Walking and eating

A glimpse of a disappearing sunset, a peek at a hiding moon, and a scramble along a muddy track in the dark. If you want to see the last ten minutes of the walk I did on Tuesday, bring a torch, because you can't see much. Apologies for the fuzzyness. The automatic focus doesn't work very well in the dark. 😁😎😱 

Here we have a selection of meals I have eaten over the last week. Now I've forgotten whats in them, ha ha. Mushrooms, green lentils, noodles, onions. 

Fresh vegetables and tortellini. Brussels Sprouts, cauliflower, carrots.

More green lentils, more vegetables, courgette. Scramble an egg into it when it's almost done. 

A can't be bothered to cook day. From the freezer. Grilled hash browns, Quorn nuggets, potato wedges, and baked beans. 

Loverly tasty stew. Made yesterday. One portion last night, one portion for lunch today, and I will finish it off tonight. Carrots, Brussels sprouts, courgette, cauliflower, beans, and pasta twirls that are a year out of date. Herbs and spices, thickened with cheese sauce out of a packet. Danish Blue cheese added for flavour. 

I hope that has given you some ideas. Experiment with your ingredients, mix anything with anything. Trial and error. You never know, it may work. Cheerio. Toodle pip.   ilona 

Stay strong.

 I am strong enough to ride the storm, but I will never forget those who brought on this hate filled propaganda campaign, nor will I forgive them. They should be in prison. 

Trust your own instincts, do not give away your freedoms, and stay strong.  

ilona xxx

Another great sunset.

The great outdoors was calling me today. Go out it said. Ok, I will. It was 2.30pm when I set off. I will have to get a move on, it starts getting dark about 4pm. As I was passing the horsey field I saw Karen. She had been grooming her white boy, and had saddled him up for a ride. We had a quick chat, she was keen to get off, and so was I. The sun was shining but it wasn't going to last for much longer. 

I took a short cut to make up the time I lost talking to Karen. Not long now, the sun is going down. 

I lost it for a while as I changed direction. Suddenly there it was again, even more stunning. 

Same as the photo above. I zoomed in for this one. 

Not far to go now. It will soon be gone. 

As usual, I finished up walking in the dark. I had a torch but it wasn't bright enough. Good job I know the way. I made a video but I don't know if it will be any good. I'll check it in the morning. The sunset was behind me, and the full moon in front of me. 

Catch ya later. Toodle pip.   ilona

Unsafe

Villagers in Norfolk have criticised the council for what they claim is a “blatant misuse of health and safety policies” after it placed “unsafe memorial” tags on 37 gravestones. Story here. 

 What kind of message does this send out? 

Don't worry yourself if any of our gravestones fall over. We will get the problem sorted. If you want to walk through our graveyard we will make it safe for you to do so. We don't want you to sue us if you trip or stumble, or inadvertently find yourself flattened by a toppled gravestone. We haven't had one fall over for oooh, at least 50 years, but you never know, it could happen tomorrow. 

Nudge nudge. You, dear public can give up all your personal responsibility, and lay it firmly in our hands. No need to think for yourself. All possibility of accidents will be covered by the chip in your head. You will be automatically steered around such obstacles. Don't forget to check the app on your hand held device as you move around. Go about your daily business, happy in the knowledge that your Council is looking after you. 

Will we ever be able to go anywhere without fearing for our lives?

Toodle pip.   ilona 

Singalong Christmas

Howzabout a little singsong with the choir. They were performing at the Food and Gift Fair over the weekend, at Lincoln. Yoootoob have noted that the songs are copyrighted, but the owner has given permission for it to be used. 

This is another choir that entertained the audience. 

I wanted to eat my sandwich. The only seat I could find was at the cookery demonstration. I wasn't taking much notice, I just wanted to sit down. 

I had a lovely chat with this young lady on the Mouse House cheese stall. She is training to be a vet. 

There were two cheese stalls, so I bought from both of them. Had to treat myself. They have long dates, till April/May next year. Excited to try them. Hard to choose a favourite. I open them one at a time, then move on to the next one. Should last me for a while. 

The sun was going down as I got into my car to go home. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Your choice.

