If you are near Lincoln . . . . . .

 Good morning. Giving a shout out to a new charity shop opening in Lincoln. Read more about Pumpkin and friends on their facebook page. 

Off to Crafty Club. See ya later. Toodle pip.   ilona

My friend Carol

My best friend Carol did the Race for Life at the weekend, as she does every year. This is a charity raising funds for Cancer Research. Carol is on the right, along with her family members. 

Carol is two months older than me. We met at Junior School when we were about 9 or 10 years old. We lived close together in the same village, and went to the Secondary Modern School together when we were 11. People often thought we were sisters because we were both skinny and had fair hair. 

Carol's family moved to Blackpool, and I went to live there when I was 18. I got a bedsit and a job, and was there for about three years. After that we both moved around to different parts of the country, but always kept in touch. After many years of living down south, she is now back up north, near Blackpool. 

We have both had our ups and downs in life, when things haven't worked out well for us. But we were always there for each other, usually at the end of a phoneline.

I must say she is looking darn good in this photo. In the weeks leading up to this event she has been walking longer distances, to build up her stamina. 

I have picked out some photo's previously published on this blog.

Carol on the left, my Welsh penfriend Janet, on the right.  

Big hair days. 

I made this for her a few years ago. 

Carol at 60. 

Must get on. I filmed a short video yesterday with the new camera. Will upload it to yooootooob now. Catch ya later. Toodle pip.   ilona

A visit to Bransby Horses

I had a cooked breakfast before I left home yesterday, thinking that would be enough to keep me going until I got back. Visiting the Burial Ground was a last minute decision, so after spending time chatting, I was ready to eat again when we got to Bransby Horses. First stop was the cafeteria.

I didn't want a full meal so chose from the children's menu, veggie sausage, chips, and beans. Angela had the same. I was surprised to see the size of it and was not expecting two sausages. I tried my best, and had to leave a bit of it on the side of my plate. I did think about a doggy bag, but it wasn't worth the bother. 

The Visitors Reception area is a modern building. It has a shop and clean toilets. The ladies serving in the cafeteria were friendly and smiley. They had a good selection of food to either eat in or take away.  

We picked up a map and went for a walk around the grounds. It was a tad windy but luckily didn't rain. The paths are suitable for wheelchairs and buggies. It was feeding time for the horses and donkeys.  

How beautiful is this one. It looks super clean. 

Off to see the donkeys. The tractor came along with teatime hay. 

Gather round, eyes down, tuck in. 

We had a chat with this young man. Very well spoken and answered our questions, it's obvious he loves his job. He knew most of the donkeys by name. 

Aaah sweet. Kissy kissy through the fence. 

The last picture of the day. Bottoms up. 

Visitors can go Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm. Free parking and free entry. Dogs on leads welcome. Picnics welcome. This is the web site if you wish to visit. There is a list of events in the bi annual magazine. Sign up for a free copy. 

My dinner is ready, Thanks for popping in. We'll catch up soon. Toodle pip.   ilona

Pigs in shit.

There are a lot of charities, it's difficult to choose which to support. I think we all have our favourites. I dropped on Goodheart a few years ago after reading about a sheep farmer who couldn't bare to take his animals to slaughter, so instead he found a home for them at a sanctuary near Kidderminster in the West Midlands. He delivered his sheep there himself. From that moment he stopped animal farming and went over to growing crops. 

Here is a little video about what they do. 

I send them donations in the post with a cheque every so often, when I have some cash to spare. I won't sign up for direct debit. I can look back at the cheque stubs to see when I last donated to spread it out over the whole year. I alternate donations with Bransby Horses at Saxilby near Lincoln. 

Today marks 3 years since Apricot and Amber arrived with us They were previously used as breeding sows. Although Apricot was never able to have babies, she kept her best friend Amber company until they came to retire happily at Goodheart

Goodheart post updates on the twiiiteratta. I love this picture. The look of bliss on their faces. Happy as pigs in shit. 

Now tell us about your favourite charities. Do you fundraise, or do you send a personal donation? Who do you donate to? 

A quick reminder, don't forget it's check in time for the International Walking Group on Saturday the 1st of January. Thanks for popping in. We'll catch up soon.

Toodle pip.  ilona

Village boot sale.

We managed to get four hours of dry weather this morning for the village boot sale. At 1pm it went dark and chucked it down. By lunch time visitors had already started dropping off. Most prefer to come early. Some were walking, some came in cars. There were 40+ stalls so to get round them all a car would have been the best option. 

I sold the pet beds, some shopping bags, and other items. I also gave things away from my de cluttering sessions. A bit of cash made for Goodheart Animal Sanctuary. I had an hour in the garden after my dinner tonight. Trying to keep on top of the weeding and hedge trimming. 

I've just been for a late walk but it's raining again so I cut it short. 

Having a glass of wine before bed time. More Yorkshire pics tomorrow. Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Spent some money.

