Briefly. . . . . .

 Hello. Please excuse my absence here. There is so much to do now that the weather is getting warmer.  Days are planned between the different activities that want to get on with. My time is prioritised depending what is important to me. 

A new camera is on the horizon, I need to go to a shop and check out what's available. A ride out in the car will be nice. 

Some of my time is spent on my other blog. Some of you may have found it, most have probably not noticed it. It's not far away. I feel it's important to continue this year long project. It fulfils my need to express my inner thoughts and feelings. Some of it spills onto here, but it's probably best not to swamp the main pages with something that people don't want to know about. 

I'll report back here when I have some other news. 

Thanks for popping in. Catch up soon. Toodle pip.   ilona

Video from yesterday

Hello. I'm going to sneak this little video in here. Only eight minutes of my waffling. Yesterday there was hardly any wind at all, so I couldn't resist a mini chat to take advantage of that.  

Today I have been tidying in the garden. Must keep on top of it so it doesn't turn into a wilderness. Pulling a few weeds up here and there, trimming the straggly tops off the hedges, and watering the pots and flower beds. It all helps. 

I took my books back to the mobile library, this is the first time Stan has been in the village in several weeks. I think I have lost a book, searched everywhere. He tells me I should have returned three books, but I could only find two. Oh well, will have to look again. 

A lovely sunny day again, let's have more of these. Thanks for popping in. Catch ya tomorrow. Toodle pip.   ilona aka Meanqueen. 

Conflicting opinions.

Our leader speaks. 

Second in command, Matt Tweets......

I'm delighted to confirm we have met the target to offer a first vaccination to the 9 highest risk groups ahead of the 15 April deadline. Vaccines are safe, effective & have already saved over 10,000 lives - when it's your turn, come forward & get the jab

Confusing eh! 

I'm off outside. Going to play in the garden. Catch ya later.  ilona

Looking for views to photograph.

It's been a fabulous afternoon for a walk. Blue skies and a light breeze. I am constantly looking around for interesting pictures, even though I walk the same routes over and over again. It's amazing to discover something you haven't noticed before. 

A derelict barn. Would make a great conversion to a house. Plenty of land around it with access to a road. 

Watering the turf fields. 

A very small woodland area. 

Fascinating how they have ploughed deep furrows with flat tops in this field. 

Crossing the last field. They have run a tractor over it in a straight line to mark out the public footpath. It goes straight to the gate on the other side. 

An interesting sky can make an ordinary tree look pretty amazing. 

I got home at 6.45pm, seven miles walked. Dinner was a quick macaroni cheese, three minutes in a pan on the hob. Just as I finished it I saw the red sky behind the houses opposite and had to go to the churchyard to get a pic. Wow, it looked like it was on fire. 

I am having a conversation with someone about cameras, so I'll cut you loose, and catch you tomorrow. Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Free Art Show Gallery Tour

Good morning. I've just been to an art show while eating my bran flakes with strawberries breakfast. My two favourite artists, Rafi and Klee have put together a collection of awesome pictures from their awesome friends. Take a look if you are into art. Rafi does an excellent narrative and will talk you through each piece. 

Should you wish to get up close to the pictures and find out a bit more about the artists, Rafi has put the exhibition on his web site. This link will whizz you across there. 

Woke up to frost this morning, but the sun is soon melting it away. Oscar had a look at the new shelter, but didn't get inside it. Maybe curiosity will get the better of him later. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.  ilona

New cat shelter.

It was a bit cold outside today. Half way through making the shelter I had to quickly move things into the garage and wait for a hailstorm to blow over. 

I used an old kitchen cupboard which I had stored in the garage. It had flower pots and wood in it. It didn't have a back so I found a piece of board which fitted it perfectly. I took the door off it and used that for the roof. The shelf wasn't wide enough so I cut another piece of board and nailed it to the existing shelf to extend it. 

It has a piece of foam three inches thick on the shelf, topped with a couple of old cat beds which have lost their puffiness. It's easy to get into, not too high to jump up. Should be quite cosy. 

It stands in the porch underneath the plastic roof, so it has some protection from the weather. I can see it from the house, I will keep my eye on it and see who is the first one to use it. It's for Oscar. I don't think Mayze will use it, she likes to stay closer to the house. 

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

Coffee chat, with Mayze

Good evening. It was time for a coffee chat so here is the video I made this morning. 

Tomorrow I need to make another cat shelter in the garden. Oscar is losing out because another cat keeps creeping into his bed. I have moved one of the old kitchen cupboards that I have in the garage, to under the porch of the summer house. I will modify it to make a shelter, so nobody misses out. 

I cleaned up two more filing cabinets, and someone came for them today. She said they are just what she needs to store her paint in her new craft studio. Pleased that someone can use them. 

