WrAnTz

Portsmouth QA Hospital – Appalling Service

I am sick to death with the lack of response from the Queen Alexandra Hospital Eye Department, AGAIN.

My wife has been on the phone for over 10 minutes and nobody is picking up, AGAIN.

A few weeks ago, after my wife had been waiting several weeks for an appointment, she tried to phone the outpatients area. After several attempts calling on the designated number, and after I sat with the phone ringing for over 15 minutes, we gave up and resigned ourselves to the fact that we would have to drive to the hospital and visit in person.

The lady we spoke to was very friendly, expressed surprise that the phone wasn’t answered, pointing to the desk immediately behind her and the phone on it. Apparently indicating that it wasn’t out of earshot. She also mentioned that the telephone system allowed for the phone to be in use but would not show that to an external caller, allowing the phone to ring and ring and ring. Really ?

We left with promises of an appointment ringing in our ears.

We did get an appointment and following a session with the consultant another appointment was deemed necessary.

And here we are again waiting on a follow-up appointment. Supposed to have been within four weeks but here we are again, no appointment and having to do the chasing.

In fairness I should say that an appointment was offered following a cancellation, over the phone, but as we were in London my wife was not able to accept, as it was for the following morning. The person on the phone said she would arrange another appointment, but, here we are again still waiting.

Looks like we will have to go through the same cycle AGAIN.

This is appalling service. All my wife wants to do is jog someones memory that she is waiting for an appointment. Same as last time.

We may be retired but that doesn’t mean that we want to spend interminable minutes listening to the ringing tone. Nor does it mean that we enjoy driving up to the hospital, searching for parking spaces and paying the extortionate charges for said spaces.

I have nothing but praise for the medical staff in this hospital but I have to say that the administrative staff leave a lot to be desired.

How hard is it to answer the phone ?

How hard is it to follow-up and do what you said you would do ?

A Birthday Treat

It was my wife’s birthday a couple of weeks ago and as a special treat I took her up to London for a bit of sight-seeing, a meal or two and a show. We stayed at the Citadines Hotel Trafalgar Square which, although not cheap, is very handy for all the touristy things in our great capital city.

A surprise notification of a parcel delivery delayed our departure, causing us to arrive in the late afternoon. On arrival we were efficiently checked in, and soon installed in our room. As we were meeting up with our granddaughter and her husband later for a meal we didn’t immediately head out to explore. Our decision was cemented by the fact that it was raining outside. We therefore, elected to relax a little, with a cup of tea.

Later that evening we met up with Hayley and Nick, at Skylon where we had a very enjoyable meal.

To start, Gerry had Pressed Watermelon (with Avocado, Shimeji mushrooms, yellow baby plum tomato, lemongrass, chickweed), Hayley had Smoked Salmon cannelloni (Creme fraiche, gribiche, salmon caviar, chervil). Nick and I both elected to have the Pan seared foie gras (Pickled cherries, apricot gel, toasted hazelnuts, oats, nasturtium leaves, cherry blossom).

For the main course I had Scottish Angus Cross beef fillet (Wild garlic, grelot onions, crispy shallots) while the others all chose the Roasted Lamb cannon (Crispy belly, wild mushrooms, baby artichokes, cherry tomatoes).

A hard act to follow but none of us could resist having a dessert. Gerry, a sucker for strawberries, had the Gariguette Strawberries (Elderflower meringue, rose jelly, strawberry sorbet) while the rest of us plumped for the Iced Cappuccino Souffle (Bailey’s chocolate bon-bon). Gerry’s dessert looked fabulous ….

Restaurant — Skylon – Gariguette Strawberries

All of the food was superb and even better, that evening, there was a fifty percent discount celebrating Skylons new chef. Suitably sated and buoyed by a great evening we trudged back over the river to our hotel for a good nights rest.

The next morning we headed out to do a bit of touristy exploring. Our initial target destination was Westminster Abbey. Neither of us having been there before, despite many visits to London.

Travelling on foot we strolled through Whitehall Gardens, situated between the Whitehall buildings and the embankment….

Statur – William Tyndale

Statue – Sir Henry Bartle Frere

Statue – Sir James Outram

There are three statues within Whitehall Gardens. They commemorate William Tyndale an English scholar who became well-known for his translation of the Bible into English, Sir Henry Bartle Frere a British colonial administrator who had a successful career in India eventually rising to become Governor of Bombay and General Sir James Outram an English general who fought in the Indian Rebellion of 1857.

Looking across the river we had a distant view of the Shard seeming surrounded by the many cranes that dot the London skyline.

None of those cranes are anywhere near the Shard, just an illusion of perspective.

Also across the river is the iconic London Eye, towering over the nearby buildings. Principle amongst them is London’s County Hall.

As you can see from the sky, the weather was very dull. Although, thankfully, not a drop of rain.

As we strolled along the embankment we came across the Battle of Britain Memorial Sculpture. A very striking work which certainly captures the emotion and horror of the times.

Battle of Britain Memorial – London

By now we were in sight of the Palace of Westminster, aka the Houses of Parliament.

Elizabeth Tower (aka Big Ben)

We arrived at Westminster Abbey shortly after eleven AM and joined the throng making their way inside this ancient building.

Westminster Abbey

Not unexpected, but security is tight and, from the notices, I was concerned that my camera bag might be deemed too big. However, after a short wait in a queue and a cursory check by the security guard we were in. Unfortunately, no photography of any kind is allowed inside the abbey. So the previous shots are all either outside or in and around the cloisters. However, they do make photos available for download, free. So here are a few ….

The Nave – Westminster Abbey

Tomb of the Unknown Warrior – Westminster Abbey

The Quire – Westminster Abbey

The High Alter – Westminster Abbey

Tomb of Mary Queen of Scots – Westminster Abbey

Tomb of Elizabeth 1 – Westminster Abbey

After so much history and culture we were not a little peckish. So we partook of a rather nice lunch in the Abbey Cellarium Cafe where Gerry had the Bream and I had the Chicken & Leek Pie.

After lunch we strolled over to Covent Garden. Enroute we passed the Cenotaph and the Monument to the Women of World War II. The Cenotaph was originally a temporary structure, erected for a peace parade following the end of the First World War. It was replaced in 1920 by a permanent structure and designated the United Kingdom’s official national war memorial.

Monument to the Women of World War II

The Cenotaph, Whitehall, London

The Monument to the Women of World War II depicts 17 sets of clothing and uniforms around the sides, symbolising the hundreds of jobs women undertook in World War II, and then gave back for the homecoming men at the end of the war. They include uniforms as worn by the Women’s Land Army, Women’s Royal Naval Service, a nursing cape, and a police overall.

Also along the route we passed Downing Street, Horse Guards and the Coliseum Theatre, our venue for later this evening.

Horse Guard

Coliseum Theatre

Covent Garden is a district of Westminster and is associated with the former fruit-and-vegetable market which is now a popular shopping and tourist site. The district is a mix of independent shops, street performers and historical buildings, theatres and entertainment facilities, including the London Transport Museum and the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.

As we arrived there was an escapologist reaching his grand finale. We spent an hour or so browsing the many shops and stalls intermittently being entertained. There was a juggler ….

…… a contortionist or, as he would have it, a Yogi ….

And then while we were sitting having a cup of tea we were entertained musically by an opera singer, followed by a string quartet ….

String Quartet – Covent Garden

Opera Singer – Covent Garden

Impromptu Dancer – Covent Garden

After a super day we headed back to our hotel to freshen up before heading out to the theatre where our day was completed by possibly the best show in London at the moment, Bat out of Hell, the musical.

Getting Off Light

https://www.hampshire.police.uk/news/general/drink-driver-jailed-two-years-after-ploughing-police-cars-high-speed/

It strikes me that this guy got off lightly.

Why are his sentences running concurrently ? To me that means he isn’t actually serving some of his sentence.

Two years is not long enough.

BBC News: Terminally ill man in right-to-die fight

I wholeheartedly support Noel Conway in this fight.

In a country that fights so hard for animal rights, fights against the cruelty of fox hunting, how come we condone such cruelty to be perpetrated against humans.

To condemn a man to potential locked in syndrome, pain and suffering. We would put down a horse in similar condition. In fact it would never be allowed to teach that state. Also we would probably prosecute the owner for animal cruelty.

I agree that locked in syndrome would be an intelligent persons idea of a living he’ll.

It’s time this country woke up and started applying laws with a large dose of humanity.

Terminally ill man in right-to-die fight – http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-40615778

BBC News: Teen in critical condition after police car chase

Let’s hope that blame gets placed with the law breakers. Not laid at the police drivers door.

Fed up with police being punished for doing their job.

The lawbreakers should reap what they sow.

