Behind the bus shelter

Good evening. 

It's been warm and sunny today. After lunch I went to see June. She's the friend who fell and hurt her knee. She had an operation to replace the damage. It is taking a while for it to heal, she is still unsteady on her feet. We had a natter and put the world to rights. June likes my new trolley. She used to do litter picking many years ago. 

I had a couple of hours to spare after that, so I went to the Industrial Estate. I see that the Council have collected my bags. I picked my spot to park, on a bus layby along a straight stretch of road. They used to have buses along there, but for some reason they stopped that service. 

I thought I would decorate my trolley with some tape. That's better. 

There is a terrible mess behind the bus shelter. I couldn't reach it all. I managed to fill two red bags and dropped them next to a litter bin, for collection. I need to go back to that location at some point when I have time. Such a lot to do. Keep chipping away at it. 

Good news. I put some dry cat food out last night, just in case the hedgehog comes back. All the food was gone this morning. I have just put the light on over the back garden and guess what. There is a hedgehog on my lawn right now. So pleased about that.  

Thanks for popping in.Toodle pip.   ilona

Too risky?

Good morning. 

Random picture from the library

A sunny start, but still cold. A question came up on a litter picking site.  

I live in a village where the A38 (which is a 40mph road) divides our village. The council will not allow litter pickers to work on it. The litter is awful, what can I do?

Well Mr Litter picker, since when do you have to ask someone's permission to do some tidying up. Obviously the road is not private land, it is a public highway. People are allowed to drive along it, cycle along it, ride a horse along it, and walk along it. Each one of those activities has it's own risks.

Do your own risk assessment. Are there restrictions, any signs saying no walking? Like you can't walk on a motorway. Too dangerous and it's against the law. Take note of busy times when there is likely to be a lot more traffic, eg, people going to and from work. Avoid those, go when it's quiet. Choose your times. Like a Saturday or Sunday.

If you are going to clear grass verges along a stretch of road you need to be seen. Common sense. Wear something bright, like a high viz jacket or vest, or even high viz trousers. Walk as you pick facing the oncoming traffic. Common sense. Be prepared to change sides if you come to a bend so you can see around it.

Before you cross stop look and listen. Look right, look left, and look right again. Just like being back at school. Common sense.

Use your ears to listen for traffic. Sound carries a long way across open spaces. If you are deaf, even more care should be taken. Do not dash across, wait until all is quiet. Litter picking is a leisurely activity, no need to hurry. Personal safety is important. Common sense.

This post isn't about litter picking, it's about personal responsibility. As I said, do your own risk assessment, as with any decisions you have to make in life. If you think the litter pick along your road would be too dangerous, don't do it. Find somewhere else safer. There is plenty to choose from.

Have a nice day. Toodle pip. ilona

Tidying the grot spot.

 Hello. Crafty Club was rather lively. It was Pat's birthday and we ate cake. 

This afternoon I spent a couple of hours litter picking at the grot spot on the Industrial Estate. I found it on Saturday. The first mega grot spot was cleaned up by the Scunthorpe Group yesterday. All looking tidy there. 

The Council was due to pick my pile up today, and they haven't done. 

Then somebody added another bag to it. 

Today I picked two bags.

And added them to the pile. I wonder if the Council will come and collect these tomorrow. So glad I got the trolley. Definitely a game changer. 

Now I'm going to settle down with Mayze and watch a new video from Dan and Stephen. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Nest building begins.

 Good morning. 

A quick post before Crafty Club. I am looking out of my front window watching the tiny birds coming for the feather dusters sticking out of the hedge It's nest building time again. It's delightful to see them. Some pictures from a year ago. 

Last year they stripped every last bit from the feather dusters. 

Now I must wash my hair and get some breakfast.

Catch ya later. Toodle pip.   ilona

An extra bag has appeared

 Good evening.

I went to Aldi this afternoon, and drove past my litter pile which I picked yesterday. This is how I left it. 

And now there is an extra bag and other bits and bobs. I wondered if someone was being cheeky and getting rid of their own personal rubbish. I stopped for a closer look. It's a clear plastic bag and it is genuinely real litter inside. So someone else is picking on my patch. Well done whoever it is. It's good of you to help me. 

The weather has been chaotic today. Sunny for a while, then black clouds and pouring with rain, then back to sunny.  Crazy. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

The verdict. A good idea.

Hello

A successful test drive with my new wheels today. I went to the Industrial Estate. As it's a Saturday I knew it wouldn't be busy. The only vehicles I saw were driving school cars, and learner motorcyclists with their instructor. They were practicing going around the roundabouts, there are several of them. I found an 'L' plate in the bushes. 😎 The label on the bottle said Lemon and Lime, but I am not sure if that was what was in it. I always empty all bottles out. 

I explored some new roads, and found another grot spot. I will go back to this later. The list is growing longer.  

When my first bag was full I took the pegs off and lifted it slightly it so the load settled to the bottom. Then tied the top while it was still in the trolley. I went back to the car, it wasn't very far away, and put the red bag on the ground, and inserted a fresh one. Then walked off to pick some more. When I got back I saw holes in the first bag where the birds had pecked looking for food. I double bagged it so it wouldn't fall apart and spill the contents. Have to look out for that in the future. 

With two bags filled at that location I went back to the mega grot spot where I picked 300 cans. Does anyone know a one legged person, with only one hand to match. 😆Four odd shoes and a glove. 

I had a strong clear plastic bag with me, and found a white bag, so decided to fill them with glass bottles. Didn't count them. I also found a free bucket. No damage, like new. 

All left next to the litter bin by the pond. They will be picked up on Monday. 

The verdict on the new trolley. It makes the job a whole lot easier. I pull it around and it follows me. Now I need to visit the litter picking pod to collect some more red bags. Probably sounds silly but a couple of hours picking litter is so relaxing. A simple job you can do without thinking about it is a welcome distraction from all the mayhem going on in the world. And the place looks better. 

I posted about my new trolley on the litterpicking faceboook page this morning. It has had 730 likes and comments so far. So don't worry if there are not many comments here. I have plenty to do with monitoring that, and my yoootoob channel. 

Thanks for popping in. Enjoy your Sunday. 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

OMG words almost fail me

 I am shocked. What happens to Tesco's yellow stickers if they are not sold instore by a certain time? They have an arrangement with a charity to come and collect it and distribute it to those who need it, through their food banks. Somehow 73 bagged items of bread has been found fly tipped, in Gloucestershire. Gill Thomas reports on this on her Faceboook page. 

So what happened to it once it was collected from Tesco? An investigation is now taking place. 

Cllr Gill Thomas

9 March at 18:49 ·

Spent yesterday morning taking in the litter lows along the A38, (there’s plenty!) in prep for tomorrow’s filming with the BBC, University of Gloucestershire and Litter Free.

Was particularly appalled by this fly tip of bread. Vermin aside, this flies in the face of the cost of living crisis - at a time when some people can’t even afford to put food on the table, others are wasting it and dumping it in the countryside.

What a selfish, messed up world we live in.

Cllr Gill Thomas

13h ·

Update: Following my recent post about the fly-tipped bread, I’ve now gone through all the evidence, photographed and counted it up - 73 bagged bakery items in total. Much of it was stamped with reduced-price labels and marked for ‘Tesco Community Food Connection Donations’, yet it ended up dumped illegally instead of reaching those in need.

I’ve sent a formal email to Tesco and OLIO - Share More, Waste Less demanding answers, (copying in national press for added leverage) highlighting serious questions around food waste, social responsibility and corporate ethics - this after Tesco posted a profit of £3.1 billion last year.

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

My comment.

This is one of the reasons why litter must be collected, and fly tipping removed from the countryside. Why it should be reported, and why it should be photographed for evidence. The system they have here in Gloucestershire is not working as it should do. Too early to point the finger until more details emerge.

The sun is shining and I am looking forward to the day ahead.

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

Made in China

Good evening. 

I didn't think I would be going out at all today, it's been very very windy. Then I had an idea. I was given a £30 gift voucher for Christmas, to spend at Go Outdoors. There is something I really need. I went to the store which is on the other side of town. I know exactly what I need, I wonder if they will have one, and they did. I will assemble it tomorrow. Sorry, it's made in China, 

I need some food shopping so I went in Morrisons. A store I never use because Aldi is nearer. I checked a few prices and things were more expensive than what I usually pay. Oh well, it might be a good opportunity to try something new. Chuffin heck, I spent almost £49. I would have got a lot more for my money if I was in Aldi. I like good quality peanut butter, 100% peanuts and nothing else, Aldi doesn't sell it. I had one of those help yourself salad boxes, and crammed it full for £2.50. Won't need to cook tonight. There was some cat food in there as well. One thing I did notice was the amount of labels which said 'buy three' for a discount. That's a scam. I only want one. 

Back to Aldi next week. 

By the way, sometimes I publish a couple of troll comments, mostly they get deleted. They don't bother me. You never know what is going on in their lives. They could be struggling with some personal stuff. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

My loyal fans. LOL (edited)

 Good morning. 

Here's a couple of funnies for you. Landed here just before midnight last night. 

I sense that someone is a tad annoyed. 😄😵😝

Oh well, never mind. LET THEM. 💙💚💛💜💖

One day they might grow up. 

Catch ya later. Toodle pip.   ilona 

Unknown commented on "I went for a walk today."

9 hours ago

More bloody virtue signalling.

By the way Valentines Day is well over.

Unknown commented on "I went for a walk today."

9 hours ago

Why do you giggle once you have said you are litter picking. Bloody hell this video is boring…you park your car! Nah can’t take anymore