Thursday 30 September 2010
A bit of tweaking
I'm having a bit of a tidy up, but it might take some time. I'm not happy with the labels I have chosen, some of the posts overlap two or three different ones, some labels are similar, and some are a bit vague. Anyone new coming to the blog might find it a bit confusing to find the bits they are interested in, so I'm doing a bit of tweaking. I've only got 558 posts to go through :o(
I have a troll
Question; what is a troll?
According to Wikipedia, the free internet encyclopedia, it is.... 'internet slang for someone who posts inflammatory, extraneous, or off topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum, chat room, or blog, with the primary intent of provoking other users into a desired emotional response, disrupting normal on topic discussion'.
Strange, I thought it was a weird little creature who is afraid to show it's face, with some kind of growth defect, and cotton wool coming out of it's head.
I opened up the comments for anyone to post, because several people told me they would have liked to comment but couldn't because they don't have a google account, or similar.
You may remember the inflammatory remarks which appeared on my recent posts about what I put in my front garden. I left most of them there because it made the anonymous poster look a bit silly, but I did have to remove the last one when it got personal. It's a shame that anonymous abused my offer. Today I found an insulting and offensive comment on my post, The BIG decision. This I have removed, because I have the power to do so.
I have had experience of trolls on a forum that I visit, so I know all about them, but with a forum the problem can soon escalate and the whole infrastructure can be put in jeopardy within hours. So, Mr, Mrs, or Miss Anonymous, because this is my blog, I can post anything I like here, I can also delete anything I like. It's not a case of cherry picking the nice comments, to make me look like a nice person, anyone with a valid and intelligent point of view is welcome. What I wont tolerate is trouble makers that poke their nose in and slag me off for no reason other than to watch the sparks fly. They will not fly, you will be zapped.
Wednesday 29 September 2010
The BIG decision
Ok, so going by the responses on the 'It's got to be for you', post, I now feel confident enough to tell you about a massive decision I made a long time ago about my life, 25 years ago to be exact. Not many women make this choice, but after much soul searching, I knew it was the right path for me to take. I opted for sterilisation.
It didn't come to me in a blinding flash, it wasn't some kind of whim, and I didn't have it done on medical grounds, ie, some genetic disorder. As far as I know, my perfectly healthy body was capable of taking a pregnancy to full term and giving birth. But I always knew in my mind, that I could not go through with it.
To some people that might seem a thoroughly selfish attitude to take, but going back to the title of the previous post, the decision had to be for me. I always knew I wouldn't have children, even from a young age. I saw my mother become totally distraught when we were out of her sight for more than an hour or two. Her whole world revolved around us, and me being headstrong, I found this increasingly suffocating as I grew up. I couldn't wait to strike out on my own and embrace my independence.
The thought of another human being depending on me to provide all it's needs for the next 18 or so years, scared me to death. The material needs, and the emotional needs, I knew I wasn't capable, I didn't have it in me.
The few friends that I did mention it to said, who is going to look after you when you are old? I was shocked, is that the reason why people have children, surely not!
I am also a bit squeemish about medical matters, a bit of a coward where pain is concerned, and could not visualise myself giving birth. Oh, I know they say you forget it the moment you have your baby in your arms, and it is all well worth the effort, but I would rather not, thank you very much.
By the time I was 37, all these thoughts had been coming to the surface now and again, in between earning a living and supporting myself. Should I or shouldn't I? I always arrived at the same answer, I will never have children. At that time it was said that it was dangerous to take the contraceptive pill over a long period of time, so I asked my doctor for a more permanent solution, sterilisation. At first he was reluctant to talk about it, as I was single and didn't have a man in my life. There was a chance I might meet someone and I would change my mind. He said there was no rush, and to go home and think about it.
At the next six monthly appointment I saw another doctor and asked him about it. He saw that I was serious, and said he would fix me up with an appointment to see the gynaecologist at the hospital. A couple of months later I went. The lady doctor asked me loads of questions, about my physical and mental health, I wondered if she thought I was round the bend. She asked if I had thought about carrying on the next generation, my answer was, there are enough people already doing that. Little did I know at the time, but there are more than enough people in the world now, and we are in danger of not being able to sustain the population explosion indefinately.
The gynaecologist, herself a Miss, said she could see I was serious, and would fix me up with a date for the operation, it would be in 6 to 9 months. Three months later the letter came to say I would be going in the following week. It was a bit of a shock, this is it, I could change my mind now, last chance.
There was no changing of mind, no going back, this is what I have wanted for a long time. Total peace of mind, knowing it was the right thing for me to do. It was quick, keyhole surgery, one night in and home. I remember it felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. People used to ask me when I was going to settle down and have children, like it was expected that every woman did that. I always made some excuse, too busy working, never met the right man, etc. I never said it's not for me, because they would just think I was strange.
So now I am proud of making that choice, and 25 years on, I know it was the right choice. I apologise to anyone reading this who has gone through the heart wrenching process of trying to become pregnant, or who has lost a baby or small child. I hope I haven't offended you, and you find peace in your life.
It didn't come to me in a blinding flash, it wasn't some kind of whim, and I didn't have it done on medical grounds, ie, some genetic disorder. As far as I know, my perfectly healthy body was capable of taking a pregnancy to full term and giving birth. But I always knew in my mind, that I could not go through with it.
To some people that might seem a thoroughly selfish attitude to take, but going back to the title of the previous post, the decision had to be for me. I always knew I wouldn't have children, even from a young age. I saw my mother become totally distraught when we were out of her sight for more than an hour or two. Her whole world revolved around us, and me being headstrong, I found this increasingly suffocating as I grew up. I couldn't wait to strike out on my own and embrace my independence.
