The magic of the www

Hello. Just thought I would pop back tonight to tell you about something amazing that happened today. You may remember that my wonderful computer fixer upper emigrated to Australia nigh on two years ago now. I was very sad when Mark went, although it was the best move for him and his family. They are now settled in a nice area in a lovely house, they have jobs and a car each and their children are happy in their school. I've never met his family but Mark is an all round good guy.

So why am I singing his praises now, I haven't seen him for two years. I sent him a message via Facebook, asking how do I connect the Hudl to my internet connection here in the house. A couple of messages went back and forth, then this morning I had just replied to him and literally seconds later the phone rang. I had the shock of my life, Mark was on the line wanting to help me.

My phone is upstairs next to the big computer and he thought the password I needed would be on there, as that's what he used to connect up the little net book. I switched it on, and the screen filled up with messages like it has been doing for several months. I just ignore them because I don't use the big computer very often now.

I followed Marks instructions clicking where he told me to click. A code and password came up in a box and I read them out to him. Things started happening on my screen as he took over the computer. I had sat with him many times before as he worked his magic, unable to understand the double dutch  which appeared, or keep up with the speed at which things were happening. He is like grease lightening when it comes to fixing things.

He chatted as he worked, I found out all about his new life in Australia, and for just over an hour this went on. I worried that his phone bill would be horrendous, but he assured me that it is very cheap to phone England, he pays a very reasonable annual fee to Skype and all calls are covered.

He found the password I needed for the Hudl so that is now connected. He also went through the whole computer and gave it a thorough clean, there was a few bits that shouldn't have been there, and he put me a new anti virus on. It's running like a new computer again.

Isn't it flippin amazing that someone from the other side of the world can sort out my computer for me. Mark, if you are reading this I am really chuffed that you were able to do this for me, you are one of the best.

Tonight I've been to college for the first lesson on up cycling. We were asked to take a man's shirt and we are turning them into cushions. I didn't have a shirt, but my good friend Barry had a rummage in his wardrobe and found one he doesn't wear any more. The first thing to do was iron it, then measure a cushion and make a paper pattern and use that to cut out the material. I skipped the paper bit as my shirt is a bit smaller and I will make a cushion to fit it. The front with the buttons on becomes the back of the cushion, and other parts of the shirt will be used to customize the front of it. Ideas for customizing will be demonstrated next week by the teacher. Photo's to follow.

I'll sign off now, time for the hot chocolate and beddybyes. Good night.    

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Making a nest.

It's been a champion drying day, the washing is all put away after a good blow on the line. None of it gets ironed, I don't do ironing. The bed has been stripped and made up again. I have posted about this before, but it was ages ago so worth another mention. It's how I make my bed into a nest. 

First I have a mattress cover. On top of that I put one duvet, this I lie on top of. The lining of my nest if you like. Then I have four pillows for my head. I actually lie on two or three of them, the fourth one is used to prop me up in a sitting position while I read for ten minutes. Inside my bed I have another pillow which goes under my knees. I just find it more comfortable that way. 

Next on top of that is another duvet.

And finally another duvet. So that's one underneath and two on top. 

This is my nest ready to get into. I am not using the quilt I made at the moment as it's not needed. I will save it for the spring and summer. By surrounding myself in these duvets I burrow down like a mouse in a hole. I used to have an electric blanket many moons ago, but since making my bed like this in the winter I haven't bothered to replace it. I occasionally have a hot water bottle, but it isn't always necessary. So there you are, as snug as a bug in a rug.

On a different note, I made an interesting discovery today. I love this fabric which I am using to make a bag. There will be some left, but not enough for a second bag.

Turn it over and look at the other side. Isn't it amazing? It's like a painting, like someone has daubed paint on with a brush. I can see a picture hanging on the wall. This has got my mind working. It could be framed as it is, but what about adding embroidery to it in different colours, and maybe some beads. It could be quite an amazing piece of art.

Now I can't make up my mind which side I like best, the front of it......

Or the back of it? There are a lot of possibilities here. I shall look more closely at the back of fabrics in future, you never know what you will find.

Haven't got time to hang around tonight. Got to get my dinner, then I'm going to do the supermarket dash. I'm going yellow sticker hunting. Hope I'm lucky. Catch you tomorrow.
Toodle pip.

PS. I watched Dragons Den while on the trainer last night. Almost an hour. Had to stop halfway through to take some clothes off. I was chuffin hot, ha ha.

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Sing your heart out

Something to share with you today. Something quite amazing, something chuffin brilliant. I am not a fan of talent programmes, they build people's hopes up and then they knock them down. Not everyone can get through to the finals, not everyone has talent, in fact some of them have no talent at all, but they are prepared to put themselves in the firing line in the hope of a big break. Instead all they get is a lot of ridicule. The programme makers know that. They include them because they will increase ratings, a terrible example of exploitation, a cruel way to make money. I don't watch talent programmes because I feel for the people entering, also I don't have a television set, a good enough reason I think.

