A Couple of Days in Hospital
Some will know that on Wednesday I collapsed, called an ambulance and ended up in University College Hospital. I thought at first I was having another stroke, but whilst lying on the floor, I felt that this wasn’t the case. The paramedics couldn’t get in, but luckily the builder opposite, who I talk to most days, had a ladder and came through the open window.
I called the ambulance, as my left hand was twitching after doing a lot of typing. These days, I use my left hand for shift and control and I think all the movement had irritated my humerus. And no! It’s not funny. In the end I got frightened, and it got me very worried, so that is why I dialled 999. I sat on the chair and when trying to stand up, my left leg gave way so I just laid on the floor, until I was rescued.
The trip to hospital was quick and they were examining me within a few minutes.
They ended up admitting me and I was in a First Floor single room in the tower, looking out over the Euston Road.
I was fully checked out and they found there were problems with my heart, which I did know about to a certain extent. But I got a very good diagnosis for free. when I was having the echnocardiogram, it felt like I was back in Hong Kong, as the operator of the machine and his student, were both Chinese.
I left on Friday with a whole new load of drugs.
So all in all was very positive.
Can I Have That in Writing?
This was my response, when a doctor in hospital said I was a young man.
I didn’t get what I wanted. But the thought was nice anyway!
An Interview With Roger Bannister
The Times today has a long interview of Sir Roger Bannister by Matthew Syed. Beg, borrow or steal a copy of the paper to read the article.
Syed finishes the article with this paragraph.
After two hours of conversation, it seems as if we have barely scratched the surface of Bannister’s extraordinary life. To meet him is to come face to face with a seminal figure in British history, but also to perceive a kinder, more civilised epoch. Bannister is an intellectual, a patriot and a man of tremendous honour. In every sense, a great Briton.
If anybody deserves to receive the Order of Merit it is Sir Roger.
The Queen Gets Light-Hearted
I don’t know whether it’s because of the Jubilee, but the Queen seems to be treating life much more light-heartedly. A couple of weeks ago she went to the theatre and sat with the plebs in the Circle, rather than the Royal Box. And then yesterday after a clash of venues in Manchester, she turned up to wish a couple getting married good luck. That is reported here. I don’t think Queen Victoria would have done that on her Diamond Jubilee.
Bob Crow Gets Up Crossrail’s Nose!
I don’t know and he may have a point about safety, but this story seems to show Bob Crow as against Crossrail. I’m certain, that there are drivers who are not members of the RMT, who’d like the jobs.
A Good Week for Coeliacs
On Tuesday in the Budget, George Osborne introduced a tax on hot takeaway food. Am I bothered? As a coeliac, who can’t eat any gluten, of course not, as most that will be taxed, would cost me a fortune in toilet paper, if I ate it!
Then today, the Government proposes a minimum price for alcohol. As coeliacs can only drink good quality wine, cider and spirits, I doubt many will be upset!
Gluten Free in Rye
A friend of mine, who is not a coeliac, is having a short break in Rye.
It occurred to me that it would be rather ironic to find a good gluten-free restaurant there!
Cote Brasserie
I had lunch in Cote in Upper Street, Islington yesterday.
I had a very good leek and potato soup followed by chicken and frites from their lunch menu.
I wasn’t paying, but at £9.95 it was good value. They seemed to know what was OK for me, well.
I shall use them again.
A Stationery Department Has Moved
I took this picture in John Lewis in Oxford Street yesterday.
A Stationery Department has Moved
I always felt that stationery Departments were stationary. But obviously this one isn’t!
A similar pun was used at school in a notice put on a door at school.
Stationery Department
Hasn’t Moved in Years
I think it may have been one April Fool’s Day.
The First of the Many
Is this Queen’s Jubilee tea towel, the first to be washed in a laundry?
A Freshly-Washed Queen's Jubilee Tea Towel
I took the picture yesterday, when I paid for my sheets to be washed.
The Anonymous Widower 