John Launer
@johnlauner.bsky.social
Doctor, educator, writer. Columnist @bmj.com Own views.
Websites: www.johnlauner.com www.conversationsinvitingchange.com
Websites: www.johnlauner.com www.conversationsinvitingchange.com
Trump is no doubt too ignorant to realise it, but his alliance to govern Palestine is basically a reconstruction of the Ottoman Empire which did so, more or less peacefully, from 1517 to 1917 (until the British took it over and screwed everything up.)
October 14, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Trump is no doubt too ignorant to realise it, but his alliance to govern Palestine is basically a reconstruction of the Ottoman Empire which did so, more or less peacefully, from 1517 to 1917 (until the British took it over and screwed everything up.)
I love the way AI can't tell when you're taking the mickey.
October 11, 2025 at 9:44 PM
I love the way AI can't tell when you're taking the mickey.
Does anyone want an old church pedal organ and a red three-seater sofa? No I didn't think so.
But they're free to anyone who can pick them up from a storage unit in Rhyl, North Wales. Can't get rid of them for love or money but very sad about this.
(I bought the organ in Llanrwst for £1 in 1970)
But they're free to anyone who can pick them up from a storage unit in Rhyl, North Wales. Can't get rid of them for love or money but very sad about this.
(I bought the organ in Llanrwst for £1 in 1970)
September 20, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Does anyone want an old church pedal organ and a red three-seater sofa? No I didn't think so.
But they're free to anyone who can pick them up from a storage unit in Rhyl, North Wales. Can't get rid of them for love or money but very sad about this.
(I bought the organ in Llanrwst for £1 in 1970)
But they're free to anyone who can pick them up from a storage unit in Rhyl, North Wales. Can't get rid of them for love or money but very sad about this.
(I bought the organ in Llanrwst for £1 in 1970)
A date for your diary. The AGM of the Association of Narrative Practice in Health Care will feature some of the latest developments in teaching and learning "Conversations Inviting Change", including our online courses in the UK and Japan, the use of AI, and Educating Against Hatred.
Open to all.
Open to all.
September 14, 2025 at 5:32 PM
A date for your diary. The AGM of the Association of Narrative Practice in Health Care will feature some of the latest developments in teaching and learning "Conversations Inviting Change", including our online courses in the UK and Japan, the use of AI, and Educating Against Hatred.
Open to all.
Open to all.
Does western civilisation deserve to survive?
September 11, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Does western civilisation deserve to survive?
Today's tree: I used to consider the Robinia tree (False Acacia) an inferior form of ash because the leaves are similar, but in summer they burst into these beautiful cascades of flowers.
This one is on London's Parliament Hill.
This one is on London's Parliament Hill.
June 3, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Today's tree: I used to consider the Robinia tree (False Acacia) an inferior form of ash because the leaves are similar, but in summer they burst into these beautiful cascades of flowers.
This one is on London's Parliament Hill.
This one is on London's Parliament Hill.
Today's tree: The famous Plane tree in Kos town, under which Hippocrates is said to have taught medicine. It's apparently too young, but could just possibly be a descendant of the original tree.
(P.S. I haven't been posting daily trees for the past weeks as we've been on our travels but now back.)
(P.S. I haven't been posting daily trees for the past weeks as we've been on our travels but now back.)
May 31, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Today's tree: The famous Plane tree in Kos town, under which Hippocrates is said to have taught medicine. It's apparently too young, but could just possibly be a descendant of the original tree.
(P.S. I haven't been posting daily trees for the past weeks as we've been on our travels but now back.)
(P.S. I haven't been posting daily trees for the past weeks as we've been on our travels but now back.)
Lactose intolerance?
May 29, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Lactose intolerance?
Today's trees: a nice Spring bouquet of trees in the back gardens of Finchley, seen from the Avenue. Beyond the brambles and shrubbery, you can see Hawthorn, Oak, Chestnut and Poplar.
Suburban London is basically a woodland apart from the man-made intrusions.
Suburban London is basically a woodland apart from the man-made intrusions.
May 7, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Today's trees: a nice Spring bouquet of trees in the back gardens of Finchley, seen from the Avenue. Beyond the brambles and shrubbery, you can see Hawthorn, Oak, Chestnut and Poplar.
Suburban London is basically a woodland apart from the man-made intrusions.
Suburban London is basically a woodland apart from the man-made intrusions.
Today's tree: this ornamental Fir in a front garden in Finchley is bursting with tiny green male flowers at the tip of every frond.
I can't see any of the female cones emerging yet but will look out for them.
I can't see any of the female cones emerging yet but will look out for them.
May 6, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Today's tree: this ornamental Fir in a front garden in Finchley is bursting with tiny green male flowers at the tip of every frond.
I can't see any of the female cones emerging yet but will look out for them.
I can't see any of the female cones emerging yet but will look out for them.
Today's tree: this is the best time of year to admire Handkerchief Trees, like the one shown here in the Stephens Park arboretum in Finchley.
The so-called handkerchiefs are large, paper-thin "bracts" that enclose each flower.
