entry, then get it stamped Before you leave, and put it into another machine on reaching the exit barrier. I was so worried about the wallet, I managed to lose the stupid ticket!

I did a sneaky though, I followed a van out to the barrier, got close up behind him, and shot through as he went under.

Phew, that was close!

have been suffering for a few weeks now, I had to come of the cyclosporin as I had not recovered from a chest infection. This left my skin in a bloody terrible condition, red, inflamed, itchy as hell! It is a genuine torture. have gone back on the cyclo this week but it has yet to make any difference.

Am going into work at the hospital tomorrow, as my day is normally Friday, I will be doing Thursday instead. Have asked NOT to do a list with a certain plastic surgeon, as 1) he is well dodgy and ‘adds things on’ without proper consent. 2) His list can run on until 23.00 as he adds extra patients without asking and 3) he is a complete self obsessed horrible boasting a.hole.. 

This is an image I took up around the Sychnant Pass, near Conwy.

Again already with the bloody chest infection!!

This is the second time this year, and I can only put it down to the cyclosporin!

So, have come off it again. It does a good job on my skin, but the at the cost of infection sadly. There are a lot of infections around since christmas. Have lost a lot of clients to infection.

Went into work today, saw lovely Carla xx, and got some good feedback from my customers.

Awaiting appeal hearing for the school next Wednesday. I have no idea what the result will be. I really hope we get him into Bryn Elian. It is so much closer to me, only a couple of miles. And of course, it is a much better choice for him.

His grade 4 clarinet book arrived today, so proud of him (-;

Infection or not, have to go to work…no skiving if your self employed, no sick pay.

Spoiled myself, bought me a weirfish macaroni full zip off the bay of evil (ebay) almost new, cant wait for it to arrive!

Above is picture of your typical Welsh local, in the hilly mountainous Snowdonia landscape.

Braf eich cyfarfod i chi!

Up all night with his lordship..

Had to take the day off today as he has a nasty cough. So, no dentist, no class for me. An now, he is at 38.5 deg. so no school tomorrow either. He will have to go to his mothers tomorrow, I need to work!, at least in the morning anyway.

He has practised piano, and done some work on his biography of Tim Peake. 

Got some lunch into him; made his favourite, sausage rolls, and some special rice with onions, green beans, peas and seasoning.

Anti histamine and paracetamol should help him settle tonight.

Forgotten when I took this, a few years ago. Please dont use it without my consent.

Did Thursday and yesterday in Chester, not ususal for me, but finished a bit earlier on Thursday. Very busy day yesterday.
After work I noticed the lateral corner of my right eye. The eye was weeping, but I went to sleep. This morning it is still uncomfortable. I look in the mirror, and the sclera is blood red, looking horrible!
So, it appears I have a subconjunctival haemorrhage. These can happen if you have been coughing a lot, which I have. Also I went for a swim after  work, dont know if that had anything to do with it. 

Did a poor lift as well, was pushed into it by  short arse little shit head surgeon. my own fault, should have refused. Nasty little dick head.

I found out today my old friend Aly is leaving to work in Chichester next month. Aly is a brilliant recovery practitioner, does loads of other jobs in theatre too. 

Am waiting in for the boiler repair man today: when the heating is off, the hot water does not come up to temperature, I run off about 10 litres of water, and it is still only just luke warm, and does'nt get any hotter. He is supposed to be here around 14.00

All not special

Finally getting over the effects of the evil influenza vaccine, after over a week of it's nasty effects.
Have been at work this week, but not not seen many customers, have lost a few due to illness, which is mighty sad.
My son did not get a place at the school we wanted, even though it is only 2 1/2 miles away. I cant believe we are not in the bloody catchment area at such at such a short distance! Any half witted moron has a guarentee'd place if they are in the right sodding area, but a talented young person who really wants to get into this school is refused!

Friend of mine told me today he has a melanoma, and is really worried about it, which is a nasty shock. Hopefully, a bit of surgery will sort it out.

DON’T Have the ‘flu jab’ (influenza inoculation if you take any kind immune suppressants.

I was foolishly recommended to have it, and did so on Thursday this week. 48 hours later and I have all the symptoms of full blown ‘flu!. I still feel terrible as I write this , and I have   ( and I mean Have) to work a full week! There is no sick time for the self employed!

Have been gargling with TCP for my raw throat, and have reached the limit on paracetamol.

We finished the castle today; it looks great! ready for back to school tomorrow.

Well, the clarinet need a service, and as it is half term (hanner tymor) we trailed off in the usual North Wales rain and wind off to near Chirk, where an excellent gentleman called Roger Price repairs and services all kinds of instruments. He is a proper craftsman of the old school, and charges very little for his brilliant services.

