As the day turns to night

I paid a visit to the Village Hall today where the Christmas Fair was taking place. I didn't get there till 12.30 so a lot of people had come and gone. I had a coffee and mince pie, even though I don't like mince pies. Have to show willing. 

Back home for lunch. There was still an hour or two of daylight so I took the opportunity to go for a walk to the park. Just after I took this photo they closed the front doors. I was only there for a walk anyway, didn't need to go inside. 

I went round the back and took a few snaps. I'm really pleased with these. A few minutes later the staff pulled the window shutters across. I got them just in time. 

This is the back door where the staff come and go. I don't know if they leave the lights on all night. 

A quick visit to the toilet block before I went home. The railings make it look more like a prison. 

Passing a little cottage on the way home. 

A very nice day all round. Laughing and chatting with friends. And a walk in fairly warm weather. 

Catch ya tomorrow. Toodle pip.   ilona

Answers.

 Good morning. I sometimes store unwelcome and unwanted comments in my spam folder, then later decide what to do with them. Mostly I just delete. The odd one or two I might keep for a while until I decide what to do next, if anything. Sometimes I might feel like replying. Some of them may be useful to create a new post. I have picked these two out for a reply.

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It does matter Ilona you give your opinion to influence others. Why wouldn't others try to influence you if they care.

My opinion is my opinion. I don't set out to influence people. I don't have to ask permission to cover different subjects that I am interested in. That rule applies to any blogger who wants to remain independent and go down that route. Some bloggers prefer to use the softly softly approach, and write posts that they know will bring a favourable response from their readers. That's fine as well. All down to individual choice. 

Those who try to influence me are barking up the wrong tree. There are many blogs out there, which have opposing views to myself, where their comments will be welcomed with open arms. If people feel strongly about something there is always the option of starting their own blog. That way, they can say what they like. 

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Net zero is no scam. Unfortunately people like yourself have been sucked into believing the lies put out by the fossil fuel corporations.

If people want to believe that net zero will help to alleviate the demise of the world as we know it, then that's your choice. I have not been sucked into anything. I read widely, watch widely, listen widely, then make up my own mind. If anyone wants to follow the current situation from the start to the planned finish, they will see through all the lies. We are all on a long journey, much longer than any of our lifetimes. 

Net zero is just one small piece in the jigsaw. Every piece that is put in place will be another step towards the richest people on earth taking full control. Watch how it rolls out. 

It's Saturday. I am going to a Christmas Fair, and a Christmas Craft and Food Show. 

Enjoy your weekend. Toodle pip.   ilona

Down by the riverside.

After walking around the pond, I walked along the river bank. I didn't video the first two boats, got a bit of the third boat, and waited for the fourth boat to come along and was ready to catch it as it went by. 

Going to have to go. Mayze is wanting her goodnight cuddle. 

Have a good weekend. Catch ya tomorrow. 

Toodle pip.   ilona

Adding to yesterdays post

A walk around the pond.

The pond is next to a river. I missed the first barge going by, but then there were three more. Pictures of the last two. This is a tidal river and they have to navigate dangerous sandbanks so they sail diagonally from side to side.

I watched them sailing upstream into the sunset. 

All gone. Time to go home. I cheated on these last photo's, and tweaked up the saturation. Looks pretty dramatic eh! 

I went to get two dogs out for a walk today. Billy's mum had gone out so I couldn't get him out. Don't have a key to get in. Rocky's dad was just about to go out with him, so I left them to it. Instead I called round to see a friend I hadn't seen for ages. She was in her sewing room so we had a good chat while she showed me what she is making. 

Thanks for popping in. I'm now going to catch up on some videos while snuggling with Mayze. 

Toodle pip.   ilona. 

Coffee Morning and a walk.

Good evening. Coffee morning was very busy this morning. The last one of the month is usually more popular than the other three weeks. They have a game of Bingo, and a raffle to finish off the session. I don't play Bingo, but I did buy some raffle tickets. I won a prize. A tube of Nivea soothing night cream, which gives a 24hour moisture regeneration boost. Ooooh, I'll slap some on tonight and hope I wake up with a completely regenerated smooth skin. 

