Geoff & Chris in the UK    Letters & Photos: Previous  Next

2 March 2003

Hello everyone!

Well in one week life has progressed well and we are both fine - if not grieving a little over the appalling performance of NZ in the America's Cup. Oh well, we win some & lose some…

Chris started work last Monday. The team of 6 that I work with are very friendly and supportive. I spent the first week trying to get my head around exactly what the job is. Seems I have a almost blank slate to put in place what I see fit to support improvements to quality and particularly to ensure clinical care that we deliver actually does gain a health benefit for patients.

The NHS is advanced in some innovative care in mental health primary care system for child abuse etc however they are behind in terms of a culture in the organisation that support quality improvement - they all talk to much and don't seem to get started on work until 2 in the afternoon (and then go home at 4). Very cruisey, can't manage to do that myself though! I am booked on two conferences already, so life is going to be busy.

Geoff has bought a computer, laser printer etc and has already done some work (all via email) for a client in New Zealand. So he's making some money & is not totally a kept man.

But the best news is that we have found somewhere to live! On 8th March we move into 1 Loxley Square, Kineton Green Road, Olton, near Solihull, West Midlands. We will left you know the all important post code, once we know it. It is a top floor flat (we call it our penthouse) in a large new house. It is very ultra modern in style, and we are lucky that the owner is off to Chicago and has left absolutely everything in the flat. Furniture, dishes, linen, TV and DVD and theatre sound system, video intercom system, central heating, etc. Even better, it has a DISHWASHER!!! We are very pleased. The drawback is that it is only 1 bedroom, so all you visitors will have to sleep in the lounge (with the two black leather settees and the lovely flickering flame gas fire). It is two ½ miles from Chris's work, so walking is the means of transport for most days.

George is much the same, the illness still takes a toll on him.

Another exciting bit of news is that Rob and Dawn's twins were delivered on Monday. We now have two nieces Grace and Caitlin. Grace was born at 1 ½ pounds, and Caitlin slightly larger at 2 pounds. Both are in the neo natal unit, and today came off the ventilator and started breathing for themselves. They are most incredible to see - they are some extremely tiny. Dawn is well, and comes home tomorrow, is still sore from the caesarean and is the usual bundle of hormonal hell that comes after a premature delivery.

Geoff has applied for three jobs, a teaching position at Chris's work, a IT project manager at Warwickshire Country Council and another training position in Coventry. Tomorrow is the start of talking to agencies, so market himself more comprehensively. He has found driving in UK traffic quite stressful, and there was nearly a divorce on the morning of 26th Feb after some comments from the passenger weren't appreciated. It wasn't until the next day that we remembered that the 26th was our 9th wedding anniversary!

Thanks for all the emails, and just letting you know that we were just joking about buying an old hearse and turning it into a camper van!!!

Cheers,

Geoff & Chris in the UK    Letters & Photos: Previous  Next