While it was being worked on, we took the boy to Techniquest, near Wrexham ( or wrectum, if you prefer). It is looking a little shabby now, but has some interesting exhibits and interactive stuff. It included a great little presentation ( 30 mins) by a great presenter called Charlotte, about the properties of water. The kids got to join in and was enjoyed by all. 

The place was absolutely teeming with people and kids, and they only had one till, which was stupid, especially in half term.

I dropped my car off before going at Honda, who changed my airbags under a recall. They also kindly changed a bulb for a total of £1.23. Well worth the effort.

Took this on Monday, the sun was out and a nice walk was had.

Had another busy day Friday, up at 05.30 as per…

Got in about 22.00.

Arranged to have a parcel (phone signal booster) delivered to work on Friday. It arrived…. and the receptionist ( intelligence- that of a rhesus monkey tops.) sent it to stores. God knows why, she said she would call me. But no, too thick.

So, the stores guy, even after 6 years, doesn’t know me apparently, even after works parties, a thousand phone calls etc. So, Keith the moron SENDS IT BACK to the sender!!! What a stupid idiotic retard! 

Didn’t sleep well, never do after a hard day in theatres. The drive home never helps. One has be alert and snappy on the ‘death road’ otherwise known as the A55.

Had to see 2 patients today; dont normally see customers  on a Saturday, just in case Im burnt out after Friday.

Did the laundry, and got it out on the line for a bit - first time this year in fact!.

The 'death road' A55

Bloody cold tonight, and this Ciclosporin I’m taking gives you acquired reynauds syndrome -fingers bloody freezing! And, it makes your lips and face tingly! Weird!

The Hills..

Out into the hills this morning up near the Dolgarrog pipeline. Its about 25 mile from here, and from the village, you go up a long winding hill, very very steep, past a few farms. Quite a lot of trees had been ripped up and flung about by the storm. One had been across the the road, and been cut up.

At the top, though a farm gate, and the farm yard, a windy deep rutted track, with deep water in them.

I spend about an hour there all in all. I dont mind spending the time with my patients, it pays off with loyalty, I like to think.

I had an appointment myself at Glan Clywd today, and by the time I finally got away, I was late picking him up. Bad deal, never ever happened before. He was ok though, met him at grandma's house.

I've been started on a new drug, but I just found out I cant take Ibuprofen with it, which is a bloody nuisance.

Through the Mill....

My day yesterday....

Up at 05.30, stumble about sorting coffee (must haaaave coffeeee) and porridge. 

leave the house at 6.30 and drive to Chester. Drive for an hour in the dark howling rain. Arrive 07.30 and change into theatre blues.

Fortunately, a trusted colleague had left my anaesthetic room in good order.

Set up all the equipment, check the machines, sort the table attachments, check the drugs, sort the sending paperwork.

Wait about for first surgeon to arrive. Have pre op meeting, and send for  first patient.

We have NO porter today, so sort it out and collect patient myself.

Once patient safe, set up for next one double quick. Do not forget to write controlled drugs up in book! Watch interesting foot surgery, removal of a very unusual large bursar, with ganglion, full of clear jelly (actually jellified synovial fluid, about a dessert spoonful!) Finish 3 orthopaedic cases.

Finish morning list, grab a bit of lunch quickly before afternoon list. Set up shoulder table. Check in, anaesthetize patient, do regional block, position on table. Finish about 16.30. Start plastics cases. Only 2 cases, but the second, blephs and rhinoplasty, do not leave theatre until 20.30 hours. Bleed a bit on extubation.

Sort my anaesthetic room out, stock up, clean table, get out stuff for colleague on morning shift. I make sure it is all in tip top condition as it is someone I know ho has done the same for me.

Go into recovery to help out with patient. We send everyone else home, and finally take patient up to ward, and hand over.

Finally get into car, drive home, and get in at about 23.00.

Very very tired now. Back and knee very very sore. Skin in a state too, dry and horrid.

So there you are, a very brief idea of my Friday. I am getting a bit long in the tooth for 14 hour shifts these days. It is totally knackering, physically and mentally, and you are fit for nothing  the next day.

Yesterday.... all my troubles, well....

Took yesterday off. My son was ill, so, stayed home with him. Coughing and sneezing. At least he got some piano practice done.

Did my best to catch up today, worked like a demon at the nursing home. It's jolly hard work.
Not like they are lines up and waiting, yo hve to go and find them, and then enlist help to find  somewhere to do oyur thing, as it were.

