Globetrotting Tigers: March 20 International Journal of Palliative Nursing Awards Dinner

Quick shot at the hotel before the wind gets us!

In the afternoon, Debbie (as usual) worked while I took a nap. She informed me that we have walked nearly 10,000 steps (nearly five miles) and the evening is still ahead of us.

Getting into my tuxedo and Debbie into her evening gown is an exercise that should be recorded. Let me just say that the task was accomplished. Dressed to kill we board the #31 bus and the Northern Line Tube returning us to Old Street. We looked very distinguished walking the next several blocks to the Armoury House at the HAC Headquarters. Polite stares on the Tube and Bus were fun to watch.

Established in the early 18^th century, the compound of the HAC was both historic and active – the artillery legion remains in place, thus many (donated) medals have accumulated over time. Portraits surrounding the great hall in which our ceremony took place gave us the feeling that these guys were the ones who received the awards that decorate a room in which our reception was held. However, what takes our breath away is the woodwork that dominates every nook and cranny. Ornate for sure, the great hall was illuminated with candles on each of the approximately ten tables of eight persons each and by beautiful chandeliers overhead; it soon became clear that although there were hundreds of nominations, it was the award winners who were invited to attend.

Debbie shows the awards sign inside

The dinner was fantastic – the appetizer was a delicacy made of goat’s milk (“Warm Ticklemore goats’ cheese tart”); the main course was “Guinness-braised shin and brisket of Dexter beef,” and desert, “White chocolate chip banoffee pie.” For those who drank wine there was no cessation of waiters circling to make sure no one went thirsty. The speeches were excellent, and Debbie knew, and was remembered by Jane Seymour, the individual who won the “Lifetime Achievement Award.” Her academic home is the University of Nottingham; Debbie met her there when visiting Davina Porock in 2009. We received Third Place in our category, “Service User/Carer/Volunteer of the Year Award.” We were extremely gratified when we learned there was a large number of nominations and we were bested by two wonderful elderly hospice volunteers (both from the United Kingdom) who clearly deserved the award; they sat at our table and we enjoyed them immensely. Seven categories of awards were given with three places recognized in each. We are happy to bring home another memoir to put on our mantel, our shrine as I call it.

Beautiful stain glass windows and proud Artillery photos everywhere

The Honorable Dr David Oliver

I cannot finish a summary of the event without shamelessly claiming that I was indeed the best-dressed man there. Debbie agrees. My tuxedo, among all the others, was the only one with a white vest and long white tie covered by a black double-breasted coat. And, I must also add, that Debbie was most definitely the most beautifully dressed woman. All you need to do is view our pictures to confirm the claims.

We barely arrived there before a downpour and departed in misty rain. The return trip took only 25 minutes; we are getting very good with the Tube and Bus systems. For the day, we both walked considerably more than the 10,000 steps already under our belts – my joints and legs may be a bit shaky tomorrow.

Debbie at the staircase

Tomorrow we make our way to St. Christopher’s Hospice; founded by Cicily Saunders in the early 1960’s, it is the first hospice ever. Both Debbie and I have lectured many times about its philosophy and style of care that was brought to the United States with a few differences. As mentioned earlier, the primary focus of the American hospice is home-based care, while the early hospices in England were in-patient care; all following the lead of the St. Christopher’s model. Today, hospices in the United Kingdom are both in-patient and home-based. We are excited to meet Debbie’s colleague who will be giving us a private tour; Debbie may also be asked to give a talk to the St. Christopher’s staff similar to the one she presented in San Diego last week. Stay tuned.