The vet on CrossFit work-outs, enjoying dog walks beside the sea and experimenting in the kitchen
The best time to get up at the weekend is? Do you treat yourself to a lie-in?
I can get up a little later at the weekend as I don’t have to get the kids to school. So 8am’s a lie in after a busy week of early starts. The practice is open on Saturday mornings and I share the Saturday rota with my three other vets. If I’m not working on a Saturday morning I try to get to the gym.
Breakfast or brunch?
Saturday breakfasts are usually early but I do like brunch on a Sunday. Weekdays we have some quick version of eggs or porridge but it’s nice to have something a bit fancier like a shakshuka or baked eggs at the weekend. Having said that, I do love a wee fry sometimes.
What does an ideal Saturday look like?
If I have the weekend off I like to go to the gym on a Saturday morning. I’m a member of a CrossFit gym and they have a team work-out on a Saturday morning. I have to say I feel I won’t win any PB prizes at CrossFit but I get a good work-out and the community aspect is great. After that I’m usually taxiing the kids to their horse-riding or golf or guitar.
What would your perfect Sunday be like?
We try to take it easy on a Sunday, although there always seems to be a wee job or two to do! Over the summer we’ve been trying to get the garden into shape.
Do you prefer to be indoors or outdoors?
I love being outdoors. We live in a small village and I’m definitely more suited to rural life. Most things can seem better after a bit of fresh air. We’re near the sea so we enjoy walking the dog at the shore front and then maybe grab a coffee at a local café.
How have weekends changed as you have got older?
My weekends definitely look different now! I remember when I would be heading out to The Crescent in Belfast or Kelly’s in Portrush. Now it might be a few cocktails in Bert’s Jazz Bar and the last train home.
If you could eat out anywhere tonight in NI, where would you go and why?
I love The Muddlers Club in Belfast.
What would you have?
The tasting menu is a lovely treat for birthdays and special occasions.
At weekends you’ll always make time to…
Get to the gym. If I can’t make a Saturday class I’ll go on Sunday morning. I don’t’ always feel like it but I know I feel better when I go.
Do you sometimes work at weekends?
The practice is open on Saturday mornings. We try to keep this time for sick pets and emergency appointments. I’d much rather have time to see sick pets during the Saturday morning clinic than risk waiting until Monday.
We have a specialist emergency out of hours provider which takes over at 12 o’clock. This makes a huge difference to our work-life balance. I used to do on-call work as a farm vet and that can be quite tough. It’s easy to underestimate the impact of lack of sleep. I am more value to my patients when I am well rested and alert, rather than running on coffee.
Who would you most like to go for a drink with and why?
I’d like to chat with Emma Barnett, the BBC broadcaster. As well as listening to her lovely calming voice, I’d hope she’d give me some gossip on some of the famous people she has interviewed!
Are you a weekend cook? If so, what’s your speciality dish?
I do enjoy cooking. I love flicking through recipe books and I enjoy watching Saturday Kitchen (usually on catch up!) If I have time at the weekend I’ll pick something new to try to cook. The kids don’t really like the jeopardy as they know they’ll have to eat it whether it’s a success or not!
What’s your dream Sunday dinner?
Definitely a roast dinner, probably lamb. My husband is really good at making roast potatoes and, if I’m honest, a roast dinner is just an excuse for roast potatoes and gravy.
Who do you normally eat Sunday dinner with and where?
We’ll usually eat in the kitchen as a family. My son is 16 and my daughter is 11. I could say it’s a chance for us to catch up with each other but it usually just degenerates into (good humoured) banter.
Too tired to cook — what are you ordering from the takeaway?
We are lucky to have a great local Chinese take-away so that’s our first choice for a fuss-free dinner.
Heading for the cinema?
My husband and I like a good action movie or thriller but to be honest, I’ll watch nearly anything. Except horror movies — I’m no good at those!
Staying in… what TV/streaming/catch-up programmes are on the menu?
I’m loving the latest season of Slow Horses. We’ve also just finished watching The Gentlemen.
What are you reading?
I normally go for spy thrillers but at the minute I’m really enjoying reading Frankie by Graham Norton.
Bedtime is what time? What’s your routine?
Having learnt how much better I feel with a good night’s sleep, I’m usually in bed by 10.30. I like to read for a bit before falling asleep.
Kerensa is a vet for Carrickfergus Vets for Pets and is supporting its autumn campaign to warn dog owners to beware that conkers and acorns can be a choking hazard for our four-legged friends. She advises the use of reflective jackets and collars for dogs to make it easier to keep an eye on your pup during autumnal walks.