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Elsa Peters living a new life in Bulgaria    General Boards    My Diary by Elsa Peters  ›  OCTOBER 2013
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Elsa Peters
October 1, 2013, 3:36pm Report to Moderator

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Tuesday 1st October

Not so much 'white rabbits' as 'grey bunnies'  After sweeping and clearing the other schoolroom and the inside of part of the roof so that men can start on a clean playing field tomorrow, we were both covered in dust.  

So out to pick up the men at seven forty from their restaurant  We went along the new road to the property and I was able to take photos since I wasn't driving.  The Bulgarians have really cut a swathe through the mountains, following the river for most of it and it's exposed some wonderful views.  Ordered the materials and completed the paperwork with the council for the electricity company and we were over to the property by ten thirty. Breakfasted in the sun but then it started to rain and then it continued to rain, rained some more so we decided to call it a day at just after four thirty.  Men can't dig trenches in the rain and unload lorries and then hang about in wet clothes.

So I've just lit the fire...it's not cold but the air feels damp and I suppose it is October now...what can you expect.  Tonight out to the restaurant...neither of us feel like cooking or washing up so quick shower, down to Djebel to my little restaurant to pay our respects, eat their lovely food and then get an early night.  There's lots to do tomorrow...we're making good some of the windows and boarding up some of the others while the men work on repairing the roof.  LN...I'm going to get a shower and get my glad rags on...LN



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Elsa Peters
October 2, 2013, 5:31pm Report to Moderator

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Wednesday 2nd October

Woke up at silly o'clock this morning and opened the window to get some air since we had a fantastic thunderstorm last night but at four thirty I was closing it, the temperature had dropped rapidly and the wind had moved round and was coming from the north.  From the west we call it 'gypsy weather' and from the north we call it bloody cold.  It took me a while to get ready this morning...I had to search out something to wear that would keep out the cold and my boots had their first outing of the year.

Men for just after eight and over the new road to Momchilgrad.  Kettle on and then attacked the windows and going into Kardjali to get some polycarbonate window stuff to close off the windows in the downstair corridors...it was blowing a gale.  Poor Bekir had a rotten day today....he was connecting the water for the school to the village main supply and at one stage he was down to his vest standing in two feet of water with this trousers partly rolled up and fortunately had spares upstairs.  Result...the supply is now into the garden, the trench they managed to dig is filled in and everything in the garden is rosy and the flowers go in tomorrow.  I had a brainwave for lunch while out getting the window stuff I made the suggestion that we got a box of fish fingers and a frying pan and lunch was obviously fish finger sandwiches that went down a treat....we know how to live.  The rest of the day was to prepare for tomorrow so that they know what they are doing and the water board will sign off Bekir's work today...

Men home by six, we were home by six thirty, fire lit by six forty, zebra nest is out and installed and chilled and playing Angry Birds by seven.  Quick update....I smell supper and am about to raid the omelette that my guest has cooked for himself....it has to be done.  LN...please bring back the sun...winter has come early...LN



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Elsa Peters
October 3, 2013, 5:55pm Report to Moderator

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Thursday 3rd October

So last night I was cuddled up in my Zebra quilt better known as my nest and was I glad of it.....it was four degrees this morning when we set off to fetch the men and my joke is that we have missed out on Autumn and gone from summer to winter....and that's not good.  Over to pick up the men and we had to go to the water board to deliver the documents but unfortunately the chief was playing with the indians so we had to go back later.  As it happened my guest had forgotten the document that you carry at all times so we had to go back to my village and we were confronted by Stara Mush's daughter and the breeze blocks that we stored in front of his old wreck had to be moved so that they could get a wagon in so in true form...we did it and guess what...when we came back tonight...no delivery but there again this is Bulgaria.

So the men struggled with the water supply and fitting the clock and so much so that we have reinforcements in the form of Tanir...my Cmet's nephew to give the men a hand for the next couple of days.  They eventually got up to the roof by four thirty and it was all systems go.  They removed tiles, replaced old rotten beams with new stuff since until planning permission is granted they cannot replace the roof so patching is the way to go.  Dropped off by six thirty and poor Bekir was nodding off on the way home.....they have both had a bad day and I'm sure will appreciate a rest next week for their holiday period.

Home for us at seven fifteen.  Fire ignited, showered and I got some leeks and potatoes out this morning and made some sort of concoction and supper is that with chicken wings done in the oven.  It that should be ready about now so I'm not going to linger.  I'm out of red wine, mastika and all things good so finishing off the vodka and tonic...bitsa night...bitsa this and that.  LN....I'm kitchen bound...LN



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Elsa Peters
October 4, 2013, 5:53pm Report to Moderator

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Friday 4th October

So it was a five thirty start and the Angry Birds had preference until the battery ran out and I was one angry bird.  I promise not to use that phrase again...   Beautiful sunrise and fully captured...it was a joy to wake up.

Out by seven thirty and the third workman was waiting at the gate....over to the men and they sorted out Tanir with lunch and I joked with the lady from the restaurant.  It appears that I have more guests on Sunday since it is the Dushinkovo fete worse than death and all of the locals from the men's village are coming to see what they get up to every day when they are working for me.  I think I'll head for England...I could have a house full.  

Men replaced one of the large windows that had been blown out as their first job...just so that they could give me something to do.  It was the science store room of the school and it was fun to dig and delve in the rubbish and find old bell jars, test tubes and pipette pipes.  So much fun and we also found lots of little bottles and plastic containers of 'stuff' that we roughly translated and thought that they might have been used to keep aggressors at bay....

Lunch was a kebab in Momchilgrad, over to Kardjali to fill up on supplies especially alcohol since it has been sadly depleted but now is restored to health but severely under attack again.  Men had a good day on the roof and I was up with them on the end of a long ladder.  It really took me back to the early days here and we had a giggle about it.  It was good that they remembered it too.

Men home, third workman home, supper is sweet and sour pork chops, rosti potatoes and red cabbage and it's just finishing off.  Tomorrow is another day...weather has got a little warmer fortunately so no fire tonight.  Do I pack away my summer clothes or not...decisions, decisions...I'll leave it til tomorrow...LN....Neil Diamond playing and supper needs serving...LN



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Elsa Peters
October 5, 2013, 5:20pm Report to Moderator

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Saturday 5th October

Beautiful sunrise but the temperature fell overnight and we struggled to get above zero until the sun picked up her strength. Again I've been in body armour or so it seems with polo neck sweater and body warmer.  The lady next door has lost her tomato and pepper plants...everything looks very sad.

So out to pick up the men at seven thirty and down to the other property by eight thirty.  It's been a hard slog for the men this week.  They have been stuck on the roof mending it and readjusting the roof tiles from fifteen or twenty years of neglect.  They've strengthened the beams, added new and generally 'made good'.

Lunch today was fried off 'preformed' chicken and mayo on bread and it went down well.  I had to go and get materials from the yard in the town and Bekir told me that I knew the word for what he wanted but blowed if I could think of it...eventually we negotiated the language barrier and we came back with the goods.  Made some polythene windows today and boarded up another one so that the goats and the neighbours can't get in.  Of course in true form, a little like my village, everyone has an opinion as to how things should be done.  You have to live in a village for three years or so and then they leave you alone to do things your way.  If my neighbours had had their way I would have knocked the house down.

So men home, we're home, fried pork and baked beans with chunky bread is underway and about to be served.  I'm on the ouzo tonight to keep out the cold and to banish the tiredness.  I've already lit the fire so I shall have a shower after supper and chill to some gentle music or alternatively give those angry birds a bashing to get rid of some of the stress.....

Tomorrow it's my village's fete and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for good weather.  LN...there are pictures but tomorrow is another day...they might be posted later...now it's food and feet up time...LN
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Elsa Peters
October 5, 2013, 7:30pm Report to Moderator

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Saturday continued

Supper over, Bernstein playing on the ipod...it's been a good evening...LN



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Elsa Peters
October 6, 2013, 4:41pm Report to Moderator

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Sunday 6th October

So last night I drew the curtains so that I could sleep in.  No so...four I had to get up to go to the loo and the stars were amazing.  Whether it was because it was a frosty night, I couldn't get over how bright they were and everything was so clear.  I sat on the stairs for about ten minutes just watching and then went off to bed with a satisfied grin on my face.  There is always something here that puts a different slant on things...or just it's my frame of mind but anyway up...it ain't a bad place to be so to speak.

So eventually came too at eight ten, bacon, egg and fried bread cooked for me by my guest while I cleared out my summer clothes and headed for the winter storage bags but no sooner had I packed it all away that I was looking for a white sleeveless t-shirt...it was my village's fete worse then death.  Finished tidying up the house just in case I had any guests from my men's village, Gouljan wasn't coming out to play again so washed my hair, had a shower and off we went to the village centre.  I met up with several neighbours and friends from Djebel,  We sat down at a table and ordered a couple of beers, two chunks of bread and a kilo of roasted lamb the rest of which is being turned into honeyed lamb for supper.  There was just so much but dear Tommy benefited from the remaining bones.  We caught up with Bekir and Sally and their friends at the Prasnik.....it was a good day.

