Save The Local Pub

Good evening. I've just been to the pub, or should I say, the pub has been to me. There was a lot of singing and dancing going on. Everyone was having a jolly time. 

The Stag and Hen at Coventry has been brought back to life, after lying empty for five years. Terry Miles, the piano bashing king went along to entertain the customers. It soon turned into a party. 

I'm not keen on going into pubs, but it's good to see people enjoying themselves in this great British pub. Well done, Paul for getting it going again. And thanks to Terry for making the journey from London to Coventry to provide the entertainment. Grab yourself a beer and join in with the singsong. And if you are ever in Coventry, why not pop in and support the landlord. 

Goodnight, catch ya tomorrow. ilona. 

You can't turn back time.

I was rushing to get to the Coffee Morning this morning and saw Keith waiting at the bus stop. I said, aye up, how are you doing. He didn't look too good and seems to have aged a lot in the three months since I last saw him. He told me he had been ill, really ill, and still wasn't quite right. He is a keen walker and usually walks every day, but says he has had to cut down . He often gets the bus to town because he  doesn't have a vehicle to drive himself. He used to have a campervan and went up north for weeks at a time. The Lake District was his preferred destination. That's the third person in a few days that has talked about being ill over Christmas. 

Coffee Morning was a hive of activity. Quite a lot of people chattering away. Last week I sat for ten minutes talking to the ladies I usually see at Crafty Club. I moved away and sat at a table by myself after one of the ladies seemed to cough a lot. This week I didn't join in with their chattering. I like to sit on my own and get on with a bit of sewing. 

Pat came across and told me about a trip they are planning to organise. A mini bus to the NEC at Birmingham for a craft event. She asked me if I would be interested in driving the mini bus. She had enquired with a company to rent one, but they said she couldn't have one. Apparently they have an age limit of 70. Pat is 71. She asked if I could do it. I said, if that is their limit, they won't let me have one, I am 75. She said, oh, I didn't know. 

Comments on the blog have gone a bit quiet. It gives me a breathing space. They have ramped up on the yootooob channel though, and not one rude or nasty one among them. Strange innit. I probably get off lightly for hate mail compared to others on social media. I wonder how long it will take for people to stop fighting with each other, and realise you can't turn back time. Cue song. 

This video reminds me of when I went to see Cher at Sheffield Arena on 19th of May 2004. My birthday treat. This is her Farewell Tour. I don't know which venue this was filmed at, but I was in the middle of a crowd just like this. It was magic. Row 36, Block c, Seat 17. Ticket £35. Glad I did it then, couldn't do it now. 

Now it's time to eat. I have half a stir fry left over from last night. I will bulk it up with some chick peas. Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Happy Sunday with the boys.

Good morning. I've just been watching Dan and Stephen in North Yorkshire. Their latest video is out. If you want to take a look at Stokesley, Guisborough, and Saltburn by the Sea, get yourself a coffee and spend 32 minutes being shown around these charming market towns. There is the usual jolly banter, and a twist at the end when they tuck into a tasty cheese truckle. 

The weather is not looking too good here in North Lincolnshire. Dry but overcast. I'm working on an arty piece which is looking quite promising. You can't rush things, creativity is a journey which materialises over a period of time. 

I'll cut you loose. Enjoy your Sunday.

Toodle pip.   ilona

Exploring Lincolnshire

It's Sunday night and I have had a smashing weekend. Yesterday a six mile walk in the glorious sunshine. Today a visit from my two favourite van lifers. I have been following Dan and Stephen for some time now. Two jolly chappies who have a fun life living in their van. Do you recognise them? Do you watch them? 

Recently back from Spain and France, they are touring the UK checking out small towns and villages, where they might at sometime in the future be setting down some roots. They have no definite plans, no dates in mind, just getting a feel for different parts of the country. 

After a coffee and a full hour non stop chinwag I dragged them out for a walk around my village. They were up for it. We went down the hill to the pond, and along the river bank.   

Back at the van it was time to leave. They have seen some of Lincolnshire, and now they are on their way to North Yorkshire. No route in mind, just make it up as they go along. The joys of living in a van, go where the fancy takes you, stop and start when you feel like it. Sounds good to me. 

This is the video they put out this morning. I sat watching it as I waited for them to arrive. 

