"Speed at the Homerton Hospital"

I had just been to see Dr Boddington at Shoreditch surgery, and he said "Just go up to Homerton and hand in this form, and they will give you an x-ray". After my examination, I asked when I could go. "Could I go now?" He said "I've sent it to them" and you can go now or whenever.

I left to go home, saw the bus on Kingsland Road by the lights. And ran to the stop and caught it. I checked my emails and text messages from my family, gathered my thoughts. And by the time I'd finished the bus was at Homerton.

Now the real challenge, find the x-ray department! Simple, it looked like the queue was forming in front of me, whilst checking my phone again. And then in no time at the front of the queue, x-ray that away. Which it was.

Handed my form in, the x-ray receptionist seemed dissapointed my sticker didn't print fast enough. I think it took 25 seconds to come out. No gown, thought this is going to be ages. I sat down to write and tell my family my circumstances. And before I could, myself and someone else were called up to the machine! "No tee shirt or vest, fine! ", Shirt off, chin there, done.

It's probably taken me longer to write this than it took me from the front door until my X-ray was complete. So chuffed, I then went to a talk at the Heritage Alliance. I'd already written my afternoon off. But the hospital, and public transport all worked together, and I was in my seat. I might have been there earlier had I not dawdled in my own mind, and stopped to grab some lunch on the go. I missed the free lunch, but in my seat 3 minutes before the speeches started.

When London works, it works well. And I write this to show my appreciation and thanks, no request for special treatment. Not that I'd deserve any. And I can't forget the porter who said, where are you going, whilst my head was in my phone, and I was walking into the wall, "Trying to get out! " -"Follow the red line" he said.

I'd been so depressed, and my experience that day really lifted my spirits.