Monday 17th June

Beautiful morning...sun shining and threatened to be hot all day and it was.

Went into Kardjali on a hunt for new lawnmower wheels since two of them have become slightly damaged but i reckon it's a trip in to Haskovo from where the machine cometh so to speak.  I tried looking for the parts on the internet but there was an American site but considering the duty that has to be paid and the formalities...sod that for a game of soldiers.  I think the phrase is...once bitten and I'm not referring to my Avatar's dog.

Back into Djebel for lunchtime and phone Gouldjan to see if she had finished for the day since the school bus is no longer running.  The children have broken up for this year until September.  My lesson today has been moved until tomorrow.  My guest leaves in the morning on the six a.m. and that was one of the other reasons for going into Kardjali...the bus ticket is purchased and he's on the fast through bus.  So gave Gouldjan a lift home and her father asked me what brought me to their village.  I pointed at his daughter and his response was that I should take her up to Suden Voda lake and throw her in...not sure what's gone off there but I didn't ask.

Lazy afternoon...supper was chicken kebab sticks with mushrooms covered with honey and served with potato salad.  Lots of noise outside and my opposite neighbour has had the tractor round to turn the hay and it's now baled ready for the winter.  The two farmers boys were helping out moving the hay around the field into the path of the tractor.  They have to learn early on.

Early start in the morning so not a late night.  Nine thirty here and I'm thinking that it's time I got my head down.  LN....out at five....back by six thirty...student at ten...home by lunchtime and we'll see what happens after that...LN

Hi Elsa, Lovely pics, and weather looks nice, bloody cold here...lol. If theres anything u want me to look for over here for u like wheels...hehehehe just say, make model, size etc, I might be able to get them here... just let me know. We have some big hardware stores and its the birth place of the Victor Lawn Mower......lol. Take care. The Gang..xxxx

Tuesday 18th June

Thanks Linda....I'll keep that in mind when the Beast need a new set of wheels as long as you pay the postage

So had a sleepless night.  Whenever I set the alarm I have to stay awake to make sure that it goes off and stay awake I did until three this morning then went off and wondered what the heck the noise was.  I had to get my guest to the bus station in Kardjali to catch the six a.m. to Sofia for a eleven thirty flight.  Dressed by four fifteen and convincing him that we had to leave by five just in case the police were doing road checks having nothing much better to do since there is very little crime out here.  He's not very good in the morning so it was push and shove all the way.  No way did I want to drive three hours if he missed it.  We were there at five forty, a beautiful sunrise was starting and the camera was sitting on my desk at home....bother I thought and those that know me are aware that that wasn't the actual word I used.

He's on the bus...the driver knows that he wants to get off at the airport bus stop, he has egg mayo sandwiches to help him on his way and a bottle of water. I've had the phone call to say that everything went to plan but that there is now a dustbin man strike in the UK so it isn't look it's best.

Decided to have toast for breakfast, put in two slices and went into the garden to throw away the rest of the old bread and thought that I could seed the bed that I'd dug over and headed for one of my garden forks, smelled toast and went into the kitchen to find it full of smoke.  The release button had jammed, I unplugged it, it was popping for all it was worth and it was deposited on the outside table so no toast for me.  Settled for hard boiled eggs and realised that I'd had a lucky escape.  I keep the toaster on a melamine tray and the top layer had just started to peel but my work top was fine.  Beds stripped and two loads of washing out before my student at ten.  His mother had been into Kardjali at the crack of but wasn't the first in line to register him for the school in Kardjali that he has chosen to go to when he starts back.  Her ticket number was one hundred and thirty or so, so after the lesson I offered to take her in so that her husband could carry on working at the garage.  Registration complete, he looks like getting the course he wants, bought a new toaster, back to Djebel by one thirty and ran the taxi service for Gouldjan and she was home by two.  What a good start to the day.

Toast for lunch to make sure that it worked, up on the computer for a while and realised that the eyelids were heading south so had a beer, took to my virtuous couch and woke up at five thirty.  Watered my garden, dug over one of the garden beds ready to move the chili plants tomorrow morning, cleared out the weeds and couch grass from the frog garden and now at eight thirty am looking to get out my Kindle and carry on with the fifth book in the series.  Can't say that I am enjoying it overly....lots of coupling and not a lot of other action and I'm hoping it will pick up a little.  I'm clicking through quite a few pages.

Nothing for supper tonight, it's still too hot to eat.  Maybe egg mayo later....I feel I've eaten for Bulgaria and Britain having a guest for the last five weeks.  Now back to sense and sensibility and no one to darken my doorstep for a couple of weeks now.  LN....it's time I put my pc to bed....LN

What are you currently reading? I see "Inferno" is near the top of the best seller list here. Is that the Dan Brown book you were reading recently? I've just started "My Antonia" (accent on the "An") by Willa Cather. It was written in 1920 but I think I will enjoy it.

Wednesday 18th June

Gosh, how late am I ...I have been looking at You-tube and forgot all about you.

As for the books I am reading...the fifth book in the series of Gabaldon Jean and as I said...too much coupling for me...I'm waiting for a story line.

Out into the garden at six thirty this morning and was absolutely worn out by nine.  Remsier came round and we trimmed the Linden tree and she took home lots of the blossom for tea.  I've tried it but it does nothing for me but I like the aroma.  Worked in the garden until about ten moving and repotting but I had to come in...it was just so hot.

Read for a while, put away the washing..stripped down the guest bed and got the bed clothes washed....went back into the garden once the temperature had dropped and uncovered my carrots from the bed of weeds and kept my bonfire going to get rid of them....Today has been a down day.....thoroughly chilled.

So tomorrow same again on the cards....I was going to visit the Librarian but I think I need a few days on my own,

LN.....there is no supper...it's too hot...I've showered but my skin is still leaking....LN....

Thursday 20th June

Slept downstairs in the recently vacated bedroom....it was so hot last night and that room has thick walls and a small window.  The result...I made it through until seven thirty this morning.  Out on to the lounge terrace for my morning cuppa, back to get the second and ended up letting that get cold.  The garden beckoned me and like the fool that I am.....I was out there.  Finished uncovering the rest of the carrots...I've go five rows of the beauties, strung up my cucumbers and picked another two and notice that something had nibbled at two others so they got slung over the fence.  The two goodies are over with my Avatar.....I really must think of something to do with them...they are my best crop apart from the beetroot which is growing at an alarming rate and I think I might just be able to get some boiled and ready for the weekend.  The Librarian is over on Saturday for the day for a rest from her gardening and decorating.

So I came in when it got too hot outside and it was in the mid thirties around lunchtime.  Took to the lounge with the cooling breeze, carried on with my book but still not a lot of action and at 24 percent I would have though it would start to liven up.  Eyelids heading southwards so shut the door and brought the key inside and went off for a couple of hours but the dreams were strange and in the end it was the barking of a puppy that woke me up but it was intermingled.  I'm still not sure if there was a puppy or not but I seem to remember a scratching on the fly screen....and all this without alcohol.

Remsier came round at about five and we chatted...or rather we tried hard to communicate for an hour or so.  We sat in the lounge and I think she likes the calmness of my house.  Most guests do.....she also had had a zizz this afternoon....and talking to my Avatar this evening she got her head down as well......I think we'll rename this place 'Sleepy Afternoon Ville' or SAV for short.  

Back to my garden and dug up the plant that I was unsure of in my rosemary bed.  I thought it was two plants but after digging it I found out if was one so replanted it but with extra stuff for the roots and dug well into the soil so that it might do a little better.  Not sure what it is...it was a gift last year but no flowers to date so watch this space.  Nine my time and I'm just about to pour the first.  I didn't come in from the garden until eight twenty so it's been a good day.  The garden is beginning to look good with the zinnias coming into bloom and the tobacco has just beaten them to it.  Delightful aroma of the tobacco envelopes the terrace.  So....LN....down for a small tot tonight,.....the shout of 'mastika' might be heard later...LN

Friday 21st June

Seven am start....I like it in the downstairs bedroom and it seemed to take me ages to come out of my dream.  What was it?  I can't remember but it was going round in circles in the end.

