Flying WWI aces and No Snow Show.

Visited Ann Petre today, who is preparing for her book launch to family and friends, on  “The Family That Flew”. In her nineties, she still remembers and has family records of her uncles who were aviation pioneers before and during the first world war. Indeed two of them died in tragic accidents: Edward whilst on a flight up to Scotland and John, whilst training new flying recruits on the new art of dogfights over France. Her Uncle Henry went on to found what became the Australian Air Force and also fought in the more forgotten war over Mesopotamia. She expects about 50 guests and I look forward to the event. This is the third book we have worked on together.

Humdrum, bitty afternoon afterwards. Did however get a chance to look more closely at my most recent article published in the Balsam Post, “Back to basics – Resolution in microscopy and photography”. Chuffed with the way things always look 100 times better when finally in print, and also apprehensive as there will be a gamut of experts going through it with a fine tooth-comb. The BP also contained a reprinted article on fluorescence microscopy from 1989 by the late lamented Keith Brocklehurst. I am tempted to give it a go as I think there are some interesting possibilities with current technologies. Fluorescence was fun when I used it in the lab.

Unsubstantiated muckraking still going on here and across the pond. Substantiated heated differences between government line and reality in NHS on Question Time tonight. Silver lining – retailers had a bumper Christmas (but we are all further in debt because of it).

No snow outside. Damn! I was looking forward to seeing some tonight.