A lot of water

Hello. So yesterday I went to Burton Waters, it's a marina just outside Lincoln. I was first there in 2012, then I went again in 2022. On this blog post there are lots of photo's of the marina. So why did I go again yesterday. First of all I went to Go Outdoors and bought an OS map of the area. There are a lot of places I haven't explored around Lincoln so now I have the map I can go a bit further afield. I hate going anywhere without a map. 

I wanted to do a walk from Burton Waters, along the canal into Lincoln. To see how far it was and how long it took me. It was a lovely sunny day for it. 

This is the route for the boats to go in and out of the marina and onto the Fossdyke Navigation. The footbridge goes over it. There were no boats moving yesterday. Some of the owners were busying themselves with getting their boats ready for summer. 

It was a long and boring walk into Lincoln. The path had a flat surface and quite a few families were out with their buggys and scooters. There was nothing much to look at along the way. Except the odd boat wreck now and again which either looked ready to sink, or was just abandoned.

Approaching Lincoln there were quite a lot of live aboard boats on permanent moorings. The Barge at Brayford Pool is a restaurant. Here is their web site, It has For Sale signs on it but I cant find who is conducting the sale or what price it is. 

I walked into town and needed a pee, that's the bathroom if you are in the US. I made a beeline for M&S they must have one because they serve food. I went up the escalator and hurried past the lingerie section, and found the Ladies lavatory tucked away in the corner of the kids section. I stopped momentarily to admire the bra's and knickers, I call them pants. What chuffin awful colours. They look like army camouflage garments. I pointed this out to a woman walking past. She said, yes they are awful. I checked the price, very expensive as you would guess for M&S. 

Directly behind them there was another rack. Those colours are much better. 

The town was buzzing, there was a lot of food vendors doing a good trade. I have to say though that the smell was awful. Not for me thank you. I sat on a bench outside a church and ate my cheese and pickle sandwich. 

Time to head off back to the car at Burton Waters. I decided to take the road for part of the way before I picked up the canal track to the marina. I thought this tree decoration was kinda cute. I might try that idea. 

So that was my day out. Seven miles, and a lot of it was along a boring canal tow path. I need to find some hills. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Porky pies

 

UK Prime Minister

@10DowningStreet

RETURNED: More than 24,000 people who have no legal right to be in the UK, including 3,594 foreign national offenders. This is the highest returns rate for eight years and the four biggest return flights ever. Our Plan for Change is securing our borders.

This is infuriating. The bullcrap that's coming out of 10 Downing Street. 

Where is the evidence? Where are the photographs? Where is the video footage? Where are the witnesses? How many flights? Where did they take off from? All done in secret eh! Pluck a number out of the air. When are you going to stop any more coming in? 

Sunny morning. Off to Crafty Club. Catch ya later. Toodle pip.   ilona

Where did I go today.

Good evening. Another glorious day. I've been out all day so a quick blog post tonight. I walked seven miles, mostly alongside a canal. Here are a couple of views. You might recognise these landmarks. 

A bowl of veggie stew in the microwave tonight. Now chillin with a glass of cider. I'll tell you all about it tomorrow.

Toodle pip.   ilona

To all mothers. . . .

Happy Mothers Day. 

Remembering my own mother. She died on March 20th 1982. I remember it well. I got the shock news on the telephone because I was away for the weekend. I remember the moment my friend took the call and passed the news on to me. I needed a large glass of whiskey which rendered me incapable of driving home and had to stay another night. 

Several months before, I witnessed her first heart attack. I was visiting her in her flat. She took ill. I summoned a doctor who came immediately. She had literally died on the floor. He punched down hard on her chest to try and revive her. He carried on doing this until the ambulance arrived. He broke three of her ribs. I remember looking down at her as the colour was draining out of her face and her lips had gone blue, and thinking, no you can't go yet, it isn't time.  We sat all night with her at the hospital. Watching the heart monitor going bleep bleep bleep. Please keep going. She did keep going and survived. 

A few months later came the second heart attack. My brother was with her at the time. It was too late, this time it was fatal. 

March is an emotional time for me. Mums birthday, Mums death, Brothers birthday, now he has gone as well. I am glad it's over and I can look forward to April. 

To all Mums everywhere I applaud you. It's a job that I could never do. Thank you. 

The sun is out. Enjoy your Sunday. See you soon. Toodle pip.   ilona

Digging for gold.

 Did you know? Greenland holds vast, largely untapped mineral resources, including rare earth elements, graphite, lithium, and other critical minerals.

These resources could play a key role in the future of green energy, technology, and global supply chains — making Greenland a potential hotspot for strategic development.

