Today is the day. 5th June 2026

 It pains me to post this. Did you know that today is World Environment Day. I will post some of the text from the web site here. Copy and paste. I am not going to sit any longer than I need to tapping away on this keyboard. You may explore it at your leisure if you so wish. 

There is a video of the conference on the web site. It is two and a half hours long. The introduction starts at 40 minutes. 

The planet doesn’t argue. It doesn’t negotiate. It sends signals—rising seas, raging wildfires, heatwaves, melting glaciers.

#WorldEnvironmentDay 2026 focuses on climate change—on the urgent signals the Earth is sending and the signals we choose to send back. UNEP’s global campaign calls on all of us to step in #NowForClimate, and steer a world already in motion. See how you can get involved. Mark 5 June 2026 for one of the world’s largest international days for the environment.

The world is in a climate emergency. Unless greenhouse gas emissions fall dramatically, warming could pass 2.9°C this century 

Unless greenhouse gas emissions fall dramatically, warming could pass 2.9°C this century, which would have catastrophic consequences for life on this planet. UNEP takes a four-pronged approach to addressing the climate crisis and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Paris Agreement. 

As global demand for protein continues to rise, aquaculture has become a vital sector, producing more than half of all aquatic animals consumed worldwide. This growth is essential for ensuring food security, improving nutrition, and supporting livelihoods. However, it also presents a significant challenge: how to scale production sustainably while minimising environmental impacts and restoring ecosystems. 

unblocking private finance. 

Global public debt reached over US$100 trillion in 2024. This means that public finance is constrained. That is precisely why blended finance matters: small, strategic amounts of public capital can de-risk and crowd in far larger flows of private investment.

These people are going full steam ahead to change our lives, and we need to know about it. It's no good saying it won't affect me, because it will. Now I shall get my lunch, and go and do some litter picking. A mundane task, but it helps me to switch off from this madness. 

Toodle pip.   ilona

Stop, you can't do that!

 

Catherine McBride OBE

@CeeMacBee

·

Jun 2

Green Tape Stops Work •All applications for central government contracts worth more than £5 million per year, including VAT, must meet climate-related conditions set out in Procurement Policy Note (PPN) 06/21.

Nonstop, never ending, bullcrap coming our way. 

They steal our taxes to pay for nonsensical new rules which they dream up to justify their farcical Government fake positions. 

In all my retirement years (17) my state pension income, plus a small top up, has been below the threshold for income tax. Now with a bit of jiggerypokery of the numbers, I have to pay £300 a year. 

But then to balance it out, I have saved a heck of a lot more money by not paying for a television licence for the last 25 years. Swings and roundabouts I suppose. 

Have a good weekend. Toodle pip.   ilona

First it's open, then it's closed.

 It's been very windy today. Not good for litter picking, not good for crossing the bridge, if you are in a lorry. I haven't been out. A day for sewing. The new project is nearing completion. Pictures to come. 

Ooooops, open again.

Humber Bridge 

23m ·

Traffic Update: We are currently open to all traffic.

The Bridge Status can be checked 24/7 at: www.humberbridge.co.uk.

Toodle pip.   ilona

Spinning a story.

 As a follow on from the previous post about white and brown eggs, I make no excuses for posting this Twitter X post in full. Thank you Jason. 

Jason | 

Let me categorically Debunk this utter rot.

@sainsburys

. I am a poultry Breeder. The hens that lay white eggs (Amberline/White Star) DO NOT have a lower carbon footprint. Yes they eat a bit less and produce roughly the same amount of eggs as the Brown egg layers (Bovan/Lowman/ISA Brown) but they live shorter lives, are prone to dying suddenly when startled, a flighty and nervous and because they live shorter productive lives (12 -18mnths) vs brown 18/24mnths (both commercial farmed), you have to incubate more which is increased (Electricity/gas costs) and their eggs are not the same quality. I breed and keep 20+ different breeds, including: ISA Brown hens and White Stars. All my hens are 100% free range, Not a single barn kept bird, I have ISA browns that are 5yrs old and still laying beautiful Brown eggs, I have not seen a White star live beyond 3yrs and certainly none have laid eggs past 18-24mnths. White stars Lay themselves to death. They are slender birds and because they dont eat a lot, it drains their personal vitality to keep up laying the eggs you want to sell because of the nonsensical lie that they are "More Carbon Neutral" You want to know about eggs, come talk to someone like me, Don't rely on some hairbrained imagination of a buyer who's trying to squeeze the profit margin for a few extra pennies at our expense and to the poor hens detriment.

Carbon neutral - zero emissions, and so the fear machine trundles on. They won't stop until we are gibbering idiots. Open your eyes. So much for mainstream media spinning a story, they are slaves of the establishment. Get rid of the vultures who's only aim is to work for their masters. We need citizen journalists more than ever. People at ground level, experts who know about things.

Get rid of that telly box. Stop paying the BBC. Toodle pip. ilona

Part of the plan

Good morning.

The BS is coming thick and fast, am I allowed to say bullshit? 

