It's good to have a break.

 Howdy. Did you miss me. I took a couple of days off, had a smashing time. A bit of car camping and a visit to North Yorkshire and The Dales. Sunday night at 6pm I set off, and two hours later I was parked up on Scotch Corner Services on the A1. The motorways are usually quieter at that time, and it was straight through with no hassle. 

Monday morning I picked up the A6108, through Richmond, and on to Reeth via the B6270. It was the day of the annual agricultural show. I have read about it in the past and always wanted to go but never quite made it. There is always a lot going on Bank Holiday weekends. It was a great show. I spent the morning there. 

After that I drove to the nearby Grinton Lodge Youth Hostel. I have memories of staying there years ago. It's fabulous walking country. I stopped for a chat and took some photographs. 

There was still a lot of daylight left, must make the most of it. No point in parking up early when I didn't need to go to bed until it is getting dark. I liked the look of Richmond when I came through it earlier so I went back to it, found a quiet street to park in and went walkabout. 

I had planned to go to another agricultural show the next day, but decided I didn't need to. It would be much the same as Reeth. So my plans changed. After Richmond I went back to the services for another night. I checked the maps to see where I might go on the second day, Tuesday. 

I know. I will go to Bedale. I have been before, it's a lovely little town. Had a mooch round there. I had spotted on the map that Thorpe Perrow Arboretum was only a few miles away so I went to have a look. So pleased I did. Over 100 acres of all kinds of trees. 

Then I wondered if I might have time to go to Masham. Still only mid afternoon, yes, let's do it while I am here. Another pretty Yorkshire village. 

The motorway was a bit busier coming back. A lot of lorries on the move. I just slotted in with them. So much more relaxing to keep to 57 - 60 miles an hour. 

Now I have got the task of sorting the photo's out and uploading the videos. This is part of the fun for me. I see some comments came in while I was away. Thank you for that. 

See you tomorrow. Toodle pip.   ilona

Delivering the news.

Aye up me ducks, have you had a good Saturday. Tis a Bank Holiday weekend don't ya know. Three full days off the daily grind. That's what I remember of it anyway. It's a long time ago since I went to work. 

I stand corrected, I've just done two days work. Delivering 465 Newsletters to every house in a nearby village. I started yesterday and finished today. I knocked up this little video while on my coffee break. 

A lot of brisk walking, pleased that the legs held out. Up and down steps, long driveways to posh houses, and drive out to the farms nearby. All delivered. 

This one didn't get a delivery. Block paving all overgrown with weeds, gate with lock and chain.

It was interesting to see all the changes, since the last time I did it. Must be a fair few years now. People adding new extensions, and updating their gardens. It's a small village surrounded by farmland and countryside, not far from the river. I used to chat with an elderly lady who lived in a very basic bungalow on a farm. She had cats which were always hanging around her door. Sadly she is no longer there, and her bungalow is being updated with a new roof. Similar with an old gentleman I used to chat with. He was always sat in his conservatory. The house is completely different now. A new modern front. Sadly he has passed away. 

I think the good weather is going to hold out for the weekend. Best to go out while we can.

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Convenient?

 Digital IDs are a Trojan horse that quietly introduces serious generational risks to privacy, freedom, and personal autonomy under the cover of convenience and security. They Rob You Of Your Privacy They Centralise Control Over Access They Put Your Data At Risk What Starts As Voluntary May Become Mandatory Convenience = Surveillance Erosion of Consent and Choice

I am going to remain old school for as long as I can. I don't mind the inconvenience of always using cash. I don't mind that I can't shop online because I refuse to give my bank or card details to a computer. I don't mind going to the supermarket to buy my food. I don't mind that I pay my gas, electricity, and water bills at the Post Office with cash, it's convenient for me. 

It's convenient for me to get a monthly paper bank statement in the post. It takes two minutes for me to check it because I only have two long standing direct debits coming out every month. 

I decide when I am going to pay my Council Tax, and how much. They send me an annual bill in the post. It will all be paid by the end of the year, at the Post Office in cash. 

My common sense will see me through. 

Have a good weekend. Toodle pip.   ilona

Twelve years later. . . . .

I was looking for the word 'invasion' among my previous posts, with the help of the search facility on my sidebar. I remembered that that word got me into a lot of trouble. People can't comprehend what it means in relation to large amounts of people being moved around the world. The post garnered a lot of conversations about the difficulties of a population being swelled by significant numbers of newcomers who had no alliance with our British values. It also has conflicting views from those who say everyone is welcome. It was at a time when anyone could comment anonymously. 

Quote from 2013

So what happens next Mr Government Ministers? Open the doors and welcome everyone in with open arms? It's a recipe for disaster. There will be anarchy on the streets, more riots, more plundering and looting, gangs roaming free robbing and killing. It's already happening, open your eyes. Get out of your safe posh houses, see for yourself. People are struggling because there are no jobs, they have no money, the ruthless with no morals will steal to get what they want. We give shed loads of money to people, virtually as they walk off the boat, or get out of the back of the lorry that they just travelled half way across Europe in.

You can read the post here. 21 July 2013. 

Since the beginning of the covid era things have deteriorated badly. What happened then was the Government, under the dictatorship of the WEF, and in partnership with main stream media, whipped everyone up into a fearful frenzy. The great division between right and left, black and white, young and old, gay and straight , rich and poor, became even more cavernous. Free speech became risky, because those who expressed different opinions from the official narrative, were vilified and ostracised. When you are in no-mans land, where do you go next. 

You have two choices. Do you hang on to your own principles and carry on living your life as you see fit. Do you stay in your own lane. Or do you wander off course because the conflicting information being bandied about becomes confusing, and it's easier to change lanes and go with the flow. People can choose which camp they are in. 

So, twelve years later have things moved on. The covid era has not gone away but morphed into a health crisis, a climate crisis, a weather crisis, a transgender crisis, and whatever the next crisis will be.  All engineered to prolong fear, which disrupts normal life. 

Everything that is said today about the current situation has been said before. If you read the comments from 12 years ago, they are bang up to date. Much the same is being said today. No matter how fed up we are about the same old same old, broken record, how much we would like to crawl into a hole and wake up when it's all over, whatever is happening cannot be ignored. For the future of everyone's children and grandchildren there has to be a turning point. And only you dear readers can work out how long it will take. 

Now I am going shopping.

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona  

Comfy cat

Good morning. What's happening on the craft table? The start of another mandala. I'm getting hooked on circles. Gather all the bits and bobs together and start playing with ideas. Which colours to use, mix and match. 

Making up the bed after washing the covers should be a straightforward operation. This room is where Mickey spends most of his time when he is not outdoors. I wish he would come into the living room with me and Mayze, but he likes the comfort of a king size bed with double duvets. Now come on Mickey, let me get the top cover on before you settle down. 

Not quite there yet, still the top cover to lay on the top. Ok, I'll come back later to finish off. 

It's a bit chilly on this Thursday morning, I have dug out a few extra layers to wear. My Christmas sweater is back in use for the coming autumn and winter months. 

I must go shopping today. Home Bargains, The Range, and Aldi here I come. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona