Lucciano and Frankie.

Start the weekend with a smile on your face. 

The duck family have been here most of the day. I bought them a bigger ceramic bowl from a charity shop. Filled with water, the babies can get in and splash about together. 

Have a good weekend. Toodle pip.   ilona
 

Game changer

 Good evening. I have a new toy to play with. Smart eh!. A brand new trolley. This will make my litter picking a whole lot easier. No more lugging heavy bags. No more filling smaller bags and emptying them into the red sacks. Now I can push this along and fill it as I go. When it's full I just lift the sack out and tie the top. With the gift voucher, and the discount, I only had to pay £10.  

How to fasten the sack to the trolley? An idea. I want one of those collapsible bags you can get for the garden. So I looked in B & M, and Home Bargains. The Home Bargains one was cheaper, only £4. That sits nicely on the trolley, and it's just the right size. Push it along in front of me with my left hand. With  the picker stick in my right hand load the litter straight into it. Perfect. 

This will fold flat to fit in the car. It means I can go out to different places to tidy up. I could even take it on the bus and litter pick at the seaside if I wanted to. Beach cleaning might be fun. it opens up a lot more possibilities rather than having to stick to the same area all the time.

 

I was going to do a test drive today, but Micheal the plumber turned up to service the central heating boiler. I didn't want to send him away as I have been chasing him up for a long time. You've got to hold on to a good plumber. I might do a test drive tomorrow if the weather improves. 

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

Sweet Caroline

 Good morning. 

Who remembers this. 😁😝😎😵😍 

Oh WOW, they have a web site. 

Just found the Flashback button for the 60's and 70's. Playing it now. Foot tapping. Going to have this running in the background. Brings a new dimension to blogging. Happy memories come flooding back. See if you can name that tune within the first few bars of the track. No more listening on the transistor under the bed clothes. 

Happy Monday. Toodle pip. ilona. 

Photo collage

 Good morning. I hope you had a good weekend. I did a three mile village walk yesterday in between heavy showers. The garden had a good watering so that saved me a job. I spent most of the day stitching. The book cover is finished so I will photograph it and put it on here later. 

I made this collage of photographs of my mush through the ages. Remember when it was cool to nip into a photo booth, adjust the stool to the correct height, feed a few coins into a slot, and wait for the flash. I so wanted to be a model like Twiggy. 

The top left is me as a nipper. The bottom left is my mum. I'm not sure what age she was then, I suspect it was taken at a time before she met my dad. 

What isn't obvious looking at these photo's is the absolute agony I went through during my teenage years. Yes there are smiles, but there were also lots of tears. I hated the way I looked. I tried my best to disguise that fact. Trying different hairstyles, wearing fashionable clothes. Sometimes I felt good enough to go out, and sometimes I wanted to stay at home and hide.  

Body dysmorphic disorder can manifest itself in different ways. For me it was all about my face, I hated it. As time went on I knew I had to live with it. I never considered that I might need some kind of help, it was something I had to come to terms with by myself. 

At 18 I threw myself into the big wide world and left home. Took on the challenge of finding a new place to live and a new job. I was terribly homesick for the first few months but knew I had to do it. It was important to build up my confidence. Three and a half years living and working in Blackpool was what I needed. Making new friends and enjoying my work, slowly brought me out of my shell. 

The BDD was always there at the back of my mind. Another turning point was getting my HGV, and PSV licences. Another leap of faith which paid off. 

Over the years I have learnt to live with it, and accept that this is the face I was born with. From the photographs you would never guess. If ever I dared mention this people always said, you look alright to me. Maybe so, but I didn't look alright to me. 

Now, years later, BDD is still there but in a much lesser form. I push it to the back of my mind and get on with my life. I look back and think, I did my best. I got through it. 

• Body dysmorphic disorder is a mental health condition where you believe there is a defect with part of your body. You may become very focussed or obsessed with this part of your appearance and avoid some places or situations in case it is seen by others. If you have body dysmorphic disorder, you might keep checking the mirror and have repetitive grooming behaviours.

Now I  have a morning chatting with my friends at Crafty Club. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.    ilona

Come fly with me.

I've gone through my photographs and pulled a few out to include here, my online diary. The date on my teeshirt is 2001, the first time I went to the USA. I went with the Roller Coaster Club of Great Britain. Some of these photo's may be a little bit out of order because I have had several coaster holidays. 

On the first trip we flew to Toronto and visited 17 theme parks in 15 days. It was manic but good fun. We travelled about in two coaches, from park to park, staying in a different hotel every night. I fell ill on that trip and was carted off to hospital. An all bells and whistles ambulance picked me up. Sirens blasting. It was a minor ailment but they really went to town on the medical care. I was only in hospital a few hours, and delivered back to the theme park to continue riding the coasters. 

