Sock it to me. Money saving tip

Here is a little money saving trick. I always wear holes in my socks under the heel. It seems a shame to throw them away when this happens. I wouldn't want to darn them because I would feel the stitches every time I stepped forward. To walk five miles with lumpy bumpy socks would be very uncomfortable. 

So what I do is to put them on with the heel at the top of my foot, and the top of the sock underneath my heel. It's like wearing a new pair of socks again. Doing this trick doubles the wear of the socks. 

You can turn the sock inside out and sew across with the machine from one side to the other. 

Or you can fold the heel over so the hole is tucked inside, and hand sew the two sides together. 

Or you don't need to sew at all. Just put the socks on and fold the excess fabric flat. Check out the video for a demo. Your socks will last twice as long. No need to buy new ones until you have worn a second hole in them. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Hi Ho Silver Lining

Good morning. Sadly Jeff Beck has died. Hi Ho Silver Lining played a big part in my teenage dancing days. I must have bopped away to this hundreds of times. It reminds me of the Youth Club, and the Rugby Club where they held dances every Saturday night. It was played over and over again, we couldn't get enough of it. My friends and I donned our gladrags, tarted ourselves up, mini skirts and big hair, and went out to dance the night away, and hopefully pull a luscious fella. Those were the days.   

Thanks Jeff. Rest in peace. 

Catch ya later. Toodle pip.   ilona 

UK Government's Digital Identity Survey (updated)

I include this here, because as Richard says, it needs your urgent attention. 

The UK Government have given a ridiculous short amount of time to a public consultation about the proposal of Digital Identities that will impact the citizens of the Great Britain.

This is an open consultation on draft legislation to support identity verification. Richard tries to talk us through it, but it is so complicated that the document needs a lot more study to fully understand it. Here is a link so you can go through it yourself in your own time. If you want to take part in this survey you need to complete it by the 1st of March. 

The organisations affected by this consultation are public authorities in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland  and/or other government departments, arm’s length bodies, non-departmental public bodies or other organisations who may consider they could be affected by the draft regulations. It may also be relevant to other bodies that have an interest in identity verification services. The specified organisations are not meant to be exhaustive or exclusive. Responses are welcome from anyone with an interest in or views on the subject covered by this consultation.

This has been on the cards for some time, and most people don't realise what an impact it will have on our lives if it goes through. Basically our identities will be defined by just a number. If we go along with this, every aspect of our lives will be on record digitally, and will be available to anyone who requires access to it. This is one reason why we need to pay for as much as we can with cash. 

I make no apologies for talking about the subjects that will affect us all. Supporting each other is what we should be doing now. Thanks for popping in.  ilona 

Update.

I have just come across this video from The Black Belt Barrister. He explains more about what a digital identity is about. The pro's and con's of it. You might want to check it out. 

Falkirk Wheel - another view

WOW look what I have found. Remember when I visited the Falkirk Wheel in September 2021. I made a little video of it while I was there, a walk around it. Foxes Afloat, Sean and Colin, have released this video of when they took their boat onto it. They have a camera mounted on the roof and recorded the whole descent. This is a 360 degree interactive video. You can use the button at the top left of the screen to control the views all around the boat. Use the left and right buttons. It's a good idea to lower the volume because there is a lot of wind noise. Fantastic views, put it on full screen.  

Thanks to Sean and Colin for this. 

Click if you want to see the two blog posts I did, for more photo's.

24th September  

25th September

Enjoy. Toodle pip.   ilona

UK Rocket Launch

It wasn't a fit day yesterday to go for a walk. It was very windy and cold, but I braved the elements and went. As I passed the horsey field I saw my friends car there, she had come to feed her three horses. I haven't seen her for a while so it was nice to have a catch up chat. I sneakily took this pic as I was walking away. She is hauling bales of hay up into the top field where they are contained on high ground to get them off the lower boggy ground. 

Spending time chatting once again meant that I finished the last half an hour of the walk in the dark. I am well prepared for that now, by always remembering to take a torch. 

I was about to close the computer down last night when I noticed that they were covering the rocket launch live from Cornwall. I had no idea what this was about. As it was so close to happening I thought I had better stay tuned and watch it. 