Teen in critical condition after police car chase – http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-40624453

BBC News: Tube to change ‘ladies and gentlemen’ announcements

What a ridiculous decision. How is “Hello Everyone” more inclusive than “Ladies and Gentlemen”

What is wrong with this country ? Authorities seem to be bending over backwards, tripping over themselves so as not to upset anyone. They are seeing problems where there are none.

I suggest they replace “Ladies and Gentlemen ” with “Oi, you lot”. What could be more inclusive than that ?

Tube to change ‘ladies and gentlemen’ announcements – http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-40591750

Erddig Hall

We had the pleasure of visiting the National Trust property Erddig Hall near Wrexham. Wrexham is the largest town in North Wales, nestled in the Dee Valley between the Welsh mountains and the English border.

Erddig (roughly pronounced air-thig) was built between 1684–1687 for Josiah Edisbury, the then High Sheriff of Denbighshire, to a design by Thomas Webb.

More recently the property has been passed down through generations of the Yorke family until March 1973, when it was given to the National Trust.

The property was in a severe state of disrepair and structurally unsound. Due in part to subsidence caused by the collapse of old coal mine workings. The National Trust managed to get some compensation from The National Coal Board which, coupled with funds raised by the sale some park land has enabled the preservation of Erddig and its contents.

And, it’s the contents that make Erddig such an interesting place. The Yorke family never threw anything away, or indeed never repaired anything. The house is undoubtedly a treasure trove of antique furniture and furnishings. Added to the physical items are the social historical records for both the family and specifically the staff, who were especially well treated.

Polyphon Music Box – Erddig
Ready to play Der Mikado

It should be noted that one of the conditions that Philip S. Yorke (1905–1978) imposed on handing over the house and estate to the National Trust in 1973 was that nothing was to be removed from the house. He is quoted as saying: “My only interest for many years has been that this unique establishment for which my family have foregone many luxuries and comforts over seven generations should now be dedicated to the enjoyment of all those who may come here and see a part of our national heritage preserved for all foreseeable time.”

This is the carpenter’s shop, apparently the tools were found exactly as you see in these photos.

Thomas Rogers was carpenter at Erddig. From the info board by his photo ….

During the Napoleonic Wars, he only escaped being press-ganged into the Navy because Simon Yorke paid his ransom. He was granted a pension by the Yorkes when he retired in 1871 at the age of ninety.

Some of the tools on display belonged to Thomas Rogers.

Alternative examples of wood craftsmanship are to be found in the yard outside of the Carpenters Shop.

Victorian Flower Girl by Simon O’Rourke

Owl by Simon O’Rourke

Simon O’Rourke is the “artist in residence” at Erddig.

Erddig had its own Lime Works ….

Lime Works – Erddig

Amongst all the various artworks around the Hall, we stumbled across this psychedelic Sheep ….

Must be the Beatles influence but on a previous visit “oop north”, north of the Mersey, we were surrounded by numerous psychedelic pigs.

Just off this courtyard, there are stables housing a number of shire horses. Unusually, they were all asleep, and it was quite humorous watching one of them, his head slowly drooping, then suddenly jerking up, his eyes opening briefly before repeating the cycle. I get that feeling most evenings, when the soaps are on the TV.

Horse Shoes – Erddig

Bridle Wear – Erddig

Driving Bits – Erddig

Among the various outbuildings, numerous forms of wheeled vehicles may be found. Including bicycles, motor cars and motorcycles. These are just a few ….

Rover – Erddig

Unknown Car – Erddig

Project – Erddig

Bicycles – Erddig

On, into the interior of the house, starting with the laundry …..

Wet Laundry – Erddig

Dry Laundry – Erddig

Wet Laundry – Erddig

….. and then on into the kitchen …..

Kitchen – Erddig

Big Pot – Erddig

Kitchen – Erddig

Bread Oven – Erddig

With all the cooking going on in this house they needed some decent silverware to serve it in ….

And somewhere decent to eat the food prepared below stairs ….

Dining Room – Erddig

Interesting to note that most of the Yorke family were vegetarians, though their menus did include meat and fish. Presumably, to cater for the tastes of their guests when entertaining. Once a meal was over, perhaps the Yorke family would retire to the Saloon for a drop of Port, a cigar, and some polite conversation.

The ceiling in the Saloon, and in one of the bedrooms, is notable for the fact that it is clad in sheet steel. This was applied as a form of fire retardant. The metal was then painted over.

And so, body and soul satisfied, the Yorkes would take themselves off to bed ….