Other holidays were, me and the boyfriend went to Orlando and did the Disney Parks. We flew to Los Angeles on another trip, stayed a few days and hired a car and drove to Vegas. That was magic. The next holiday we joined the group again and went on a coach to do some theme parks in Germany. We also did the theme parks in the UK, either as a group, or just the two of us. 

Some of the group members in 2001. The club is still going. Check it out if you are coaster crazy. 

I can't remember where this was. Germany I think. 

The highlight of the Vegas trip was a ride in a helicopter to the Grand Canyon. So so exciting. 

An upside-down house. Somewhere in the USA. 

No I haven't got a blotchy face. A reflection of my flowery top when I took a photo of a photo. Easily recognised location. 

Looking down over New York. From the Empire State Building. 

I won't be having any more holidays like these again. I don't have a passport, and I can't face all the kerfuffle at airports. My feet stay firmly on the ground from now on, or on the water if I take a ferry. 

I've just been outside to get the empty bin in and it's lovely and warm. What am I doing sitting here. On with the boots and off for a walk. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Happy Birthday Tucker

Well he is a happy chappy, it's his birthday today. Only 54 years old. 

Happy Birthday Tucker. 

And here is me at 60, flashing my new bus pass. 

OMG, this is what happens when you get to 75. Two heads and bendy legs. 

😫😁😰😵😖

Bringing Terry's video out for another airing. Four years ago. Thanks Terry. 

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

Tasty

Friday fantasy. How many people pay a visit to Asher House, just to eyeball Lee Asher in the buff. Well almost in the buff but not quite. Occasionally you get to see him wearing shorts on a hot day. 

The dogs are nice, but Lee is the bonus eye candy. 😍😋😎

Happy Friday. Toodle pip.   ilona

Daniel has bought a house.

I have been following Daniel for a long time. He is a lovely fella who bought a plot of land in Ireland  with tumbledown buildings. He transformed it to a thriving smallholding. Following his progress was pure joy. He called his channel Mossy Bottom. 

Now the story changes. He met a lovely lady called Angela, who came as a volunteer to help him out at Mossy Bottom. They are now proud parents of a baby girl. It was time to move on. They have moved to Finland. 

You can view the older videos to look back at the story. In this video Daniel shows us around his new place in Finland. He talks about the plans he has for it. He has kept the name Mossy Bottom, in memory of his dog, Moss. So for a positive vibe have a look at this gentle and relaxing video. It definitely has the feel good factor. 

Have a good weekend. Toodle pip.   ilona 

That's fine.

 Thank you to the people who inspire me to carry on. Comments like this one let me know I am doing something right. . . . . . . 

. . . . . . . . . 

Someone could make a film out of your life. I've thoroughly enjoyed this whole journey. Thank you for sharing your very inspirational story with us. I'm just coming out of a very patchy time in life where my confidence has taken a beating in work and relationships. I quit the job and left the relationship and now I'm just about to start a new chapter, stepping into the unknown. You've reassured me! People who bully or try and drag you down or control you are simply insecure. They were looking at you and feeling threatened because you were being you and many people are being fake or don't know how to handle someone or something unusual. You really outshone them in your work and achieved a lot. And now you're continuing to achieve as you share your thoughts and life with us.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

If I can help somebody as I pass along, then my living has not been in vain.

I apologise to those who would like to comment on the blogs but are not able to, my own sanity has to come first. There are those who don't agree with what I put out, that's fine. I am happy with my life. As long as you are happy with yours, that's also fine.

Have a good weekend. Toodle pip. ilona

Relief.

I dropped the car off this morning at the garage. They wanted it for 9am. Janet followed me and brought me back home. They never give a time for it to be collected, until they have had a look at it. It had a service while it was in there. They rang me at 1pm to say it was ready. I rang Janet and told her I didn't want a lift, as I am going to walk to the garage. It was 3.4 miles. Most of it is road walking, but I know a way to come off the road and follow a farm track. 

It was very windy, but thankfully no rain. 

And the car has passed the MOT test. Yipeeeeee. No need to change it just yet, it's a good one. £225, paid with cash. 

Catch ya later. Toodle pip. 

Fashionista

Aye up mi duck, I've spent some money. The parcel arrived yesterday. Maybe I should make an unboxing video. Slow motion, removing the packaging piece by piece, like a pass the parcel game. Eventually revealing what exciting goodies have landed on my doorstep. 

THE BIG REVEAL. I have a new hoodie. I could have sent cash, but UK Column are happy to receive a cheque in the post. Royal Mail do a guaranteed next day delivery, and this arrived a week later. I am  chuffed. It's very good quality, and looks pretty trendy. Excited to show it off in support of my favourite news channel. I will wear it to the coffee morning tomorrow. 