Last night, while pottering around on yooootoooob I happened to come across some of the better auditions, and these people definitely have got talent. I absolutely love the way first impressions go completely out of the window once they open their mouth. Remember Susan Boyle, and Jonathan and Charlotte? Absolute gems of inspiration.

I am beginning to appreciate good music, and find myself being drawn to fabulous voices, the type that can actually sing. I have picked out these for you to listen to, see if you agree with me, that these are absolutely amazing. There are some surprises here, you will be blown away, and you will need your hanky. There is raw passion here, and it shows as they give it their all. Enjoy your Sunday.











Well, what do you think? Stunning eh! Catch you tomorrow. Toodle pip.

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Happy families

Hello. The wanderer returns I got back at 6pm tonight, after a delightful couple of days with my family. Sis is happy in her new home, it looks lovely. They downsized because they didn't want to have to tidy their massive garden every time they came back from a holiday. The new smaller bungalow is not far from the old one as they like the area, and they have enough hard standing for the caravan instead of paying for it to go into storage. Everything had to be ripped out, and refitted from scratch. She has a lovely modern kitchen and bathroom, new everything in fact. Today work is starting on taking down the old fashioned lean to conservatory and a brand new one is being built which will give them an extra room.  They made the right decision to move, even though it took them five years to sell. Well worth the wait until the buyers with the right offer came along, and they found just what they wanted in the new house.

Sis had planned a meal out with friends and family last night. to celebrate her birthday. I went to the pub for an hour and had a drink with them before they moved onto the restaurant. It was very noisy, there was a duo on, singing and playing guitars. I am not very good with noisy places, I struggle to join in conversations because I can't hear what people are saying to me, then I get fed up of shouting and give up. I didn't join them for the meal, not a fan of Indian food, so I went on to Uncle Stan's house and stayed there for the night.

This morning we went to the library to see his paintings in the exhibition. He sold five last week, all the money is going to the Air Ambulance. Here he is chatting to someone who is interested in learning how to paint. Stan is always keen to encourage people to take it up, and likes to help with advice.

It was difficult to take good photo's, because of the reflections in the glass. It didn't help that they were displayed in the foyer of the library opposite the big windows overlooking the car park. I had to take some of them at an angle to try and minimise the reflections. This one with the red dot  in the bottom corner has sold.

This portrait is amazing, such an uncanny likeness. I think John Hurt himself should buy it.

 Another colourful abstract has sold. I like this one.

Stan stands beside his self portrait. Pretty good eh!

The exhibition runs till Saturday so if you are near Burton on Trent, pop and have a look. You might catch Stan there, as he likes to sit and have a coffee and watch people's reactions to his work. He would love it if you speak to him. He is amazing, I hope I am still on the go when I am 90. 

I've had a smashing day today. After a lovely lunch cooked by Pat, I went back to the town for an hour before I set off back home. I wanted to have a look round, and see how it has changed in the seventeen years since I left there. I'll post the pics tomorrow. Toodle pip

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Slipperboots, prototypes 2 - 8

Hi there, Some more work today on my new invention the slipperboot. There were some great ideas on yesterdays post, thank you for your contributions. Someone suggested buy some insoles from a �1 shop, erm, no, the idea is not to spend any money, but to make something from what I already have. So, more playing today, first change the string for cable ties. Bought these years ago, they are very cheap if you buy a big bag, they come in handy for all kinds of jobs.   

As you can see, they don't do this job very well because they are too short. They don't cover enough of the boot and the carpet sole will soon slip off.

Try again, I found some longer ties and put six on.

 Aahhh, much better this time. I can pull the lace tight around the boot. This might be the answer.

Next was to try something else. Cut the bottoms off a pair of tights somewhere near the knee. They are nice and stretchy and fit perfectly. Wow, yes, good idea but they are quite thin.

Let's try a pair of socks. Nope, not stretchy enough, can't get them over the heel.

Now these have a bit of stretch in them, very tight fitting mind you, a lot of tugging and pulling to get them on. Nice colour though, more fashionable.

What about these. Thick socks, they've got holes in them, but even with the tops cut off they don't have enough stretch to pull up the back of the heel.  

The bits cut off make good wrist warmers though, ha ha.

Finally, a pair of socks that fit. And to give them a slipperish appearance I've added a couple of colourful stuffed bugs. Don't they look cute.

I think I will stick with this idea for the winter, living in a cold house with rationed heating. The slipperboots will keep my feet warm, fingerless gloves and wrist warmers to keep my hands warm. All I've got to do now is invent something to keep my nose warm :o))
Toodle pip

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Putting the boot in

My huge pussycat furry slippers are falling to bits. After getting them out every winter and repairing the soles with sticky tape, I think it's time to bin them. Sad I know but they don't keep my feet warm any more with ruddy great holes in them. I feel a little bit sentimental about letting them go because they were a gift from my sister. She bought herself a pair at the same time, which were ditched a long time ago, whereas I tried to keep mine going for as long as I could.  

Anyway, today my feet were cold so I need to find something else to wear in the house. I'm too mean to buy any new slippers, so I had a look at the footwear I already have. I bought a soft pair of boots from a charity shop in the summer for �2.50. They are clean because I've only worn them a few times going to town, and they are so so comfy. They are also big enough to accommodate my knee high thick socks.

I don't like walking around the house with outdoor shoes and boots on, it wears the carpet out and scratches the vinyl floor covering in the kitchen. I can't afford to replace them, they have to last. So then I had an idea, why not make some soft soles which can be attached to the bottoms of the boots. I found a carpet offcut and drew around them.  

Then I got some string and a needle with a large eye, and added a series of loops at the front around the toes and three loops at the back on the heel. Next I got a spare shoe lace and threaded it through the loops starting at the front, going through the normal lace, taking it around the heel and back along the other side. Fastening it in a bow at the front.

There you go, a soft sole which will do no damage to the floor, and keep my feet warm at the same time.

This is the prototype for the new boot conversion to slippers model. I need to tweak the design a little, make all the loops the same size. I think I need five loops at the back instead of three. Could possibly put loops all the way around.

The slipper boots aren't very quick at putting on and taking off, so they would be a bit inconvenient if you needed to pop in and out a lot to the garden. I might have to rethink the string and come up with something a bit more rigid to make the lace threading a bit easier. It's early days, some more ideas will come.  You never know I might get onto Dragons Den with my new invention, ha ha.

Toodle pip.

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Inspiration for us all.

I was a bit late back last night after visiting my sister, then my uncle. Sis and hubby have a new bungalow, well not new exactly, it needs a lot of work doing to it to make it habitable. They have downsized, and are now living in their caravan, on site while the work is being carried out. All the rooms are bare, it will be a new bathroom, kitchen, and a conservatory built on the side. A big task to undertake. It's a bit like those tele programmes where someone buys a wreck at a knockdown price at an auction, then proceeds to turn it into a little palace. They have got a lot of work on there.

Ninety year old uncle is still getting on with his life, still as sharp as ever. When I told him about my sore ankle, it's more the heal actually, he got his ancient medical books out so I was able to look up the symptoms, and read what treatment is needed. I think I have a sprain, still a bit sore, and need to elevate the foot and put a cold compress on it. Easier said than done, I hate being immobile. Still, needs must and I have been sitting here with my leg on the dining room table, with a bag of peas on my foot, sewing, and watching catchup tv.

I've been reading about a new Channel 4 programme called Fabulous Fashionistas, it was broadcast on Tuesday night. My sis was also raving about it saying how good it is, so this morning I sat and watched it while I got on with the patchwork.

I have to say, it was pretty darn good. It's about six older women, in their seventies and eighties, who refuse to give up and die. They are living life to the full and having a ball. People often say I inspire them, but who inspires me? Women like these on this programme do. They all don't give a damn what others think of them, they are all fashionable, they go to work, one has a husband 27 years younger than her, they are just amazing. I must say, I felt like I was a teenager, 64, phew, just a spring chicken. These women are busy, they exercise, they look after themselves, and they love life. They mad me laugh, and I shed a tear. Definitely women to aspire to.

If you have a spare 47 minutes, have a look at it. It's on 4oD and yootoob, so everyone should be able to see it. I guarantee you will love it.

Fabulous Fashionistas on Channel 4oD

Fabulous Fashionistas on youtube

Happy viewing. Toodle pip

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Revisiting my super yacht

Remember this from last year, when I went to Canary Wharf London to see my super yacht. It was there for the Olympics. A wealthy businessman from Australia owns it. I was able to speak to a crew member, but sadly wasn't allowed to go on board. I was so excited to see it.

Read the original post from 2nd of August 2012, here.

 

 

Well, yesterday I had an email from someone who had read the post, and he sent me a link for the web site of the company who designed and built the interior. I didn't know at the time that it had a refit just before it came to London, and a new helipad had been built on it. From that link I found more information and more photo's, and a video of the first time a helicopter landed on it at sea. I've put the links here if you are interested. The video is lovely, and the interior is fabulous.

Read the report on the refit here, in The Superyacht Magazine.

Video of the first helicopter landing while at sea.

Click through the photo's of the interior here

Isn't she wonderful. I've just checked on www.marinetraffic.com and at this moment in time Ilona is moored in the port of Vilanova, which is just down the road from Barcelona, in the Balearic Sea. The wonders of modern technology, amazing.

I've been out all day today, visiting family, short post tonight. Catch you tomorrow.
Toodle pip.

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