Welcome back troll

I am so pleased that my troll is back, where have you been I missed you. I need you to keep visiting because it bumps my page views up. I'm not worried by your sarky comments, they all get binned anyway, you will never see them published on here. But please, carry on sending them because I like to see my stats growing daily. You mentioned that I didn't get many comments on yesterdays post, poking fun at me was your aim I think. You obviously don't understand how blogs work. The amount of comments is no indication of how popular a blog is, it's the number of page views which is the magic figure. A look behind the scenes tells me that post has had over 500 page views.

I'll give you some more stats being as you are so interested in my blog. The highest ever number of page views on one post is 8,064. Yes, eight thousand, so I'm hardly likely to be bothered by one post which doesn't get many comments. Number of posts in total 1,779, number of comments in total 19,264. I have racked up a total of 1,892,608 page views for the whole blog since the beginning.

Blogging is a game, it's fun, it's a hobby. Get over yourself troll, keep on visiting, it makes my stats look good.
Toodle pip.

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Speak for yourself

Oh what a miserable morning it is, lots of rain, best stay indoors today.

Ha ha, this is a recent comment which caught my attention. 

simplesuffolksmallholder11 October 2013 13:11

Blimey Ilona, I just reckon you got out of bed on the wrong side! Anyway you have loads of interests and lots of friends. Please tell us more about the talks you give to groups.

Nope, not got out of bed the wrong side, if I did I must have been in a grumpy mood all day, because I didn't write that particular post until late at night. The reason for my off the top of my heard garbled words was that I couldn't think of anything else to write. I had been flitting around looking for inspiration and kept reading the same old stuff over and over again. Not that I am knocking all money saving frugal blogs, some of them play an important role for those with absolutely no knowledge on how to manage their money. I sometimes forget that some people need constant reminders, and not everyone is like me, naturally tight with their money. I only have to read Money Saving Expert forum and I am astounded by the levels of debt people are in, and how they haven't a clue what the difference is between a need and a want. When someone talks about the price of wet wipes, I think WHAT! Get a bit of rag and wet it under the tap. Never mind the wet wipes, buy a loaf of bread instead for goodness sake.

 Anyway, getting off my horse, I won't go on about it any longer. SSH wants to know about my talks. I first started giving talks about 25 years ago. I got a lot of people asking me about what it was like to be in the minority as a female lorry driver. Whilst I was always polite and answered their questions, I did find it a bit wearing after telling the same story over and over again. The usual questions were, how did you get into it, how long have you been doing it, what do the men think of it. One question really annoyed me, what does your husband think of you doing that job. If it was a male lorry driver asking, and it usually was, I replied, what does your wife think of you doing that job. Grrrrr.

 After a while I thought rather than tell one person I might as well tell my story to a whole group of people, so I contacted the WI in my area in the Midlands. I started to get a few enquiries. I didn't know what the going rate was, all I wanted was my expenses covered, it was a hobby. After a few months, people started passing my name around and I got more enquiries, some people are members of several groups, or have friends in other groups. I never set out to promote myself, I didn't need to, my details were passed around.

I must have done several hundred talks by now, I think I did most of the groups in Staffordshire and Derbyshire, and some of the ladies had husbands in men's groups, so I did some of those as well. Rotary Clubs, Round Table, and Probus, even did some Young Farmers. I can adjust the talk to the audience. The blokes like it a bit racey after their dinner. Be careful of my P,s and Q's with the ladies, especially if it's in a church hall, try not to offend. No swearing in front of the Young Farmers, though they could probably swear better than I can, ha ha. The mixed groups are good fun, because you have the men busting to laugh, but not sure if they should do in front of their wives. The ladies titter. I have seen people nearly wet themselves with laughing, that is great fun, ha ha. I know it's going well then so it spurs me on.

I have seen looks of shock and horror on some faces, as I push the boundaries out a bit. Sneak an odd naughty word out now and again. They look sideways to see if their friend is laughing. I haven't had anyone walk out yet. Every talk is different.

When I started doing talks, I had notes on cards, to prompt me. I soon dropped them as they were more of a hindrance than a help. For the trucking talks I had slides, something visual can be used as a prompt. Now, if I do a Meanqueen talk I take along crafting items I have made.

Professional after dinner speakers can make a lot of money, but I was never in that league. I once did a big Rotary Club do, as a back up speaker to a professional footballer. It was a disaster, I was completely out of my depth with it.

