Inside Doddington Hall

I do like to have a poke around a stately home. Looks like a well stocked drinks cabinet here. 

Beautiful glassware on the sideboard. 

It would be lovely to sit around a warming log fire on a comfy sofa enjoying a glass of sherry. 

This picture is pinned on a noticeboard. I have to say, the volunteers I spoke to are very familiar with the history of Doddington Hall. 

My favourite room. It's full of artifacts from bygone years. 

It's been raining a lot today. I went out at 4pm to check around the Industrial Estate. I had it in mind to pick a bag of litter along the edge of the Sewage Plant. When I got out of the car the smell was awful, so I soon got back in. I wont be doing that today. 

In the grot corner which I keep tidy, I was disappointed to find a big fly tip. Easily identified as the waste from a cannabis farm. I need to report this on the Council Web site. I spoke to a young man who was passing on his way home. He said it wasn't there yesterday, but it was there at 2.30am this morning when he was on his way to work. So they have been with a vehicle and dumped it during the night. 

I hope it's a better weather day tomorrow.

Toodle pip.   ilona

More Doddington Sculptures

 What do you do when you are battered from pillar to post, when people throw stones at you, when people laugh at you because you made a mistake? This has happened to me many times over the years. To kick someone when they are down is becoming the norm, even more so since the Governments plandemic took hold a few years ago. Bullying is a control mechanism for socially inadequate people to bolster their own fragile self esteem. They get off by stamping all over somebody who gets in their way. 

If you are subject to extensive bullying I want to offer you some hope. So, in answer to my question, you reject the naysayers, the nasties, and the nit pickers. They don't belong in your life. You pick yourself up, dust yourself down, and keep going. You build an invisible wall around yourself. You have the tools to process what is important in your life. One day their defenses will crumble as they navigate their way through yet another disaster. My navigation skills have seen me thrive and survive so far, and they will continue to do so right to the end. 

And now I will add some photo's to this post. These I took yesterday at Doddington Hall, around the garden.  

Robert Marshall. £7,500. View his profile. 

Enjoy your Saturday. Toodle pip.   ilona

Sculpture at Doddington

A quick decision had to be made this morning. I've had Doddington Hall marked on the calendar for some time. After all the rain we had overnight, what is the weather going to do today. I watched, it's cloudy with a faint trickle of sun trying to breakthrough. Shall I risk it. I had a cooked breakfast, and thought, yeah let's do it. I got to Doddington Hall just after 1pm. The Sculpture exhibition is on until September the 6th, so not much time left. Enter through the main gate, entry price for house and grounds is £13 50. These are the first exhibits you see in front of the house.  

I seem to be drawn towards metal work at the moment. Some intricate designs and patterns can be achieved if you have the right tools. I wish I had made a note of the exhibit numbers and the artists names, so I could put a price on them. Wait a minute, I've just found a page on the Doddington Hall web site, Meet the artists. 

This piece is called Man of Elm and Flower, by David Cutler. It will set you back by £7,950. A combination of elm, and steel. 

Side view. 

Penny Hardy created this piece. Little boy seated will cost you £4,750

I like the side view. 

Rachel Ducker is the artist who created this. It will set you back £6,200. 

It's getting late. I'll be back tomorrow with more photo's. 

Have a good weekend. Toodle pip.  ilona

Then you win.

 I would never pull someone to pieces if they made a mistake. I would never criticise and pick fault with someone who had different ideas to me. I would never bully someone I didn't like. Those who come on here verbally abusing me over and over again, you mean nothing to me. Smirk, gloat, poke fun at me, all you like. I don't care. 

GHANDI :

" First they ignore you.

Then they laugh at you.

Then they fight you .

And then you win ."

 Catch you later. ilona

The village that was washed away. (Edited)

 Hundreds of people have had their community completely obliterated. Their whole life washed away, they have nothing left. Those who survived are looking for lost love ones, who will probably never be found. 

It is heartbreaking to watch someone drag a body out of the water, perhaps a family member, and attempt to resuscitate them. They try and rescue their animals, when most of their village has been swept away. 