Also, organising is a big issue. I have a whole load of unpaid invoices, some from 2014, from patients that have passed away. ususally, one has to 'write them off' as unrecoverable. I must loose over £200 a year that way.

It is also knackering, and sometimes horrible, as you are called vile things by people who have vile natures.



This my picture of Penmon lighthouse. An amazing place.

Back to work today: a big nursing home in Abergele.
Now they owe for about 20 + invoices, some from last year- which isnt good.
It's not the home, it's the relatives of the inmates. Some, are tight as hel with their money, and seem to think my services should be somehow 'free'.
I am a private practitioner, the little bit of money I charge is my income. I have business overheads, it costs me money to provide this service. And  then there is the massive 20% of my patry income the robbing bastard government rip me off for.
Its not lke I am Google or Amazon, that gets away with paying almost nothing. Oh no, the tax man sees us little guys as an easy option to screw over.

Little lad not feeling too well today, so we skipped clarinet. He has a nasty snoddy colwd, and feeling yukky.
Hopefully feels well enough to go ot school in the morning...
Any way I took this image at a park farm in Anglesey a while ago. It was a fine sunny day too..

The Dreamer

Had a terrible night, couldn't sleep properly; this methotrexate is a big cause I think.

Any way early this morning, I had a strange vivid dream; I start off driving along a road, with 'someone' with me, ex wife perhaps, and then the road splits, I take the left lane and it goes from tarmac into dirt, then into mud, then into a muddy lane.

Now it is proper off road: I want to get back onto  a better surface and cross a deep rutted track full of water to get there - and get stuck in deep muddy water. The sun is out, and I get out of the car.

Next I find myself at the end of lane, with a gate, it is green all about, and sunny. I am lost still and on my own now.
I see a set of rambling houses ahead, all in one group and built together, all a bit different. Say 5-10 all in a row, huddling next to the shore.
In front is a beautiful deep blue lake, off in the middle distance is an island, and further on the far shore, steep and green with grass, rolling away into the distance.

Then...
I am inside, sat with a woman in a blue top, with dark hair and pale skin. In front of us is a big picture window and the buildings overhang the lake.
We can see people swimming in the lake, and we are chatting easily. Then another blond woman comes in, she tells me about the place, it is sort of like a commune community, not religious or anything, just self sufficient folk who don't want the rat race misery.

 The blond woman walks me out through the gardens past the end of the community to the gate, I can see the vegetable gardens sloping off down to the lake side, the hedge is on my right. I am told I would be very welcome to come and stay here, join the community, and use my skills to earn my way as everyone else does. And swim in the lake as often as I want. She is close to me and smiles..

That, sadly was the end of my vivid dream. I know somehow, it is somewhere in Dorset, maybe not real, but definitely somewhere I would love to live...

Another day- another dol-lar....

I need my Friday shift, wouldn't be able to pay the bills with out it. Up too early as usual, terrible gale winds and howling rain made driving somewhat scary on the hour trip in. It gets rough up here!
Was in recovery today- it's rather boring.
Let my colleague go early and finished the last case as she will be in tomorrow.

On the last case, I kept my patient for a while until I was happy she was fit to go back. As regards the staff, the bloated lazy one Always ask how long I will take ( so she can shift her fat carcass home asap) I never commit to a time, I send my patients back when I think they are fit  to go out safely, and not before.

Another person, who has been giving me all the right messages/ calls,personal contact etc. and giving me a bit of hope there might be something nice going on, today acted in a way that showed me why I am still single after 5 years. I cant stand the hot/cold, treatment, the revelations about dodgy childhood, the other admissions about unstable behaviour of some sort or other.
Why do I always attract the damn mental cases? Why do I let the selfish shits screw me up?
Her number- now deleted from my phone etc etc..
Should never get involved with work colleagues anyway. You would think I had learned by now.
When I was a young man, my nickname was 'The Binner magnet' as all my girlfriends seemed to have spent time in the bloody loony bin!-
Seems I cant shake that one!

I should have a personal card made to give away with my business cards - saying 'please do not approach me if you have underlying problems you wish to inflict on me'.

Had a swim and steam room after work, felt a bit better. Ruined my diet with some chips and cider this evening. Sod it.....

Here's a fine picture I took of Llandudno pier (even if I do say so myself lol)Them grey skies tell you all you need to know 'bout North Wales ha ha!

Bog Blog....

I have  just completed the most Mind Numbing and Tedious of jobs...

Dirty, fiddly, messy.... yes..... you guessed it. Cleaning Dave Cameron's Y-fronts...

