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Elsa Peters
March 11, 2011, 1:53pm Report to Moderator

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Friday 11th March

So I text Gouljan last night to see if she wanted a lift this morning and no response.  So having woken up at silly o'clock I thought I would look out for the bus to see if she was on it but since it was -6 outside, pyjamas weren't exactly arctic gear so while I came in to get another coat on the bus went sailing by so I was none the wiser.  My next plan was to text here again this time from my PAYG phone not my PC and yes she wanted a lift and Cinderella would be at the bus stop at 7.45.  I removed the ice from the car and got thoroughly frozen fingers doing it and yes, she was late again so explained the one that she would be late for her own funeral and this turned into a Bulgarian lesson all by itself...the word to die, the word for funeral...being late and missing it...it just went on and on.....

Dropped her off at eight, carried on to Kardjali and everything was waking up...not much traffic, people scurrying to jobs or to get buses but really pleasant.  Went to my material shop, got six meters of the material that I had already seen and managed to get a three meter curtain pole, did Lidls but only lightly and stopped off at Dzebel on the way back and got a really fresh crusty loaf.  As I went through Dushinkovo before getting to my house there was an old man walking along the road.  I didn't recognise him so carried on but then I thought I could be neighbourly and so I turned the car round, turned it around again so that I was going the way he was going and said 'Poliantz' which is the next village on.  So he got in, he insisted on speaking Turkish, deaf as a post so I just said 'tell me where to stop'.  So we carried on, down an unmade road which would have been better suited to the Beast, went up and then down again and I saw the houses at the bottom.  So I stopped and said 'this OK' to which he replied that I was to carry on until there was no road left at all.  Dobre, sitchco hubovo (good, everything's fine) but I did have visions of Beauty not managing the climb or the shale surface so I did take it steady.  I saw his mate on the way back but thought that I wasn't going back to the mosque...this could have gone on all day.

When I used to work in Brighton, there was a sandwich shop that made the most amazing tuna mayonnaise sandwiches and on the way driving back I imagined one hunky sandwich.  I was disciplined, I unpacked the car, got the wood in, lit the small fire and then went for it.  Inch thick bread, lashings of butter and I thought I would be good and prepared the tuna mayo in a lidded tin which was a complete waste of time....yes...four sliced of bread and the whole tin of tuna and mayo later....I lay on the sunbed and let it all subside.  All I could hear were sheep munching, chickens clucking, the chanting of the Imam at the mosque and the birds singing away....

Had visitors this afternoon......Bekir and Sally showed up and Bekir wanted one of his tools that I had been storing since they left before Christmas.  They looked really well rested and we've sheduled in a two week commencement (weather permitting).  It's 24 in the sun today and is supposed to be like this for a few days.  My son phoned me this afternoon and asked what I was doing.  I replied that I was sitting in my bedroom watching the sheep....he thought that was 'cool'.

The curtain is a job for tomorrow only because I have to modify the pole slightly but to be sure you won't see me dancing round it tonight.....only if your eyesight is really good and I manage to get up the energy but with a silly o'clock start this morning (yet again)....not top of my agenda... now just a few pics of my freasia and is it spelled like that or freesia...there are two schools of thought...so I'll leave both to your own interpretation.



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Elsa Peters
March 12, 2011, 4:21pm Report to Moderator

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Saturday 12th March

Woke up at 6.50 and had a really good night's sleep...didn't seem to be any disturbances and I stoked up the fire before I went to bed so obviously it was the cold the night before that woke me.  White over this morning but not for long.  Sun came bounding over the mountain, got rid of the frost and then it was up with that little red thing on the thermometer and straight up to 24 today.  No messing.

I know that the sun energises me.  Today I have dug over my flower garden and raked it ready for my plants to go in, hacked into a new adjoining piece of land that hasn't been touched for years and removed the jam pot lids, about a barrow load of polythene and lots of broken glass.  Lazy living....if you bury it and can't see it then that's OK or let's move it up the road and .....just move it where you can't see it.  Education and a village skip which is what we don't have.....time to do some badgering I think...where's that mayor when you need him???

So what else have I done.....drilled and joined two broom handles and made a curtain pole, drilled the wall and fixed the said fittings and now ready to roll.  Curtain is cut and on the bedroom floor waiting to be pinned since that's the largest flat tiled area and I think the sewing machine might just come into its own tomorrow morning.  I've even worked out how to keep the curtains out of the way of the door and thanks to Lidls special offer, I have just the hooks to do it with.....oh ....how industrious I've been today.

Funny little incident this afternoon....my little girl that I give English reading practice arrived and asked if I had a wheelbarrow.  Well yes I do and she said that my avatar wanted it so I got it out of the gate, wheeled it up the road and knocked on avatar's door explaining that I had the wheelbarrow.  She looked at me as if I was playing a practical joke on her but I think one had just been played on me.  The little girl, in the yellow pullover skipped down the lane leaving us all a little confused, so I wheeled it back.......you let me hear that one round the village..

Another bit excitement....the sheep farmer has had two diggers out today and he now has a .....lake....it's supposedly like a dew pond for the animals but it's going to be a real puller for storks and herons and I can see it from my bedroom so binoculars at the ready.  Took some pictures of strange little flowers that are sprouting up in my garden....shan't post them since the connection tonight is 'poor'.  Why is it that when it's peeing down it's excellent and as the weather gets better the service gets decimated.

Right...supper beckons.  I have prepared nothing and am toying with the idea of cheesy chips and chicken wings at my restaurant.....I'll report back tomorrow....LN...
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Elsa Peters
March 13, 2011, 6:08pm Report to Moderator

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Sunday 14th March
And another beautiful day Baba Marta...she must be in a good mood.  There was a bit of a cold wind coming up from Greece--ish....but the sun was hot, hot, hot.   On the agenda for today...nothing except my Bulgarian lesson which is not so much as a lesson as an escaped for Gouljan from the normal and a bit of a chat.  We've agreed that the other house is hers since she needs space...I just have to get a roof on it first...

So what have I done...managed to sleep in until 8.15 which for me is unheard of and then mosied the day.  There was an old piece of 'woodwork' that had been hanging around for quite a time outsided.  Now it is a side table thanks to a few nails, other bits of salvaged wood and some wood preservative....It comes in tomorrow when the smell of the preservative has moved on and tonight is just outside the backdoor.

Had my Bulgarian lesson this afternoon and asked what I owed Gouljan for the previous weeks.  She came up with the grand total of ....NOTHING....since I had done a few mercy missions to Djebel and the likes....I shall get my own back...nobody does nothing for nothing.....I shall repay longterm.  She gave me a delightful present from Bursa....the evil eye woven into a wall hanging....I shall mount it properly on a piece of polished wood to give it the presence that the present deserves...

Well after a super meal of spaghetti bolog whatsit and a bottle of Spanish Temporillo (half in the bolognaise and the rest we won't speak about) for the equivalent of 85p a bottle from Lidl I thing I shall be paying a visit to that emporium and stocking up for visitors....and that's my excuse anyway....LN....I have .25 of a bottle to finish...
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Elsa Peters
March 14, 2011, 4:56pm Report to Moderator

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Monday 14th March

What a glorious day, weather wise and everything.  Don't you find that the sun energises you and you just want to do 'things'.  So what have I done?  I've planted lots of seed trays with flowering tobacco, nsturtians, marigolds, snapdragons, ornamental gourds, sunflowers, honeydew melons and dug over my small vegetable garden and put some carrots in.  This afternon there was a complete change of activity and I made my very own outside armchair or it might even come in yet I haven't decided.  There is lots of wood around but unfortunately it does have a habit or warping so some things just aren't as 'square' as you would like them but I can live with that.  As long as it supports me, isn't about to go sidesways and concertina, that's fine by me....afterall the house has been described as 'rustic' by one of my good friends who shall remain nameless, so at least the chair is in keeping with the rest of the stuff....anyway I digress.  It should be put together with screws but I kid myself that it's the prototype but it will probably be around for a while.  I know that screws are best but to do the job quickly so that you know that the design is going to work...nails do it for me at this stage.  I don't have a piece of paper with the dimensions on it....remember I am working with odd bits of wood so it I want two, I measure it and cut it in half a lot of the time....I just don't have the luxury or new wood, well I do if I go and buy some and I might have to now that I know that the prototype works.....well, I might have some friends round and they might need a chair as well.  I have three green plastic thingies that I just hate....practical but....

Well we've just had some excitement through the village.  You don't hear woo...woos here not like the UK where they are going off all the time...so I've just managed to get to the bathroom window and we have a fire engine and a police car going at full pelt towards the next village....I'll wait for the reports..

My freesia has three flowers out on the stem and the perfume in the kitchen is just wonderful.  I used to buy them in England, I love them.....but these two nurtured beauties are just special...so food, spaghetti from last night in the slow cooker and just about ready....nice glass of beer to wash it down and only the small wood burner tonight....I have had doors and windows open all day....now time to shut up shop....LN...a demain..



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Elsa Peters
March 15, 2011, 4:30pm Report to Moderator

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Tuesday 15th March

Well I think yesterday's activity was enough for two days so not much has happened today except that I have built myself a little cold frame to take the seeds and insulated it with bubble wrap just incase we have a drop in temperature.  Today it has been windows open all day, sun shining, wind from Greece and my washing was dry within quicksticks.  I do do it on the fastest spin so that there isn't much water left in it but I love to see washing at 90 degrees to the land and then you think well perhaps best get it in before it ends up, in this case, Kardjali.

Went out to get my bread today from the disco magasin and there was a bit of a 'jack the lad' from further down the village pulls his car up.  Him and his mate jump out, he vigourously shakes my hand and then says that I am a very beautiful woman and he orders a bottle of the local beer from the shop.  Now he is about 35, obviously had a drink or two and really shouldn't be driving even locally so I laugh, tell him that it is the beer talking and in England you would have recommended Specsavers.  He then got back in his car and drove further down the village.  I'd gone on a bit of a walkabout, I had a dish of something with pumpkin delivered by one of my ladies so I got three bags of oranges from the van and delivered them to my three lovely ladies who came round later to check out what I had done in my garden and they all want a freesia or two so my next visitor already has it on his list.

Now there are more fun and games happening.  If you remember I said that the sheep farmer was digging out a lake and I was surprised that the digger was still there and no activitiy for a couple of days.....reason being....it is stuck and tonight the cavalry has arrived and they are dancing in unison....one filling and one trying desparately....a bit like a midwife with a breach birth.....I'll let you know the outcome...

Not sure what is for supper tonight...I think it's still in the freezer but I did have another tuna and mayo sandwich at 2.30 so not really ravishing....LN....They are still at it out there....I've decided it's like War of the Worlds.....Da dada dar....da dada dar....eow...eow and I'm waiting for Richard Burton and the dialogue   LN



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Elsa Peters
March 16, 2011, 7:29am Report to Moderator

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Wednesday 16th March

Morning...just a quick update on the dancing earthmovers.....Last night they were working by lamplight until very late and I looked out this morning and could only see the one.  Now we had rain last night so I got out my binoculars and no, there were two but the second one seemed to be disappearing.  Just looked out now.  It appears that the missing one has been rescued and they are now digging in earnest taking out bushes and pounding them in.  Now I don't know if it is so that they can make their escape or continuing to dig out the lake.....progress will be reported on....

They are free..they were both working on the lake and the one left at 5.00ish and the other is berthed down towards the bottom the valley but I'm not sure what it's doing down there.  I think it has probably been an expensive pool of water but it has given the locals something to do, like watch the comings and goings and a bit of excitement.  There were about ten of them down there this morning supervising operations and they all have an opinion.

Well I spent an hour at my neighbours house this morning.  I went to return the plate but had to go in, have tea (which is not as we know it) and watched them knitting and they do it in a most peculiar way.  The wool is somehow slung round the neck and they get the wool round the needle with a flick of the thumb.  Fascinating to watch and they are so quick.  I also had a spoonful of something in vine leaves thrust at me and it wasn't rice but we worked out using Bulgarian and Turkish that it was based on ground maize flour with lots of spices in it.  You just can't refuse it when it is on a fork under your nose and she is saying 'yash, yash', 'eat, eat', so you do.  I also had some madeira cake before I left.  We had a discussion about pensions and I have to point out that I worked for about forty years in England to get my pension and it's not much more than if I had never worked at all.  Some seem to do ok.

So tonight I have nothing in the slow cooker but I have another outside armchair so if I have a visitor I don't have to give up mine and go for the plastic ones so I think I am down to Djebel tonight to the restaurant.....enough for this time....LN....let's see where tonight takes me....
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Princess
March 16, 2011, 9:18pm Report to Moderator
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Hi mum bongo, sounds like you are having a good time....... Callumazoo is now officially a teenager, no you haven't missed his birthday....... He punched a bully in the face on his way home tonight..... He was trying to take bubbas scooter and throw it in a bush....... Bubba told him to stop but when he carried on, my boy saw red and bopped him on the biffa! He phoned me really upset and thought I would ground him. The boy threatened Callum with the police and I said bring it on, if he presses charges for assault, I'll press charges for criminal damage....... And if his uncle really is a policeman as he threatened, the boy should know better!

Poor bub was proper upset..... Bless him. No knock at the door so far and no policemen to take down my particulars.......

Work is really busy and rob is really busy too. We went to his work on Saturday and I got to wear my pink high vis and pink hard hat........ Check my bad self, I had it all going on!

Anyway, I'm off go nurse my big boy as he has man flu, it's a killer as we well know..... Moon and back, big kisses, Princess xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


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Elsa Peters
March 17, 2011, 12:32pm Report to Moderator

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Thursday 17th March

Now that's my boy, no grandson, but that's still my boy....We are all quite quiet in my family, can take aggession up to a point but if we really have to stand up for ourselves on a matter of principles....we do and yes, well done big boy.  I just hope the school has done something about it already.  As for the big boy, I know how hard it is when you have someone with man flu and I know how potentially dangerous it is.  You should be wearing a mask.   Pleased you got to wear your outfit....hope you had something else on or was it only the high-viz and the hard hat/   Keeping the family tradition going......well done you.

Well warm and windy and so is the weather but we did have a ;ittle rain this morning.  I think the little black and white cat has adopted me.  They always say that you don't have a cat...cats have you and it came right up my outside armchair this mornig...very nervouse but that could be becaused the Tabby had a pop at it last night.  I hear a screech, looked out at it was a cat scrap as opposed to cats crap....thought I better be careful how I typed that one.  

The digger made its escape this morning as it trundled over the hill and far away preceeded by a blue van so what was that all about then?  I know not.  No low-loader for this one but maybe it's a local and if it is I should investigate because it would save lots of digging out here by manual means and cheaper.  

I hear the disco-magazine.....and I'm off...
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Elsa Peters
March 18, 2011, 5:57pm Report to Moderator

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Friday 18th March

Sorry, sorry, sorry....I have been giving an English lesson in my restaurant.  Now it wasn't supposed to turn out like that at all.

So how it started.  It was a very leisurely morning and I decided to darn my Bulgarian socks that had worn through and my own lazy fault for not wearing slippers with them, mended my jumper where the stitching had come apart on the neck and then decided that the chair hat I made yesterday just had to be finished off.  Now I was missing a piece of wood to make the arms so I decided that the wooden supports for the balcony from my bedroom were fair game but it took a lot of banging to get the one that I wanted down bearing in mind that there is quite a lot of glass in that area...anyway did it and once the rest of the chair was stripped of bark, remember that this is substandard wood, the arms attached, then I had to get the wood preserver on it.  My supply from Lidls in UK is rapidly drawing to a close so I have emailed them to ask them when this might appear on a 'weekly special' in Kardjali.  I get the feeling that the people organising the offers don't really know the  region so we get lots of things that you would buy from the market because Turkey is so close and their work is of a high standard.  Do it your self stuff.....I reckon I could set myself up as the 'local expert' but it would be all the things that I needed and would convince others that they couldn't live without.

So how did the rest of my day go?  I managed to get the price of the tyres for the jeep but when we phoned the number in Sofia...it was like the walking dead.  Haskovo have quoted a price that I balked at but when you take the transport cost from UK, you might as well have local.  I went to the shop and gave him my quote, then went to my restaurant where my special lady and her daughter in law were to deliver the documentation for 'permission for her husband to work in the UK'.  I'd like to know why Bulgarians and Romanians have their own special 24 page section.....they're in the EU now and we've been taken advantage so long and mainly by our own people.  At least if they want to come to work they pay into the system, we have so many taking out of the system that have never worked but don't start me on that one.....

Anyway, delivered the forms.  Velichco decided that the daughter from the hotel could translate it from my English to Bulgarian and I know Eileen well and we got over what we were trying to say.  Firstly the person offering the vacancy has to seek permission to employ that person and then the letter of permission has to be sent with the application for a permit to work.....plus two signed photographs and reams of other information.  Why is he going.....the government has just taken away the subsidy on growing tobacco so the region is in a state of depression?  So the rest of the afternoon....my little four year old birthday demon was in a fraction mood after a morning/ afternoon at kindergarten but I delivered my 'Learning English' for children and we sat around this afternoon having an English lesson with her mother and the four year old.  Grandmother was determined that we should translate it all into Russian and I was equally determined that we shouldn't but it was fun, she is my friend.  Six thirty and homeward bound.  My electricity bill had been delivered and was tied to my door handle with string so that it didn't go missing, my little burner is still going and there is no need to light the big one, I've just poured myself a brandy and hot water and I came home from the restaurant with a bag of.....Lily of the Valley that are going in tomorrow.....my gradinka takes shape....LN....my glass is empty...I'm upstairs....the bottle is downstairs and just while I think about it....poor Princess is burdened by two occurrences of 'man flu'.  Big frog and baby frog have both succumbed so my thoughts go out to her...even the Peters resilience has limits...LN
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Joanna
March 19, 2011, 7:21am Report to Moderator
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I see that the A8 members ie those that joined the EU in 2004 are to have their restrictions lifted on 30th April but Bulgaria didn't join until 2007, so maybe in about 3 years they won't have the restrictions either. It's good news for Latvians anyway  
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