The so-called handkerchiefs are large, paper-thin "bracts" that enclose each flower.
May 3, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Today's tree: this is the best time of year to admire Handkerchief Trees, like the one shown here in the Stephens Park arboretum in Finchley.
The so-called handkerchiefs are large, paper-thin "bracts" that enclose each flower.
The so-called handkerchiefs are large, paper-thin "bracts" that enclose each flower.
Today's tree: I never knew about the Foxglove Tree until today, when my friend Christopher Martyn pointed out this splendid one in Marylebone High Street, of all places.
The flowers are obvious in this photo but you can also see the seed pods from last year.
The flowers are obvious in this photo but you can also see the seed pods from last year.
May 2, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Today's tree: I never knew about the Foxglove Tree until today, when my friend Christopher Martyn pointed out this splendid one in Marylebone High Street, of all places.
The flowers are obvious in this photo but you can also see the seed pods from last year.
The flowers are obvious in this photo but you can also see the seed pods from last year.
Today's tree: this lovely avenue of Lime trees is on Hampstead Heath, leading up to East Heath Road.
These trees shouldn't be confused with the citrus trees bearing edible limes, but the flowers can be used for herbal tea, and the leaves are perfectly good in salads.
These trees shouldn't be confused with the citrus trees bearing edible limes, but the flowers can be used for herbal tea, and the leaves are perfectly good in salads.
April 29, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Today's tree: this lovely avenue of Lime trees is on Hampstead Heath, leading up to East Heath Road.
These trees shouldn't be confused with the citrus trees bearing edible limes, but the flowers can be used for herbal tea, and the leaves are perfectly good in salads.
These trees shouldn't be confused with the citrus trees bearing edible limes, but the flowers can be used for herbal tea, and the leaves are perfectly good in salads.
I'll be attending this event, which is being streamed to our local synagogue and other Jewish venues this evening.
April 29, 2025 at 2:13 PM
I'll be attending this event, which is being streamed to our local synagogue and other Jewish venues this evening.
Today's tree: the trunk of this Holm Oak in Stephens Park in Finchley, below the first branches, always looks at me like a grumpy old man with one eye and a frown.
Holm Oaks grow acorns like Common Oaks but they are evergreen and have leaves that can look like holly.
Holm Oaks grow acorns like Common Oaks but they are evergreen and have leaves that can look like holly.
April 28, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Today's tree: the trunk of this Holm Oak in Stephens Park in Finchley, below the first branches, always looks at me like a grumpy old man with one eye and a frown.
Holm Oaks grow acorns like Common Oaks but they are evergreen and have leaves that can look like holly.
Holm Oaks grow acorns like Common Oaks but they are evergreen and have leaves that can look like holly.
Today's tree: if you can't get to California, the best place to see Sequoias in the UK is probably Bodnant Gardens in the Conwy Valley.
To give you a sense of scale, Lee (my wife) and Dylan (our dog) are standing at the base of this specimen, but you may need to magnify the image even to see them.
To give you a sense of scale, Lee (my wife) and Dylan (our dog) are standing at the base of this specimen, but you may need to magnify the image even to see them.
April 24, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Today's tree: if you can't get to California, the best place to see Sequoias in the UK is probably Bodnant Gardens in the Conwy Valley.
To give you a sense of scale, Lee (my wife) and Dylan (our dog) are standing at the base of this specimen, but you may need to magnify the image even to see them.
To give you a sense of scale, Lee (my wife) and Dylan (our dog) are standing at the base of this specimen, but you may need to magnify the image even to see them.
Tree of the day: these Horse Chestnuts are on the Hafodunos estate near Llangernyw. The "candles" on individual trees seem to come into blossom on different days, presumably related to position etc.
Fascinating that top flowers on a candle are mostly male, middle ones bisexual, the bottom female.
Fascinating that top flowers on a candle are mostly male, middle ones bisexual, the bottom female.
April 21, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Tree of the day: these Horse Chestnuts are on the Hafodunos estate near Llangernyw. The "candles" on individual trees seem to come into blossom on different days, presumably related to position etc.
Fascinating that top flowers on a candle are mostly male, middle ones bisexual, the bottom female.
Fascinating that top flowers on a candle are mostly male, middle ones bisexual, the bottom female.
Today's tree: I was barely aware of Gingkos until we were in China in November and saw families joyously playing in piles of yellow leaves
Back home, I'm embarrassed to notice so many as street trees here, including this one opposite our house! UK ones are mainly male as females bear smelly fruit.
Back home, I'm embarrassed to notice so many as street trees here, including this one opposite our house! UK ones are mainly male as females bear smelly fruit.
April 19, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Today's tree: I was barely aware of Gingkos until we were in China in November and saw families joyously playing in piles of yellow leaves
Back home, I'm embarrassed to notice so many as street trees here, including this one opposite our house! UK ones are mainly male as females bear smelly fruit.
Back home, I'm embarrassed to notice so many as street trees here, including this one opposite our house! UK ones are mainly male as females bear smelly fruit.
Today's tree: appropriately for Good Friday, a Judas Tree (named for the disciple who allegedly hanged himself on one).
This one is in the park opposite our synagogue. No antisemitic implications, apparently, as our rabbi also has one in his front garden.
Happy Passover and Easter!
This one is in the park opposite our synagogue. No antisemitic implications, apparently, as our rabbi also has one in his front garden.
Happy Passover and Easter!
April 18, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Today's tree: appropriately for Good Friday, a Judas Tree (named for the disciple who allegedly hanged himself on one).
This one is in the park opposite our synagogue. No antisemitic implications, apparently, as our rabbi also has one in his front garden.
Happy Passover and Easter!
This one is in the park opposite our synagogue. No antisemitic implications, apparently, as our rabbi also has one in his front garden.
Happy Passover and Easter!
Today's tree: a fairly random Silver Birch a couple of hundred yards up our street, but rather more robust than many suburban examples.
It has now shed most of its March flowers and is sucking in the sunshine so it can pump out oxygen for birds, cats, dogs, foxes and humans who pass by.
It has now shed most of its March flowers and is sucking in the sunshine so it can pump out oxygen for birds, cats, dogs, foxes and humans who pass by.
April 17, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Today's tree: a fairly random Silver Birch a couple of hundred yards up our street, but rather more robust than many suburban examples.
It has now shed most of its March flowers and is sucking in the sunshine so it can pump out oxygen for birds, cats, dogs, foxes and humans who pass by.
It has now shed most of its March flowers and is sucking in the sunshine so it can pump out oxygen for birds, cats, dogs, foxes and humans who pass by.
Today's tree: this very attractive Hazel sits by the gate leading from Stephens Park to the Avenue in Finchley, north London. For the last couple of weeks it has been festooned with "lambs tail" male catkins.
April 16, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Today's tree: this very attractive Hazel sits by the gate leading from Stephens Park to the Avenue in Finchley, north London. For the last couple of weeks it has been festooned with "lambs tail" male catkins.
Today's trees: these are rather unusual ones, made from bronze and rocks, part of the magnificent Giuseppe Penone exhibition in the Serpentine Gallery. Dont miss it.
The limes in the avenue leading to Kensington Palace are genuine!
www.serpentinegalleries.org/whats-on/giu...
The limes in the avenue leading to Kensington Palace are genuine!
www.serpentinegalleries.org/whats-on/giu...
April 15, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Today's trees: these are rather unusual ones, made from bronze and rocks, part of the magnificent Giuseppe Penone exhibition in the Serpentine Gallery. Dont miss it.
The limes in the avenue leading to Kensington Palace are genuine!
www.serpentinegalleries.org/whats-on/giu...
The limes in the avenue leading to Kensington Palace are genuine!
www.serpentinegalleries.org/whats-on/giu...
Today's tree. This avenue of Hornbeams in Highgate Wood today was a highlight of doing the first walk in Paul Wood's "London Tree Walks" today.
It took me through parts of the north London forest I've known nearly all my adult life (including Queens Wood and Coldfall), but seeing them with new eyes
It took me through parts of the north London forest I've known nearly all my adult life (including Queens Wood and Coldfall), but seeing them with new eyes
April 14, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Today's tree. This avenue of Hornbeams in Highgate Wood today was a highlight of doing the first walk in Paul Wood's "London Tree Walks" today.
It took me through parts of the north London forest I've known nearly all my adult life (including Queens Wood and Coldfall), but seeing them with new eyes
It took me through parts of the north London forest I've known nearly all my adult life (including Queens Wood and Coldfall), but seeing them with new eyes
Today's tree. For most of the year I don't think I even notice Blackthorns. However, this one was in full bloom today, near the mixed men's and women's pond at the southern end of Hampstead Heath.
It simply wasn't going to allow me to go past without stopping to admire it.
It simply wasn't going to allow me to go past without stopping to admire it.
April 11, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Today's tree. For most of the year I don't think I even notice Blackthorns. However, this one was in full bloom today, near the mixed men's and women's pond at the southern end of Hampstead Heath.
It simply wasn't going to allow me to go past without stopping to admire it.
It simply wasn't going to allow me to go past without stopping to admire it.
Today's tree. I've always spotted oaks by their leaves and acorns but in spring they have male catkins and little female buds.
Amazingly we have an arboretum in a park at the top of our road in Finchley, planted by the Victorian magnate 'Inky' Stephens. I walk our dog past this oak most days.
Amazingly we have an arboretum in a park at the top of our road in Finchley, planted by the Victorian magnate 'Inky' Stephens. I walk our dog past this oak most days.
April 10, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Today's tree. I've always spotted oaks by their leaves and acorns but in spring they have male catkins and little female buds.
Amazingly we have an arboretum in a park at the top of our road in Finchley, planted by the Victorian magnate 'Inky' Stephens. I walk our dog past this oak most days.
Amazingly we have an arboretum in a park at the top of our road in Finchley, planted by the Victorian magnate 'Inky' Stephens. I walk our dog past this oak most days.