Talking to a stranger

I spent the morning chatting with friends at the Coffee Morning. After lunch I decided to go for a walk and chose a route that I haven't been on for several weeks. I was on a track next to a wood, day dreaming, my mind elsewhere. A cyclist whizzed past me and I hadn't heard him coming. He passed pretty close and I cursed under my breath. He could have given me some warning, ring a bell or shout. When I got to the next village I was in need of a rest. Lo and behold, there was the cyclist, also having a rest. 

I started a conversation with two women who were there having a picnic. Then they left, so I struck up a conversation with the cyclist. He had an accent but spoke good English. We were there ages, there was such a lot to talk about. He told me he is Polish and came here for work. That was a few years ago, he bought a house and has paid off his mortgage. He told me about his daughter going to uni. He works double shifts at a factory but said he wanted to stop and was considering other jobs to train for. We talked about all kinds of things, he was very interesting. When it was time to make a move he thanked me for the chat and said it had helped him with his English. 

 This is the memorial bench that I sometimes sit at. The footpath is very overgrown with grass and weeds. It hasn't been cut for some time. It looks like Trevor who usually comes to tidy up, hasn't been for ages. I doubt he would get his car down here. 

All the paths are overgrown, it makes it difficult to avoid tripping up or twisting an ankle. 

Eight miles done. Trying to catch up. 

The ducks have been and the hedgehog has eaten. Mayze has found herself a new bed under the table outside the back door. I can see her from the window. I will bring her in shortly, she won't want to stay out there all night. 

I have been checking out all the candidates in our area to try and decide who to vote for tomorrow. There are two who I definitely won't be putting a cross against. Whatever happens, either red or blue, I can say that I didn't vote for them. Then when it all goes tits up, which it will whoever wins, I can say, not my fault. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

A bit of this and that

We have a new coffee morning starting up in the village. It is at the church on a Tuesday morning, at the same time that the Post Office opens. I went this morning as usual, to take some cash out for my weekly spending, then popped into the next room for a coffee and biscuits. It's a good idea to use the church for recreational purposes, but I don't think I will be partaking of refreshments every week. Two morning clubs a week is enough. 

I was on my hands and knees this afternoon, pulling weeds up. Oh my, not good for the back. I can only do about half an hour of that, then I have to stand up and stretch. 

My resident ducks have gone missing. I saw a neighbour from up the street. She says they are in her garden, and they are nesting. One duck did turn up here this afternoon for a short time. It came running towards me when I went out with the food. Now it's gone again.

This afternoon necessitated a vets visit. Mickey has a bloody ear. Looks like he has been in a bit of a scuffle with another cat. I don't know which one. There is a bit of rivalry between the three of them. He will be alright. 

No more news today. I put this video on yoootooob yesterday, so I might as well post it here to fill a space. 

The sun is out and now, I will go for a walk. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Election Special

Good morning. Jonathan Pie has done it again. I don't know how he gets away with it. It's a wonder he hasn't been banned from every social media platform on the internet. One thing's for sure, he will never make it to main stream media. OMG no, can't have him spouting such garbage on the Beeeeeb. 

He is funny though.

Catch ya later. Toodle pip.   ilona

Failed.

Good morning. Six months have gone by since we started the walking challenge. Walk 1000 miles in one year. How are you all doing? Time to check in here. 

I have a confession to make, I have failed to reach the 500 mile target. Oh chuffin heck. How did that happen. 

There are only so many hours in a day, only seven days in a week, and only 12 months in a year. Working out how I'm going to allocate time to all that I want to do is becoming more difficult. I know, excuses excuses. 

I am 50 miles short at the moment. How am I going to make that up? Well there is only one way, I have to up my game. I have to rejig my priorities. There is pressure on me now to increase my miles to absorb the shortfall. Will I do it, I don't know, but I will try. 

Here is a sunset pic from the archive. 

Walkers check in here. Are you ahead of the game, or are you lagging behind? 

Thanks for popping in. Catch ya later. Toodle pip.   ilona

Dear Troll

 

The answer is with you dear Troll. Why are you bullying me? What is it in your psyche that makes you want to hit out? You are only damaging yourself. Work on making your own life better. 

Lots of love.   ilona.   xxx