This room is known as the White Bedroom. It has a Chippendale period mahogany four-poster bed and is named after the white-painted seventeenth-century panelling.

After a good nights sleep, what could be more refreshing than an invigorating shower ….

Although this “Heath-Robinson” affair looks as if it would be more at home on a jungle campsite.

After touring the house we ventured outside. Due to other commitments we were not able to do justice to the grounds. These are a few of the pictures I took close to the house.

Flower Bed – Erddig

Well Earned Rest – Erddig

Bird Feeder – Erddig

The Fastigiate Yew Avenue – Erddig

Marsh / Meadow – Erddig

Flower Bed – Erddig

Alice with potion ? – Erddig

Duck – Erddig

Bell Tower – Erddig

Bee Hive – Erddig

And so it was time to call it a day and head back to the Wirral. One last photo before we leave this beautiful house …

And There You Have It

Over the last few weeks the UK has been snowed with sound bites, lectures, debates etc. etc. etc. Yes we were in the run up to a General Election.

Today we have awoken to a new political era. Where once we had a majority government we now have a hung parliament. Theresa May, still the PM, but in a much weaker position, visiting the Queen with a view to forming a minority/coalition government with the DUP (Democratic Unionist Party) of Norther Ireland.

Theresa May called this election, unnecessarily in my book. But having called the snap election she failed to perform, failed to consolidate her party’s position, failed to show herself as the strong and stable leader that this country needs.

A new Maggie Thatcher she isn’t.

But I don’t believe that the Tory strategy is totally to blame for where we now find ourselves. Certainly certain elements of the Tory manifesto became the sole focus of both the media and May’s opponents. She did not seem able to defend herself when put under pressure over the Tories history with, and future plans for the NHS, Social Care etc.

But then, neither did Corbyn, on occasion. His performance on BBC’s Womans Hour was awful. Diane Abbott also did not exactly shine. Not what you would expect from senior, experience, campaigners. Admittedly, Abbott’s performance is now being written off as due to health issues. But, credit where credit is due, Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party out played the Tories.

Over and above the individual party performances I believe we have, in part, ended up with a hung parliament due to the frantic and, sometimes, seemingly hysterical entreaties of the anti Tory activists. I personally have been inundated with “vote anybody but tory” messages via emails and social media. I think that message may have seriously affected how some folks have voted and the perpetrators should shoulder some of the blame.

I’m pretty sure that there has always been, throughout history, tactical voting but this time round it seems to have been more ferocious. To my mind though, there can be nothing so unproductive, as randomly voting for any party, as long as it isn’t tory. For those that followed that mantra it is tantamount to either not voting or damaging your voting slip.

And there you have it, a hung parliament. To all you activists out there …. I hope you are truly satisfied.

View From The Conservatory

I was both astounded and disappointed to discover that my last “View” was posted just over a year ago. I know that we have been busy and there have been other more recent posts.

Admittedly, the conservatory has been rebuilt and we did take off to Australia for three months followed by a month in France and a fortnight in Antigua. There have been several lesser UK based jaunts. However, we have also spent time at home and I have had my camera to hand. So, feeling suitably ashamed, here is a compilation of pictures taken over the last few weeks. We are now into the UK summer season and the garden plants are growing like crazy.

First up then is a regular subject, squirrels. Once again we are being visited by the albino variety.

As you can see they do have the requisite pink eyes.

Here in the UK squirrels are sometimes referred to as tree rats. The example above is the most rat-like squirrel I have ever seen.

Of course we do have an abundance of the grey variety. Just a few days ago there were four greys in the garden. Of course my camera was out of reach and since these guys were raiding the bird feeders, any movement on my part just scared them away.

Grey Squirrel – So hungry after eating the bird food, it’s eating a stick

Grey Squirrel

Grey Squirrel – Softening a bread crust in the bird bath

Grey Squirrel – Taking the rays

Grey Squirrel – So much ginger it’s almost red

I thought that the pure grey squirrels would have attacked the albino, but apparently not. Judging by the shenanigans going on, high up in the trees, I believe the albino may have found a partner. Maybe we’ll see some piebald babes around this year.

As I mentioned earlier, there are many flowers on show already. So, just a few snaps ….

This Iris was discovered in a shady overgrown area of the garden. It was not planted by us and, as we are the only owners of this property since it was built, we have no idea how the Iris arrived. Pretty though.

We have a few rose bushes, which we did plant….