This may help some people who are having difficulty booking a doctors appointment.
A new Social Prescribing Link Worker has joined our team, called Lucy.
Lucy now has availability for appointments, if you wish to book in with Lucy, please contact Reception.
There are plenty of groups in North Lincolnshire which people can access if they want to meet people and make friends. Some people don't have the confidence to take the first steps, so this should help.
I was at our Coffee Morning this morning. A friendly crowd. I talk to everyone. Then I went across the road and had a chat with Angela. We put the world to rights, and she flashed up some of my latest videos on her big screen. You don't want to see my face that big. 😵😬😝
Just checking in. This is where I am up to with this woolly project. It measures 21 inches by 14 inches. I need to make four smaller swirls to fill in the gaps. It will not have straight edges. Next I need to think about what size backing board shall I fasten it to. It needs to be rigid to fix hangers on the back. Not sure if it will have a border or not, or will the board be cut to the exact size around the curved edges. Does it need a border? I don't like that the circles don't fit together perfectly and there are gaps between them. I didn't want to squash them in so they would become misshapen. I will look for something to fill the gaps, beads maybe. Maybe I will add a button to the centre of each swirl. Does it need it. It does need something added to it to make it more arty, more interesting. I will play with ideas.
Thanks for popping in. See ya soon. Toodle pip. ilona
Welcome to the Wide Awakers, here is a treat for you, and anyone else who wants to tag along. I have just spent an hour watching this Andrew Gold interview. People may remember Carol McGiffin, a former member of the Loose Women panel. I caught a few of these programmes, but only if I was indoors at lunchtime when it aired, which was very rare.
I didn't like the concept of the programme, didn't like the presenters, and the content was so contrived and silly. However, I did like Carol. She was a breath of fresh air and went against the prescribed narrative, and often put her big foot in it.
Carol McGiffin joins Heretics for a brutally honest, no-holds-barred conversation about why she really left Loose Women and what was happening behind the scenes at one of daytime TV’s biggest shows. From explosive rows in the dressing room to being repeatedly censored by ITV, Carol explains how the atmosphere shifted as the show – and the wider industry – became more rigid, risk-averse and, in her words, “woke”.
Carol opens up about being “forced out”, the pressure to conform on issues like trans debates and women’s sport, and why she believes presenters are now expected to say one thing on TV while thinking another in private. If you’ve ever suspected that mainstream TV is more scripted, controlled and performative than it looks – this episode will confirm your suspicions.
It's cold and wet outside today, so I am staying in.
I was approached by a volunteer from the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust when I sauntered around the Waters Edge Visitor Centre on Sunday. She tried her best to get me to sign up for a monthly direct debit. I explained why I would not do that. I would happily donate £20 cash into a collecting box if she had one. She didn't of course. She was nice about it. We talked about hedgehogs and seals.
This prompted me to check out the web site because it is seal spotting season at Donna Nook on the Lincolnshire coast. They have a weekly seal update so you can check the best time to visit and view them all as they come to give birth.
169 pups, 387 cows and 125 bulls. Please note: not all of the pups are visible but a few more pups were born overnight along the viewing area.
Tuesday 4 November 2025
Yesterday morning there were nine pups visible from the viewing area and a number of cows are moving closer in.
These are my photo's from 2009. I went again in 2022. I think it's time for another visit. Mid to late November is best. Also midweek because it gets crowded at the weekends. A donation box for parking. Access for disabled.
Tempting to touch them because they are so close, but the the mother would abandon them if you did. No dogs allowed in the viewing area if you want to visit.
We've had a lot of rain today so I have been working on the woolly project.
Good evening. I went a drive out this afternoon to Barton on Humber. I haven't been to the Ropewalk for a while so wanted to see if there are any new art exhibitions in the two galleries. Yes there were. The pictures were not to my taste so it was a quick in and out. £300 - £400 for a very large canvas splattered with multicoloured paint which had been thrown at it. I'll never understand abstract art which makes no sense or has any meaning.
From there I walked to the Visitor Centre which is situated on the banks of the Humber. There was a Craft Fair taking place. I bought a small purse with a cat on it, from a young man who was looking after the stall for his mum.
Outside there was a gathering of campervans. People were very friendly and were happy to talk about their vehicles. Most of them were self build, so that was interesting to me.
Here is another sitting outside chatting video, which I recorded this morning.
Contrary to what I am saying in the video, I feel perfectly fine now. The problem is if you mention not feeling very well everyone piles in with unsolicited advice about what you should be doing. That really bugs me.
Thanks for popping in. Catch ya tomorrow. Toodle pip. ilona
I have been on an emotional roller coaster for the last six years or so. I watch alternative news channels, both here and the rest of the world. I follow citizen journalists who are out on the streets of the UK, and I watch UK Column News. GB News is another one to follow. There are others, but this is where you get a broad spectrum of all the worlds news. Forget the six o clock news on the telly, or News at Ten. What comes from these stations is a word salad picked to pieces, edited over and over again to make sure it is word perfect and will be acceptable to those in high places. It is censored up to the eyeballs, and bears no relation to what is happening on the ground.
I have just been over to Cro's blog, and his post today has given me hope. The comments indicate that more people are waking up. So thank you Cro and thank you Deejohn. We have to keep speaking out.
Good morning. No video today. I sat with my other Canon outside while I drank my coffee. What can I see from my chair.
Home made plastic cd flowers in my home made raised bed.
Many birds playing in the trees. Mainly pigeons and blackbirds. Slight breeze.
The sun is coming up behind the trees.
I've pumped up the saturation on this one to show the contrast between black and red.
Sometimes they land on the hedge quite close to me. Got to be quick to click the shutter though.
Back indoors. I am playing around with these swirls, trying the find the most pleasing and eye catching arrangement for a wall hanging. Do I squash them together or space them out apart? Erm, several stages to go through yet. Can't rush these things.
I went to the Bank Hub yesterday in town. There are two interview rooms in the Library which are used by banking staff to speak to customers. The lady introduced herself as Kim. I had several questions to ask her about the card they sent me. I can ignore the leaflet they sent me about scanning codes, and registering pin numbers. The new card looks different from the old one, so I wanted to make sure that there wasn't anything sneaky embedded into it. I will not be swept along with everyone else, and do as I am told.
She reassured me that I can carry on using my own banking methods to keep control of my account. I have had the same pin number for years, don't have to change it. I will keep getting paper statements in the post, they will keep coming. I pointed out to her that they are easy to check, no nasty surprises. I will not be tap tapping the card anywhere. It stays safe at home, only coming out when I need to top up my pocket money spends.
Kim was quite pleasant and listened while I explained the reasoning behind my methods. She said, fine, carry on as you are. This is what a customer service person from a bank, or any establishment providing a service or goods, should be like. Willing to listen to the customer who is paying their wages. This is why I won't do internet banking, or internet shopping, and won't monetise my blog or yoootooob channel.
Let's move on. I will get my breakfast. Thanks for popping in.
Good evening. Let's have a coffee chat before I start the day. What shall we talk about. Have you got a coffee.
This afternoon I went to town. I needed to stock up on a few items from Aldi. I didn't spend as much as I usually do, because I wasn't in the mood for checking every aisle. I just went for the things I definitely needed.
I called in at the 20 21 Arts Centre to see Nikki. Made her laugh. There is a new art exhibition opening soon, and it looks amazing. Very colourful, lots of lights. I couldn't stay long because I was on a one hour free parking restriction and I spotted a traffic warden lurking. I will have to go back with my camera. It is showing for a longtime, so no rush.
Next to Home Bargains and The Range for the cat food and cat litter. I won't be spending much time in those shops before Christmas. Never seen so many boxes of Christmas balls piled high.
BEFORE YOU SCROLL ON BY, TAKE A LOOK AT THIS.
I've got a little bonus for you here. We could all do with a chuffin good laaafffff. Have you seen this man on Facebook? He wears a janitors overall and goes to gymnasiums disguised as a cleaner. He wants to try and lift some weights and the big boys think he is having a laugh. He plays the part really well. It's hilarious.
I've done some snooping and it turns out he is a personal trainer. What a great idea to generate some publicity for his business. He has 30 million followers on social media. Check out his web site here. He has a very impressive collection of before and after client photo's.
I was born in a small village and started working out at the age of 14. I never had a trainer, or a proper gym to train in. To work out, I used anything I could possibly get my hands on. All I did was try everything on myself. Training methods, new exercises and training life hacks. My whole life I was my own trainer.
So now I am going to watch some Vladimir videos on his yoootooob channel. Give it a whirl and you will laugh your little cotton socks off.
Good evening. The view from my bedroom window at about 4.45pm tonight. Shame about the telephone wires. Shame it only lasts a couple of minutes.
Reflection in next doors kitchen window.
A quick look down the street opposite. Then it was gone.
Luckily Oscar cat came in early tonight for his dinner. The other two were already in. Then the flashes and bangs came. Oscar was worried and lay halfway up the stairs, wondering whether to go to his bed in the corner of the spare room. He may want to go out at some point but will have to wait until the fireworks have stopped.
Two hedgehogs came last night, and so far just one tonight. I keep putting food out as soon as it starts getting dark, and keep checking until I go to bed.
Gloria has been camping out in the pub for the last week. They had a scarecrow competition on and a Halloween party. That caused a lot of fun for the regulars. She didn't win the prize for the best one. I said if she does happen to win I want the sweets to be shared out between everyone. At lunchtime today I fetched her back. I think she had a good time. She doesn't say very much. 😵😎😆
The new router came today. I might try it, I'll think about it.
Still banging and flashing outside. Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip. ilona
Good arfternoon. I knocked this one out yesterday, uploaded it last night, too late to install it here. I went to bed.
3,015 views4 Nov 2025
Much better now. I've had a bath and made a meal. Back to the land of the living. I can't deny that things are changing throughout the world, but in my opinion it won't be for the better. People will get used to new technology, just as we did when we got our first Bush television set from Radio Rentals. We gathered around it in the corner of the room, arguing about which programmes we wanted to watch. Now people have a screen in every room, and in front of their faces, and walk around like zombies.
Anyhoooo, back to the subject of contactless credit cards. My previous video created a lot of comments, both on yoootooob and here. Everybody wanting to add their twopennuth. A lot of people telling me I should just go along with the flow, but something is nagging my tiny mind. I've done some digging. I do not trust digital banking.
Ghost Skimming your card or phone.
Ghost tapping is the new-age version of pickpocketing—only now, thieves don’t need to touch you to steal. Using hidden scanners, scammers can “tap” your card wirelessly through wallets, pockets, or bags and charge small amounts you’ll likely miss.
RFID-blocking wallets or sleeves provide a simple way to prevent wireless skimming and ghost tapping scams. While they don’t interfere with NFC tap-to-pay signals, these accessories create a protective shield around your cards. Widely available and easy to use, they offer a practical layer of security against unauthorized card access.
Ghost tapping schemes rely on victims not noticing small, irregular charges. Automated account monitoring disrupts this strategy by flagging unusual tap-to-pay activity instantly. Regular reviews combined with automation create a two-layer defense that significantly reduces financial risk and catches scammers during their initial testing phase.
look after your cards and card details at all times. Try not to let your card out of your sight when making a transaction
check receipts against statements carefully. Contact your card company immediately if you find an unfamiliar transaction
store your statements, receipts and financial documents safely and destroy them, preferably using a shredder, when you dispose of them.
Criminals are evolving and finding more sophisticated ways to steal your money – even with chip cards. Super skimmers are now being used, and security experts tell Boston 25 News, they’re much harder to detect. But there are things to watch out for to protect your money.
DEBIT CARD USERS BEWARE: This WIRELESS SKIMMER Trick Is SPREADING FAST — scammers are now using hidden NFC devices to charge your card just by standing near you. Learn how to protect yourself, spot suspicious activity, and keep your money safe from contactless fraud.
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There's plenty more. This is the reason I do not want a contactless card, and will only use my debit card at the local Post Office. I won't use any other atm machine. Card readers can be tampered with. The only exception is if I cross the Humber Bridge in my car, and that might have to stop soon as they remove the toll booths.
I don't want the hassle of sorting out a mess created by my stupidity. Cash all the way for me.
Day 4. Some progress has been made. Not had to dash to the loo, have eaten some food and it has not come back up again. Now I will hopefully take Billy for a walk, he will be missing me.
Just made a new video, recorded outside in the garden. I will upload it now, should be ready later.
Hello. I am back online again. I didn't need a new router. Apparently you have to leave them connected to the mains 24/7, and I had been switching all my electricals off at the plug every night. Still not feeling very perky so I will gradually ease myself back into real life.
Thanks for popping in. Not feeling great but I will get there. Toodle pip. ilona
. . . . . . . . . . . . does it really matter that another innocent person has been attacked and killed? Or am I just fearmongering?
Every death matters. Wayne's family must be distraught. I feel so sorry for them.
SAY HIS NAME: Wayne Broadhurst
Killed yesterday in broad daylight as he was walking his dog in the UK by an illegal from Afghanistan
Some comments. . . .
This is so sad and evil. Politics and ideology over the safety of citizens is madness. Importing tons of people unwilling to assimilate with no respect for culture is a recipe for utter disaster.
Every nation faces its own war. England must realize it’s being invaded, and a greater conflict is on the horizon.
The UK government let down Wayne. His right to life was ended because the UK government won’t face the violent consequences of unlawful immigration. How many more will be murdered?
This is what they want. This is not a mistake or stupidity. They want a society in arrested development and chaos. Women won’t be able to go anywhere without a male escort
Sometimes I can't wrap my head around how bad the UK really is. White people are not safe there anymore.
I’ve just secured a landmark agreement with Vietnam to ramp up the returns process of illegal migrants. I mean it when I say: if you come here illegally, you will be swiftly returned.
My thoughts. . . .
People often ask me if I am scared to walk alone outside in the countryside. In the past I have always replied no, I take precautions, I look around me, to check each side and behind me. I have been walking alone in places I have never been to before, for years. I have never had a problem.
It is in my nature to chat with strangers. Now I have to be more observant. I shall have to assess every situation where I might come into contact with someone I don't know. What I see with my own eyes will be the basis of whether to speak or not to speak. I will be looking for body language from a distance. Should I make eye contact or look away. Does this person look different from me. I may choose to divert off my chosen route and look for an exit. This is my new risk assessment routine.
Times are changing, my world is shrinking. Towns and cities are becoming dangerous places to walk about. This is not me being paranoid. There are still a lot of decent people about. I will carry on walking but risk assessment will play a bigger part where I chose to walk.
Hello. My working life ended 16 years ago. Now I just please myself. This is my diary. What I do and what I think about. You are welcome to read it. Toodle pip.