I checked out a couple of web sites and got some info. This old Boeing 747, nicknamed Cosmic Girl,  has had it's insides taken out to reduce it's weight. It had the rocket strapped to it's belly and the plan was to launch it when it hit the required height above earth. Something went a bit wrong and it failed to reach the correct orbit. There were nine satellites on board the rocket, which all returned safely to earth.

Apparently there were two thousand visitors to watch the launch live. They didn't see very much. The Boeing taxied down to the end of the runway, then turned round and came back gathering speed before it lifted off. A bit like any other aircraft take off. It caused gridlock around the surrounding roads. There was a park and ride service to the site. 

Picture source Daily Telegraph. 

I wondered why they need to send more satellites into space? At which point will it become a bit crowded up there? It seems that Britain is not going to be left out of the space race. Our little island has some big ideas to be at the front of the queue. Maybe this gives a clue. 

 Here is the link for Spaceport Cornwall. 

The wind is blowing a hoolie outside. No walk today, perhaps it will be better tomorrow.

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Katie is back.

I see Katie Price is back on the scene. I think she has had a break from the limelight for a while. I quite enjoyed reading about her adventures. She is excited about a new direction her life is about to take. Here are some screen shots of her new plans. 

In this newspaper article she is gushing about this online course she has found which is going to earn her lots of dosh, and it is so easy, anyone can do it. If this opportunity is inspiring for you, perhaps you might like to have a read of  The Coaching Masters web site. 

I must admit I have skimmed through it myself and think I would be the ideal candidate for this course. The bonus of a qualification at the end of it is definitely an attractive proposition. And at only £10 a month, it is well affordable for me. 

I am pretty experienced in all aspects of the ups and downs of life, having come through the wringer and been hung out to dry a few times. I am a fairly good judge of character and can see through false narratives. I can pick out those unscrupulous scoundrels spinning a load of bullshit just to get their wicked ways. You won't find me emptying my bank account to subsidize some gigolo's lifestyle in some far off country. Oh no, keep your greasy mitts off my dosh. 

I would love to be able to help people avoid all kinds of dubious or dodgy situations. I am happy to guide those who are lost in life, and put them on a path to a future full of happiness. 

Now let's have a look at how I sign up. Oh no! I don't have a smart phone and don't have any apps. I wonder if they will send a paper version in the post. Perhaps I could buy a hard back manual, and teach myself. That would be cheaper. 

Haven't got time to think about it now. It's sunny and I need to get outside. Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Keeping up with technology

Out with the old Dysons, in with the new Goodman. 

I think this is going to make housework a lot less stressful. A quick ten minute whip round with this cute little suction stick and the job's a good one. No more humping a heavy lump of plastic about, plugging and unplugging the lead as I move from room to room, and no more wrestling with an unruly hose which wraps itself around my legs and trips me up.  

I am never going to actually like housework, but at least this makes it a tad easier. I don't want to live in a showhouse anyway, but at least the floors will be cleaner. 

Have a good weekend. Toodle pip.   ilona 

Sharing info

 Good morning. It's wet and windy outside. I have a little errand to do after breakfast. I will be dropping off my two ancient dysons at a workshop in town, so a man can take them to pieces and refurbish them, and sell them on. Make do and mend, so they don't get skipped. I would rather pass them on to someone who can make a few bob out of them. 

You may have noticed that I have changed the comments settings. I'm afraid that the nasty people are still around. It is such a shame that those who are hounding me have not got anything better to do. I wonder if Harry is feeling the same pressure. Surely there are much more pressing issues in the world which need our attention more than what he says in a book, and what I write about on my blog. Such wasted energy could be put to much better use. 

The world is on the brink of some very drastic changes to our way of life. We are on a road towards unimaginable horror, and people choose to criticize, and poke fun at me and Harry. 

A much better use of time would be if people started questioning why 'they' are pushing lockdowns, mask wearing and jabbing again, when millions of people know that it didn't work last time so it is not going to work now. Why are more people dying at a much faster rate than a few years ago. Time has moved on, there is more data to prove this. Another question, why are they flooding all European countries with young men from the other side of the world. Where are they all going to live when the hotels are full. Why do 'they' want to control all our spending, dictating what we spend our income on. Why are 'they' going to limit our travel, where we can drive to and from. 

So many important question that need answers, and people waste their time on nit picking and spiteful innuendos. If anyone is unsure where to look for up to date information on these topics, I have compiled a list of names of those working hard to bring truth to the masses. Goooooogle or tweeeet any of these names. That's if you want to learn something of course. If not just carry on as you are .

Dr Peter McCullough.....Ryan Cole MD.....Geert Van Den Bossche.....Robert Malone.....Dr Kelly Victory.....Dr David Wiseman.....Pierre Kory.....Dr Aseem Malhotra.....Dr Zoe Harcombe.....Dr Reiner Fuellmich.....Dr Jay Bhattacharya.....Prof Dolores Cahill.....Martin Koldorf.....Neil Oliver.....Ron DeSantis.....Whitney Webb.....Dr Naomi Wolf.....Del Bigtree.....Tucker Carlson.....Christine Anderson.....Vandana Schiva.....Dr Clare Craig....Catherine Austin Fitts.  

We have the right to know what is going on. These people have the answers. 

Thank you for popping in. Catch ya later. Toodle pip.   ilona   

Friday night pics.

Howzabout a few nice church pics to finish off the week. Can't be bothered to write anything. I wanted to get some of the fabulous sunset, but it had gone by the time I got to the best position to take them. Never mind. The church looks fabulous against the darkening sky. 

I've been trying out my new vacuum cleaner. Mighty chuffed with it. I will do a post about that tomorrow. Something to look forward to, eh! 😎😝😂

Enjoy your weekend. Toodle pip.   ilona

Lance finds GOLD!!

I find this quite inspiring. 

When you feel like giving up. When you feel there is no hope. What do you do next? You keep on digging, that's what. Then you find gold. There is always hope. 

Lots of love.   ilona

Not another one !

Coffee Morning is back on again after the Christmas break. I was the third person to arrive. It didn't look very promising, I wondered if anyone else would turn up. Perhaps they are nursing coughs and colds and are staying away. After all, it's what you would expect during the winter months. After a while a few more wandered in, then the ladies from the Pilates class in the Village Hall joined us. I noticed one lady coughing a lot so I gave her a wide berth. I chose a slice of Swiss Role and a latte.  

After lunch I went off to do a walk. It was sunny and I had a couple of hours to spare. The wind whipped across the fields and I was well wrapped up. It was lovely to start off with, but towards the end, battling with the wind was making my legs ache. 

Too cold to be playing on the swings today. The playground was deserted. The moon was making an appearance. 

On the spur of the moment I called in at Michael the plumbers house. I still owe him some money for the job he did for me. I have texted him twice asking him to text me back with an amount and I will put it in his letter box. He came to the door and looked a bit rough. I stood back. He apologised and said he hasn't worked it out yet because he has been laid up with the dreaded lurgy. It's amazing how many people are catching these crazy bugs. I am with Brenda from Bristol on this one. 😕😅😛😨😵

 

I made a big pan of lovely stew tonight. Plenty for the next two days. I still haven't unboxed the vacuum cleaner I bought yesterday. I must do that tomorrow and try it out. 

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

Shopping

I was in Curry's today, looking at vacuum cleaners. The ground floor is taken up by home entertainment and suchlike, so I had a look around. Good grief, what massive TV screens there were. I can't imagine what one of these would look like on my living room wall. What ugly things they are. Fancy sitting glued to one of these all night long. Enough to give you a headache. Not for me. 

I had a letter today from the TV licensing people. It's been two years since I last declared that I didn't need a licence. They are asking me to check the list to see if I now need one. None of the boxes apply to me, so I need to renew my No Licence Needed declaration. That's easy enough. Ring a freephone number or write to them. I'll do that tomorrow. 

My credit card bank has written to me saying I haven't used my card for quite a while so they are planning to close my account. They are correct, I haven't used it. My last statement was November 2021. The card expired in Aug 22, and they sent me a new one. If I want to use it I have to activate it from my Mobile Banking App. That will be rather difficult as I don't do mobile banking and haven't got the App. I am wondering whether to bother, do I actually need a credit card. 

I can't be bothered with all this faffing about. I don't need credit, I have enough cash to pay for things. I bought a vacuum cleaner, not from Curry's, too expensive there, but from B & M, and paid cash. 

I booked the car in at the garage, it needs a new cat converter. I thought about changing the car, but if I do that it will cost me a few grand. Might as well get this job done, as it will be a lot cheaper, and the car will be good for a few more years. 

That's all for now. Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona   

Stretching the meat. Money saving tip

Good morning. Windy and wet up here in my neck of the woods. I hope everybody is back at work now and I can get on doing what I need to do, which will inevitably involve spending money. I need to get some quotes for work on the house, pay for car insurance, and book car into the garage. These tasks can be done on the phone. 

I knocked out this short video yesterday. A little money saving tip for you. 

I use my large scissors for different cutting up jobs in the kitchen. Here I show cutting up meat into small pieces for the cats. You can also cut up your own meat like this and stretch it that bit further. This method is much easier than using fingers and a knife. Safer as well if you are prone to slicing your finger with a sharp blade. 

I use scissors for cutting up a slice of buttered toast into bite size pieces, then eat it with a fork. Saves excess wear on the teeth and sticky fingers. I also cut up buns and crumpets, and sandwiches. I use scissors for cutting up spring onions and celery. Also useful for opening packaging which doesn't respond to tearing apart with the hands. 

That is my little tip for the day. What do you use scissors for in the kitchen?

Catch ya later. Toodle pip. ilona

Conversation with my mother

Good morning, just, it's almost midday. I put this video out four months ago, but didn't post it on the blog because I knew I would get a lot of stick from the haters. By haters I mean the people who come here day in day out, and send me numerous nasty comments. It is like some kind of obsession they have, but no matter, I am very quick on the delete button. 

As time goes on my beliefs are growing stronger. Now I am ready post this video here. Some of you may have seen it on the other channel, you may want to move on and wait for the next posting. I thank you for watching if you have seen it before. 

I am proud of this video.

It's a sunny day, I have a line full of washing outside, I don't expect it all to dry, I will get it in if the weather changes. 

I have a few plans for this week, when the businesses open up again after the extended break. I want to get some quotes for jobs that need doing around the house. Need to pay a couple of bills. Want to have a practice bike ride. Thinking about the Walking Group, I'm looking at a separate page for it where the members can check in any time. That will spread the work over the whole year rather than a frenzy of activity at the beginning of every month. And there is a Billy dog walk planned for this afternoon. 

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

Last check in for the Walking Group.

Good morning. And a Happy New Year to everyone. I didn't manage to stay awake until midnight. Bed was calling me at 10.30pm. I was however woken up just after twelve by the fireworks in the next street. The loud bangs did not bother me too much as they were only distant cracks to my deaf ear. I soon dropped off to sleep again. 

So, this is the last check in for the International Walking Group for 2022. I hope you are all feeling fit and well after your year long slog around your area. Be proud of yourselves that you have completed your challenge. 

I have already revealed that I finished my challenge on Thursday. Now it's your turn. Leave a comment with an update of your final mileage. How did you fare, was it easy peasy or a struggle to keep motivated? Have you had enough or are you raring to go again in 2023? This will be the last check in ever. I don't need to hold your hand any longer. You are capable of deciding for yourself whether you will go for the full Monty again or not. I have badgered you, and I have kicked your arse. The benefits of exercise are well known. All I am going to say is do it for yourself. 

I am still considering what I am going to do next. I will not stop walking, that's a fact. I will be recording my mileage on my brand spanking new calendar. I want to leave time for other adventures so I might not go for the full 1000. It depends on what other ideas I come up with. I like to be flexible, and not stick to a rigid timetable. One must grab opportunities when they arrive. 

I saw this hippy campervan on Thursday, it was parked near the Marina. I think with a paint job like that it is highly unlikely that it will be stolen.  

Anyway, I must crack on. Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona