Short and fat or long and thin.

 I tried again with the orange flag, still not right. So I changed to smaller needles and reduced the stitches to 15 instead of 20, for the blue one. Still not right, too short. Then I changed the frequency of reducing the stitches for the green one. That's better, long and thin is best. Now all I have to do is make about 20 of these in different colours. 

We had a lot of rain this morning but thank goodness it cleared up for the Billy walk this afternoon. He won't stand still for very long. Come on, lets go, I'm bored. 

The spooks are out. A few body parts hanging around here. 

Enter at your peril.

A ghostly dance around the cauldron. 

I'm glad it's stopped raining so the kids can enjoy walking around the village hunting for lollipops and sweeties. I might go and have a look myself, not for the sweeties, but to see the displays lit up. 

Don't forget, it's check in day tomorrow for the International Walking Group members. 

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

Caught out in the dark

I fancied doing some knitting this morning. I don't want to make anything big so I thought I would start off with something simple. Flags for bunting. I looked at a couple of videos, and decided to do my own thing. Start with 20 stitches, and decrease to make a triangle. This is not quite right, so I will undo it and start again. 

Finally the rain stopped at lunch time, so I went a walk. After faffing about I didn't get off until about 3pm. When I was half way round I realised I would have to walk a bit quicker or I might get caught out in the dark. No time to sit on the bench today. I ate my scone as I was walking along. 

It was heading towards 5pm when I was on the last stretch. The sun is fading fast, and it was getting dark. I was pleased to see the street lights as I approached the village. I must start out earlier next time. 

                 

A reminder that we are near the end of the month, and it will be check in time on Sunday the 1st of November for the International Walking Group members. Last chance tomorrow to get one last walk in. 

Thanks for popping in. We'll catch up soon. Have a good weekend. 

Toodle pip.  ilona

Rainy Day Coffee Chat

Hello. The weather has kept me in today. Rain rain go away. Only the cats to talk to, and my friend on Messenger. I might as well talk to the camera, so here is a video. 22 minutes, too long I think. Difficult to shut me up once I get started. 

It's gone 7pm and it's not raining. I need to go a walk. No good sitting around on my backside all day.  Thanks for popping in, catch ya later.  Toodle pip.  ilona

Bulging out all over

(Can't get the left align to work here. Annoying) 

My wardrobe is beginning to fill up. After recent donations from friends, I have to lose a few items which I haven't worn for ages, and those which no longer fit me. Starting with the trousers, I tried on 13 pairs. These shorts were given to me several years ago. I'm pleased to say, they still fit so they will stay. 

Ooooh errrrr. I have had a lot of wear out of these trousers, they were my favourites for a long time. Smart, lightweight, look nice with a dressy top. Off to the charity shop then. 

Oh gawd, dark brown cords. Same problem, they don't contain my belly. Got to go. 

That's better. I love these pinstripe flares. Stretchy and snug fitting. Definitely a keeper.

A bit touch and go with these. Yes I can do them up, they are warm and lined, but I can't sit down in them. Maybe I'm not a size 12 any more. Off to the charity shop. 

Ha ha ha ha ha. Side fastening. Oh lordy me. Never ever going to wear these again. 

Phew, thank goodness these golfing trousers still fit me. A bit loose around the waist actually, I need a belt. No, I don't play golf, I bought them for walking. I normally don't like cut offs, but the jazzy colour attracted me. 

I bagged up some other items as well. Not much point in keeping clothes that I am never going to wear again. It's good to have a clear out.

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

The show is over

 Hello. I was sad to miss a walk in the sunshine this afternoon, but I had work to do in the Bedroom Gallery. All art is wrapped up and packed away. It's a laborious task but it's best to do it properly. I am a stickler for making sure nothing gets damaged. When I had a mobile stall selling fancy goods and giftware at events, I was always the one who took the longest time to set up, and was always the last to leave. 

A few of my village friends came to see it. I took photo's with my tablet, and that was handed around the Crafty Club members who weren't able to come. So all in all I think it was worth doing. I think I might make this an annual event. Maybe you would like to join me next year. Now for some dinner, I am rather hungry. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

One stop shop

 Good morning. The start of a new week. The Bedroom Art Gallery will be packed up and put away today. It was exciting to get it all out, and re discover pieces that I had forgotten about. Now it's time to put it to bed, until next time. I want to keep it clean, sometime in the future I may wish to sell some of it, so it must be in good condition. 

Anyway, I'm going to be busy today. I'll put this link in here, in case people with an enquiring mind wish to further explore the current situation. Evidence not Fear gathers their information from lots of different sources. Free thinkers might want to take a look, those who dislike what I put on my blog might choose to ignore this. I don't mind.

Evidence not Fear

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

Sunday Swingalong

Good morning. Did you remember to change your clocks, I did. Luckily the computer does it all by itself. I moved the hands on the big clock with the wheel at the back, and now I need to alter my Casio watch, which always confuses me. I used to have to ask someone else to do it for me. Eventually I sussed it out, it took me a long time. 

Here's a lively tune to start a Winter Sunday, anyone remember the Spencer Davis group. Here is Terry's version of Keep on Running. This will get you bopping around the living room. I love the way Terry puts everything into his passion, it puts a smile on my face to see him create music. He doesn't need a backing band, he does it all by himself. A very clever chap. Daughter Elsie does the camera work. 

Looks like we might have a sunny day today, we need it after all that doom and gloom yesterday. I need to get out of the house later, a dog walk is planned. 

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

My home made art gallery. The video

Good morning. Finally at around midnight, the video finished uploading to yoootooob, so those across the pond got a look at it first. I tried my hardest to limit the wobbles, maybe if I'd had a few jars of alcohol first my hand would have been steadier. 

Shopping was done last night. Aldi was very quiet as usual, at 8.30pm. I didn't manage to get to three weeks this time, there were things I needed. Or should I say, things that one fussy cat needed. I can eat whatever I have in, but if you have a whimpering cat around your heels, you have to do what's needed to pacify them. 

The video is almost half an hour long, and yes, I do have a mug of coffee, so make one for yourself and take the weight off your feet. 

Have a good weekend, if you can, with all the restrictions becoming more confusing by the day. Don't forget, THE CLOCKS NEED TO BE PUT BACK ONE HOUR TONIGHT IN THE UK. British summer time ends, where did it go. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Blip blip blip

 I was hoping to get the video posted today, but yooootoooob is playing up. It's stopped uploading half way through it. I will leave it running while I go shopping, and see if it is ready when I come back. Maybe it will have to wait until tomorrow.

Catch ya later.   ilona

My home made art gallery in pictures

Hello. It has been a lot of fun putting together my art collection. My bedroom is now my art gallery. The room looks tidy, you should see the rest of the house, what a mess. Please enter. 

If you have been reading my blog you will have possibly seen some of these before. 

These two are very heavy. They will hang but I thought it best to prop them up on the bed. 

I made the bedspread. There are 625 squares, all sewn together by hand. 

I covered the fitted wardrobe with a sheet and a curtain, attached to the top with big heavy duty market stall type clips. Some of the pictures are quite heavy. 

Janet came to see it at 2pm, and Lynn came at 3pm. They both liked it. 

I made a video but waffled on a bit too long and the battery ran out before I had finished, so I will try again tomorrow, and try and make it a bit shorter. 

I tried the extra large picture option but some of the edges were lost, so I've had to change it back to the large option. If you click on a picture, it should open as a slide show. 

Hopefully a video tomorrow. Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Where can I show my art.

 Hello. I've been thinking about an idea for the last few weeks, and today I have been working on it. It's been a wet day so a good opportunity to get on with the job. 

I'm making a mini art gallery in my bedroom. It's pointless looking for places to show art at the moment, so the only thing to do is put it online. It's nearly ready, just the finishing touches to do. Tomorrow I will make a video and take some photo's. 

It's looking good. Thanks for popping in. Catch ya later.  Toodle pip.  ilona

Lunch, a walk, and a sunset

 Hello. The weather didn't look too good first thing, thought I would be indoors for the day, so I got on with some sewing. Lunch was frozen mushrooms, ready cooked lentils, with an egg, Potato in the microwave, and iceberg lettuce. It was very filling. 

The mobile library came today, I took some of my books back, and Stan had another bag of books ready for me to take away. 

The weather brightened up in the afternoon, so I did my two hour, five mile walk. It was a bit breezy, but dry and surprisingly warm. No jacket needed. I came across someone I hadn't seen for ages. I used to see him quite often when I did a lot of dog walking. He has two dogs, we had a catch up chat. A bit further on, along the same stretch, I saw another man that I've seen before, who walks his dog. 

I got back about 5.45pm, and just as I was about to make my dinner, I saw the beginnings of a beautiful sunset. A photo from my bedroom window. 

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

Proud of my box.

 Good morning. Today I put my tins and glass recycling box out for collection. The lorry comes for these every two weeks, but I put mine out every four or six weeks, depending how much there is. So this is four weeks worth, I could leave it for another two weeks, or even four weeks. It isn't in the way at all, I store it in the outhouse. The box stays clean as I don't leave it outside to deteriorate in the weather. 

Six pieces of glass, so what did I drink. One bottle of beer, a bottle of sherry, and a bottle of wine. On the cans side there are two cans of cider, with baked beans, spaghetti hoops, and rice pudding cans. All arranged very artistically I might add. 

The blue box for the paper recycling gets put out even less often, maybe twice a year. Hardly anything to put in there, and since we haven't been getting as much junk mail in the last few months, I might be able to stretch that to a once a year collection. 

Not looking good outside. I will go to the mobile library today, see if there are any more pick and mix books to collect. 

Partying

 Good evening. I have a few prepared drafts in my folder, this is one of them. I spy a party going on in my garden. The wood pigeons usually do their courting in the trees at the bottom of the garden. Looks like they are having a little get together on top of the hedge. 

Now I'm going for a late walk. Catch ya later. Toodle pip.   ilona

Well done.

 Good morning. This will put a smile on the faces of all the intrepid mask wearers. Greater Manchester Police tweeted that they had issued five tickets yesterday to people failing to wear a mask. That must have done their ego a power of good, so much so that they are going back today to nab some more. A good little earner as well, it will have covered their wages, that's if the fines ever get paid. Strolling around a shopping centre has got to be a lot easier than chasing after violent shop lifters and muggers. 

If you are going there today don't forget to take your exemption proof. I'm not sure what form that should be in, a doctors note possibly. Maybe not, as it's nigh impossible to see a doctor these days. 

Time for breakfast, then off to Crafty Club. Have a nice Monday. 

Catch ya later.  Toodle pip.   ilona

Toooooo Risky.

Hello. Today I went for a walk, but it didn't happen. I found a place on the map which looked interesting, I packed a sandwich and a drink, I put a jacket and a brolly in my bag in case it rained, and some other bits and bobs which I thought I might need. Essentials like a camera and phone. 

I drove to the place I had in mind, and started looking for a parking place. I favour a car park in a busy area. My thinking is that my lovely Focus is less likely to get stolen if it is in a place where there are people about. If I can't find a car park, I will look for a quiet residential street, the sort of place where people look out of the window a lot. They might notice if someone dodgy comes along who is acting suspiciously. 

There was a car park, but it had a limit of two hours on it. Not long enough, I thought I had better not risk it, don't want to get a ticket. I drove around for a while looking for somewhere suitable. I drove to the next village, and the next one after that. Still nothing. I didn't feel comfortable about leaving my car in the area. Boarded up buildings, wrecked buildings, empty shops, rubbish lying around. I would be wondering if it would still be there when I got back to it. I couldn't take the chance, so I didn't go for a walk. 

I spotted these colourful trees so pulled in to take a photo. I sat and ate my sandwich before heading back home.  This is a car park, but it isn't where I wanted to walk. 

Ah well, I will try a different area next time. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona
 

I can't see clearly now.

 Good morning. Have you seen those specs advertised where the lenses can be adjusted to any level so that anyone can wear them? They have knobs on the side, apparently, so they  can be altered. I heard a story yesterday from someone who has bought them because they thought it was a good idea. In short, it isn't. They complain that they are not fit for purpose, they look like they are cheap, from a £1 shop, and were no use. They have tried to get their money back, but no refund is forthcoming as yet. Just passing this information on, so be aware. 

Catch ya later.   Toodle pip.  ilona

This might work

 This has been hanging around for a week or two, waiting for me to come up with an idea. I could see that stitching into the wrapped wool was going to be a problem, so I have backed those sections with strips of fleecy fabric. The embroidery stitches need to be at an angle though because they could still disappear if I did them vertically inline with the wool. 