 Interesting to read Sue's post today, her Saturday post that is. Choosing the word 'Vaccine' as part of her A to Z series, has prompted some grown up conversations. They seem pretty well balanced. Most people have taken part in childhood jabs offered, me included. It was normal to line up at school with a sleeve rolled up, waiting for the nurse to administer the prick in the arm. 

I am heartened to see that now, in the midst of a programme to roll out boosters, the consensus is split between those who will carry on with the treatment, and those who have decided they have had enough. Looking after your health is a personal decision. We can choose what to put in our mouth, and whether we do some form of exercise. Or what medications are appropriate for our conditions. 

At last, now after so many years since this whole thing began, we now have enough information to make an informed choice. In the beginning the bullying to comply went too far. If you don't get the treatment you won't be able to leave the house. Won't be able to eat out in a restaurant. Won't be able to go shopping. Won't be able to spend cash. Cash is dirty and contains a nasty virus. Won't be able to go on a bus or a train, or fly to a holiday destination. Even worse, you will be sacked from your job.

Me and thousands of others were social outcasts, and still are. I can cope with that, but many were driven to suicide through fear and anguish. The lockdowns pushed people over the edge. The anger and bitterness aimed at those who said no thanks, was and still is, relentless. 

Now we see the wheels of the legal systems being put into motion. Plenty of work for the lawyers to get to grips with. The battles will go on for years. There are a lot of people looking for retribution for the injustices they have suffered, not only physically but mentally too. 

I won't be drawn into conflicts, that is why I have stopped comments on my blogs. I am not interested in  fighting with people. Getting into verbal bun fights is not my thing. I have tried to explain my stance when people present me with a different opinion, but it ends up with me spending hours dealing with some pretty awful accusations. I will not give up my time to appease others. 

I am adopting a similar mindset I had when I was driving. I was bullied then. Was told many times that I shouldn't be doing it because I was taking the job off a man. It was hurtful at the time, but what kept me going was knowing that I had a right to choose my job, a job I loved. 

The message is, if you want to accept any treatment that is offered, then do so. If you have reservations and things don't appear to be clear cut, then question at every opportunity. Absorb all the information available then make your choice. 

Thanks for popping in.   ilona

Edit has been moved to The Rabbit Hole. 

Reading the comments on Sue's post, those who have said they will not continue with any follow up treatments have made the right decision. Those who have elected to go back time and time again, please think very carefully.  

Inspiring

Sunday morning and a cooked breakfast. It had to be done, I was hungry, now full up. Spiralised courgette and carrot, noodles out of a packet, green lentils out of a can, a spoonful of tomato chutney, garlic powder, and spices to taste. Served on a slice of seeded toasted bread spread with houmous. Deeeeelishus, now for another mug of coffee. 

Liam and Janine on the screen while I eat. This adventurous couple are making their way across India, for the second time, in their beloved rickshaw, Pete. 

Now I have a video to upload from yesterday at the Food and Gift Fair at Lincoln. I hope it doesn't get rejected for copyright issues, it has music in it. 

Catch ya later. Have a good Sunday. Toodle pip.   ilona

A look at Hull Marina

This video has been uploading all day while I have been at the Food and Craft Fair at Lincoln Showground.  

After the Marina I was on my way back to the Bus Station. Someone recognised me and greeted me. Jenny is a blog reader, and now a follower of my yoootooob channel. How amazing that she happened to be walking down the same street as me. She took a photo which she has sent to me. Thank you Jenny, it was very nice to chat. Say hello to your mum.  

I took photo's and made two videos today at Lincoln, so I will get them sorted out and post them soon. It's all go at the moment. Plenty to keep me busy. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

A bus ride.

Do you fancy a trip to Hull? Get on this bus with me. It's the 350 Fast Cat, from Scunthorpe to Hull. They run every half hour, I used my bus pass. 

I haven't been for ages, just needed to get out of the house for a while. It costs £1.50 each way to cross the bridge in a car, and they only accept card payments. I don't want to do that, and I don't want to look for, and pay, for parking in Hull. I left my car in the carpark at Barton on Humber on the south bank. Free parking at the railway station, next to the bus stop. It was a dull day for weather. The River looked choppy and cold. No need to stop and pay at the tolls, the bus has a TAG, and can drive straight through. Anyone can buy them It saves queueing at busy times.

