Today was a strange day I worked and visited surgeries and people were so sad to hear I am leaving and it felt very humbling but I was also aware that Jamie had a difficult day at work and needed managing…?

I know Jamie prides herself on delivering exemplary work and being the best she can be and yesterday replied to an email backing one of her team in how she dealt with a difficult scenario and pointed out why she thought it happened and how it could be avoided in the future. This was taken as a slight on how a clinic was being run by the head of that clinic and she strongly defended the clinic which shocked Jamie because she did not intend to offend nor cast any shadow on anyone or any clinic!

It was eventually resolved but not before the head honco himself became involved and this unsettled her because being anonymous unless being praised is what she strives for, and this sent her in to panic mode!

I chose not to bring it up preferring to let her use me as a sounding board to talk it through with and not give opinion, unless asked, just reassure her that it’s bigger in her head than it is in real life.

We made it through the evening walking Billy eating curry and  by bedtime all was OK

Tonight my team were 4 nil down and it was looking like another tough night especially for me as captain but I had a plan tonight and stuck to it and it worked. We played really well and fought to win 5 of the next 6 frames to win a point against a good side and it was so great to hear the lads afterwards enjoying the little victory meant a lot to hear!

Not sure why I missed blogging today but this is being written while sat watching Taylor Swift Era’s on Saturday night just to fill in the gap

A Friday night to remember after arriving at Euston Station with a short tube ride to meet Jamie, who should I clap eyes on as I got off the train…. A lovely surprise which meant our weekend started immediately and we were like newly weds as we rode the tube and then walked down Camden High Street to the apartment to drop off our stuff get a quick wash and brush up before going to find something to eat, and drink obviously.

It ended up an early night as we were both exhausted after our working days but that did mean we woke up refreshed and ready to go do touristy stuff around the city. A failed trip to Starbucks meant no coffee until we got out of the digs which more than enough motivation and soon enough we were back at the same shop but it was open this time and off we went coffee in hand to explore London.

The National Gallery was our first destination but yet again we were just a bit early so we went to a cafe just off Trafalger Square and had a full Engilsh breakfast before wandering the gallery for the next 3 hours. The reason we were there specicically was John Constable’s The Hay Wain which we saw on TV earlier in the week and Jamie had never heard of it nor seen it before

My favourite was called Devine Light which from a distance was utterly stunning!

We wandered up the Mall next on a beautifully sunny, though cool day, without any time restrictions or places to be it was really relaxing and perfect time spent in Jamies company which I love to be in! We decided to meet up with Beth one of Jamie’s friends to celebrate her 50th birthday at a Mexican resteraunt in Soho and ambled our way to Westminster then along the river to jubilee bridge before weaving our way through to meet up and eat dinner.

With a concert to attend it was soon time to make our way back to the digs to freshen up before walking the 50 yards to the venue, where we were greeted by the support act Sladey who were not a bad female Slade tribute act. The Hold Steady were amazing yet again and our dancing was assisted by 5 pints of Pale Ale each before it was time to head to the Pizza parlour for a midnight snack. It was raining but being so close we barely got wet on our way home!

Having had a terrible night’s sleep last night when my brain would not switch off after playing pool I lay in bed awake in the dark  tonight although I wanted to veg on the couch after tea, without Jamie who is in London, I decided to go to bed at 10pm which is an early night for me…