It's what's under the ground that counts. The greedy Globalists want it all for themselves. It's a push for getting rid of the little people to make themselves richer. They crave power and will go to any lengths to get it. They pay traffickers to do the job for them. They destabilise countries by invading them in a long term and measured way. No one will notice if we slip a few more in. Until such time that people wake up, and say, no, this isn't right. 

Green energy, net zero, it's all a scam. It's not about saving the earth, it's about control. Stand firm Greenland. Say no. 

Sunny Saturday. Thanks for popping in. Have a good weekend. Toodle pip.   ilona

Bus out walk back...again.

Good evening. Another nice day, or so I thought when I looked out of the window this morning. It was certainly sunny, I'll get another walk in. This time nothing much to see. A bus to town and walk back. The sun was a trick, it was windy and chuffin cold. 

I popped into the Arts Centre to say hello to Nicky. She wasn't very well last week but is better now. This abstract collage is very eye catching. They are in the middle of changing the main exhibition space, and installing a new art collection due to open on the 11th of April. A late night viewing is planned, where the artist Annabel McCourt will be in attendance.  

I picked up a booklet in the Arts Centre. It advertises a churches festival over two weekends in May. I'll check that out and make a note of those I haven't been to. The opening times are listed so that will be helpful. 

More freebies found in the hedge bottom. Two high viz vests, must have blown off the back of someones truck. They are almost new. I was quick to pick them up. A handwash in the sink will clean them up a treat. I have already got some, so I will find a home for these. 

Thanks for popping in. Mayze is wanting a cuddle so I have to push the keyboard to one side. Have a good weekend. Toodle pip.   ilona

Research ;o)

I was looking for an Ellie the Elephant song, and found this. 

😂😁😀😎😍😇😆😝

Amazing editing skills. 

Sorry, not sorry. 

Have a good day. Toodle pip.   ilona

St Andrews Church Redbourne

I've had a day at home today. Apart from a dog walk, and a trip to The Range, I've been busy at home. Well I can't go out gallivanting every day, can I? 😜

Here are some pictures of the church at Redbourne I visited yesterday. 

I loved the amazing colourful windows. 

Those are the pictures, now watch the video. 

Garden news. I have three resident ducks, all the rest have disappeared. I have just looked out the window, there are three hedgehogs munching their way through the plate of food I put out. How good is that. 

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

Visiting Redbourne

Good morning. Another new day dawns. I was hoping to get this post out last night, but after a busy day, first there was Coffee Morning, then I had a drive out to Redbourne, I was too tired to add the words to the pictures. So here we are, all bright and bushy tailed after a good sleep. 

I briefly visited Redbourne in August 2010. Blimey, was it that long ago. It is to be found a few miles south of Brigg on the B1206, a mile or two past Hibaldstow. There is a convenient place to park near the pub and next to the pond. 

I used to visit all the pubs in the area when I ran a singles club. The Red Lion was a particular favourite of the members. Here is the menu if you fancy a visit. 

The old Fire Station is attached to the side of the pub. 

There is a little park opposite the pub with picnic benches if you wish to eat your own food. The information board gives details of the nearby Hibaldstow Airfield. Pity it is covered in bird droppings. Anyone with a bucket of water and a scrubbing brush nearby. 

It was afternoon and the first place I looked at was St Andrews Church. I will do a separate post about that. This is the gatehouse entrance to Redbourne Hall. I spy another building at the back of it. 

I sneak around to have a look. There is nobody about, it looks like the gatehouse is empty. So what is this building around the back. 

I peak inside through the windows. It's like a glorified shed. A place to store furniture. It may have been used as a function room for parties and celebrations. Very interesting. 

And this is Redbourne Hall. Research tells me it is divided into flats. There is a video made by the estate agents when one of them came up for sale nine months ago. Take a look inside. 

A bimble around the village before I set off back home. The building through the gate is the old school. Now a private residence. 

Lots of lovely cottages around here. Also lots of big posh family houses I might add. 

This is the grand entrance to some of those posh houses. 

Ooooh heck, who's that. Look at the state of that woman. 😎😆😝 Skirt and loose fitting baggy bottoms are out of the closet. So comfortable to walk in. 

Thursday morning and it's sunny again. I may spend time in the garden today. Time for breakfast, and I'll check the church video and get that uploaded onto yoootooob. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Tales of the riverbank

I had a walk along the river bank today. Haven't done that for a while. The tide was in so the barges are able to go further upstream to the docks for unloading. There was recently one stuck on a sandbank for nearly a week. The skipper must have misjudged the tides. They managed to tranship the load onto another barge to lighten the weight of it. Then it was able to float again. This one went sailing by today. It's a Dutch boat and departed from Vlissingen at 11.03.It arrived at Groveport at 15.25 which is just after I saw it. It's moored at the moment. You can check where any boat is on the Marine Traffic web site. 