It takes me two days to swig a can of cider, I have just finished it. I got my wages for the dog walking, a bag of vegetables and fruit. This means I don't have to go shopping until later next week. It will keep me going, more stews I think. 

Going to watch some videos before bed time. Thanks for popping in. Have a nice Sunday. Toodle pip.   ilona

Friday morning feelgood fun

Norbert is the cutest dog ever. He has a massive following. He is a therapy dog. 

Let's all wish Norbert a Happy Birthday. 

Time for breakfast. I might go for a walk. Thanks for popping in.  ilona

Another test video.

A short video from Tuesday's walk. The sound of the wind is noticeable. I did another one and the wind was deafening, so that got dumped. I might need to go back to the drawing board. 

The freebies I had on offer went today, but no one asked about the pet beds. There's still time, might get some enquiries in the next few days. 

Grilled potato wedgies, and pretend chicken nuggets, with spaghetti hoops for dinner tonight. 

Catch ya tomorrow. Toodle pip.  ilona

Truth or fantasy - a fine line.

 Good morning. This little plaque has been following me around for about 50 years. I can't remember when and where I bought it, probably a sea front gift shop when I lived in Blackpool. I thought it was rather amusing at the time, still do. I've kissed one or two  Princes over the years, and a heck of a lot of frogs, so at least I won't die wondering what I have missed.  

A thought just occurred to me. The reason that the Government are screaming at us to stay at home, limiting the amount of people that can mix, wear masks, stay two metre's apart and no touching, is because they don't want us chatting each other up. 

Snogging is definitely banned, oh no, none of that malarky. It might lead to all kinds of naughty liaisons, like a quick shag behind the bike sheds, or in an alleyway at the back of the Dog and Duck. God forbid, girls might actually give birth nine months later. Can't be having that when we are trying to shrink the population. We need to get this enshrined in law. No snogging. 

I note that the Government have laid plans to continue their control of how singles can meet new friends and possible future partners. All venues will be given QR posters. Business owners will be legally required to display these posters. Every member of a group must check in with their phone, or provide contact details. 

To carry out this complex operation everyone will need to test themselves twice a week using the free kits that will be sent in the post to anyone who requests them. If a person has been at an event on the same day as someone who has since tested positive, they will receive an alert to book a PCR test whether they are showing symptoms or not. I think we can safely say that if this all goes ahead we can say goodbye to the human race. 

I have a vision of the future. Sex between a male and female will not be allowed. Sperm banks will be set up, the only way to procreate will be by artificial insemination. Women will look through a catalogue, pick out the donor which meets their criteria. Looks and intelligence are key factors when considering a suitable mate. 

On the other hand. . . . . Another article states that Britain will pass the threshold for herd immunity on MONDAY. Modelling by the University College London suggests that 73.4 per cent of the population will have protection from Covid by April 12th. That's good news isn't it. Does that mean we can ignore all these measures to control us. I doubt it. Like the World Economic Forum said, the virus has given us a window of opportunity. They aren't going to let it go that easily. 

Doggy walk later, delivering filing cabinets to someone in the village. Sorting out who is going to have what from the freebies I am giving away. Three people want the same item. Want these things gone by mid afternoon. Sun is coming out.

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

6 + 3 = 9

I found a sleeping bag in my wardrobe that I don't need. I washed it, cut it up, and now six pet beds have turned into nine. They are on the village page now. 

I have also put on free for collection, two very nice filing cabinets, an inflatable airbed, and a floor standing fan. Scaling down my possessions, things I don't need. The airbed and fan came out of a skip, the filing cabinets I have had for about 25 years. Time to move things on. 

It was very cold this morning so I haven't been out. The wind has dropped now so I will go out after I have had my dinner. 

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

Walking through a blizzard

I went out this afternoon to make a couple more test videos with the new plastic box attached to the camera. It was freezing, and very windy. I've just checked them both. The first one was a complete failure as the gusts were whipping across the fields. The second one was just about acceptable. I was in the centre of a village so there was a little bit of shelter there, and the wind had dropped somewhat. I think there will be a limit as to how much wind the plastic box can block out. It won't work every time, and it's dependent on the direction of the wind as well. I need more practice to walk while videoing and not wobbling. 

Even though it was sunny it was cold. I'm glad I put a big jacket on, I needed the furry hood to keep my head warm. 

I came across a bus shelter which had been decorated for Easter. A nice touch I thought. 

A picture of the churchyard looking all spring like. Everything greening up nicely. 

I keep seeing these two helicopters. They come over most days, always later afternoon and always flying together in the same direction. Very strange. 

On my way back now, oh dear, it's started snowing. 

