We need more benches.

I have been wearing this t-shirt, very appropriate don't you think. 😛

I knocked up this short video the other day. Now I am a bit older I need to sit down more often. A church with a bench is perfect. We need more benches for us oldies. 

This morning I felt a bit chilly, so I knocked up a pan of soup for lunch. Broccoli, carrot, and rice. Chuck in some spices and zap it with a stick blender. I have just finished the second portion for my dinner. 

A bit more added to the mandala. I wanted a wire hoop to go around the edge of the circles. Didn't have any wire, so I made the hoop. I cut the top off a cardboard popcorn tub. Adjusted the size to fit exactly. Wrapped it in wool. Perfect. 

Billy dog walk done tonight. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

So Far.

Aye up me ducks. It's coming along. I took this to the Coffee Morning this morning. I sit stitching, and they sit chatting. 

I recorded this video yesterday and uploaded it today. It's a bit of a mess in the beginning, I faff around a lot. 😁

We've had more rain today. I went to the Post office in the next village to pay my utilities bill. Quite a lot less than the previous three months. Thank goodness that we don't need to put the heating on. I had another letter from the TV licensing people. It's only three months since the last one, which I ignored. They sent a reminder that I haven't contacted them. I shall ignore this one as well. I'm fed up with them hassling me. They are desperate for money, well they ain't having anything off me. 

I've got a plumber coming in the morning. The downstairs loo won't flush, it needs a new innards in the cistern. This is a different plumber because I am fed up of chasing the usual one up. He says he will come, but then doesn't turn up. Mr Paul lives two doors down so that is convenient. 

I'll cut you loose. Thanks for popping in. See ya tomorrow. 

A windy walk

Good evening. Coffee morning was a bit different this morning. We had to use the snooker room because our normal lounge room was being used for an after the funeral wake. There wasn't many of us because a lot of people were at the funeral service in the church. 

After lunch I thought I might go for a walk, but then the rain came. Oh well, maybe not. Then an hour later, lo and behold it brightened up. I checked the bus timetable and decided to get the 15.34 bus to town, and walk back. Thankfully the weather stayed dry and warm, and a bit breezy in places, especially crossing the open fields. These grasses were as tall as me and looked lovely wafting sideways in the wind. 

Even though we have had some rain it wasn't enough for the turf fields. This hose pipe contraption thing was gushing gallons of water out of the bottom, and the hose itself had a hole in it and was spraying the ground around it. Someone with spanners needs to come and give it some attention. 

I recorded a video this morning about robots. Here it is on yoootooob. 

This is my robot. Malfunction. 

See the dancing robots on AGT. 

What do you think. Do you like them? I think they are creepy.

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Cool enough for a walk today

 Good evening. It hasn't been as hot today so I went a walk. Still warm but a cooling wind blasting across the fields. One of my regular routes. The turf fields are looking pretty parched and all the massive sprinklers were in full flow. There are underground pipes with access to attach the big hoses. I don't know where the water comes from, there is a pond not far away but I have never seen it. It is on private land. 

Nothing new to take photo's of. This colourful thistle was standing tall in the wind, above all the other wild flowers in the field. 

I have just been outside to put the hedgehog food out, and it's quite cold now. There is a storm threatening so if it rains overnight that would relieve me of my watering up duties. If it doesn't rain I will water the pots in the morning. 

Nothing more to report on this Sunday evening. Catch ya tomorrow. 

Toodle pip.   ilona

Walk and talk.

Good evening. Here are three photo's and a video from the walk I did yesterday. A carpet of bluebells in the wood. 

Dandelions are usually a gardeners enemy. They spread like crazy and their roots go deep. But a whole field of them look lovely. I believe bees like them too. 

I heard a roar in the sky and tried to work out which direction it was coming from. In a few seconds the helicopter was almost skimming the tops of the trees nearby. Quick, get the camera out of the pocket. Did I get it. Yes, just one shot and it was gone. It's a coastguard chopper on it's way to the river. 

There was no wind so a good opportunity to make a video chat. 

Today it's gone back to being windy and cold. I went out to do a litter pick, then I did a Billy dog walk. I was flippin freezing. Maybe it's too soon to put the winter clothes away. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

A look at Crich Tramway Village

Good morning. Raining today in North Lincolnshire. The bin men have been a day early because we have a four day bank holiday weekend coming up. They are rushing to fit all the runs together in the two shorter weeks. 

Back to Friday last week. 

I walked down from the Memorial Tower in Crich to take a closer look at the Tramway Village. It used to be called a Museum, but I suppose changing it to a Village makes it sound more exciting. 

There you go. Do I want to pay £23, when I might only be in there for an hour or so. The place is a haven for children, and there were a lot of them running about. I decided not to go in. 

I have since checked the prices for similar attractions. Black Country Museum in the West Midlands is £26.95 for an adult. Over 65 is £25.95, saving £1. Beamish near Durham is £33 for an adult, senior is £25. I have been to both of these, they are massive, enough to keep you amused for a whole day. 

