@socialinfluenza.bsky.social thanks for the great hosting @cvrinfo.bsky.social also, @bealelab.bsky.social says hi 😂😂

In the past few weeks Henry Plantagenet cat took a job with me and has taken it very seriously, he now has to be referred to as Public Health Cat Henry. Here’s some snapshots of him in action protecting the health of Scotland #PublicHealthCatHenry

I’m four months into my job move from Public Health Wales to Public Health Scotland. It’s been quite eventful in the world of virology, to me highlighting how much we do need specialist virologists. Confess to really missing the lab #PublicHealthVirologist #onwards

When compared to my recent big job move, renewing my passport seems very minor. It’s not minor, I’ll be exchanging my EU Burgundy freedom of movement etc etc passport, for one of those blue/black UK only passports. (I’ve put it off for so long I won’t get it back in time for ESCMID) #BrexitSucks

I’ve started working in Scotland during interesting times. Too cold? Not with climate breakdown and the relentless march of vectors and virus northwards.

Tonight I went to see Nigel Kennedy (not featuring Ken and Eddy Kennedy as Stu was hoping). I learnt two things; 1. I still don’t like jazz. 2. If you play Danny Boy and you’re not drunk enough for full vocals you get an audience hum along instead. That makes for quite the surreal experience.

Tonight I went to see #projectHailMary almost perfect but the centrifuge scene is now burnt into my retinas. Edit out 5 seconds and all lab scientists will be able to sleep much better afterwards. #BalanceandCalm #greatfilm

Oh dear, I had hoped the ruff would bring out the royal and regal rather than the confused clown persona of Henry Plantagenet. #CatsofBlueSky #Caturday

I don’t remember 1999 being this dull. I do remember not liking Stereophonics (sorry Wales, they’re shite) #TOTP

If the news is becoming increasingly anxiety inducing for you, here’s a (terrible) picture of a bumble bee resting inside a daffodil. #Spring

I’m on my way back from Edinburgh after a quick trip to examine a PhD. Stu in the meantime has made a fort for the cats. He sent me a picture of Bess making it home (yes the wicker thing is an unused cat bed). #CatsofBlueSky

Because somehow she’s naked without her ruff and bells, Bess could have snuck in without me seeing her. However, she’s a sass and demands attention through the medium of meow and sitting on my work. #CatsinPublicHealth #FindtheRuff #CatsofBlueSky

After a busy day helping to look after the people of Scotland, Henry Plantagenet takes a moment for self care. Be like Henry, look after your wellbeing #CatsinPublicHealth #CatsofBlueSky

In today’s edition of #CatsinPublicHealth #CatsofBlueSky Elizabeth Tudor demandied a fuss be made of her through the medium of loud meows, this fuss of course had to be accompanied by her favourite song #BessieBooDoingtheDo

In today’s edition of #CatsinPublicHealth #CatsofBlueSky Henry Plantagenet had a noisy bath during a morning teams meeting. Then Elizabeth Tudor (Bess) demanded snacks via the medium of loud meows during an afternoon teams meeting.

Henry Plantagenet, Public Heaith Scotland’s newest employee demands snacks. #CatsofBlueSky #CatsinPublicHealth

The quote - ‘do fewer things better’ from UKRI sounds a bit W1A managementsplaining - applied research usually needs the basics first? Or am I being the numpty here? www.theguardian.com/science/2026...

Today I started my new job with Public Health Scotland from my house in Wales. I’m calling my desk ‘Little Scotland in Wales’

"When you lose someone you love, they never really leave you. They just move into a special place in your heart" - Catherine O'Hara (1954-2026) #CatherineOHara

Not Catherine O’Hara!!!

Henry Plantagenet now fully recovered after being unwell over Christmas, gets a new clean ruff. #CatsofBluesky

Yesterday I went to see 28 years later ‘Bone Temple’ it was great. Less impressed with the Duran Duran playlist used, they’re a bit ‘not to my taste’

Today I had my P45, only the second one I’ve ever had in my working life- I’m not even sure the first counts as I got it after working a summer during my first year in university, for the same department I’d end up at through my sandwich year training, and then post graduation, until now. #Change

#Caturday Henry Plantagenet has found a sunny spot.

This #caturday Bess (Elizabeth Tudor) is mostly playing with her claws out. #CatsofBlueSky

Want to keep updated with the many exciting things happening in virology research in Wales via the Wales Applied Virology Unit (WAVU)? Then please sign up to receive our newsletter here: eepurl.com/juijf2 Thanks 👍 🔬👨‍🔬 👩‍🔬

I need to hoover* this room, I have a dilemma (*vacuum clean with a Henry). Henry the cat btw (not the vacuum cleaner) spent most of Christmas being shuttled to and fro from the vets after not eating and losing a kilo in weight. The why remains a mystery. Do cats grieve when their companions die?

This mistle thrush currently owns this holly tree, and most of my garden. Nothing is allowed to land without being chased away. Other mistle thrushes and black birds are afraid, Sparrow hawks are afraid, the cats are afraid. Even I was shouted at when I ventured out to defrost the bird bath. #Birds

Cat in pot, no pearl earring.

Have they stopped calling it ‘super-flu’ yet? #H3N2

Happy St Andrews day! It seems strange that in a few short months I’ll be working as a consultant virologist for Public Health Scotland. Although initially based in Wales just to add to the confusion.

The worst kept secret is that in the new year, I’m (*very likely) leaving Public Health Wales for a different job (I’ll still be a consultant clinical scientist in virology) If there are clinical virologists looking for a job and Wales is on your list, please keep this in mind (*Pending paperwork)

This week I’ll mostly be at @eswinfluenza.bsky.social #ESWI2025 representing Public Health Wales and @escvirology.bsky.social

I felt sorry for this old bear when I was doomscrolling charity shops online, so I clicked buy now. I appear to have reunited old friends. (The tiger was already mine) #WinniethePooh #TiggerToo

My fluffy bestie King Arthur just died. I’m in work, so didn’t get to say goodbye 😔 He was loved, and we will miss him #KingArthurCat #GoodbyeArthur

My adorable and super friendly King Arthur has been diagnosed with lymphoma of the gut. No blockage, but it’s a large mass. Now the dilemma of whether we try chemo which will mean regular trips to Bristol from Cardiff. #SadTimes

We’re getting close to 2,000 signatures! Please sign and share Wales for Europe’s petition to get Wales back into the Erasmus scheme👇🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇪🇺 www.walesforeurope.org/this_is_eras...

I’m in Thessaloniki airport, I think this sparrow has Avian keratin disorder?? Very long curved beak.

Because I’m a terrible photographer, here’s just a few pictures of my lab team talking about their posters. One more of Anastasia to add. @escvirology.bsky.social #ESCV2025

Another great @escvirology.bsky.social meeting underway in Thessaloniki. If you’re there, please do come and ask Ester anything about the society.

1/ Over 2 MILLION non-native birds released every year into the Welsh countryside, without proper controls or oversight, causing harm to the natural environment.  Time is running out – call on the Welsh Government to licence these releases now!

🚨 Last Call to Register! 🚨 The ESCV 2025 is happening next week in Thessaloniki, Greece – 17–20 September 2025! 🌍✨ 📅 Don’t miss out – secure your spot before it’s too late! 👉 escv2025.org/registration... See you there! #ESCV2025 #ClinicalVirology #Virology

ESCMID is currently seeking candidates willing to serve on the panels that will develop the next seven clinical practice guidelines in 2026-2027. You can learn more about the projects on our website and apply to join a panel before 10 October 2025. www.escmid.org/guide... #IDSky #clinmicro

The countdown has begun to what is the best Clinical Virology conference in Europe starting the 17th September in Thessaloniki. I’ll be there with the team who work on virological surveillance and R&D for viral disease for public health in Wales @escvirology.bsky.social #WSVC #PublicHealthWales

Yesterday I learned that Pokémon was a shortened form of Pocket Monster. I did fact check this with my internal Pokémon expert @molassive.bsky.social before posting. She also told me the company earns more than Disney, Pokémon being the largest grossing franchise globally. #FridayFacts #Pokemon

Twice a year I upload all of the influenza characterisation data from Wales in time for the vaccine composition consultation meeting. Today it only took me 6 attempts and I didn’t have to email the help-desk to confess my utter ineptitude. I’m calling that a win. #HappyFriday

Bess on her throne #ElizabethTudorCat #CatsofBlueSky

Most evenings I take a walk in my garden in the dark, so I can find #hedgehogs. Here’s one from this evening.

We had a living roof (sedum) installed when we had our extension built during the pandemic. (Yes it was difficult with supplies, timing etc) This year, it’s finally looking exactly as I imagined, flowering and full of pollinators. #HelpingNature