Elsham illuminations, 2nd video

Good evening. 

What an amazing show this was. So glad I took the chance to go. I don't book in advance, I just turn up and hope for the best. Apparently the web site is saying all tickets sold out. I remember the light shows I went to at a church in York, and another one at Lincoln Cathedral. I ring and ask if I can pay cash on the door. Sure no problem were the replies. If they want the business they will make allowances. Turning money down is silly. Be cheeky and ask if you can pay on the door. Tis the last day tomorrow for this but check out the web site to look for other events throughout the coming year. Yes they will say online booking only, but bypass the ticket agency, contact the organisers direct.   

Take a little stroll with me. 

Today I went to the Post Office to make the last payment of my Council Tax. That's all done and dusted for this year. Now I have three months off until we start again in April. Of course most people will not even notice the gap unless they religiously check their bank statements. A letter will arrive in the post telling me how much I have to pay in 2026. They will try and push me into taking out a direct debit, and I will ignore that. Just carry on as I am, using cash for almost everything. 

I went into the little Tesco to purchase three chocolate bars, for the three small children up the street. Their dad is a builder and he fixed my blocked downpipe. Hopefully that will stop the rain water spilling out from the gutter. He wouldn't take a payment from me because he said it was only a ten minute job. I wrapped the chocolate bars so they each have one to open. They will find a little surprise inside. 😍😎😝 

I had to wait until an assistant came to the checkouts to serve me. People were using the scan yourself self serve, but I won't do that. I prefer a human. She was very nice. She said her husband refuses to use the self scan as well. I said good man, tell him to stick with it. 

The Humber Bridge Board is planning to do away with toll booths completely in February. They post on Faceboook warning of these changes. I have to say my piece. I don't know how it will work for those not connected to the internet, those who don't have smartphones, those who don't do internet banking. They say they will have paypoints for those who want to pay with a card or cash, but where will they be? Just another way to restrict our movements and control our freedom. 

Anyway, I will try not to moan over the Christmas period, but I can't promise. I may open up the comments, but I can't promise that either. It is so nice not to be bombarded by stupid comments. There is a lot to be said for going it alone and enjoying your own space. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona 

Llangollen Canal breached

Good morning.

I interrupt Elsham lights to post about this tragedy that has just happened on the Llangollen Canal. I follow several narrowboaters on yoootooob. Thanks to Heidi for sharing this video from Paul of Narrowboat Life Unlocked. 

So very sad that three boats went down into the hole when the canal was breached. It happened just after 4am. Thankfully no one was injured and they managed to get off. It is estimated that this is going to take six months to put things right and the canal restored. 

Catch ya later. 

Toodle pip.   ilona

Magical Fairyland at Elsham Hall.

Follow me. I will take you to the Enchanted Forest at Elsham Hall. As you walk through the courtyard and step through the gate you are greeted by a beautiful magical fairyland. Where to look first, I was in awe. 

The path is well mapped out with fairylights on the ground. It's a one way system so people don't get in each others way. I was there early. At 5pm when it opened a few people had arrived. Later on the car park filled to overflowing. I walked around once and took the photo's, then walked round a second time to record two videos. You could walk around as many times as you like between 5pm and 9pm when it closed. Twice was enough for me, I had the pictures I wanted. 

There were staff and volunteers dotted around to make sure people didn't stray from the route. They were there to help if anyone needed assistance. 

A lot of thought must have gone into this. Someone with an artistic talent had to work out the best colour combinations when planning where to place the lights. Who would have thought, a blue tree with splash of orange up through the centre of it. 

Follow me around. The first ten minutes. I also recorded a short 6 minute video which I will put up tomorrow, along with more photographs. 

Only two more days left of this show, 23rd and 24th. I am sure they will be bringing it back next year. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Elsham Illuminations.

Good evening.

A quick in and out tonight. I've been to Elsham Hall to see the light show. It was stunning. Taken lots of photo's and made two videos. I will get them edited and uploaded in the next couple of days. 

