Fighting for my rights.

 Good morning. The weather looks good for a walk.

My utility company sold out to British Gas a few months ago. I decided to let the changeover go ahead rather than hunt around for another company. I specified that I wanted to keep to the same arrangements that I had with Ebico, pay quarterly at the Post Office on a paper bill. They said that would be ok. 

A couple of weeks ago I got notification by email that a bill was now ready. When I checked it I found it was for £1.56, for one days usage when the changeover took place in November. How daft, I thought. I replied and said I need a paper bill. They said they would send one. 

Bill arrived and I went to the Post Office to pay. The bill is no good because it doesn't have a bar code on it, they can't accept it. 

Then I got another bill for a much higher amount which I was expecting, again on their web site. So where is my paper bill? I put new meter readings in so it was up to date. I clicked on the button at the bottom of the screen to be connected to an adviser. I explained in a short paragraph what was happening, and waited. I was 73rd in the queue.

The number went down and it was my turn. The person, (Indian name) said what can I do to help you? I have already told them that, so I had to repeat the message. Then there was a delay, and the connection was cut, at their end, so I had to start again. I was put back to 123rd in the queue. 

Eventually someone else came on the line, a different Indian name. So I had to explain again. I need a paper bill with a bar code. The person checked my account and I confirmed my address. This new person seemed to be a bit more clued up, and said that a bill would arrive in the post within ten days. Fine.

I wait to see if it will have a bar code. They do everything to push you towards automatic payments, online and apps. They offer the facility to pay quarterly on a bill, at the Post Office or bank, but do everything to make it more difficult. And I like to keep my paper bills for future reference. 

I'll let you know how it goes. 

Thanks for popping in. Have a nice Sunday. Toodle pip.   ilona

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

Food shopping. What do I buy.

By special request, people have been asking what food I buy. I went shopping last night at 8.30pm, and spent £65. It's three weeks since I last went to Aldi. It was easy, and a nice change to drive the car. The only time I use it is for shopping. 

The video is 30 minutes long, it took four hours to upload. I must try and keep them shorter. 

All stocked up again. 

I did a Billy dog walk today, and don't feel like going out again tonight. There are only a couple of days left in this month, I have a few miles to do to reach the target. Don't forget check in day on Monday. One last push to get the miles in. 

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

Distractions

I went shopping last night and I'm trying to get everything together for a video. It's not going too well. I have Nico on for some background entertainment, and I keep stopping to sit down and watch him. A very happy distraction. If you watch, he starts playing six minutes into it. 

Back later, with a video, I hope.

Toodle pip.   ilona

The right answer

 I think I was about 37 or something like that. There's only one exact date I can remember and that's my birthday. I had been thinking for a long time that I will probably not have any children, I couldn't see me doing that. I look at babies and small children and think, aaaah, aren't they sweet, but that's as far as it went. I can hold them, and play with them, then I am happy to hand them back. My sister was different, it was always on the cards for her to have a family. And she did. 

From my early twenties to my mid thirties I went to the doctor every six months or so for the pill. This was such a relief to me that I could do that, it took the pressure off. Questions were asked of me from friends and relatives, when are you going to settle down and start a family. I muttered something along the lines of not yet, or I haven't found anyone I want to marry. Truth be told I was horrified at the thought of 'settling down'. Crikey, what's that, stuck inside a house, with a routine, chained to someone else. I couldn't do it. The questions went on for a few years.  

Taking the contraception pill for a long time was thought to be dangerous, so I started to think of other solutions. I tried some of the others, they weren't appealing to me. And so I started to ask the doctor for a more permanent solution, I was about 35 at this time. Dr Miller was a lovely man I could talk to him about anything, he didn't judge my lifestyle.

 I brought the subject up about a possible sterilisation, and for about two years he kept putting me off saying there was plenty of time to think about that. One appointment I went to there was a different doctor on duty, so I brought it up again with him. He said he would make an appointment for me at the hospital to speak to someone. At last I might be getting somewhere and time was moving on. This needs to be sorted. 

The appointment arrived and I went along to the hospital to speak to the gynaecologist, a Miss Gintz. It was an interview to see if I had thought this through properly, and for her to explain what the operation entailed. She gave me a thorough grilling, the questions came thick and fast. I felt that she was more interested in my mental health rather than my physical health, which was excellent by the way. I wasn't doing it for medical reasons, I wanted control of my body and peace of mind. 