Coffee on the lounge terrace enjoying the warmth of the sun and thinking of nothing in particular.  Worked on the pc for a while and looked up and thought I saw a sheep in the garden.  Did a double take thinking that it was a reflection on the windows on the landing but no, there was one that had found its way in.  I went out shouting 'freezer' to no avail and the beauty couldn't remember where he'd got in and eventually scrambled under the barbed wire and ran like mad to catch up with the rest of the gang.  After that the garden fork somehow got into my hand and I spent the next hour or so digging up dandelions until I suddenly looked at the time and realised that I had thirty minutes to shower, wash my hair, print off a text and get into Djebel for my student.  Went in with wet hair screwed up into a French pleat but one of the ladies commented on it saying that it was very pretty.  One thing about wet hair...it keeps you cool in these temperatures.  Lesson over and down to the shop for my hour or so with his mother.  My student's fourteenth birthday on Monday so must do something special for the lesson and I think it's already planned.

Home for two after a little shopping....came back with a French stick and made tuna mayo baguette, sat reading for a while and yes, you've guessed it, nodded for an hour or so.  Cleaned the kitchen, back out into the garden and at six Remsier came out and asked if I had any work which is a precursor to...can you take me into Djebel.  Now I don't mind because she doesn't make many demands...her gas bottle had run out and she needed a refill to prepare for the five thousand.  So in we went...

Little bit of sadness lingering....I heard today that a very good friend has died at the age of sixty nine.  I don't know any more details but I saw him only three years again after a gap of forty years.  There are some that stay in your heart and he was one of them.  I'll light a candle for him tonight and my condolences go out to his family.  

Back out into the garden and finished cutting back the tomato greenery and tying them up and it's turned into a very pleasant night.  Sheep are safely home.....I think....well there aren't any in my garden anyway, garden watered and all my bits done so to speak it they are ever done.....not in need of supper after such a huge lunch...I'll do until morning.....LN...I'm going to enjoy the rest of my evening...watching the candle burn.....LN

Saturday 22nd June

Six thirty start this morning but the day began very slowly.  It was beautiful sitting out and watching the world.  One or two birds in the garden that I didn't recognise.  I've heard this strange very soft bird call a few times now but I've not managed to locate the owner despite searching RSPB.  One looked very much like a partridge but it was nowhere near the pear tree.  It was brown with red throat markings and quite large.

So out with the hoover and the mop and bucket this morning...I was expecting the Librarian but it was a tentative arrangement and so when she didn't show I didn't panic.  Upshot is...I have a very clean house.  Finished working at about twelve when I became too hot to do anything else.  Sat in the lounge and read for a while really couldn't settle.  Maybe it's the lack of activity now that I am on my own again or back to pleasing myself and not sure what to do first so....I did nothing until I was forced into activity by a sound of breaking fence and one little sheep who I'm sure has a different name than the one I called it was heading for my vegetable patch but I was quicker that it was.  I think all the rest of them had line up now the defences were broken but this little cookie was quick.  Grabbed some wood, hammer and nails and it's now fixed.  There was one very fierce looking one that faced me out as I hammered in the nails,  It had a bell round its neck and was obviously the leader of the pack but I was more worried about the dogs that protect them.

Tools back into the little house and out to the garden and removed the bindweed from the side beds and re-edged the 'lawn'.  I use that word loosely...it might be one one day but at least it's short and green.  Going out to give the garden a good soaking tonight...it's been a humdinger today and some of the plants are looking a little the worse for wear.  Then my turn to have a shower to freshen up....the flowers aren't the only ones in need of a lift.

