Our National Health & Smoking

Once again, smoking is in the news and once again it's another attempt by our health gods and our NHS to rid our hospital sites of smoking - specifically ill people smoking. Of course no amount of effort, penalties or wasted signage will stop people from doing it. Most will find a spot away from CCTV cameras and others will simply sit in their cars. It's a battle no one is going to win.
Of course a proactive approach (I know it's novel) could be taken which would certainly provide an incentive for patients to stop smoking, and that's to provide an e-cigarette for the duration of their stay.

I know they work, I use one all the time and having smoked in the past - cigars and cigarettes - I've never looked back. For me it's the ideal solution. I can use it anywhere, it produces no smoke or smell, there's no harmful tar or chemicals, no litter, gives me something to do with my hands (this is why patches don't work), saves me a fortune and it delivers the nicotine I need. That's my solution to this problem.

Doctor Who at 50

I wouldn't consider myself a Whovian, but there was something very special about last night's 50th Anniversary Doctor Who special. I grew up knowing Tom Baker as the Doctor, and it was quite some time before I discovered he was actually the fourth. 

For me, he'll always be the best and it was his surprise appearance which almost reduced me to tears. An amazing piece of British television history, for which all involved should be very proud.

Frazzle

It was a real pleasure to welcome 'Frazzle' to our group today. I must admit 'Frazzle' isn't a name I would associate with such a creature as he's not exactly built for speed. For 'Frazzle' is a tortoise, and rather a large one at that. I'm told by his keeper that he's 20 years old has many more years ahead of him.

His companion 'Gollum' had found somewhere warm to hide... Next week, we're hosts to a snake! No one can accuse Blue Skies of lacking variety...