There was one question which stuck in my mind. Miss Gintz asked if I had thought about bringing the next generation into the world. This flummoxed me a bit because I had never thought that it was my duty to do that. The first thing that came into my head was, and I said it out loud, 'there are plenty of other people doing that, I don't think one less would make any difference'. 

With that her mind was made up. I wondered if the fact that she was unmarried herself and probably hadn't had any children, swayed her decision. She said I would be contacted sometime in the next six months. 

A letter came one month later, saying I was to be admitted the following week. I remember thinking, this was crunch time, and I could back out if I wanted to. But no, my mind was made up and had been for a long time. I felt a great sense of relief when it was over. No more explaining why I wasn't married and why I hadn't any children. Nobody feeling sorry for me because I was still on the shelf, as they called it in those days. No more pitying looks because I was still single at 37. My new answer to the questions was, 'I don't have any children, by choice'. 

I didn't need to bring any children into the world. There are enough people having babies, and one less hasn't made a bit of difference. The consensus now is that there are too many people, and the earth cannot sustain everyone, which is a green light for those who are intent on reducing the worlds population by whichever means they see fit. 

It's 11.15am, raining outside, and I haven't had my breakfast yet. I will get something now before I faint. Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

It's spring.

Isn't it amazing that there are people up there drifting around the earth in a massive lump of metal. I was doing stuff on the computer this morning and the International Space Station popped up on the side bar. The astronauts were about to go out on a space walk and do some repairs. Everything is in slow motion, there is a detailed commentary describing what is happening, and they show different shots from different cameras. At last someone came out. Amazing.  

It's general waste bin collection day today. I only have one bag so it's not worth me dragging my bin up to the front for that. I put my neighbours bin out because he is always busy, and popped my bag in there. 

 It's been like the first day of spring today. Not a whisper of a breeze, very mild, and the sun came out mid afternoon. I went a walk around the village. There is a new cinder track around the perimeter of the playing field, so I included that. A small group of lads were playing footie, and a boy was climbing a tree while his day looked on. As I was heading towards home there was a lovely small of fish and chips. The mobile chippy van was on the way to his usual spot on the playing fields car park. It seems very popular, always has people waiting when I have been past while they were serving. I did ask once what they cooked their chips in. They use animal fat, so that was a no thanks from me then. 

When I got back there was still a bit of daylight left so I spent half an hour on my hands and knees pulling weeds up. 

I have just finished the last portion of stew, I'll make another one tomorrow. 

Thanks for popping in. Catch up soon. Toodle pip.   ilona

One is not enough

 I see Mr B has got things under control. 

Don't worry, the more variants they find the more masks you can wear. The only risk to yourself will be dropping dead from lack of oxygen. 

Tatty byes.   ilona

A better way.

 Another sunny day, but ooooh it was flippin cold. I had my big jacket on with the furry hood fastened tightly around my ears. The same muddy path that I was on last time. Not quite as wet because it hasn't rained for a couple of days. There has to be a better way past this boggy bit. 

And there was. Alongside the track, in the next field I could see that boots have flattened the weeds. Now this looks better. I was able to stride along here much quicker than slipping about in the mud. 

Getting outdoors is my lifeline. As long as I have a walk most days, I am happy. Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

It will take a while to finish this.

 Good Afternoon, it's just past midday, and it's sunny outside. I have picked this up again. A piece of fabric with an iron on backing, painted splodges, and stitching over the top of it. I have an idea in my mind of what I want to achieve. I think it will make a nice wall hanging, or a picture in a frame if I have one the right size. 

Now it's time for lunch. Catch ya later.   Toodle pip.   ilona

Art at the Saatchi Gallery.

I've just found this video. Richard Wilson is an artist and he created this exhibit which was installed at the Saatchi Gallery in London. I was there to see it real in 2010. I loved it.

My pictures on this blog page.   It's one of those artworks that you never forget. 

Catch you tomorrow. Toodle pip.    ilona

Handsome guy sleeps with his dogs

Weekends are always quiet in blogland, people take time out to do other things. On this cold and frosty morning I am getting on with some sewing. 