LN...must prepare for my student tomorrow.....LN

Sunday 23rd June

Six thirty this morning and it's now getting into a similar routine in the morning...Kettle on, make coffee and sit out and watch the world.  The weather seems to have settled down now and it clocked in at about thirty six this afternoon...far too hot to do anything so I didn't.  Bit of commotion going on this morning with the tractor and baler and cars stopping and one of my neighbours seemed to be directing the operation.  The bales were loaded on to the tractor but not sure what happened to them after that....into the winter store but if the weather stays like this it might come out even earlier.

Out at nine to meet with my student's mother to set up a surprise for his birthday.....she asked if I wanted to go with them to Greece and the sea for the day but I declined gracefully....legs and the necessary bits needed doing and I had my other student and a lunch appointment today.  Lesson went OK but the family were looking a little tired...they have had guests from Turkey and mother had been cooking for ten the previous night and I think she was still getting straight.  When I arrived at the house...their neighbours, mother, father and daughter were sitting under a tree in the shade bottling green beans and they had thirty something jars.  The kazan (big pot for boiling them in) had a roaring fire going underneath it to get it up to temperature and was sited in the road.  I joked with my student that I would probably be leaving with a few jars ...but sadly ...no...they were still far too hot to move.

Got back home at about three....opened all the doors and went to the lounge and lay out and read.  I was close to dropping off but thought it better if I didn't so onto the pc....freecell and sudoku for an hour or so...much better for me.  Did a bit of creative work in word which I'll explain later after my student's birthday tomorrow.....

Time to water the garden and find the rest of the chicken from last night despite having a huge meal with the family...LN....start of a busy week I'm thinking....LN

Monday 24th June

This morning I was awake at four thirty to hear the hodja calling the faithful for breakfast before they started fasting and zilch for the rest of the day until sunset....tough life at this time of year if you want to keep the faith.  Me...well ...lay there for a while...read my book....got up and made coffee...went on the pc...watered the garden, pegged out the washing, lit the bonfire and it was only seven thirty but made sure the smoke was going in the opposite direction.  What a lovely time of the morning for doing things.

Came in and made a card for my student's birthday and it was rather special.  His present from his parent is a ticket to the UK for fifteen days holiday and I'm taking him.  His card was actually a folder labelled holiday fund and I included some English money for him as a start.  In Bulgaria they aren't much into birthday cards but his mother this morning gave him the booking print-out and said 'Happy Birthday'.  He looked at it, couldn't quite work it out and then she told him that he was going to England for fifteen days.  His immediate response was to go down to the supermarket and but a really decent box of chocolates as a thank you...super.  So when I arrived for the lesson. I had a hug and a chocolate but the lesson was more to his taste reading about two of his favourite footballers.  I knew that I wasn't going to get very much sense out of him...he was over the moon.

So down to the shop and spent a couple of hours with his mother and whenever I say I must to she says "no, stay".  Eventually I dragged myself away, went to the stationery shop and got a new packet of printer paper and headed home.  Delayed what I had to do...my grass had grown and it needed doing if I was to have two days helping my Librarian with things she needs to sort out so I took the bull by the horns and set off with my trusty mower and I've managed to fell three quarters of the garden and the rest I can do when I get back.  Phone the Librarian to see if my services are really necessary and I'm over there for nine thirty-ish tomorrow so that we can go to the market.

Guest at the weekend....but only for a few days but I've had to reorganise my schedule so that I might have my student on Saturday not Sunday.  As I said ...a busy week this week....LN...I love it really...and there is one very excited birthday boy...and that makes me very happy....I've just had a surprise visitor...Emaula has invited me to a village barbecue at ten o'clock on Thursday morning...it cost me fifteen leva....and if I could manage it ...OK...if not....the rest would have to support me....of course I can manage it...it is paid and I'm looking forward to it.....LN...the party season has started....LN