Driving hell

Good morning. 

One of the reasons why I retired from lorry driving at 60 was because I was fed up of spending many hours stuck in motorway traffic. The M62 through Yorkshire was particularly bad. The traffic on the M1 north and south always came to a halt between junction 29 and 31. Brake lights coming on, oh here we go again. 

Of course you can see a lot further ahead when sitting high in an HGV cab. The warning lights on the overhead gantries come on, and it's many more miles before you see any obstructions on the road. 

Sum Dup gives his perspective on why traffic is being deliberately slowed down on major motorways. And after my millions of miles of motorway driving, I tend to agree with him. Something not funny is  going on. 

A short resume from Sum Dup. 

Believe nothing, question everything and think for yourself! Wisdom and common sense often come with age and a friend once said I’m a modern day Victor Meldrew. On this channel I'll address with my opinion topical matters that affect us all and offer my slant on things. The main stream media, the authorities and even good old social media moans are a good source of material for me to ramble on about.

Thanks for popping in. It's brekkie time. We are coming up to the weekend. Have a good one. 

Toodle pip.   ilona

New sewing project.

 Good evening.

It's been a very wet day. Heavy rain for most of the time. Getting a bit fed up of it now. A good time to start another sewing project. I fancy doing another mandala. I have gathered all my bits and pieces in one place. Now all I have to do is fit everything together.  

Perhaps I should add this ring next. Or maybe I won't. Anything could happen. I'll post progress reports as I go along. 

This afternoon I went to the Retail Park, I needed to stock up on cat litter. Stocks were a bit low in The Range, but I was able to get three different kinds. I like the clumping litter so you can scoop a lump of absorbed pee in one go. 

I picked up a few things in Home Bargains. Look what I found on a trolley outside the door. Small real trees reduced to £1 each. A bargain, I chose four. They will be twice the size in a years time. I will be re potting them next summer. 

I think the hedgehogs have all hibernated now. I haven't seen any for a few days, but still put the food out just in case. 

Back to the sewing. I hope the weather is better tomorrow,

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Oooodles of talent

Good evening.

My entertainment for tonight is Britain's Got Talent. I am scrolling through some of the old shows. Ever since Susan Boyle arrived on the scene I love discovering new talent. Several more have followed in her footsteps and walked onto the stage for the first time. 

I found Jasmine Rice some time ago, and now I look for new performances. This is the first one he did on BGT. The audience went wild for it. One of my favourite songs as well.  

Jasmine does his own makeup. If you want to see how he does it, this is a three minute speeded up video. The transformation is amazing. Stunning voice, stunning presentation. 

Yoootooob is my go to place for entertainment. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

 

Homestyle pedicure.

Good evening. 

Today I had a lovely soak in the bath. Hair washed, top to toe exfoliating, and trimming the toe nails. It was a lovely relaxing spa day. 

Much cheaper to do it yourself in the comfort of your own bathroom.

This is how I trim my toenails. No bending down, keeping the back straight, and lifting my foot onto the table. To combat dry skin, moisturiser can be used if preferred. 

With all the walking I do I need to look after my feet. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Lee Asher speaks from the heart.

I feel the pain in his voice. He is hurting as are millions of good and honest people all around the world. We are all just pawns being dragged into this evil plan to control the world, by the richest few. Wars are money laundering exercises for the rich to increase their wealth, while the poor fall by the wayside. 

Their wealth is an illusion. All they have to do is divide nations, so that they fight each other. They do this with lies, put out by their puppets in various Governments, who then filter money to the various main stream media outlets to distort the truth. If you pay people enough money they will say and do anything. 

Lee is a good guy and there are many more like him. We just have to start shouting louder and drown out the evil which threatens the whole of humanity. 

Have a good day. ilona

Is this fun?

 A not so good Tuesday morning. It's raining again. 

I thought I might go to the Beverley Christmas Market at the weekend. I like Beverley, a lovely market town with beautiful buildings and a friendly local atmosphere to browse the independent shops. 

After much deliberation, I suddenly came to my senses. It's going to be busy. 

The right decision for me. Here are some of the comments on a Beverley Facebook page. 

I really think that the Christmas Fayre/Festival should be set over 2 or 3 days. Yesterday was horrendous, far too many people corralled into Saturday Market area by linked barriers! It was awful, trying to escape but having to to go through to the end by dodging prams, buggies, dogs etc.

