Edward Picot’s blog (incorporating Dr Hairy)

‘The Stream’, picture 10. ‘The lake sinks into herself, dragging the horizon round her like a damp shawl.’

From my new picture book.

‘The Stream’, picture 9. ‘The sky was interrogating an old lake, the stream’s mother. “Where are you hiding her?” he demanded. But the lake, who had lost all her diamonds, only sighed.’

From my new picture book.

‘She was carrying silver brilliants and gold leaf, stolen from the sky.’ From my new picture book.

Dr Hairy’s Podcast can be found at http://drhairy.org/index.php/dr-hairys-research-podcasts; or on Podbean at https://drhairysresearchpodcasts.podbean.com/; or if you’ve got a podcast app on your mobile phone, just search for Dr Hairy’s Podcast.

Dr David Hindmarsh and Julian Le Saux discuss articles from the BMJ and the BJGP, and wider-ranging issues to do with healthcare. Subjects covered this time:

• Crisis in the Supply of Medicines, BMJ l5841
• Coronavirus: home testing pilot launched in London to cut hospital visits and ambulance use, BMJ m621
• The potential of placing a digital assistant in patients’ homes, BJGP 20X707273
• Personalised and risk based cancer screening, BMJ l5558

‘The Stream’, picture 6. ‘But the north wind fled to the sea. The queen kept waiting and waiting, until eventually her heart turned to mud.’

From my new picture book.

‘The stream’s mother, an ancient brown queen, summoned the north wind. “Bring her back to me,” she whispered.’

From my new picture book.

‘The Stream’, picture 4. ‘A little stream escaped weeping, her skin broken and bruised by hazel and birch sticks.’ From my new picture book.

‘”Oh stream,” said the sky, “will you keep my image in your heart?” But the little stream ran giggling into the bushes.’

From my new picture book.

‘The grey sky noticed her shining limbs. ‘Oh stream,’ he said, ‘where are you from?’ The little stream dimpled but said nothing.’ From my new picture book.

“A lithe and sprightly little stream went running down a valley.”