By the time I had walked along the side of the field, it was starting to turn white. That is the same tree as in the previous photo. It came down pretty heavy, and fast. 

Like walking through a blizzard. I did think I might extend the walk, but I was flippin freezing so I headed home. 

Not much further to go. By the time I landed back in the village the snow they had there had all gone. Very strange weather we are having. 

A tasty bowl of hot stew for my dinner, it warmed me up a treat. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Does it work?

Hello. Tuesday morning and all is well at Tightwad Towers. I'm not sure if I can use that title any more, because I am not as tight as I used to be. I still don't like spending money on something unnecessary though, if I can avoid it. I have been toying with the idea of buying a new camera, I might do one day. In the meantime I am trying to find a way to make videos outdoors without the wind noise spoiling them. 

The microphone on a camera is very exposed, so there needs to be some way of shielding it. I could buy an external plug in microphone I suppose, that would be the usual path to take to eliminate the problem. But I like playing with bits and bobs, so let's see if this solution works first before I part with some dosh. 

Cut hole in bottom of plastic box so the lens will open. Cut smaller hole in the side of the box to screw the metal handle to the bottom of the camera. Point and shoot. 

Does it work? It's a whole lot better than it was. Maybe not eliminated the problem 100% but it might be acceptable. 

I will give it a go for a while and see how I get on. This is a test in the garden, I will take it with me when I walk in open fields, which might happen this afternoon.  

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

PS. Did you take a look at Patrick's video. His are far more superior to mine. 

Winter Wild Camp With Patrick Dickinson.

Hello and Good Morning. Easter Monday and it's looking sunny outside, but I see people walking about well wrapped up. It was windy last night but that has dropped now. I will venture out shortly. 

I have recently come across a yooootooober that I haven't seen before, and now I am binge watching his videos because they are so entertaining. I will introduce Patrick Dickinson to you. In this one he treks up Kinder Scout in Derbyshire, from Edale Station, and sets up his tent for the night. It's hard going because of the snow on the ground. Nothing deters Patrick, he is always looking for an adventure. 

His video's cover a wide range of topics. Although there are many which show him camping in different places, he is an adventurer so nothing is ruled out. He climbs trees and sets up camp there. He explores underground tunnels, both river and disused railway tunnels. He has explored the rivers underneath Sheffield where he lives. He prepares all his own food and cooks it on a camp stove. He built a pub shed in his garden. He did a pub crawl tasting different beers, in pubs around Sheffield. He explores canals. Any excuse for an adventure and Patrick is game. 

He spends a lot of time editing his videos to perfection, with all filming done by himself. There is nothing false about them, just plain down to earth speaking. The research he puts into them must take him hours, most have additional information, much of it historical. This man should have his own TV travel and outdoor pursuits programme. 

Anyway, if you have half an hour to spare, (this one is 22 minutes) they are well worth getting into. Hours of entertainment, and what a nice man he is. 

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

Visit to Angie's bench.

It was a bit chilly when I set off for a walk today, even though it was sunny. I was quite surprised at how cold it was, so I thought a jacket was needed. I walked out of the village and headed for the track. Just at that moment someone pulled up in a car. A woman about the same age as me got her two tiny Yorkie dogs out, and as we were  walking in the same direction, we started a conversation. She said she was going along two field edges, then turning around and going back. She didn't walk very fast so I slowed down so we could chat. 

Amazingly she said she used to be a lorry driver and a bus driver. She showed me a photo of herself sat in the driving seat of a bus. What a coincidence. We had a lot to talk about. 

It was a fun chat, she had been married three times and was now happily single. We both agreed that we weren't looking to start a relationship again. I thanked her for her company, and she said, yes it made a nice change. 

I got to the bench and was pleased to see that Trevor had been there. He had planted some flowers in the pots, filled up the bird feeder, and left two containers of water for  the dog bowl. I stopped for ten minutes, put my jacket in my rucksack, and enjoyed the sunshine. 

I spotted this tree and liked the way the branches were curly. Pity I couldn't get the whole tree in the picture, it was the other side of the hedge. 

I don't know this man's name, I didn't ask him, but I often see him walking his dog. If we are walking in the opposite direction the dog spots me from quite a distance away. He runs towards me then stops, then turns round as if to say is it alright if I carry on. I wave to the dog so he knows it is me, and it's ok to run towards me. We always stop and chat for a few minutes. He said he had toothache, and was waiting to go to the dentist. That didn't stop him chatting. 

Six miles added to my total today. Looking at the forecast earlier there was talk of snow, but now I see it has been changed to three days of sun. Well that would be nice. 

I hope you are having a good weekend. Thanks for popping in. We'll catch up soon. Toodle pip.  ilona