End of ST1

This week marks my last week as an ST1, where I've been based mainly in the Grange University Hospital (Cwmbran) for the past year.

I've genuinely had such a fun and interesting year. It's been hugely hard work, with long hours and nauseating rota patterns, but I've learnt and done so much this year that I never imagined I would (caesarean sections, forceps deliveries, managing obstetric and gynaecology wards and emergency patients). I've also benefited from an amazing team of supportive and lovely doctors, midwives, nurses, and everyone else. 

I don't tend to take many photos at work, so here are a few snippets from this past year. 

Laparoscopy training.

A wee pumpkin hat! The Christmas pudding hats came later and what can I say, I love a tiny hat. 

Instrumental delivery training. 

Reading during a break on a gynaecology night shift. Once I moved to obstetrics, breaks were no longer a thing!

Pumpkins showing cervical dilatation. 

The view from my 'office'.

Working Christmas day!

Many post nights breakfasts, a new tradition I was introduced to by my favourite registrar.

I've got quite a few photos of our classic NHS working conditions, including dodgy keyboards and tiny tiny screens. 

Hopefully my next ID card will say of which speciality I am a trainee...

Selfie time!

Last week a wee garden party was organised to celebrate the end of our year (doctors tend to think in August-August due to rotations), and say farewell to those of us who are leaving. At some point when a speech was made, we realised I was the only one there who was actually going! (more people turned up later). Lots of lovely snacks in the walled garden by our hospital.

And a sad goodbye to my favourite reg for the past 5 months, who has not only taught me so much but has also been a companion in discussing romantasy books! Look at the gorgeous card she made!!

Next week I'm off to Cardiff for the next 2 years of my training. I've worked in this department before, back in my FY2 year in 2023/24, so much has likely changed but hopefully there should be some familiar faces. 

Cwm Llwch

Yesterday I had a day of annual leave, so headed to the Brecons for some much needed time in the hills. I tend to use my annual leave for sleeping and doing chores, so it was a real treat that I managed to motivate myself to get out yesterday. Well done me!

I woke up early enough to get a space in the car park (by my estimations - there was actually plenty of room all day it seems), but didn't think about the weekday rush hour traffic so sat in that for a little while. 

This is my I-don't-want-to-suncream-my-arms top. It worked well!

I chose to do the route anti-clockwise, meaning that I started on a road rather than ending on it. It worked well in some ways, as the view was spectacular either way, however I'd do it clockwise next time - keep reading to find out why ;)  

It started through some quiet fields past the usual residents.

I had a great view of Pen y Fan and Corn Du throughout. This route (apart from the summit bits) were very quiet the whole way, passing only a few people on the descent.

This direction took me past Cwm Llwch lake just as I was hitting the first steep bit of the ascent. The path down to the lake wasn't clear until you were nearly above it, and I didn't fancy losing elevation to see the lake - I wanted to huff and puff my way to the summit before resting. This is why I'd do it anti-clockwise next time (potentially up via the Cribyn ridge), as you get to enjoy and appreciate this lake on the way home. 

The next steep bit took me up past the obelisk to memorise Tommy, a 5-year old boy who became lost and died on the mountain in 1900. This is where the wind really picked up and I invented clipping my hat to my plait with the hope that if it decided to fly off my hair would catch it. Thankfully, I didn't need to test this!

Next up were the familiar summits of Corn Du and Pen y Fan. Whilst not too busy, queue etiquette for a photo at the top was still questionably observed... 

This was my lunch view. Cribyn is the one I call 'pyramid' looking, in the same way that I say Sugar Loaf looks like a volcano. 

Gorgeous views!

I'm always desperate for tea and cake after a walk, so I made my way to the Garwnant Visitor Centre just a 20 minute drive south by the Llwyn-on reservoir. Bara brith for £1! I've visited the other visitor centre (there are likely more than 2 I know) so wanted to try a new place, and this one looks fab for activities for the family or nice wee walks. 

Mark is in Fontainebleau (southeast of Paris) on his annual friends' bouldering trip. Their climbing was cut short by the forest fires over there, but they managed to get 3 good days in whilst still staying sensible about the risk. Rumour has it that he was at a Tour de France stage today, but I've not heard anything from him yet! Pictures to follow if he remembers to send me any. 

My other highlight was that today I walked out of work to find an ice cream truck giving free Mr Whippys to staff - yay!

North Devon Camping

My big sister turned 30 this week! To celebrate we both took the week off and headed to our lesser visited part of Devon - the North. 

Tuesday, 30th June 2026

We based ourselves in North Morte Farm campsite by Mortehoe, where we set up the tent with gorgeous sea views - a very happy Caitlin. 

The lovely wee Mortehoe. 

Spot our tent. 

Sunset!

My first present to Cait was matching contour-design fleeces. They fit surprisingly well, considering to get the design I had to order children's XL. 

Wednesday, 1st July 2026

On Wednesday we walked around Morte Point, and saw seals!

Rocks

Seals

The point. 

Also sheep.

And cows (not pictured). 

A big food shop then chips for dinner!

Thursday, 2nd July 2026

On Thursday we headed out for our first activity of the week - coasteering. This essentially involves walking around the coast and jumping off rocks. Cait loved the sea and threw herself straight in - throwing herself off rocks was not quite as strong as her enthusiasm for sea swimming. See videos...

That evening we visited a longtime friend of Caitlin's for dinner. I was very excited to meet their gorgeous guinea pig (and of course their lovely baby). 

This is Persephone. 

And the baby is Matilda.

That evening we enjoyed the sunset. 

Friday, 3rd July 2026

Time for our second activity day - surfing! The day was sunny, and we remembered to put suncream on this time. We learnt some lessons from our hand-only sunburn from the wetsuits the day prior. 

We had a lesson at Saunton Sands, which was brilliant. It was Cait's first time and my ~4th time, and the waves were excellent. Straight and long, just right to get us standing up. Lots of fun, and lots of seawater swallowed. 

I treated myself to an ice cream (of course) before heading back to the campsite for a mooch. 

Cait continued with her amazing watercolours.

Goodnight from Floof. 

Saturday, 4th July 2026

On our final full day we had a lie in (I finished my 2nd book of the week) before heading over to Woolacombe for Cait to try her hand at surfing again whilst I got sand everywhere. Turns out she's not a surfing prodigy (sorry Cait) - Saunton Sands' waves were just really that good!

Sunday, 5th July 2026

Happy 30th birthday Caitlin!!! 

We were hosted at mum and JC's new house in Cullompton and treated to their brand new BBQ - scrummy in the sun! Mark came down from Cardiff & dad over from Exeter for the day. 

Mum and I learnt that sparklers are not all created equal, and 3s burn out much quicker than 0s, so they weren't quite in the photos. Maybe she'll perfect the method for my 30th. 

Back to Cardiff to unpack and clean my camping gear - fortunately my wonderful dad was forced into let us borrow his tent and will be drying it at his house.