And four became five

Good morning. It is Monday.  

I was out yesterday afternoon. It was very windy but I thought I would have a mooch around the Industrial Estate to see if I could find any more grot spots. I might pick a bag or two, or maybe I won't. 

On the edge of the estate is this road to nowhere. I did a circular walk and came back along here. Drainage has been installed, deep holes along the edge at regular intervals. No metal grids, just holes. At the entrance to it are huge concrete blocks to stop vehicles going down to the end. I spoke to some dog walkers, they said it used to be a magnet for gypsy travellers. They set up camp there. That's why the owners of the land put the blocks down. 

What did I find? Rubbish, lots of it. 

The surrounding land is very swampy. There are lots of trails used by bikers, old and young, cyclists and motorised bikes. 

I got back to my car and found that a lorry had parked close by. I had a chat with the driver. He was there for the night and was just about to warm up his home made stew dinner. What a nice man he was. I made him laugh with my trucking stories. I almost envied him tucked up nice and warm inside his cab.  

Should I try and pick a bag of litter, it was very windy. Oh well, might as well now I am here. I prepared the trolley with the red bag inserted in the collapsible bucket thingy. I had a job to hold onto it, I grappled to keep it upright against the wind. It became easier once I started putting some weight into it. 

The result. One bag added to the pile I left on Friday. I won't be battling the wind again like that. Nope, sunny and dry and calm from now on. 

I desperately need a haircut. Perhaps that job will be done today. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

My brother

Good morning. It is Sunday, and the first day of Summer. I have changed the time on my one battery powered house clock. I don't need to change my watch because I didn't turn it back in the Autumn. I go through the whole of winter just deducting one hour when I check the time. Now the time on my watch is correct. The computer and car have corrected themselves. 

Today is my brothers birthday. Stephen died when he was 59. He was 18 months younger than me. Today I am reflecting on his life. My memory of him is rather sketchy. We shared adventures in the village where we lived in a Council house. We each had our own friends, but sometimes we were naughty together. I remember we were sent to bed because we had been very naughty. We got a slapped bum and had no dinner that day. 

We had a dog which we got from the RSPCA at Derby. We named him Nipper, after the picture of the little dog on music records.

Stephen was an animal lover. He had a pigeon loft in our back garden. Always out there looking after them. He also had a rabbit. We had two cockerels and some white mice as well. Later on after he moved to Derby he notice a house up the street had a greyhound which was always tied up in their back garden. He knocked the door and asked if he could have it. The woman said yes, then the man came home and was angry that his wife had given the dog away. He demanded money from Stephen. Stephen told him to get lost, and said he would report him to the police. The man went away. Flash the greyhound spent the last years of his life with Stephen, even though he himself had to go without food in order to feed the dog. 

When we both left school we went our separate ways regarding work. Stephen had joined the Army Cadets when he was able to. He later went on to join the regular army. I remember going to his passing out parade at Stafford Barracks. Mum came with me. It didn't register with me, our little boy was now a man. 

Then we lost touch for a while. Stephen moved around and so did I. I was back with mum again in her Council flat. Stephen was also back, it was a bit cramped with two bedrooms, but we managed. 

Stephen's downfall was alcohol. He was a sensitive and impressionable young man and it sent him off the rails. He seemed to be following in the footsteps of our father. I blame the army for that. They taught him how to drink. The police picked him up one night, found him in the gutter, took him to the hospital to get him cleaned up before they brought him home. I left home and got a flat, to give them more room. 

After that it becomes more vague. He went to live in Bah Rain, don't know why, think it might have been for work. He met a young lady there and they shared a flat together. I went for a holiday there. After not seeing him for a few years I was shocked by how much he had changed. Something had happened to his personality, and I saw first hand how volatile he was. Sad to say but I left early, got the first flight I could back to the UK.  

No point in sharing details, what's past is past. He went to live in Mumbai with his now wife. Fast forward 17 years, he chose to not get in touch with us. We got an email from Ap to say he was gravelly ill and wasn't expected to live much longer. A week or so later he passed away in hospital. 

Stephen what happened to you. I think of you today on your birthday. 

The weather doesn't look too good outside. 

Enjoy your Sunday, whatever you are doing. 

Toodle pip.   ilona

Just horsing around

Good evening. 

After a warm and comfortable drive today I got to my destination only to step into a fridge. Don't be taken in by the blue sky, fluffy clouds, and sunshine, it was chuffing freezing. Bransby Horses is about an hours drive away, between Gainsborough and Lincoln. Check out their web site to see what they do. It's a charity I have been supporting for years. Today I went to hand over my donation and buy some goodies from their gift shop. 

I had a walk around the paddocks and took a few photo's. I had a nice chat with a friendly family. They had a young girl who is horse crazy. She had to stop and talk everything with four legs.🐎🐎🐎 

I made it into the shop just before they closed at 4pm. Look what I treated myself to, it was only £5, a bargain. Perfect, I have always wanted a pink backpack. I bought three jars of posh jam which I will donate as raffle prizes at the Coffee Mornings on a Wednesday. I couldn't resist buying a cotton tea towel as well. It has an eye catching cat design. I think this might get donated as well. It should be framed, it's too nice to use on wiping dishes. 

 

I knocked out this video this morning, and left it uploading onto yoootooob. It was ready when I got back. A chitchat before my breakfast. 

I wish this weather would warm up. Fed up of being cold.  Don't forget to put your clocks forward one hour if you are in the UK. We are now moving into British Summer Time. Summer, ha ha, that's a joke. 

Enjoy your Sunday. Toodle pip.   ilona

A good film to watch

Brenda Blethyn In Girls' Night (1998) | Love, Loss and Las Vegas Dreams | Julie Waters 1 hour 37 minutes.

Step inside the world of working-class Britain, where friendship, family, and dreams collide against the odds. Experience a heartfelt story of hope, humor, and resilience. In this powerful British drama, follow Dawn and Jackie as they navigate the everyday challenges of factory life, complicated relationships, and the thrill of a life-changing bingo win. As the sisters-in-law celebrate their unexpected fortune, their journey takes them from their tight-knit community to the dazzling lights of Las Vegas, all while facing personal battles, love, betrayal, and the harsh realities of illness. With sharp Northern wit and raw honesty, the film explores themes of loyalty, ambition, and what it truly means to live when time feels short.

Good Morning. 

This post is written arse about face, because I copied and pasted the film details the other day. So you get my bit, here at the bottom. Can't be bothered to change it. 

Two great actors, or is that actresses, in one film. I enjoyed it, but, Julie Walters character was much the same as Rita, in Educating Rita. Her mannerisms were the same. Would have expected a completely new personality. Remember Rita, when she stomped about smoking a lot, and kicked the door in at the tutors office. 

Something to watch over the weekend, if you are at a loose end. Click 'Watch on Youtube' 

It's windy again, but sunny and dry, so I have to go out. Where to? I have a couple of options.  

Catch ya later. Toodle pip.   ilona

Four bags today

Good evening. 

The rain did eventually stop so I was able to get out this afternoon. The rubbish I saw yesterday was beckoning me to go and pick it up. It's in a quiet dead end road on the Industrial Estate. The ground is rough with a lot of brambles. Good job I wear boots.

I did two bags, would I have time for another. Yes go for it. The sun was shining. I kept the glass separate and wondered if there was enough to fill another bag. I used a thicker clear plastic bag for that. Then I double bagged it with a red sack. It was very heavy. 

I noticed that someone else had dropped two bags off at the spot I usually use. I parked mine at the other entrance to the pond, where there is another litter bin. Normally I would expect my bags to be picked up quickly, but this week the Council have been a bit slow. They were there from Monday to Thursday. 

There is still a bit more litter where I got this from. Some of it is pretty disgusting. I must have emptied at least a dozen plastic bottles of pee. What's left can wait until I am ready. Or maybe someone else has got their eye on it. 

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

Cultivate your sense of humour

 If the previous post was a bit too heavy for you, give this a try. Be sure to have a tissue nearby, and don't be eating while you watch, because you will be laughing your little socks off. That AI has got to be good for something. Read the name tags on the reporters. 

😎😍😰😛

Toodle pip.   ilona

Children are their targets

 Good morning.

It's raining and I want to go out and pick up the litter I saw yesterday. Bugger. I hope it stops. In the meantime I will play on the computer, and do a bit of sewing. 

How do you feel about robots taking over the world, because they will. Maybe not all humans will be obliterated, those remaining will be the ones who will be controlling the robots. You know who I mean, the rich mob who are playing God. 

If you are having difficulty with your rabbit hole diving, you could listen what this bloke has to say about Melania's speech.  HighImpactFlix 

@HighImpactFlix

What Melania ACTUALLY SAID About Our KIDS at the "Humanoid Summit" will BLOW You AWAY!

It might be fun to use AI for amusement purposes, but the underlying message they are sending out is all about controlling the masses. Make no mistake. We are all being sucked into a murky world of dominance and compliance. Be aware and reject any push towards following the road to nowhere. 

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

Exploring a new walking route.

Good evening.

I wanted to go for a walk today, and had several options. As usual I couldn't make my mind up where to go. Then I noticed it was 12.30pm and on the spur of the moment I got ready to get the 1pm bus. I didn't go the full distance to town, I got off early. I had it in mind to explore some new paths. 

Through a gate, past some horses in a field, and take a footpath which runs alongside an old railway track. The views are quite good along here.  

This was an old railway line but the tracks have been dismantled and are long gone. I am standing on an old iron bridge, which is a mere skeleton of what it used to be. I hope it doesn't collapse. 

The bridge has no side rails and goes into a field. It is blocked off at the other end by a piece of farm machinery. Don't look down. 

I was heading towards the Industrial Estate where I do the litter picking. There are no proper paths here, I scrambled over the rough ground and came out opposite the Co op warehouse. This is where I found the second grot spot on this estate. I didn't have any picking equipment with me, I was just out for a walk. I will have to come back here and tidy up. Even though I have removed some of the rubbish, there is still a lot left. 

After checking other parts of the estate for litter, I set off back home. The levels of this mucky pond fluctuate depending on how much rain there has been. Sometimes there is no water in it at all. Today there is quite a lot, although it looks as black as ink. 

I stepped a bit closer to it and took another picture. Then on the computer I turned it upside down. This is the reflection of the trees. I rather like this picture. 

That was a three hour walk. It was sunny when I started out, now it was getting cold as the clouds came over. Nice to get back home and enjoy a mug of coffee. 

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

Keep on trucking.

Good evening. 

That was a nice surprise today. I turned into the car park entrance at Aldi, and this beautiful Mercedes truck was parked outside the car garage next door. Oh wow, what a beauty. I watched the driver load the third car onto the top deck. She then raised the deck and was about to load the lower deck. 

Yes, I did say 'she'. I was delighted to see a young lady in charge of this rig. I parked my car and went across to have a chat. 

This is Tania, loading up the second car on the lower deck. 

Check that it's in the correct position and attach the ratchet straps. 

The last car to load she reversed it on. 

Now finish tying the load down. Check that all the straps are tight. 

Yep, it's looking good. 

Six cars loaded, now ready to roll. 

I get a buzz when I see women driving trucks. Tania is enjoying her job. She started with this company a few years ago on a smaller vehicle, then moved up onto this artic after passing her class 1 test. I really enjoyed our chat, it was so nice to meet her. 

I did all kinds of different jobs when I was trucking. Different lorries and all kinds of loads, but, I never did car transporters. So well done Tania. 

I then did my shopping. Thanks for popping in. Catch you tomorrow. 

Toodle pip.   ilona 

Once a bridesmaid never a bride.

Good morning. 

I don't have many old photo's. When I was a bridesmaid at my best friend Carol's wedding, she had a professional photographer, so I ordered a set of photographs. I'm trying to remember what year that was. I think we were in our early twenties when the wedding took place. 

As time went on I was often asked 'are you courting', as it was expected that everyone did find a partner with the intention of producing little sproglettes. Another question that cropped up on a regular basis was, 'are you married yet'. 

Boyfriends came, and they went, but there was never the right one that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. The term 'settle down' was often bandied about, as if that was the only option and everyone would get sucked into it at some point in their life. 

Oh, I thought about it, should I or shouldn't I? Settle down, oh no, I don't fancy that at all. An awful thought. Settle down and be legally chained to someone I didn't love. They say you can grow to love someone, but if there isn't that spark there right from the start there is no point in hoping and praying that it might work, when there is obviously a mismatch going on. 

And so life went on, with no obvious suitor on the scene. Besides I was busy working. Trying new jobs, and moving about. 

After a while I realised that I might never get married. I had two proposals, which weren't quite right so I had to end them. For their sakes, not mine. I wasn't right for them. They were kind and deserved someone better.  

I had two disastrous relationships which might have lead to something permanent, but I was not prepared to suffer being bullied. They had to go. 

I now know that I was never meant to be married. It was never in me. A feeling I had right from being a teenager. I always knew I wouldn't have children. 

Some might think I am a lonely old spinster, a batty old woman, they are so wrong on that score. I weathered the storms, and made my choices. If something doesn't feel right then it isn't right. 

Now I am off to Coffee Morning to chat with friends. 

I wish you a happy Wednesday. Toodle pip.   ilona  

Busy in the garden

Good evening. 

I've had an afternoon in the garden, in the raging wind. A hedge trimming job that needed doing. The brown wheelie bin is now full for collection tomorrow. 

Tonight the wind is still crazy, and it's raining. 

This is a picture of my Granddad Walter. My dad was an artist, mostly pencil portraits and some cartoons. He didn't take it seriously though. His time was spent going to work, and going to the pub to meet his friends. We didn't see very much of him.  He had a talent for drawing. Shame he didn't do more pictures. 

Walter was a lovely Granddad. He lived in a cottage in a very small village with Grandma Blanche, and their five children. He spent a lot of time in his garden, growing vegetables and flowers. There was an outside toilet at the bottom of the garden. A wooden seat over a bucket. I remember when the lorry came to empty it. I spent my summer holidays there. Walter built me a bicycle out of spare parts. I remember him watching me go down the road as I tried it out. I was so happy with it, and went on lots of bike rides. 

Not much to say tonight. I have just watched a film, it was very good. The title is, Between Two Women. Here is the link if you want to see it. There is some fantastic footage of steam trains.

It is 1957. Ellen Hardy is unhappily married but is close to her ten-year-old son, Victor. The family has recently moved house and Victor has started at a new school where Ellen has become friendly with his teacher, who is keen to encourage his art.

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Lucky me.

Aye up me ducks. 

Twas a busy day today. I was getting ready to go to Crafty Club and these two vans turned up and parked outside my house. I thought, what do they want, are they coming here. I went out to speak to one of the drivers and asked him if they were selling something. He said no, we have come to change the meters next door. He showed me his paperwork and I said, sorry sunshine, you have got the wrong street. A bit of banter followed, all very good humoured. I said I won't have any smart meters. He laughed and said I don't blame you. I said I love the bright colours on your vans, but you can forget the zero carbon bollocks, it's a scam. He laughed again. He said yes it is, these vans run on diesel. Of they went up the street to the right house. 

After lunch I went back to the Industrial Estate do a bit more litter picking. I had seen a lot of glass bottles and it was bugging me. I filled three carrier bags with glass, then put a red sack in my trolley and proceeded to fill it with plastic bottles and drinks cans, and anything else. That trolley makes the job a lot easier.  

I was ready to leave when I thought I would have one last look to see if I had missed any bottles. I found two more. Then surprise surprise, look what else I found. Lucky eh! 

Guess what else I found. A tent hidden in the middle of some bushes in the middle of a roundabout. I was getting some bottles out from under the hedge and went into the middle of it so I could pick some more which were out of reach. No one about, but it looks like someone is living there. There was some personal stuff on the ground and the jacket looks new. I made a quick exit back onto the road. 

So, a bit more added to the pile I left yesterday. I thought the Council would have collected them today, but maybe Tuesday is their normal day for checking this location, same as last week. 

I good result I would say. Chuffed.

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip. ilona 

Dead ends.

 Good morning and the start of a brand new week. 

This is what David says. . . . . . 

David Icke

@davidicke

·

15m

It's the power of wanting a 'saviour' instead of looking in the mirror where the 'saviour' looks back at you. It works on so many levels and that's how they ensnare the populous. YOU are the answer - not these Cult gofers of ALL parties.

He is right of course. The endless twists and turns in the official. and the unofficial narrative, are mind numbing. Every search for an answer to the question, 'what next', leads to the same dead end. The road to nowhere.

You can worship, you can pray, you can wait for someone to come and save you, but ultimately it is the power you have inside you which, if unleashed, will give you immense satisfaction.

So many people are hooked into a system that is detrimental to a free and happy life. All because they are searching for guidance. All because they don't want to be alone, don't want to feel left out. If you look inward the answers are there.

Troubled minds fester, they will never be free. To achieve peace you have to let go, you have to break out of your prison. 'They', the cult, are intent on taking away our freedom. 'They' want an easy passage to world domination. Let them try, then don't let them.

Have a good week.

Catch ya later. Toodle pip. ilona