Always exploring new places, always entertaining. Every so often they take a break from travelling and take a proper job. They can choose where and when they work. As for the move to bricks and mortar, it may happen sometime in the future, but for now they are enjoying the freedom of van life. 

Temperatures are rising here, the frost has gone. That's a relief. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

As the day turns to night

I paid a visit to the Village Hall today where the Christmas Fair was taking place. I didn't get there till 12.30 so a lot of people had come and gone. I had a coffee and mince pie, even though I don't like mince pies. Have to show willing. 

Back home for lunch. There was still an hour or two of daylight so I took the opportunity to go for a walk to the park. Just after I took this photo they closed the front doors. I was only there for a walk anyway, didn't need to go inside. 

I went round the back and took a few snaps. I'm really pleased with these. A few minutes later the staff pulled the window shutters across. I got them just in time. 

This is the back door where the staff come and go. I don't know if they leave the lights on all night. 

A quick visit to the toilet block before I went home. The railings make it look more like a prison. 

Passing a little cottage on the way home. 

A very nice day all round. Laughing and chatting with friends. And a walk in fairly warm weather. 

Catch ya tomorrow. Toodle pip.   ilona

Belly full, need to walk.

Lunch out with friends today. It was our Crafty Club annual do. I had cheese and onion pie, chips and peas with veggie gravy. It was too much for me. I couldn't eat it all, brought some home in a tray and microwaved it for dinner tonight. 

This afternoon I had to go out and walk it off. I love to watch the feeding frenzy following the tractors. There was three of them going up and down at great speed.  

Another five miles. Those peas are creating havoc in my guts. Could possibly be a windy night. 

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

Busy Bank Holiday.

Twas quite a busy day today. Chat and Craft this morning, in the Village Hall. It was party time. Celebrating Jan's birthday, and a farewell party for one of our members who is moving down south. Home made cakes. I wasn't very hungry because I had eaten this breakfast before I went. 

Left over cooked vegetables, carrots, green beans, cauliflower, courgettes, and tortellini. Warmed up in a pan with a drop of oil, add a slice of bread, and pour over a beaten egg, topped with grated cheese.  Finished off under the grill, with beetroot added. Filling and tasty. 

While I was eating that I had this cardy laid out in front of me. I was looking for inspiration because I want to add some colour to it. I need a new project. The shadow on the picture is from one of the cd's I have hanging up in the back window. I have four, they stop the birds flying into the glass and injuring themselves. 

After Crafty Club I had a coffee with my friend Angela. She lives nearby. 

The weather was warm and sunny so I decided to take a walk to the park. There is a Summer Fair on today. It was 3pm when I got there. Music in the courtyard with people dancing. 

I didn't take many photo's. Couldn't resist these Alpacas though. Try getting them to pose for the camera, they just don't understand. 

Walking back through the courtyard it got busier. More people dancing. They played 40's war time songs. I spotted my friend June, with her daughter, and joined them for a chat. 

The stall holders were starting to pack up at 4pm, and when the music finished I left to go home. There are some pictures of this event on a blog post I wrote a year ago. Check this out. 

I've come up with an idea for the cardy. Here is a clue. 

Dinner tonight was a stir fry with sweet and sour sauce. Blooming lovely. 

I hope you had a good weekend. Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

I like a stir fry.

Janet called in this morning to bring me a pressie. Beer from Devon. I shall look forward to trying that. 

We sat in the garden having a natter. A sunny day again, thank goodness it wasn't as hot as yesterday. We finished our chat in the kitchen when the subject turned to food and cooking. I opened the cupboards and showed her a few things that I buy and the meals I cook. 

Tonight I made a stir fry using these ingredients. The packet sauce mixes from Aldi make it an easy meal in one pan. The oyster and spring onion variety is very nice.  

I did a five mile walk this afternoon. A man I sometimes speak to was on his front driveway cleaning the awning for his motorhome. He leaves his front garden to grow wild. It has lots of flowers at the moment. They were in North Yorkshire last week, but in a different area to me. They spent time at Grassington, a place I have been to several times. 

The sun is going down and I have to go outside and water the pots. We'll catch up soon. 

Toodle pip.   ilona 

Exciting.

 Excitement in the street tonight. It's Prom Night at the school, and one young lad has the best transport to take him there. Look at this then. WOW. Friends and family and all the neighbours were out to see him off. He was beaming and waving at everyone. 

Enjoy laddie. You will be the envy of all your mates. 

Community spirit is alive here.  

Toodle pip.   ilona

Relaxation video

Something nice and gentle to watch while drinking your coffee. Andrew has a new video out. Remember Mr Ditton, the camping and caravan and motorhome expert? I have been watching his videos for ages. If it wasn't for his Outer Hebrides series, I might have never been there. 

He now lives down south and has a proper job, but luckily he still makes videos. In this new format he rarely speaks. Although his knowledge on travel and the outdoors is phenomenal, he is concentrating more on the pleasures of getting out there to relax. A great antidote to the crazy times we live in. His photography and editing skills are perfection. 

The day we met at Whitby Station. I love his doggies, Dougal and Ted. 

And I was at Pickering the day after to watch the steam trains. I turned round and Andrew was there as well.  

Tuesday morning and the sun is shining. I have more gardening to do. Thanks for popping in.

Toodle pip.   ilona 

How does she do it!

Speed Week at Elvington Airfield in York, UK.

Setting up the bike 'Odyssey' for the track.

Not perfect conditions with a head wind but after 6 full throttle runs we have some information we can use to set up for running at full speed at the next event.

Our Becci's been at it again. There is no holding our Speed Queen back. No doubt we will get all the low down at the Chat and Craft meeting next week. 

More pics on  Worlds Fastest Woman. 

Toodle pip.   ilona

Two little ducks

Two ducks have been camping out on next doors garden for the last few weeks. Yesterday they ventured over, or through, the hedge into mine. You're very welcome little duckies. Come on in, water and plenty of bird seed for you. Today they have called in again, twice, and appear to be more confident so they stayed a while. 

I found a big fat bee in the corner, on the carpet, of the living room. A rescue mission was called for, and the bee was relocated on a bush outside the back door. I checked later and it had gone. I hope it flew away. 

The weather was pretty horrible yesterday. Drizzly damp on and off all day. I wanted to go for a walk but as time went on I could see that was not going to happen. Plan B was to see a film at the cinema in town. Nothing in the programme to tempt me. Plan C was to fill the brown garden waste wheelie bin ready for collection today. That did not happen. The rain didn't stop for long enough. Plan D was a success. Relax  in a lovely warm bath, have a good scrub, and swig a small glass of cider. My new favourite is Toffee flavour. It is deeeelishuss. Still got the others to look forward to. 

Coffee Morning was a hoot this morning. I am on a mission to make people laugh, and this morning it worked. One of the ladies, she is 90 something, was telling us that the doctor asked her where would she like to be when she is dying. Unbelievable, and shocking. Well several of us came up with amusing replies. My own contribution to that particular topic was, I hope to be laid out in the buff, in a big four poster bed being entertained by a gorgeous hunk. Ok, so these were not the actual words I used in the story. My rather coarse version brought forth fits of laughter. So there you are, the recipe for a good joke is to be rude. 

It's still raining. Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona 

Coffee chat with Richard

I haven't got time to make a coffee chat video today, so why not go over to Richard's gaff and have a coffee with him. He lives on the south coast you know, near the seaside. He makes a much better job than me of getting to the point and tying everything all together. My waffles take ten minutes and I forget half of what I want to say. 

Actually, I composed a blog post before I got out of my bed this morning, it was all in my head. It's a coincidence, but some of my thoughts are directly in line with what Richard is saying. To save me hours of getting it all down with the keyboard, I will hand this post over to him. 

His title is very apt. Corporate Britain, and Corporate the rest of the world, has ruined everything. There is no going back. Take heed of what he says. Take back your sovereignty. Claim your right to freedom as a human being. Stop being a sheep.  

I went to Coffee Morning this morning and enjoyed the face to face aspect of conversations. The rain has now stopped so I'll go for a walk around the village. I will be cheerful and say hello to everyone I meet. I will buy an ice cream from the local shop. 

Catch ya tomorrow. Toodle pip.   ilona

Smile

Good afternoon. Thank you to everyone who checked in with their walking reports yesterday. We shall be doing this again on the first of every month. Keep it up. I am not able to hold your hand, but I will certainly be encouraging you from afar. Nice to see some new names committing themselves to keeping fit. Don't forget walking outside has benefits for both physical health and mental well being. Along with decent food of course. It is even more important to look after yourself these days. 

