Plenty of water

I am running out of options for walks of less than an hours drive from home. I will have to start going further afield. My problem is that I do not get organised early enough, too much faffing in the morning. I live my life at a much leisurely pace now, and have no sense of urgency to go anywhere in a hurry. 

I have been to the Humber Bridge many times, and did not fancy walking across it again yesterday. I drove to Barton and parked in the car park at the Railway Station. It is a small station and not very busy, I think that is why they allow free parking. The Bus Station next to it is also very small. Not like a town or city Bus Station, just a simple turn around for buses between Scunthorpe and Hull. It's very convenient for those who wish to go over the Humber Bridge but don't want to drive over there. Also convenient for a days walking in the area, either south or north of the bridge. 

I passed the sign for the Shadow Bridge Brewery on the way, and suddenly remembered, I am a bit low on cider and beer. Swift left turn down to the Old Tile Works to stock up. The sunny afternoon had brought a lot of people out. There is a Restaurant and a Garden Centre, as well as Artisan Craft Shops. The cider looks very tempting so I chose four varieties. I sometimes fancy a beer with my dinner, depending on what I am cooking.   

My aim was to go to the River Bank and walk alongside the Humber towards New Holland. First was to call in at the Visitor Centre to get a Magnum Ice Cream. Too late, it was 4pm and they were just closing. Never mind. I have a drink and some snacks with me. I found myself in the Waters Edge Country Park. The paths are not very obvious on my scruffy well worn OS map so I just walked in the general direction keeping the river on my left, even though I couldn't see it. It was too far away. It's over there. 

On I went past fishing ponds down private tracks. I seemed to be moving further away from the river. The sailing club had a few visitors. 

People sitting outside with a drink at the Water Ski Club. No one brave enough to go into the water. 

Eventually I did find my way to the river bank, and sat for a while on a bench. Off I went again. I could see the Pier at New Holland in the distance and knew I wouldn't have time to get there. I need to find a road that takes me to Barrow Haven. At last I turned off right and went over a railway line. I read the sign to see if I was allowed to cross. There were instructions on how to cross if you had a vehicle, or a horse. Open gate, make sure you close it after you have passed through. No instructions for walkers so it must be alright. 

I followed a track past the back of an Industrial Estate, and arrived back in Barton passing a massive new build housing estate. I picked up a few essentials from Tesco and got home at 7pm.

I have just managed to make the 250 mile walking target for the first three months. If you are doing this challenge, let us know tomorrow on the first of April. As long as you are doing some exercise that's the main thing. Keep moving. 

See ya soon. Toodle pip.   ilona  

Remembering Stephen

I thought about my brother today. My younger brother Stephen. It's his birthday today. 

I don't have many photo's of Stephen. At our first house he had a pigeon loft in the back garden. We had a big garden where we could run riot, because dad never did anything with it. It was like a jungle. We had a Jack Russel which we got from the RSPCA. 

He had a Beatle hair cut. I was mad on the Beatles. 

Stephen joined the Army Cadets when he was old enough. Then later on, he joined the Regular Army. 

Me and Mum went to Whittington Barracks to watch his passing out parade. 

Then my memory of him fades. I was busy working. I remember him coming out of the army. They gave him a medical discharge. He wasn't ill, but the army taught him to drink, which was his downfall for a while. He went off the rails, what I can remember. 

I don't know what he did for a living after that. He moved to Derby and worked in a furniture shop. I had started lorry driving so I was all over the place. Stephen travelled a bit, he went to Bah Rain. I went on holiday there to see him. He had a flat with his girlfriend in Manama. I remember I wasn't able to walk around by myself  because men were staring at me. I didn't like it. 

After that he married his Indian girlfriend and they moved to Mumbai. I wanted to keep in touch with him, but he didn't reply. He distanced himself from us. We didn't hear from him for many years. He came back to the UK once as I remember. This photo was taken in our sisters garden, I think, or was it a pub garden. The last time we saw him. 