It was absolute mayhem, you couldn't get near the stalls, i felt so sorry for the dogs being taken round, must have been terrible for them, it should be over a few days.

Why do folk risk taking their pooches to the festival? It’s bad enough walking through town on an ordinary day with dogs not on short leads. One of these days someone is going to have an accident due to a dog darting under their feet.

Starting off from North Bar Arch I thought this is going to be fabulous. But sadly I have to say the crowding became unbearable within a short while. I kept hearing people shout, are we still all together? I probably covered about a third of the festival and I gave up.

Apparently it was chaos getting into Beverley by road, bus, or train. Buses full to capacity and passengers getting left behind. Parking at the Racecourse became a swamp with cars getting stuck. All car parks full. Go to these kind events if you must, but take your own food, park early or even the night before, and don't take dogs. I remember they had to close Lincoln Christmas Market, it got too dangerous. If possible go to a smaller event. 

Only a few more days and it will all soon be over. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

More partying.

Good evening.

Another very nice spread today. This time at the Village Hall for the Monday morning Crafty Chatters Group. We were a full house of 15 people in attendance. I was a bit slow at taking the photo, everyone had already been to the buffet and filled their plates. After the savouries came the pudding. Sherry trifle with fresh cream, followed by mince pies, and chocolates.  

Fun and games followed. Then it was time for the Secret Santa gifts to be given out. We were all given a slip of paper with the name of the recipient, a few weeks ago. Apparently you are not allowed to reveal your identity when you wrap your gift. According to Wiki there are several versions of how Secret Santa should be played. 

In this version, each participant brings a gift for their assigned person, along with a letter. This letter may or may not have hints on who the giver might be, depending on the rules participants have established. Each receiver must guess who made the gift.

At the time of giving the names out I don't remember any discussions on what we were expected to do. 

I was so excited because I bought this necklace for my named person, so I let her know that it was me. When I saw it I knew it was the perfect gift. She loved it. 

There was food left over to bring home, so I had some nibbles and garlic bread, with my home made soup tonight. 

That's my Christmas parties done for this year. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle Pip.    ilona

Ideas wanted

Good morning. It is Monday, and it is raining. 

14th August 2020

4th August 2020. Still exempt in 2025.

Good news.

Now what do I do with all these masks I got from The Scrapstore at Hull? Something arty perhaps? 

The label says on the box. . . . Warning, this mask does not eliminate the risk of contracting any disease or infection. They are single use, remember how people had them on all day.  This box was produced in April 2020, it had a shelf life of two years.

Let's start by painting them. 

Oooops, look at the time. I am wanted at Crafty Club this morning. 

Catch ya later. Toodle pip. ilona

Perfection

Good afternoon.

I do hope you enjoyed the fun blog post yesterday. I like to mix it up a bit. 😎😜😇

Yesterday I went to the Lincolnshire Showground for a big Craft Fair. It was advertised as a Makers Market, as in everything for sale is hand made. As I looked around I noticed that not all of the stalls were selling hand made local giftware. I imagine that bags from Peru arrived in a container. 

One stall caught my eye, so I quizzed Marie from Moonbirds Dotty Mandalas about where she draws her inspiration from. I must admit I did ramble on a bit, but I was struck by how beautiful her designs were. 

We had a fantastic conversation about allsorts and everything. It's good when you meet likeminded people and can chat face to face. 

Of course, I had to buy something, but which one to choose. All hand painted by Marie who lives locally at Cleethorpes. This one won. Such perfection. She also does workshops for anyone who wants to learn this skill. 

Marie tells me she won't be doing any more Craft Fairs, but will continue to sell locally through gift shops in the North East Lincolnshire area, and through her web site. You can take a look at her work here. 

I took sandwiches with me as I usually do. There was a cafe set up in a big room for those who want to buy a snack and a drink. I noticed that they had put notices out on all the tables like this one. I ignored this sign and sat down anyway in the warm. 

Outside there were some street food vendors, but there was nowhere for anyone to sit and it was cold. Two ladies brought their takeaway food indoors and sat down at a table. The woman who seemed to be in charge went to their table and told them they can't sit there. How bloody mean was that. There was hardly anyone in the place, plenty of empty tables and chairs. Jobsworth people are so annoying. No common sense at all. I carried on eating my own food, snotty woman didn't notice me. I showed the two ladies where they could sit to eat their food in peace. 

I picked up a few food items at the Co op as I was passing, on my way home. I found some peanut butter that is 100% peanuts, no additives. Aldi seems to have stopped selling that. 

Now I must get up off my backside. I am playing around with an idea for 50 facemasks which I picked up at the Scrapstore ages ago.

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Listen to the waterfall

Good afternoon .

I had a troubled night last night. Bed at eleven. Still awake at 1am. Sleep for an hour. Awake at 2am. Get up at 3am. Make a drink of hot chocolate. Crank up the computer, sit reading. Back to bed at 3am. Sleep till 7am. 

This was triggered by a phone call I made. It's a long story and I am not going to go into any detail here,  but I thought it was time to get things out in the open. I made the first move. Initially I was shocked at the response I got. I was ready to give up within the first few minutes of the conversation. I stuck with it and let the person rant. I was being accused of something which was not of my making.  

I choose not to argue with people. I listen and process the information. In a calm and collected way I state my case, then they can decide what their next move is to be. 

Eventually things calmed down and the conversation took a different direction. It will never be fully resolved, we have to live with our differences. 

I know I am a deep thinker, people say I over think things, but I feel that is better than diving into a situation with all guns blazing. I am happy that I can walk away from conflict with my integrity intact. It's not about winning or losing. Everyone is on a different journey, and must navigate their own way through life. 

This is a bit cryptic. No more details. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

The bus didn't wait.

Good evening.

It was a lovely start to the day, sunshine and blue skies. The plan was to get the 1pm bus to town, and walk back. I had a chat with my nephew on the phone, then had to rush to get ready. The bus passes the end of my road, and as I stepped out of the door it was at the bus stop. I made an effort to run. Please wait for me. It didn't. Bugger I missed it. 

Oh well, plan B. I set off walking a route I am familiar with. I will do it the opposite way round, for a change. I was determined to get a good dose of vitamin D from the sun. The last part of the track goes up a steep hill. Oh well, my fault for not getting organised earlier. 

There was a man walking his dog. A beautiful fluffy border collie. We stopped to chat. He recognised me, but I had to admit I didn't recognise him. He remembered me from walking in Reeth North Yorkshire in the summer. Amazing that he lives in my village. I must pay more attention when I am talking to people I meet while out walking. 

This track alongside the wood is usually wet and muddy. With the amount of rain we have had I half expected to be paddling through water. Surprisingly it was dry. 

Now I'm going to warm a bowl of soup up. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

 

Just gossip

 

Dan Little…

@dlittle_dan

Someone on an Electric bike tried to mug me this morning in the West End. They didn’t succeed. Myself and another bloke tried to chase him through the streets but he was too fast. I stood around for a while both to warn others to be vigilant but also hoping he’d try again…

9:08 AM · Dec 11, 2025

HustleBitch

@HustleBitch_

META IS DAYS AWAY FROM READING YOUR PRIVATE DMs - AND THE WAY THEY HID THIS SHOULD TERRIFY EVERYONE Meta quietly pushed a policy that gives them the power to scan, store, and feed your entire message history into their AI system - without ever asking your permission.

They Keep Saying Its Rare

@mRNAdeaths

·

23h

"mRNA vaccines were linked to the increased risks of thyroid, colorectal, lung, and breast cancers;" "cancers significantly increased at 1 year post-vaccination."

David Frost

@DavidGHFrost

·

12h

My local Sainsbury's tonight. Steaks in a cage. London's decline in another image.

Julia Lopez MP

@JuliaLopezMP

·

15h

Nearly 3 million people signed the petition to say NO to Keir Starmer's mandatory digital ID. It sparked a debate at which MPs from every party turned out to say NO too. It was packed. Labour MPs now openly speculate about the PM's future. Let's make sure if Starmer goes, his dodgy mandatory ID follows him.

David Frost

@DavidGHFrost

·

21h

An entire train like this on the Bakerloo line just now. @MayorofLondon Sadiq Khan's @TfL. London's decline in one image.

Lee Harris

@addicted2newz

·

11m

Remember: Mark Rowley AND Sadiq Khan both *publicly denied* they knew about Pakistani rape gangs in London. Rowley now admits there is a 'significant number of cases' and it's been revealed that Khan has seen the evidence. This was a cover-up. They MUST be held to account.

That's my daily research done. Now I must get on. Toodle pip. ilona