Charlotte Smith

@Met4CastUK Sleet/wet snow in Leicestershire

WEATHER REPORT: Those in Wales / Midlands, what’s currently falling out of the sky? Always good to get ‘on the ground’ information to compare with the radar 🌧️ ❄️

Spending my last afternoon of 2025 trying to sleep before the NYE night shift amongst the din of neighbours doing DIY and other neighbours screaming and shouting pretty much sums up my year really. But, we made it! Here’s to a better 2026 🤞

@Dr_ErinLS Oh my goodness Erin! So sorry! My cello is currently in for major surgery and it’s amazing what they can do, so I hope it will be ok!

My heart has just broken 😞 (And of course this happens on concert day...)

@juliaisobela Mine too - I’m a 30 year old child!

Absolutely outraged that this is the first year my parents haven’t got me an advent calendar (I’m a 29 year old teenager btw)

@AbbieTBee I’m wondering the same, but at this rate I’ll have completed my post before the surgery… (loonnnggg ENT waits)

Has anyone had time off work for elective major operations and how did it work regarding sick leave etc?

Kicking off Advent by spending a lazy morning in bed listening to Radio 3 Carols Across the Country with a sudoku and the first Christmas tea of the season. Looking forward to an epic sing later for our Advent Procession. One of the best days of the year ✨

@Xeon4f145d96s1 I think DRE-EM is ST3 entry, no? There’s also a direct entry into HST but I wonder if they will scrap this and insist on either full run-through or CESR. Hoping I can still apply for a while

@cml_smith Not sure though I’d expect the DRE-EM route to run for a while given this is only in effect from this year. They’ve removed the non-run through option for next year’s ACCS trainees.

Anyone know how dual CCT with ITU will work given EM is now only run-through from this year? Will it be the same process where you apply after ACCS yr 3 into ICM ST4?

First “proper walk” since my terrible sacroiliitis flare in September, and it was worth the long wait. Saw a 550+ year old tree, and soaked up some late autumnal colours in the sunshine.

@DeanEggitt Same with almost everything, no? Specific test rules out specific problem - “there’s nothing wrong” - discharged from service. A negative test doesn’t mean it shouldn’t have been done, and doesn’t mean there is no problem; it’s just yet to be found. Argh!

Latest nonsense from the NHS. If seen by a cancer clinic, once cancer ruled out - discharged back to GP. No thought by specialist about helping diagnose the underlying problem. If needs further specialist input, re-join the NHS queue. Is it cancer? No. Goodbye then.

Having my exams out of the way (for now) means I’m pretty much back to singing every week, and what an absolute joy it is. Vierne Messe Solonelle and Parry My Soul this evening for Remembrance - what a treat! Now forward towards Advent!

After nearly 2 months recovering from a terrible sacroiliitis flare, I managed to play tennis today. I may live to regret this later, but it’s a big step towards getting back to “normal”. Huge gratitude to my amazing GP, the rheumatology physio and celecoxib!

Planning a few nights in Vienna with my parents, in their 70s, for my mum’s birthday in May. Any suggestions?

Absolutely RIDICULOUS new payment system at Leicester station car park. I needed 48 hours from 10:30am today. The only two options - “2 days” which actually only runs to 02:30 on Monday, or a whole week (for £45). Please sort it out @EastMidRailway.

@juliaisobela Well done!! It’s a really tough day and tough MCQ paper - you smashed it!

These dummies are how I feel having just finished a day of ALS training (I passed! Managed 93% on the MCQ paper so very happy!!)

Taking my cello for a little outing today to have an MOT at the cello doctor. First challenge: can I remember how to fit it into my ford fiesta?

A topsy turvy Saturday in all respects: daylight again after a week of nights, Evensong on a Saturday, and I’m singing alto. Good to switch things up I suppose!

@juliaisobela I had this exact thing last night and blurted out “unicorn” instead of “uniform” 🙃

I wish I could remember the phonetic alphabet when I’m on the phone Because my brain panics & does what it did today and I said ‘P for psoriasis’, which ultimately caused the person on the other end of the line more confusion

Autumn perfection

Post-nights recovery: a beautiful autumnal evening stroll