Now we have the situation that thousands of people need help, but what do we do. We invite thousands of  economic migrants onto our land and give them everything they want. All in the name of diversity and whatever fancy name they call it. 

I would like to see them all sent back to where they came from. And all the money saved, to be spent on those who have lost all their possessions and desperately need help.

The world is topsyturvy. The greedy grabbing richest people who already own most of everything, want even more. They make me sick. 

Try and enjoy your Friday, have a good weekend. Toodle pip.  ilona

New news report. 

No matter what the nasties throw at me, all I am trying to do is pass on news. 12000 people are reported missing. 

Cor blimey, that's a big one.

 I thought I might have a trip out somewhere today. The morning was a bit cool and overcast but never mind. It might brighten up later on. I needed to go to the Post Office in the next village to tax my car. Our pop up PO doesn't have the facilities to do that. I see the cost has crept up again, now £200 for the year. 

Then I called in at my garage. A warning light has come on, on the dash board. The man said, that's not a problem, you can still drive it. It's a busy garage, very popular locally, so the car is booked in for a diagnostics test in a weeks time. 

Then I went to the Farm Shop. They have been closed over the summer holidays, but are now open once again. The shelves are well stocked up and everything looks very tempting. I selected a few items I needed, preserves, honey, curds, bananas, eggs, mushrooms, and posh biscuits. £45 spent but worth it. 

On my way home the heavens opened and it hammered it down. I was stranded in my car when I got home so sat and listened to the radio as I waited for it to stop. Just as well I decided not to have a day out. 

I spent the rest of the afternoon sewing. The picture is nearer completion. 

Thinking about Cro's post about a paper bag which had instructions on how to open it, I came across this Kitkat bar with instructions on how to unwrap it. Good grief, how bonkers is that. 

Here's a conundrum. What sort of animal would leave a massive poo like this. That's two mornings I have found this on my back garden. I know my hedgehogs are big, but that big! I've just picked it up with a spoon and thrown it into the hedge bottom. Let's see if there is another one tomorrow. 

And for comparison. 

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

Food glorious food.

 Start the day with a hearty breakfast. That's after the first coffee of course. Easy way to make breakfast, make two portions of stir fry the night before.  Eat one for dinner. Add an egg to the second portion for breakfast. 

Coffee Morning at the Club. I took this photo after everyone had helped themselves and filled their plate. I held back, don't like standing in a queue for my food. 

That will do me nicely. 

I spent the afternoon in the garden. Still got plenty to do. The hedge along the back needs serious pruning. The job entails squeezing me and a step ladder between the hedge and the fence. I do this once a year. I like to keep my hedge within the boundary of my garden. 

This evening I just had time to do a Billy walk before it started getting dark. I am not looking forward to shorter days. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona.  

Fannying around

 Home Office

@ukhomeoffice

A new permanent centre in London will bring counter-terrorism and counter-extremism specialists from five countries together under one roof, giving them a dedicated space to share lessons, identify emerging threats and assess risks before they escalate.

Shabana Mahmood MP

@ShabanaMahmood

·

9m

We must act earlier to protect young people from online radicalisation.

Today, alongside our Five Eyes partners in Sydney, I've agreed a new UK-led Countering Violent Extremism Hub to strengthen intelligence sharing and help prevent violence before lives are put at risk.

Forgive me if I don't get excited about this. In the meantime dear Government, while you fanny around with your zoom meetings, the flood gates remain open. The Globalists are way out in front. You'll have your work cut out to make any headway towards bringing them down. 

I'm going back outside, where I am getting on with the hedge trimming. 

Catch ya later. Toodle pip.   ilona

A new helper

 Wonderful Wednesday. 

A new recruit to the Litter Picking Gang. Let me introduce Ginger. We need someone to work closer to ground level, to save all the knee bending and back breaking work. Kitty fits the bill perfectly. Made me smile this morning while eating my left over breakfast. Just add an egg to the stir fry I made yesterday. 

Now I'm getting ready to go to the Coffee Morning, which starts at 11am instead of the usual 10 till 12 time slot. We have a Summer Buffet, Bingo, and Raffle to take part in. I must make an effort to get dressed up. 

Catch ya later. Toodle pip.   ilona

Frickin heck

Here's a treat for the ladies. I am hooked on this good looking guy. Can't take my eyes off him. Who has seen Sam Fricker? An Australian diver, with the most gorgeous body. Why aren't all men like this. 😎😍😘 If you want to see more of Sam, hit his yoootooob Channel Or his Faceboook page. 

Today I finished the job I started on Friday. Another bag added to the pile. 

These are my hand written labels I use, so the Council will know it is not a fly tip. 

What's in the pan for dinner tonight. A tasty stir fry. Quorn chunks, chopped onions, broccoli, spinach, noodles. I made two portions, one for tomorrow. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Tuesdays Treat

All together now. 🎵🎵🎵 Let's all get on the same side. 

Catch ya later. Toodle pip.   ilona

Just another manic Monday

Crafty Club was a bit different today, we met in a new venue. It went very well and we all thought it was nice to have a carpeted room and not to have to move tables around. It was all set out and ready for us. They put out an urn for the hot water, and plenty of mugs. We organise our own coffee and tea, and biscuits and cake, and the bonus is that we don't have to wash up afterwards. 

After lunch I had an hour litter picking. Tidying that mess I left on the roadside grass verge. 

Another bag added to the pile. 

Tonight I did a Billy dog walk. It was trying to rain. I think we have to start getting our winter clothes out of the wardrobe. 
 Now I am tired and will say goodnight.

Toodle pip.   ilona

Listen to Daviana

 A quick post before I go to Crafty Club. We have a new venue to try out this morning. Should be interesting to see how it works. It's local, I can walk there, I just need to be more organised and get there on time. 

Have you come across David / Daviana? He is a body builder, he has been married and has a daughter, and likes embracing his feminine side. He is an intact male who has no intention of getting his bits chopped off. He is a straight male who likes dating women. If you listen to what he says, he talks a lot of common sense. 

In this video he puts out a message to his haters. How he deals with them. My haters are still around. I wouldn't like to deprive them of their fun. 

Catch ya later, Toodle pip.   ilona

Grot spot sorted

 The nights are drawing in now. Half past eight and it's getting dark. The hedgehog food is out but they don't seem to be eating as much now. Perhaps they are full up, perhaps I don't need to put so much down now. The birds will eat what's left in the morning. 

Oscar cat is a sillybilly. He has the choice of three bowls of dry nibbles, yet he goes outside and eats the hedgehog food I put on the lawn. It's the same as the food in his bowls. 

Mickey cat is doing well. 20 going on 21, or so I am led to believe from his previous owners. He doesn't go outside very often, he stays upstairs and has his food delivered by his slave. He sleeps a lot. 

Mayze gets up late in the mornings, so I can get my coffee first. When she has eaten she wants to go outside. She has a choice of beds up at the Summerhouse, and throughout the day she gets her food delivered. 

When it gets to 12 o clock I am thinking about getting my lunch, and deciding what to do in the afternoon. I need to go out, even if it's for a couple of hours. Litter picking fits in well with that. When I have sussed out a grot spot that needs sorting I can go straight there and get on with the job. 

Today I did just that. I went back to one of the locations I found on Friday. Two bags filled, with some assorted other bits and bobs, added to my pile awaiting collection from the Council. They will be pleased. 😆😜😁

I will keep my eye on that and when it's gone I shall start again. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Location is everything.

Imagine seeing this as you step out of your front door. This is the view from a friends house, she lives in a small village. Isn't that just fabulous. The view out the back is even better. The house is high up overlooking fields full of cows, beyond is the river, and over yonder is Yorkshire. Imagine sitting out on the decking sipping a glass of wine, or beer. They bought the house for the views. For me the views are far more important than a box on a new build estate. I would rather live in a shed in a field. 

Yesterday morning saw me tidying up on the Industrial Estate for a couple of hours. 

Now, Sunday morning, and it is sunny. A new day and lots to do.

Enjoy your Sunday. Toodle pip.   ilona