Are you ready for 2024

Hello peeps, I've just been out for an early walk. Changing my routine slightly. I have a two mile walk around the village, if I do that twice a day that will easily cover the distance I need for the challenge. Then if I walk in other places as and when I feel like it, I will be sailing along. 

I met another walker this morning. I hadn't seen her before because I usually walk in the afternoon. We stopped to chat, me asking the first question, how far do you walk? I was pleasantly chuffed to hear her story. She hes been doing the 1000 miles for eight years, and often achieves more than the target. She has amazingly lost three stone in weight during that time. Exercise combined with sensible eating can have that effect, although it should be noted that exercise alone is not enough to lose weight.  

A video I knocked out yesterday.

Now it's countdown time to a new year. Those with pets, a reminder to get them indoors tonight. I expect there will be some flashes and loud bangs at midnight. 

Toodle pip.   ilona

New challenge

 And it's a new day, and yes, I am being threatened. Someone does not like what they see on my blog. They have sent me the same comment, and various versions, many times over the last year.  

Unknown commented. Your blog has been reported. Shame on you.

Should I be scared? I am wondering what comes next. Blogs disappearing down a rabbit hole? Thought police coming to my door to drag me off to jail? I'll let you know. 

Anyway, I am able to move on. We are nearing the end of the year, it's time to make plans for the next one. After careful consideration I will be embarking on another 1000 mile walk, starting on the 1st of January. I've had a year off where I have walked but not recorded the mileage. I like to spread my time between a variety of different interests. I can be flexible about how far I walk on a daily basis, and what time of day I walk, morning, afternoon, or evening. I can be flexible about where I walk. Locally I have a two and a three mile route. I can walk out of the village and do a five, six, or seven mile route. I can also drive somewhere else and walk in a new area. 

I use this website to check my mileage if I walk in new territory. After marking it out on a paper ordnance survey map I trace it onto bikehike.co.uk It automatically adds it up. If you use it toggle the map sizes. You want the bigger map on the right hand side of the screen. I have been using it for years. It is free to use. 

Lets get as many people as we can to join in this challenge. There has never been a more important time to look after your own health. I don't want to be ill so I am on a mission. 

I will leave the comments closed for now. If anyone wants to join in I will open it up on February 1st, so participants can log their progress. There is a web site dedicated to join in with others on this challenge. You may wish to sign up for that. It costs nothing. There is lots of inspiration here. 

Anyway, I'm off now. Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Threats.

 Just to let you, I am being threatened. 

Lots of love,  ilona xxx

PS nothing to worry about. I will report back soon.

More music please.

What a fantastic way to start the day. A mug of coffee and a foot tapping song. Look how everybody is smiling. We need more piano's please in public places. Two together, what a bonus. This is in Battersea Power Station. Look out Brendon and Terry, you have competition. I would like to see a piano festival, a competition, hundreds of hands all playing at the same time. How cool would that be. 😎😍😜

Time for porridge. Have a lovely day. Toodle pip.   ilona

EDIT.

Got to come back with this one. Those piano's are sure getting a bashing. If you like that, now watch this. 

Not four, but SIX. 

Pampered Pussy

Mayze would like you all to know that she is feeling a lot better. David, the nice vet gave her a thorough check up, and the little blip in her health is now under control. 

She lives like royalty. Her servant, me, delivers her food to wherever she happens to be resting. Everything she needs is on hand. She is staying indoors at the moment, she doesn't like the cold. The heating is on, so we all have a comfortable and warm home. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Lovely subscribers

Hello. Here is a little vid I made this morning. 

My subscribers list is growing. I am blessed that so many people want to watch my videos. I am just me.  What you see is what you get. The total now stands at 9.15k, and a lot of new subscribers are  commenting for the first time. 

Some of them have been following me for a long time. They leave me some lovely comments. I don't mind if people fall out with me here on the blog, and complain that they can't comment. Those that know me well know the reasons why I do that.

Here is a sample of recent comments from yooootooob. 

It is so nice to see you on here today. Your uploads make my day, as you're such a lovely lady.

Merry Christmas. ! Am stuck in bed with the flu but your video cheered me up.

Merry Christmas from across the pond. Just found your channel and love your content. Going to binge on some of your earlier vids. Love from Texas

Merry Christmas wonderful lady, I really admire your mindset...always happy, always grateful,

A very Merry Xmas to my fav U.Tuber Ilona! As always full of good cheer... Glad you're having a nice Xmas!

Thank you for posting this video today! It lifted my spirits!

You have helped me a lot over last few years to change to a frugal lifestyle, with your advice on your blogs & vlogs.

Ilona, Thanks for this caring and thoughtful video.

Ilona, It was because of you that I looked at things so differently about being frugal, saving, stretching the dollar as far as I can. I started watching your channel in 2018.

Always look forward to your words of wisdom, even though i am the same age! As you probably know, have followed you from day one.

I can remember watching you on a local television program ages ago, where you were interviewed about being a scrimper….. and I can remember thinking then, as you were showing off your sprout stew, that’s a woman after my own heart!.

What lovely subscribers. Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Drone Show! (1,500+ Drones)

This is one video you must watch. Never mind your fireworks, or your lasers, the future is drones. Absolutely stunning. Play this on the biggest screen you have. 

Have fun.  ilona   

Out for a stroll.

Sunny morning at the park today. Lots of people out, families, kids, dogs. The deer were grazing. 

Blue sky.

Stagnant pond. 

Algae on the water. 

The Pet cemetery. 

Walking through the woods. 

I spy people through the trees.

Quackers. 

I was there early, a good start to the day. People queued in their cars to get in. I left when it started to get too busy. 

Toodle pip.   ilona 

Presents on Christmas Day

Did you get any presents? I did. Let's open them together. 

The day is nearly over. Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona 

Mayze cat update.

 Twas the night before Christmas, and the winds are howling outside. I have done a village walk. Saw a  lady who walks her two Beagles. The dogs recognise me even though I am snuggled in my furry hood. They know I am the treat lady. A lot of the dogs know they might get a treat. I have a few in my pocket, even when I am not walking a dog myself. 

I have been cutting up fabric for the covers of the next batch of pet beds. There are nine waiting to be sewn together now. 

I've been watching some yoootooob videos. Helicopter rides over Mount Everest, train journeys in snowy Norway, and the bullet trains in Japan. Fantastic entertainment. 

Janet called round to see how Mayze is. I mentioned in a comment on the previous post that I had taken her to the vet. She has been off her food, and was looking quite lethargic. Not showing any interest in anything and sleeping a lot. Her coat was looking a bit patchy due to her constant grooming. The vet did a thorough check, took a urine sample, and a blood sample, and gave her an injection. She is camping out on the stairs at the moment, seems to like it there. I left her some food when I went to bed, it was gone this morning. Today she has been yelling at me for more food, so I think she is feeling better. 

I've made a pan of stew so I'm going to eat some now. The rest will be for lunch and dinner tomorrow. 

Enjoy your Christmas day. Toodle pip.   ilona  

A windy walk.

Here is the video I made on Thursday's walk. Those who have already seen it on my channel, can skip it here. 

This is the view from my window tonight. We seem to be getting an awful lot of spectacular sunsets this month. I wonder why.

 

I zoomed in here. The aircraft trails look like lace hanging in the sky. Strange. 

Still windy. Have a good weekend.  Toodle pip.  ilona. 

Quick snaps.

I went to Aldi at about 5pm, to pick up a few things, and made a diversion onto the Industrial Estate to take a few pics of the sunset over yonder.  

Pity the red sky wasn't behind this one, it would have been good. 

I always carry the camera, you never know when an opportunity might arise. 

Toodle pip.   ilona
 

Daniel has bought a house.

I have been following Daniel for a long time. He is a lovely fella who bought a plot of land in Ireland  with tumbledown buildings. He transformed it to a thriving smallholding. Following his progress was pure joy. He called his channel Mossy Bottom. 

Now the story changes. He met a lovely lady called Angela, who came as a volunteer to help him out at Mossy Bottom. They are now proud parents of a baby girl. It was time to move on. They have moved to Finland. 

You can view the older videos to look back at the story. In this video Daniel shows us around his new place in Finland. He talks about the plans he has for it. He has kept the name Mossy Bottom, in memory of his dog, Moss. So for a positive vibe have a look at this gentle and relaxing video. It definitely has the feel good factor. 

Have a good weekend. Toodle pip.   ilona 

Blustery walk

I had an urge to go for a walk this afternoon. It hasn't rained for a few days so I thought the ground would have dried out a bit. Most of it had, except for this bit. I carefully picked my way around the edge of this bogfest. 

The wind was horrendous. Thank goodness I was wrapped up snug in a furry hood. 

I photographed this house a year ago. Once again they have put the red ribbon around it. Save money by re using your decorations every year. 

Back at the village, Angela had invited me for a coffee, so I called in. The wind had battered me for most of the walk, so It was nice to sit down in her warm kitchen. The glass of port with cheese and biscuits was very much appreciated. 

I've got a video to upload, I'll post it tomorrow. 

Toodle pip.   ilona

For Lyndsey

 Not everyone will have a nice Christmas. Lyndsey is a registered nurse. She was injured almost two years ago, and is still suffering now. She almost died last year. Her injuries have been confirmed. She gave in to pressure to take a certain treatment. 

Her symptoms keep reoccurring. She talks about the newest symptom and asks if anybody can help with a possible remedy. Most of the replies are people making helpful suggestions. However, there is always one. . . . . . . . 

You are a nurse. You had to know better. I feel bad for you, but you need to make sure that your colleagues stand up and speak out next time. Imagine how many people without a medical background got injured because of medical professionals.

This is Lyndsey's reply. . . . . . . . . .

Being told safe and effective while holding an iPad up while family who can’t be with the patient while they are actively dying looks on while working in the covid icu and then being told there are no medical exemptions and they are denying religious exemptions and we had to pick between our livelihood and being homeless or our jobs. So yeah before you chastise me for the decision I made or others at the time made with the information we had at the time put yourself in their shoes. It’s so easy for you to sit back and say those things with your half hearted I’m sorry to someone who endured all those things to say what you just did NEVER JUDGE A PERSON BASED OFF THE CHAPTER YOU WALKED IN ON! Please reflect and learn from this.

. . . . . . . .

My thoughts. There are millions out there who have had their lives changed forever, because they gave in to pressure. They did what they were told to do. Take the treatment or you lose your job. A nurses vocation is their desire to help and look after people. They were all told a lie and they didn't know it. They were not given a choice. Many of those who decided not to take the treatment were sacked. Just imagine how that may feel. You take care of people because you want to see them get better, then all of a sudden that is ripped away from you. Remember how they encouraged nurses to sing and dance, when all the time they were plotting how to get rid of them.

Don't ever think that because you don't know anyone who hasn't been injured after taking the said treatment, that it didn't happen. That it's a conspiracy theory, because it damn well wasn't. They followed instructions and now they are paying the price.

Mini rant over. What is done is done. Now we need to help those who are suffering.

Read Lyndsey's account of what has happened to her.

Thanks for reading. ilona. xxx

More eating today.

Another Christmas Party to go to today. This time it was the Coffee Morning 'do'. We had it in the afternoon starting at 12noon. This is a large and popular group in the village. It's great, it brings people together. Many of us live alone, so it is something to look forward to every week. 

They laid on a smashing spread, buffet style. Hot home made soup, sandwiches, pastries, and cake. 

I changed my hair colour yesterday, now I am a blondie. 

My dress is 33 years old. I bought it in 1990 when I was invited to the Women of the Year Luncheon at the Savoy Hotel. I have had other dresses since then, but this is the only one I have left. I tend to wear mostly  trousers, and sometimes skirts. This dress means a lot to me, I have some happy memories of it.  

I've dug out this old photo from 2009. I wore it at a Ladies dinner where I was the guest speaker. I've just noticed, I'm wearing the same boots. Chuffin heck. 

No more parties to go to. That's it, done. I can't cope with all the eating involved with Christmas. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Day off

 I wonder if Traveller the Troll will take a day off on the 25th ?  😑😏😆😵😮😃😁

Toodle pip.  ilona

An afternoon of laughter.

Our Chatty Crafty club started as normal today, at 10am. We usually finish at 12, but today we had our Christmas celebrations, which went on till gone 2 o clock. The tables were set out in the big hall, very lovely I thought. They did a good job. 

The tree is looking fabulous. 

The bar is set out. Sherry for starters, then wine. 

The main meal was lasagna, meat or vegetarian. Very nice. Cheese and crackers after the meal.

Lisa makes jewellery and we were all given a pair of earrings. I had my ears pierced a long time ago but haven't worn earrings for many years. I couldn't find my holes, so I hung the mini Christmas trees on my glasses. Oh dear, I look a bit flushed. I only had one glass of wine, honest. 😆

And a jolly time was had by all. 

It's half past seven, and I am just having a snack. I don't need much after stuffing my face this afternoon. 

Toodle pip.   ilona

Moving forward

 It took a while for me to drop to sleep last night. Normally I am off to the land of nod minutes after my head hits the pillow. I always lay flat on my back, but last night I was tossing and turning, this way and that. I checked the time it was 2.30am. Should I get up and make a drink? No that will make me want to pee. I lay still and eventually dropped off. I woke at 8am. 

There was something on my mind. I don't like puzzles and problems, they throw up a lot of questions. I need to know answers. I process an idea and look for the links to join ideas together. Eventually it starts to make sense, which is where I am at the moment. 

Reading social media, everyone has a tendency to ask the same questions. They go round in circles and end up back at the beginning having not found any credible answers. There are some people however who are bright enough to form their own opinions. The pieces of the jigsaw fit together. There is a lot to be said for thinking outside the box. 

Going down a long and familiar straight road will not throw up any solutions. To follow a path which you are familiar can be a disappointment, unless of course you have your eyes open. How many times have you heard people say, oh, I didn't see that coming? One has to be brave enough to divert, and explore a different landscape. 

It is often said that the answers to questions will be evident after a long period of time. What has happened before will happen again. As I have never studied history, I am more interested in the events that have happened in my own lifetime. We can think about the past, but shouldn't dwell on it. I am all about moving forward, and want to know what comes next. 

Keep your eyes and ears open. Widen your horizons. For me this is unfolding into a real life drama. I have read one book about it, A State of Fear, by Laura Dodsworth. That set me off on a road of exploration. I won't wait for another book, I am living it now. 

Food is served this morning at Crafty Club and I have to get ready. Toodle pip. ilona 

Watching the sun go down

It's been a nice day here, so once I had done my chores I went a walk to the park. A team of workers were tidying the place up after the event last weekend. Raking up the tons of straw that had been thrown about to soak up the torrential rain. It looked like a terribly boring job, but it had to be done. Apparently there is an event on tomorrow. A running challenge, so there will be dozens of pairs of feet passing through the park. 

The walled gardens have been stripped of most of the plants. It looked quite bare. I'm not sure why Santa's buggy is parked outside the glasshouses. I wonder if it is to be used again before Christmas, or if they have left it there for display purposes. 

The landtrain was still working. I had a chat with the two guys working on it. It looks a bit battered. 

Very basic old tractor. Looks like a rough ride. 

Only a couple of deer visible. The rest were hiding under the trees in the distance. 

I walked through the park to the far end. Choo Choo, train coming. 

I walk in a circle and come back through the woods. It's looking like there is going to be a fabulous sunset. 

The train has gone around the turning circle and is on it's way back to the hall. 

Oh wow, here it comes. Camera ready in hand. How to choose the best pictures.

This one is my absolute favourite. Loving the stark skeletal trees against the fiery orange sky. 

Every few seconds a new scene emerges. 

Keep taking pictures, can't stop. Got to capture it before it disappears.

Now on the way home. I zoomed in to get that tree framed by the two on either side. It reminds me of the Hadrians Wall tree that was chopped down. 

Bye bye sunset. See you next time. 

There's a 'do' going on at the pub this weekend. I walked past it and said hello to a few people. Not my thing, too noisy, music blaring out. It's good to see people enjoying themselves. 

I've had a lovely meal at home, and a glass of wine. 

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