The thought of another human being depending on me to provide all it's needs for the next 18 or so years, scared me to death. The material needs, and the emotional needs, I knew I wasn't capable, I didn't have it in me.
The few friends that I did mention it to said, who is going to look after you when you are old? I was shocked, is that the reason why people have children, surely not!
I am also a bit squeemish about medical matters, a bit of a coward where pain is concerned, and could not visualise myself giving birth. Oh, I know they say you forget it the moment you have your baby in your arms, and it is all well worth the effort, but I would rather not, thank you very much.
By the time I was 37, all these thoughts had been coming to the surface now and again, in between earning a living and supporting myself. Should I or shouldn't I? I always arrived at the same answer, I will never have children. At that time it was said that it was dangerous to take the contraceptive pill over a long period of time, so I asked my doctor for a more permanent solution, sterilisation. At first he was reluctant to talk about it, as I was single and didn't have a man in my life. There was a chance I might meet someone and I would change my mind. He said there was no rush, and to go home and think about it.
At the next six monthly appointment I saw another doctor and asked him about it. He saw that I was serious, and said he would fix me up with an appointment to see the gynaecologist at the hospital. A couple of months later I went. The lady doctor asked me loads of questions, about my physical and mental health, I wondered if she thought I was round the bend. She asked if I had thought about carrying on the next generation, my answer was, there are enough people already doing that. Little did I know at the time, but there are more than enough people in the world now, and we are in danger of not being able to sustain the population explosion indefinately.
The gynaecologist, herself a Miss, said she could see I was serious, and would fix me up with a date for the operation, it would be in 6 to 9 months. Three months later the letter came to say I would be going in the following week. It was a bit of a shock, this is it, I could change my mind now, last chance.
There was no changing of mind, no going back, this is what I have wanted for a long time. Total peace of mind, knowing it was the right thing for me to do. It was quick, keyhole surgery, one night in and home. I remember it felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. People used to ask me when I was going to settle down and have children, like it was expected that every woman did that. I always made some excuse, too busy working, never met the right man, etc. I never said it's not for me, because they would just think I was strange.
So now I am proud of making that choice, and 25 years on, I know it was the right choice. I apologise to anyone reading this who has gone through the heart wrenching process of trying to become pregnant, or who has lost a baby or small child. I hope I haven't offended you, and you find peace in your life.
Tuesday 28 September 2010
Running repairs
Oh dear, things don't last forever do they, they wear out! The cushion from my sunlounger is showing signs of falling apart. The fabric on the underside is disintegrating, holes are appearing in several places. There is a danger of the foam chippings falling out. How can I make it last a bit longer, and get a bit more wear out of it?
My friend gave it to me when she emigrated, the metal reclining chair is fine, no problems there, so it would be a shame to chuck this away.
It is not worth putting seperate patches on the holes, because more will appear, so I might as well cover the whole side. Another friend was having a clear out and I grabbed the curtain she was about to throw away. It is a long curtain that she had over her patio door, I have no such window that it will fit, so I might as well cut some off the bottom of it and use it for this job. I can hem the bottom of the ramaining curtain which will make it a far more usefull size.
So here it is, the blueish patterened fabric on the top, meeting with the stitched on curtain on the bottom. Ooops, turn the picture round.
That's better, the bottom now looks better than the top. I can't bear to throw anything away if it can be repaired. These cushions are handy to have, they come in usefull for making up a bed on the floor for last minute visitors, and they are dead handy to chuck in the back of my estate car in case I need to sleep on a long journey. Another little job on my list completed.
My friend gave it to me when she emigrated, the metal reclining chair is fine, no problems there, so it would be a shame to chuck this away.
It is not worth putting seperate patches on the holes, because more will appear, so I might as well cover the whole side. Another friend was having a clear out and I grabbed the curtain she was about to throw away. It is a long curtain that she had over her patio door, I have no such window that it will fit, so I might as well cut some off the bottom of it and use it for this job. I can hem the bottom of the ramaining curtain which will make it a far more usefull size.
So here it is, the blueish patterened fabric on the top, meeting with the stitched on curtain on the bottom. Ooops, turn the picture round.
That's better, the bottom now looks better than the top. I can't bear to throw anything away if it can be repaired. These cushions are handy to have, they come in usefull for making up a bed on the floor for last minute visitors, and they are dead handy to chuck in the back of my estate car in case I need to sleep on a long journey. Another little job on my list completed. Monday 27 September 2010
Dog with a sore head
Not a lot happening today, the weather is pretty miserable. I think Jessie is missing her mummy so I have been giving her a bit of extra TLC. I took her to Normanby Park this morning in the car, it's not far but it would have taken an age to walk her there. She loves it, big open spaces so she can run about without bumping into anything. I feel ever so sorry for her sometimes, when she wants to do doggy things and bumps her head. She needs a crash hat, I wonder if I can make one. Perhaps I can crochet her a wooly hat, I wonder if she would wear it ;o)
My dinner tonight was day two of a three day veggie stew. I get fed up of cooking sometimes and a stew saves time in the kitchen, just heat it up. It didn't cost much either, potatoes, beans, and tomatoes out of the garden. A couple of onions, two apples which someone gave me, six sprouts, the last bit of broccoli, a handfull of pasta twirls, porridge oats to thicken it, and throw in any old spices that you have. I use lots of turmeric, I love it. Most of my meals are yellow, my insides probably are as well. I've just had my pudding, Onken Wholegrain Summer Berry yoghurt, scrumptious. It's on special offer at Netto, so I bought two pots, trouble is it's a struggle not to scoff the lot ;-0
I made another shopping bag today, it's lovely. Again the colours are wrong, it's mainly red, with a dark blue patterned panel down the centre. The fabric is very thick and plastic coated, so it will be hard wearing. I got it from the Scrapstore before it closed.