The Trolley Bus Museum at Sandtoft is £12, for a senior it is £10. Cheaper but quite a lot smaller. A good price for half a day. 

I'll have a scout around and see if I can get some pics from over the wall or outside the fence. This location is the turn around point at start of the rides. 

I stood and watched this one load up. Everyone piled on the top deck until there was no room left, then a few had to go inside on the lower deck. It looks pretty squashed up there. Even those who needed the support of a walking stick struggled to climb the narrow steps. I wondered about the stability of it being top heavy, but this must happen all the time. It goes along in a straight line thank goodness. I have seen top heavy trucks falling over on their side when attempting to take a bend at speed. 

By the middle of the afternoon I was beginning to wilt a bit. It was very hot in the sunshine, and after a few climbs up and down hills I needed to sit down. I bought a Magnum ice cream and found a bench to recover. A good end to a lovely two day trip. I headed back to the motorway and home. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Bus out walk back...again.

Good evening. Another nice day, or so I thought when I looked out of the window this morning. It was certainly sunny, I'll get another walk in. This time nothing much to see. A bus to town and walk back. The sun was a trick, it was windy and chuffin cold. 

I popped into the Arts Centre to say hello to Nicky. She wasn't very well last week but is better now. This abstract collage is very eye catching. They are in the middle of changing the main exhibition space, and installing a new art collection due to open on the 11th of April. A late night viewing is planned, where the artist Annabel McCourt will be in attendance.  

I picked up a booklet in the Arts Centre. It advertises a churches festival over two weekends in May. I'll check that out and make a note of those I haven't been to. The opening times are listed so that will be helpful. 

More freebies found in the hedge bottom. Two high viz vests, must have blown off the back of someones truck. They are almost new. I was quick to pick them up. A handwash in the sink will clean them up a treat. I have already got some, so I will find a home for these. 

Thanks for popping in. Mayze is wanting a cuddle so I have to push the keyboard to one side. Have a good weekend. Toodle pip.   ilona

St Marys Church Barton upon Humber.

Yesterday at Barton. Let's look at the church. The door is open. 

I've been to Barton before, many times. I really must find some new places to go for a walk. More photo's on previous posts.

17th December 2020.

26th July 2023

Here is the Wiki page for this church. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Spies overhead

It was a bit touch and go whether I had a dry walk or a wet one. I'd best take the brolly with me, just in case. Good decision. There were three showers during the two hour walk. It was lovely and sunny to start with. I have photographed these two trees before. Couldn't resist them again. You can't have too many photo's of trees. 

Sometimes I see a tree that is not a perfect shape. This one is an oddball. It looks scrappy with small branches sticking out everywhere. Like an unkempt mop of hair. 

I heard a noise overhead, getting louder. There were two of these helicopters. I missed the first one but got the second. We get a lot of helicopters and light aircraft flying over here. The helicopters are usually  Ospreys or Chinooks, sometimes Police. This one looks like it's military.

The sun didn't last, and the clouds came over. My lovely Van Gogh sunflower brolly I bought from York last year kept me dry. 

A stir fry with mushrooms and noodles was dinner tonight. I made extra so that's what I will have tomorrow for breakfast, warmed up with an egg added.  

I've just looked out of the window and there is a hedgehog scoffing the food I put out. They come every night now. Last night I saw two together. Most of the ducks have gone now, just three left. The same thing happened last year I remember. 

Have a good weekend. Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Home alone.

It's been a lovely day for taking the car to the garage, and walking back home because it was going to be an all day job. I wandered into Winterton while they were assessing the job to be done. It could have been simple to repair or it could take a long time. I went to the Post Office, and took a few photo's while waiting for the phone call with the verdict. 

The information board next to the Co op. 

Oh dear, the raised flower bed looks a bit sad. Can someone come along with the secateurs and chop off all the dead bits. 

This is a private house near the Co op. The ornate front porch could do with a lick of paint. 

For a small town it's well signposted. 

Drop off and pick up point for mail and small parcels, next to the Co op. 

Let's see how this works. OK, need an app, haven't got one. 😝

Oh look, there's another one. At the front of a workshop. 

I walked through a small park. Here's an instruction board on how to use the Outdoor Gym. 

And the rules. Must have rules. 

Then I got a phone call telling me that it was going to be an all day job, or could go on until tomorrow. The slave cylinder on the clutch has an oil leak so basically everything has to come out. Then came the stinger, it is going to cost a lot of money. Oh well, I won't be changing my car just yet. It is taxed for six months, which gives me time to build up my bank account for when I find the right car. 

So I set off walking back home. Only three and a bit miles and I stayed on tarmac because the field paths are muddy at the moment. I remembered finding some bee hives that I discovered a couple of years ago. They are hidden behind a hedge next to a haulage yard. Yes they are still there. This is the post about the same walk back from the garage in January 2023.  

There are a lot of them, about 50 altogether. I could see bees going in and out. They looked pretty active. They make the honey that I buy from the Farm Shop. 

Coming into the next village I came across what looked like a police bike with a policeman standing close to it. He had a zapper thingy. Just up the road is a 30mph speed limit and quite often people don't bother to slow down. It's a straight road with houses both sides and I think people must get a bit fed up of drivers speeding through. There is a warning sign which flashes what speed people are doing. 

I was curious so asked lots of questions. He is a retired police officer who now works part time on this job. I had a fascinating conversation with Kevin. He lives in Beverley, the other side of the Bridge. It was amazing that we had a lot to talk about. I told him about my driving qualifications. The advanced tests I have taken. My motorcycle advanced training. How many times I have been caught speeding, (3 in 52 years of driving), and I used to go out with a chap from Beverley who worked for the Vehicle Investigation Bureau attached to the police. He went out to accidents to inspect the vehicles involved. When I mentioned his name, yes, Kevin knows him. Amazing. What a nice fella he was. 

It is now 6.30pm and the garage hasn't rung me, so I assume they haven't finished the job and I will get a call tomorrow. It does seem strange to have an empty driveway with no car. I dread the day when I stop driving. I shall be totally lost. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

A quickie post

Good morning. Four pics from a walk to the park yesterday. The deer were a good distance off, a bit of zoom to help matters. 

I think we are coming towards the end of bird slaughtering season. A few lone pheasants can be seen wandering about, looking for their lost mates.  

The night time will soon be here. 

I think this tree must be very old. It looks like it has suffered a lot of wind damage over the years.  

Breakfast this morning. Slice of seeded bread, a banana, and a large dollop of raspberry yogurt. 

I've got a video uploading which will be ready later today. I will go and play outside, the sun is shining. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip. ilona

A lake and village walk

Good evening. The weather has not been very good today, dull, overcast and drizzly. Yesterday was much better. I had a drive out to the Isle of Axholme. Not really an island. It has seven lakes and is surrounded by the River Trent, River Ouse, River Don, and the Stainforth and Keadby Canal. I parked at Ealand, just off the A18. On the other side of the road is the entrance to 7 Lakes Country Park. It's a massive site with hundreds of static caravans, a restaurant, and club house. Take a look at their web site here. Seven Lakes Country Park is set in beautiful woodland, surrounded by quality fishing lakes and tranquil waterside path ways, we offer the perfect setting for truly enjoying a different way of life.

I followed the path alongside the lake, to Crowle. 

I stopped to have a chat with a couple who were walking their two little dogs. 

I picked up the road at the other end of the park, walked past the school which was busy with the buses coming out. The White Hart is the oldest inn, so it says on the wall. 

I stepped inside the greengrocers shop and had a chat with the lady serving in there. What a fabulous display of fresh produce. 

In the Market Square a family butchers shop can be found. 

And next door is the Market Hall. The library is housed here. I stepped inside to chat with the lady in charge. It was toasty warm in there. A pop up Post Office has a counter inside which is open twice a week. 

The lady in the veg shop recommended a look at the church. I've just checked the blog and see that I was last in Crowle in March 2012. Here is the link if you want to check that out. I tried the door but it was locked, then just as I was about to walk away it suddenly opened. A lady was working inside. She said I could come in and she put the lights on for me. She was getting the place set up for an afternoon tea event coming up. As you can see from the church clock it is just coming up to 4pm. 

I wanted to make a quick video before I went back to the car, so I started recording at the church, and walked back to the Market Place. 

As I came through the gate at the lake I thought I would take the path around the other side, around the edge of the caravans. I could see the Reception area over there, so I thought it would be easy to follow it round keeping the water on my left. 

Oh dear, it wasn't that easy. I thought there might be an outer perimeter path, but I couldn't find it, and ended up somewhere in the middle of the massive caravan park completely lost. There was nobody about to ask which way to go. Until I turned round and saw a set of headlights behind me. Oh, thank goodness. It was a security man doing his rounds, checking everything was ok. He said no one is allowed to walk around after a certain time. I said I am lost. He said, jump in and I will give you a lift to the entrance. That's a relief. Trying to find your way through hundreds of caravans is more difficult than finding the right path through a wood. 

Here is the video. It's not perfect because I try and avoid pointing the camera at people. The muffs have done a good job of keeping the wind noise down. 

My verdict of Crowle. I wasn't impressed the first time I went in 2012, but the bit I saw today I thought it was really nice. Only two empty shops. It has a community feel about it. The people I spoke to said everyone is friendly. I noticed it is free parking, no machines to grab your money. Worth getting off the M180 to break up your journey on the way to Grimsby or Cleethorpes. 

Now I must get something to eat. I still have some mushrooms left so it will be a stir fry with noodles, and anything else I have thrown in. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona