A bit of mending

There comes a time when holes appear in socks, and a bit of mending is needed to extend their life. My slipper socks, or are they boots, are worn through under the heels. I wear them in the house over two pairs of socks. They keep my feet snuggly warm. There are two layers, the holes have not yet worn through to the inner lining, so they need mending now.  

I did attempt to darn them but the holes are quite large. Patching would be better and would give a much smoother finish. I have just the thing, still got some of the snooker table green baize left. It is extra thick, better than ordinary felt. Perfect job. As we move into summer I won't need them so much. They will be put away and will come out again later in the year. I think these will last through another winter. 

I think it would be useful to teach some practical household, make do and mend skills, to children in schools. I learnt mine from my mum, I don't think that happens now. 

It's a bit chilly this morning. If it doesn't rain I am due for a five mile walk. In the meantime I shall carry on with some sewing, and a potter in the garden. Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Billy Boy is boss.

 It was a tad blustery this afternoon, Billy Boy didn't mind though. I took him on a route he hadn't been on before. His instinct tells him which way to go when we get to a junction, I follow him. I say, which way, Billy. He says, I think this way might be good. I don't have to correct him very often. 

He looks puzzled at me. What, all the way down there. Yes, Billy, as far as you can see, off you go. He loved it, and so did I. Scarf wrapped twice around my neck, hood pulled over my head. 

Now I am scoffing a bowl of scrummy veggie stew. Lovely. That's me in for the night now. Enjoy your Easter weekend, whatever you are doing. I have no plans, I will go by the weather. Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.  ilona

As tested by Mayze.

Last night. No Mayze, they are not for you. Now go back into your own bed. 

This morning. That's better. This is your bed. 

Cats are so curious. Anything new appears and they want to check it out. 

I did a cat food shop last night at Home Bargains. Last one out of the shop when it closed at 8pm. Stocked up again. It was ten weeks since I was last there. I spent £70 again. 

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

Recycling bedding.

 I've been busy today. Six pet beds made from a donated duvet and a sleeping bag. I used the cover from the duvet to cover three of them. The duvet wasn't very thick so I doubled it up. Cut the zip off the sleeping bag, and used some fabric I already had for the covers. These can be put in the washer as they are. I sell them locally very cheap, and send the money to an animal charity. 

Now the kitchen calls me. Time to make dinner. Toodle pip.   ilona

The UGLY truth about the Covid-19 lockdowns - Nick Hudson.

Ugly truth, or ugly lies.

The shortened written version. 

EDIT. This video has been censored and removed by yooootoooob. 

Update. It has been posted on this site. 

No words from me. Toodle pip.   ilona

250 target, have you done it?

 Hello, it's the first of the month, and you know what that means. Yep, check in day for the members of the International Walking Group. Three months gone, with a target of 250 miles for those who are heading for the 1000 in one year. I am on 261, yipeeeeee. 

Now lets hear from you, how have you done? Have you made your own targets, or are you going all the way to the top with me? The weather in the UK is improving, more chances to go out, so get your boots on, or trainers if you prefer. 

A pic or two from the archives. Anyone remember this famous setting in Yorkshire? 

Another one from Yorkshire.

And another one from Yorkshire. 

My tum is grumbling, I need food. A cooked breakfast sounds pretty good. Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon. Toodle pip.  ilona

Get the bike out

Hello. I was up early this morning, 5am to be precise. After coffee I did a bit on the computer, then did my three mile village walk. A bit of weeding in the garden when I got back. Then lunch. I fancied going a bike ride. The tyres were flat and I had to hunt for the pump. After I set off I realised I had forgotten to put my helmet on. Oh well never mind, the roads are quiet and I will have to make sure I don't fall off. 

I took a few photo's.

And I made a little video.

My friend June was in so we sat out in her garden enjoying a natter, and a nice cool drink of lemon juice. A lovely afternoon, apart from the sore bum. Even with a gel saddle it is still not very comfortable. 

I think it's going to be a bit cooler tomorrow, but I think the sun will be back on Friday.