We were all on the internet then. An email came through from Stephens wife, he was very ill. He had been ill for a long time, but we didn't find out until he was taken to hospital. There was no time to go to India, and we couldn't afford the air fare. He was 59 when he passed away.

We missed out on family siblings for a long time. We went our different ways. 

I thought of my brother today. Best wishes.  ilona.  xxx

Comfortable

Mayze has moved camp. She now prefers to sleep on the mouse mat. It is hardly big enough for her to position her whole body onto it. This is how I found her in the morning. 

To make it a bit more comfortable I laid a fleecy blanket over most of the table so she find a better spot. This morning she was huddled up in the corner. 

I am her slave. 

Good Friday best wishes to everybody. Toodle pip.   ilona

One week ago

The stage is set at a venue in Derby. I arrived just after 6pm. Bought a drink and found a seat. The event kicked off at 7.30pm. 

The guest speakers. 

The sons.

The father. 

Jaymie kicked off with welcoming everybody. Big room, big audience. He introduced the guests one by one. Each said their piece. A questions and answers session brought the event to a close, although it went on a bit longer as everyone was clamouring for photographs. Yes, I took my turn.

The evening was very relaxed. Everyone in the room knew we were all there for the same reason. Meeting like minded people is so refreshing. I knew I could say what I liked to anyone. No holding back, no self censoring. I met a lovely lady who is the head teacher at a primary school in London. She has a three hour commute every day and says it's worth it because she loves her job. I met a German lady who made the journey to Derby by herself. A flight from Dusseldorf to London, the Tube to the railway station, and a train ride to Derby. 

So there you are. I'm glad I went. Speaking to people face to face is a totally different experience than exchanging words online. Reading body language fills in all the gaps which talking through a screen cannot do. 

Now I am looking out of the window. The day has started off with sunshine. I will go shopping, then hopefully get out into the garden. Enjoy your Thursday, have a nice Easter. 

Toodle pip.   ilona.

A look at Ashbourne.

Leaving Osmaston behind I came off the road and continued to Ashbourne along the Centenary Way, also known as Bonnie Prince Charlie Walk. It was quite muddy in parts. I crossed over the A52 bypass and found myself in a new housing estate, this is where the footpath signs disappeared. I asked the lady in the small grocery store which way to the town centre. She said none of the houses were there when she took over the shop, now she is surrounded. Good for business I thought, but not very aesthetically pleasing to the eye. 

I asked two ladies who seemed to be walking in the same direction as me down Spitalhill, am I going the right way for the town centre? We no, English one of them replied. Ok I thought, lets give this a try. With some hand gesticulations and me speaking slowly and simply, we managed to communicate a few basic pleasantries. They were from Ukraine and they were in their mid fifties. They pointed to my muddy boots and trouser bottoms, and laughed. The hill was pretty steep, at the bottom they went into Sainsbury's and I walked past the library into the town centre. 

I saw quite a few pubs, here are three of them. I also found a cheese shop and bought three of my favourite truckles. The Snowdonia Cheese Company have a good selection. I chose Cheddar with roasted garlic and herbs, Extra mature Cheddar, and Vintage Red Leicester.  

St Oswalds Church is just one of several in Ashbourne. The sun was in the wrong place for a good photo, so I went round the back for this one. 

Luckily the door was open so I was able to get more photo's inside. A man was practicing his organ playing so that gave it a nice ambience. 

One corner is set out as a shop, where you can buy gifts. 

I spent a good half an hour in there. Still more of Ashbourne to see. Then it was time to make my way back to the car. I took a slightly different route back for a couple of miles, then retraced my steps from Osmaston to Shirley. Couldn't resist taking this photo of a tree, with half of it missing. To me it looks like a sculpture. I spoke to a local resident. Apparently high winds had ripped off two of the main branches two years ago, one of which was left to lay on the ground. This tree signifies to me that no matter how much destruction one has to endure in life, there is always hope. It refuses to die. I would love to see it in blossom. 

So many places to explore. I hope to be out and about over the summer months. Something to look forward to. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Walking to Osmaston.

The walk to Osmaston was very pleasant. I had a brief conversation with a young man who was loaded up with a very heavy backpack. I asked him if he was camping. He replied, yes, I started at Manchester and I'm walking to Leicester. Well done to him I thought. I could have done that a few years ago, but not carrying a load of camping gear. B & B's were my thing on long walks. 

The road from Shirley turns into a dirt track. This sign is outside the last house on the left. 

The green bits on the map are Shirley Park. When I approached it, I expected to see a lot of trees. The ground is looking very bare right now. I suppose when the new trees start growing it will fill out again. 

Continuing on towards Osmaston, it is an estate village. There is a small pond in the centre, and a really big lake on the edge of it. I passed by this derelict building. At first glance I thought it was an abandoned house. All the windows and doors have been permanently boarded up. It does look like it might have been a church at some point. I've had a look for information. It seems it is an old water powered sawmill. I've found a picture of it from seven years ago, it was covered in scaffolding. How fascinating. 

Just before the village, what a fantastic tree. 

Had to take a pic of this colourful truck. It was making a delivery to the pub. 

At least they still have a Post Office, and a shop. Ring the bell for service. 

Time for a lunch stop at the church. I found a bench in a sunny spot, with shelter from the wind. 

The village has several thatched cottages, a school, and a Village Hall. 

Onward towards Ashbourne. I'll post those photo's next. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Let's have a look at Shirley church.

I have a sat nav in the car but I haven't the foggiest idea how to use it. I am not interested in electrical gadgets to tell me where to go. Neither do I have a hand held sat nav. If I am going somewhere which might be a little complicated, I get gooooogli earth on the screen and take photographs of the area. I also write directions on a large piece of paper, and draw a simple map. Easy. That usually gets me to my destination. Come down the A61, go round the Pentagon Island, take the fourth exit off onto The Upas, leading on to Eastgate. Under the railway line, or was it over, turn left onto Meadow Road just past the bus depot. Easy. Leaving the next morning was not so easy. Underpasses, overpasses, roundabouts, bus lanes, bugger I went left when I should have gone right onto the inner ring road. Do a u turn and go back. 

I found my way out, and once I got out of the centre I started to recognise streets. I use to work for British Road Services at Alvaston years ago. Before that I worked for Nestle, and Derby was my main delivery area. I knew it pretty well then. It's all different now. I found my way onto the A52 Ashbourne Road. 

I had pinpointed the village of Shirley on the OS map as a good place to start a walk from, and found a parking area close to the church. It was lovely and peaceful. This tree is amazing. 

The trunk looked like it was several trees originally planted in a clump. Some of the bark was really rough, and some was really smooth. 

 

At first I was on my own in the church, someone had kindly unlocked the door. After I had finished recording the video the Church Warden turned up. He was happy to tell me some of the history, it was fascinating. Like my own private guided tour. He pulled these doors back to reveal a secret kitchen.

A few years ago they got a grant and had a new roof put on. I thought they might have covered up some of the furniture with plastic sheeting to protect it from bird poo. But no, he explained how they had found bats in the roof .

This area used to have wooden pews, but they took them out, put a new floor down, and put the chairs around the sides. This is used for group meetings. 

Very unusually decorated organ pipes. 

Here is the video I made before the warden turned up. He said the church is the heart of the community and it is well used. 

More pics to come tomorrow when I move on to Osmaston. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona.

Free parking.

First coffee of the day, in a car park, on an industrial estate, in Derby, on Friday morning. 

Lovely views. A railway line with passing trains every few minutes. Litter along the edges of the river. Traffic noise. What more could you want in a car camping spot. Oh, nearly forgot, mustn't grumble, it was free. 

The camping season has begun. 

Toodle pip.  ilona

Nine miles

Happy Saturday. I'm back. yesterday I walked nine miles in Derbyshire. I parked in a village called Shirley, not far from the A52, walked past Shirley Park, through Osmaston Park and village, followed the Centenary Way which is also called Bonnie Prince Charlie Walk, down Spitalhill into Ashbourne. I had a bimble around the town, boy has it grown since I was last there many years ago. Then back to the car. A bit whacked last night, hence no blog post. 

For those doing the walking challenge, this is how I check my mileage. I mark the route with a highlighter pen on a paper OS map, and copy that onto this web site.  I use Bikehike. 

Now I have lots of photo's to sort out, and a couple of videos to upload, that will keep me busy for most of the day. I hope the rain holds off, I have a dog walk to do later. Have a good weekend. It's windy but dry here, so far. Toodle pip.   ilona. 

Exactly

 I spent an hour in the bank with my dad,

as he had to transfer some money. I couldn't resist

myself and asked...

''Dad, why don't we activate your internet banking?''

''Why would I do that?'' He asked...

''Well, then you won't have to spend an hour here for

things like making a transfer.

You can even do your shopping online. Everything will

be so easy!''

I was so excited about initiating him into the world of

Net banking.

He asked ''If I do that, I won't have to step out of the

house?”

''Yes, yes''! I said. I told him how even groceries can

be delivered to your door now and how Amazon

delivers everything!

His answer left me tongue-tied.

He said ''Since I entered this bank today, I have met

four of my friends, I have chatted awhile with the staff

who know me very well by now.

You know, I am alone...this is the company that I need.

I like to get ready and come to the bank. I have

enough time, it is the physical touch that I crave.

Two years back, I got sick. The store owner from whom

I bought fruits, came to see me, and sat by my bedside

and cried.

When your Mom fell down a few days back while on

her morning walk, our local grocer saw her and

immediately got his car to rush her home as he knows

where I live.

Would I have that 'human' touch if everything became

online?

Why would I want everything delivered to me and force

me to interact with just my computer?

I like to know the person that I'm dealing with and not

just the 'seller'. It creates bonds of Relationships.

Does Amazon deliver all this as well?'''

Technology isn't life..

Spend time with people .. Not with devices.

Writer unknown.

Thanks for popping in. Now I am going out.

Toodle pip. ilona

What are my kitties doing.

Good morning. We awake to wet mist this morning.

The little table project is finished. This is the shelter for the hedgehog food. It sits outside the back door and keeps the dry food dry. It rained overnight and the food was gone this morning. Dollops of hedgie poo indicated who had eaten it. I have to poo pick the whole garden so I don't stand in it. I can see the table from inside the house so I can replenish if they decide to have a munching party. 

The old wonky metal legs are gone, replaced with wood. Make do and mend. 

Lunch yesterday was mushrooms, spinach, and rice noodles that you get from the chiller cabinet at Aldi. Chuck in a few spices, I like garlic, and a spoonful of caramelised onion chutney. Quick and easy. 

How are the kitties getting on? 

Must dash. Need to wash hair before I go to the Coffee Morning. 

Stay Happy. Toodle pip.   ilona

Save your money.

Are you thinking about getting an electric car? If yes, please watch this first. It could save you a lot of money. Have you swallowed the bullshit like this man did, and bought one anyway, beware. 

Best stick with petrol. 

Toodle pip.   ilona

Thank you.

 Once again I have turned off the comments. There are people out there who are obsessed with checking my blog, searching for any reason to send me a nasty comment. It's futile to try and explain that this obsession is not doing their mental health any good at all. This is a snapshot of the state of the world at the moment. People are agitated and angry, and I am easy prey for them to vent their frustrations. 

I don't have time for long discussions. I say my piece then get on with my life. 

Thank you to all those who come here just to say hello. 

Toodle pip.   ilona 

Fun at Crafty Club.

We didn't get much crafting done this morning in the Village Hall. Time was spent eating, drinking and laughing. Then we played Bingo. We had two birthdays to celebrate. 

The Bingo prizes. I won a bottle of wine. 

After lunch I took Billy dog out, then I set about making a small table for the hedgehog food shelter. This table top had metal fold up legs, but the mechanism wasn't working properly. I removed them and screwed four pieces of wood to it. 

I cut four pieces of wood for the legs, and only managed to attach one when I ran out of time. It was starting to get dark, so I'll finish it off tomorrow. All wood is reclaimed timber found in skips. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona