It gets a bit choppy.

Hello. I've just watched this new video from David of Cruising the Cut fame, while I had my lunch. It's very entertaining. He is on a boat, not his boat. There are two boats, and they are making the perilous journey from Boston in Lincolnshire, to Kings Lynn in Norfolk, across the sea. A narrowboat is meant to go on canals, and sometimes rivers, and occasionally they do venture further afield across large expanses of water. 

I won't tell you any more about it so it doesn't spoil the story, but if you have 27 minutes to spare, get yourself a cuppa and relax and enjoy it. David's videos are very polished and beautifully edited, unlike my bodge jobs, ha ha. 

I made a video this morning but I have a problem with transferring it from camera to computer. I think I need a new memory card reader. will look into that tomorrow. 

Logging off for the rest of the day. The sore foot is a lot better, I may attempt a walk this afternoon. 

Enjoy your Sunday.  Toodle pip.   ilona

That's discrimination

 I have received the latest newsletter for yoootoooob creators, they send it every month. A quick flick through the contents and I usually bin it straight away. I only make videos for a hobby, I don't need to grow my earning potential, or customise my channel name and picture. 

What caught my eye was the heading, yoootooob black voices fund. It seems that you can apply for a grant, and join classes to learn how to make an impact. Applications will be accepted after June 21st. 

The programme sounds really good. You get dedicated support from a partner manager. You get funding invested into the development of your content. You get workshops and master classes throughout the year. And access to exclusive social and community programmes. 

But wait a minute, I can't apply for this, because I am white. Isn't this discrimination?  Shouldn't people be assessed on their ability, not the colour of their skin? 

I remember years ago I was invited to go on a morning chat show TV programme. It went out live and was held at the studios in London. The topic to be discussed was free courses for women to be given training for their HGV licence. There was a shortage of drivers at the time, there still is, and Shell UK thought it would be a good idea to get more women into the business. So they offered ten free places for women to apply for. 

To say I was a tad annoyed was an understatement. I have never expected preferential treatment, when applying for jobs, or expected an easy ride when it came to carrying out my workload. I was a driver who happened to be a woman, end of. Everyone should be assessed on their own merits and ability, whatever they do, whoever they are. 

The programme went brilliantly. I made my point, I laid into the two representatives from Shell UK. Why was this offer just for women, why weren't they offering the same opportunities to men? There are lots of unemployed young men who would jump at the chance. The focus turned on me and my point of view. I walked out of there with my head held high. That told them, ha ha. 

It seems now that we have to have positive discrimination, so that those who are passed over for opportunities have a better chance. It shouldn't be like that. Everyone should be assessed on their abilities, their ambitions, their willingness to learn, and the contributions they have to offer for their chosen professions. Not whether they are black or white. I will bin this newsletter. 

It's sunny. Enjoy your weekend. Toodle pip.   ilona

Have you met Griffi

Something to get the day off to a good start. This little bird lifts the spirits, look how happy the little fella is now that he has a loving home. Watch on yooootooob to get the back story. 

I will have to have a couple of days of not walking, I have a sore foot. I was wearing my crocs without socks the other night when I did a bit of hedge trimming in the front garden. The grass is long, and I was bitten by a bug on the top of my foot just where the boot laces are. It was painful yesterday and I should not have done the five miles, but I stubbornly pressed on. With the boot rubbing the spot it is now a tad swollen. I shall walk around with bare feet today and keep splodging the Germoline on it. Oh well, such is life. I am getting on with the new arty project. 

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

It was hot

I've had a really nice day. this morning I started on a new project, this is it so far. I have an idea, something I saw in a magazine, don't know if it will work out. I have a picture in my mind of what I want to achieve. It will take some time, there is a lot of stitching to be done. 

I had a soak in the bath, and dozed off it was so relaxing. It's really strange to wake up in water. My toe nails were really long so that was a job needed to be done. 

After the bath, and after lunch, I was a bit late getting off for a walk this afternoon. 

This is a very pretty cottage garden. It is full of nicknacks and ornaments. Jam packed full of plants and flowers. 

A stack of new pallets waiting to be loaded up with turf. I could build a house with these. 

And due to the lack of anything else to photograph, here is a selfie from yours truly. It was hot, short sleeves and a skirt on. This stretch of tarmac road is the access to a farm so I am not going to get run over standing in the middle of it. 

I was rather hopping that we would get some rain, but we haven't, so I must go out now and water up the flower beds and pots, before it gets dark. 

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

Think of the children.

 I walk across the village green to pick up Billy dog. Yesterday I stopped briefly to chat to two ladies who were sitting on a bench next to the war memorial. They had just finished their pilates class which takes place in the Village Hall. We have spoke before in passing so we know a little about each other. They asked me about my art projects and how they were going. I said I am just about to start a new one. They have seen some of what I do at the Christmas Fair. I talked about using junk which people throw out, to make new art. I said I like to inspire people to think about what they could do with their own rubbish. 

The ladies said they could never do anything like that, wouldn't know where to start. This is the standard answer I get whenever I mention the subject. People seem limited by their own perception of  what is possible or not possible. Whereas I think anything is possible if you really want to do it. Maybe some people say they couldn't, when they really mean they don't want to. I think it's best to be honest. 

A young boy has been passing my window in the last few days, going backwards and forwards on his new bike. He is about 8 or 9 ish, and he practices doing wheelies. At first he wasn't very good, then he did a really long one, lifting the handlebars and riding on his back wheel. I went out to him and told him I had been watching and how good he was becoming. I told him to keep practicing. 

He was smiling, pleased with his achievement. Wanting to encourage him to keep trying, I told him a little story. I said I didn't know if I could walk a long way, across the country, 140 miles, but I gave it a try. I wanted to do it and so I did. 

I saw him a couple of days later, on his bike, and his wheelies were getting better and longer. He was starting to master the technique. I went out to him to say well done. He was pleased with himself. I handed him a small choc bar and said he had won first prize. A big beam across his face from ear to ear. He was chuffed. 

So where is this leading? The two ladies have already found their way in life, they are already a good way along their path to fulfilment. But the young boy is only just beginning his life. He has a lot to learn. 

The two ladies use the internet, as do a lot of people of retirement age. It is there and I like to think that we use it wisely, for information, and keeping in touch with friends and family. Young people however are obsessed with their hand held smart phones. They want to keep in touch, be part of the gang, and are frightened of missing out on anything their mates are doing. 

Big Tech giants know that people are sitting ducks where keeping in touch is concerned. They have pushed us into this new virtual world and now people don't know how they can survive without it. Smart phone addiction is polluting our children's brains, they are not learning through the face to face channels like we did. They have us where they want us. Too frightened to think for ourselves, always waiting for instructions. 

And now comes the plan. The G7 Summit this weekend will be pushing for health passports. People have been coerced into taking the jab because their freedom will be limited if they don't. It is creating a two tier system, turning people against each other. Another tool to be used for control. The virus has almost gone but still the threats continue. The new threat will be climate change. Expect to see a lot more about that. 

We have to get our lives back, if we don't our children will suffer. Already their brains are being pickled. Big Tech are stealing the minds of our children, and they will carry on doing that. There is one way to stop that. Remove apps, better still remove their mobile phones. There will be withdrawal symptoms they will scream and shout, but isn't it a parents duty to do the best for their children, well that's what I thought. 

I had no aspirations to be a parent so maybe I am not the best placed person to say these things, but I have eyes and ears and I can understand what is happening. Money is power. Big Tech and Big Pharma are destroying people's lives, and now they are on a mission of total dominance. Don't give it to them, take your life back, for the sake of your kids. 

Now for breakfast. Thanks for popping in. We'll catch up soon. 

Toodle pip.  ilona

The butterfly is saved

Hello. My friend was throwing this out. It's quite big. It had solar powered lights on it but they had packed up. She said it is due for the tip. I said I would have it and tart it up a bit. I gave it a good scrub and removed the wiring for the lights, and the plastic gossamer wings. 

I took the gems off, some of them were missing and they were faded. I did think I would paint them with nail varnish but that was going to be a tedious job and I didn't have enough of them, or the right coloured nail varnish. 

I cut 34 small pieces of vinyl from my stash, to stick on in their place.  

I had some cans of spray paint from a house clearance. So now it is silver. 

Then I cut some bigger pieces of red vinyl for the wings, using the old pieces as a pattern. 

So there it is newly refurbished. Now I have to decide where to put it. 

Three parcels are in the post for Debi, Patty, and Sandra, winners of the guess how many dogs competition. Look out for them ladies. Open carefully, don't stab the contents. 

Don't need to go for a walk tonight, I did a litter pick this afternoon. The sun is still shining, I will go outside and water up. 

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

NHS Selling Access to Your Data

Hello. The NHS want to collect your data and make it available to third parties. They say it's for research and planning. You have to opt out by the 23rd June if you don't want that to happen. BlackBeltBarrister tells you how to do that.  

Just found out that this has been put back to September. There is a petition saying it shouldn't be an opt out, but it should be opt in if you don't mind them sharing. You decide if you want to be on the NHS Digital database. At the moment you can opt out on this web site. 

TO CLARIFY. The NHS Digital database has been put back to September 30th. This is the new one which will be made available to third parties. The NHS National Database is still in existence. If you have opted into this your records can only be shared within the NHS. 

Tatty byes.   ilona

Over the bridge to Hessle.

It's ages since I last walked over the Humber bridge. It was a nice afternoon, after the heavy rain had finished, so I drove to Barton and parked underneath the bridge. There are steps to get up onto it. They closed the foot and cycle path a few weeks ago because seven people had jumped off the bridge in a short period of time. Now there are extra cameras, and a patrol in a buggy goes across. Posters have been put up giving the telephone number of the Samaritans. 

The view across to the Tile Works at Barton. 

The road is on a higher level than the path. 

Arriving at the toll booths on the north bank. Just to the left here are some steps which go down into the Country Park. 

Through part of the Country Park, walk under the railway tunnel and the road tunnel and it brings you to Hessle Foreshore. 

I think this is old windmill is a monument, I have never seen any activity here. There is a hotel and restaurant next to it. 

I was rather hoping to have a nice walk on the path on the waters edge, which is part of the Yorkshire Wolds Way. However the whole area was a building site. There are two rows of cottages, it must be hell to live there while all this is going on. As well as the constant rumble of the traffic crossing the bridge there is deafening noise coming from the construction machinery. I asked one of the workmen what are they building over in the corner. He said it is a Care Home. I won't be booking a place in there.  

A lot of the work is to create flood defenses. 

Pretty little cottages. Once this mess gets cleared away it will be busy once more with people out for a walk. 

I walked as far as the end of the fenced off area, then turned round and came back. Over in the distance is Hull Docks. You can see there is a North Sea Ferry in. 

Looking over to the south bank you can see the pier and works at New Holland, with a bit of zoom. 

Turn around point. The benches are being eaten by the weeds. 

A tropical island with a sandy beach and blue sea? No, a pebbly shoreline next to a mucky river. 

Getting back on the bridge to return to the car. The A63 trunk road into and out of Hull. The River Humber meets the River Ouse a few miles on over there.  

A little over five miles walked today. It was very warm. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Stalking

A few pics from my walk last night. It was just after 10pm. I took about fifty snaps around the village but the light wasn't very good. There was a nice sunset but not as good as previous ones I have seen. I have deleted nearly all of them. 

The Old Vicarage is set in large gardens, it's a beautiful old building. The door was in darkness, pity there is a car parked in front of the lit window. The road in front of it had a slight blue tint to it. 

Me and Billy got wet this afternoon on our walk. If I had got my arse into gear and gone earlier we would have missed the downpour. But as usual I was faffing. 

Good news on the dentist front, I have an appointment for a check up at the end of the month. My usual dentist, Jim has left for pastures new and I have to see someone else. Marthin is his name. I hope he is young and handsome. 

I've got two addresses in for the prize winners of the guess how many dogs competition. One more to come, the reader is in the USA. Send me your address and I will post your prize out to you.  

Somebody is stalking me, cyber stalking to be precise. This person keeps sending in comments when they know very well they will not get published. This person has been sarcastic, argumentative, and pulls me to pieces, then they try and get round me by saying something nice. I am not so daft as to fall for it. You know who you are. You comment on other blogs. I suggest you get some help. If this was happening in real life I would report you to the police. But for now I delete your comments as soon as they arrive. 

I will clock out now. it's 9.30pm. Catch ya tomorrow. Toodle pip.   ilona

And the winner is. . . . . .

 There are two winners actually. In answer to the question, How many dogs has Bobby got at his sanctuary, yes, he has 89. Two people have seen the video where he states just that. Step forward quiltingwiththefarmerswife and Sandra. Let me know your postal addresses, in a comment which I won't publish, or by email, address on the sidebar. I will send you both a prize, it doesn't matter where in the world you live. 

Thanks to Debi for having a go. If you also give me your address I will send you a runner up prize. 

It's a sunny night so I will go for a walk around the village. Catch ya tomorrow. 

Toodle pip.   ilona

Not fair.

 I've been to Carbis Bay, I was there two years ago for my 70th birthday. It's a lovely place, nice beach, pretty houses, good walks, and a very swish hotel. 

Preparations have been taking place over the last few weeks to welcome leaders from all around the world for the G7 Summit. It is reported that the cost of policing this jolly will be in excess of £70 million. 

Around 6,500 police will secure the event on the 11th to the 13th of June, with more than 5,000 of those coming from other parts of the country. Ten feet high fences have been put up. Roads will be closed and security checkpoints will be set up 

Devon and Cornwall police have designated four protest sites, with no relevance to the G7. Truro and Falmouth being two sites which are miles away. Resist G7 have said they will boycott these sites. Read this article for more details. 

So, leaders and politicians can come here and cause all this disruption and cost, when it could all be done over the internet with zoom meetings. Will they be quarantining when they arrive, like other people have to when returning from holiday? Will they be wearing masks indoors and will they be social distancing? Will they all have a travel passport documenting their health status? Will they all be jabbed and have proof of Covid tests? Or will these privileged people be waved through. 

Someone I know has just been here to visit his mother, it was her 80th birthday, a special occasion. He drove from Germany, he had to jump through hoops to get the correct documentation, at an enormous cost to himself. It wasn't easy. 

For the last eighteen months or so it has been illegal for us little people to meet their families, and in groups. The police have been out in the parks and in the streets hounding anyone who who appears to be breaking those rules. Now we are spending mega bucks on bringing in complete strangers into our country. The, one rule for us and one rule for them, is not fair. 

They are coming here to discuss and decide our future, yet we are not allowed to have similar gatherings. There has been a block on weddings, funerals, and church services.

There are reports that the virus will flare up again. New variants will appear. The Government are scratching their heads wondering what to do next. I have one suggestion. Scrap the G7 Summit and put all the money into improving hospitals. 

It's Saturday, enjoy the weekend. Thanks for popping in. ilona

Chatting over coffee

I made a video this morning. I need to get myself a timer because I waffle on too long. I don't notice the time passing. I need a buzzer or a bell, something to make a noise to remind me to stop. 

I won't waffle on tonight, nowt much to say. I am hitting all the wrong keys in my haste to hit the publish button.  

Catch ya tomorrow. Toodle pip.  ilona

It's getting hotter

Yesterday was hot, I was quite sweaty. My rucksack stuck to my back. I like to take the small one if I am doing five miles or more. A drink and a snack is a must, plus other bits and bobs which I might need. I did six and a half miles. Tagged a bit extra onto my usual five miles. 

The pond is full of green slimy stuff . No ducks or swans to be seen. The water is still and clogged up with weed. 

The paths are narrower now, the grass is closing in on them. One path was completely overgrown as it is not used very often. More boots needed to stamp it down. I waded through knee high weeds trying to avoid the nettles on my bare legs. 

Beautiful blue sky with a welcome slight breeze. 

Remember this from April? 

The spuds are coming up. 

Ooooh look, there is me. Skinny white legs. 

Shall I go out today, nice to have a choice. I will have breakfast and think about it. Thanks to the Walkers for checking in. Some good miles there. 

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

PS. Editing this to pass on the news that Stefan's brother, Robert has passed away. With reference to the Sanity for Sweden post I did a few days ago. 

https://youtu.be/PVwpMN9jFfE

Happy Memorial Day 2021

Had to slip this one in here. Scroll back for the Walkers Check In page. 

If anyone can guess how many dogs Bobby has at his sanctuary, I will send a prize to the closest guess. He has given the exact number on a previous video. 

Have fun.   ilona

Walking Group check in for 5 months

 Good morning it's the first day of the month and we all know what that means. There's no getting away with it, time marches on. Time will catch us all out if we hesitate and put things off till another day. There's no time like the present to tackle those important tasks. Not that walking is a task, I think of it as more of a pleasure. A chance to spread my wings and take flight away from the confines of the house. 

So, my International Walking Group buddies how are we all doing? Have we reached our targets for the first five months of the year? It's around 84 a month, how close are you to 420 miles? Chuffed to say I am on 439 miles. We hit the halfway point of the challenge at the end of June, will you make the 500? 

A few pics from the archives. An abundance of life all around us. 

Now it's your turn, please let us know how you are doing with your walking. 

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