I have put a video on here before about Bobby and his doggy sanctuary. Here's another one. He's a big man with a big heart. 

Catch ya later.  Toodle pip.   ilona

The sun is out, and so am I.

 Good morning. A lovely sunny start to the day. We are lucky in North Lincolnshire compared to the challenging weather in other parts of the country. Once more flooding and snow have hit the usual spots, and clearing up is taking place. 

A few pictures from yesterday. I walked the same route as Monday. I don't mind where I walk, I am out for exercise, the amazing landscape is the bonus. To answer a question, yes, they were harvesting sugar beet, they always drop a few on the ground when they transfer it from machine to trailer. 

They have moved on to a second field, this is what they leave behind. A bog with deep ruts containing hours of rainfall. Luckily I can skirt round it by using the track. 

I spend quite a lot of time looking up at the sky, it never ceases to amaze me. I took these two photo's from the bench, about half an hour into the walk. It looks as though the sun is going down and night time is approaching, but not so. I walk the route in a big circle so when the sun goes down in one place I know I will see it again a bit further along. 

Ooooh heck. I am carrying a layer of mud on the bottom of my boots. 

It's a bit chilly. One selfie, and go. 

What did I say. I turned a corner and there it was again. 

And again.

Almost at the end of the walk and the sun has well and truly gone this time, behind those trees, leaving an interesting collection of clouds. 

Once again I spent the last 20 minutes picking my way along the edge of a field. I was glad when I hit the street lights in the village. I was surprised at how eerily quite it was for 5.30pm. When I reached The Green I sat on a bench for a few minutes to enjoy the atmosphere. Someone came walking by and I couldn't resist remarking how quiet it was. The young lady stopped to chat, she was doing a village walk before making her dinner. It was nice to talk to a stranger, an added bonus to the end of the day. Perhaps I might see her again, walking around the village. No longer a stranger, but someone to exchange greetings with. 

Time to get on. It might be nice enough to do some work in the garden today. Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.    ilona 

Coffee chat video number errrrr, whatever.

Here's another one. You've seen the pictures of the new Floral Arrangement, now here is the video. Also what did I buy last night when I went to Home Bargains at 7.30pm. It was a rainy day yesterday, so this gives me an indication that the shops won't be busy. People don't want to go out in bad weather, a good time for me to go because I am unlikely to meet anyone. And so it was, no one in Home Bargains. I was the last one out when they shut the doors at 8pm. 

It's been a dry but windy day today so I went for my usual five mile walk. The field tracks were even more boggy than usual because of all the rain yesterday and overnight. I took a few photo's I will post them tomorrow. 

Thank you to those who have emailed me with their thoughts on the previous post. I will reply shortly. 

Thanks for popping in. We'll catch up soon. Toodle pip.  ilona

In case you were wondering. . . . . .

 Good morning.     This is why you need to live your life now, the future is uncertain, Many more people are going to become reliant on Government handouts. The country will sink further into debt. Those who are old enough to remember the war, think about the massive rebuilding programme that went on afterwards. The years it took to get back to normal.

This is why you need to live your life now. Hang on to your dreams and don't give up. Your life is valuable. Take one day at a time, fill every hour and every day doing the things that give you pleasure. Your hobbies, keeping in touch with your friends and families, and supporting each other. I wish you well in your endeavours to get back to normal. 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

 Copied and pasted from cityam.com   

Rishi Sunak is reportedly set to extend the government’s furlough scheme beyond the end of April in his 3 March Budget.

The chancellor is drawing up plans to extend the £82bn scheme into the summer as the UK looks set to have strict Covid restrictions in place for several months.

The scheme, which sees the government pay up to 80 per cent of wages up to £2,500 a month, was originally supposed to end last October.

The UK’s Covid cases are steadily falling, however deaths are at their highest ever point as the UK rolls out the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines.

Foreign secretary Dominic Raab said on Sunday that he hoped the England Covid lockdown could be eased by March, while media reports on Monday speculated that stringent conditions could be in place until May.

A source close to Sunak told Bloomberg that “support for jobs isn’t going to end” while most businesses cannot open and that the chancellor is likely to extend the furlough scheme beyond April.

It comes days after the CBI and the British Chambers of Commerce, two of the UK’s largest business groups, called for an extension of Sunak’s furlough scheme.

