David K Smith

Swimming pool with Tuscan pine trees behind.

After the rain, Tuscany.

Splendid wine tasting last night at an organic, family-run vineyard near Vinci in Tuscany.

Its in the hills near Vinci surrounded by vineyards.

Pool with villa behind

Garden with view of vineyards

Dinner in the garden

Dinner table with 'Hip Hip Replacement' and '70 is only 21 Celsius' signs

Home for the next week is in Tuscany with Sam's family, celebrating Sam's Dad's 70th birthday!

If I had just received a 22% pay rise over two years, and was also offered 5.4% this year, I would not be going on strike.
I have not seen a pay rise at that level in my entire career!
And like everyone in a public sector related job, my pay is also well below 2010 levels (about 30% below).

Karting morning for the 12yo - specifically organised for kids in York from disadvantaged backgrounds and/or with SEND needs.

Coriander and Coconut Chicken Curry

Steak Tacos
The recipe is in my latest book.
www.amazon.co.uk/Bluesky-Reci...

And I am one patient, with one simple bloodtest. Multiply that up and it is completely inefficient and Kafka-esque. Simplifying and improving systems like these would save so many hours of time for front-line staff, freeing up more appointments, and would be so much better patients.

This could be fully automated to email me a reminder and barcode every 6 months, and I would then simply attend the blood clinic and have it scanned. But instead, it costs me two visits to the GP, 15 minutes of receptionist's time and 10 minutes of GP time, all for something already approved.

The GP is on annual leave, so they will now have to get one of the other GPs to review my case notes and sign it off. Then I can go back tomorrow to collect the piece of paper, so I can then go across town, hand the paper to someone else and have a bog-standard, already approved, PSA blood test.

The front desk can't give me the bit of paper because the GP has not signed it off yet. This is in spite of the fact I have 6 months repeat blood tests until further notice on my file. Every 6 months, the GP has to individually push out a prompt for a bit of paper, for me to then carry across town.

Admin is what's wrong with the NHS.
Every 6 months I need a blood test to monitor my cancer. 6 months has elapsed and no reminder, so I go to GPs to get the bit of paper I need to take to the blood clinic. (Yes - you honestly need to carry a piece of paper from one side of town to the other).

Dinner and a cabaret show to round off the Sitges short break in style.

Fabulous night out in Sitges. Now to go and sleep it off on the beach.

Sitges

It's me, on a plane, on my own (no 12yo), going for a short break with friends in Sitges!
This is my first break on my own that hasn't been work-related in over 3 years.
#SingleParentLife

Statement regarding suspension from Parliamentary Labour Party | Rachael Maskell MP - Rachael Maskell - Labour and Co-operative MP for York Central As a Labour Party member for over 34 years, I could not be more committed to the Party, one that upholds the values of equality and justice. As someone of deep conviction and faith, I bring these valu...

Here is her statement on the matter, which is much calmer and more conciliatory than anything i would write.
www.rachaelmaskell.com/news_page/20...

Labour suspends four rebel MPs for breaching party discipline Neil Duncan-Jordan, Brian Leishman, Chris Hinchliff and Rachael Maskell all voted against welfare reforms.

York no longer has a Labour MP.
Given her only sin was to stand up for the rights of disabled people, which ultimately the party partly accepted in their revised bill, I'd say if there isnt space in Labour for her, there might not be for me.
@rachaelmaskell.bsky.social
www.bbc.com/news/article...

The 12yo did not much like it - so i just put him half a garlic baguette in the oven.

Beetroot, Goats Cheese & Citrus Salad with Honey Nuts, Gem Lettuce, Tenderstem Broccoli and Quinoa

#FoodSky #CookSky #HomeCooking #Vegetarian #Foodie #AllotmentCooking #Veggie #HealthyFood

I never received any sort of response.

I wrote it all up as a letter of concern to the Chair of Governors. She did not respond to me in any way, did not raise it with the other Governors. Instead, when i asked her a month later what she had done, she told me she had shared the letter with the Head and discussed it with him.

'Chicken Poppa Chip-Chos'
A simple homemade 'streetfood' invention to use up some leftover Indian-Spiced Roast Chicken.
Guess the other ingredients!!
(Or find them in my latest cookbook)
www.amazon.co.uk/Bluesky-Reci...

#FoodSky #Foodie #StreetFood #HomeCooking #Cookbook #CookSky #Cooking #BookSky

Tansy beetles on tansy plant.

Only found on a 30-mile stretch of the River Ouse around York (and one small colony in the Cambridgeshire fens), these gorgeous beetles rely 100% on tansy - they are at risk from invasive riverside plants like Himalayan balsam.

Indian-Spiced Roast Chicken / Indian-Spiced Roasties / Broad Beans, Cucumber & Mint / Dressed Lollo Rosso / Mint Yoghurt
Jam & Cream Donuts
Key recipes can be found in my latest book
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0DW...

#FoodSky #CookSky #Foodie #SundayRoast #SummerFood #BookSky #Cookbook #HomeCooking

The perfect secret sunny, sandy beach with tansy beetles and river swimming.

It was just for temporarily moving it - and it had a lid.

BBQ Burger, Sausages, Persian Salad

Barbecue tea in the back yard - BBQ Burger, Sausages, Persian Salad.

Sitting on Sam's bench in York Museum Gardens.