So over to the property that my men have been working on for a last minute tidy before my guest heads back to England to earn the cash for the rest of the renovations.  His neighbour came out with coffee since he had given them a gift of chocolates and a bottle of booze for her husband.  Came back from Momchilgrad on the 'cheren put' or black road on a bit of a mystery tour but the road went upwards and onwards and we ended up two villages higher and took the lane back to mine...result.  I do think it's more a road for a jeep than a car but it made it without much effort.  Supper about to be served, Randy Crawford belting out tonight and we have a little beer on the go.  Super weather...frosty start, beautiful afternoon and now the chill is in the air and the plants that need a little protection are in the little house.  I'm off to the kitchen...LN...supper is on its way...LN



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Elsa Peters
October 7, 2013, 4:00pm Report to Moderator

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Monday 7th October

Seven thirty start and a cup of coffee waiting for me in the kitchen.  My guest leaves today.  I waved him off and just after eight, struck up the computer, did emails and the likes and became a photographic studio.  Gouljan's mother still hadn't seen pictures of her newborn grandson so I plucked them from Facebook, printed them off, laminated and delivered.  She was over the moon with them and then I noticed that my ladies were sitting out enjoying a cup of tea and a good old natter so I stopped the car on the way through the village and went to join them.  It was really warm in the sun and a pleasant interlude but when the chicken and rice came out I excused myself and headed off for Djebel.  I had been asked by Gouljan's mother if I could managed to get her ten kilograms of sugar so that was my weightlifting exercise for today.

Now this morning's task was to deliver the final bill for my student's visit to the UK but this had been increased by two pairs of trainers and his pocket money and I felt bad about it.  It was minimal for what we did but you can't help how you feel so I told them to offset it against my car costs for their winter checkups and the little one's tyre change to the winter variety.  Having said that it's been a beautiful day and the temperature has settled for about ten degrees tonight but is set to fall for three but no mention of frost for tonight.

Delivered the sugar and had picked up chicken wings for supper and replaced the potatoes that we had managed to get through last week.  The ladies were still out but this time at the bottom of the village so I acknowledged them but asking them if they had nothing to do they could finish my wall off.  This was greeted with derision so I wound up the window and headed home with a smile on my face,

Chicken wings cooked and eaten with the rest of the red cabbage and for my daughter and one or two that read the blog....how much...no idea.  Cilla Black is belting out tonight....she really did have a superb repertoire and it's stood the test of time.  Seven my time and a fire is gently ticking away giving the house a warm feeling.  Time to curl up with a book....it's been a day for getting back into my village after what seems a long time away....LN...  



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Elsa Peters
October 8, 2013, 7:44am Report to Moderator

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Tuesday 8th October

What a lovely lazy day....seven twenty when I woke, no men to pick up (in the nicest possible way), still in my PJ's which I really should do something about but what the heck...the day is mine all mine....   A few things on my imaginary list for today...sort out the plants so that 'all is safely gathered in', plant out a few to see if they survive but take cuttings first and have the last run with the lawn mower over the grass.  What I love about the fact that it's not committed to paper...I can pretend that I had no intention of even attempting it.  Why beat yourself up....I don't get paid for the effort apart from a sense of achievement when all is attained.

Beautiful morning and yet again...what a joy to live here...



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Elsa Peters
October 8, 2013, 4:49pm Report to Moderator

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Tuesday evening

So a few things got knocked off the mental list today but not all of them.  I shan't bore you with the details.  Lovely afternoon...I took my kindle out and read for a couple of hours.  Temperature is supposed to drop to four overnight so lit the fire just after five after getting in two loads of washing.  Found a couple of leaks in the fridge so supper tonight was leak and potato with chunks of gammon with crusty bread.  Did it for me.

Bekir phoned and he had received the quote for the windows for the workshop and garage...reasonable so they are ordered and will be fitted the week after Byram...their holiday.  It seems to be all coming together.  

Good night from me...I'm going to get the beer out and the Kindle.  Bernstein is belting it out tonight and his music is so atmospheric.  The Early Years and Rhapsody in Blue....now what could be better than that with a crescent moon to boogie by...LN....my glass is empty and that just won't do...LN



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