CBI director-general Tony Danker said: “The government must once again stand shoulder-to-shoulder with businesses to underwrite support for the duration, helping viable enterprises to last the course.”

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan also backed the call for an extension of the furlough scheme and an extension of the business rates holiday past March.

“Current plans to end the business rates holiday in March and then the furlough scheme in April create a huge financial cliff edge for employers,” Khan said.

“Without the certainty that support will remain in place for as long as it is needed, many more businesses could decide to cut their losses and close permanently now.”

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

I'll be back later. Keep your pecker up.   ilona

A Floral Arrangement

 Hello. It's finished. This is what I had in mind when I thought of the idea. The contrast between a colourful frame and a black floral arrangement. So is the frame art or is the middle art, or the whole thing. 

It is often said it's best to have a plain frame so the focus is on the art, I wanted to do the opposite. I always do the opposite of what is expected. I like to experiment. 

I splattered the foliage with metalic silver paint. Gently wafting a well worn brush and giving it a light dusting. Difficult to take close ups, the light wasn't very good. 

Everything is stuck down with hot glue. Pieces of plastic from a Christmas wreath. 

I wanted the foliage to spill over onto the frame to blur the edges

I am pleased with how it has turned out. I have made a video but not had time to upload it. Thanks for popping in. We'll catch up soon. Toodle pip.   ilona

Spies

 Good morning. There are spies everywhere. Yesterday I replied to a comment, a reader mentioned that she would like to try metal detecting. Aha, I know just the man she needs to speak to, to help her choose her first machine. I used to work for Crawfords Metal Detectors. I used to sit at a bench and make the headphones that he used to sell. 

It was a nice job, local 1.5 miles away, I could walk to it. I had my own little corner in the warehouse, a bench with my tools laid out and a stock of components underneath. Everything I needed to make them up. I was left alone to get on with it, with the occasional request from the boss, can you make up ten Predators, or twenty extension leads. 

On checking a forum this morning, what did I see, a big banner across the top for Crawfords Metal Detectors. Craig is still in business, and doing very well. But, chuffin heck, you only have to mention something just once and the spy bots are on you like a ton of bricks. 

I should get the picture finished today, it's looking good. Will make a video.

Breakfast now. Catch ya later.   Toodle pip.  ilona

Welcome to Holywood

This video brought back some memories, I went to Holywood in 2003. I like this man, A German in Venice. His videos are fun, he has a cheeky sense of humour. His blurb. 

I went to Hollywood Boulevard at 1 AM to see the results of all the Stores being boarded up then I found out that President Donald Trump’s star also was boarded up and enclosed with the gate I visit a few celebrity stars on Hollywood walk of fame I also went to different movie locations from the movie pretty woman once upon a time in Hollywood and I went to the famous Knickerbocker Hotel where Elvis Presley used to stay

I saw all these places, had a tour inside the Kodak Theatre where they hold the Oscars. The red carpet entrance is through a shopping arcade. All of the shop windows are covered with long ceiling to floor drapes when the ceremony is on. 

I found a star on the walk of fame with my name. Ilona Massey was a Hungarian film, stage, and radio performer. 16th June 1910 - 20 August 1974. 

If you watch the video you will see that Donald Trumps name has been covered over. 

We had half the holiday in Los Angeles, we hired a car and drove to Las Vegas for the other half. While in Vegas we went to the airport and had a helicopter ride over The Strip, to the Grand Canyon. We landed and were taken to a ranch in a horse and cart, where we had a cowboy lunch. No sausage for me, just the beans. 

After eating we were give a horse each and went for a trek. 

It was a fabulous holiday. I would never have done that if it wasn't for my boyfriend wanting to go there for his birthday. He organised the whole lot from scratch. Fantastic memories. 

If you watch some more of German's videos you will see that California is not what it used to be. It's sad to see how it has deteriorated. 

It's time for lunch. Thanks for popping in. We'll catch up soon. 

Toodle pip.  ilona 

Wish I'd been born a boy..........

........because boys jobs seem far more interesting than girls jobs. I could have been driving big machines like this one. What a beast, all that power.

A good view from the cab. 

I would have that crop harvested in no time. Three tractors and trailers were on standby waiting at the bottom end of the field for the monster to come and discharge it's load and fill them up. Isn't it a beauty, and on a 69 plate it's almost brand new. I bet that cost a fair few bob.  

I was a bit late setting off for my walk again, due to faffing. The last 20 minutes were spend carefully picking my way along the edge of a field in the dark. The walking pole was very handy to assist balance. Despite being a perfectly nice afternoon when I set out, a woolly hat and hood was needed for the last half an hour. It was a cold wind. 

Nothing better than a bowl of hot veggie stew with pasta when I got back. Made yesterday and heated in the microwave. One more portion left for tomorrow. 

Now I am chilling with a glass of wine. It's been a good day. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Filling the time with doodling

Hello. I made this little video yesterday, and have just uploaded it now. Please excuse the colourful background, I'm making use of the junk mail that comes through the door. 

I've had a late/early brunch and now I am ready for my second mug of coffee. 

I've just found the backing board to put on this picture, I need to paint it black, next job. 

Then a walk because it's not raining. 

Catch ya later. Toodle pip.   ilona

A pussy story.

 Oscar knows he is better off indoors while this cold weather is freezing his nuts off, well, it would if he had any. He spends quite a lot of time lounging on the sofa, or up in the spare room where he has a blanket, or right next to me on the desk as I sit at the computer. 

Mayze is a bit miffed because she thinks that is her special place. She doesn't like it when I give Oscar a cuddle, she stares daggers at me. Why are you doing that! 

Oscar is very much a free spirit, and mainly an outdoor cat, but I think he is coming round to the fact that being indoors is rather nice. He gets up, goes over to the food bowls, has a nibble, and goes back to bed. 

More often than not he spends the whole night indoors now. When I go to bed I leave some food out for him and it is always eaten by the next morning. He hears me getting up and stands by the back door waiting to be let out. I have shown him the litter box, scratched around in it hoping that he might realise what it's for, but he does not use it. 

When he wants to come back in he stands on the table outside the back window and peers in. I wave to him and point to the door so he knows that I will open it. Clever cat.

Now going out for a doggy walk.  Thanks for popping in. Catch ya soon. ilona

Jog on.

Here's a fun video. I hope you like it. 

I went for a local walk this afternoon. I half expected it to be white over this morning, because it started snowing last night, but no, when I got up it was raining. Then it stopped and the sun came out. By the time I was ready to go for a walk mid afternoon  the weather had turned cloudy.

The view of the river yesterday, disappeared in the mist. 

The river today. 

I was rather hoping there would be a nice sunset, but nope, not lucky.

 

Have a good weekend everybody. We'll catch up soon. Toodle pip.   ilona

Jogging.

 Hello. A new keep fit video coming later. 

Catch ya later.  ilona

On the go.

 I think I might be hyper active, it's like my brain seems to be ten steps ahead of my body. When I watch yoootooob videos I am constantly looking at the list on the side to choose the next one. I am quick to skip the ads and as soon as the end is near I am clicking on the next one. Can't waste time waiting around, I want them to follow on seamlessly.  

My mind is constantly thinking, what next? I have an insatiable appetite to learn more. Often what you see is not what you are getting. There is always more information to discover. 

When I go out for a walk, a proper walk for exercise, I can't be dawdling. I might pull out my camera if I see something to snap, but it's click and go. When I am sat on the bench it is only for a few minutes, especially if it is cold. Just enough time to make a video if I feel so inclined. Five miles takes two hours, and I usually fit that in with whatever I am doing that day. I always have something waiting at home to do. 

When I prepare a meal I can't stand around in the kitchen waiting for something under the grill, or to simmer in a pan. I have to find little jobs to do to fill the time, like rinse off some mucky pots, or fill up the coffee, sugar, and milk containers from the jars and packets in the cupboard. It's like every small job has to fit in with other small jobs. 

If I use the downstairs toilet I check the cat litter boxes first, because the cleaning station is on a table next to the toilet outside the back door. Two jobs in one, cuts down the time of walking from one room to another. 

I go shopping late because I've got no patience to wait in a queue in the daytime, and I certainly won't wait to go through a checkout. Virus or no virus, I hate waiting. 

If I have an appointment for anything, which doesn't happen very often, I want to get there five minutes before my allotted time. I don't want to sit in a waiting room. Not because of the virus, I have always been like that. They used to have a drop in session at the hospital so people could get minor alterations done to their hearing aids without making an appointment. I went once when it was busy. After ten minutes there was no sign of movement so I went to the reception desk and said I had to go, because I couldn't stand to be in a busy room with all the noise, and I hate having to sit close to people. The receptionist pointed to a quiet room where I could sit and wait, and she would tell me when it was my turn. That worked well, I had a book with me to read. 

I used to take my cats to a vet who set up a pop in centre in an old building in the next village. It was pot luck whether anyone else would be there. Often it meant sitting and waiting. I got fed up with that, so I started going to the main vet centre which was a forty minute drive away. I timed it so I would arrive five minutes before the appointment. I would rather be driving my car than sitting in a waiting room. 

I remember when I was trucking and turning up at a big distribution centre to find a queue in front of me. Once in the gate I was told where to park and wait to be called. That used to drive me nuts. I got out of my cab and walked around and around the whole rig to pass the time. At least I was doing something useful by exercising. 

I am looking at the clock now and see it is 45 minutes to a news programme I want to watch. I have a pan of stew ready which I made yesterday, so at ten minutes to one I will microwave a portion, then eat it while I watch. All my meals are eaten while at the computer. It seems a waste of time to just sit and eat. 

This afternoon I will do a village walk. It's foggy so three miles around the village will be enough. At some point I will fit in some more arty work, finish painting the frame and deciding how I am going to fill the middle. 

That's the blogging done for the day. The computer stays on so I'll be popping back to check this and that. Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.  ilona

The frame of many colours.

 Eeeeeebygum, it's been a wet old day today. It had eased off to a drizzle at 4pm when I took Billy dog out. We didn't get too wet though. He steered us back home before the hour was up, he doesn't like rain. 

This morning was a cooked breakfast. Toast, with mushrooms, an egg, and noodles. 

I picked these up last week at Aldi, worth a try. 55p a packet. Inside are two pouches. 

I used half a pouch for this. Enough for three more meals. 

I am painting a wooden frame at the moment. I wanted to use up the nail varnish I have. Then I realised that I haven't enough different colours, so I carried on with acrylic paint. I then remembered I have some felt tip pens so I filled a few shapes in with those. When all the shapes are filled in I want to use the clear nail varnish to give it a shiny finish. I am considering using a black marker pen to outline the shapes. I have an idea for the centre, which will be a complete contrast to all the colours. I hope it works. 

Tonight dinner was another pan of veggie stew. This time I added some couscous, and made up a packet of cheese sauce mix and added that to thicken it, Another success. Potatoes, Brussel sprouts, broccoli, onions, green beans, broad beans, and sweetcorn. It's perfect. 

Hoping for a dry day tomorrow. Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Cheeky

Yooootoooob certainly know how to chuck a few odd balls around. Curiosity led me to click on this one, and I'm glad I did. A lot of questions in the comments. Why, what's the point? Only one answer, it's art. Enjoy. 

Raining outside. Eaten breakfast. Going to the Post office. Catch ya later.  ilona

The Social Dilemma | Official Trailer

Thanks to a reader for sending me a link to this short video. It's the trailer for a Netflix film, The Social Dilemma. I don't have Netflix but I am informed that it might be available on 123 Movies for free. We are wandering blindly into the future. Our thoughts are what happens when we get back to normal. We do not go backwards, we go forwards. Be prepared. 

Now time for lunch. Bye for now.  ilona

Pot luck reading matter

The mobile library came yesterday, I thought it had stopped again like it did on the last lockdown. But no, I caught a glimpse of Stan driving the van round the corner opposite my house, so made a point of gathering my books together to return them at 11.20 when he parked at the medical centre. 

I placed my brown bag of books on the table outside the open door of the van, and Stan had a rummage through the pile of bags he had lined up on the floor inside. Yep, there was one with my name on.  

I took the bag to bed with me last night and had a look through the selection. I have to say, there isn't much here which floats my boat. I have had the Handmade Gifts before. The Hardanger and Menagerie have patterns in them and it's not something I want to get into. Malala I've had before. The other two I will give them a try. I think I'm going to have to change my selection to include a wider range of topics. I'll have a look at the lists online and make a few selections to give the picker some ideas. 

I am still painting a picture frame, it's a bit fiddly, I must get on with it. Toodle pip.  ilona

Breakfast video. Quit social media.

Good morning. After I have flitted around a few places and tinkered on the keyboard first thing, while supping coffee, I then pick a video to watch while eating breakfast. By the way, this morning it was bran flakes, nuts and seeds, with half a banana and six cherries. I have now moved to almond milk because I like it better than soya. 

Yoootooob always seem to chuck up videos with a common theme according to what I have watched before. They are spying on me of course. Anyway, this one is a follow on from the topic I spoke about yesterday. It puts a bit more meat on the bones of my waffle, and gives a more in depth point of view. You might like it. 

Catch ya later. Toodle pip.   ilona

A lunchtime chat

Hello. So what have I done today. I'm painting a picture frame. Had a bath. Did a three mile walk, and made a video. That's all. 

Thanks for popping in. Tatty byes.  Toodle pip.   ilona

Signs.

 Hello. The Space X Dragon was about to undock from the International Space Station and return to earth, I was waiting for it to happen. Now they have had to delay the trip due to weather conditions in the ocean in the Florida area, where it was due to splash down. I will watch again tomorrow. 

I don't know where I found this, but I can relate to it, having been in two abusive relationships. Going around the circle and reading all fifteen signs, it is not necessarily  about someone in a one to one relationship. They could also apply to any situation where someone feels they are being controlled. 

Now I have to take a dog for a walk before it gets dark. Billy will be waiting for me. 

Toodle pip. Catch ya later.   ilona

The right bench......

...........in the right place. 😇

I wasn't going to publish this, but I will. Pick your bench.

Toodle pip.   ilona

The wrong bench.

Here's a message to the ladies involved in the above video.....You were sitting on the wrong bench. 

 

That's all. Happy Sunday. Toodle pip.   ilona

The sun goes down on another day.

It's been a very cold day, but that did not deter me from doing my usual five mile walk. The sun was shining, and from inside the house looking out it appeared to be warm. But it was not, it was flippin freezing. I sat on the bench, ate a couple of biscuits, took a swig from a bottle of flavoured water, and didn't get arrested. 

The view walking towards home was a beautiful sunset. 

It's very cold tonight, I will see if Oscar wants to come in for the night. 

We'll catch up soon. Toodle pip.  ilona

Hello hello, what's going on here!

After the strong arm of the law tactics of our police force ever since the whole caboodle started, can we please get back to common sense and reasoning. Barging into people's homes, waiting for them to appear at a park, and fining them for driving a few miles to get there, is a cowardly way of policing. In the meantime real crimes are ignored. 

Love these two. That's all. Have a nice Saturday. breakfast time. 

Toodle pip.   ilona

Art, shopping, and trucking. What more do you want ;-)

 Good morning. Dull and drizzly outside, but not cold. 

My planned shopping trip went like a dream last night, it's three weeks since I last went.  Aldi extended their hours before Christmas, 9pm close, to a 10pm close. I thought they would have reverted back to the 9pm, but they haven't. I went at my usual time of 8.30pm, holding my breath as I approached the car park, hoping there wouldn't be too many parked cars. I punched the air with glee, YES, when I saw only one car, and it was covered in frost so it must have been there for a long time. I had a big grin on my face as I pushed my trolley through the door. I hope the camera got that. I had the shop to myself. 

Someone else did wander in when I was half way round. They chose a hand basket so was soon out again after they had picked up the items they needed. Half an hour later and £53 lighter, and I was back outside and loading it into my car. 

The most expensive items I chose were £3.99 for a jar of Lor Intense Coffee, £3.99 for a bottle of Chardonnay, and £2,85 for a four pack of Red Berry Cider. Treats for me.  Aldi still take cash by the way. 

Close to Aldi is a very convenient 24 hour petrol station. My tank was just under a quarter full so I thought I would add some petrol to it, just in case I might need to go somewhere. Not that that is likely but at least I am ready if the prison door is unlocked. 

A car pulled in just as I was filling up. A uniformed person with a mask on went into the shop, spending a few minutes at the coffee machine. I had intended to spend £20, but to delay going into the shop while there was someone else there, I took it to £30. There were two other people in the car, all in uniform, and a badge on the door indicated that they were Community Police. I thought it best to keep out of their way. 

