I've been out today, not litter picking. 😆 Gainsborough was my destination. Haven't been there for ages, thought I would take a look, have a wander around, take some photo's. I recorded a couple of videos as well. Will post about it tomorrow.
In the meantime, here is a pigeon taking a bath on my back garden. It seemed to enjoy splashing about and washing under it's wings. The salad bowl I bought for £2 from a charity shop was a good buy.
I haven't had a 'bus out and walk back' day for ages, so after lunch I got myself organised and hurriedly packed the backpack. I fancied a nice leisurely walk along field tracks, so the plan was to get the bus going in the opposite direction to town, for a change. Blow me down, I missed it.
45 minutes later it comes back, so I got on it to town. Not what I had planned, never mind, I need to walk anyway.
I was not intending to pick a lot of litter, but I took my stick and a bag with me just in case I found some. And boy did I find a lot.
The last part of the walk took me on a regular route through fields. The sunflowers looked like I was too late to see them at their best. Heads drooping, petals falling off.
I am too tired to write any more tonight. Five miles is enough. I'll be back tomorrow with some litter pics.
Good evening. I knocked this video up yesterday but for some reason it wouldn't upload fully onto yoootooob. So I tried again today, and this time it worked. An update on the TV licensing situation.
This afternoon I did a local walk, and took my stick and a bag with me. As I passed the playing field someone called my name. I used to work with Carol many years go. She moved out of the area so we lost touch. It was good to have a natter and catch up on the news. She has had one hip replaced and is now waiting for the other to be done, which is expected to take place in October.
The big white bag on the right has been languishing in a hedge bottom for about three weeks now. I have driven past it several times, and so must have hundreds of other people as they go to and from work, or go shopping. I don't think anyone has stopped to take a look at it. Today I walked to it, and dragged the bag back to a bus shelter which has a bin next to it.
Here is a closer look at it. It is mainly full of big sheets of some kind of fabric which looks like felt. There are also what looks like three pillows.
I see from the label that it is used for containing and mopping up some kind of spillage. It must have fallen off the back of a van or a lorry.
I offloaded some of my litter into the bin, and took the rest of it into the park to empty my bag into the big wheelie bin behind the cafe. Then I went home.
The first two hedgehogs arrived tonight at 8.30pm. They are getting quite fat now. They aren't eating as much as when they first started coming. Last night a couple of them had fallen asleep while they were eating.
It has tried to rain a bit today, but it was only a few spots.
I was quick to grab my camera when the birdies came down for a bath today. Lucky that I was sat at the back window doing a bit of sewing.
I stayed in most of the day, it was baking hot again. I have been opening up the summer house. Mayze has taken to sleeping in there, during the day. It's still sweaty hot but she has found some shelter from the glaring sun.
The heat was getting to me, so I gave myself a haircut. That's better. I went a bit mad and chopped a lot off.
At 5pm I decided it was cool enough to go out and check on the fly tip I reported. It is still there, not been collected by the Council yet. I had a scout round Flixborough Industrial Estate, and was pleased to see that this area has been completely cleared of brambles and rubbish. I spent ages picking litter here. I see that there is a sign at the main gate saying it is available for sale or to rent. There might be some offers forth coming now that it has been tidied up.
While I was there I decided to fill a red bag. Still plenty of litter lying around. I deposited it at my usual place. I might go and add some more to it if the weather starts to cool down.
Did you see the sunset tonight. It was a stunner. I resisted the urge to rush out with my camera for a better view.
I thought I might go out this weekend, but with it being so hot I might stay nearer to home.
Have a good one. Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip. ilona
Some good news. After putting in a second report to the Council about the horrendous dead animal fly tipping, and then ringing them up this morning to verbally report it, I'm pleased to say that it has now been cleared away.
I went to town this afternoon to visit the Arts Centre, then pick up some supplies from Aldi, and when passing the said layby, I stopped to check. Yep, all gone. The stink was still there though. It needs a good dose of disinfectant. I think I spooked the woman at the Council a bit when I said it could be human remains in the bags, and would need a police investigation. She left me hanging on the phone for a few minutes, no doubt to speak to her superiors. When she came back she said she had reported it as an emergency, and a crew would be dispatched immediately. RESULT. 😆😁😂 Just tell it like it is.
A bit of a drama in Aldi this afternoon. I had gone through the checkouts and was packing my shopping into my bags, when there was a scuffle at the self scan checkouts. I looked up to see a young man dash towards the door. He had long black dreadlocks down his back. Am I allowed to say he looked like a Rastafarian. Know what I mean. 😜 He had tried to grab something from a shelf and leg it without paying. A quick thinking member of staff manage to scupper his plan, and he ran for the door. Once outside he disappeared through the car park. Nobody chased him because he hadn't managed to steal anything.
Be alert at all times when you are out and about.
I wanted to do an hours litter picking but it was too hot. As I passed my drop off point I was pleased to see that my two bags from yesterday had been collected.
A baby hedgehog has appeared in the garden. I saw it yesterday and it has been again tonight. It didn't move for a while but when I dropped a handful of food right in front of it's nose it began to eat. It has had a drink of water, but I need to put a shallow bowl out because it's little legs can't reach into the bigger bowls.
Thanks for popping in. Thanks for your comments. Toodle pip. ilona
Good evening. A late post tonight. I've been on hedgehog watch.
I almost tripped over a hog tonight. I was in and out of the backdoor with my watering can. One of them came right up to the door and was half hidden under a small bush. I saw it just in time.