Generally, the bigger the audience the easier it is for me. I find it hard work speaking to ten people in a village hall,  it's much easier to speak to 100. Laughter is infectious. I have a set talk and scan their faces to see what is working and what is not. If things are looking a bit flat, I change direction, pep it up a bit, try something else. If they laugh I know I am on the right track. Reading your audience is important.

Knowing your subject is also important. I have never rehearsed at home, never in front of friends. My talks are about my life so I just bring all my memories up to the surface, open my mouth, and out they come. Give me a microphone and put me on a stage and I perform.

Here is me talking to a group at a new community centre which opened in Caistor. Dressing the part is also important. Here I am wearing clothes which have been given to me, or bought from a car boot sale or charity shop, to keep it in line with the recycling theme.    

 

More recycling ideas at a men's group. I talked about the walking as well, as I thought they might get a bit bored with the crafting. I had previously done a trucking talk for them and they invited me back. A meal was thrown in here as well. Again wearing second hand clothes.

I did a ladies group in a posh hotel for this one. Wearing my dress which is 25 years old, second hand boots, and home made accessories. And they fed me. My posh frock comes out now and again, I will be keeping that till I die.

I've picked a clip out from a video that someone made of the Lady Truckers. It starts with a few seconds of Linda, my friend in Ellesmere Port, then they overlap my voice towards the end of her bit and the start of me. Sorry about the poor quality. Film made in the 1980's.

 

 

So there you are. Hope you found that interesting. If anyone wants to ask any questions please feel free, about any topic as long as it's not politics or religion. I will answer you, but if you offend me I will delete you.

Chuffin heck, the sun has come out. Toodle pip. 

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Bean feast.

 I am attempting to write this while being mugged by Heidi cat. She is lying on the table between me and the keyboard, her wet nose pushing my hands every time I attempt to strike a key, I am making lots of mistakes which need rectifying. It's going to take me all night at this rate. Oh heck she has just gone ballistic jumping all over the place trying to catch a fly. Didn't catch it now her head is on the keyboard. She was out in the rain earlier and came in and jumped up on the table and shook herself like a dog, spots of water everywhere. She is a little minx.

Thanks all for your good blogs nominations, I've been having a nosey. Skywatch Friday has lots of stunning photo's of the sky. People can send them in from anywhere in the world. Spitalfields Life is all about the history of Spitalfields, which is a borough of London, if you are reading this from outside the UK. Quiltville BlogSpot is a very nice quilting blog with free patterns, try and ignore the adverts though. Auntie Helen.co.uk is all about cycling long distances on one of those sit with your arse on the ground trikes. It's my kind of blog, I shall be reading that. This has reminded me of  Ian Stallard, a friend of mine from quite a few years ago, he rode from Lands End to John O'Groats on one of those things. He has a way with words, his report is a good read, so if you are interested here is the link. He is also into restoring classic cars and motorcycles, so one for the blokes to read I think. Ian Stallard Engineering. 

While we're on about cycling, here is another story about an End to End ride, this time it's the other way round, from top to bottom. Richard Cannon from Down the Lane did it, there is a full report on his web site. Here you go. Richard Cannon bike ride. 

Plenty of reading to be going on with there, it's like a library here, don't forget to bring the books back when you've finished, ha ha. That reminds me, I've had an email from our library, I have some due to go back.

Right, what's been happening here. My friend is back from hospital feeling a whole lot better now he has an electronic gadget embedded in his chest to keep his heart beating at a normal pace. Amazing isn't it. Lady dog was pleased to see him arrive back.

Look at the poor sunflowers. The strong winds have broken four of the stems. Can't be repaired so I have taken them off and stuck them in the pots below. I don't seem to have any birds in my garden, so I might take some of the flower heads to Barry's garden where he has masses of birds visit every day. He spends loads of money feeding them, and doesn't have any cats so they are a bit safer there.

Looking a bit scrawny now. I'm going to miss them when they have gone altogether. Bit sad really.

I fancied something a bit different for my dinner yesterday so this is what I made. As you know I am not a big fan of spending time in the kitchen, but this is easy enough. One tin of Aduki beans, rinse and mash them up in a bowl.

Cooked lentils, cooked as per instructions on the packet. Rinse, simmer for 30 minutes, and strain.

In a small pan put one chopped onion and a grated courgette. Cook in a little oil, I used sesame seed oil. Add two teaspoons of linseeds, some curry powder, and garlic puree, and a shake of mixed spice.   

Mix everything all together in the bowl.

At this stage the mixture was a bit too wet, so I added three of those cheap wheatabix type breakfast cereal biscuits, crushed up in a plastic bag. You could use any type of cereals or oats. Then I got stuck in with my hands and made 18 small burger shapes. I grilled them, and served with broccoli and broad beans.

I've eaten six more tonight with a salad, and have six for tomorrow night. They are very nice and tasty.
Heidi cat is back, I'll wrap it up now, not going to get any peace from her. Toodle pip. Have a nice Sunday.

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Blog hopping

I've had a busy day, backwards and forwards to my friends house to take the dog out. I've also been sitting with her for a while, I took some sewing with me. My friend is out of hospital now, he might be back tomorrow, even so, he might need some help with walking Lady dog because she pulls like a huskie. He has had a pacemaker fitted, so he won't be able to do anything strenuous for a while.

I've been flitting around blogs, it's amazing how many dead ones there are out there. I find something of interest only to discover that there has been no postings for a year or so. Most frustrating. Some of them start in a flurry of enthusiasm, only to die a death after a week or two when the owner has lost interest and failed to keep them going.

Thank you for all your suggestions, I am sifting through them. This is a good one. http://busesandbedhopping.wordpress.com/2013/10/02/eight-hours-on-the-train-to-see-some-wooden-churches/ Thank you Albedo for suggesting it, your niece seems to be having a good time on her travels around Europe.

Jan suggests The Oatmeal. Sorry Jan, I just don't get it. Comics, jokes, quizzes, games, not funny. Also Bored Panda? Sorry, not my cup of tea, I'd have to be bored out of my skull to go there. Sorry.

Hi Campfire. Thank you for that,  http://www.lemondedesucrette.com/ is a lovely blog, all about crochet and some sewing. Very pretty colours and some good ideas.

Hi Virginia. An interesting travelling blog but could be better. http://royalpoutine.blogspot.co.uk/ Not many posts, and not enough photographs. I'll have a read of it.

Hi Marigold Jam. I can't get into your blog, it is not open to everyone.

Hi Sharon. Susan Branch has quite a following. There are some aspects of her blog which I am not too keen on. While she might be a very nice lady it's all about self promotion, and she must be good at it because she gets lots of comments. She has an advertising page and talks about 'we', as if it is a company rather than just herself. I see there is a different person to contact  for advertising enquiries. Advertising, guest posts, product reviews, sponsored posts, are all a big turn off for me. She is running a business rather than just blogging. I won't be going back.

Quinn your goat is lovely, and your dogs, and your knitting, and your coloured plastic buckets. I like it, a bit of allsorts. www.comptonia.blogspot.co.uk

Hi Virginia. I think I might get lost on the trail journals site. The layout looks a a bit like a forum, there are lots of links to take you here there and everywhere, I was looking for something to read, but kept finding myself down dead ends. Perhaps I need to take another look and backtrack a bit. If anyone else wants to get lost it's here.  http://trailjournals.com/index.cfm

Anyway, I must cut this short, got to take a dog out for the last walkies before bed time. If anyone wants to search for new blogs to read you only have to click on a persons name, and their link should take you to their blog. I do it all the time. Blog hopping, I often get lost, ha ha. Catch you tomorrow. Toodle pip.

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In search of something amazing

Please excuse me if I don't write a brilliant post tonight, I am suffering from a serious overload of anything connected with frugal, thrifty, money saving, scrimping, simple living, food, cooking, recipes, and all things to do with the cost of living, surviving on a small income, and not spending money. Nobody is telling me anything new, I've heard it all before and I've read it all before. It's in the news, it's on the radio and TV, it's everywhere you turn. There's got to be more to life.

I'm spending an hour or two looking around blogland for something different to read, something stimulating, something interesting, so please excuse me while I go off on my travels, winding my way through the millions of blogs, in search of something to amaze me. I will report back if I find anything.
Toodle pip

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Where there's a will............

Writing a will is quite complicated, a task that I wouldn't want to undertake with a DIY will bought from a stationers shop. There are will writing companies out there, but I am wary of how genuine their qualifications are. Seems to me that a solicitor is the best choice. I don't want to pay, so I am having a free one drawn up.

I've just gone through the old will I made ten years ago because it wants some serious updating. Quite honestly I had forgotten what I had put into it, and reading it again is like reading it for the first time. I am surprised how things have moved on and some of the people named are no longer part of my life. I've gone through it with a red marker pen, scrubbing out those who have drifted away. The friend I used to be very good friends with, who didn't invite me to her wedding. That hurt. The ex who has another partner. He dumped me, I was sad. The good friend who was very domineering. I didn't like the way she was always telling me what to do. I felt bullied. Thank goodness I still have one very good friend who has always been there for me, and always will be.    

Some of the charities have been given the red pen treatment, my feelings towards them have changed because of what I have found out about them in the last ten years. But it's difficult to make any informed choices about which charities to support, because the truth behind them often does not come out. I recently found out something about a local charity from an ex employee, which did not please me. I don't feel inclined to leave them anything now.

It's very difficult to work out who to leave things to, even with a small family such as mine. It must be horrendous for someone who has family complications. If I knew when I am going to die, I would have a date to work towards. Some of the people in my will might go before me, then I suppose their inheritance will be passed down to their next of kin.

If I had a dispatch date I could start giving it away before I go, that would give me great pleasure. I have always wished I could win a large sum of money, then give it away to those who need it. I would love to be the secret millionaire, like the programme on the tele. Imagine the surprised look on their faces as I handed over a cheque. Now I'm dreaming, back to this will mularky.

If I think about it, I am glad I haven't got a lot of money, imagine all the bickering that goes on after a will has been read and folks are miffed that they haven't got what they think they deserve. Money can bring out the worst in people.

I wish I didn't have to make this will, but I have to. With a bit of luck I will have got rid of most of it while I have still got my marbles. Having a good time is on my agenda.

I was going to see the solicitor tomorrow, but I've had to put it back a few days. An emergency came up, a friend got the call to go into hospital yesterday, and I am looking after his dog. A minor op, should be out soon. Short post, I'm off out tonight, giving a frugal/moneysaving/scrimping/meanqueen talk to a W I group. Donation for the pussycat rescue.
Toodle pip.

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Visit to Thornton Abbey

In the top right hand corner of North Lincolnshire, close to the villages of Thornton Curtis, East Halton, and Barrow on Humber, is the largest monastic gatehouse in England. Although I have been living here a number of years now I have never been to see it. It's about time I did.

Thornton Abbey and Gatehouse is managed by English Heritage. Here is a link to their web site.

 

 There is more information on Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia, link here.

Thornton Abbey   

Ruins of Thornton Abbey

Thornton Abbey was founded as a priory in 1139 by William le Gros, the Earl of Yorkshire, and raised to the status of Abbey in 1148. It was a house for Augustinian or black canons. These priests lived a communal life under the Rule of St Augustine but also undertook pastoral duties outside of the Abbey. Officers within the Abbey besides the abbot and prior included a cellarer, bursar, chamberlain, sacrist, kitchener and an infirmer. It is located close to the small North Lincolnshire village of Thornton Curtis.
The abbey was closed in 1539 by Henry VIII as part of the dissolution Thornton was a wealthy and prestigious house valued at the dissolution, at the considerable sum of �591 0s 2 � d.

This is my photograph of the front gate, as you approach from the car park. It looks rather magnificent but on closer inspection most of the brickwork is crumbling. Hardly surprising considering how old it is. I am not sure if any preservation work is planned, or if any has been carried out. There is no obvious evidence of it.

This photo is taken from the English Heritage web site, it's the view of the gatehouse from the inside looking out.

 There are ornate carvings above the archway.

 

These are the original doors which are now so crumbling from the bottom up, they are secured safely against the walls. Imagine the work that went in to carve doors of this size.

I got as far as peeking through the archway to see what is inside the grounds, when a lady emerged from inside the shop and said she will have to charge me if I go any further. I decided not to pay the �4.10 and walked away. There didn't seem to be much else to look at apart from the gatehouse. I see there is a photo of the last remaining ruins of The Chapter House, (small picture above), apart from that it is all grassland with pleasant walks amongst a few ruins. Nice to spend a couple of hours walking around or picnicking in the sunshine if you are in the area, it's free entry if you are a member of English Heritage. You can walk from Barton along the Humber bank, to Immingham, but any further south and you hit the docks and industrial areas, which are full of chemical works and gas plants. I might go and have a look there one day.
It's sunny again today, so best make the most of it and go outside.
Toodle pip.

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