No, not really, detaching, rubbing down, grinding smooth, and painting (two coats) of Hammerite on the toilet seat hinges!

WHY! I hear you ask... well you know how you bought the seat 'cos it matches the bathroom, and then, after a while, all the chrome comes off the metal, and it peels all over the place, the metal goes greeny manky.

So, took hinges off, sorted/painted, re-fit. Boring, but soo much better looking now!

Planned to do Nuffield learning module, but their bloody website was down! Doing that is even MORE miserable and boring than toilet seat hinges!

And sadly -NO money earned at all today -which is way bad, as I never earned anything yesterday either - in fact I only spent money yesterday - the £75 on new brake pads )-:

Dry night tonight - try not to drink on Thursday's as up at 05.30 tomorrow, off to Chester as per ususal, so no fun or anything.
So wheres this then... go on.. guess..

Bloody cars!...

Took the old bus in for some new brake pads today. Went into town and sat in the library, and did my welsh homework whilst waiting.

It was truly appaling weather! howling winds and rain like gods toilet and heating had bust, and was pouring out of the sky, whipped by the wind, into a true deluge of misery! hence one was dripping one's weary way across the carpet of said library.
About 10.30  I get a call from the garage; apparently the caliper has been found to be leaking, hence was unsafe to drive. And no, it wont be fixed until tomorrow, and no, no courtesy car available.

Now this caliper was under warranty, having been fixed last year, which was bloody annoying, but also good in that I didnt have to shell out more money. Still, cost me £80 for pads and labour, which is a lot methinks..
During the work, I took the train from Llandudno back to Colwyn bay, a nice little journey I must say,
only ten minutes or so. Then the bus up to the heights. Amazingly efficient.

So all my day was taken with this stressfull messing around.

The sky this eveninng turned a most foul fleshy pink, before another black storm closed in to soak us yet again.

 Only two patients today, and lucky to have them. Thought I had lost one of them before Xmas, when her neighbour decided that she was 'helping' my cancelling all (my patient's) appointments!.
Any way, said neighbour is, apparently, bloody immense, and has gone in to hospital (hopefully for mouth wiring shut)
Anyway, aforementioned patient, who not only has type 2 diabetes, now has developed cancer, so hopefully she will be OK.
Stopped into Conwy to exchange a shirt I bought on Sunday, and noticed ho high the boats were in the harbour. The tide was very high today, probably driven by the high winds. It was indeed very rough, and all but dangerous to drive when I picked up my son from school.

And what is this picture? 

Entirely gratuitous, taken last summer, meadow flowers on the sunny uplands of Anglesey.

Today....
Have been wasting about 4 hours so that my son Ben can get an xbox live account. This so he can download the remaining Minecraft episodes from the story mode game. He has been driving me MAD with all the signing in, credit card confirmations, hours of online research etc. I really cant stand microsoft and their poison.

Picked  him up from his mothers around 10.30 as per usual. After shopping we had a nice walk
around the walls of Conwy castle. The views are spectacular, across the town itself, and over the Conwy river estuary, to the old castle ruins on the Vadre. The sun had made an appearance, boats facing up stream now, as the full tide was on the ebb, swinging their bows to the current.



The walls encircle the old town, and on the east side, it looks down onto a set of warden controlled flats, and the catholic church. This is where the service was for my old friend Linda, who, sadly, passed away last year. Such a fiesty and intelligent lady, who, in the war, operated secret code breaking computers at Bletchley Park.
Afterwards I had a very nice frappe, the lad had a  Chocolate milkshake in the cafe near the quay. Made sure to speak a bit of welsh, didnt want to the owner to think we were just another tourist with their broad ekky thump accents and no manners.
He did speak a bit of Cymraeg back to us, even though I think he was Turkish. Da Iawn!

Later, we smashed up the hard drives of two old PC's, he enjoyed that!

Well, it's been a long week... I think.
Bit of a blur, nothing special I'm afraid.
Yesterday was a hellish one; got up at 05.30 as per, but had failed to get much sleep, what a bloody nuisance.

The drive in was made unpleasant by howling wind and heavy rain. It is hard work doing this, keeping alert, at such an early hour.
Arrived at 07.30 and got on with it. A heavy day with lots of patients and unhelpful stroppy surgeons. And a grumpy old fashioned gas man in the afternoon.

Friday is the day that is hardest of all on by back and legs. The operating is awkward and very heavy to set up, and of course everything has to be swopped round in between each case.
 It plays hell with my back and legs, and by the time I crawled out the car back at home, it was gone 10 at night.

Missed a hug from my secret friend who had gone before I had finished. Will phone tonight (-;