I took the bunting with me that I have been making. The Christmas ones have sold. I will make some more for next week. I saw some bunting like these on a photograph of a stall at a Christmas Fair. They were priced at £12 and £14 and weren't as long as mine, so my friends got a bargain.  

After lunch I had to go out into the sunshine. I hadn't left myself enough time to drive somewhere so a local walk it had to be. 

I also made a video which I will upload tomorrow. Some more photo's to come as well. 

Thanks for popping in. See you soon. Toodle pip.   ilona

Relief

 I remember it well. 

Crate (490 x 539 x 402cms @ 60,000kgs) being delivered to Southampton Port this morning.

Such a relief to get your load off. 😎😍😜😁

Thanks to LHH for the photographs. 

It's sunny and I am going for a walk. Toodle pip.   ilona

What's in a name?

 What's in a name? There were various versions of my name when I was a nipper, because no one could say it correctly, as spoken by my German mother. Grandma called me Lilla. Aunty called me Lil. A friends mum called me Lulu. School friends called me Loony. Anyone naming a baby now should think very carefully. You may be setting them up for a life of confusion if you choose something which sets them apart from their classmates.

I have a middle name as well, which I chose to use intermittently when I wanted to stay under the radar. That gave me some respite and I became just like everyone else. I blended in. 

I have other names. When I was driving I was on the cb radio. At the time I was hauling cider up and down the country from the factory at Shepton Mallet, to a depot in Derby. Not very imaginative but I was Cider Apple. Then I changed jobs and from some sarcastic comments I overheard from my work colleagues, I decided to go with Flying Fanny. They didn't like the way I was loving my job, doing the best I could to stick with deadlines, and delivering the loads on time. I became quite well known and began writing a monthly column for CB News magazine. 

Moving on, next came computers. I joined a forum and had to think of a user name. The forum was about simple and frugal living. Queen of Mean because I didn't like spending money, became Meanqueen. 

Then another forum and another name. 'Fit old bird' seems appropriate. 

Another sarcastic person, someone who was peeved that I didn't quite fit in with what was considered a normal lifestyle for a female, chose the next name. For a while I was 'Batty Sister'. I don't have any use for that now. 

A nasty comment has just dropped into my comments box. I will copy it here. 

 Nellyknowitall commented on Coffee chat with a warning. 

10 hours ago

Funny: you are so paranoid about just about everything but give Google your very soul by watching YouTube. Howling at your naivety about what you are giving away about yourself while telling everyone else to wake up.

This person has already chosen their user name. They couldn't think of a new one and comments using Nellyknowitall. Those who have been reading my blog for a while will recognise it. Nelly is my creation. There are several posts on my blog penned by her. 

I have chosen a new name for this person. 'Sanctimonious Prick' is a perfect description. He hasn't been commenting here for a while, but I see he is intent on being an arse elsewhere on other blogs. 

Toodle pip.   ilona 

Seal of approval.

 Just a heads up. Now is the time to visit Donna Nook on the Lincolnshire Coast. There is a weekly Pup Count on the Wildlife Website.  I see that as of the 22nd November, there are 1116 pups,  1268 cows, and 408 bulls. 

I last went there on 6th November 2022. I was a bit too early early to see them, they hadn't all arrived. 

My picture from a previous visit. 5th December 2009.  

It gets quite busy. 

If you are planning to go there is plenty of parking, just follow the signs. There is wheelchair access, a parking area is set aside for those who have limited mobility. 

Catch ya later. Toodle pip.   ilona

It's almost like Christmas.

 

Full credit to Mandy Harding. This topper can be seen at Morrisons, Malvern. This has got to be the best  by far that I have seen. What a talent eh! Check out the UK Facebook Toppers Group for more pictures. 

