This is how I do it.

Yesterday I did my first proper litter pick for about a week. It's been too hot for me to be outdoors for any length of time. My friend commented the other day that I was wearing too many clothes, as I had very little bare skin showing. I replied, yes probably, but I don't want to get sunburn. She said, but you could cover yourself in suncream. I said, I can't be bothered to go through the rigmarole of putting it on and washing it off. 

I went to the Industrial Estate, and a bit beyond, to check out my patch. Yep, more litter has appeared over the last week. Full to the brim, or so it seems. 

First thing to do is release the red bag by removing the clothes pegs which hold it onto the sides of the garden sack. Then gently pull up the bag and give it a shake. The rubbish drops into the space at the bottom giving a few inches at the top to tie it up. A perfectly filled bag.  

One bag was enough, it was getting late. I took it to my normal drop off point at the pond, and found a horrible mess next to the bin. 

A young lady was just finishing her dog walk. She said a lot of people were partying around the pond  over the weekend. This fly tip is their version of tidying up after themselves. I left it for the Council to clear away. The conversation with the young lady ventured into other topics. Yet again I met someone who is on my wavelength. She works as a psychologist so I felt completely at ease sharing my ideas with her. 

I deposited my bag at the other end of the pond next to the bin there. I have got a good relationship going with the Council workers, I didn't want them thinking that the messy pile was anything to do with me. 

I understand that people want to go out and meet with their mates on a sunny weekend. If they arrive in cars, why can't they take their rubbish home with them. 

It's a bit cooler today. I have a few jobs to do around the house and garden.

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Doggies with wheels.

Here we go, doggies on wheels. On a hot sunny day, the Pumpkin Charity set up their workshop/fitting centre indoors. People brought their furry friends to have new wheels fitted for the first time. Those who have been using them for a while, came to have any adjustments needed. 

Such a lot of happy dogs of all breeds and sizes. From the smallest to the biggest. It was a delight to see. I spoke to several owners and they said how their dog got used to its wheels fairly quickly. 

I am quite emotional when I see happy animals. What could be better. I want to greet them all. My friend Becci brought her little sausage dog to the Coffee Morning this morning. It always wags it's tail when it sees me because he knows that I have a bag of treats with me. I probably know more dogs than people in my village. I always have to say hello to them. 

Now got to go out and put the hedgehog food out.

Catch ya later. Toodle pip.   ilona

Disability Dog Walk 2026

Good morning.

I'm catching up with the photographs from the weekend. Sunday was the Disability Dog Walk at Lincolnshire Showground. It was a gloriously sunny day. Too hot for some humans, but the dogs were well catered for. Shaded areas under trees. Paddling pools full of water and plastic balls if the doggies wanted to take a dive in to cool down. Water bowls for drinking were constantly topped up. Inside the hall was a cool area, with trade stands and a wheelchair  workshop, where they could get fitted with their own personalised set of wheels. 

Look out for this van if you travel around the East Midlands area. They are probably going off to deliver a set of wheels for some lucky doggy. 

Park your bum on a deckchair and watch the doggies play in the pools. 

Here we are gathering together for the walk. Pumpkin is the centre of attention as always. 

Photo opportunity before they set off on the walk. 

Here we go. 

I followed. It was lovely through the cool woods. 

More fun to come. The stage was set for music. The kids bouncy castle was very popular. Plenty of food available from the indoor cafe. 

I found an elevated mound to sit on while I ate my sandwich. Who should come along but Tammie and Pumpkin, to record a piece for the media. 

Oooops, I was spotted. 

Now I must get ready to go to Coffee Morning. 

I'll be back later with some more photo's from the event. 

Toodle pip.   ilona

Hall Farm - The Artists Studios

And for the last post from the Hall Farm visit on Saturday, we take a look at the Artists Studios. 

Michael Scrimshaw has a multitude of talents. He make sculptures large and small, he paints, he sketches with a pencil. He is inventive and his designs come to life, sometimes in the most spectacular way. A collage of some of his work. His wife Helen is the whiz in the kitchen. Her business is producing tasty jams and chutneys. 

James Sutton is an artist/sculptor who works with mainly stainless steel. He is currently working on a life size group of pigs. It's a commission which will be installed on the Isle of Man. 

He does large and small scale pieces. 

The pieces he buys in, then assembles them into individual exclusive artworks. 

First he draws a diagram. 

I bought one of these flowers, which is now in my garden. A single rose is £40. 

Also in the workshop out buildings are antiques collectors and dealers. 

There is also a furniture restorer, a bespoke furniture maker, and a pottery designer/maker. At this Open Day there were people selling plants, garden decorations, and hand made arts and crafts. 

It was a lovely day out. People were so friendly and relaxed. 

Today it is another too hot to do anything day. I will potter around the garden trying to keep in the shade. 

I have still got the Pumpkin the Wheelie Westie photo's from Sunday, which I will post here later. 

Drink plenty of water. Put bowls of water out in your garden for the birds. I spent an hour last night sitting outside watching the five hedgehogs cavorting about on the lawn. It was magic.

Have a good day. Toodle pip.   ilona  

Hall Farm - The Lake

Hall Farm Gardens is a place you never want to leave. I felt that as I walked around the lake. It's in the middle of vast open spaces of farmland, with very little distractions of passing traffic, apart from the trundling by of tractors. They call this a Moat, but it does not circle the house. 

It was pure bliss to linger a while and take in the calm ambience of still water with it's reflections. The  flotilla of lily pads added a protective blanket to the tiny creatures living below the water.   

Today is an at home day with a stroll to the Park this afternoon. There is some entertainment on there for families. 

I'll finish off this Hall Gardens report later, with some pictures of the Artist Studios. Now it's time for breakfast. Catch ya later. Toodle pip.   ilona