The latest offering from The Telegraph. Apparently it's a three minute read. 

Sorry, I haven't got time. Too busy living my own life. 

You can read it if you want to. 60 comments. 

 Sainsbury’s is ditching brown eggs and switching to white as it races to hit net zero.

The UK’s second-largest supermarket plans to sell only white-shell eggs in its own-brand cartons after studies found they have a lower carbon footprint than brown alternatives.

Sainsbury’s said the shift towards “lower carbon” eggs would help it hit ambitious targets to reach net zero within its own operations by 2035 and across all of its suppliers by 2050.

White eggs have a 12.7pc smaller carbon footprint than brown alternatives, Sainsbury’s said, because the hens that lay them tend to be smaller and consume less energy-intensive feed. The supermarket said this helps to “indirectly reduce demand on land and water used to grow feed crops, as well as the amount of manure produced”.

NET ZERO. 🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔

Gawd, give me strength. It's all about control, and money, of course. 

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

Garden - Litter pick - food.

It's been a dodge the rain day today. We have had some heavy showers. 

This is my wild flower meadow. You've heard of No Mow May, well this is No Mow May June July August September and October. No need to mow it, just let it do it's thing. 

These flowers keep appearing every year, in all kinds of inconvenient places. This is supposed to be a concrete driveway, but it has lots of cracks in it, which is where these plants push through. I kind of like them so I'll wait until they die off before I pull them up. 

I needed to do some shopping at Aldi this afternoon, so I stopped by the Industrial Estate on the way there, and picked a bag of litter. Might as well. I was disappointed to see that the Council have not collected my other bags. My three bags are now four. I checked the other litter bins around the pond and see that they have not been emptied. If they haven't been done by Friday I will go and tidy the mess up.  

Luckily I managed to dodge the rain while picking, but I got stranded inside Aldi. Oh wow, did it hammer it down. 

Dinner tonight was an omelette. No it's not burnt. I put left over chips in it, and chopped beetroot. Added garlic and onion chutney for flavour. I start it off in a pan, and finish it off under the grill. It was chuffin lovely. 

That's all for now. Catch ya tomorrow. Toodle pip.   ilona

Distance no problem.

May 1st, there was some fly tipping at Rainton and Marton le Moor near Dishforth, North Yorkshire, all the way from Reading, Berkshire.

MAN AND VAN LTD from Barking have admitted responsibility for the fly tipping and received a £1000 fine from NYCC.

House clearance/builders waste removed in an instant. Distance no problem. Give us a call and we will give you a price. Quick turnaround guaranteed. 

Check with your local Council, ask if the company you are planning to use have the correct waste disposal licence. £1000 fine not enough. Three or four other jobs and they will have made their money back. 

Keep it legal folks. 

Toodle pip.   ilona

Gutsy lady

I came across two lorry drivers last night, sitting in their cabs, waiting for the morning to come to pick up their trailers and set off for another days work. I pottered around picking up a few stray cans and bottles. 

The first one was keen to chat. He told me how he was in his sixties, he retired two weeks ago, and had to ask his boss if he could come back to work. He was at a loss as to what to do next. He didn't like the boredom of sitting at home. His work routine had suddenly come to a halt. He chose to retire. Now he was back behind the wheel and happy. 

The second driver who I have spoken to before, is in his forties. He does not like being a lorry driver, but it earns him money to pay his bills. He has done other jobs before driving and wants to change course and move on. But he does not know what he wants to do next. I hope he finds something to make him happy. 

Two different lives, different scenarios, needing different solutions. I will listen, I will empathise, because I have been there before. I will make suggestions, but the solutions will only come from within. 

Now look at Jane McDonald. She is in her 60's, and has had forty years in the entertainment business. She has travelled the world, and has just done her first ever music festival. Look how bouncy and bubbly she is. She has grabbed the opportunity by the balls, worked hard, and has gone for it. What a gal, eh!

Knowing what you want to do with your life is the key. So many different avenues to explore. You might make a wrong turn, and as long as you realise your mistake, you can go back and change direction. 

Weather not looking too great today. It might be a day indoors.

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona 

Bag it and bin it.

 Just a quick one tonight. 

Thirteen of us at Crafty Club this morning. It was Becci's birthday celebrations. 

I was given a late present from Lisa for my birthday on the 16th. She gave me a bottle of Baileys. I opened it and topped up everyone's coffee with it.

A natter with Angela in her kitchen put the world to rights. After lunch I went back to the litter pick job I started yesterday.It didn't take long to fill one bag. I would have done more but it started raining. 

I dropped it off at the pond with the others. Now awaiting collection. 

I had a check round the other litter bins and found them to be overflowing after the sunny weekend of partying. Someone else has been litter picking and left some red bags. I think some people are getting the message. We need the Council to come now and clear it all away. 

I have seen four hedgehogs tonight, and all my cats are indoors.

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Daft idea.

 Bernie says . . . . . 