I sat for a while on one of the platforms at the fishing pond. A duck was waddling about on another platform. I wondered why it wasn't walking so well. It finally fell off the platform into the water so I got my camera out and zoomed in for a closer look. It looks like it has a duckling on it's back. 

I walked all along the river bank almost to the end, then turned left up a track past a farmhouse, then left again on the track to head for home. This is a photo of the Industrial Estate up ahead. The sun was trying to make an appearance and lit up the rising steam from the factory. 

Five and a half miles walked. As checked on Bikehike.co.uk

Thanks for popping in. See ya soon. Toodle pip.   ilona

Hate Socializing ?

Hello. I recently found myself in a situation where I couldn't escape. Feeling trapped is my worst nightmare. I was making an effort to socialise. All was ok for a while, but then I had enough. The conversation dried up, nothing more to be said. Then I needed to escape. A lift was arranged to take me back to where my car was parked, but that was an hour away. It was too far to walk, and I didn't have a map. I just had to sit quietly until the lift was ready. I struggled I admit. 

In situations like this I just have to switch my brain off and retreat into myself. Take my mind off somewhere else. This worked well when I was driving because I was alone. My coping mechanism kicked in and I focused on the end of the road, and what I would do when I got there. 

But when you are in company it's different. It has happened to me many times in the past. Usually I just walk away. Exit the scene, quietly slip away, and hope nobody notices. No need for big goodbye's. 

Some may say this is a form of anxiety. I disagree. I can cope with whatever is thrown at me. Anxiety adds the possibly of shortening a life, something to avoid, and I aim to keep going for a while longer. I am able to counsel myself. I work things out, then find a solution for whatever is bothering me. 

So if anyone else has similar feelings, you might find this video helpful. Check out the comments, and you will find that there are many more people just like us. 

Thanks for popping in. We'll catch up soon. Toodle pip.   ilona

Mass Migration

I am mighty impressed with Rachels post today, she writes with passion. I urge you to read it. 

Our children's future is being destroyed by mass migration. 

This video is about a tiny Spanish island. All the problems they are having there will come here. 

Mass migration to Europe is reaching unprecedented levels, with the Canary Islands—especially El Hierro—becoming a key entry point. As thousands of migrants arrive, local communities are overwhelmed, struggling with limited resources and cultural shifts that threaten their way of life.

Those who enter through Spain will one day be getting on boats in France. They will be picked up by Border Force or The RNLI, and landed on British soil. All young males. They come here because they get a free hotel room, free food, free phone, free money to spend. That isn't fair to those who keep on working and paying their taxes. 

It's not a British problem, it's a world wide problem. All Governments are corrupt. It's the Great Reset. It's the fourth industrial revolution. Build Back Better doesn't exist until first they destroy life as we know it. Understand that and be prepared. It will happen. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Reading Mr Emerson

 I am liking these quotes from Ralph Waldo Emerson. 

“For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.”

“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.”

“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.”
“Dare to live the life you have dreamed for yourself. Go forward and make your dreams come true.”
“Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a soldier needs.

 Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men and women to win them.”

“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.”

I'm away to sit with my friends at Crafty Club. I have some donated wool and fabric to give away. A good start to the week. Catch ya later. Toodle pip.   ilona

I show you my shopping.

Ooooh, look at the time. Sunday night is my entertainment night on yoootooob. I've just watched Dan and Steve, from Come along dear, they are on the Isle of Wight. Nice memories for me, I was there last year. 

I recorded this video this morning. It's taken ages to upload. 

Hedgehog news. Last night there were two hogs tucking into the food, and a third one was trying to nudge them out of the way. Hey let me in. Funny to watch. Tonight I have used a slightly bigger plate so there is plenty of room for them all to eat together. 

Now time for bed. Goodnight. Catch ya tomorrow. Toodle pip.   ilona

Reading a story.

If you saw the previous post, you don't need to watch this video. The words are the same, only this time I am speaking them while reading them from the screen. It is just an experiment. Some yoootooobers write a script and read from that. Most will make the words up as they go and say whatever is on their mind. My narrative here is not perfect. Maybe if I practice more I will get better. This is my version of brain training, hopefully it might slow down the process of losing my marbles. 

I've been shopping at Aldi today. I will record a foodie video tomorrow showing what I bought.