As I opened up the comments for people to check in, it was inevitable that this alerted the trolls to come on in and play their silly games. I call them trolls because their only mission is to disrupt the flow of the blog. They have nothing useful to contribute. 

I have moved most of my controversial stuff over to the other blog, and I shall continue to add to that. Nobody has to go there if they are not interested, and I won't be engaging in any discussions on the subject matter. 

Here is a message for those not in a happy place. If you are so wrapped up in your own anger and fear, you must seek out others in a similar situation. Join forces and engage in discussions with them. You may be able to thrash out your anger together, and find a better way to navigate the uncertainties of life. I have several friends who I can have meaningful conversations with. We are on the same wavelength. The support of a like minded friend is invaluable. 

I spend a good part of my day smiling. Knowing myself and understanding my feelings is how I work out what I am going to do next. It is something that can be learnt. The ability to make sense of things stretches the mind, and enables you to go off a different direction when changes are needed. 

Time for lunch and then an afternoon walk. Look after yourself. If I have to close the comments, all you lovely readers out there can be assured that I am not going anywhere. I can function perfectly well as someone on the edge looking in. I don't have to be in the middle. 

Toodle pip. ilona

More music please.

What a fantastic way to start the day. A mug of coffee and a foot tapping song. Look how everybody is smiling. We need more piano's please in public places. Two together, what a bonus. This is in Battersea Power Station. Look out Brendon and Terry, you have competition. I would like to see a piano festival, a competition, hundreds of hands all playing at the same time. How cool would that be. 😎😍😜

Time for porridge. Have a lovely day. Toodle pip.   ilona

EDIT.

Got to come back with this one. Those piano's are sure getting a bashing. If you like that, now watch this. 

Not four, but SIX. 

More eating today.

Another Christmas Party to go to today. This time it was the Coffee Morning 'do'. We had it in the afternoon starting at 12noon. This is a large and popular group in the village. It's great, it brings people together. Many of us live alone, so it is something to look forward to every week. 

They laid on a smashing spread, buffet style. Hot home made soup, sandwiches, pastries, and cake. 

I changed my hair colour yesterday, now I am a blondie. 

My dress is 33 years old. I bought it in 1990 when I was invited to the Women of the Year Luncheon at the Savoy Hotel. I have had other dresses since then, but this is the only one I have left. I tend to wear mostly  trousers, and sometimes skirts. This dress means a lot to me, I have some happy memories of it.  

I've dug out this old photo from 2009. I wore it at a Ladies dinner where I was the guest speaker. I've just noticed, I'm wearing the same boots. Chuffin heck. 

No more parties to go to. That's it, done. I can't cope with all the eating involved with Christmas. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

An afternoon of laughter.

Our Chatty Crafty club started as normal today, at 10am. We usually finish at 12, but today we had our Christmas celebrations, which went on till gone 2 o clock. The tables were set out in the big hall, very lovely I thought. They did a good job. 

The tree is looking fabulous. 

The bar is set out. Sherry for starters, then wine. 

The main meal was lasagna, meat or vegetarian. Very nice. Cheese and crackers after the meal.

Lisa makes jewellery and we were all given a pair of earrings. I had my ears pierced a long time ago but haven't worn earrings for many years. I couldn't find my holes, so I hung the mini Christmas trees on my glasses. Oh dear, I look a bit flushed. I only had one glass of wine, honest. 😆

And a jolly time was had by all. 

It's half past seven, and I am just having a snack. I don't need much after stuffing my face this afternoon. 

Toodle pip.   ilona

Art by Beverley

 I was on holiday down in Cornwall four years ago. I found an art exhibition at St Ives and went in for a browse. This was my favourite piece. I chatted to the lady who made it. 

I have kept in touch with Beverley, and the other day she sent me a picture of her latest creation. She says . . . . . . 

Hi Ilona, it's taken me four years to get round to finishing LOVE TO HOARD 2 and so I am unveiling it here on your Facebook age as a tribute to you. I'm putting versions 1 and 2 on my page later.

Wow, had to laugh. It's fantastic. Thank you Beverley.

Raining hard here today. No dog walking. I went to the retail park and did some shopping. 

Catch ya tomorrow. Toodle pip.   ilona