Don't forget, it's check in day tomorrow for the International Walking Group. Lets see how we are all doing with the walking challenge. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

A walk from Burringham

Good morning. A good nights sleep and I'm refreshed. Looking like another sunny day, I will do a Billy dog walk this afternoon. Must remember to take some water with me as he will be needing a drink if we have another warm day like we did yesterday. 

Talking of yesterday, it was good to get out and walk in a different area. I parked my car next to the church in Burringham. It's a pretty village next to the River Trent. They had some bad flooding here a few years ago. 

Interesting towers at the back of the church. 

I walked out of the village and came to these signs. Oh dear, I want to walk down there. I hope it only applies to vehicles, and people on foot are allowed to go past the obstruction. I'll take a chance because the diversion is going to be busy with cars avoiding the blockage. 

Big wide flat open spaces in these parts. The fields are massive. This is a quiet road that leads into Scunthorpe. I suppose it was inevitable to see some fly tipping, but I was dismayed about just how much there was. Several skips would have been needed to clear it all up. 

I saw on the map that there was a fishing lake. I fancied a look around to take some photo's. There is an intercom to gain access. I decided not to bother, the gates remind me of a prison. Checking out their web site it seems that it is a very exclusive place. They have holiday cabins to let, and a very swish club room with lounge area and big TV screen. Groups can book a weeks holiday at around £300 per person. The M181 motorway is not very far away and the drone of traffic can be heard.  

And here I am crossing the M181. This is the cause of the road closure. They have set up a compound to take in deliveries for this project. A new junction is being added to take some of the pressure off the roundabout at the Tesco end of it. 

Just over the bridge, more fly tipping. It seems that the production of cannabis is big business in these parts. I wish they had never invented black bin bags. 

From here I headed towards Scunthorpe and hit a busy arterial road. Nothing for it but to walk along it. Thank goodness there was a service road alongside, and a cycle track, so I had a bit of distance between me and the traffic. I found a low brick wall to sit on for ten minutes, outside a petrol filling station and opposite Asda. A piece of quiche and a strawberry yogurt was very nice. 

A bit further along the road leaving Scunthorpe behind, I turned right along a track back into the countryside. Oh, here we go again. Cannabis roots. 

Over the motorway, skirting round a farm, now onto a long straight track. It was a bit windy here. 

Needed to wear the sun visor, put the hat on top to keep it in place. Although windy, it was warm. No jacket needed, I wish I had put my shorts on. 

Over the rickety bridge and into another field. 

Along the edge of a rough field, called Butterwick Common. In the bottom corner a group of sheep were lounging in the sun. I tried to creep very slowly past them so as not to disturb them. Lots of bleating as they warned each other of an alien approaching. 

I crept closer to this lamb to check it was still breathing. It was. Mum was munching grass nearby. 

I came across another fishing pond. There was a fence around it, to keep the sheep out I think. I could see all I wanted to see without entering. 

A very tranquil setting, but traffic noise was still humming in the background.  

Arriving in East Butterwick, on the banks of the Trent, I was ready for another sit down. The owner of the Dog and Gun had very kindly left his chairs out on the front. There is a big grassy patch opposite on the river bank and he was going up and down it on his ride on mower machine. Probably getting it ready for some outdoor customers once he is allowed to open. He gave me a cheery wave as I took the photo. 

Then it was a case of following the river back to the car at Burringham. 

A row of willow trees wafting in the breeze. 

Underneath the M180 motorway. Getting fed up of this camera now. You can see how the scratch on the lens catches the light here and makes a hazy patch. 

Bye bye motorway. 

I was pleased to see that they have put a concrete pavement here. Makes for much easier walking. 

And there you go. Nine miles walked and I'm happy. A quick dinner when I got home. Thanks for popping in. We'll catch up soon. Toodle pip.   ilona

Goodnight

 I was hoping to post tonight about the walk I did today, but after uploading the photo's I am too tired to put the words to it. My brain has turned to mush and I am yawning, so I will finish the post in the morning. 

Goodnight.   ilona

You decide.

Good morning. The good news is that the boat in the Suez has been re-floated. The bad news is that there are now 369 ships waiting to follow it through to the other side, which is going to take a while to clear. You might have to wait for your non essential items to land on our shores. 

Anyway, a new day dawns, and it's going to be sunny for three days, apparently. We have been given new freedoms, so it's only right to make the best of it. Little by little they are being given back to us. 

I am allowed to drive somewhere and go for a walk in a different place, so that's what I am going to do. Camera batteries are on charge and as soon as I've checked the map and had breakfast, I'm off. 

Have a nice day, and grab your freedoms while you can, because once they are gone forever, there is no getting them back. The new normal is being locked up and your life mapped out for you. The old normal is thinking for yourself and taking full responsibility for your own actions. You decide. 

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

Piccies from a walk yesterday.

Hello. A few snaps from a five mile walk I did yesterday. It was a lovely sunny afternoon. Blue skies and fluffy white clouds. Tall pine trees along Wood Bottom. 

The windfarm that I often walk past. Picture taken from a different location. 

I decided to explore a disused railway line, and scrambled up a bank to get to it. Not been used for many a year. This section sits on top of a bank. 

Then the track goes through an area banked up on both sides. 

The tunnel goes under the road, which I want to be on top of. There was no way I could climb up onto it here, too steep, so I had to backtrack and find a place to get onto the field between the track and the road. 

On my way home now. This is a turf field which will be harvested in the next few weeks. 

I love this creaky old skeletal tree. It looks good against this sky. 

A nice walk. Enjoy your weekend. Toodle pip.   ilona

Glass of wine chat, new vid.

I made this video and left it to upload itself while I went a walk. When I got back it was ready. 

I'm off to Aldi in half an hour, so I'll leave you to it. Catch ya tomorrow. Toodle pip. 

Stuck

I see there is a big boat stuck sideways in the Suez Canal. 

Tug boats are trying to pull it out. Diggers are trying to dig it out. There is talk about bringing in some big cranes and offloading some of the containers, to lighten the weight so it can float off the sandbank. But access is difficult. It may be stuck there for a while. 

There will be delays of deliveries into the UK, About 50 large ships are anchored up, in a queue, waiting to get through. 

I don't care about the electronics, toys, and clothes, which are stuck in the canal. What happens if we don't get the deliveries? We make do with whatever we have already here. We manage, we repair, we repurpose, we recycle. We would do well as a country to become more self sufficient. 

What I do care about is that animals are stuck in the blockage. People can sort themselves out, animals are trapped in cages. I hope they are getting the food and water that they require. The trade and movement of live animals should be drastically cut, in my opinion. 

It's a tad windy today, don't know if I will get a walk, we'll see how it pans out. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.    ilona 

New normal?

Good morning. I see on the twitttterattta  that Judge Rinder, (I am not familiar with his TV programme), has had his phone snatched from his hand in a London Street. A horrible experience I would imagine. Theft of one's personal possessions, especially when they are wrenched from your hand must be a very traumatic experience. 

This kind of crime seems to be gathering momentum. Youngsters on scooters and bikes looking for easy prey. Most bikes are stolen, two people wearing balaclavas can make quite a lot of money by taking this particular line of work. It can be very lucrative so I understand.  

The sensible thing to do would be to never walk about anywhere with your phone in your hand. But of course people do just that, because they cannot bear to be isolated from the rest of the world. I have missed calls on my little Nokia because the phone was in my bag and I couldn't get it out quick enough. Not to worry. I prefer to be unobtainable for a while.  

I bet the companies who sell phones, and those who provide the services are rubbing their hands with glee. YAY, someone is going to need a new phone. 

Here is Roberts tweeeet...... and a few responses.

I’ve just had my phone grabbed out my hands by 3 boys wearing balaclavas on bikes (Finchley Road & Canfield gardens). They laughed as I shouted to drop it. I'm in shock.

It’s sadly a common occurrence. A single person on a moped can steal around £4K worth of phones every day and the phones are given to a fencer before you’ve even called the police.

This happened to me, except I chased the guy. He was on a push bike. I knocked him off his bike. He grabbed me and threw me into oncoming traffic. I never let go. He was a career criminal and thankfully got thrown in jail.

This happened to me outside Euston station last year. I was also punched in stomach but screamed and ran after attacker as did half the station and he dropped the phone.

Same thing happened to me some time ago, luckily a postman was near by , I jumped in his van and we chased them up the road, I dived out the van on top of the guy to his surprise, gave him a black eye and retrieved my phone.

Happened to me also in Russells Square. Devastated me. Unfortunately the police said this is happening a lot but they hardly ever find the people that do it.

Had my phone snatched out of my hand by boys on bikes on West End lane just a week or so ago — tracked my phone being cycled down to Kilburn, and then it was switched off.

Please be careful people. In an ideal world nothing would get stolen, but it does, so take steps to protect your valuables.

Thanks for popping in. Time for brekkie. Toodle pip. ilona

Brilliant walk yesterday

Hello. Second post of the day, churning them out now, keeps me busy. Yesterday was a glorious weather day for a walk. I set off at 2.45pm, taking my usual path out of the village. On reaching the bench I had to take off my jacket and stuff it in my little rucksack, I was sweating hot. Also had to roll my long socks down to my ankles, my legs felt uncomfortable. Takes me ages to get the right clothing combination for a comfortable walk. I am always taking a layer off or putting another layer on. One day I will learn to dress myself properly.  

I walked this route last month, in the opposite direction. It takes me through a farmyard. When I passed this way before they were erecting these cabins. I wondered what they were for, holiday lets maybe, or a new farm shop. 

I stopped to chat to a man who was repairing a piece of farm machinery. I had a great conversation with him, he was jolly. I was nosey and asked him about the cabins. He said it is an education centre for special needs children and young teenagers, and their parents. It all sounded very interesting. Those with learning difficulties are referred here for extra activities. They come on a daily basis and are brought in by a minibus. The front will be landscaped to include a sensory garden. 

The facility is called Changing Lives through Changing Minds. They have a web site here. 

I walked over to the cabins to get a photograph, two people arrived to do some work. Now here's the best bit. You see the man in the photo, that is Trevor. He is the one who put the bench in the field. How good is that. I first wrote about the bench in 2009, I often sit on it for a few minutes when passing. Trevor and his wife used to take walks to that spot from the village where they lived. After she passed away Trevor put the bench there. He tends to it putting flowers in the vases, leaving water for any passing dogs, and cuts the grass around it. It's about half a mile from the village, I have wondered for ages how the water appears and who looks after it. Now I know. Trevor admits he drives there. I was so pleased to finally find out the story behind the bench. 

Time was getting on and I had to put my jacket back on as it was getting chilly. Still a long way to go. I passed my friends house in the next village, the one I called in to see before but she wasn't there. This time she was. I didn't really have time to stop, we had a quick conversation through her open kitchen window. She offered to give me a lift home. I said, no we can't do that, besides I want to clock up the miles. 

So on I trekked. I passed a viewpoint, people were sitting watching the sun go down in the distance. Another quick chat, I can't resist it, ha ha. 

Keep going. I wanted to take photo's of the sunset but trees were blocking my view. In the daff photo it looks like it is still light, but it wasn't. I didn't think I would get a photo here. 

Keep going, still can't see the sunset. 

I came out of the trees into a clearing, and there it was. Stunning. 

Keep going. Looking up the river. 

Now it's getting dark. 

One more look across, is it still there. The lights over Yorkshire are going on. 

Now it's pitch black and I can't see the ground. I would normally stay on the track until I was almost home, but this time I thought it would be wise to take a little side track and get onto the road. 

I arrived home at 7.45pm. Eight miles walked. Something warmed up in the microwave for a late dinner, I was flippin hungry. Brilliant walk though. Thank you to those worrying about me in the dark. I will try and remember to take a torch next time. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.  ilona