If anyone is within travelling distance of this, it's not far from Brigg North Lincolnshire, get yourself there. The last day is Christmas Eve on the 24th. Here are the details. I didn't book in advance. I went early, it opens at 5pm, and paid cash to get in. I walked around the park twice, and when I left it was very busy and the car park was full. 

Now Mayze wants a cuddle. 

Catch ya tomorrow. Toodle pip.   ilona

Keeping you in the dark.

Good evening. 

Here is a short video I knocked up last night. It is a bit blurry because the camera doesn't focus well in the dark. 

Fun in the village tonight. The local tractor enthusiasts were out in force. They did a tour of the surrounding villages, collecting money for charity. The pub car park was full and some of them spilled over onto the village green. 

I didn't make a video because I did one last year. If you want to watch it, it is on this post from 22nd December 2024. 
Now it's time to relax. Have a good weekend. Toodle pip.   ilona

Responsibility

 Good morning.

Amazing man. Check out his web site. 

Read about him on Contemporary Thinkers. 

Try this interview on his early life, on Uncommon Knowledge. 

You can't do anything about how people behave, what they say and what they do. They have to walk their own path. If their life is on a different track to your own you wave them goodbye. I have spent most of my life not fitting in, it works for me. 

Have a good weekend. Catch ya later. Toodle pip.   ilona

The future

Good evening. 

The sunny start to the day prompted me to go to town on the bus, and walk back home. This time I didn't miss it. 

I pass this building. A few weeks ago I stopped to chat with the security guard who was parked at the entrance. I think I might have mentioned that. She was called Helen and she told me about the campervan which she built herself, and lives in it with her dog. Today there was a man there so I asked him if he knew Helen. He said she is working up north at the moment. I also asked him about the building, because I am nosey. It has a strange story behind it. It was a private hospital but was closed down because it was not fit for purpose. Here is the story from the BBC.  Sounds well dodgy to me. It is now up for sale again. 

A private surgery has been rated as inadequate after needles were seen sticking out of overflowing bins with patients put at "risk of harm".

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) said it had "serious concerns" about privately owned Meridian House in Scunthorpe. It said the lack of sufficient equipment, deep cleaning and general infection prevention measures were "reoccurring" breaches.

"The service put users at the risk of harm because staff did not always have equipment they need to deliver safe care."

A new building site emerged here a few weeks ago. They moved in lots of equipment. I seem to remember there was some talk about plans for a solar farm being passed. Looks like they have made a start on it. I think we will be seeing these installations cropping up everywhere. As far as I know this plot of land has never been used for farming, so that's one consolation. 

These look like the panels still in their packaging. 

Here's a link to the company web site if you are interested. I don't understand any of it, but I suppose we have to get used to seeing these awful blots on the landscape as we try and enjoy the countryside. 

Six years in the planning. 

Conesby receives planning permission

INRG have received planning for a 50MW Solar and battery farm in North Lincolnshire. Conesby will be the first of INRG’s new rollout of large scale UK energy infrastructure projects.

By INRG|February 27th, 2019

LITTLE CROW SOLAR PARK

INRG is in the early stages of developing a 120mw park near Scunthorpe in Lincolnshire, local consultation is due to start early in 2018. The pioneering scheme would be the UK’s first large scale subsidy free solar park and will include 50MW of battery storage. On completion little crow solar park would generate enough clean electricity to power more than half the homes in North Lincolnshire. The first phase of public consultation starts on 16th, 17th and 18th of January, details as follows.

16th January – Appleby village hall, School lane, Scunthorpe, DN15 OAS

17th January – Scunthorpe civic centre, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 1AB

18th January – Broughton village hall, 59 High Street, Broughton, North Lincolnshire, DN20 OJX

They are pressing ahead with their net zero sustainable energy plan, and there's not a lot we can do about it. 

I think what annoys me about all these mega amounts of money, which often comes from taxes, being gambled and squandered on hairbrained ideas which are unlikely to ever be in the best interests of the ordinary man and woman who are trying to get by on their inadequate wages. The NHS is in dire straights, and what happens when the battery and solar farms come to the end of their useful life. 

Have a good weekend. Toodle pip.   ilona

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