Monday and I am off to York. I get up as usual, down a bowl of muesli and put my packed bags in the car. Its still partially frosty so I shall be taking my time. I drive up slowly in what is mostly sunshine but the sky turns grey as I get further north. It is a reasonable journey, I always think it is ironic that around Sheffield the speed limit is reduced to 60 mph for air purity reasons, or so the intelligent road signs would have us believe.

I get to York and have time to dawdle in Tesco, my regular stop off when I need a comfort break before jousting with urban traffic. I make a couple of calls and then get on my way. Check in was smooth and I found myself on the familiar fourth floor. I unpacked the minimum stuff and had a coffee. I visited my friend and mentor and we talked all things work, cancer and home. It is always good to have someone you trust to be able to check out if I am deluding myself about things and to have ask the difficult questions. It is as always a very useful conversation. I return to the hotel and settle down for the evening.

It does not sound exciting but all my working life I have stuck to the principal that where work is concerned it is irresponsible not to seek peers views and questions. My decision to step back from work is a big one for me for all sorts of reasons and having the opportunity to discuss in depth with professional colleagues and friends is crucial to me. So hopefully once my mind is finally made up and the dice caste I will have covered all the options. Now I have to wait and see what the outcome of the oncology review is on the 22nd.