I am still playing with the black box. I quite like the look of it filled with nail varnish bottles. The trouble is that it is a bit heavy, but no more heavy than when it had a glass front. Maybe I'll go with this idea.

I did a village walk yesterday for the last hour of daylight. We don't get many lorries in the village because there is a weight limit. They aren't allowed to go through unless they have some business within the weight limit. I was just about to turn a corner when I saw the top of a lorry behind some houses. Looks like a Volvo to me, wonder if I can get a photo. I walked up the short access road to watch the driver reverse his trailer into the shed. For a few minutes it took me back in time. I chatted to a man in a yellow vest for a few minutes, it was exciting. 

This morning I was thinking about it. Maybe, to bring a bit of excitement into my life, I could contact a heavy haulage company, and offer my services as a drivers mate. A lot of the big loads have to have a second person in the cab. With all my experience I could be that second person. I could assist the driver, loading and unloading. I could help the driver to park the trailer when manoeuvring in tight places. It would be great to have some trips out. Oh well, it isn't going to happen just yet. Maybe just a dream. 

Time for breakfast. Thanks for popping in. We'll catch up soon. Toodle pip.  ilona

Singalong with me.

Hello. Pictures of my walk yesterday. Not many, all much the same as the last time I walked along the bottom of the woods, which was several weeks ago. 

The logging is now finished. They have taken down a lot more trees than I thought they would. It is quite sad to see the devastation. I wonder if the wild garlic will come up this year, the ground is well churned up by the heavy machinery used. I wonder what has happened to the deer that used to live here, nowhere for them to hide now. 

I took no more pictures until on the way back. The bonus was another fabulous sunset.

I like this one. Pity about the broken branch though. It was too big to pull off. 

A little singalong as I walk along. 

Another sunny day today, A village walk I think will happen this afternoon. Thanks for popping in. We'll catch up soon. Toodle pip.  

Keeping fit in the kitchen

Lovely day today, back from my walk. I will post the pics tomorrow. 

A fun video, exercising in the kitchen while making porridge. Don't stand still waiting for the microwave to do it's stuff, why not do a few exercises and keep moving. Do two jobs at the same time. 

Thanks for watching. Toodle pip.   ilona

In the kitchen.

Hello. I'm going for a walk. Back later with a cooking video. Toodle pip. 

ilona xxx

Bombshells

 Hello. A showery sort of day, I managed to get a dog walk in without getting wet. 

I made a video this morning but deleted it because I was off camera for a lot of the time. Will re position the camera, and myself tomorrow and have another go. Oh the joys of being a film producer, ha ha. 

Well that was a bombshell last night wasn't it. We were warned though so I don't suppose it was a complete surprise. A lockdown once more, the third one, wonder if it will work this time. How many more times are they going to change the rules. I feel sorry for all the owners of the businesses that are going to collapse. The employees who are going to lose their jobs. The kids that can't go to school. The families who are going to sink deeper and deeper into debt, a pit they are never going to get out of. The repercussions will last for years.

And another bombshell this morning. Talk Radio, a national radio station was removed from yoooootoooob. Apparently someone complained about the type of guests they are inviting on to talk about the ongoing situation. Guests that are often at odds with the narrative which comes out of main stream media. Doctors, lawyers, and epidemiologists, that are not part of Sage. Get used to free speech being gagged. Those who are in control of the www can pull the plug on anything they like. Even us. 

Short post. Typing one handed. Oscar resting on my arm. Toodle pip.  ilona 

EDIT. Good news, Talk Radio has been re instated. 

Be aware.

 A question appeared on our village page this morning.

Has anyone had a fish van called today? Alec's fisheries. I'm not sure if they were genuine or safe having now just looked online.

Some replies.

Just had a search on Facebook and apparently they’re not genuine. Knock on doors and mark your house if you have a dog. Here‘s some screenshots.

These comments came from another village miles away from here, so beware, criminals will travel anywhere to get what they want. Apparently they are selling fish from the van, but they have a lucrative sideline, marking your frontage to direct the dog nappers to your premises. Keep your dogs safe.

Catch ya later.   ilona