The sun is back hooooray. Let's hope it continues. Thanks for popping in.

Toodle pip.   ilona

Being human

A good cry before breakfast. Such a heartwarming story restores ones faith in humanity. Kind and caring people cancel out all the hate being flung about at the moment. Here is a dose of sweet love for fellow human beings. Share your tears of joy with Lavender. 

Go to Lavender's web site and watch her other videos. 

Busy today Toodle pip.   ilona

New toy.

I went on a mission today, to Lincoln. I wanted to check out the cameras at the London Camera Exchange, where I bought my last Canon. I need something lighter in weight and smaller. 

Where I park in Wragby Road is a good walk to the city centre. I had a look at the gardens at the back of the Cathedral. The entrance to the shop and cafeteria is there, separate to the main entrance at the front. I went in the shop and bought some of the lovely smelly soap that I like. I took a few photo's. 

Then I walked down Steep Hill to the town centre. The Ukulele Band were playing some old favourite pop songs, which everyone stopped to listen to.   

The Saturday Craft Market was busy. 

Hey look, I met a friend. I happened to see Ida walking down the High Street and noticed she had a  lovely purple outfit on. All dressed up she was. I had to tell her how nice she looked. She had been to church to sing in the choir. We chatted. I was hungry so I said I would get something to eat. We went in Greggs, then sat on a bench to eat our pasties. What a lovely lady she was, one of ten children. We talked about our growing up as children days. Something we have in common, we both like trees and the countryside. She isn't on the internet but she will get someone to look for this blog. I hope she does, Hello Ida. 

Ida went to get her bus, and I had a walk to Brayford Wharf. The Cathedral towers above everything else and can be seen for miles. 

The Brayford Bell had finished work for the day.

Then it was a slow walk back up Steep Hill to the car. Here is my new toy to play with. Let's hope my videos are not so wobbly in the future. It has mufflers to cut out the wind noise. Excited to try it out. 

Cheerio for now. Enjoy your Sunday. Toodle pip.   ilona

Bliss

This is why I have a bath. Not just to clean myself, but to enjoy a wonderful relaxing experience. Sipping a glass of wine, soaking in a fragrance infused bubble bath. Bliss. 

Billy is back home. I had a call from Carol so I took him for a walk this afternoon. He was running about like crazy when he saw me. It's a job to catch him and put his harness and lead on. He was raring to go. 

Now I am watching some old British sitcoms. Saturday night in and finishing the wine. 

Toodle pip.  ilona 
 

Trucking fantastic

I've been in my element today. Earlier in the year I was wondering whether to go to Truckfest at Peterborough. I wasn't in the right frame of mind then so decided against it. Today I was raring to go. Truckfest at Newark is not as big as Peterborough, but they had some gorgeous trucks on show.  

    

I've got hundreds of truck photos that I took over several years of visiting shows. And so it was today that I took many more. I walked around with a big grin on my face. I felt completely at home, it was as if I never left. There is still diesel in my veins after all these years. 

I've got some fantastic photographs to show, and some videos to put onto my yooootooob channel. It will take me a few days to get them edited and onto the blog. 

I have done such a lot of chatting today. It was good to meet others who are passionate about their trucks. Now I must chill out, I am weary. It's nice to sit in a quiet place after all the noise of the air horns and loud music blaring out. We will catch up tomorrow. Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.  ilona 

Good start to the day

Feeding the cats first thing this morning, Check the Summer House, yes, Mau Mau is there, still in bed. Turn to go back to the house, ooooh look, a complete rainbow. Dash in to get the camera. Dang it, too late, it has split into two. 

Rainbow gone. Interesting cloud formation. Dark clouds scooting across a blue sky. 

Now at 9am a lovely blue sky. Looking like it could be a good day. 

Someone is very disappointed in me. Don't worry, you will get over it. 💋

Brekkie time. Catch ya later. ilona 

The parade in Buxton

The sky is blue, the crowds are waiting, I am ready, let's get this show on the road. 

And, we're off. I hear music, I hear cheering, I hear clapping. They are coming. 

Eventually the procession stopped. They had parked up for a break. I stopped filming at this point and took a few photo's of the tail end of the procession. 

Then I walked across town to The Slopes, and got a few more snaps there. 

What a great day I had. Explore the town in the morning, a walk up to Solomon's Temple for the fantastic views, and all the fun of the Parade in the afternoon. 

It took a while for the roads to be cleared before I could move the car. I was in no rush. Eventually when the crowds had dispersed I could set off for home. The drive through the Derbyshire Peak District is particularly gorgeous. The southern part around Bakewell, Buxton, and Matlock has such spectacular scenery. Lots of steep hills and valleys, dales and woods, and villages. Perfect for walking and exploring. Over the years I have visited many times. 

Where to next. I'll check the maps. 

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