Of course they face council objections! You can’t have gullies with cabling all over the pavements it a massive hazard! Daft Ed didn’t think this through! A bit like he hasn’t thought through lots of stupid Net Zero policies

Common sense. 

Installing humps into pavements where blind and visually impaired people might trip over them. People with their faces glued to their screen, falling over the Trip Hazard warning sign. Women with buggies might shake the baby awake when she is trying to get it off to sleep. Delivery men with a barrow would lose half of his load as the wheels bumped over it. Getting the cable out each evening to charge the car overnight, and putting it away in the morning before going to work. Imagine if every car in the street needed to be hooked up to the grid. Multiple humps for intoxicated people to fall over, on their way home from a night out. Broken limbs clogging up the emergency department at the hospital. 

Now what are you going to do Mr Milibrain, when half the posh houses in central London will have to stick with their gas guzzling diesel and petrol cars. What a daft idea. 

Catch ya later. Toodle pip.   ilona

One journey - two jobs to do.

Good afternoon.

I wanted to get some shopping in, mainly cat food and cat litter, and I also wanted to pick one bag of litter. Why not combine two jobs with one journey. I wanted a quick pick, one where I didn't have to walk very far. I have done a couple of picks at Flixborough Industrial Estate before, so I know there are some grotty areas. It didn't take long to fill my bag. There is enough work there to fill ten more bags. I shall be going back there at some point. 

One broken hard hat. Two bottles of pee. Eight glass bottles. One fire extinguisher. 

All bagged up, and dropped with my pickings from Friday. 

 The Retail Park was quite busy. £130 spent in two shops. All stocked up again. Now I'm going to make some dinner.

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

The highs and lows . . . . .

Good Morning. 

I have gone over this before in previous blog posts. 

People often ask me can you block the nasties from posting comments on your blog. By nasties I mean those who criticise me, what I do, what I say, and how I look. The nit pickers who come solely to pick a fight, those who are looking for a verbal punch-up. I see this Blogger Bashing is happening on other blogs as well, not just mine. 

Keyboard warriors think they have the right to say whatever they like. It's just attack for the sake of upsetting decent people. They say they have a different opinion and should be allowed to voice it. I say I am not interested in your opinion, if it is opposite to mine. Start your own blog and you can spout off as much as you like there. Or find another blogger who you are more aligned to. 

I haven't yet found a way of blocking undesirables. These are the options you get when organising how you want to display your comments. I prefer them embedded on the page just below the post, then people can refer back to it as they compose their comment. 

The options of who you allow to comment. 

Open to all, anyone can say anything. 

People with a Google account. They can still remain anonymous if they choose the 'Unknown' option.

Only members of this blog. I don't know what people need to do to become a member. I don't join other blogs, and I don't want to have to sort out and monitor the membership details of this one. The only way I can stop the nasties is to click 'Only members', then everyone is excluded. I do this sometimes because I need to distance myself from those who cannot control their warrior impulses. Everyone is still allowed to read the blog. I hope genuine readers understand this.  

Yes, I always moderate. I read the comment first and decide which to publish and which not to. If some Bloggers never moderate, they will need to constantly check comments. I haven't got the time to do that, nor am I able to go online when I am away from home. I see some very rude and insulting comments  on other blogs, before, or even if they are removed. I moderate first, not after. I've never tried 'Sometimes' so I don't know what happens there. 

Bloggers can put any message they like here. Long explanations are not really needed. 

Oh the joys, the highs and lows, the fun and the angst, of Blogging. It can make or break you. Me? I'm a survivor. I can weather the storm.

Thanks for popping in. Enjoy your Sunday. I may venture out later, if it doesn't get too hot. 

Toodle pip.   ilona
 

I made a book today.

I went out today, to the Ropewalk Arts Centre at Barton. I noticed a Bookbinding Workshop advertised in the current edition of their brochure. I fancied that so I paid my £55. I was lucky to get the last place. 

Eight of us sat at a long table, with the teacher at one end telling us what to do. We were given a box of bits, tools, glue, needle etc. We could make a portrait or a lansdcape book. I chose portrait. There was a selection of coloured papers which we could chose for our cover. Some of the ladies didn't want me to take a photo of the room, so I could only take this one where I was working.  

Here is my book. Two different papers for the front and back cover. 

It was fun. The ladies were jolly, we had a laugh. We finished about 2.30pm. I didn't realise how hot it was today until I stepped outside. Then I went in Tesco for a few things. I couldn't get out quick enough, it was freezing cold in there. The checkout lady was wearing a fleece jacket. A young girl was wearing a t-shirt and shorts. I was shivering.  

Now going to chill with a glass of wine, then get the hedgehog food out.

Thanks for popping in. Enjoy your Sunday. Toodle pip.   ilona

Bloody beautiful

Beautiful flowers for the weekend.

As I was rummaging about in a hedge bottom for bottles and cans at the picnic area car park, I looked up. What is this vision of loveliness I see before me. 

This litter picking lark has it's perks.  

I have a plan for today. I will post about it later. 

Enjoy your weekend. Toodle pip.   ilona