Someone mentioned that they could see boats on the sea. A good idea, but in my mind I can see an underwater scene. 

A dull morning here, so I may stick with this for a while. 

Happy weekend.  Catch ya later.  Toodle pip.  ilona

It's not the same.

 A post popped up this morning on Let's Face it Book. Our annual Christmas Tree Festival will not take place as usual in the church. This is a fundraiser for our local Hospice. Another one bites the dust. 

Festival of Christmas Trees Goes Virtual!!

The 15th Scunthorpe Festival of Christmas Trees will go ahead in a very different format due to restrictions created by the Covid-19 pandemic. We are inviting participants to submit their trees virtually in the form of a photograph or video, to be viewed by the public on a purpose built website!

Like everything else, it's going online. We all have to sit at home glued to our computer screens. 

Catch ya later.  Toodle pip.   ilona

The tooth of it is..........

 Hello. I got all excited there for a minute, an email arrived from my dentist. My first thought was that oooh, maybe they are starting to do check ups again. Maybe I will get my teeth looked at, maybe I will be able to go back to the surgery and see Jim my dentist. 

No such luck. My dentist was taken over by Bupa about a year ago. It was called Oasis, before they sold out. I remained on their books as an NHS patient, nothing changed, same staff. 

So what was the email about? Sales, that's what. Invisalign discrete braces. The clear aligners are invisible while you are having your teeth straightened. Bit late for that. Spread the cost of your treatment with 0% patient finance. 

Thank you for being a patient of Bupa Dental Care Brigg. We're here to create long-lasting and healthy smiles, and we know you value yours. So, we wanted to make you aware of some of the treatments available to you.

Did you know that you can access the following services?

NHS dentistry is going down the pan, it has been for a long time. I don't hold out much hope for it ever getting back to how it was. 

Cheerio for now. Toodle pip.   ilona

Autumn colours

 It's looking more like Autumn every day. I took advantage of the sun this afternoon and went for a walk. The trees in the wood are looking skeletal now that the leaves are falling. 

Not going down that path today. 

I took a photo of this tree last year, it looks the same this year. 

The sun bringing out the reflections of the trees at the fishing pond.

Lots of ploughing going on making the tracks muddy. Love the golden colours. 

The beginnings of a rainbow. 

A better view walking along the edge of the field. 

Ten minutes before I got home there was a shower, it wasn't much. Even when walking the same route again and again, there is always something different to see. 

Catch ya later. Toodle pip.  ilona

A short 6 mile walk

 It was a bit overcast and a bit blustery yesterday, but I felt the need to go for a walk. I drove to Alkborough village. Free parking in the street. The church looks magnificent, it stands on elevated ground. 

The footpath, named The Nev Cole Way, goes through the village. It's a while since I've been along here. These new build houses have been here ages, and still look empty, except for someone inside doing a bit of decorating. They have magnificent views across the river. Later, on the way back to my car, I went round the back to see the other side, curiosity getting the better of me. There is a quiet little cul de sac with access to car parking spaces. The gardens are not very big. I came across a man who was working in his garage, at one of the few occupied ones. He said they have been up for three years, and not sold yet. 

Views across Alkborough Flats. It's a flood plain, designed to take extra water in case of heavy rain, causing the river to swell. Not much water around today, I thought there would have been more with the rain we've had. 

Plenty of plastic here. Animal feed and bedding stored for the winter. 

I remembered that the next part goes through animal grazing land. Normally when I pass through, these cows are down at the bottom close to the river. Now they are directly in my path. I want to head for that brick built shelter that you can see on the left. Hmmmmm, not so sure about this. I decided not to proceed in that direction, climbing over a gate on my right, and walking along the edge of a field to the road. It would have probably been alright, but not going to chance it today. 

A beautiful countryside setting. I see some activity in the distance.

Picture is a bit hazy when I zoomed in. Over there in the distance on the left hand side,  the Humber Bridge can be seen. 

The wind got up a bit after that, the woolly hat went on over the top of my sun visor. Time to head for home. 

Tatty byes for now.  Toodle pip.   ilona