Must go, I think Jessie wants a walk, only four poo's today up to now, there must be more, ha ha.
My dinner tonight was day two of a three day veggie stew. I get fed up of cooking sometimes and a stew saves time in the kitchen, just heat it up. It didn't cost much either, potatoes, beans, and tomatoes out of the garden. A couple of onions, two apples which someone gave me, six sprouts, the last bit of broccoli, a handfull of pasta twirls, porridge oats to thicken it, and throw in any old spices that you have. I use lots of turmeric, I love it. Most of my meals are yellow, my insides probably are as well. I've just had my pudding, Onken Wholegrain Summer Berry yoghurt, scrumptious. It's on special offer at Netto, so I bought two pots, trouble is it's a struggle not to scoff the lot ;-0
I made another shopping bag today, it's lovely. Again the colours are wrong, it's mainly red, with a dark blue patterned panel down the centre. The fabric is very thick and plastic coated, so it will be hard wearing. I got it from the Scrapstore before it closed.
Must go, I think Jessie wants a walk, only four poo's today up to now, there must be more, ha ha.
Sunday 26 September 2010
Happy in my home
What fantastic comments you have all made on the last two posts. I love it when you share this blog with me and add your own points of view, we can all learn something from each other. I always check older posts several times to see if anything more has been added, I would hate to miss anything. I have looked for a way to show the comments below the post every time without clicking on the comments button, but I don't think it's possible.
I take your point Devon lass about the posts not always being to your liking. I tend not to spend loads of time reading stuff I am not particulary drawn to. For instance, blogs which are mainly about a single topic. Oh I still look at them, but skip through a bit quick. I like to include a mixed bag of allsorts, because I have a wide range of interests. I spend more time reading blogs of a similar nature, because I want to get to know the person behind the blog, what makes them tick. If someone is brilliant at cooking or sewing, I want to know what else floats their boat.
lovelygrey, you are so right about giving time to your cause, it gets you interacting with people. Anna, I have met loads of people since I started litter picking. The older people in the village say hello, and thank you, and I chat to the youngsters as well. Maybe there is something you could get involved with near your home.
Sharon, you are an inspiration to me. You have had a kick in the teeth, but have managed to make a new life for you and your children. It must be a lot harder when you have others to consider, I take my hat off to you, well done.
Laffemet, I too know those married people who are not happy, and all because they are not talking to each other. They are not truly honest with themselves, or with their partners. They must look inside themselves and see what is broken, then work out a way to mend it.
Anyway a few piccies here on this dreary drizzly Sunday. This is Jessica, the reason why I am grounded this week. She does very well for saying she can't see a thing. She tells me when she wants to go out by waiting by the front door, and when it's meal times she barks. I have to steer her around obstacles when we are outside, but she finds her own way inside. I have never know a dog that poo's so much. I have almost filled the bin at the end of the road, good job they are emptying it tomorrow, ha ha.
She is such a sweetie, she loves having her tummy rubbed and likes playing with her soft toys. You can't help but love her.
This is Bugsy. The food dishes are on the table at the moment, so Jessica can't steal anything. The cats jump up via the chair, eat, then sit in the window sill.
Lilly tucking in.
And look who has called in today, naughty Micky. He comes every morning. I have tried keeping the door closed, he goes away, but then comes back several times during the day to chance his luck. Sometimes he walks in when I am busy. He always seems hungry and eats as fast as he can.
I did a bit of sewing this morning. Guess what this shopping bag was before it became a bag? A pair of dungarees, or a bib and brace if you like. I used to wear them occasionally, about 30 years ago. I don't think they would sell very well in a charity shop so at least they have turned into something usefull now. The colours are wrong on the pic, don't know why, perhaps it's the flash. The bag is grey and the diamond shapes are red.
I hope you are having a nice Sunday, I'm off to make my dinner. Toodle pip.
I take your point Devon lass about the posts not always being to your liking. I tend not to spend loads of time reading stuff I am not particulary drawn to. For instance, blogs which are mainly about a single topic. Oh I still look at them, but skip through a bit quick. I like to include a mixed bag of allsorts, because I have a wide range of interests. I spend more time reading blogs of a similar nature, because I want to get to know the person behind the blog, what makes them tick. If someone is brilliant at cooking or sewing, I want to know what else floats their boat.
lovelygrey, you are so right about giving time to your cause, it gets you interacting with people. Anna, I have met loads of people since I started litter picking. The older people in the village say hello, and thank you, and I chat to the youngsters as well. Maybe there is something you could get involved with near your home.
Sharon, you are an inspiration to me. You have had a kick in the teeth, but have managed to make a new life for you and your children. It must be a lot harder when you have others to consider, I take my hat off to you, well done.
Laffemet, I too know those married people who are not happy, and all because they are not talking to each other. They are not truly honest with themselves, or with their partners. They must look inside themselves and see what is broken, then work out a way to mend it.
Anyway a few piccies here on this dreary drizzly Sunday. This is Jessica, the reason why I am grounded this week. She does very well for saying she can't see a thing. She tells me when she wants to go out by waiting by the front door, and when it's meal times she barks. I have to steer her around obstacles when we are outside, but she finds her own way inside. I have never know a dog that poo's so much. I have almost filled the bin at the end of the road, good job they are emptying it tomorrow, ha ha.
She is such a sweetie, she loves having her tummy rubbed and likes playing with her soft toys. You can't help but love her.
This is Bugsy. The food dishes are on the table at the moment, so Jessica can't steal anything. The cats jump up via the chair, eat, then sit in the window sill.
Lilly tucking in.
And look who has called in today, naughty Micky. He comes every morning. I have tried keeping the door closed, he goes away, but then comes back several times during the day to chance his luck. Sometimes he walks in when I am busy. He always seems hungry and eats as fast as he can.