Toodle pip.   ilona

Coffee chat with a warning

Good evening. Shall I put a blog post out or not? Oh go on then. Another wet and miserable day today. More events cancelled. Our Christmas Fair is next Saturday, in the Village Hall, so that will go ahead. I am not having a stall, but I will call in and say hello to everybody. 

If you watch this video it will tell you what I have been doing today. 

Sunday night is yoootooob night. The people I follow usually put their videos out on a Sunday. I see that Janine and Liam have crossed the channel and are now in Belgium. Bruges looks like a nice place. They are heading north and want to be in Lapland by Christmas. It will be interesting to follow their journey.

Willie and Sarah on the Isle of Skye tell us how they make their money. Sarah is an artist and Willie writes music. Both very talented people. 

Emily and Louise are still renovating their cottage in Ireland. Their campervan videos have been ace.

Stephen and Dan are in Northern Spain at the moment. 

James and Helen are back from their USA holiday. Helen is back at work and James is travelling around the north west uk. 

Adam is in Norfolk, back in his Ford Galaxy after it has been off the road for a few weeks. No fear, he has a second car for his camping trips. 

Heidi the Narrow Boat Pirate is moored up in Cheshire at the moment. 

Who needs a tele when there is so much entertainment on yoootooob. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Today I went shopping.

Good evening. What a wet day we had today. I had a plan to go to the Farmers Market this morning at Brigg. Also visit a shop that has just been extended, then call in at Brigg Aldi on the way back. It sort of worked out like that, only I set off a bit later because I didn't think any market traders would want to set their stall out in the pouring rain. 

I made this video yesterday. It's about making a plan, but as we all know, plans can go wrong if the weather is rubbish. I see some local Christmas Markets were cancelled today. Such a shame when traders plan all the year round for it.  

I braved the weather because I was determined not to mooch around the house all day. It was around midday when I went. Markets don't usually go on much after that. Most of the stalls were deserted, whether they were occupied before I got there, I don't know. Maybe they didn't turn up at all. A few brave souls stuck it out to try and get the last few sales. I spotted a cheese stall. The lady was trading from the open back doors of her van. She had some truckles, great. I bought four for £20. The Mouse House Cheese Company is at Lincoln. I chose Black Pepper Cheddar, Orange and Whiskey Cheddar, Garlic and Chive Cheddar, and Caramelised Onion Cheddar. 

Jaylaurs is a well established sewing studios in the town. Check out their Facebook page. They have extended into the shop next door. They have a lot more stock to offer. The door on the left is their small original shop, the premises next door came up for sale. My friend Sue works there. I gave a talk there once about my textile art. 

I am making bunting and someone asked me if I could make some with a Christmas theme. Today I bought some Christmassy fabric from Jaylaurs. 

There is an Aldi store at Brigg, so that was convenient for me to call in there. £78 spent, oooops. 😵

I'm glad I made the effort to go out. It's still raining now. Hedgehog has been for his supper. 

What's the plan for tomorrow? I'll think about it. Probably make some bunting. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

1000 clicks later

 Good evening. After much blood, sweat, and tears this morning on the computer, I had to get out of the house and go for a walk. I caught the 13.09 bus to town. It was a bit late. The plan was to walk back, so there wasn't time to dillydally about before it started getting dark. 

There was a woman on the bus with a face mask on. I had to chuckle. She had folded it in half lengthways, hooked the elastics around her ears, and it just covered her nose. She was able to have a conversation with a friend. I assume she did that because she wanted to keep her nose warm. What a good idea. My nose is constantly cold and wet, even in the summer. I might try that trick. 

It took me just over two hours to cover the five and a half miles home. 

Anyway, back on the computer tonight to try and sort the commenting problem out. I have sort of cracked it with the help of Rachel, and checking out some blogger videos on yootoob. I have installed Chrome, goodness knows how I did that. After 1000 clicks of the mouse I can comment on my blog, but have to put my name in the drop down box. I will try and sign into my goooogle account later. Signing in and checking notes for the passwords I have used is a nightmare. 

I recorded a video this afternoon, so let's see how that goes when I come to upload it onto yoootooob tomorrow. 