Today was a very nice day out in the sunshine. I went to Lincoln and parked on the edge of the town, and walked in. There is free parking on Wragby Road, no restrictions. The Camera shop is on Silver Street, a 20 minute walk away. I have a very old street map.

I took a few snaps on the way. The Cathedral is splendid.  It was exciting to walk about in a different place. I should come here more often. 

Some interesting buildings. This one is part of the college. 

A busker was playing his guitar and singing. 

I did my business in the shop. A nice young man listened to me, brought out several cameras, and explained what they did. I made my choice, and coughed up four hundred quid. 

I came home a different way because I wanted to drop off a donation to Bransby Horses, near Saxilby. It's a charity I support. I was too late to have a look round. Not to worry, I have been here several times before. I posted the cheque into the mail box. Lousy picture, the sun was in the wrong place, and you can clearly see the haze made by the scratched lens. 

Had to stop when I saw this telephone box at a village called Upton. The artificial flower display is delightful. What a good idea. 

I got home at about 7pm. I need to go to Aldi but it will have to wait until tomorrow night. I will unpack my goodies in the morning. A new toy to play with. Excited. 

Now going to chill. Thanks for popping in. Catch you tomorrow. Toodle pip.

6 + 3 = 9

I found a sleeping bag in my wardrobe that I don't need. I washed it, cut it up, and now six pet beds have turned into nine. They are on the village page now. 

I have also put on free for collection, two very nice filing cabinets, an inflatable airbed, and a floor standing fan. Scaling down my possessions, things I don't need. The airbed and fan came out of a skip, the filing cabinets I have had for about 25 years. Time to move things on. 

It was very cold this morning so I haven't been out. The wind has dropped now so I will go out after I have had my dinner. 

Thanks for popping in. We'll catch up soon. Toodle pip.   ilona

Update on the stranded truckers

 It's good news. Khalsa Aid, a UK based Sikh International Humanitarian relief organisation have been out on the M20 today delivering 800 hot meals and bottled water to the stranded truckers. Organised by the Gravesend Sikh community. Their volunteers have travelled from Coventry and Slough, and have been given a police escort to distribute their food. Marvellous effort. 

Let's hope they get sorted out tomorrow, and get those trucks rolling again. 

I've been out today, will post the pics tomorrow. Toodle pip. ilona

Mobile gift shop.

 I woke up with an idea in my head this morning. I had arranged to deliver the two bags  I made for a friend in the village. I said I would bring some things she could look over to see if there was anything which would be suitable for gifts for her family. So I bagged and priced it all up, and laid it out in the car. A mobile Christmas gift shop. 

She was very pleased with the bags, and bought several more items, three shopping  bags, three rope bowls, and a few other bits and bobs. So now I am going to spread the word around that if anyone else wants to see what I have, I can drive my shop to their house and stand well back while they choose. All done outdoors. I am fundraising for Goodheart Animal Charity, near Kidderminster. They rescue farm animals. All sales will go to that. 

The Christmas lights are appearing, makes the village look very pretty. I did my usual three miles tonight. I will walk on tarmac for the time being because the field tracks are getting very muddy with all the rain. 

I am pleased to see this display back again. They didn't put it out last year because it was vandalised the previous year. I see that it has shrunk a bit and is sited close to the house.

 

This is a tiny garden, but they have filled it with lots of pot plants. 

The big tree on the Village Green. There has been no mention of Carol singing around the tree this year, so I suppose that's been cancelled. 

As we are in early December I think there will be more to come. The decorations make walking around the village at night quite pleasant. 

Mayze has just got up, she has been in bed all afternoon. Spose she is ready for her dinner. I'll cut you loose. We'll catch up later. Toodle pip.   ilona

Bulging out all over

(Can't get the left align to work here. Annoying) 

My wardrobe is beginning to fill up. After recent donations from friends, I have to lose a few items which I haven't worn for ages, and those which no longer fit me. Starting with the trousers, I tried on 13 pairs. These shorts were given to me several years ago. I'm pleased to say, they still fit so they will stay. 

Ooooh errrrr. I have had a lot of wear out of these trousers, they were my favourites for a long time. Smart, lightweight, look nice with a dressy top. Off to the charity shop then. 

Oh gawd, dark brown cords. Same problem, they don't contain my belly. Got to go. 

That's better. I love these pinstripe flares. Stretchy and snug fitting. Definitely a keeper.

A bit touch and go with these. Yes I can do them up, they are warm and lined, but I can't sit down in them. Maybe I'm not a size 12 any more. Off to the charity shop. 

Ha ha ha ha ha. Side fastening. Oh lordy me. Never ever going to wear these again. 

Phew, thank goodness these golfing trousers still fit me. A bit loose around the waist actually, I need a belt. No, I don't play golf, I bought them for walking. I normally don't like cut offs, but the jazzy colour attracted me. 

I bagged up some other items as well. Not much point in keeping clothes that I am never going to wear again. It's good to have a clear out.

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