I did a bit of sewing this morning. Guess what this shopping bag was before it became a bag? A pair of dungarees, or a bib and brace if you like. I used to wear them occasionally, about 30 years ago. I don't think they would sell very well in a charity shop so at least they have turned into something usefull now. The colours are wrong on the pic, don't know why, perhaps it's the flash. The bag is grey and the diamond shapes are red.
I hope you are having a nice Sunday, I'm off to make my dinner. Toodle pip.
Saturday 25 September 2010
Some inspiration
The title of my last post is from a positive attitude quote, I don't know where it came from, or who it belongs to, but it is on my list of quotes. I collect them and read them often. They give me something to think about, and inspire me to keep motivated.
The full quotation is this....
The full quotation is this....
If you dance for anyone else, you become like everyone else.
It's got to be for you.
This gave me strength when I realised I had to escape the clutches of the boyfriend who was controling my life. He snapped his fingers and I was dancing for him. I merged into the background, and faded away. The real me died and was replaced by a shadow. I babbled and I blubbed, the fire in me had been well and truly dampened.
That last sentence, it's only six words, kept going round and round in my head. It's got to be for you. What is it trying to tell me? Then the realisation hit me, of course, I am not doing anything for me, it's all for him. But where is 'me', I've got to get 'me' back. And so I did.
Another quote on my list is.....
If you don't have a plan for the rest of your life, someone else does.
So what shall I do, follow the crowd, do as they do, join the gang, stand in line, join the queue, become a clone. I did all that when I was young, but it wasn't me. So what did I do? I did exactly what I wanted to do, and became a lorry driver. That was my plan, and no one elses.
Here are some more quotes from my list.......
Opportunity knocks only once, while temptation leans on the doorbell.
The more you stretch the truth the easier it is to see through.
The path with least resistance often leads nowhere.
When your life flashes before your eyes, make sure you've got plenty to watch.
I love these quotes, so inspiring. Toodle pip, be happy :o)
Friday 24 September 2010
It's got to be for you.
A recent comment from Anna has prompted me to write this post, and hopefully I can shed some light on the relationship between feeling lonely and depressed living as a single person, and whether the amount of money you have can make a difference.
Let's take the lonely and depressed bit first. I have been living on my own ever since I left home when I was 18, so you could say I have had plenty of practice. Although I appear to be sorted now, I have gone through some lonely and depressing times, some of these have been triggered by my Body Dismorphic Disorder (BDD lots of interesting stuff if you google it). Having low self esteem has been very difficult to deal with at times, but on the whole I have usually managed to pull myself out of it.
My singleness comes from the fact that I have an independant streak, and coupled with a very demanding job, I have never had the opportunity to meet the right person who I want to spend the rest of my life with.
I am not lonely or depressed, I feel very lucky for the life I have now, and the confidence I have which has grown with age and experience. About fourteen years ago I had a boyfriend, he promised me everything, how we would be together for the rest of our lives, how he loved me more than anything. I believed him, but there was a price to pay and it took me a while to spot the flaws in our relationship. Basically I did all the giving and he did all the taking. He wanted to control everything I said and everything I did. Everybody noticed the changes in me, I was turning into the person he wanted me to be and I lost my identity. The questions and the accusations were terrible, I know now that he was an evil man. Thank goodness I eventually saw sense and got out, but it wasn't easy, my confidence was rock bottom because he had such a hold over me.
Eventually I managed to turn things around, you don't just stop living when a relationship breaks up, you have the rest of your life in front of you. I made myself get back out there, pick up the pieces and start afresh. I didn't know many people because I had moved to a new area, to be with him, I needed to meet people. What I did was to start an introduction agency/singles club. I made up a programme of events, social nights out, and advertised it every week in the free paper. It grew and grew, I made lots of friends, and in three years we had three weddings, people found partners and friends, and I found a new boyfriend.
What I am trying to say is, that if you wait around for something to happen you will wait for ever. When time is lost you can never get it back. The new boyfriend by the way, finished with me after about two years. He couldn't cope with the age gap, I was 14 years older than him. But that was his choice, I respected him for being honest, and I got on with the rest of my life.
One thing I don't do is pine for something I haven't got, there is no point. I have been given a life and my only responsibility is to me, to make the best of it. No one else is responsible for making me happy, it is entirely in my own hands. This is why I go out on my own.
I realise that everyone is not like me. When I ran the singles club I sometimes had to go out into the car park of the pub we were meeting at, and speak to someone in their car because they were too shy to come in on their own. I was the meeter and greeter. Once they got inside and met a few people they relaxed a bit more, and after a few visits the change in them was amazing. It was taking that first step which was the hardest.
Anna, you say that people don't want to know you, now you have no money. I am not sure how they would know you have no money, unless you tell them. There is no need for anyone to know what you have or have not got. I am happy telling people that I don't have very much spare cash, because I am proud of my simple penny pinching lifestyle. If people judge me on my material posessions and don't look at me the person, then I don't care if they don't want to know me. I have rich and poor friends, they are all the same to me.
I am sure the cost of living is quite high in London, but you can still go out even though you don't have much money. The library is free, cycling is free, some museums and art galleries are free, some colleges offer free courses, walking is free, and donating blood is free. Dog walking is one of the best free activities that gets you talking to people, and it doesn't have to be your own dog either. London can be a lonely place to live, but if you make that effort and be the first one to speak, you might be surprised. Even if you go to the local shop for a paper and say 'Good Morning' to someone, it's a start, you never know where it might lead.
Anna, I hope you don't find my post dictating or patronising, I don't mean to be. It's just that I am a firm believer that our destiny is largely in our own hands, the only exception being that if we are unfortunate enough to suffer from unavoidable ill health. Please please please look after yourself, and that goes for anyone else reading this.
Let's take the lonely and depressed bit first. I have been living on my own ever since I left home when I was 18, so you could say I have had plenty of practice. Although I appear to be sorted now, I have gone through some lonely and depressing times, some of these have been triggered by my Body Dismorphic Disorder (BDD lots of interesting stuff if you google it). Having low self esteem has been very difficult to deal with at times, but on the whole I have usually managed to pull myself out of it.
My singleness comes from the fact that I have an independant streak, and coupled with a very demanding job, I have never had the opportunity to meet the right person who I want to spend the rest of my life with.
I am not lonely or depressed, I feel very lucky for the life I have now, and the confidence I have which has grown with age and experience. About fourteen years ago I had a boyfriend, he promised me everything, how we would be together for the rest of our lives, how he loved me more than anything. I believed him, but there was a price to pay and it took me a while to spot the flaws in our relationship. Basically I did all the giving and he did all the taking. He wanted to control everything I said and everything I did. Everybody noticed the changes in me, I was turning into the person he wanted me to be and I lost my identity. The questions and the accusations were terrible, I know now that he was an evil man. Thank goodness I eventually saw sense and got out, but it wasn't easy, my confidence was rock bottom because he had such a hold over me.
Eventually I managed to turn things around, you don't just stop living when a relationship breaks up, you have the rest of your life in front of you. I made myself get back out there, pick up the pieces and start afresh. I didn't know many people because I had moved to a new area, to be with him, I needed to meet people. What I did was to start an introduction agency/singles club. I made up a programme of events, social nights out, and advertised it every week in the free paper. It grew and grew, I made lots of friends, and in three years we had three weddings, people found partners and friends, and I found a new boyfriend.
What I am trying to say is, that if you wait around for something to happen you will wait for ever. When time is lost you can never get it back. The new boyfriend by the way, finished with me after about two years. He couldn't cope with the age gap, I was 14 years older than him. But that was his choice, I respected him for being honest, and I got on with the rest of my life.
One thing I don't do is pine for something I haven't got, there is no point. I have been given a life and my only responsibility is to me, to make the best of it. No one else is responsible for making me happy, it is entirely in my own hands. This is why I go out on my own.
I realise that everyone is not like me. When I ran the singles club I sometimes had to go out into the car park of the pub we were meeting at, and speak to someone in their car because they were too shy to come in on their own. I was the meeter and greeter. Once they got inside and met a few people they relaxed a bit more, and after a few visits the change in them was amazing. It was taking that first step which was the hardest.
Anna, you say that people don't want to know you, now you have no money. I am not sure how they would know you have no money, unless you tell them. There is no need for anyone to know what you have or have not got. I am happy telling people that I don't have very much spare cash, because I am proud of my simple penny pinching lifestyle. If people judge me on my material posessions and don't look at me the person, then I don't care if they don't want to know me. I have rich and poor friends, they are all the same to me.
I am sure the cost of living is quite high in London, but you can still go out even though you don't have much money. The library is free, cycling is free, some museums and art galleries are free, some colleges offer free courses, walking is free, and donating blood is free. Dog walking is one of the best free activities that gets you talking to people, and it doesn't have to be your own dog either. London can be a lonely place to live, but if you make that effort and be the first one to speak, you might be surprised. Even if you go to the local shop for a paper and say 'Good Morning' to someone, it's a start, you never know where it might lead.
Anna, I hope you don't find my post dictating or patronising, I don't mean to be. It's just that I am a firm believer that our destiny is largely in our own hands, the only exception being that if we are unfortunate enough to suffer from unavoidable ill health. Please please please look after yourself, and that goes for anyone else reading this.
Thursday 23 September 2010
Missing photo's from previous post
Oh my goodness, what a cock up! I've just spent ages on the previous post, then found some lost photo's. I haven't time to slot them into place so I'll stick them here, hope you don't mind.
This is Oblivion. Two rows of riders, you get to the top of the lift hill and just as you are about to fall over the edge it stops for a few seconds. You wait...
Then you plunge vertically into a black hole. Scream.
This is an example of a Spin and Spew ride that I mentioned, I don't do them.
Mucho sorry, got to take a dog out.
This is Oblivion. Two rows of riders, you get to the top of the lift hill and just as you are about to fall over the edge it stops for a few seconds. You wait...
Then you plunge vertically into a black hole. Scream.
This is an example of a Spin and Spew ride that I mentioned, I don't do them.Yuk :o(
Mucho sorry, got to take a dog out.
Wednesday 22 September 2010
Thrills and beauty at Alton Towers
Day 2. Up with the lark this morning, 6.45am and my room mates are still in slumberland as I creep quietly out of the dorm and down to the self catering kitchen for breakfast. I eat alone, spaghetti on bread with two boiled eggs. After checking out I have time for a wander around the grounds and some photo's.
Ilam Hall is a huge Victorian Gothic manor house set in 84 acres of country parkland, on the banks of the River Manifold. It was first built in the 16th century, then demolished and rebuilt in the 1820's. A large part of it was demolished again in the 1920's, and in 1934 it was donated to the National Trust. Last year it had a complete makeover inside and the facilities are everything you would expect from a good quality hotel. How fabulous to spend the night here for just £16.
The river running through the grounds with the Hall in the background.
I left just after 9am, it's a short drive to Alton Towers. I had to stop on the way to take this shot of the mist hanging around in the valley.
I was a bit early at the Towers, it opens at 10am. When you arrive there are marshalls to direct you to a parking place, as I was early I was next to the entrance. Then you walk to the Monorail Station and take a ride to the pay booths. My ticket was free with Tesco vouchers, but there was still £5 to pay for the parking. That's it they are not getting any more money from me today. I have my pockets stuffed with snacks and I had a drink before I left my car, I will manage on that. 
You are strapped into your seat, the floor drops away from you and you are tilted forward so you are hanging in your restraints face down. Then you take off underneath the track, flying through the air. You have to hold your arms forward and pretend you are Superman, it's exciting. Part the way round you do a couple of corkscrew turns, then you are flipped over onto your back looking up at the sky. I love this ride, it's my favourite.
The children are well catered for here, Wobble World had two massive bouncy castles inside, one for tiny tots and one for older children who are a bit more rough and tumble.
The Theatre was announcing a show to start in ten minutes, not for me today, because it's sunny and I want to be outside.
This is another good and popular ride, Nemesis. You hang underneath the track, then it flips you over several times. It has g forces great than a space shuttle launch, or so it says, it is pretty fast. Hang on for dear life, and try and stop your head from hitting the side restraints. I take my hearing aid out for these rides because I lost part of it once on a ride at Drayton Manor Park. I also have my specs fastened at the back of my head with a cord.
Duel is a fun ride, you sit in a little car and ride gently round a track inside a dark cave, you have a gun and you try and knock out as many tiny green lights as you can. My score was 33600, which wasn't too bad. I had a second ride but didn't beat it.
I went on the Rapids, but didn't get too wet. Then I went on the Flume and got soaked. All around these wet rides are booths with hot air blowing, you pay two pounds to dry yourself off. It was a warm sunny day, why were people using them? Alton Towers aren't daft are they, extra revenue.
Sharkbait Reef is where I saw the Pirate, inside were aquariums of various sizes, set out like you were walking among the wreckage of a galleon. It was quite pleasant and calming after all the frenzy of the coasters.
This ride made me laugh, though I didn't go on it, it was fun to watch. The boats go round slowly on a track and they have water cannon which work by winding a handle. The faster you wind, the further the spurt of water. The people stood on land also have the cannons, so a battle takes place as they all try and soak the enemy. Very funny.
The other rides I went on were, Runaway Mine Train, Oblivion, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I gave a wide berth to the rides that twirl round and round, my stomach can't stand that. They are collectively known as the Spin and Spew rides, no thanks, give me coasters any day.
Ilam Hall is a huge Victorian Gothic manor house set in 84 acres of country parkland, on the banks of the River Manifold. It was first built in the 16th century, then demolished and rebuilt in the 1820's. A large part of it was demolished again in the 1920's, and in 1934 it was donated to the National Trust. Last year it had a complete makeover inside and the facilities are everything you would expect from a good quality hotel. How fabulous to spend the night here for just £16.
The river running through the grounds with the Hall in the background.
I left just after 9am, it's a short drive to Alton Towers. I had to stop on the way to take this shot of the mist hanging around in the valley.
I was a bit early at the Towers, it opens at 10am. When you arrive there are marshalls to direct you to a parking place, as I was early I was next to the entrance. Then you walk to the Monorail Station and take a ride to the pay booths. My ticket was free with Tesco vouchers, but there was still £5 to pay for the parking. That's it they are not getting any more money from me today. I have my pockets stuffed with snacks and I had a drink before I left my car, I will manage on that. It was like the charge of the Light Brigade when they removed the barriers at 10am, everyone makes a dash forward for their favourite ride. I have been on them all before, except for the new ride, THI3TEEN, which is advertised as the ultimate roller coaster. The park is vast so you spend a lot of time walking from one area to another. There are cable cars, called Sky Rider, to assist you if you want to travel above the trees, which I did several times.
On the way to THI3TEEN I stopped off at Rita Queen of Speed. There were no queues so I managed to get a front seat ride. There is a seperate queue line for front seat riders, and it's always a good idea to get the front position for the best ride. This ride is awsome, you are catapulted from 0 - 100 kph in 2.5 seconds, you realy have to hold on to your eyeballs, ha ha. When I got off, I dashed round to the entrance for another ride, this time half way down the train as a queue had formed for front seat.
I will just mention at this point that it is very difficult to get good photo's of moving roller coasters, I bet you have guessed that by now, judging by the speed which Rita travels. I tried my best but most of them were just not good enough to post here.
Anyway, after Rita I made a beeline for THI3TEEN, and as a single rider I was able to take advantage of walking past the queues straight onto the ride. It has it's advantages being by yourself. The ride seemed pretty tame and not very long. It was advertised as going through areas of unexplored woodland known as the dark forest, which turned out to be a few rotting and broken down trees strewn about. Just as I thought it was over there was a sting in the tail. The carriages went into a dark shed, and you wondered what was going to happen next. Suddenly it felt like you were being dropped from a great height, then it stopped, and you reversed out of the shed and rolled gently back to the start. The ride was ok, but I wasn't inspired to go on again.
What I did do though was have a ride on this amazing machine, Air. I love this one.
You are strapped into your seat, the floor drops away from you and you are tilted forward so you are hanging in your restraints face down. Then you take off underneath the track, flying through the air. You have to hold your arms forward and pretend you are Superman, it's exciting. Part the way round you do a couple of corkscrew turns, then you are flipped over onto your back looking up at the sky. I love this ride, it's my favourite.
The children are well catered for here, Wobble World had two massive bouncy castles inside, one for tiny tots and one for older children who are a bit more rough and tumble.
The Theatre was announcing a show to start in ten minutes, not for me today, because it's sunny and I want to be outside.
This is another good and popular ride, Nemesis. You hang underneath the track, then it flips you over several times. It has g forces great than a space shuttle launch, or so it says, it is pretty fast. Hang on for dear life, and try and stop your head from hitting the side restraints. I take my hearing aid out for these rides because I lost part of it once on a ride at Drayton Manor Park. I also have my specs fastened at the back of my head with a cord.
Duel is a fun ride, you sit in a little car and ride gently round a track inside a dark cave, you have a gun and you try and knock out as many tiny green lights as you can. My score was 33600, which wasn't too bad. I had a second ride but didn't beat it.
I went on the Rapids, but didn't get too wet. Then I went on the Flume and got soaked. All around these wet rides are booths with hot air blowing, you pay two pounds to dry yourself off. It was a warm sunny day, why were people using them? Alton Towers aren't daft are they, extra revenue.
Sharkbait Reef is where I saw the Pirate, inside were aquariums of various sizes, set out like you were walking among the wreckage of a galleon. It was quite pleasant and calming after all the frenzy of the coasters.
This ride made me laugh, though I didn't go on it, it was fun to watch. The boats go round slowly on a track and they have water cannon which work by winding a handle. The faster you wind, the further the spurt of water. The people stood on land also have the cannons, so a battle takes place as they all try and soak the enemy. Very funny.
The other rides I went on were, Runaway Mine Train, Oblivion, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I gave a wide berth to the rides that twirl round and round, my stomach can't stand that. They are collectively known as the Spin and Spew rides, no thanks, give me coasters any day.Alton Towers has extensive gardens, and it was a joy to stroll round, largely by myself. I don't know what you call these buildings that are like massive greenhouses, but this one was derelict, in desperate need of tender loving care.
This was in a very quiet corner in the centre of a very overgrown pond. It's a haven for wildlife.
The little bridge,
Trees and bushes of every colour, beautiful.
Looking down at the little bridge.
And to finish off, Alton Towers itself. This majestic building is mainly a shell. Although it looks very grand from a distance, it is derelict. So sad to see it like this. It's a pity that merlin Entertainments Group, the owners of the site, and who also own nearly 60 other attractions world wide, have not restored it to it's former glory.
And there I leave you with the beautiful side of Alton Towers. I have just noticed that I started this post with the fully restored Ilam Hall, and I end it with the hope that one day the Towers might be next.
This was in a very quiet corner in the centre of a very overgrown pond. It's a haven for wildlife.
The little bridge,
Trees and bushes of every colour, beautiful.
Looking down at the little bridge.
And to finish off, Alton Towers itself. This majestic building is mainly a shell. Although it looks very grand from a distance, it is derelict. So sad to see it like this. It's a pity that merlin Entertainments Group, the owners of the site, and who also own nearly 60 other attractions world wide, have not restored it to it's former glory.
And there I leave you with the beautiful side of Alton Towers. I have just noticed that I started this post with the fully restored Ilam Hall, and I end it with the hope that one day the Towers might be next. Tissington Trail and Dovedale
Day one report, the pics will enlarge with a click.
I set off at a about 8am on Monday morning, having got most of my stuff ready the night before. I am trying to get a bit more organised. The plan was to allow two hours driving time, and make the decision when I reached Ashbourne in Derbyshire, whether to go straight to Alton Towers, or have a walking day first and leave the Towers till the following day. It was dependent on the weather. I don't mind walking in the rain, but I don't want to be blasted in the face by droplets of rain which feel like hailstones, when I am hurtling around a coaster track.
I was making good progress untill I hit a 'Road Closed Follow Diversion' sign, which took me miles off route through Wirksworth, arriving at Ashbourne at about 10am. A sign as I entered the town 'Free Parking', now that's the sign I like to see, how sensible to use the cricket club car park for general use on a weekday.
The weather was looking a bit stormy with sunny bits in between, and as I was now running half an hour late, it made sense to do a walk today and ride the coasters tomorrow, when the forecast was much better.
So this is Ashbourne, the gateway to the Peak District. Nearly 40 years ago I had a van driving job and this was part of my patch, delivering spares to garages. It was a lovely job, the driving round bit, not the calling on customers and trying to sell them something, I was hopeless at that, ha ha.
There are a few cobbled streets around the market place, I called in Tourist Information to pick up a free map. Advertising boards everywhere though, makes the place look a tad messy. It's a pity the traders can't all get together and agree on a style and colour in keeping with the historical look about the place.
I had a nosey up an ally way and found this house which was covered in red berries.
A bit early to pop into Ye Olde Vaults.
The os map I am using today is about 40 years old, and still has the markings on there of the walks I did all those years ago. I don't think they have changed that much and the walk I am going to do is still very popular today. So, out of Ashbourne and pick up the Tissington Trail. 'Pay and Display'.....No thanks :o)
The Trail used to be the railway line from Ashbourne to Buxton, which opened in 1899 and closed in 1967. Fortunately the Peak Planning Board purchased large sections of it and created a 13 mile bridleway. I only saw a couple of other walkers, this is mostly used by cyclists.
Tissington is an estate village and has continuously been in the possession of one family, the Fitzherberts, since the 15th century. The family still lives in this early 17th century hall.
Tissington is famous for it's Well Dressing. Every year several wells are decorated with pressed flowers, mosses, ferns, leaves, and bark, they usually depict biblical themes. It is a custom which started in the middle of the 14th century. Tissington has an air of timeless serenity and seems the quintessential English village.
From Tissington I carried on further up the Trail, and turned left past Shining Tor, into Milldale. This is a tiny village, more a hamlet, only a few houses surrounded by farmland. Someone has been working very hard in this pretty cottage garden.
The tiny shop serves it's customers on the roadside. Polly's tea shop was named after the woman who originally opened it. It only opens in the summer, the owner closes it down in the winter and moves out. It didn't get connected to water and electricity untill the 1950's. There were a few walkers about and just about all of them stopped for refreshment. I had my favourite, a Magnum Classic ice cream
Time to start heading back, follow the river though Dove Dale. this is a pleasant valley walk which twists and turns, with steep sides over hung with limestone crags. There are caves.....
Crags.......
And pinnacles.
And at the end you come to the famous Stepping Stones.
At this point I veered off to the right around the bottom of Thorpe Cloud, it's getting late so no time to climb it, cut across to Thorpe village and pick up the Trail back to Ashbourne. I need to get to my bed for the night. It was dark when I arrived at Ilam Hall Youth Hostel so the pics will have to wait till the morning.
I set off at a about 8am on Monday morning, having got most of my stuff ready the night before. I am trying to get a bit more organised. The plan was to allow two hours driving time, and make the decision when I reached Ashbourne in Derbyshire, whether to go straight to Alton Towers, or have a walking day first and leave the Towers till the following day. It was dependent on the weather. I don't mind walking in the rain, but I don't want to be blasted in the face by droplets of rain which feel like hailstones, when I am hurtling around a coaster track.
I was making good progress untill I hit a 'Road Closed Follow Diversion' sign, which took me miles off route through Wirksworth, arriving at Ashbourne at about 10am. A sign as I entered the town 'Free Parking', now that's the sign I like to see, how sensible to use the cricket club car park for general use on a weekday.
The weather was looking a bit stormy with sunny bits in between, and as I was now running half an hour late, it made sense to do a walk today and ride the coasters tomorrow, when the forecast was much better.
So this is Ashbourne, the gateway to the Peak District. Nearly 40 years ago I had a van driving job and this was part of my patch, delivering spares to garages. It was a lovely job, the driving round bit, not the calling on customers and trying to sell them something, I was hopeless at that, ha ha.
There are a few cobbled streets around the market place, I called in Tourist Information to pick up a free map. Advertising boards everywhere though, makes the place look a tad messy. It's a pity the traders can't all get together and agree on a style and colour in keeping with the historical look about the place.
I had a nosey up an ally way and found this house which was covered in red berries.
A bit early to pop into Ye Olde Vaults.
The os map I am using today is about 40 years old, and still has the markings on there of the walks I did all those years ago. I don't think they have changed that much and the walk I am going to do is still very popular today. So, out of Ashbourne and pick up the Tissington Trail. 'Pay and Display'.....No thanks :o)
The Trail used to be the railway line from Ashbourne to Buxton, which opened in 1899 and closed in 1967. Fortunately the Peak Planning Board purchased large sections of it and created a 13 mile bridleway. I only saw a couple of other walkers, this is mostly used by cyclists.
Tissington is an estate village and has continuously been in the possession of one family, the Fitzherberts, since the 15th century. The family still lives in this early 17th century hall.
Tissington is famous for it's Well Dressing. Every year several wells are decorated with pressed flowers, mosses, ferns, leaves, and bark, they usually depict biblical themes. It is a custom which started in the middle of the 14th century. Tissington has an air of timeless serenity and seems the quintessential English village.
From Tissington I carried on further up the Trail, and turned left past Shining Tor, into Milldale. This is a tiny village, more a hamlet, only a few houses surrounded by farmland. Someone has been working very hard in this pretty cottage garden.
The tiny shop serves it's customers on the roadside. Polly's tea shop was named after the woman who originally opened it. It only opens in the summer, the owner closes it down in the winter and moves out. It didn't get connected to water and electricity untill the 1950's. There were a few walkers about and just about all of them stopped for refreshment. I had my favourite, a Magnum Classic ice cream
Time to start heading back, follow the river though Dove Dale. this is a pleasant valley walk which twists and turns, with steep sides over hung with limestone crags. There are caves.....
Crags.......
And pinnacles.
And at the end you come to the famous Stepping Stones.
At this point I veered off to the right around the bottom of Thorpe Cloud, it's getting late so no time to climb it, cut across to Thorpe village and pick up the Trail back to Ashbourne. I need to get to my bed for the night. It was dark when I arrived at Ilam Hall Youth Hostel so the pics will have to wait till the morning. Just checked the mileage, 15.29. I didn't think I had walked that far, maybe that's because I have used a 1:50 scale map instead of my usual 1:25. Part two later, I'm a bit tied up with dogs again.
Tuesday 21 September 2010
Well a girl can dream.......
Hi, I'm back. I will get the photo's sorted tomorrow, but in the meantime here's one for the ladies to drool over. I certainly did. Pwhoar. Ha ha, me hearties.
Sunday 19 September 2010
Our dysfunctional youth
I spent most of this morning picking up the rubbish strewn around the village, apparently we had a gang of youths on the rampage last night. I didn't see or hear them when I was out walking Henry about 10pm, so I don't know what time it was when they pulled this litter bin out of the ground and threw all the rubbish about.
The area around the chinese takeaway was littered with food wrappings and beer cans, the bin was overflowing so I removed a lot of it and put it in their trade waste bin next to the shop. I think the government should close all fast food places, that would reduce the amount of litter significantly, and halve the obesity problem, in one fell swoop.
This is just a few of the bottles and cans I picked up, as you can see the vandalism is alcohol related.
The kids do some daft things when they are drunk. At one house they have had some block paving done, and had put some pallets and wood across it to alert people not to trip on the holes where the gate posts are going to be. I had to knock on their door this morning to tell them where their wood had ended up so they could go and recover it. Someone's goal posts and net from their home footy pitch ended up next to the bin between the church and the pub. Goodness know how far they had carried that. I just don't know what is going through the minds of these yobs when they do this.
Anyway, despite the rain, the rest of the day hasn't been too bad. I took Henry dog back to his house, and went to the Ropewalk again for another natter because I hadn't seen it all yesterday. I hope it stops raining for tomorrow, I am going out. Just got to find the cord that holds my specs on my head, so I don't lose them on the roller coasters, now where did I put it. Spose I could always wear contact lenses instead. Toodle pip.