Monday 14th December

To my beautiful Princess who is suffering with Woman Flu...to the moon and back again.  As promised the pickies from the last day in BG will follow and my workmen closed up the site perfectly and I got rid of all of the rubbish from their waste bin.  My woodburner was burning in its newly appointed corner while they did the last of the concrete floors in the kitchen which was supposed to be a little job.  Wrong.  They decided that all it needed was a little step which I said was what it didn't need coming from the hall into the kitchen so they set about digging out the kitchen floor and now I have a decent layer of concrete instead of a skim.

The long ladder was taken apart, the small ladder removed after I had taken the last photographs and the final piece of polythene was put into place to secure the upper floor for my sojourn to the UK.  As they laid the last of the floor the first snowflakes appeared and it was perfect timing for me.  It was light but sort of signified that it was time to stop work and for us all to take a break and what they have achieved is truely amazing.  We have come a long way with the house.  

Supper in our little restaurant with Heinz and Silvana and a fond farewell on Friday night to the family was sad.  On Saturday morning the snow covered the ground, the bus from Djebel to Sofia was on time and the flight was on schedule.  Back in the UK it is almost as if I have changed worlds and now to prepare for Christmas.

Thursday 17th December

Well the snow has followed me back and we had our first flurry at lunchtime while I was enjoying lunch with Angela.  Everywhere is so busy with firms taking over places for Christmas lunches.

I've finished my cards, got most of my presents and am looking forward to lunch with Princess and the frogs on Christmas day.  My contribution...my special sausage meat stuffing and bread sauce.  I should be able to manage that at a push.  Christening this weekend.  Ten thirty in London so weather permitting....there with boots blacked.  Lecka nosht....

Saturday 19th December

Got a few pickies yesterday morning of the snow and went down for a walk down to the sea this lunchtime,  Now our postmaster reckons that we should support our local post office and not do things on the web and guess what the bloody place closed down at 12.30 just as I was about to buy the stamps for my Christmas cards...so why wasn't he supporting me.  Ended up in the Co-op to get the stamps and now my cards are on their way...with a bit of luck.

The sea was lovely and it was strange to see snow and sea together but with the sun shining on the sea it was worth the walk.  I even managed to pick up the last few presents for the kiddiwinkles from the dinky-do shops.

I seem to collect snow wherever I am....

Monday 21st December

Now I've changed machines I can now put on the pickies from the beach....here goes but with more snow forecast for today....and tomorrow I'm supposed to be in Hatfield for a 'bash' I'm watching the weather very closely.  Wouldn't like to miss out on a good night out and a chance of catching up with MikeyB.

Wednesday 23rd December

Well it's almost here and I still have to get some presents.  Had a wonderful time last night with the best retail team ever in T-Mobile and despite the fact that this might be disputed in the corridors of power I would fight the last man/woman standing and defend the statement.  The restaurant was in Hatfield and the food absolutely great and the highlight was midnight shopping in Tesco where we spotted Ron Weasly from Harry Potter but without the famous entourage.  We reckoned he was probably filming in the area though not at that time of night and especially in Tesco.

The journey down this morning was great until I hit the A23 when it all ground to a halt.  It took me about an hour to do the fifteen minute journey to home and despite a 'blood' van racing passed at a terrific rate I didn't see the cause of the holdup or any blood and gore on the road.  Now that's just not fare!!

The temperature has shot up from -3 this morning to +7 now in Brighton so now I should manage to go down with some sort of ailment.  Off to church tonight to get in the last before Christmas and into Asda to get those last minute things that probably everyone else is going out to buy.  Last minute shopping was supposed to peak at 12.14 today but I bet there will be hoards tonight at 9.00pm.

Now I'm going to settle down for a coffee and see if there is any comfort food lingering....and don't ask me why... just know that I can....BFN....

Tuesday cont

And here is the photo to prove that we were the best retail team ever......at play last night....not a brilliant pickie but adequate for purpose.....

Saturday 26th December

Boxing day...so called I reckon because you box up all those presents you didn't want and take them back now the shops are open.  Am I coming over as a misery socks?  I had a really good day yesterday with Princess and co.  Chief frog cooked everything to perfection and the chocolate tin was always available.  Peter James twittered me to say that he has at last found the Christmas Spirit after I told him it was in the decanter on the sideboard.  

Driving duty for me so for the first time on Christmas day I drank two sips of a cocktail over lunch and then nothing at all until my car was safely in the drive back home.  I finished off a bottle of lookalike Baileys and suffered all night for my sins.  It seemed to push my blood pressure up a bit so no more of that stuff for me.

The sales are on.  My Inbox is full of promotional emails for holidays and the likes but I think I shall not be venturing out.  The weather is now +8, no snow and raining.....fun egh.

And now...enjoy Boxing Day

Woohoo finally managed to read your updates!  

Really sorry I missed you earlier this week, as I was really looking forward to seeing you again!

Well I hope you have a lovely time catching up with everyone and have a wonderful Christmas and New Year!

Lots of love

MikeyB

XXX

Sunday 27th December

Thanks Mikey B and I'll forgive you since you were snowed in and no I don't want a note from your parents this time round.

Well used my trusty bus pass to go into Brighton to join the masses doing the sales slog.  My bargains...a pair of boots from Next reduced from £80 to £30 in a colour that I wouldn't normally buy and a red cast iron casserole dish that will remain in England until some one is going out with transport.  But the price was right.  

Yesterday was a complete wash out weather wise and today looked like it was going to be better until we approached Brighton.  At least it didn't rain but the wind was cold.  Thornton's couldn't be ignored so I'd better throw the box away before I feel completely guilty.  The weight that I've taken off has to stay off.....so I must have an easier day of food and drink tomorrow and for the rest of the week.

I had a lovely surprise yesterday.  My builder from BG managed to get someone to send an email with Christmas and New Year well wishes .....so I responded with a few words of Turkish reminding him that there was lot of work left to do.  It's about a month before I go out so they should be well rested.....anyway, enough said....I only said that I'd reduce the drink intake tomorrow so Lecka nosht.....I'm off for a refil.

Tuesday 29th December

The end of the year is rapidly approaching and so forward into 2010.  Where did those years from the Millenium go?  We were all worried about computers and the like when the 2000's came in and what did happen...absolutely nothing.

It is still raining and the cold spell is yet to hit the south.  I hope it stays away since I am heading up to the Midlands probably towards the beginning of next week and that's the last thing that I want...bad weather.  To jjjj who tried to join, I have to sort out your registration.  It appears to have been disabled and not by me.  I think that the name made it look like a spoof but not so, it is one of my builders who would like to see pictoral proof of his labours.  I'll see if I can get it sorted.

Now there isn't much to say....so I'll leave it at that....and I'm on the case jjjj.