What's on my plate?

Here is a short quickie video I knocked up yesterday. People ask me what I eat, can I give them a recipe. I don't have any recipes. Each meal is a variation of one I made before. I use up whatever I have in the fridge, the freezer, and the cupboards. I don't plan meals. 

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

A look at Dudley Castle

I still had a couple of hours left after I finished at the museum. Time enough to walk to Dudley Castle and Zoo. I didn't want to see the zoo, these pelicans were chilling out around a pond close to the entrance. It was busy  because there is a children's funfair just as you go in. I didn't bother to stop and headed straight for the castle. 

Climbing up the steps, there is a good view over the town. There is a chairlift for anyone who wants to take a ride. 

Looking up at the tower. 

Almost there, just through the archway.

I sat for a while and ate my snack. People watching. 

A tour guide was giving a talk to a group of people about the history of the place. 

This motley crew were just inside a doorway. 

A short video. No need to film and walk. Stand still, less wobbles, ha ha. 

I went back to my car at the museum and sat for a while eating a sandwich. No need to rush. All the staff came out and got in their cars and went home. I was almost the last one out of there. 

Next stop is go to Frankly Services on the M5 for an overnight park up. The traffic in the West Midlands is horrendous. Full concentration is needed to make sure you are in the right lane going around roundabouts. I have become a doddery old fart, taking things at a steady pace to make sure I don't miss a sign. One has to be careful to not go on the M6 Toll Road. It was a relief to pull into the services. 

I slept like a log that night, didn't wake up once. must have been all that walking. I set off at just after 7.30am to go to Goodheart Animal Sanctuary, about ten miles past kidderminster, and arrived at a quarter to nine. 

Another post follows with photographs. Thanks for popping in. Sees ya later.   ilona 

My plan

 In this blog I post stuff about having a great life, about going out and enjoying myself, about walking in the great outdoors, about eating nice food, about my house and garden, about my lovely cats, about my friends, about the nice village I live in, about driving to new places to explore new territory, about the arts and crafts I make. I have a good life because I make it good.  

But there is this dark veil which is engulfing all of our lives. Slowly eating away at what we think of as normal. New rules are being made, new laws are on the horizon, new systems, new ways of doing things, and we are expected to comply with whatever is asked of us. We are being herded like cattle into a dead end of which there is no return. 

Our Governments have been hijacked, they no longer rule the country they have been elected to rule. They no longer lead us in the right direction, for they themselves are being led by those who have a much bigger agenda. Sunak or Truss, it doesn't matter. Watch the circus unfold, the result is already known, for it is planned. They might make promises, but all decisions will be out of their hands. 

They are tinkering around the edges and ignoring the much wider issues, the more important issues. They are playing for time until the next stage of the plan starts taking shape. 

People who are not asking questions, and going along with whatever is asked of them, are complicit in the demise of the United Kingdom. The great country we inhabit is being diluted. 

Now I must get on, and make my own plan for the days and weeks ahead. 

Catch ya later.   ilona

Part 2 - Black Country Museum.

There is such a lot to see at the Black Country Museum. I was there for five hours and loved it. There is enough to fill the whole day there. I saw people dressed in period costume walking about and entertaining the visitors. They were happy to answer any questions. People were sat in the little cottages, an old lady knitting, an elderly gent in his overcoat and flat cap huddled over the range. A coalmine worker was giving talks about life underground. The preacher in charge of this Gospel Car was dressed in appropriate garb. 

A quiet Chapel to sit and reflect on life. 

The shopping streets were busy. I waited until the crowds had thinned out a bit before I took a photo. 

Over the canal bridge. 

The boat yard. It doesn't look as if the boats move at all. 

A show was put on under the canopy. A group of actors did a little play about how life used to be, they were dressed in period costume. It was a fun bit of light entertainment. 

On the other side of this bridge is the Canal and Tunnel Trust. A fairly new and modern building. There was a gift shop, and they were selling tickets for a boat trip through the tunnels. I didn't go on it, but I bought a drink and went up onto the balcony to watch them set off. 

Elf and safety says they have to wear a hard hat. Bye bye. 

Anyone fancy going back to school? Here are the rules. 

The classroom filled up with willing volunteers. Pay attention you lot. The teacher proceeded with the lesson. No one dares to step out of line. They don't like the look of that cane. 😁

I had seen all I wanted to see by about 3.30pm, so I made this short video before I left. I waited until there was not so many people about. 

It closes at 5pm so I had a bit of time left in the car park. Dudley Castle and Zoo is within walking distance so off I went to see that. I left the car where it was. There will be photo's and a short video of that tomorrow. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona 

Walking Group check in

 Good morning, it's the first of the month, and as usual it's check in day for the International Walking Group. How have you all been doing?

My total to date is 590 miles, so I have just gone over the 584 target. Phew, that was close. I had a few non walking days due to the hot weather, and I didn't include all the walking I did on Friday and Saturday even though I was on my feet for the whole of the two days. Some may count steps, I count miles, so there was no way I could calculate those two days. 

Let's see how everyone is doing. You may have your own targets, have you reached them? Is the weather holding you back? Or are you carrying on regardless? Please share your walking successes and your walking woes here. 

Here are some frosty winter pictures from the archive. Soon time to sort your winter walking gear out. Make sure you have enough warm clothes at the ready.

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