This is a must read true story, brilliantly told from the horses mouth. Doug having recently retired reflects on events over the past 60 years or so, with a riveting account of his life in the fast lane of the contracting world. Married to Hilda for the past 43 yrs he reflects on the trials and tribulations in those early days when due to the untimely death of Hilda's parents they prepared to bring up Hilda's brother young Thomas who at 3 yrs, old was left without mother or father. His work in Tony Blair's Trimdon home, his run in with the local police together with his encounter in Durham prison all reflects some of the many hilarious moments. How from running a small general dealers shop in Trimdon, to purchasing a 2 acre small holding would turn into an organisation beyond his wildest dreams. However as things seemed to be going well and looking forward to retirement, one never knows what's around the corner, and in this case Fate had a nasty trick up its sleeve when tragedy struck with the death of Hilda's brother Derek at the age of 58yrs.Doug reflects on the pain and suffering Derek encountered while under the care of his GP and how an investigation by the Primary Care Trust found significant shortcomings with the doctors concerned. This finally proceeded to an investigation by the General Medical Council. How Doug experienced a two hour ordeal being cross questioned by the defence barrister at a fitness to practice hearing in Manchester. And finally a letter from the Doctors removing Doug and Hilda from their patient list due to the fact that doctor patient relationship had irretrievably broken and their needs would be better served by another practice. ( How's that for our caring medical profession.) His story is undoubtedly told with Wit, Humour and Candour.