A Trip to Cardiff Bay

This weekend I returned to Wales for a catch up with family on friends.

On Saturday, my Sister, Niece and I visited Cardiff Bay. 

We had a fun morning exploring along the boardwalks, checking out the buildings like the Customs House and Welsh Assembly and saw a wedding being celebrated at the Norweigan Church. I enjoy visits to Cardiff Bay because it shows what can be done with careful thought and planning. From an area that nobody visited when I left Cardiff in 1987, to a bustling interesting area, packed with people and activities. What a change over the years.

There's even a picture of me for a change!

Did you know that the Spicer Road Dental Practice has a Facebook page?

The Spicer Road Dental Practice has a Facebook page and you can find us here.

We try to keep you updated with news from the world of dentistry and with offers and events at the practice.

Please come on over and like our page.

Exploring Devon (and other places too)

This week I have been fortunate to have a week away from work. I've taken the opportunity  to do some maintenance on the house and have done a little exploring with a couple of day trips.

Monday I visited the Fleet Air Arm Museum in Yeovilton, I last visited here in 1976, when I was much younger. It was an interesting day and it was amazing how much had changed here over the years, the highlight was seeing the Concorde again, last time I visited it had been just delivered to the museum, now it is a custom built hanger. Amazing how space aged she still looks.

Later in the week I took the chance to visit a part of Dartmoor I had never seem. I visited the Meldon Reservoir, just West of Okehampton. The dog and I had a hot and sunny walk but it was well worth it the views were stunning,I think it would be worth another visit. On one side of the valley the dam and reservoir, on the other the unique and stunning Meldon Viaduct (a piece of Victorian Architecture I didn't know existed).

The Sun is Out, Time to Get Outdoors

This weekend started warm and sunny, with to days of bright sunshine it was time to  get outside and enjoy the sun.

The dog and I took a long walk around Topsham in the Sunday sun. Here are some photographs.

It was a beautiful day and the tide was coming in and running fast, I also saw a black swan (think he may have escaped from Dawlish)

Walking the South West Coast Path from Beer to Beer Head and towards Branscombe

I've just enjoyed a week away from doing dentistry and now my batteries are feeling fully recharged. The weather has been pretty good for the end of April and early may with rain only affecting a couple of days.

Yesterday I decided to explore a part of Devon I had never been to, I decided to take a hike along the SW coast path and explore the coastline between Branscombe and Beer. Both are lovely villages with plenty of character, driving there was a bit hairy travelling along country lanes but we arrived pretty much without incident. The walk was lovely, the scenery amazing, definitely a bit of the Jurassic Coast worth exploring.

This is the map of the walk I took with the dog.

Here are some photographs, the scenery was lovely and there plenty of places in either village to stop for a break if it takes your fancy.

More information on the S W Coast Path can be found here

Some Dental Reading and websites you may find interesting

It's been a while since I have written on anything dental. In keeping up with my commitments to lifelong learning I'd like to share some books. websites and even podcasts that I have found interesting the last few months.

First up, I'd like to share two blogs by dental business coach Chris Barrow, Chris describes himself as a marmite character either loved or hated by the dental profession. I fall into the former category, I find his writings and presentations to be both thought provoking and challenging. His two blogs can be found on the 7connections website and his personal blog "letters from an imperfectionist" here.

Second, I would like to recommend a book by Ashley Latter. The book is called "You are Worth It." I read this book earlier in the year, it is an easy read and packed with tips and knowledge to help dentists become more confident and to achieve the fees their skill reflects.

This is how Ashley describes his book:-

"Do you sometimes reduce the price of your treatments in your head because you feel your patients cannot afford them? Does talking of money in your surgery make you feel uncomfortable? Are you worried about quoting a price due to the fear you might get a negative response from your patient? Do you feel your services are worth more than you get paid for them? If you have answered yes to any of these questions, then I promise you will enjoy reading this book."

You kind find a link to Ashley's site here. 

Now two other websites I recommend, first Mark Oborn, Mark offers Dental Marketing, website and SEO consulting for dental practices, he also blogs on this too. His blog can be found here. Also I would like to take the time to recommend Kevin Rose. He is a business coach and writes about business leadership in dentistry, his blog can be found here.

Finally I'd like to write about a podcast, I discovered at the end of last year. The Thriving Dentist Show is broadcast weekly and can be downloaded to your MP3 device. It is presented by American Dental Coach Gary Takacs. It's usual format is that Gary will have an interview with someone who is an expert or respected opinion in a particular area of dentistry. Despite being slightly biased to an American audience, he often has British contributors on the podcast. It's worth a listen and is available here.

Easter Sunday Walk

I love going for  walk in town on Easter Sunday. It's always interesting because it is the one day each year all the shops close. Town was pretty much deserted , so I walked through Princesshay and the Cathedral Green with my camera and dog Woody in tow. Here are some photographs taken today.

It was a bit grey and cold after two days of bright sunshine but still was worth the visit. A chance to reflect and enjoy some peace and calm on Easter Sunday morning.