Pseudocyst

The adventures and life of a Specialist Nurse in Upper GI and Bariatric surgery. If you then double and triple this by having a primary school age child AND being married to another Nurse then you have double the trouble….aehm I mean fun. Hobbies are playing chess, board games and being taxi for our son!!!

Unless otherwise indicated, all the names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents in this blog are either the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

writing

  • The Return of the (Almost) Chess Player

    *Or: How £27 Bought Me Nothing but Itchy Feet* Disclaimer This blog is written in a light-hearted spirit. Any financial decisions regarding tournament entry fees, refunds, or Domino’s pizzas are entirely my own and should not be taken as financial advice. Any references to my chess titles or ratings are purely factual and not an… Read more

  • From White Stripe Wobbles to a Yellow Belt Triumph

    Disclaimer No parents, children, or Taekwon-Do coaches were harmed in the making of this blog. Parental pride levels may, however, have gone up a notch. As always, the following is just our family’s light-hearted take on sporting life and not an official endorsement of how to revise for martial arts exams. A Kick-Start Three Years… Read more

  • The Devizes Diaries

    Five matches, one bag of chestnuts, and a masterclass in keeping your cool. Disclaimer: As always, this is a family blog about our adventures on and off the tennis court. Views expressed are entirely our own (sometimes in the heat of the moment, occasionally after coffee). No tennis racquets were harmed in the making of… Read more

  • Pseudocyst on Tour: Romania Awaits

    Disclaimer: This blog entry contains references to NHS work, family life, and my inability to speak Romanian beyond “mulțumesc” and “ciorbă de burtă.” Any resemblance to peace and quiet during the holiday is purely aspirational. It’s official – the blog is going dark for the next 16 days. From Saturday morning onwards, the Pseudocyst household… Read more

  • The Great Slide Faceplant of 2025

    What started as innocent playground fun ended with swelling, scans, and a 3am discharge from the ED. Disclaimer All characters in this story are real, but some judgement calls (like walking up slides) may have been questionable. No fractures detected – unless you count the crack in our evening plans. It was an ordinary weekday… Read more

  • When a Quiet Weekend Turns Into Cricket Mayhem

    Disclaimer:No cricket stumps were harmed in the making of this blog. Any technical inaccuracies about the rules of cricket are entirely the fault of the author’s nationality and complete bewilderment at the concept of “overs,” “wickets,” and why everyone claps politely when someone gets out. Please direct any corrections to the ECB or possibly Legoland.… Read more

  • Why Lichess.org Is a Game-Changer in Online Chess (vs Chess.com and ICC)

    Lichess.org has become a powerhouse in the world of online chess, quietly redefining how millions engage with the game. In a competitive landscape dominated by Chess.com and the Internet Chess Club (ICC), Lichess offers something rare: a fully free, ad-free, and open-source platform with no paywalls. But how does it compare to its rivals, and… Read more

  • When Big Brother Finds Your Blog

    My wife barely knows I have this blog—one I update more regularly than our shared calendar. It’s been a quiet space to reflect, share thoughts, and document the highs and lows of working in healthcare. Until recently, I assumed it was a well-kept secret. Turns out… not so much. Luckily, I don’t just write about… Read more

  • My First IM norm

    I got my first IM norm in a tournament in 2019. I played in the Champions League in Division B on board 3. Before the tournament you look at the opponents and trying to figure out which game you might be able to push for a win. Looking at the players in the table above… Read more

  • 3 0 blitz against GM

    I am small light in the world of chess. But on the rare occasion I can produce some great games. In a lichess tournament (Bundesliga tournament which is twice weekly) I produced a brilliant game against GM Parligras from Romania. In all fairness my opponent – who is over 500 points “heavier” – did not… Read more