The bus station is huge, 38 loading bays, and extra parking for buses when they are on a break. These are not going anywhere. Waiting for drivers to turn up for a shift.

These are offloading and loading up again. Front end in and reverse out. They will be going soon. 

The bus station and the train station are all in the same transport hub. 

I watch people coming and going. They all tap the barriers with a phone or a card. Some people need to get a ticket. There is a machine nearby. 

There is a massive flower stall. Everything is spread out on the floor. 

Free street maps at the information Centre. 

The entrance is nice and light and welcoming. Volunteers are on hand to answer any visitor questions. 

A decorated arty phone box. It does have a phone inside. 

There are a lot of historical buildings in the centre. I like to look up. 

This area has four towers full of cameras. 

I went inside the Ferens Art Gallery. There wasn't anything to interest me. The lights in this room are constantly moving, to give the feeling that you are submerged under water. 

The main A63 runs through Hull. There used to be traffic lights which stopped the traffic to enable pedestrians to get across from one side to the other. Now they have a bridge. I made a video walking across it, and taking a look at the Marina. I will upload that tomorrow. 

Not much movement at the Marina. Too cold. 

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

Hello.

 Just popping in to say hello. I had a day out yesterday, to maintain some sort of normality in my life. I have sorted the photo's out, didn't take a lot, now I have two videos to upload. It takes a while to do that. It also slows down the broadband speed, which limits what else I can do on the computer while that is happening. 

I've check around the news items. Something made me laugh. Apparently someone said a naughty word on Question Time in the chamber of horrors. You know where I mean. They have issued a warning at the beginning of the video clip. OMG, you may wish to close your ears and eyes to this one. Someone had the audacity to call a certain place in the UK, A SHITHOLE. 😎😲😝🙈🙉🙊

Here is my warning to you. Briefly skim over the news headlines, do not linger, because the whole ****show is getting messier by the day. (Ooops, can't say that word).There is a massive fear overload going on. They are not going to give up, so don't fall for it. Do yourself a favour, get the gist of what is going on, then switch off and get on with making your own life the best that you can.

Toodle pip.   ilona 

The Missing Postman - 1997

I have just spent an enjoyable two and a half hours watching this film. It was funny, sentimental, slushy, exciting, and charming. Silly crazy plot, but it works. James Bollam and Alison Steadman, two superb actors. Recommend for a film night at home. Glass of cider and a few chocolates. Watch on full screen on youtube. 

When a postman is forced into early retirement, a moment of rebellion on his last day changes his life. Deciding to make his last deliveries by bike, regardless of the distance, he is pursued by the police for stealing and the media for a story

Enjoy. Toodle pip.   ilona.  

Day sky - night sky

I saw five trails going over the house yesterday. Photo's taken from my garden. Normally the only aircraft we get coming over here are private pleasure flights. They buzz around like bees on a sunny day. They are based at a private airfield at Sandtoft. Sometimes we see in the distance the holiday flights coming out of Kirmington, which is a long way from here. They usually take off early in the morning, and the flight path is nowhere near our village.   

I was in the garden this afternoon doing a bit of tidying. I had to stop when it was getting dark. I was too busy engrossed in what I was doing, and hadn't seen the sunset. Too late to get a decent photo. A quick snap from the bedroom window.  

Toodle pip.   ilona 

Billy is famous.

Just back from a Billy dog walk. I have been walking him for my friend Carol for about three years, possibly longer. He is a puller and she is unsteady on her feet, he would soon have her over. I let him lead the way and I follow. I say, which way Billy, and off we go. 

He is 12 years old now and has a bit of arthritis, but he doesn't seem too bothered by that. He has some medication from the vet. I walk him every third day, it gives me two clear days off. I can always re arrange the days if I want to go somewhere. He has the freedom of the garden to run around in. There is nothing he likes better than to sit at the gate and watch everyone go by. 

He gets on with most other dogs and is happy to greet them. I have to watch out though because there are three or four dogs he does not like. He jumps around and barks, so I have to change direction if I see any of them coming towards us. He is not keen on big black dogs, especially labradors, and doesn't like beagles or British bulldogs. 

Something else to look out for are Posties. I think it must be the orange jackets which sets him off. He wants to chase cats, so he is not able to come to my house. Other than those little foibles, he is a loveable dog. 

And now he is famous, and can be found on Google Maps.  

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

A video I made yesterday.

I was planning on making more videos at Elsham Hall, but the weather was not kind, and there were too many people about. I try to avoid capturing faces so there is sometimes a view of the sky, or the ground, or a sudden change of direction, as I tilt the camera and move around. 

The weather is still dull here. Crafty Club was fun this morning, and I had a coffee with a friend at her house afterwards. Lunch was mushrooms, spiralled courgette, spinach, and an egg on top. Now I am having a glass of sherry. Mayze has a sore spot on her neck where she has been scratching like crazy. It is healing up nicely after applying treatment from the vet. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

A visit to Elsham Hall

It was dry and quite mild when I set off for Elsham Hall this morning. There was a Craft Fair on in the lambing barn. Worth a look I thought. It's been a while since I visited Elsham. I didn't take any photo's of the grounds this time. I made a video which I will upload tomorrow. There is a blog post from April 2017 if you want to see how it looks in the spring with blue skies and flowers. Today it started raining so it was damp and dull. I walked around the lake and had a look at the walled garden.  

The Craft Fair in the shed. It looked pretty gloomy inside. There wasn't enough lighting. 

They made a bit of an effort with strings of fairy lights, but you still had to bend down to look closely at the crafts. 

My friend Sue Hawkmoon's stall. I did a workshop with her at her studio, where I learnt wet felting. This is her web site. She is also on Facebook. You wouldn't believe she is a granny. How she keeps her young looks I don't know. 

I had a walk around the courtyard. This side of it looks empty, but the other side was buzzing as everyone was queueing to get in the cafe. 

Now what's this. A sale of what, it doesn't say. Must have a look inside. 

This is the barn where they have weddings. The lady who has organised them for the last 17 years is retiring, and she is selling all her stock. I went to a wedding here, many years ago. I wonder how Danny and Mary are getting on. 

Everything was laid out on tables. The prices were very cheap. I picked up some artificial flowers which I will put in my garden. It is the last day today. Someone is coming to take away what is left and absorb it into their own business. 

It was fun looking around this Aladdins Cave. 

The rain came heavier. I was hoping to get an hour or two walking in, but it was miserable. Time to go home.  

Thanks for popping on. Toodle pip.   ilona

That's fine.

 Thank you to the people who inspire me to carry on. Comments like this one let me know I am doing something right. . . . . . . 

. . . . . . . . . 

Someone could make a film out of your life. I've thoroughly enjoyed this whole journey. Thank you for sharing your very inspirational story with us. I'm just coming out of a very patchy time in life where my confidence has taken a beating in work and relationships. I quit the job and left the relationship and now I'm just about to start a new chapter, stepping into the unknown. You've reassured me! People who bully or try and drag you down or control you are simply insecure. They were looking at you and feeling threatened because you were being you and many people are being fake or don't know how to handle someone or something unusual. You really outshone them in your work and achieved a lot. And now you're continuing to achieve as you share your thoughts and life with us.

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

If I can help somebody as I pass along, then my living has not been in vain.

I apologise to those who would like to comment on the blogs but are not able to, my own sanity has to come first. There are those who don't agree with what I put out, that's fine. I am happy with my life. As long as you are happy with yours, that's also fine.

Have a good weekend. Toodle pip. ilona

An answer to a question

A two hour walk this afternoon. No jacket needed, just a warm fleece with a bodywarmer, and a scarf. Nobody else out walking. Stand aside and let this big wheeler pass.

I have photographed this tree several times. Oh dear, it has been blown over in the recent winds. 

I see they have installed a new gate at the end of the lane. Let's hope that will put a stop to the fly tipping. It's electronically controlled by a keypad, so I expect only selected users will get the number. I took these photo's last week. I see the gate is fully operational today. That red farm vehicle went through it. 

Someone asked me a question on my channel. It's just as easy to answer it with another video. 

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