I put the food down in set places so they know where to find it. They usually freeze if they are aware that someone is close by. I sneak up on it and put a handful of food just in front of it. Then it starts eating it. Tonight a second one arrived and joined in.
I won a set of four solar light flowers in the raffle this morning. Added them to the metal flowers. It looks lovely. See little hedgie having a drink.
Mayze on her mat over on the seating area. One hog went up close to her, she never bothered. It's starting to get dark now so the pictures aren't so good. No flash used, the camera adjusts itself as the light begins to fade.
Two more underneath the table.
I tried to get a group shot but they keep moving about.
I'm so pleased they keep coming back. If they stay in my back garden and only wander into the gardens either side and at the back, they might have a good chance of surviving.
Another hot day today. Got my shorts out for the first time this year. I had a walk to the Park and took my picking stick and a carrier bag with me. It was full by the time I got there. Emptied it in the big bin.
I timed it so that I arrived later in the afternoon. There was an Armed Forces Show on which I am not interested in. I stayed an hour or so to tidy up. There wasn't a lot of litter as there are a lot of bins to cope with it when it's busy.
Two early hedgies turned up together last night, and shared a pile of food. I sat outside until late and watched several more coming and going.
Now I must go outside and water up all the pots. It hasn't rained for two days so they will be ready for a drink.
Thanks for popping in. Enjoy your Sunday. Toodle pip. ilona
The TV Licensing people are still after me. They want me to pay £180. Erm . . . . no thanks, I don't want a license.
I provide a running buffet for the cats. They can eat whenever they feel like it. The bowls are just inside the back door. I am in the habit of leaving the two back doors open when it is nice weather. I was in the kitchen when something caught my eye. These birds are very cheeky. In they hop, grab some food, and fly back outside again.
Sometimes when I am busy I haven't noticed them coming in. They forget which way it is to go out, and they end up flying around inside the house. What a job it is to catch them. Now I have to make sure the back door to the house is closed at all times.
That's all for now. Catch ya tomorrow. Toodle pip. ilona
Blue skies and fluffy white clouds were beckoning me this afternoon. Must go for a walk, a proper walk. No litter picking stick, no looking down at the ground. Look up, taking in the views all around me. Fields of poppies and daisies.
Coming back along the turf fields I see that Robbi the Robot has finished work for the day. Or is he just having a snooze.
I recorded a video this morning. I post it here for your perusal, if you so wish.
Not all opportunities are obvious. You may have to look beyond what you see before your eyes. I found an opportunity which gets me outdoors more often. I get to breath fresh air. I get the exercise my body needs. And I see the fruits of my labour.
There are four hedgehogs out in the garden tonight.
Thanks for popping in. Catch ya later. Toodle pip. ilona
As I was rummaging about in a hedge bottom for bottles and cans at the picnic area car park, I looked up. What is this vision of loveliness I see before me.
This litter picking lark has it's perks.
I have a plan for today. I will post about it later.
Hall Farm Gardens is a place you never want to leave. I felt that as I walked around the lake. It's in the middle of vast open spaces of farmland, with very little distractions of passing traffic, apart from the trundling by of tractors. They call this a Moat, but it does not circle the house.
It was pure bliss to linger a while and take in the calm ambience of still water with it's reflections. The flotilla of lily pads added a protective blanket to the tiny creatures living below the water.
Today is an at home day with a stroll to the Park this afternoon. There is some entertainment on there for families.
I'll finish off this Hall Gardens report later, with some pictures of the Artist Studios. Now it's time for breakfast. Catch ya later. Toodle pip. ilona
I was awake at 4.30am this morning. Stumble to the bathroom half asleep. There is a warm orange glow coming through the window. Oh WOW, I know what that is, I need to get the camera. I took ten photo's, here are the best of them.
Zoom in a bit closer. Tweak the contrast and saturation. Fabulous.
The previous owners put the right glass in this window.
The view from the window at the top of the stairs. The world is waking up. Here it comes. Are you ready.
Encouraging wildlife into your garden can bring so many benefits. I am watching mummy duck and her ten ducklings who have moved in. They are foraging, they are paddling in the water bowls, now mummy is having a snooze in the sunshine while her babies potter about in the grass.
I am not going to get anything done now. They came yesterday, stayed overnight and are here for breakfast. I hope they stay a little while longer.
These three photo's were taken peering through the hedge into the neighbours garden. The sun stays longer later there.
These photo's are from last night. They are still here today. Mum knows where the best food is, with plenty of water available. Doesn't have to be a pond, bowls will do. I have been watching the babies having a bath.
Now I need to go shopping to buy some more wild bird seed, and more kitten food. They like that. The hedgehogs come nightly as well expecting food.
A video I knocked up yesterday. Why being brought up in a working class family is the best start anyone can have.
Come in to my Echo Chamber. I sometimes copy and paste good news and bad news. You may respond with a comment. I may or may not publish it.
Sweet seventeen and never been kissed
Publicity shots in France with Sir Alistair Morton on the Eurostar.
Time for a break in my truck
Guided tour of Barcelona Football Stadium
My 60th Birthday showing my first bus pass
Makeover for Chat Magazine
Trying out some roller blades I bought from a car boot sale
A walk over the Humber Bridge
Late evening charity walk for a Hospice.
Who am I ?
A retired lorry driver who is trying to keep my life normal, while those all around me are losing their minds. This is my diary. What I do and what I think about. You are welcome to read it. Toodle pip.
