Keep taking the pills.

 I saw my friend the other day, he had just come from the medical centre and was clutching a bag of meds. He was a tad disgruntled because he had asked for four months supply and they said they could only give him enough for three months. He is about to go off on a trip up north in his new campervan, and wanted to be sure that he had enough to cover the time he was going to be away. 

I thought he might be on some kind of medication because he had an operation about a year ago. I asked if he needed the tablets for that. He said no, they are statins for blood thinning, they are dishing them out all the time. I was surprised because despite his operation he has a fairly healthy lifestyle. He cooks for himself and walks every day, recording his miles like I do. 

I see a lot of people toddling off to the medical centre, and walking back with their bag of goodies. Some of them pass my house because it's at the end of my road. I see cars pulling up there, elderly people going in and coming out with a bag in their hands. A van comes every day with a delivery, he unloads plastic crates full of packages. 

Given the fact that it is very difficult to see a doctor these days, I wonder if it is an easy option to just hand out repeat prescriptions. I am sure that some people do need regular medication for certain long term conditions, but it seems a bit crazy to me to dish out pills like they are Smarties. Are we becoming a nation of drug addicts? 

That is my thought for this morning. I might put some photo's on later, that's if I have sorted them out. If it turns into a fine day I might go out. Whatever. I am now going to make mushrooms and egg on toast for breakfast. 

Enjoy your weekend. Check in day tomorrow for the International Walking Group. Catch ya sooner or later. 

Toodle pip.   ilona

Sunset and clouds, a beautiful mix.

I'll slip this one in here before breakfast. A late walk last night, so glad I put my camera in my pocket. Some of the bushes are growing quite high now, blocking my view from the back of the churchyard. I found this spot in the corner, standing on a log. 

Same sunset from a different place, ten minutes later. Almost gone. 

It's raining so I don't think I will be going far today. A reminder to the International Walking Group, we are almost at the end of the month, again. Time flies by. Check in day on Sunday the 1st of August. 

Catch ya later.   ilona

Walk and talk.

Yesterday I went for a walk. Blue skies up ahead, looks promising. 

Dark clouds building up behind. Don't like the look of that. 

Really dark clouds heading my way. Mother used to say, it's black over Bill's mothers. Never knew who Bill was. I am getting a feeling there may be trouble ahead.

 

Best turn round and go back. Brolly came out of the backpack, big spots of rain started coming down, a clap of thunder not far away. Oh dear. I think I'm going to get wet. 

I've been to the 20 21 Art Gallery in town this afternoon. Nice to chat to the ladies in there. They have to wear masks as instructed by North Lincs Council, their employers. One of the ladies is leaving next month, she is happy about that. She has bought a campervan and will be off on some adventures. Good for her. 

I took loads of photo's, will get them sorted out soon. A fascinating exhibition. 

Now I have some veg to use up so I will make a stew. Thanks for popping in. We'll catch up soon.

Toodle pip.   ilona

Bjorn shares his feelings.

Bjorn Andreas Bull Hansen is an author, he writes books about all things Vikings. He is into the great outdoors, bushcraft, camping, sailing, dogs, and has a good understanding of mental health. He has a home gym and has won body building competitions. He lives in Norway. In this walk and talk video he explains his concerns about how our society is being divided, and to prepare for the hate that is growing by the day. The calm delivery of his videos are a perfect antidote to the madness all around us.

I made a walk and talk video yesterday, I will get it uploaded today. Thanks for popping in. We'll catch up soon. Toodle pip.   ilona

Excitement.

A big big lorry was heading down my street this morning. I went out to see if I could help, there was no way the driver could turn that around in the dead end at the bottom. He realised when he was half way down and started backing out. 

He then went down another road, it is also quite narrow down there, and a minute later he was backing out of there as well. They are tarmacking some of the roads nearby and he needed to unload the machines. Two have already been unloaded when I took the first picture. 

Next he unloaded the big one. 

And parked it.

Then he went back for the fourth and last one. 

Start it up.

And drive it off the lorry. 

When he had finished he drove away. Two hours later the gang arrived with more equipment and three loads of wet tarmac. I quite enjoyed all the activity. Something interesting to watch from my window. I miss trucking sometimes. 

 

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

All that glitters

I made some Suffolk Puffs with the intention of making some brooches. I have the pins that go on the backs. Then I thought, they are very pretty, maybe I could make some more and put them in a frame. They would make a colourful picture. This frame might  do the job but I would paint it black. 

Or maybe this frame, it is already black, but it isn't very big.

I used decorative pipe cleaners for the glitter bits in the middle. Someone gave me these for Christmas. Cut a couple of inches off and twirl it into a circle. I decided to use only the gold ones.

I used all the gold pipe cleaners so couldn't make any more. Now arrange them into some kind of order on a piece of black fabric, and sew them all on with a few stitches through the centre of each one. I overlapped a few to keep the outside edge tidy. 

By this time I had a frame in mind, I want them to be under glass. I laced the fabric at the back over a piece of thick cardboard. 

Then put it together with the frame. It's a black frame, but it isn't very deep and the picture is quite bulky. It's plastic so I can't hammer a few tacks into it to hold it all together. I tried sticking the picture to the back of the frame but the tape isn't going to hold. 

So now I need another frame, or think of plan B. I have photographed it anyway because it's easier without the reflections in the glass. 

It looks lovely. You know me and colour, got to have colour in my life. 

Now need to start another project, something small maybe. 

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

An incomplete book review.

I am not a fast reader. I slow right down to try and digest all the information. This is a book which can be picked up over and over again. It will be difficult to review the whole thing in one go. I am 145 pages into it so I will make a start now, and maybe come back to it later. 

At the end of the book there are references to all the information Laura has gleaned from a myriad of web sites. Everything she has published can be verified. I will use this list later for extra information. 

Chapter 9 is about coercion.  In 1956 social psychologist Albert Biderman investigated and reported on how Chinese and Korean interrogators brainwashed prisoners of war. His studies resulted in the Bidermans Chart of Coercion. Doctor Harrie Bunker Smith, a psychologist, compared some of the Governments tactics to psychological abuse. In an interview with Laura she said she sees a parallel with an abusive relationship, because she is trained in domestic abuse. 

Here is a brief rundown of some of the points she makes. 

Isolation. Stay at home orders, isolation from loved ones. 

24/7 news and social media flooded with Government and public health advertising. 

Isolation and loneliness affect sleep and physical health.

Fines threatened for activities which were previously normal. Threats of repeated lockdowns when compliance is not enough. 

Re opening of some social and sporting activities, then taken away again. 

Proclaiming that we must not act on basic human instincts, hugging family.

Shaming people for struggling to wear masks, without knowing their reasons. 

Enforcing trivial demands like standing on dots in shops and following illogical rules. 

Bunker Smith believes people are getting used to being controlled by the Government. A bit like domestic abuse, the goalposts are moved. You wait to be told when you are allowed, and it can be taken away from you. People in an abusive relationship get very angry when they are called out if they are not ready to hear what's going on. 

This is only a tiny example of how the book digs deep. Laura has covered all aspects of the questions set out on the back cover. 

To my readers. Armed with knowledge and an understanding of what is going on might help you deal better with the situation. On the other hand you may wish to ignore what is going on, that is your choice. My impression so far. From what I have been researching on the internet, this book confirms a lot about my perception of the situation. From what I have read so far I am keen to follow it through to the end. There are still a lot of unanswered questions. I'm not sure that there ever will be an end though, I do feel that it will not be a happy one.  

Now I need to go outside and water my plants. I thought it might rain overnight but it didn't. Some of them will be drooping. 

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

Central Park

 Central Park is very big, I don't normally go there, I have no reason to. I did attend the Park Run a few times, but got a bit bored with that. I had a look round and took a few snaps. Lovely flower beds. 

The children's playground was very busy. The kiosk was open for snacks and drinks. There was an ice cream van in the car park. Families were having a good time. I saw one family set out a table on one of the picnic benches. They had a table cloth and they had lots of food laid out, there was a party atmosphere. It was lovely to see them enjoying themselves. 

I stopped to chat with the roller skaters, they were having lots of fun. I asked if I could photograph them from the back. I like how these photo's have turned out. 

There is a leisure centre, swimming pools, and a gymnasium at the park, it's called The Pods. Not my thing I have never been inside. Outside there is a pond with hundreds of goldfish in it. The water lilies look lovely. 

I was back home for a late lunch. The weather was warm and dry so I did a six mile walk. The fields are turning golden. It won't be long before the crops will be harvested. 

It was an enjoyable Sunday. Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon. 

Toodle pip.   ilona

Bird watching - no birds

It was a bit drizzly this morning so I thought not a day to go out. However, it was dry this afternoon, so I jumped in my jalopy and went to Alkborough Village. The view over the river from the maze. 

I walked down a footpath which took me to Alkborough Flats. A very popular place for bird watching. Here is a blog post about the sorts of birds that can be seen here. There are information boards, and hides that enthusiasts can sit in.

There are gravel paths, these get flooded in the winter months when the water level in the river rises. Today they were dry. I walked down a long path determined to get to the end of it, at Trent Falls. 

Lots of marshy boggy areas. Sadly I didn't see any birds apart from a lone swan. 

Almost the end of the path, through the gate and turn right. 

That's as far as I can go before I fall into the river. Turn round and go back. I have never walked right to the end before, I was curious so I went for it. The grasses were taller than me. 

On my way back, there is a bench to take a rest before I tackle the big hill back to the village. I'm heading for the church up there. 

It was a nice little bimble for a couple of hours. The sky is overcast but thankfully it didn't rain. 

I need to go shopping tonight, getting a bit low on a few things. Thanks for popping in. Have a nice weekend. Toodle pip.   ilona

Evening walk tonight.

Another hot day. I went a walk tonight, it was cooler. Clouds are coming. A horrible sight, rubbish dumped in a gateway. Mostly cannabis root balls. Some household rubbish. There are signs up at the end of the road, no access for unauthorised vehicles. They obviously ignored that. Sad to see. I have reported it. 

And then there was a bonus. I stood still when I saw this deer in the middle of a field, making a meal of whatever is growing there. It looked at me and I didn't move. Good zoom on the camera. 

Not a spectacular sunset tonight. They have harvested most of the turf in that field. 

Now relaxing with a glass of wine. off to bed soon. Thanks for popping in. 

Toodle pip.   ilona
 

Coffee in the garden

Yesterday my friend invited me for coffee, I went this morning. It was something to look forward to. We often chat on the phone, and email each other, even though she lives close by. I thought I would make a bit of an effort and put a nice top on. Yes, it's the same skirt that I wore on Monday nights walk. 

Her garden is lovely, she has arranged things beautifully. Lots of flowers everywhere. 

I did Billy's walk a bit later tonight. I did say I would go at 5pm, bit it was still too hot, so I left it till 6.30pm. Much better, a light breeze cooled us down. 

Now going to watch a few videos before bedtime. Catch ya soon. Toodle pip.   ilona 

My feet. Walking back home.

The Council have made a new path alongside a busy road, just for me, ha ha. 

They are trying to encourage more people to walk, jog, and cycle, for exercise. Which is a good thing. I am trying the new path out, not much traffic because it is 9.15pm. 

Catch ya later. Toodle pip.   ilona

Evening walk, chat on the bench

Here's a little video I made last night, and uploaded today. 

Another hot day today. I went to the mobile library for a chat with Stan, haven't seen him for ages. Things are still the same with the book borrowing malarkey. They have discussed letting people back on the van to choose their own books, and also continue with bagging up books ready for people to take away, as some of the readers have mentioned that they like that system now. Then they decided it won't work because the floor would be cluttered with bags of books. Not good for health and safety, people might trip up. Also they would have to fix up a plastic screen in front of the desk to protect Stan from customers breathing all over him. They have put that idea on hold for now. 

The Arts Centre in town have been tweeting about an exhibition that I would like to see. First they lay out all the rules for visitors attending. I found that very off putting so I tweeted them saying I wouldn't track and trace, didn't want to book a ticket, and I am exempt from wearing a cloth on my face. They sent a very nice tweet back, saying these are recommendations and not the law, and I would be most welcome. So that sounds promising. I will go in the middle of an afternoon, they said that is the quietest time. 

I thought I might go shopping tonight, I may, or may not, I can last another day. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

A doctors view.

This is what happens when people talk about the current situation. A dialogue is opened up and people come forward with information which might not have otherwise been noticed. The sharing of all information, not just that which is spouted from Main Stream Media, is important to give a balanced picture. Thank you to a dear reader who included a link to this in her comment on yesterdays post. 

Malmy Albin is the yoootooober who has posted this, Dr Carroll is the speaker. If you click on the yoootooob logo, then click on Malmy Albin, you will find three more videos which Dr Carroll has made. 

I see this one was published on the 30th of June 2021, it has had 908 views and 13 comments. Let's give it some more views and add a few more comments. 

Thank you for all the comments on yesterdays post. Amazingly I didn't have to delete any sarcasm, nit picking, and off topic abuse. 

I went a walk last night again, late, as the sun was going down. It relaxed my mind ready for sleep. Being in nature is a great comfort.

Another hot day, mustn't grumble. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip. 

What price freedom.

 We have enjoyed freedom in this country for a long time, our fathers and grandfathers fought for it. Now there is a different kind of war going on, one that has been trundling along for a while, and is now escalating. The two sides seem incapable of meeting in the middle and it is sad to see. The gap between free thinkers who are capable of looking after themselves, and those who hand over their freedoms to follow any rules they are given. It is opening up into a chasm of gigantic proportions. 

I think of the Grand Canyon. Emotions are running high on both sides, I am sure that some people would not hesitate to push others over the edge if they found themselves in a confrontational situation. 

Indeed it is already happening. Perhaps not physically, but the cruel and abusive language used on social media can have just as devastating effect. Bullying is ugly, and says more about the perpetrator than the victim. Luckily I am thick skinned so it bounces off me. 

I am halfway through reading A State of Fear, by Laura Dodsworth. It's about how the Government have weaponised fear during the pandemic. She asks the question, Why did the Government deliberately frighten us? I have my ideas on this, it will be interesting to discover whether the author is of similar mind. I think the answer will come in the second half of the book. 

The inflammatory and derogatory language used by the Government is filtered down through the main stream media, and is used as an offensive weapon against anyone who is not conforming to the prescribed narrative.  

For the record I am not anti vax. I have had all the vaccines as a child in the past, those that have gone through years of vigorous testing, but this jab is different. I choose not to put an unknown substance into my body in the name of an experiment. The long term effects are not known so ask me again in five years. Getting a jab is still optional, everyone has the right to decide for themselves. No doubt I will be called a super spreader, but there is evidence to say that I will be at risk from the jabbed as their immune system will have to be topped up with boosters for several years to come. 

Neither am I a covid idiot, I find this term particularly offensive. I have been studying the whole debacle for well over a year. At first I fell for the hype as it was ramped up, but after a while I sensed that something wasn't right. It is understandable that mistakes were made in the early years, but now it is becoming evident that it isn't about a virus. It's a lot more complicated than that. 

So will we get our freedoms back? No we won't, unless we choose to take them. I don't look too closely at what they are allowing us to do, because not much of it applies to me. The gap will still be there. People will continue to wear a mask because they are scared to catch the virus. For me it is a symbol of compliance, for some it has become a comfort blanket. Virtue signaling is all around us. I cover my face to protect you, aren't I a good person. Those who are following the rules to the letter will continue to look down on those who are the bad guys. Nothing changes, the damage has been done. 

The Government are on the verge of bankrupting the country. Pinging has gone crazy forcing people to stay at home, even those with no symptoms. The NHS App is the new virus. Then there will be more lockdowns for whatever reason they choose next. 

They will keep this going for many more months, even years. All I can say is beware, they are coming after your children. They said they wouldn't bring in vaxx passports, but they have, now everyone has one in their pocket. Do not trust them, and question everything. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

  

Bonus

 

A quick 40 minute, two mile walk around the village tonight. The bonus was a great sunset. 

Nighty night. Catch ya tomorrow.  ilona

Hodsock Priory

Last few pics from my walk on Wednesday. I was going to post them last night but on the spur of the moment I decided to do a five mile walk instead. It was too hot to walk in the afternoon so I went at 8pm. Still hot and sticky though but by the time I landed back home two hours later the sun had almost disappeared over the horizon. 

Back to Wednesdays walk. After leaving Carlton in Lindrick it was time to head back towards Blyth. Hodsock is mentioned on the map several times. There is a Hodsock Lodge Farm, a Hodsock Woodhouse, a Hodsock Manor Farm, a Hodsock Plantation, a Hodsock Red Bridge, as well as several buildings part of the Hodsock Estate.

 

I was aware of several vehicles coming up behind me while ambling along a bridleway. I stood aside to let them pass. Horse boxes and trailers were picking their way carefully along the bumpy track, taking care not to jolt their precious cargo. 

The track turned into a tarmac road, and this greeted me when I turned a corner. Hodsock Priory, what a fascinating building. this is the back entrance. 

Luckily I was able to get some more pictures around the other side. Sadly the sun was in the wrong place so they are not as sharp as I would like them to be. 

There are some smashing photo's on their web site. They have facilities for weddings and conferences. 

In one of the fields nearby I saw that the horsey people had gathered for an event. The horse boxes were parked up and they were releasing their cargo. Several minutes later I was passed by a group of them out for a ride. The horses looked wonderful, and the riders were enjoying a good old chinwag as they ambled along.  

I had to join a busy road after that to get back to Blyth. Luckily it had a footpath all the way. I sat on a bench on the village green to finish eating my food before setting off back home. It was getting late. 

Back to the present. Another hot day today. I am going to walk Billy shortly before the temperatures start to soar. I'll bid you goodbye. Enjoy your Sunday. Thanks for popping in. 

Toodle pip.   ilona