Now it's chill time. I am wearing my oversize hoodie, and I must say, I am very warm. 

Catch ya tomorrow. Toodle pip.   ilona

Cuddle a hoodie

Good evening. I am feeling the cold more now that I am getting on in years. Today I coloured my roots, and had a soak in the bath. Not at the same time. Hair first, bath after. 😆 The cats don't want to go outside, so the litter boxes are getting well used. 😺The hedgehog is still coming nightly. I wonder when it is going to hibernate. 

I knocked up this video this morning. I spent a bit of cash yesterday at Go Outdoors on an oversized hoodie which is massive. 

Thanks for your comments, MrsLumpy and Haven't got one. I think the house will be restored. Hello to Anon who I met in Barton a few weeks back. That year has soon gone. Best wishes to you and your kitties. 

I see that Two tier Kier is hobnobbing with the rich folks. He said, 'I'm determined to deliver growth, create wealth, and put more money in people's pockets. This can only be achieved by working in partnership with leading businesses, like BlackRock, to capitalise on the UK's position as a world leading hub for investment.' There you go, he works for BlackRock. He doesn't give a toss about you or me, or the farmers that grow our food. 

Just for the record, I understand Rachels reasoning on why she feels she might stop blogging. It has crossed my mind at times. I ask myself why don't I just give up and opt for an easy life. Why am I providing fodder for the trolls to sling mud at me. Finding a balance between writing about the injustices going on in the world, or ignoring it and getting on with my life, is no contest. When I see something is wrong I have to speak up. I will take the punches, because to do nothing is a waste of a life. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.  ilona.  

Last look at The Old Rectory

 Good morning. It is Thursday and I will wrap The Old Rectory series up with one last post of the outside. The restoration of this house, and the grounds, is going to be one heck of a mammoth task. I might schedule another visit for a years time to see how it went. 

There are some brick built outhouses at the back. I wonder if they will be demolished, or they could be converted into an annex, maybe a granny flat. 

I wonder if there are any hidden vintage cars in the garage. 

I think a lot of the renovations will have to be taken back to bare bricks and start again. 

As pretty as this looks, the ivy must be playing havoc with the structure of the building. 

Let's hope someone will bring a fresh life to the house. 

Check out my original post from 12th August 2013 for earlier photographs, and comments from people who have connections with the house. 

Here is a link to the Rightmove site. The Old Rectory is soon coming up for auction. 

And so concludes the story of The Old rectory. For now. 

Time for breakfast. Thanks for visiting my blog. You may comment. I will catch up with my replies  later. 

Toodle pip.   ilona

Last look inside The Old Rectory

Good morning. It's still frosty. I have been out in the back garden to break the ice in the water bowls and refill them with fresh water, which no doubt will freeze again soon. I will check them again later. The bird menu this morning is much the same as most mornings. Scraps of wet cat food left over from the day before, shop bought wild bird seed, and dry kitten food. Sometimes they get grapes and a chopped up apple if I have any. I have the fattest pigeons in the village.

Oscar cat has eaten and gone outside. Mayze cat is eating now, and Mickey cat is still in bed. He will be down shortly looking for food. 

Continuing The Old Rectory collection of photographs. I think most of us remember Terence Conran. I see copies of this book are for sale on ebay, price quoted £8.44.   If you want to read his Wiki page it is here.  It lists 32 books, and he married four times. 

The outside is creeping through the walls to the inside. 

Strange looking oddments on the sideboard.

My, that potplant has fared well over the years. 

A lot of this will have to be skipped. 

I hope someone sorts through the books. Could be some valuable historical references hidden there. 

Interesting documents from 1988. 

There must be some web sites where searches could be made to maybe find the rightful owners of these photographs. I have started to pass some of my old photographs to family members who might appreciate a look into our family history. I have some of my grandparents early life which I will keep for the time being. 

The sun is out which prompts me to go out. Not far though, Wednesday is Coffee Morning at the club. 

Catch ya later. Toodle pip.   ilona