Hospital

Olive has hurt her knee. She slipped on a book when she was running towards me, and although it didn't seem to bother her much at the time, it swelled up so much over the next day that we took her to the out of hours doctor service at our local hospital. He referred us to the paediatrics A&E Department, where we saw a nurse, two doctors, two x-ray technicians and a consultant. It was Saturday night, it was busy and hot but everyone was courteous, gentle, kindly and saw us as quickly as they could. Thankfully O is ok, nothing broken, just some soft tissue damage and fluid causing the swelling which should go down over the next few weeks. We were back there today for a review meeting and saw another consultant and a junior doctor - again friendly, spending lots of time and giving us lots of reassurance that all was ok.

O was born in this hospital and we had a wonderful midwife and, although long and with complications, the drug-free active birth we'd really hoped for.

London Hospitals get a lot of bad press, but every experience we've had here has been good. Perhaps we've been lucky but I believe that in the main people who work for the NHS are caring, hardworking, dedicated professionals who provide the most amazing service in often overcrowded, underfunded and difficult circumstances. Thank you.

And Olive, what a star. Uncomplaining, put up with being prodded and poked and even said an unprompted thank you to the doctor as we were leaving. She amazes me, always.

The view from above

Sometimes friends who don't live in London ask me how we cope with living here and having a baby. It's true that there are obvious downsides, but a completely new London has opened up to us since Olive arrived. Neighbours who pre-O maybe gave me a cursory nod on the way to and from work now stop and ask how we are, they know our names and we know theirs. We talk! Before I became a mother I was more used to not making eye contact on the tube. We have made so many new friends since we became parents and actually feel a part of our local community.

We are discovering this new London on foot. This is my view from above. My sweet curly haired beautiful Olive. I love the way she leans forward to take in her view. Now she is older she often twists around and gives me her wonderful wrinkly nose grin. She loves her London life and she is helping me love mine even more.