Have a good Sunday folks. Toodle pip.   ilona

Looking outward and inward

 I've been thinking about how I have arrived at this point in my life, and the road I took to get here. We can look backwards, but it is devilishly difficult to look forward. No one knows what the future may hold, we can only draw on our past experiences to guide us. 

I very much disliked school. Having to go every day when most of the subjects taught did not interest me. Sitting on a chair between rows of desks, and listening to the teacher at the front did not capture my imagination. The only lessons I liked was Domestic Science, the cooking side of things not the kitchen cleaning, Sewing, embroidery and dressmaking, and art, painting although I was not very good at it. The practical lessons where I could move around were much more engaging to my mind. 

When it came to leaving school, I rejoiced. Ran out of the gates one last time laughing, with my friend Celia, who was a rebel just like me. Celia went on to get married and have children, unlike me who by the age of 15 had decided that was not my ambition in life. 

Going to work in a shop was a lot more preferable than extending my studies to gain qualifications, in the hope I might find a better job. Working in a shop was fun because I enjoyed meeting people. I moved to working in a factory, it wasn't as enjoyable. 

Freedom to move about took me to Blackpool, where I stayed for three and a half years. I found a bedsit, found a job on the Pleasure Beach, and had a good social life. 

I have moved jobs many times. I become bored with repetition and want to explore new opportunities. So when I found lorry driving that suited me down to the ground. Staying single and not being tied to a partner goes hand in hand with trucking the length and breadth of of the UK. Some European driving was thrown in the mix, which made it all the more exciting. Again, once I had learnt a job, and it became repetitive, delivering to the same places, the same vehicles, and the same loads, I became bored. And so I moved on. I had a thirst for anything which got me out on the road. Driving was all I lived for. 

There was a certain amount of freedom when I was driving, the load had to be delivered, there were timetables to keep to, but the bits in between meant that I got to choose the routes that I took and where I stopped for a break, and where I parked up overnight. I could put up with the deadlines. That was the trade off to enjoy the freedom of the road. I liked the responsibility of being in charge of a 40 tonne artic, and in one job for three years I was piloting a vehicle with a gross weight of 80 tonnes. 

My enthusiasm started waning when the UK entered the EU in a big way. New rules and regulations were pouring in from Brussels. I had to watch a training video on how to couple and uncouple a trailer, after I had done that thousands of times before. I couldn't see the sense of it. Don't get me wrong I am all for education, I have always wanted to better my driving qualifications, but to treat us like children annoyed me. 

I stuck with my last job for seven years, because I had a mortgage to pay for. It was repetitive and boring, but the bonus was I knew the hours I was going to work, I was not pushed to hurry up and break speed limits, and they had a fleet of brand new Volvo's. It meant I could relax a little, without pressures. 

Many times I said I would never give up driving a lorry. As long as I could get into the cab I would carry on till I dropped. By the time I reached 60 I was ready to go. From that moment on I knew I could reclaim my freedom to do whatever I liked. I have never worked just for the money, and I emphasise that. As long as I have enough is fine by me. I have never been trapped in a job I did not like, I have always moved on. 

All this was a blue print that has moulded me into the person I am now. And so it goes full circle. This is why I will not go along with what is expected of me. A good life for me is taking responsibility for myself. This is why I look for new challenges, new experiences. At my funeral they will play the Sinatra song, 'I did it my way'. Because I have. 

Thanks for popping in. I wish you a long and healthy and happy life. Look after yourself. 

Toodle pip.   ilona

New things to see at the park

Hello. I was out yesterday, visiting family at Nottingham. Aunty was very poorly over Christmas so I couldn't go then. She is a lot better now. We went out for a pub lunch with her youngest daughter. I was late back home so there was no time to write a post on here about it. 

This morning I did a Billy dog walk, then I went another walk later by myself, to the park. The daffodils are looking lovely.  

These tiny blue flowers are very pretty. I don't know what they are. 

I was talking to one of the staff members. She said they have a new head gardener and he is coming up with some new ideas. This is one of them. A new bird hide has been placed in the woods. It's in an ideal spot to sit and do a bit of bird spotting. 

Next to it there is a board with information about dead hedging. 

This looks very neat, next to the bird hide. 

A tree was blown down and it's roots wrenched from the ground, in high winds, and has been laid there for months. Well rotted by now. I thought it would make a great picture. I have pumped up the saturation by 100%. 

I recorded this video on Wednesday on my walk back from town. Have uploaded it onto my channel today. 

Mayze is pestering me for a cuddle so I have to push the keyboard to one side to make room for her in front of me. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona